He scratched his eyebrow and bowed politely.

“Sorry, Rubian.”

“Huh?”

“I made a silly mistake. Didn’t it make things hard for you yesterday?”

Ah, yesterday.

I quietly shook my head. Actually, it wasn’t really Licht’s fault.

“No, it’s fine. That’s why you wanted to keep talking to me, right?”

“Yeah. I just had too many thoughts on my own. If I made things awkward... I’m really sorry.”

Everyone knows, even a stone rolling on the ground, that Duke Zebert hates magicians.

So Licht seemed even more troubled about what happened.

“It’s alright. I was really shocked, but...”

I turned my eyes away and answered.

“It was just your misunderstanding. Don’t apologize anymore.”

Licht finally smiled brightly.

“Okay, thank you.”

We chatted lightly about yesterday as we slowly walked across the garden. Licht laughed out loud at even my smallest words, like he was having fun.

‘He looks happy.’

Maybe because the thing bothering him is finally gone.

‘But...’

I glanced at Licht, then noticed a burning stare from the side and turned my head.

‘Why didn’t he leave?’

Usually, Khalid, with his zero social skills, would have run away by now. But today, he just quietly stayed beside me.

“Rubian! Over here!”

Sortie waved at us from in front of the tea table.

The tea table was on a little terrace, about five steps up, with white pillars and an arched roof.

I wanted to hurry over, so I started walking faster without thinking.

“Careful.”

Licht reached out a hand to me.

Just then, a hand came out from the other side and slapped the prince’s hand away.

“There’s a stone.”

Khalid lightly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me toward himself.

“Where?”

“I already moved it.”

Oh, really?

I almost tripped...

I was about to say thank you, but suddenly the side of Licht’s head started to look red.

When I looked, Licht was rubbing his hand and smiling.

“...You’re really...”

His voice sounded icy.

“Rude.”

My eyelids fluttered.

What is this feeling... this mood?

“Why do you always look so annoyed? That’s why your name...”

His nice-looking lips curved into a short smile.

“What was it again...”

Khalid snorted.

“You’re still as annoying as ever.”

My head turned back and forth.

Just then, Titi’s voice came from above.

“Rubian! What are you doing down there?”

“Oh, I’m coming!”

Like I was under a spell, I started walking again.

Both boys followed me up the steps, but their burning stares didn’t stop.

...What is with this mood?

But all those thoughts disappeared when I saw the beautiful tea food on the table.

“Wow! Did you bring this from Count Carmelan’s house?”

“Yes. I asked the chef for a lot because I was coming here...”

Titi said shyly.

I was excited and reached out to sit down—

“What are you doing? Take your hand off.”

“You too.”

—but then stopped.

Both boys were gripping the back of my white chair tightly.

“Move. I grabbed it first.”

“So what? Does order really matter?”

“Yes. It’s everything.”

“Is that all you’ve got?”

Licht smiled dangerously, while Khalid stared right back, his face calm.

Zap. Zap zap.

Sparks were flying on both sides—I was about to burst!

“Rubian... what’s with those two?”

Sortie whispered to me. I shrugged and pulled out the chair next to Titi.

“I don’t know. I guess they both want that chair.”

“Oh my, boys.”

Khalid and Licht finally looked away from the chair, glancing over at us.

‘But why is Khalid talking so casually to the prince?’

And why is the prince letting him?

Are they friends or not? I have no idea.

I shook my head and reached for a tasty-looking mini tart.

As I looked around for a small plate, two shiny plates suddenly appeared in front of me.

“...”

I looked up to see both boys holding plates, staring at each other like they were ready to fight.

“Maybe you should stop jumping in all the time. It doesn’t suit that cape.”

Licht spoke calmly. Khalid just snorted and pushed his plate closer.

“Don’t make me have to jump in, then.”

“Aren’t you embarrassed to shove your way in like that?”

“I just pushed a little—what shove...”

Khalid mocked slowly.

“Well, for the weak prince who got dragged off in Ipsen’s alley, maybe it feels different.”

“I don’t know. I heard you were in a similar position back then.”

“At least I never missed anyone right in front of me.”

“What’s the difference?”

“S-sto—stop it!”

I couldn’t take it anymore and jumped up, spreading my arms between them.

“What is going on with you two? Why are you fighting like this?”

“...”

“...”

Zap zap zap.

“Uh? Uh uh?”

“Stop looking at each other like that!”

Turn your heads! Now!

I hurriedly turned their heads myself.

“We’re not fighting, Rubian. Just talking.”

“Liar!”

Licht smiled and calmly sat down.

“I really was fighting.”

“Wow. Are you proud of that?”

Khalid turned his head with an annoyed face.

How did it come to this?

‘What’s up with Khalid’s friendships?!’

His social skills just hit negative points!

As an odd silence settled in—

Crunch.

We all heard a tasty sound from somewhere.

“Titi...? What are you doing?”

“Oh my.”

Sortie put down the caramel cookie she’d been eating. The maids around her were watching with shining eyes.

“We just couldn’t stop watching... It’s more fun than the fairy tales the maids read to us...”

“Huh?”

What kind of fairy tales are they reading?

Sortie just wiggled her small fingers and mumbled to herself.

“Hmm. So that’s how it goes... and then this way...”

“What arrows are you drawing?! And stop stacking tarts on my plate!”

It was a complete mess of a tea time!

Stop fighting! I wish you two could go back to being strangers! Please!

Rubian shouted loudly.

‘Why are they both so noisy all the time?’

Leviathan smiled as he watched the back of his child’s head through the window. She had run out to the training grounds early in the morning, full of energy.

“You look happy.”

A sudden voice made Leviathan jump.

“What? When did you get here?”

“...I was here from the start.”

Oh, right.

Ahem. Leviathan closed the curtain and went back to the drawing room table.

Count Carmelan stroked his beard and looked very pleased.

“See, Your Grace? Just like I guessed, Rubian is your daughter—”

“Adolf, bring some sandwiches or soup. She skipped breakfast.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The butler bowed politely and left.

Count Carmelan sat down, still smiling.

“To be honest, I’m weak for daughters too, but you’re even worse than me. I told you she looked like a girl back then—”

“Count, drink your tea.”

Leviathan pushed the teacup toward him. The count smiled and picked up the cup.

“My guess was right—she was your daughter—”

“The taste is a bit strong. Don’t drink it.”

“Can’t you just admit it?”

The count finally exploded.

He’s doing this on purpose.

He’s acting this way just to cover up being embarrassed!

Leviathan just raised his eyebrows calmly.

“I don’t know why you’re so worked up.”

“Fine!”

“Do you need more work to do? You seem full of energy lately—should I give you more jobs?”

“The tea is so good, Your Grace. I forgot what it’s like to enjoy tea, with all my work, haha.”

Count Carmelan complimented the tea without even tasting it.

Leviathan watched him and finally let out a small laugh. He picked up his cup and muttered,

“Well... sometimes, you’re actually right.”

“See?”

The count looked up happily.

But then his jaw dropped, as if he realized something.

“So... you mean I’m wrong all the other times...?”

“That’s your imagination. Anyway, how did it go?”

Leviathan put down his cup.

The count scratched his chin and finally spoke.

“Ahem, yes. Like you said, I searched the magician’s bedroom.”

Leviathan’s eyes instantly grew serious.