Inside the carriage going home, after parting ways with Isidor, I tapped the tip of my shoes and slammed my head against the window.

Im timid, so I usually dont do skinship first.

I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere, so I unconsciously arranged his bangs.

At that moment, Isidor looked like a puppy in the rain

It was strange. I couldnt believe someone so relaxed and strong looked so weak for a moment. I recalled his pale face, which seemed somewhat sad, and met an aide with sunken eyes as soon as I got home.

For some reason, I think something similar has happened in the past.

Princess, His Grace is very worried

I quickly opened my mouth before he finished speaking.

Ill go see my father.

As soon as I followed the fatigued aide into the office, my father jumped up from his desk.

Youre late.

Its still nine oclock.

The day was short because it was autumn, but it wasnt too late.

I cant believe he called out a child who still hasnt recovered. Anyway, theres nothing I like about that Visconti guy. Sit down.

Yes.

As soon as I sat on the guest chair, he called me with stern eyes.

Deborah.

Yes?

It is true that you borrowed Isidors strength when you came out of the subspace, but you dont have to feel indebted to him. Ill reward him properly.

Its not because I feel indebted to him.

Well done, then.

What?

I was worried that you might have a weak heart because youre so thoughtful. If he keeps bothering you while youre researching, tell me. Ill take care of him.

Sir Isidor knows well how to keep boundaries, so theres no need for that.

As soon as I finished speaking, the Duke burst into anger.

What?! Who is keeping boundaries? That fox bastard? Deborah, there is not one bastard you can trust among men.

Hes definitely like a fox. What he lets on the outside and what he thinks on the inside are definitely different!

He is indeed like a fox. A nine-tailed fox who bewitches people.

Theres no way a handsome guy wont act in a way that benefits him, my father, who looked like a Hollywood actor, warned. The Duke hated Isidor so much that I gave up defending him and returned to my room.

Did something happen between Duke Visconti and my father in the past?

Come to think of it, I dont know anything about Isidors family. Although I had heard of the spirit summoner Duke Montez and the sword master Duke Orgo, I had never heard anything about Duke Visconti.

I swallowed a sigh and lay down on the bed.

Ive been investigating, but I really dont know anything.

And I also used the most competent source of information in the novel. I tossed and turned and stared for a long time at the watercolor-like half-moon hiding in the shadows.

***

I had that dream again

After escaping from sub-space, I often dreamed of wandering through a desert with a scorching sun, covered in sand dust.

Is this trauma?

As I was sitting blankly on the bed, recalling the disturbing dream, there was a light tapping sound on the window. Purple, who was curled up on the cushion, flew to the window with a curious face.

The protagonist of the tapping was a white bird. The bird was pacing around the windowsill with hurried steps.

I got up, observed the bird, and laughed. A small letter was tied to the birds leg with golden thread. Just looking at the color of the thread, I could figure out who sent it.

[Contacting you through Muffin will be a lot faster than sending and receiving letters. Isidor]

The small card had a subtle jasmine scent. I fiddled with the card and wrote a reply straight away.

[Muffin is cute, so I think Ill want to return it to you late. Deborah]

I immediately tied a reply to the birds leg and sent it flying. Purple looked at the direction in which Muffin flew with a sad face.

However, the pain of parting ways was also brief, and Purple quickly reunited with Muffin.

[Please show Muffin a lot of love. It likes biscuits. Isidor]

The Visconti familys townhouse was also within the Yones District, so replies were quickly sent back and forth.

In addition, a welcome guest also came. It was the 5th Princess.

Princess, I missed you so much. So much that I even had a dream about that time we discussed the field applicability of the mana purity measurement method. What about you?

Me too.

I didnt remember the contents of that thesis, but her expectant yellow eyes were so cute that I gave her a positive answer.

As expected!

I had tea and exchanged a conversation with the 5th Princess who came to visit me.

The day passed quickly, with letters coming occasionally through Muffin, and the next day, I didnt loiter around at home and went to the academy. Even though my dreams were unsettling, my body was too healthy.

I think its been a long time since I came to school.

I looked around casually, and the students of the Magic Department flinched and avoided my gaze. Not many days had passed since I was sucked into the subspace, but this everyday scenery felt unfamiliar.

Deborah. Please give me a moment.

As I was walking down the hallway, I ran into Dean Bert.

When we entered the office, he asked his assistant to bring some tea. The dessert was from Armand. My uncle always prepared a cake from Armand when he had a one-on-one talk with me.

Because he remembered what I had said in the past, and because I felt bitter every time I saw his scar, I couldnt refuse his blackmail to increase my lectures.

I felt bad that something like that happened after the academy lecture. Are you feeling better?

Yes. Im fine.

I cant believe you were swept away by the Montez family problems.

It seems they dont really know the exact truth of what happened.

It is true that I was trapped in the subspace because of Philap, but the cause of the incident that arose was quite different from the truth.

I learned about this thanks to the 5th Princess.

The story was dramatized as if Philap had impulsively stolen an heirloom out of resentment against Duke Montez, and Isidor and I happened to be caught in the middle of a commotion within the family.

The rumors became credible because Philap had been on probation for a long time under his fathers oppression.

In reality, he was angry at me for refusing to marry him.

Philap also seemed to have an inferiority complex towards Isidor.

Since I refused to be the protagonist of a love quarrel, the rumors that distorted the story and made it look like it was a problem within the Montez family werent that bad.

The money and power of the two families are scary.

I couldnt believe they blamed everything on the Montez family and banished the only heir to a distant place.

Deborah. It will be exhausting, so take a break from both the lectures and classes this week.

Immersed in my thoughts, I came to my senses at the words of Dean Bert.

If youre disappointed, Ill arrange a place for your lectures as soon as possible. I have underestimated your enthusiasm.

Im joking. Eat the cake.

Thank you.

Ah, is the production of your basic-level textbook going well?

Yes.

Dean Bert really liked the basic formula book I had made for Enriques tutoring. He wanted to distribute it to the students enrolled in the program for gifted people. He said that if I write well, he will admit it instead of a graduation thesis.

If I publish it, Ill get more money and even graduate.

It was great.

Then, Ill take my leave.

I was free because I didnt have any lectures today.

Lets go out together. I want to go for a walk because my body feels stiff.

While walking slowly around the campus with my uncle, I saw a familiar face in the distance. And the people who glanced at Isidor in a daze, too.

In fact, yesterday, using Muffin, we had promised to meet briefly at the academy.

Hes here sooner than I thought.

As Isidor approached me, he saw my uncle standing next to me and paused. Even though he was quite far away, the embarrassment in his jade-colored eyes could be clearly seen. He seemed to have mistaken Marquis Bert for my father.

Is that gorgeous handsome man over there Prince Visconti?

My uncles long scar twitched.

Yes.

There seems to be no reason other than you for a knight to appear in the Department of Magic.

He seems to like you, but dont meet him too often. There are a lot of foolish people who dont know their place and think theyre the best if you treat them just a little bit nicer. Do you understand?

Yes.

Keep that in mind.

Marquis Bert, who had been looking at Isidor with cold eyes, returned to the academy after giving me some bitter advice.

There is a new unexpected rival every time

Isidor murmured incomprehensibly.

What did you say?

But I still wont give up. No, I cant.

I dont know what youre talking about, but hang in there. Why did you ask to meet today?

He smiled faintly with a white face.

Do we meet only when we have something to do? Its just because I wanted to see your face. Nothing more.

Well, were supposed to get to know each other and keep in touch from time to time.

I couldnt believe he sent me a carrier pigeon of astronomical value that would be used in war just because I said to keep in touch.

You pay a lot of attention to what I say.

Too much.

Its because it stays in my memory. In my head. Not a single word is left out.

My heart sank.

Cant you say that kind of thing sporadically?

I responded to Isidor while trying my best to calm my trembling heart.

When he came out of the subspace, he must have left his filter behind. How could he say such an embarrassing thing so casually?

Why?

There was a sense of suspicion on his face.

Aah Never mind.

Where shall we go?

Yeah. I heard that my favorite shop opened a second space just now.

We stepped on the fallen leaves, making a rustling sound, and headed towards the west gate.