Everyone has a ‘mask’ tailored to their situation.

Among them, those called power holders naturally had dozens or hundreds of masks that could be changed at any time for their own benefit.

This was also true for Killian, one of the three dukes of Eregron.

People who didn’t know Killian well often misunderstood that he lacked proper dignity as a nobleman.

Born as the illegitimate child of a duke’s family and rolling around battlefields since childhood, this was perhaps a natural thought.

Where would he have had time to learn the basic qualities a nobleman should possess when he had lived for ‘survival’ fighting beasts that weren’t even human?

But this was a misunderstanding that only people who ‘didn’t know Killian well’ could make.

‘Killian is more noble than any other nobleman in Eregron.’

Alicia, who had always watched Killian, knew better than anyone what kind of person he was.

Killian was a lord who knew how to negotiate for the benefit of his territory, a knight who knew how to bow his head for his subordinates, and a nobleman who could put on a mask of ‘pretense’ on his face at any time for his own benefit.

So it was not at all strange that Killian had a mask called ‘smile’.

‘I’ve heard that he sometimes laughed at others… but he’s never smiled in front of me… has he?’

Alicia let out a hollow laugh as she realized only now that she had never properly seen the smiling face of the person she liked.

And at the same time, she bit her lower lip at the anxiety weighing heavily on her chest.

‘Why did he smile?’

Alicia was certain that Killian’s ‘smile’ would be a means with some purpose.

The problem was that she couldn’t even guess what this man had taken out that mask she had never seen before to gain.

Sitting at one end of a long table for six in the dining room of Lasa Castle, Alicia stole glances at Killian, who was elegantly cutting meat across from her, and swallowed the sigh that was about to escape.

It was a dinner prepared immediately after nodding to Killian, who wanted an invitation with a smiling face as if bewitched by a fox.

It was a bit late, but Alicia hadn’t eaten anything since the night before, and she heard that Killian had skipped meals due to the commotion caused by the beast, so there was no excuse to refuse even belatedly.

“Is the meal not to your liking?”

“Ah, no. It’s delicious.”

“You don’t seem to be focusing on the meal for someone who says that.”

It was a short conversation that seemed to have switched the roles of host and guest.

Fortunately, after being formally invited to dinner, Killian had returned to his usual expressionless face as if he had never smiled, so she didn’t have to show a dumb expression anymore.

‘It’s also fortunate that the others who were there had stupid looks on their faces too.’

Even the wolves of Diaz, who moved as one body with Killian, were looking at their master with dumbfounded faces, so no one would have focused on her stupid face.

“… Does it suit the Duke’s taste?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. The chef was upset that he couldn’t prepare other precious ingredients, not knowing if a guest would come.”

“Since they’re ingredients prepared for Your Highness’s meal, they must be excellent without any special attention. I’m satisfied.”

“… I see.”

It wasn’t wrong.

Unless the Emperor or Crown Prince visited, no guest would be more noble than Alicia, the owner of this castle.

Moreover, the chef who prepared the food was originally in charge of the Emperor’s meals.

The skills of the chef, whom the Emperor willingly provided out of concern for Alicia, were the best in the empire, so even if there was a sudden guest, the quality wouldn’t drop.

“If you’re done examining my face, it would be good to focus on the meal.”

“…”

It seems my secret glances were noticed.

Alicia avoided Killian’s gaze staring at her and turned her eyes to the plate in front of her.

Although she had poked at it a little with her knife and fork, the amount of food hadn’t decreased at all and was getting cold.

‘I think I’m going to get indigestion…’

After hesitating for a moment, Alicia put down the utensils she was holding on the table and reached for the wine glass.

She didn’t feel like eating anything as her appetite had completely disappeared, but thinking of the chef who would worry seeing the untouched dishes, she thought of trying to revive her lost appetite a little with light wine.

‘Worry is one thing, but he’ll surely report to Father…’

Since she had promised not to worry her family anymore, she had to empty the plate even if forcibly.

“Are you going to drink?”

“Pardon?”

“… I heard you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”

“It’s just a light aperitif.”

“Even if it’s light, it’s still alcohol.”

Really… Killian had been really strange since earlier.

Not only did he show a smiling face, but now he was even saying words that seemed to worry about her.

It was a completely different appearance from the Killian Alicia knew.

“Alcohol on an empty stomach is not good.”

“… Duke.”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why you invited me to dine together?”

This couldn’t go on.

The question marks filling her head would soon burst it, regardless of the meal.

“You’re speaking as if there’s some other meaning to this place.”

Killian put down the fork and knife he was holding, took a sip of water, and said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Because you’re not a person who wastes time on unnecessary things.”

“Are you saying this place is wasting Your Highness’s time?”

“No, I’m talking about the Duke’s time, not mine.”

Alicia’s words came out sharply as she recalled the memory of having to watch the food get cold while waiting for Killian at the table every time, never once properly matching the mealtime until his death, as if his time was so precious.

“Hmm…”

Killian’s deep green eyes, unreadable in thought, turned towards Alicia.

Realizing that she had reacted sensitively, Alicia unconsciously avoided his eyes.

He was no longer a person who had anything to do with her…

Alicia bit her lower lip as she continued to push down the foolish heart that wanted to raise her head again deep into her chest.

As her lips turned redder than usual from being repeatedly pressed by white teeth, Killian, who had been looking at Alicia’s lips for a moment, opened his mouth.

“What meaning could there be to this place?”

“Do you… want to say there is no meaning?”

“I apologized for damaging Your Highness’s garden, and if you accept that apology, I simply requested to dine together.”

“… Should I take it to mean that you needed confirmation that the apology was accepted?”

“If it’s easier for you to think that way, by all means.”

“…”

“If you have no other questions, it would be good to continue the meal.”

And turning his gaze back to his plate, Killian quietly continued eating.

Watching him, Alicia also picked up the fork and knife she had put down.

There was no other conversation between the two until the empty plates left the dining room and sweet desserts were placed on the table.

Occasionally Killian’s gaze touched Alicia’s wine glass, but that was all.

“This must be your first time seeing a beast.”

Killian said as he lifted his teacup, pushing the plate with dessert slightly away from his body.

The pale brown liquid in the cup, at just the right temperature to drink, shook slightly, creating small ripples inside the teacup.

“… That’s right. I don’t have the opportunity to see beasts since I only stay in the imperial palace.”

“Some of those who see beasts for the first time suffer from nightmares.”

“Are you… worried about me?”

Feeling her foolish heart starting to beat fast again, Alicia asked Killian with a carefully composed voice.

She felt like tearing her hair out at how her heart was fluttering at just these few words.

“Yes.”

Alicia’s heart sank at Killian’s short answer.

She could tell her face was flushed red even without looking in a mirror.

“It would be troublesome if something happened to an important person.”

Troublesome…

The heat that had risen subsided instantly at that one word.

What on earth had she been expecting?

Killian was worried that he might get caught up in troublesome matters because of this incident.

Right, it was a troublesome matter.

No matter how much the Emperor and Crown Prince cherished Alicia, they couldn’t severely punish one of only three dukes in the empire just for having nightmares.

However, it was possible to bother Killian using the failure to manage the beast as an excuse.

For Killian, who disliked bothersome matters, that would certainly be a concerning issue.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m just feeling a bit unwell.”

The air that had settled coldly as if ice water had been poured seemed to weigh down on Alicia’s body.

She hated herself for having her whole body heated up with ridiculous thoughts, waiting expectantly for the next words.

Unable to face Killian, Alicia lowered her head and stood up from her seat.

She didn’t want to stay in this place any longer.

No, she couldn’t stay any longer.

Her stomach was turning with self-loathing, and she felt like she would die if she didn’t vomit it out right away.

“I’ll excuse myself first. Today’s meal was enjoyable.”

“You don’t look well… Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that I haven’t fully recovered from my illness, so don’t worry about it.”

“If you’re having a hard time, I could…”

“No! You must be tired too, Duke, so please rest. Then I’ll take my leave…”

As if Killian might hold her back, though that was unlikely, Alicia quickly rose from her seat and hurriedly left the dining room.

Left alone in the dining room, Killian leaned back in his chair and slightly raised the corners of his mouth as he watched her leave.

“How long can you keep that up?”

It was the smile of a fierce wolf anticipating the hunt to come.