"Haaa..."

A barely concealed sigh escaped as we stepped out of the banquet hall. It felt as if the uneaten meal had lodged itself in my throat. Thankfully, the refreshing air outside allowed me to catch my breath.

"We're exhausted."

Amidst the heavy atmosphere, we had to read each other's thoughts as if we were mad. We had to mind our manners and choose our words carefully. Summoning every bit of recollection and employing conversational techniques from the books I had read, I managed to respond, leaving me feeling utterly drained.

"I think I managed to answer fairly well, all things considered."

I noticed a slight stiffening in Prince Leon's expression. If I hadn't been in the habit of observing people, I would never have caught on.

"Still, it's satisfying to have given them a taste of their own medicine."

I thought so as I finally let go of the burden. After walking for a while, I spotted the door to my room. I turned around and nodded slightly to Latvan, who had been following closely behind me.

"Thank you for your assistance today, Sir Latvan."

In response, he tilted his head slightly.

"I appreciate your help in the end."

In truth, I wanted to say more. Thanks to his quick thinking about preparing the next schedule, we were able to bid farewell to the imperial envoy, including Prince Leon, without much trouble. If I had announced that I had an engagement and had to leave, it would have been obvious that I was avoiding them. However, if someone else, especially Sir Latvan, had said it, it would have seemed like a genuine reason for me to leave.

Of course, the subsequent schedule only involved resting in my room.

"..."

He did not respond to my second expression of gratitude. A moment of silence passed.

"Is it because I lied that I feel unsettled?"

I recalled that the Code of the Holy Knights had a provision requiring honesty. Of course, it couldn't be followed perfectly, but one should strive to uphold it as much as possible.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Although it may not bring any good as a High Knight to spend too much time with the prince."

That seemed to be the reason Latvan had lied and helped me leave. I couldn't find any other reason why he would go so far as to lie to let me leave. While I pondered this, Latvan spoke.

"You are not a pleasant person."

"Pardon?"

"You give an unpleasant impression. It would be better to keep your distance until we return."

"Oh..."

With his lengthened words, I finally realized that he was talking about Prince Leon.

Frankly, it was bewildering. It surprised me that Latvan would mention something other than what I was asking about. And what's more, it was an assessment of someone else.

"Moreover..."

This was the first time he displayed such strong emotions about something. Because of that, he seemed more human to me than ever before. It was quite fascinating. As I stared at him intently, Latvan lowered his head.

"I apologize. I spoke off-topic."

"No, it's all right. Thank you for your concern. You may go now; I don't think we'll need any further protection today."

I replied like that, yet he didn't turn away. Instead, he seemed hesitant, as if he had something else to say. After a brief pause, he cautiously spoke.

"When will a decision be made about my punishment?"

"Pardon?"

Punishment? What punishment? I quickly realized that he was asking about the responsibility for the failed security during the prayer meeting.

"I didn't intend to hold you accountable for any mistakes..."

I didn't want to ask about it at all. If I hadn't ordered him to bring the prince on the day of the prayer meeting, he would have casually refused. Ultimately, it was my doing that led to his failure, and I didn't want to hold him responsible for that.

"Besides, I could really use a break."

When I first met Latvan, his chilling aura and contemptuous gaze made it difficult to even look at him. But now, we had reached a point where we could have conversations like this without difficulty. Moreover, whether it was him hiding it or my misconception, the disdainful gaze he had towards me seemed to have disappeared.

I never thought our relationship could improve. Even now, we couldn't say that we had a good relationship. Yet, if it could be said that the vast distance that Evelina had spread between us had become slightly closer, I couldn't help but think it was a positive change.

I recalled Evelina's voice from the morning.

Four more days to go.

"If Evelina fails to fulfill the conditions she imposed upon me within four days, I shall likely cease to exist within this mortal form. Thereafter, it remains uncertain whether Evelina shall return or whether she shall insert a new individual in her stead."

"I apologize, but I have no desire to narrow the distance that I have been endeavoring to bridge on my own accord. Therefore, I wished to defer the decision regarding the possessor of this body to the one who shall come after four days."

***