The saying that a thief has a guilty conscience might just be true.

After I hid Askan’s escape, I deliberately did not call for him, worrying that Oland or Zen might suspect something.

Even though I knew it was a needless worry, I wanted to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

After sending away the suddenly arrived Barnen and Matella, time had somehow approached dinner.

‘Dad said he’d let go of last night’s incident, so I should be able to relax now, right?’

Oland was not a man who spoke out of both sides of his mouth. His principle was that trust was the most important thing in a person.

Since I hadn’t been able to dine with Askan all day, I thought we should share our unfinished conversation from last night over dinner.

As usual, I had two meals prepared in the room and called for Askan.

As it wasn’t the first or second day we had eaten together, to Jerrin and the others it would have looked like just another ordinary day.

Knock knock, soon after, Askan’s low voice came from outside the door along with the knocking sound.

“It’s me.”

“Come in.”

Once my permission was granted, Askan came into the room.

He was in his usual expressionless face, neat dress, and restrained movements, but something was different upon closer look.

He had dark circles under his eyes, seemingly from a sleepless night.

‘Was he unable to sleep well because of what happened?’

I simply thought and offered Askan a seat.

Once Askan sat opposite me, we began our meal in silence. He was a man of few words and I was not one to prattle on without cause, so it wasn’t out of the ordinary.

And so, the quiet time where only the sound of utensils clashing could be heard passed by.

When only the dessert was left after a hasty meal, I quietly spoke to Jerrin, who was assisting with the meal from the side.

“Leave us for a moment.”

“Yes, miss.”

Despite me not providing any explanation, Jerrin left the room, leaving only Askan and me.

If there was one good thing about being a villainess, it was this. People did not talk back to my words and listened very well.

Now that it was just the two of us left in the room, unlike the silent moments before, I poured out all the questions I had been curious about to him.

“Was there anything special today? Like someone looking for you, or someone watching you, or anything like that. Have you hidden the jewels I gave you last night well? If someone sees them, they might misunderstand, so you need to hide them well.”

Askan seemed slightly taken aback by my sudden change in demeanor, but he soon nodded and replied in his usual monotone voice.

“I understand. There was nothing special.”

“That’s a relief. It seems we have managed the crisis well, so don’t worry. Dad and I have decided to let go of last night’s incident.”

“Miss, are you…”

Askan paused, as if he was choosing his words carefully.

“Are you alright? The opponent we faced last night was not ordinary, Lord might have noticed something strange.”

“I’m fine. I don’t know what Dad is thinking, but everything ended well.”

Askan’s deep golden eyes stared at me quietly. His gaze, different from before, seemed to hold a strange emotion.

Is there more he wants to say?

I wondered, but I couldn’t read his mind, nor could I use any psychic powers to see into his heart.

Instead of guessing his unknowable thoughts, I stood up from my seat to tell him what I had wanted to say whenever we met.

Since realizing Askan wanted to leave the Breloff mansion, I had racked my brain and thought hard.

Rustle─

I took out the map I had hidden in my pocket and spread it out on the dining table so that Askan could see it. With most of the food cleared away except for dessert, there was plenty of space.

If we were facing each other eating at first, I walked over to the chair where Askan was sitting.

It was easier to explain while looking at the map from the same direction.

“Do you know where you want to go?”

“……”

Askan did not respond.

I ignored this and pointed to the area I thought was safest.

“What about here?”

It was the place furthest from the Kalua Empire. It was at the edge of the Arwen Empire, close enough to border another country, so it seemed safe.

“I’ve looked into it, it’s in the south so the climate is warm and good for living. It’s a rural area far from the capital, but the people are simple and kind…”

“Miss.”

I recited the information I’d investigated, when Askan called out to me in a heavily muted voice.

“What’s the matter?”

I asked, looking at Askan with a puzzled expression.

“Why did you call?”

“You’re too… close.”

What?

Only then did I realize I was up close to the chair Askan was sitting on, pointing at the map spread out on the table.

But this was normal for a private tutor teaching a student. We weren’t physically touching, was that considered close?

I didn’t understand, but if Askan felt uncomfortable, it must be.

I immediately straightened up from leaning over the map and said,

“Ah, sorry.”

“… It’s okay.”

Suddenly, I noticed Askan’s ears were redhot as he looked down at me from the side.