The sound of rippling water echoed in the bathroom, and Biare gently closed her eyes.

She never dared to think she would encounter Dension like that.

The moment she met him, Biare’s heart was pounding dangerously.

She thought that someday the moment of meeting him might come, and she had been planning for that day.

But it was not yet time.

She was just adapting to her sixteen-year-old life, and had not yet discovered anything about his death.

She deliberately composed herself to remain calm, but even so, it was not easy to completely erase him from her mind.

Recalling her own weakness that seemed about to crumble just from meeting Dension, a faint sigh escaped her lips.

‘But it’s not too late yet.’

After returning to the past, she had not just quietly watched as time passed by.

She was planning to visit the dark world to gather information related to Dension.

The dark world was known to be so vicious that even setting foot there was unthinkable, as countless dangers lurked everywhere.

Nevertheless, Biare was prepared to take risks for him, and now it was time to advance that plan.

The dark world of the Marta Empire did not always have the appearance of such a grim slum.

At the time of the empire’s founding, it was established as a refuge for the imperial people due to frequent wars, but ultimately, due to budget issues, it failed to even take on the form of a proper square.

Afterward, people with nowhere else to go, criminals fleeing after committing major crimes, and patients hiding due to plagues all came together to live there.

However, not everyone avoided that place.

The dark world was full of precious information that could only be obtained there, and there were also some who visited to purchase drugs banned for sale within the empire.

In the past, Biare had also asked her father to find the culprit who drove Dension to his death, but she had ultimately failed to obtain any information.

‘Just in case…’

If she couldn’t find out about that symbol, she might be able to find other information related to it.

Even the smallest thing was desperately needed as a clue for her.

Therefore, to obtain clues about Dension’s death, she had to visit that place in the near future.

‘Then the Sabbath would be the best.’

It was the only day when she could move alone, avoiding the eyes of others.

With about two weeks left until the next Sabbath, Biare intended to create the optimal situation that no one could notice before then.

When Biare finished bathing and came out, the waiting maids carefully dried her hair, tending to each strand.

Changing into a light chemise and getting into the cozy blanket, she kept yawning, drowsy from her warmed body temperature.

“Young lady, you must eat before sleeping.”

She wanted to fall asleep like this, but the maids’ attitude was so unyielding that she nodded briefly.

A well-prepared dinner table was soon set up in Biare’s bedroom, and the maids’ eyes were becoming moist at the sight of her complexion, which had become much more haggard in just three days.

Shaking her head and saying she couldn’t eat anymore, they had no choice but to clean up, and they went out of the room to let Biare rest alone.

Biare’s head turned towards the window at the gentle blowing wind.

Although it was early summer, the night breeze, full of coolness, was still chilly.

A faint night air rose from the unclosed window, and a slice of faintly shining moonlight was brilliantly illuminating the sky.

At that moment, the sound of bickering echoed in the corridor, and soon someone knocked on the door twice.

“Bia, may I come in?”

“I’m here too, elder sister.”

It was the Duke and Gaizen, who had just returned late at night after finishing their work and hurriedly sought out her room.

“Yes, please come in.”

As the door slowly opened and revealed them, they couldn’t hide their pity at Biare’s pale complexion.

The bleak air flowed between them for a moment, and the first to speak was none other than Gaizen.

“Elder sister, are you alright now?”

“Yes, I’m really fine.”

Biare smiled intentionally, stating that her condition had improved a lot.

Though it didn’t seem like they believed her.

“Bia, I’m sorry for being an inadequate father.”

The Duke, who had been avoiding Biare all along, apologized to her while rubbing his face dry.

Biare could understand that there were various meanings in her father’s apology.

“It’s alright, Father.”

Gaizen, who had been watching them, glanced at his father with a sullen expression and said,

“Even so, the Crown Prince really wasn’t right.”

The Duke coughed a couple of times, showing an awkward appearance.

“I’ve already requested an audience with the imperial family to coincide with the schedule for attending the noble council.”

While it was true that the Duke was blinded by power like other nobles, he was someone who put his children first above all else.

“You know that the charity event also contributed to elder sister’s condition, right?”

As Gaizen looked at the Duke with drowsy eyes, he deliberately ignored that gaze and checked Biare’s reaction.

“Bia, if the charity events are too burdensome, this father will try to reduce them.”

Biare raised one eyebrow at the Duke’s unexpected resolution and observed his reaction, but he soon seemed to regret his words.

Meeting the Duke’s slightly trembling eyes, she sighed softly and answered.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it since it’s something I’ve been doing.”

As soon as Biare finished her answer, Gaizen’s eyes widened and he spoke to her again.

“Elder sister, don’t regret it. Father is sincere about that.”

“This boy, let’s go out now so Bia can rest.”

The Duke hurriedly tried to take him out, fearing that Biare might change her mind after hearing Gaizen’s words.

Gaizen looked at his father with dissatisfaction before awkwardly saying to Biare,

“Elder sister, I’ll come again tomorrow. Rest well.”

“Alright, Gaizen. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

The Duke also knew well that those words were Biare’s forgiveness.

His humming could be heard in the corridor, and Biare’s room was once again filled with quiet stillness.

The cheerful sound of bells announcing the Sabbath rang out from a temple not far from the Duke’s residence.

No one would know how much Biare had been looking forward to this day’s arrival.

Manolin, who had returned from her recuperation, hummed a tune while brushing Biare’s hair.

That tune was one of the hymns that Biare knew well too.

Manolin was a devout believer, and so she was planning to visit the temple today as well.

Previously, Biare had secretly ordered a maid to find out about the most capable information guild in the dark world.

This came with a stern warning that it should be kept secret for life, and a promise of substantial reward if satisfactory results were brought.

It would have been easier if she had asked a guard knight, but if she had told them, there was a high possibility that it would reach the Duke’s ears as well.

If he found out the truth, he would interfere to prevent her from entering the dark world.

He was not the kind of father who would just stand by and watch a situation that could harm his daughter in any way.

Therefore, Biare had been staying only within the Duke’s residence since the charity event, so that no one could notice her plan.

It was when she was heading to the dining room for breakfast, dressed in the dress Manolin had chosen for her.

“Young lady. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“Sir Reardon.”

A middle-aged man with a sturdy build was on his way to the training ground when he spotted Biare and greeted her cheerfully.

Although he wasn’t officially part of the knight order, his skills were excellent, so he was staying at the Duke’s residence as Gaizen’s long-time swordsmanship instructor.

He also maintained a close friendship with her father, making him like an uncle to the two siblings.

“Is Gaizen receiving his sword training well these days?”

“Of course. He’s doing very well.”

Reardon nodded, seeming proud of his disciple’s skills, and praised him generously.

“That’s good to hear. He never talks about his training.”

Since she had no reason to go to the training ground herself, she had to ask his master about her brother’s training.

‘I guess I’m worried after all.’

Moreover, a child of that age might react sensitively, asking if she was doubting his skills.

“You don’t need to worry. The young lord’s skills are already sufficient.”

Reardon showed a kind smile, bowed slightly, and left. Biare, seemingly relieved by his answer, walked lightly towards the dining room.

The table in the dining room, welcoming the Sabbath, was filled with more lavish foods than ever.

In the afternoon, all the staff would return to their quarters or visit the temple, so they had to make do with pre-prepared food for tonight’s dinner.

Since the three of them ate together for breakfast and dinner, a more lavish breakfast than usual was prepared instead of a simple dinner.

As usual, the Duke and Gaizen were already seated, waiting for her.

From the intermittent sounds, it seemed the Duke was talking about the god Ekarto, while Gaizen sat with a sullen expression as if he didn’t want to hear it.

This was typically how the Ruschef family’s breakfast conversation went on the Sabbath.

Biare couldn’t help but smile wryly at their unchanging behavior, and when she sat down, the Duke stopped talking and welcomed her.

“Bia, did you sleep well?”

“Yes, Father.”

In truth, she had been tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep properly due to nervousness since the previous evening.

Biare picked up a crystal glass and took a sip of water to moisten her throat.

“I’ve been taking all the blame alone without elder sister.”

Grumbling to his sister and tattling on the Duke’s behavior, Gaizen was pouting his lips.

Seemingly flustered by this, the Duke coughed a couple of times and hurriedly refuted Gaizen’s words.

“This boy… I really didn’t say much.”

As always, their breakfast began peacefully after finishing their prayers.