The mansion that Julius had prepared had a unique structure of magnificent, shiny white walls and roofs made of black stones. As I looked up at the mansion in awe, the door swung open and an old man with greying hair greeted me.

Welcome, Countess Alshine. I have been waiting. I am Baristan and I will be serving you henceforth. Even though Baristan had rushed out in a hurry to greet them, he didnt even break a sweat. His gesture of courtesy was perfect. Baristan scanned our travelling party.

Due to the large magic circle and teleportation magic, the barrier in the mansion was shaken. Kaichen excused himself to take care of it and appeared after a while. Baristans eyes widened at the sight of him. He was surprised and immensely delighted.

Greetings to Lord Tenebre the Great Archmage he greeted Kaichen respectfully.

Baristan, Kaichen acknowledged with a nod, did His Highness send you?

Yes. I will be serving the Countess. Kaichen approached me. He looked at me questioningly as if asking why I was still outside.

Baristan was the butler Julius had sent for them. Although he looked old, he was very capable. Of course, I know Baristan. He is an excellent butler who has served Julius from the time he first entered the Imperial Palace. It was only natural for Julius to trust Baristan. He perfectly did his job and had spent his time with Julius teaching him etiquettes befit the Crown Prince of the Imperial Palace.

Perhaps he would be perfect to teach me some etiquette. Since for the last two years, I had practiced and failed to grasp the whole concept. Maybe Baristan was who I needed.

Please enter. Even though we had arrived much earlier than the scheduled time, Baristan did not seem flustered. He apologized for not being able to prepare a grand welcome for us. As expected, he was very experienced in his job. I understood the importance of experience and how people always wanted experienced workers in the job.

Baristan, these are Mimi and Angel. My servants. I usually take care of myself so I dont keep a personal maid.

I will be careful not to interfere with your way of life. Baristan beamed.

Although I had taken the medicine Kaichen had given me for motion sickness, I still felt a little queasy. Baristan, who was instructing my staff about the system in the mansion, noticed my pale complexion at once and guided me to the bedroom.

This is your bedroom, Countess, said Baristan. The next room is where you can work. Opposite to that is the study.

There is a study in the bedroom too? I asked, surprised.

Yes. There is a small reading area as well. The space which connects to the first floor is also empty so I turned it into a place where you can conduct your magic research. If you need anything, please let me know without any hesitation. He was very competent. Baristan briefly explained the structure of the mansion to me, who was honestly exhausted.

Please have a rest, said Baristan and left. He had told me that he would be back tomorrow to explain the details. He was very clever. I wanted to jump into bed at once and go to sleep but I couldnt. I had something else to do.

Teacher, do you have anything to say to me? I asked Kaichen. He had followed me to the bedroom as if that was the most normal thing in the world. We often did magic research together in each others bedroom in Acrab so it was not very strange. But here, there were many eyes watching.

We should pick up where we left off. I turned to him. I thought he had already made his answer clear. Kaichen narrowed his eyes, probably thinking that I had forgotten about our conversation from a while ago.

I thought you said you didnt want to.

I didnt mean it.

Then why didnt you say so? When I explicitly asked you if we could make a wand together, I clearly remember

Dalia, said Kaichen, interrupting me.

Yes, teacher?

Stop talking nonsense and come here. He sat down on the sofa so casually as if the bedroom was already familiar to him. He extended a hand to me. I stared at his outstretched hands and grabbed it.

Kaichen looked surprised. I thought you wanted me to hold your hand, I smiled awkwardly and let go of his hand. Isnt it natural for someone to hold a hand if it is offered? It wasnt because I was dying to hold his hand, anyway.

Feeling guilty for no particular reason, I sat across from him. Kaichen stared at his hand that I had held. Did he hate it so much? Was it because of his mysophobia? Maybe he wasnt as comfortable with me as I had thought. Eventually, he clenched his hands into a fist and sighed.

Keep in mind that you cant show this kind of careless behaviour in Heulin, said Kaichen.

I frowned. What do you mean careless? I am a very meticulous and serious person, I reasoned.

Dont be frivolous.

Oh my! When was I ever frivolous?

Dalia.

Yes, teacher! My name from his lips was pleasant to my ears. Although he was frowning, he looked handsome. I laughed and leaned back on the sofa. I am not a child so you dont need to worry so much. I wont do anything as frivolous as holding hands in front of others.

You cant follow someone carelessly even if they promise you things, said Kaichen solemnly.

Of course, I smiled. I wont follow them even if they offer me candy. I promise.

You cant gamble either.

It has been a long time since I quit.

Kaichen instructed me with a serious face as if I was a child and he was my parent. Even before we had embarked on this journey, he had told me exactly the same things thirty-six times. I had counted, of course. I had even memorized his tone of voice when he said it.