“If the contents of the letter are true, please allow me to meet that person. If they agree, I am willing to cooperate.”

“It depends on that person’s will. Even if I’m getting old and my aim is getting blurry, do you think I’d dare sell that person’s name?”

“If possible, let me meet them.”

“It’s difficult for now. It’s not something I can do. For now, I’ll convey your intention. They will arrange a meeting soon.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“But is it okay to decide so quickly?”

“…”

“Well, honestly, I thought you would hesitate a bit. Weren’t you attached to that young lion, the Lianster?”

At Count Ermenz’s question, Ryan smiled bitterly.

“I may be a poorly educated and raised person, but I do have some sense. He and I can’t coexist. In fact, he might be the enemy I should restrain.”

“A master who keeps an enemy as a son-in-law? That’s interesting.”

“To be honest, it feels really crazy. Why on earth would such a man bother Riley…”

“I understand your position. After all, wouldn’t a son-in-law who has tormented his wife for a lifetime look good? If it were me, I would have dealt with it long ago.”

Feeling a chill down his spine at Count Ermenz’s words, Ryan shuddered. Then, Count Ermenz burst into laughter.

“It’s a joke; why are you so tense? Besides, I have no grudge against you anymore.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. If I still held a grudge against you, would I have made such a suggestion?”

“…”

“Anyway, I’m glad you accepted without hesitation. Go and wait quietly. I’ll secretly arrange a meeting, so be ready.”
As Ryan left Count Ermenz’s mansion, he thought, ‘Is this the right decision…?’ Despite the uneasy connection with the old man, the proposal in the letter was quite tempting from Ryan’s perspective.

Count Ermenz, sinking like a ship and seemingly mentally unstable, didn’t concern Ryan much. He didn’t think Ermenz, a lower-ranked noble in a remote region, had the capacity to seek private revenge. Moreover, Ryan needed information.

He needed information about Givean Lianster and Riley Eadalin. Count Ermenz might be seeking personal revenge, and if so, Ryan was willing to be used in that private revenge.

Moreover, he mentioned the ‘crown prince’ in the letter. This could be a tremendous opportunity! If he could impress that person with his actions this time, a solid future lay ahead.

Yes, this was an opportunity that must be seized.

‘Yes, someday those who want to stab me in the back. It’s not something to deal with right away… As long as I gain the benefits in the middle, that’s enough.’

Ryan quickly left the mansion, not caring if anyone saw.

“Did Marquis Ryan meet Count Ermenz?”

“Yes, just received a report from the shadows.”

Givean chuckled.

“He’s impatient.”

“What could they be talking about?”

“Whatever it is, it won’t be a good direction.”

“What should we do?”

“For now, let it go. There’s nothing good about revealing that we’ve noticed. Keep pretending not to know and continue to observe. Report any developments.”

“Understood.”

There was still a long way to go until the wedding, but he couldn’t catch a break for a moment. This could only be the work of someone really foolish.

Of course, Count Ermenz was no different. After staying quiet as if dead since that day, seeing him pull a stunt again made Ryan convinced that people don’t change; they just get temporarily fixed.

Lost in thought after the charcoal had burned out, Riley returned.

“I’m back.”

Gibin spread his arms when he saw Riley. As Riley nestled into his embrace, Gibin chided, “You’re late.”

“I had to visit the hospital.”

“Your senior suffered a lot. It’s because of me…”

Frowning at Riley’s words, Gibin said, “Is he still hospitalized? Seems a bit exaggerated at this point.”

“He said he could be discharged next week. He seemed fine.”

“Next week? Enduring three more days? That’s an exaggeration.”

“The nurses said… he has an incredibly fast recovery rate.”

“That’s all an exaggeration. Comparing injuries, Nuna’s was much worse.”
Of course, Riley received top-notch medical services. A veterinary doctor stayed by her side, continuously casting recovery spells, and she even took various medicinal herbs known for their rejuvenating properties.

The cost would make anyone gasp, but since it had been erased from Givean’s memory for a long time, it eventually became half the amount, dismissed as exaggeration.

“Will you go tomorrow too?”

“Huh? No… I thought you might dislike it if I go too often.”

“That’s a good idea. Don’t come at all.”

“…Don’t you dislike me?”

“I do.”

“But you’re a good person. You’ve helped me several times. Not as much as you, but…”

“That’s why I dislike it.”

“?”

“A good person is enough for me.”

Riley looked at him as if unable to understand, but without asking why, she just accepted it. Upon reflection, her dislike for him wasn’t about the issue of him commenting on everything beside her. People have their preferences, after all.

Well, from their first meeting, he was somewhat hostile. Of course, there were situations that could provoke such hostility.

Riley, seemingly provoked, said, “W-we didn’t hold hands.”

“?

“Just in case you misunderstood. I only went for a genuine get-well visit.”

He, who had been staring at Riley, chuckled and lightly touched her cheek.

“Well done.”

“…”

“Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“It seems like Marquis Ryan Eadalin and Count Ermenz are colluding behind the scenes.”

“!”