Leslie confirmed the list and handed it to me.

There were more names than I expected. I couldn’t discern the order in which they were written, so I had to look at them in order from the top. There were many unfamiliar names, unique names, and those with spellings similar to Roger’s.

As I flipped through the pages, my hand stopped for a moment. I found Roger’s name, but the last name was different from the violinist from earlier.

Flipping through to the end, there was no name for the Roger I knew. At that moment, the tension in my body relaxed; all the effort I had put in so far seemed to be in vain.

“He must have been a close friend. Judging by how eagerly you were looking for him.”

“…Yes. We parted ways on bad terms. And there’s something of his that I still have. I have something to apologize for.”

“If you want to find him that badly, I can help, Rezhe.”

Leslie said with a confident expression.

“Never mind, I don’t want that.”

Leslie would search for Roger even if it meant scouring the entire continent.

Still, I declined her offer, not wanting to bring Roger before me with a thorough investigation.

“Now I have to go back.”

“Already?”

Leslie’s voice carried a hint of regret.

Our business here was done. I preferred to briefly visit the ruins Yune liked and then return to the village. When I shook Yune’s shoulder, who was sleeping soundly, she raised her sleepy head.

I prepared to leave.

“I’ll send a letter, Leslie.”

“…Sure. I won’t force you to stay if you’re leaving.”

There was a slight edge in Leslie’s tone.

“If you want to meet me, invite me to your house rather than bothering with the social circle. I also want to see the palace. If it’s difficult to invite me, well, it can’t be helped.”

“…Really? Is that okay?”

Her expression brightened.

“Of course.”

“I thought you’d dislike the palace. You hate crowded and flashy things.”

“That’s true for the entrance to Marsen Mansion. The splendor of the palace is different.”

“I don’t really get what you’re saying, but okay. I’ll definitely invite you!”

Even though she got up, Yune’s eyes were still half-closed. I had to give up on visiting the ruins.

Supporting Yune, I looked at Leslie, who had stood up for my farewell. There was an unpleasant corner, but I was glad to see her outside after graduation.

“Don’t make too many enemies.”

“Are you giving me advice? Does the Marquis’s daughter dare to advise the princess?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Rezhe, if anything happens, call me. Even if I’m called the worst woman in the world, I can help you. Understand?”

So, please don’t pour all that help only on me, share it with others too, Your Highness. I responded with a smile instead of words.

Even if I hated her, I hoped Leslie would always be happy and safe.

As the well-going carriage entered the entrance of Ho-sha Village, it came to a stop.

Yune, who had her head leaning against the wall, slowly opened her eyelids as soon as the carriage stopped. Wondering what was happening, she raised her head beyond the window, and a familiar man came into view.

“Yurik?”

“What?”

Surprised by my words, Yune, who had been dozing off, abruptly straightened her back. Thanks to that, the carriage swayed a bit, but Yune was more focused on confirming Yurik’s appearance with her own eyes than the movement.

Without needing to scrutinize, the person in front of us was indeed Yurik Penton.

He approached us after briefly conversing with the coachman. Both Yune and I stiffened at the sight of his slightly angry face.

“…Hello. Oppa. Long time, no see?”

“You saw me this morning, didn’t you? Yune.”

“Haha…”

When her laughter didn’t seem to fit, Yune hid behind me. Unlike Yune, I had nothing to hide from Yurik, but his gaze made it hard to breathe.

He looked me over in my dress and let out a wry smile.

“I just heard from the coachman. You went to the social circle at the Leurno Marquis’s house?”

“Yes. I received an invitation, but going alone seemed frightening, so I brought Yune with me.”

Yurik stared at me silently. His expression seemed more sorrowful than angry. As I opened the door and stepped out of the carriage, Yurik didn’t hide his confusion.

“Yune, go inside first. I’ll talk with Yurik for a moment.”

“Sister…”

She hesitated and sat down. Her words were cut off by the coachman’s movements.

Around the time the carriage heading towards the Penton Duke’s residence was no longer visible, I glanced at Yurik, who was standing still. Just after training, his training uniform was stained with dirt, and his hair covered his forehead.

I needed to sit somewhere to explain about Yune and the social circle. I looked around for a bench, but Yurik moved.

“…How was the social circle?”

“It was just boring. Nothing special happened.”

“Is that so?”

Yurik’s serious expression loosened slightly.

“Yurik, don’t go to the house…”

“I want a birthday present.”

Blocking my words, he approached me with a step. I unintentionally took a step back, thinking his chest would touch my face. This time, instead of coming closer, Yurik firmly held my gaze.

“A b-birthday present?”

“I promised to give you one last time but couldn’t.”

“Oh, right! Tell me what you want. I have money, and I can buy anything for you.”

“I don’t want you to buy it.”

“…Huh?”

“Make it for me.”

Make what?

“I want to eat the dish you make, Rezhe.”