Cedar is back already! Lady Briar turned around with a wide smile on her face at the unexpected good news.

“Really?”

And the moment she saw the face of the young man entering behind the maid, she froze like ice.

Assuming it was Cedar since they said young master, but the man walking in was a much more slender and handsome man than Cedar.

Lady Briar uttered the young man’s name with a disgruntled voice.

“……Grisha.”

The man who had refused the invitation to stay at the mansion and left, not knowing where he was, appeared just as if he had been waiting for this moment of attention.

‘These people are playing with me.’

It was clear that the vassals and Grisha had conspired to visit on the same day.

Grisha smiled as if pleased at Lady Briar’s distorted face.

“It seems you were waiting for someone else, not me?”

“……How could that be? You’re my son too.”

At Lady Briar’s words, the smile disappeared from Grisha’s face as well. Lady Briar, on the contrary, felt better.

‘I need to grate on Grisha’s nerves like this.’

So that he would explode like that brazen woman from Periway, unable to hold back.

Grisha’s position would be weakened, and Lady Briar would gain sympathetic public opinion.

But the opponent was not as easy as Diana.

And it was clear that he had come determined to grate on Lady Briar’s nerves as well.

As Lady Briar was about to allocate rooms to the vassals, Grisha smiled and said,

“Will you give me a room too?”

At Grisha’s question, Lady Briar almost lost control of her expression again and nearly burst out.

What was he saying in front of so many vassals, words that could easily lead to misunderstandings that she had driven him out of the mansion without even giving him a room?

‘Cunning bastard.’

It seemed like words thoroughly calculated and uttered.

But if she got upset here, it would be no different from actually admitting those suspicions.

So Lady Briar forced an even brighter smile.

“Your room is always kept clean just as it was when you were a child. As I said last time, this is your home.”

“It feels good to be back home after a long time. I’d like to read a book in the study. I’m also curious about how the garden has changed. That is, if the Duchess doesn’t mind me wandering around the mansion.”

“Why would I mind? Make yourself comfortable, until Cedar arrives. If both sons greet him at the same time, I think the Duke will be very pleased.”

After replying thus, Lady Briar frowned invisibly.

‘He’s really determined to scratch at me.’

His mother, pretending to be a princess and trying to maintain her pride, didn’t sneer like that.

Anyway, she had countered all his words, and if she didn’t leave the room using a headache as an excuse, she wouldn’t have to face Grisha.

“Then I’ll retire now. Butler, please guide the guests to their rooms.”

As Lady Briar turned around with a sigh, Grisha spoke to her back.

“I think it would be better if I met Father alone first. Because elder brother is expected to be quite late.”

That statement couldn’t be ignored or brushed off. Lady Briar frowned and turned back.

“Cedar is late?”

“He’s in the middle of the Monster Forest right now. He should have just received the news.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I was with him. Unless you can use spatial transfer magic like me, you’d naturally need physical time, wouldn’t you?”

“Spatial transfer!”

The vassals were greatly pleased to hear that Grisha could use magic that only great magicians could use.

And conversely, Lady Briar’s face contorted.

‘Has that guy returned as a stronger magician than I expected?’

The reason Cedar is mentioned as a strong candidate for succeeding the Duke’s title is because he’s a Swordmaster.

But if Grisha is also a capable magician, that balance will have to be readjusted.

With the appearance of an unexpected variable, Lady Briar’s mind raced complexly. Grisha gave a clear smile towards such a Lady Briar.

“I’m not sure when he’ll return…… but there’s no need for everyone to waste time together, is there?”

The vassals all rushed to agree with Grisha’s words.

“We don’t want to decide anything right now. We just want to confirm the Duke’s well-being.”

“What reason is there for us to inconvenience each other by staying here?”

“Young Master Grisha has returned home after several years. Of course he should see his father, the Duke.”

With things flowing this far, it could no longer be postponed. Lady Briar, who had been silently looking at everyone for a moment, sighed.

“If you all want to paint me as a villain so badly, I have no choice. I’ll ask the Duke about the sick visit. Please wait a moment.”

Grisha didn’t leave even that alone.

“I’ll follow you.”

“……You know this is against etiquette, right?”

Faint blood vessels rose on Lady Briar’s white cheeks, who had been maintaining her composure until now.

Even in front of Lady Briar expressing such blatant anger, Grisha smiled smoothly.

“But you might cancel it again this time, saying Father’s health isn’t good, right? I hope you can understand my desire to see even Father’s toes.”

“It’s regrettable that you distrust me to such an extent.”

Lady Briar turned around sharply.

“This way, please.”

The subjugation campaign ended a week later.

Unlike my wish to observe various monsters in detail, no monsters other than Dark Wolves and Army Ants were discovered.

‘How disappointing.’

But unlike me, the knights’ faces were very bright.

Above all, it was fortunate to be able to deal with the Army Ants quickly, as they are terrifying monsters that can cause enormous damage if discovered even a little late.

Kranz, the Marquis who was the captain of the White Tiger Knights, raised a bright smile and gave a toast.

“This subjugation campaign has ended splendidly too. Everyone, rest well tonight.”

After the subjugation campaign was over, a feast was held in the largest open space of the camp. Everyone raised their rough beer mugs high and was intoxicated with excitement.

‘Wow, they’re roasting a whole pig?’

While I was curiously looking at the large roast pig and beer barrels, Sir Jack grabbed my shoulder and pulled me.

“Come this way quickly, my lady. The captain is restless when you wander around.”

“Huh? Is it okay to call me ‘my lady’ now?”

“Everyone’s too busy drinking to hear, what’s the problem?”

That was true, as Jack said. Everyone was so relieved to have finished the subjugation campaign that they paid no attention to Jack and me weaving through the knights.

‘What about Cedar?’

Wondering if Cedar would be drinking merrily like that too, I looked towards where the knight captains were gathered, and my eyes met directly with Cedar’s, who was looking in my direction.

‘Ugh.’

It’s true that I was curious about what Cedar was doing and looked over, but when our eyes actually met, my face flushed and my nape tingled.

‘Was he really looking at me?’

I slightly raised my eyes again to look at Cedar. This time too, our eyes met.

He frowned lightly as if reproaching me for constantly avoiding his gaze, then waved his hand. I also waved back with an awkward smile.

When Jack said the captain was worried, I just let it slide, but now that his gaze was following me like this, I couldn’t help but realize it was true.

‘Cedar really always cares about me.’

My face burning, I pulled my hood down deeper and just followed behind Jack. But somehow, it felt like we were heading towards an area with fewer people.

“Excuse me, Sir Jack. Weren’t we going to drink beer together?”

“I don’t like alcohol originally. And I think it would be better for you to stay out separately, my lady.”

“Why? Because my drinking habits are bad?”

“It’s not that.”

The place Sir Jack led me to was where Cedar’s horse was.

But the horse, which should have been resting with its saddle removed after the subjugation campaign, was prepared as if ready to depart at any moment.

‘Where is he going?’

Wondering what was going on, I turned to look at Cedar, and he was talking with Marquis Kranz.

“Cedar Granite, why are you standing up from your seat now?”

“I have an urgent matter to return for.”

“Now? At this hour of the night?”

“I received a message that my father is unwell.”

“Duke Granite? That’s a serious matter!”

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

“Ho ho ho, sacrificing oneself in the face of official duties. Indeed, you are the Empire’s swordsman to succeed me.”

Although the distance was far and the surroundings were noisy, I could roughly hear what the two were talking about because Marquis Kranz’s voice was so loud.

Marquis Kranz laughed heartily and praised Cedar.

Cedar, who had brought out his sword with its sheath, walked straight towards me. And grabbing my wrist, he said,

“Let’s go now.”

Jack smiled and handed Cedar’s horse’s reins to him. I blinked my eyes.

‘Didn’t Cedar say he wouldn’t return to the Granite ducal house?’

But according to the conversation with Marquis Kranz, he clearly said he was going back.

‘It’s his father. He might have told me that, but he could still be worried.’

What can I do to help? I clenched my fists.

“If you’re in a hurry, should I use spatial transfer magic for you? I’ve never actually moved with someone else, so your soul and body might separate, but……”

As I was speaking, I got the feeling that I shouldn’t do it even if Cedar asked me to use magic.

Cedar seemed to have the same feeling, as he made a disgruntled expression.

“You, your desire to experiment on me still hasn’t been quelled, has it?”