Naturally, she didnt want to go to the capital with Meldon.

Even now, shes dying of awkwardness, but how awkward will it be if they go together? However, she felt somewhat sorry to refuse him openly.

So for situations like this, Dalia has come up with the last resort.

Adrisha!

Adrisha, with a ballpoint pen behind her ear, who was working on drafting a budget estimation with the repairman from a distance, was surprised and ran to Dalia.

Dalia pointed to Meldon without saying a word. He protested as if he was wrongly accused.

Youre so mean, Miss. I just did it purely out of favor

What is it, Meldon? Whats going on?

Damn it.

Meldon sighed and disappeared into the distance. Adrisha still looks like she is dying of discomfort.

Adrisha, who had defeated the enemy without knowing the reason, looked down at Dalia. Dalia shrugged.

I guess youre still uncomfortable.

Its fair because he doesnt like me either.

Adrisha responded cynically.

She doesnt know what happened that day, but their relationship seemed to have improved to some extent. However, it seemed that the awkwardness and their dislikes of each other were still the same.

But this was enough. Because the most important flag of the Meldon route has been crushed.

Then theres only Lewayne Blueport that hasnt appeared yet, and then Aceras?

Lewayne Blueports character was the closest to how a protagonist should be in the original <The Labyrinth of Ouroboros>.

Therefore, he appeared last.

When she asked Hikan a while ago, it seemed that he still seemed to have no intention to leave the territory yet. So she doesnt have to worry about it.

Aceras route.dont know. Lets think about it later.

Dalia looked at Meldons back as he moved away, and secretly turned her wrist and glanced at it.

If youre going to be like that, why did you give me this gift?

Meldon also had a side that was not quite honest. Dalia recalled what happened yesterday.

Dalia was sitting in bed covered with a rolled blanket in her room, when she heard a knock and Meldon entered.

I have sorted it well with your lady-in-waiting.

Really? Thats a relief.

Dalia was genuinely relieved. Meldon smiled a little awkwardly.

What did Miss say to her I know that it had an impact. Maybe thats why it didnt get any worse.

Dalia was a little surprised because she didnt expect him to say something like this.

As a token of my gratitude, I will show my sincerity in my own way.

Meldon approached her and gestured for her hand.

Dalia obediently reached out to him, but hurriedly pulled her hand.

No quartz piece.

..I guess Sir Cedric told you not to take what I give you?

Dalias conscience was pricked. Meldon raised a corner of his mouth as if he knew everything.

I thought so too. Im not giving you anything, so dont worry.

At his words, Dalia quickly reached out her hand again.

Instead of grabbing Dalias wrist and putting something in her palm, he touched her inner wrist with his thumb. Tickled, Dalia shrugged her shoulders.

Okay, its done.

After a while, Meldon released her hand.

Dalia looked at the wrist he had touched. A simple black rune pattern was drawn.

Try hitting your wrist twice. Then it will disappear. If you hit it twice again, it will appear.

Dalia did as she was told. The pattern was really gone.

When she hit it again, it appeared. Amazed, she kept on tapping it quickly.

Then, when she realized that Meldon was looking at her with slightly pitiful eyes, she hurriedly hid her hand behind her and raised her chin gracefully.

Thank you.

Then she asked again after a while.

But what is this?

Its quite long, so to speak. You probably dont need it, but just in case.

He lifted the inside of his wrist, showed it to Dalia, and tapped it twice.

Then the same pattern as on her wrist appeared.

When Miss cannot use Pesteross name for some reason, and if you think someone is being rude, show them this emblem. Theres a 50/50 chance that it will work, and if it does, that person will even kiss you in the foot.

I dont need that much.

Still, it was a good gift. It would be even better if it was useful even if she were taken to the Holy Empire.

This pattern did not appear in the original, so there was little information.

They always terribly hated each other in the Meldon route, so there was no need to exchange these gifts.

You cant get this no matter how much you pay for it. Im sure its difficult even for your brother too. Im just giving it to you because I feel like it.

For some reason, it sounded like a little boy bragging about his toy.

Dalia raised her head. He smiled with his handsome face.

Dalia stared down at her now empty wrist.

Even if he pretends to be a light and inconsiderate person, at times like this, she seems to understand why Meldon was the male lead in the original.

His personality of giving back whatever he receives and his subtle weak heart. Even if it was slightly different from the reason why he became Dalias favorite route, she likes him better now.

It was also good that the route was crushed, so she didnt have to pay attention to his every move.

What part of me did he even like?

Well, its better to be liked than be hated. Dalia decided to think positively.

* * *

Perhaps he was reluctant to go with Adrisha, Meldon did not appear in front of Dalia until they reached the capital.

Upon arriving in the capital, Cedric left for the Imperial Palace, leaving a message to contact him to schedule a class for the next time.

Adrisha also said that she was not feeling well due to the motion sickness, and that she had to go first because she had other business to do.

If theres a problemyou know, right?

Cedric looked at Dalia before leaving and asked.

The quartz pieces he gave her were kept well. Dalia smiled and nodded.

The carriage almost arrived in front of the Pesteros mansion. Hikan also came out and was waiting for Dalia to come.

Dalia looked out of the window to look for him. He was biting his lips as if he was very nervous.

Is it because he overworked himself this time?

It was a convincing thought. Dalia took off her ring and put it in her pocket.

I need to hurry up and purify it for him.

And the carriage came to a complete stop.

Dalia?

Even before the coachman got off, Hikan came up to the carriage, opened the door to find Dalia first.

She greeted her brother with a smile.

Brother, how come your face looks like this?

Are you hurt? Wasnt it scary?

Hikan rushed over to Dalia and touched her arms.

His eyes ran from Dalias face to her whole body, trying to make sure that she was okay.

Finding no signs of injury, he breathed a sigh of relief and covered his eyes.

It was a mistake. I shouldnt have left you alone like that

.

I was worried that you might get hurt or that something serious might happen to you, so even after I left, I was worried about you.

Its okay. Adrisha was there, and Sir Cedric was there too.

For now, come down first.

Hikan realized that Dalia had traveled by carriage for two days and immediately dropped her off the carriage.

Ugh.

After riding the carriage for five hours without a break, she had a headache from motion sickness.

Dalia stumbled a little. Hikan was surprised and immediately grabbed her.

.

He hesitated for a moment, then knelt down, grabbed her back and under her knee, and lifted her up.

Dalia screamed in surprise and clinged on his neck for dear life.

Y, you dont have to do this!

Does he think that shes a porcelain that breaks whenever it is touched?

Moreover, this side was more dangerous than walking on two feet.

No, youd better rest first. Take a bath and go to sleep.

Hikan was persistent.

Dalia was forced to hang on to his body and thought.

Since I need to have physical contact in order to purify him anyway, its okay to do both at the same time, isnt it?

Im really okay. Is the purification okay?

Hikan nodded.

She couldnt help it if he said that it was okay. Dalia gave up. In addition, it was comfortable because someone moved her even if she stayed still.

Dalia glanced at Hikan.

Looking closely, there was a shadow under his eyes.

It was a plan that the tower constructed for several months. It was not easy to completely restrain a human being in the first place.

As a result, it seemed that he used a lot of energy and consumed a lot of his mental power.

His Majesty is reallyWhat are you going to do if my brother goes crazy like this?

Even though Dalia will be there to avoid that.

Is brother okay?

Nothing happened.

But your face doesnt look like nothing happened.

Back at you, are you okay?

Dalia nodded her head.

Whats the reason to not be okay? She survived, no one was hurt, and the plan was successful.

Youre not okay.

However Hikans words were different. Dalias eyes widened and shook her head.

They arrived in front of the bedroom and Hikan dropped her off. Dalia tried to explain that she was really fine, but Hikan spoke first.

Im sorry. You must have been scared. You must be tired, and you will be worried about your future. Im sorry that I cant say anything other than that Ill protect you at times like this.

Hearing those words, her heart felt heavy, as if she had swallowed a strangely large stone, and not a single word came out.

Hikan rolled up her bangs and stroked her forehead.

For now, go in and rest. Everything will be fine once you wake up.

Dalia went into the room without saying a word and soaked herself in hot water.

Strangely enough, she cried a little in the bathtub. For some reason, it felt like a lump in her heart was released. From then on, she really got better.

Translator Note: Soummhow do I get my own Hikan?

extra (based on true story)::

Mom: *open the door and saw me tling* How much do you get paid for doing this?

Me: *dumb smile* I get paid with unrealistically high standard from hot characters that doesnt exist

Mom: *had enough of me and close the door*

Me after a while: *send the image of 2d characters aka husbandos to my mom in group chat* your son-in-laws

Mom:

She had enough to my crazy antics