I nodded with a heavy heart. Yancy’s talk about a harmonious family was so tiresome.

‘While he smiles so affectionately, I wonder what he’s thinking deep inside. But, I’m not curious at all. It’s probably more comfortable not to know.’

“Let’s talk later then.”

I mumbled something like ‘let’s grab a meal if there’s time’ and passed by Yancy.

“Felix Hicklmayer, nice to meet you.”
His words halted my steps. Turning my head abruptly, I met eyes with Yancy, who had been looking at me.

“Don’t worry, Lili. I don’t plan to tell Father.”

I felt uneasy with Yancy’s hypocritical words of concern. ‘What is he talking about my investigated topic now?’

If he was going to continue investigating like a shadow, he could have at least kept me unaware, as the subject in question.

Normally, I would have just laughed it off, but due to these frequent incidents, I couldn’t hide my emotions.

“Lili?”

“No, it’s nothing. Yes, we met. But why?”

Quickly regaining my composure, I asked, considering Yancy’s unpredictable backstabbing nature.

“I looked into it personally because you met him. It seems your relationships with men are quite complicated.”

“Ah…”

“He was famous abroad, but that fact hasn’t been revealed in Valentiya yet.”

“Oh.”

I unintentionally learned about my cousin’s chaotic relationships with women.

Wow, that was truly an information I had no interest in.

I don’t know how he interpreted my disgusted expression, but Yancy’s face stiffened momentarily.

“So, it’s better not to get too close.”

“Hmm.”

“Lili, I understand how you feel about that man.”

It seemed Yancy thought I had a complicated relationship with Felix.

Although I was about to explain that it was not the case, I refrained. Whatever Yancy thought, it didn’t matter.

“Thanks for your concern, older brother.”

Looking into Yancy’s eyes, I spoke.

“But I’ll handle it myself.”

“Lili, I [dash].”

Yancy called my name with a worried expression, but I sneered.

Honestly, it was ridiculous.

In the past, he treated me kindly, but it was all a pretense. Yancy was never interested in me.

If he felt sympathy, he would have at least struck up a conversation with me, who stood alone in the vast banquet hall.

So, regardless of who I meet or what I do, Yancy had no right to interfere.

Judgment was always my responsibility, and I had accepted the consequences.

“…”

“As always.”

The next day, I was getting ready to depart for the Heybort territory.

Masa, who knew that I was going to a friend’s house, was helping me dress up carefully.

Feeling guilty for the curled hair that would inevitably be ruined while putting on decorations, I apologized.

“Miss, when did you secretly make friends?”

“Why? Masa, are you jealous right now?”

“Of course! I’m really upset right now.”

As expected, honest Masa confessed to jealousy without hesitation. I chuckled and looked at Masa through the mirror.

“I’ll introduce you later. You’ll like Urania too.”

With Urania’s hearty personality and Masa’s impatience, they might surprisingly get along well.

“Well, but don’t get closer to her than to me.”

“Sure, sure.”

Masa, who was pursing her lips, suddenly seemed to remember something and looked outside the window.

There, Greed was frolicking in the garden.

“Then, I’ll take good care of Black in the meantime.”
“It’s okay. I’ll take Black too.”

“Tsk. I was trying to get close this time.”

Masa licked her lips as she watched Greed outside the window. Greed, who had been chasing after bugs and hopping around, was now trembling, shivering, and glancing around.

Eventually, Masa put down the comb and took a step back.

“Alright, all done! Have fun on your outing, Miss.”

“Thanks, Masa. I’ll be back.”

Thanks to the excuse of going to a friend’s house, I ended up in an outfit that was not suitable for a journey.

“It’s fortunate that I packed my bags.”

Since I had prepared comfortable clothes for activities, I needed to go out and change.

As I left the mansion, Leanne, who had come early and was waiting for me, was there.

“Shall we leave right away?”

“No, I have somewhere to go first.”

In case Duke Ferdia might investigate, we actually stopped by Urania’s house.

Urania’s house, located in the commoner district, was small and cozy.

“Urania, thanks for agreeing.”

“Oh, what are you talking about! It’s a request from the cute Lili, of course I’ll agree!”

“After you come back, let’s go eat something delicious. I’m about to become rich soon.”

“Wow, okay! I’ll brag to Stephan and Mirhe when we meet.”

Having changed into comfortable clothes, I bid farewell to Urania and sneaked out through the back door.

There, two horses that Leanne had prepared in advance were waiting.

“What is this? Are we riding horses? No carriage?”

Greed, who protruded from the sealing stone, expressed his dissatisfaction. I looked at Greed with a loving smile.

“Yeah? Our little Greed is going to run on his own? Wow, it’s going to be an amazing aerobic exercise, isn’t it?”

“…I messed up.”

Greed’s reflection was quick. Seeing the complaining Greed, I asked affectionately.

“Hey? Our little Greed thinks he can run on his own? Wow, it’s going to be an amazing aerobic exercise, isn’t it?”

“…I messed up.”

Greed quickly repented. Smirking at the cheeky Greed, I suddenly turned to Leanne.

“Why are you like that?”

“…I didn’t think that far. I’ll prepare a carriage.”

“What’s the matter with a carriage? Never mind.”

Ignoring Leanne, I confidently mounted the horse. Then, Leanne, who was expressionless, seemed to be surprised as his eyes widened slightly. It seemed he didn’t expect me to ride well.

Even though I was like this, I had some experience in horseback riding.

“Why. Does Leanne need a carriage? Or should I give you a ride in front of me?”

Provoking Leanne playfully and looking down at him, he answered seriously.

“I don’t need a carriage, but riding together isn’t bad.”

Well, what’s that supposed to mean?