I dont think Ive ever seen anyone use the word lover. Though Ive sometimes seen some having concubines or mistresses.

Selena frowned at the rejection of the word.

Anyways, the word lover referring to the relationship means little except for the wife, and how much the Duke treats me, Count Orlen said.

You could give and reap affection as much as you like. The status of a lover was nothing after all. In the end, Selena felt discouraged by the words that everything depended on the affection that Kalcion gave her.

You need to show your love towards me more if you want me to go around and use my strength more.

.Like today?

Today was good, but dont you think it should be like a once-in-a-lifetime love?

Thats a difficult task.

He didnt know what part of the praise he got today was good for him, but he had to make up for it. It was all over the mountain. He had been doing crazy things because he couldnt control his emotions, but he was being asked to go crazy more than this? Kalcion, who was wandering in the open sea, asked for help.

Have you ever been in love?

Oh, me?

Yes. I think it will be a little easier for me to understand if you tell me what love is like.

Uh., Selenas eyes moved up, down, left, right, and then back up. Kalcion waited, gazing at the flamboyant movement of her eyeballs. You know. Selena took a long time even though he didnt ask her to tell the secret technique of swordsmanship that had been handed down from generation to generation.

Selenas words, which she managed to bring up with hesitation, were a wild confession.

Ive never been in love either

What?

She acted like she knew everything, but Selena was actually an inexperienced novice. She had shouted like a master of love and now she had been caught. To her embarrassment, Selena added something unquestionable.

Um, I havent been in love before, but Ive acted it out a lot, right? Its an important time for the Duke to shower his love for me, so I can direct you.

.Yeah, so what is it?

Kalcion didnt have to point out Selenas career, but moved on. Though he was kind, his manners were respectful as a Duke.

Well, the truth is, what the crown prince is doing is almost the answer. Thats why Im not sure.

Naturally, Kalcions face hardened as soon as he heard that it was what the crown prince did. Selena made a hasty excuse.

Hes an example. Youre not on good terms, either, because of the Irelle incident. Wont you keep getting into trouble while youre in the Capital?

.What kind of behavior does he show?

Looking at Selenas face, which was obviously depicting the crown prince in her head, Kalcion clenched his fist among the soaring nervousness for nothing.

Well, except for the odd urgency, his eyes twinkle every time he sees me, or his sweet, gentle voice. Its the most impressive part to use only fine words and not spare any expressions.

Only that?

Come to think of it, he was fussing over nothing.

Only?

Yeah, only. Isnt he getting away with it too easy because youve never had the experience?

No, but Ive been shown a lot, so I can make that distinction with my eyes closed.

But you dont know when youre falling in love.

Selena was defeated by Kalcions whining remarks. But she also had a means of counterattacking.

Its not love until and unless you fall without knowing it. Knowing it or not, isnt it love that cant be avoided?

.I dont know.

Both were inexperienced beginners, so they couldnt confirm the answer.

No matter what he does to me, dont worry about what happens to me. Youre good enough not to be defeated by the Crown Prince, Duke.

Thats nothing, I can do better.

Selena replied belligerently to the boastful Kalcion.

Ill look forward to it.

She said that with not much expectation.

***

Invitation to parties continued after Viorelas party. In the Imperial Capital, it was common to organize parties all year round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The number of invitations Selena received was huge after the founding banquet, combined with the invitation from the people she met at Viorelas party. If she decided to participate, she could fill her days with parties every day.

What a surprise, it must be a tight schedule just to prepare clothes for these parties, Juna gathered them excitedly.

Im going to take a break for a while. Im tired, and Im afraid my skin will deteriorate.

Ah. yes.

Lirel didnt know yet that Junas tail had been stepped on. Perhaps another order has been issued. This time, Selena had a rough idea of what the next order would be for Juna. Selena deliberately stood up, turning her head towards the invitation.

Then Im going to train with the Duke, so could you please organize the invitations in the meantime?

Yes, of course!

Juna hurriedly began to collect invitations. It would take some time to fold the unfolded letter papers again and find and put them inside the envelopes with the same patterns. Even more, if you couldnt read.

If you knew the text, you could compare the senders name at the bottom of the letter with the name on the envelope, but if you didnt know, you had to match it by looking at the patterns one by one. There were some similar patterns and colors, so it would take a while.

Then it wont be hard to spot a letter stuck between the invitations. Selena pretended to leave the room and left the door slightly open.

As soon as Selena left the room, Juna began to search around the room without organizing the letters she was ordered to organize. She forgot to close the drawers she opened properly and didnt even put the sheets she scurried through.

Thank you for being stupid.

Selena watched with a wry smile at the uninteresting act. Juna, who had been searching the room for a long time, finally gave up and returned to organizing the letter.

Suddenly, she stopped at what she was doing. Oh! It seemed that she managed to find the one she was looking for. As soon as the letter went into Junas pocket, Selena slammed into the door.

Eek!

Surprised, Juna couldnt even pretend nothing was wrong. The time she had spent hiding my identity for a long time pretending not to know anything was overshadowed. Selena demanded.

The thing in your pocket. Give it to me.

W-What, what?

Selena reached out with a distorted smile.

Then shall I search your pockets for myself?

Juna bit her lips with a scared look on her face. Still, she didnt put her hand inside her pocket until the very end. Selena reached out, not repeating herself. One warning was enough. In the end, Juna surrendered in a hideous atmosphere.

Im sorry, I was fascinated by the parchment.

Dont make excuses.

Selena, who caught the letter, shook the letter in front of Junas eyes.

I dont think youve seen it once or twice.

N-no, its not true.

No, how can you not recognize the patterns of the family you used to work for?

This was a gamble. There was no basis. It was not likely to hire anyone from the street to work in the Duchy of Renbird. Since she had to keep a thorough secret, she could have been a maid who worked under Lirel.

N-No, its not! I really dont know! Her jumping reaction told the answer. Gambling succeeded.

In a situation where she was strangled no matter what she did, Juna peeped around with anxious eyes. But there was no way out of this room.

Do you know what this is?

No, I dont.

This is a personal letter from Lirel to the Duke. Its not like an invitation that you can throw away.

And it was also a chain that carried Lirels own leash. Lirel must have felt on the spot that writing a letter to show off her friendship with Selena was a mistake. But Juna couldnt take away the letter that was already in Selenas hand. It was best to pretend to have lost it if possible.

If Juna was a spy, the first order to be issued must be to get the letter back. Selena was on edge every moment to capture the scene.

Youve tried to steal a letter written to the Duke. And, I havent shown this to the Duke yet.

Juna went pale and collapsed on the floor.