Miss Selena! I found a store with available seats!

Juna exclaimed as she jumped out of the carriage.

Really? Where?

Its a place called Rumera. I heard it hasnt been long since it opened. I havent been there so I couldnt recommend it before, but since I saw it on the way, I asked for available seats and they said there were vacant ones!

Oh, so all the places I asked you to have a look at werent available?

Im afraid so..

Juna became cautious.

Its worth watching.

It would have taken Juna the entire day to go around the stores and eventually end up with nowhere to go. Not just one place, but all of them.

I wonder if Irelle went through this as well.

Of course, Irelle was new in the capital at that time so she wasnt mentally hurt, but what if she was shut off everywhere she went without her knowing? If that was the case, how did the people see her as and treat her?

The more Selena thought about it, the more she felt uneasy. So far, she heard that Irelle was the weakest scapegoat, a woman who didnt even have an evil mentality.

That being so, why the hell did they kill such a person?

To summarize the clues Selena and Kalcion had found so far

There is a possibility that its because of Fionels jealousy.

A possibility that its because Rosalyn wants to remove any obstacle blocking her way by all means.

A possibility that its because the Queens obstructions must be gotten rid of.

A possibility that it was an accidental crime caused by an internal conflict between the servants within the mansion.

And a possibility that its due to someone in the society who had too much hatred towards her.

The more information Selena found out, the more she thought of Irelle as a leaf that could be easily blown off. Why did they kill a skittish woman when they could just push her away?

Selena wasnt a forensic scientist, so she couldnt exactly ask how Irelles life ended. But she couldnt even get any hint from it.

However, with how the situation was progressing, she couldnt help but ask. Tonight, she decided to go to the room Irelle used to sleep in.

Meanwhile, as she realized her mood didnt seem to be suitable for shopping anymore, she didnt want to continue to shop, but at the same time, she wanted to see how far Juna could butter her up.

It seems a lot of people came out to shop today, huh. Shall we go now?

As she stood up, a large bird flew in her way.

Huh? Whata bird..

It was too big to be a bird. Then, it rushed towards a man.

Dont tell me a bird is used in an assassination?

A guard stepped forward and stretched his arms in front of Selena, who hardened reflexively.

The bird, which was flying in as if to snatch its prey, pulled its wings and slowed down as it approached the person. Then, it gently landed on the arm of the escort.

The bird looked heavy and massive as it spread its wings. It was as big as an eagle, but its feathers were blue. Apart from that, a crown shaped symbol could be seen on its head.

The escort proceeded to open a small box tied to the birds ankle, pulled out a piece of paper, and immediately passed it to Selena.

I think you should return to the mansion.

She read the note. Only a short sentence was written on it. However, due to it, she had no choice but to go back right away.

The Queen is visiting.

Battle

The visit came too soon. In a hurry to return to the mansion, Selena ran into Kalcion, who was standing on the porch with a displeased look plastered on his face.

How can a sick person walk with such ease?

We both know its an excuse.

No matter how many excuses you make, wouldnt it be less embarrassing if you pretend to be sick?

Its more embarrassing to face her after I refused when she insisted on visiting.

Selena glared at Kalcion, who stopped her from entering the bedroom and pushed her back.

It was because pretending to be sick was more embarrassing than actually feeling sick.

Kalcions internal and external identities had a huge difference. Although there was no need to hide his innermost thoughts, he was originally a person who hated the duality in himself.

Thats the reason you cant live in the capital city without socializing.

She understood what he didnt like, but because of the current situation, it was a must.

Take off your clothes.

She shoved Kalcion into the room and began unbuttoning his jacket herself.

Kalcion broke into a panic.

WhatWhat are you doing?

Well, are you going to lie down with your clothes on?

IllIll take it off.

Only then did Selena find herself holding a mans cloth in broad daylight.

I didnt mean anything else.

It would have been awful if it had another meaning to it.

Kalcion then took off his coat and lied down in bed.

Selena watched him lie down on his back and shook her head.

No, lean your back on the pillow. Ill be lying down, too.

Just as she instructed, Kalcion changed his position to that of a half-lying position as he leaned against a pillow.

Is this enough?

Hmm..

She studied the overall look of Kalcion on bed as though she was a director overseeing the stage. However, it still did not meet her expectations.

Its not about the posture, its about how healthy you look.

It looked natural, but lying down with his clothes on wasnt enough to make him look sick.

She tried to change his overall look by ruffling his hair and loosening another button on his shirt.

It did not do any good to ruin his beauty.

Its useless no matter what I do.

Kalcion chuckled at her, who felt like giving up.

The purpose of this performance is only to cover up his excuse, but both the Queen and himself knew each other well.

But without having to quell Selenas enthusiasm, Kalcion felt relaxed.

A wet basin, a towel, a bowl of rice wine, an apple. a fruit knife, and a plate.

Selena called in a maid and asked for these.

In Kalcions eyes, it was hard to tell whether she was excited or nervous.

You dont have to be so determined on acting out the scene. Falling sick is just an excuse that everybody uses.

It didnt matter if it offends the Queen or not since its only natural for her to step down after she hears such an excuse.

Well.. shes one of the suspects were after, though. We met Fionel and Rosalyn without prior notice, but shes a queen. I dont think we should let our guard down.

True. She looks sloppy on the outside, but shes still holding onto the position of a Queen in a palace where shes gradually losing power.

No one is easy to deal with.

Selena sighed and stretched her shoulders. However, she did not appear to be lacking confidence.

I wont come forward for nothing today. I have to take care of most of whats to come. You didnt forget I was targeted upon entering your world, right?

Of course.

He was reminded of a memory of him saying unnecessary things in Dunfel. He, who had nothing to say about his performance, went quiet.

That being the case, we cant continue sitting still and staring at each other blankly until they come, so lets start playing it out.

Playing it out?

Oh dear, my Duke, look at your cold sweat. Youre so weak. What should I do?

She deftly dabbed a wet towel on his forehead and nose as she acted.

What? Hahahaha.

Kalcion burst into a laugh at the words he had never heard before.

Ive never received nursing care even when I was a child.

You never got sick?

Ive been sick before. However, Ive never spent time lying in bed. Except when I couldnt get up.

That exception where he couldnt get up was due to a broken leg.

Thats too much for a child.

Thats the fate of the Dukes heir.

Kalcion didnt pay much mind to such a tragic past. He accepted it because he was aware that it was his fate.

Not because of how beautifully you were raised, but because you were strictly raised.

There are a lot of families who are the same.

So, the Duke never had a memorable childhood experience?

I didnt need one. I didnt grow up beautifully, but it doesnt mean that I wasnt treated preciously.

Oh

Clearly, the duke who only cared about his honor wouldnt have a care at anything else but that.

But what about playing? Im sure there was a time when you didnt feel like studying.

Well, in my case, I studied because I had to.

At such a young age?

Thats the exact reason why. I was too young to know of the other options I could choose.

Kalcion was already an adult, but for a second, the image of a child seemed to overlap his face.

Its a shame that a child was so obedient.

She stroked his hair as if he was a child.

He flinched momentarily, but did not push Selenas hand away or dodge it.

What?

What was dear Cions heart like when he was young?

Kalcion smiled blandly.

Seeing as how I was able to travel to another world, it wouldnt be an exaggeration to say you can go beyond time.

Somehow, he felt as if Selenas warm touch was bringing back his childhood.

She didnt stop smiling and kept stroking his hair. Thanks to her touch, his body loosened up.

Arent you sleepy?

Just as yawning was contagious, loneliness seemed to be contagious as well. Selena stretched as she tried to keep herself awake.

She had always been on a difficult march since she came to this world. Thats how it always was. Thats why it wouldnt be odd for Selenas thin body to have accumulated fatigue.

If youre tired, you can sleep for a while.

I hope so.

Selena kept trying to keep herself awake, but her eyelids were already starting to feel heavy. She woke up early in the morning, made a fuss, and even had to face a war of nerves at the clothing store. It definitely wore out her stamina.

Because the Queen wont push the door open with her own hands.

Selena decided to let it slide after those reassuring words.

Then Ill take a nap for a while.

That would be better. She climbed onto the bed and lied beside Kalcion. Even in a dress, she thought shed continue to live as long as she took a nap.

Only for five minutes

Without finishing her words, Selenas head fell on Kalcions shoulder. Every time he saw it happen, he was amazed at how fast she could fall asleep.

Kalcion slowly closed his eyes, too. The weight on his shoulder gave him a sense of ease.

However, as soon as he closed his eyes, he heard a knock on the door.

Her Majesty has arrived.

Perhaps because Selena didnt hear the knock, she was still asleep.

He had to wake her up, but he couldnt bring himself to do it. The Queen would be waiting in the drawing room anyway, so it wouldnt taint his honor even if she waited for five minutes.