The mask Ricardo had desperately used to hide himself with a defensive attitude in everything seemed to be lifted for the first time.

But his eyes slowly sank, as if he considered this version of himself to be dreadful.

Old memories surged up like the waters of a fountain.

My face, once soaked in terrible loneliness as I cried alone in a cramped closet, every version of me who pretended to be okay while resenting him, all reflected back at me like fractured glass.

And in the end, he was standing there. I couldn't take my eyes off him for a while.

“I didn’t want to hurt you anymore. But in the end, I chose the worst.”

It was an issue already over.

The past when Bianca had tormented him.

I sent him a letter of apology, and Ricardo forgave her. Since then, he had brushed it off as if it were nothing.

It was in the same context.

Some might say it was just an apology, but my heart felt relieved.

“Ricardo.”

“I didn’t want to speak so incoherently, driven by the situation……”

I grabbed him before he could finish his sentence.

“I’m okay.”

However, Ricardo’s eyes darkened, and his lips stiffened.

“……Aren’t you relieved?”

In the end, I couldn’t suppress the doubt that had risen in my heart and asked. Only then did Ricardo slowly nod.

‘Is his heart still unsettled?’

That thought briefly crossed my mind, but that wasn’t something I could resolve for him.

This was a matter that had to be left to time.

Having come to a certain conclusion, I decided to be satisfied with the relief I felt.

* * *

A few days later.

“It’s been a while.”

Onyx approached me and greeted me.

It was a situation that had arisen because of my reply when he had previously asked if he could accompany me on a visit to Drimokan.

“Even though it was a sudden request, thank you for accepting it so readily.”

“Not at all. I was already concerned about Lord Glaster’s situation.”

Onyx smiled with a friendly expression.

“The Roygin family is the most knowledgeable about Drimokan, so I should be the one thanking you. It will greatly help with our research topic, ‘The Magic of the Divine Era and the Legal Consideration and Trend Analysis of Drimokan.’”

……W-what?

That’s when it happened.

“Lady Bianca!”

I heard Idette’s familiar voice.

Meeting Idette here was completely unexpected. Because of that, I stood there blankly, my mouth slightly open, and Idette noticed right away and spoke.

“You said in your letter that you had something to ask me. That’s been on my mind so much I haven’t been able to concentrate on my work.”

“I-I’m sorry! I really didn’t mean for that to happen……”

“It’s okay. I usually can’t concentrate well anyway, even without Lady Bianca’s letter.”

Idette added that I didn’t need to worry.

“Anyway, just then! I heard Lady Bianca was visiting Drimokan, so I thought I might as well satisfy my curiosity since we’re heading the same way.”

“Ah.”

“By the way, what brings you to Drimokan, Lady Bianca?”

Her gaze briefly flicked toward Onyx. It was a look that said, ‘You two don’t have any connection, do you?’

“Uh…… the magic of the Divine Era, your research topic?”

“The Magic of the Divine Era and the Legal Consideration and Trend Analysis of Drimokan.”

Onyx smiled contentedly.

Y-yeah. That.

“Lady Roygin has agreed to greatly assist with our research.”

A question mark appeared on Idette’s face for a moment, but she awkwardly nodded.

“W-wow, that sounds like really important work!”

No, actually, I don’t know anything either……

Afraid that my ignorance might be found out, I hurried to change the subject.

“By the way, since you said we’re heading the same way……”

I barely opened my mouth, but I couldn’t think of any place she might be going.

There had to be something near Drimokan.

As I trailed off, Idette let out an awkward laugh.

“I’m on my way to the Imperial Palace.”

Then we’re not going the same way at all!

“There’s a meeting at the Imperial Palace today. Um, related to Drimokan.”

“……Is it a continuation of the meeting that was held last time?”

“So you knew! Yes, yes. Lord Peril woke up this time, right? And I heard the World Tree has changed its appearance, too. I think it’s probably an agenda related to that.”

I sighed inwardly.

“I was worried, so I went to Erkishian……”

Idette trailed off. She seemed troubled by the fact that she had mentioned someone I didn’t get along with.

Soon, she quickly smiled and changed the subject.

“Gosh, I came to hear your request, Lady Bianca, and ended up rambling about nonsense! So, what is it?”

“Well, actually……”

When I cautiously brought up my wish to meet her father, Idette looked surprised but nodded readily. Even so, she couldn’t hide her puzzled expression.

“……Are you sure you’re okay with such a trivial request?”

“It’s not trivial. This is a request I can only make to you, Lady Idette.”

Who else could I possibly ask?

Just then, Onyx called me.

“Lady Bianca, it’s time. I think we should head in.”

Only then did I check the time and smile at Idette.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I hope your journey to the Imperial Palace is smooth.”

“You too, Lady Bianca.”

Idette waved her hand slightly at me.

* * *

In front of the Imperial Palace's main conference hall.

After adjusting his outfit, Ricardo ran his hand roughly over his tired face.

He had chosen the worst in order to avoid a lesser evil. His scattered thoughts were filled with bitter emotions.

‘……Was she really okay?’

She was a woman who had always lied. He had been deceived by her lies every time and realized it only too late.

No, he had known they were lies from the start. Even so, he willingly let himself be deceived. Whenever she lied, she smiled more brightly than anyone.

That smile had enchanted him. So much so that he couldn’t even think straight and repeatedly floundered afterward.

‘But why am I still the same……’

He was foolish. So incredibly foolish.

He had thought he knew her better than anyone in the world. But now, he could no longer be sure.

Whether what she said—that she was okay—was true.

Whether he should follow her words again this time.

He couldn’t know anything. Maybe she forgave him because she was just a kind person.

He would have preferred her to get angry; even that would show his existence meant something.

If he wasn’t acknowledged by her, he couldn’t define himself.

That was the principle Ricardo had established.

A child who had never received proper love had grown up. Only when someone else validated his reason for existing could he finally breathe, and so he chose to survive that way.

‘No, I just……’

A laugh, fragmented by the breeze, drifted past. Even though it was the sound of a woman existing only in a fleeting illusion, Ricardo swallowed hard.

He just wished that woman wouldn’t be hurt. But contrary to his wish, her image slowly began to shatter.

Countless fragments reflected the man completely.

That was none other than Ricardo himself.

“What are you doing out here, not going in yet?”

At that moment, Leonhart’s voice came from behind.

“Were you waiting for me?”

He tilted his head slightly and let out a cheerful laugh.

His dog-like behavior—wagging his tail before the woman—was utterly disgraceful.

An outsider who had disrupted Ricardo’s perfect world.

Strength gathered in Ricardo’s hand.

If that smug face were covered in deep red blood, would he feel even slightly relieved?

……But then she’d hate him.

“Perfect timing. I had something to say.”

Judging by his expression, it seemed the feeling was mutual.

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