Oh, Mother! Its been a long since we sat down and had tea together. Why are you always so busy when I ask for us to dine together?

I heard Mikhails voice again.

My fingertips are shaking, and my whole body is cold.

The voice was getting closer and closer.

For some reason, it seemed that the Duke was walking straight coming this way.

An overwhelming sense of danger shook me. I heard a scream in my head, Stop now! Give up and run away!

Mikhail, whats wrong with you today? Why do you suddenly want to drink tea with me?

Right.. I want to start being a more filial son.

Go. If thats the case, its enough.

The voice it was right under my nose.

I cant escape. If the Duke opens the door, shell see me right away.

I looked around in panic, searching for a place to hide. But I couldnt see any place to hide in this wide-open space.

I especially got my mothers favorite teaimported from the Eastern Continent! Please, lets drink it so I can show you your sons sincerity. !

Yes, then lets drink it together later.

Mikhail was spouting gibberish in embarrassment.

His actions werent helpful but rather suspicious.

Creaaaakeeekkkk-

My open mouth, parched, quivered.

I couldnt make a sound, so he fumbled in the air.

Although I usually sweat less, my body was an artic rainforest, perspiring a lot.

I could feel sweat forming and beading on my forehead.

There was no time to wipe it off.

Mother!

Mikhail again called Duke Melford outside the door.

He hurriedly grabbed her hand, turning the doorknob.

In fact, I have something important I need to tell you right now.

Really?

Yes, you must listen to it urgently.

What is it?

I need your advice, Mother, about my new business.

Cant we do that later?

Please. Please. Please.

I prayed so eagerly only a handful of times in this life, so desperate I was at this moment.

Well t-thats.

Hah. My son is really bothersome.

And as if my wish had come true, no sound could be heard outside.

I was frozen, alert, waiting a long time in case she came back. but it was silent outside.

Now is your chance.

In a moment of relief, my bodys strength suddenly fell.

The moment I tried to take a step, my feet twisted.

The body leaned forward.

I hurried to regain my center and touched the wall to get my balance back.

At that moment-

Huh!

Shoosh-

The bricks were pushed back, and my hand fell through the wall.

What is this?

A space was revealed inside the pushed wall.

Purple scented candles lined up in the space.

A tremendous number of incense candles filled my eyes, making my eyes turn into a swirl of dizzying unpleasant purple.

Goosebumps crawled up my arms.

She has so many scented candles.

It will be used somewhereon someone in the future.

I was reeling from that fact but pushed it behind me, pretending not to know, and picked up a scented candle.

I made sure the same scented candle the Duke had prepared was in its original place.

Then, as my hand touched that scented candle, several aromatic candles fell to the floor.

I nervously picked up the candles and put them in place one by one.

Creeeeaaakkkkeeekkk-

The door opened with a strange sound.

What is my daughter doing here?

It was the Duke of Melford.

I doubted my ears.

But I didnt have the courage to confirm the suspicion.

All I had to do is turn my head.

But my neck froze and wouldnt move.

Whats this thieving cat stealing?

There was only one thought in my head:

Im screwed.

I didnt think of anything else or what would happen next.

My intuitive danger alert went numb.

The hand holding the scented candle slipped and crashed against the wall and fell.

A couple of scented candles that fell helplessly rolled over the floor and hovered around my feet; one bumped into her shoes.

My head stiffened, and all my thoughts stopped.

The room is very dark, she smiled softly and picked up the scented candle from under her feet.

I couldnt say anything to the Duke and could only numbly look on.

She lit a magical fire on the wick.

The dark room became bright, and a sweet and sick smell wafted from the candle.

Now its a little brighter.

.

So Seri, can you explain what you were doing now?

I had to make an excuse.

I had to get out of this situation quickly.

But my head doesnt follow my wants.

My eyes spontaneously turned to the doorI want to run away.

But I knew it was impossible.

Mikhail is lying on the floor.

He seemed unconscious, as if he had passed out.

He was a little noisy, so I had to put him to sleep.

It didnt matter that he was her son. She was cutthroat.

Her reason doesnt make any sense in the first place.

You knocked him out because he was noisy?

How likely is it then that the Duke would show me mercy?

She was a woman who knocked out her own son for a ridiculous reason.

Did she notice something?

The Duke, who had gone out, suddenly returned home and headed straight to the Hall of Hallucinations.

Despite Mikhails dissuasion.

It was suspicious behavior.

By mistake of the attendants, letters were mixed up. I accidentally saw the letter you sent to Mikhail.

The Duke, who noticed my question, said as if it were nothing.

Only

Was it really an accident?

Its frightening to think that maybe Ive been under surveillance all this time.

.

You dont know how surprised I was to see that letter. My lovely daughters got some sort of plan that I wasnt included in. And why is she acting like a thieving cat?

The Dukes gaze touched an incense candle that fell under my feet.