Andrea, looking at Tucker in handcuffs, wore an expression of uncertainty about how to handle this prisoner.

So I smiled kindly at Andrea and said,

“They’re not a criminal yet, just a suspect. They’re not dangerous, so remove the handcuffs and guide them to the guest room.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Oh, and since they said they’ve already eaten, just prepare some water for washing.”

“As you command.”

Tucker cheerfully bid goodnight and followed Andrea with small, quick steps.

Meanwhile, Sikar laid Kian in bed and came downstairs. His face, as he trudged down, was deeply shadowed.

“Ever since Seo Yeon was exposed, things seem to be moving urgently.”

Recalling the events at the royal court, anger coiled within me again.

“The king’s behavior today was truly disappointing.”

Sikar’s face showed he didn’t care about that. He looked at me steadily, then spoke as if something occurred to him.

“What about the wand?”

“I keep it with me always, tucked inside my sleeve.”

When I pulled the shrunken wand from my sleeve, Sikar gave a faint smile.

“You’ve managed to keep it well hidden without dropping it.”

“It caused Mei Li some trouble. Why don’t these clothes have pockets? So I asked Mei Li to sew small pockets inside the sleeves of my dresses.”

When I turned my sleeve inside out to show him, Sikar pinched my cheek lightly and laughed.

“Cute.”

I frowned slightly and asked,

“What is?”

“The pocket. Well done. It’s a clever idea. Now, while I’m away from the ducal estate, you just need to master using the wand perfectly.”

That’s not something I can’t do. It’s not like it harms me; it’s a wand that protects me.

“Since you brought it up, let’s start now. I’ll master it tonight before I sleep.”

“We haven’t even had dinner yet. Let’s eat first.”

Come to think of it, we were so busy all day that we didn’t even eat properly.

It seemed Sikar had already ordered food prepared, as the dining room table was fully set.

But today, for some reason, I had no appetite. As I picked at my food, Sikar looked at me and started demonstrating how to eat with gusto.

“Eating like that, will you have the strength to wield the wand? Watch. Eat like this. Munch munch. Nom nom.”

Watching him mimic eating heartily made me laugh so hard I thought I’d choke.

“Pfft. Alright, I’ll eat. You don’t have to do that. You’re hilarious right now.”

“Being called hilarious doesn’t feel too bad.”

Sikar raised one corner of his mouth and lifted his water glass.

He even knows how to make people laugh. Is he finally becoming human?

As dinner was winding down, the usually composed Andrea rushed into the dining room with an urgent expression.

“Duke! Duke!”

Sikar set down his utensils and stood up abruptly.

Andrea, who always moved with precision, had only rushed like this once before—when Sikar’s parents died.

So Sikar stood up with a grim expression but couldn’t immediately ask what was wrong, so I asked instead.

“Andrea, what’s the matter?”

“Lady Hersia has come with an urgent message for you.”

Relieved it wasn’t bad news, Sikar let out a shallow breath.

“Hersia? Tell her to come in at once.”

“Yes, Duke.”

What urgent matter could Hersia have at this hour?

Since we’d finished eating, we wiped our lips and went straight to the living room.

In the living room, Hersia, cloaked in a black hooded cape, was already seated.

As soon as she saw me, Hersia stood up with a frantic expression.

“Duchess!”

“Hersia, what urgent matter brings you here in such attire at this hour?”

“You told me to report anything suspicious immediately. So, about that…”

Hersia paused, glancing at Sikar. I held her hands tightly to reassure her.

“Speak freely.”

“I heard something strange and couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”

I held Hersia’s hand and sat on the sofa, signaling Sikar to sit as well.

“What did you hear?”

“They’re saying they’ll execute Princess Veronia. But hasn’t she already left the palace?”

Hersia spoke as if she’d uncovered major gossip, but I couldn’t take it lightly. Sikar didn’t show much, but he frowned.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, Duke. I clearly heard the king and queen discussing it.”

Sikar didn’t bother to probe Hersia’s memory. She wasn’t one to make things up.

“When is the execution?”

“I didn’t hear that, but it sounded like they’d announce it soon.”

“Did you hear anything else?”

Hersia glanced at me cautiously before speaking.

“Well… for some reason, they suspect the young lord is Princess Veronia’s son.”

“I see.”

Sikar let out a long breath, as if everything made sense.

“That’s very useful information, Hersia. It’s late, so I’ll provide an escorted carriage. Go with it.”

“No, Duke. Aaron came with me, so I can go with his escort.”

“Send Aaron back.”

“Pardon?”

“For now, avoid meeting Aaron and be cautious in your actions. That’s the best way to stay safe.”

Sikar said this because Aaron had joined Reidox’s ranks, but Hersia, unaware of the reason, seemed unconvinced.

Still, she trusted Sikar greatly and quickly nodded.

“Understood.”

“Send Aaron back immediately, and go with our soldiers’ escort.”

“Yes, Duke.”

With Durion absent, Sikar personally went out to instruct the soldiers to escort her.

But then, Sikar, who had gone to give orders, returned and picked up his sword.

“Something feels off.”

“Huh?”

“I need to step out for a bit.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

Sikar’s expression was quite serious. He moved quickly, as if there was no time to explain.

“It seems something’s happened to Vika. The private soldiers are all on guard, and I’ve called for Reidox, so wait until then.”

“I’m fine. But what do you mean something’s happened to Vika?”

“I’ll explain when I return. It’s probably nothing. I’m just checking to be sure.”

As Sikar stood, he called for Andrea. Seeing Sikar strap on a sword at night, Andrea’s face stiffened, sensing trouble.

“Yes, Duke.”

“No one else is at the estate right now, so stay by the lady’s side until Reidox arrives.”

“Yes, Duke.”

It wasn’t that Andrea had the strength to protect me. Sikar likely called him because he thought I’d be scared alone.

Sikar said it was probably nothing, but I could sense that something threatening enough to endanger Vika’s life had happened.

Sikar and Vika could sense each other’s danger because of their oath.

What could it be? What happened to Vika?

I was too anxious to sit still.

Andrea brought me warm water as I paced in front of the sofa.

“Drink this, and you’ll feel better, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

As Andrea said, drinking the warm water calmed me a bit.

I hope nothing happens to Vika or Sikar.

Even if my heart settled a little, I couldn’t help but sigh.

Vika stopped at a forest path on the outskirts of Blake.

Realizing someone was following, Vika deliberately lured them to this forest path and halted.

Turning around, Vika spoke with a tired expression.

“I know you’re there, so come out.”

In the dark, deserted forest path, only Vika’s voice echoed. Vika sighed again.

“I know it’s you, so come out, Pasium. I lured you here to tear you apart, so stop sneaking around like a rat and show yourself.”

After a moment, Pasium, wearing a black hooded robe, appeared before Vika, who stood stubbornly with arms crossed.

As always, his eyes were hidden by the long hood.

Thoroughly displeased, Vika scowled deeply.

“You know, I hate it when mages like you follow me. Especially sneaky ones like you who keep their mouths shut and faces hidden.”

“…”

“What’s that? Think you’ll find something to scavenge by trailing me?”

“…”

“What? No reason? So you’re following me because you’ve got nothing better to do? The king’s guard captain has that much free time?”

A strong wind briefly swept through, as if signaling the invisible tension between them.

Pasium, who had been silent, slowly spoke.

“Black eyes… why seek… them?”

His voice and speech were strange—not human, not wind, but the voice of magic.

“Can’t even speak properly? Your voice is weird too. I heard some mages cut their tongues to boost their magic. That’s you, isn’t it?”

Some mages sacrificed parts of themselves to gain greater power, giving up pieces of their body as offerings.

But such power, while strong, destroyed them, costing their soul and leaving them obsessed with wielding their magic.

Pasium, craving greater strength, had chosen to sacrifice himself.

Vika quickly noticed Pasium’s state and circled him with amusement.

“Speaking with magic, huh?”

Pasium had no interest in Vika’s taunts. Standing rigidly, he repeated his question.

“Black eyes… why seek them?”

“Idiot. You’re the only fool who’d cut out their own tongue for greed. What’s the point of power if you don’t value your own body?”

“Why seek them?”

No matter how much Vika provoked, Pasium ignored it, focused only on his purpose.

“Then why are you following me? Aren’t you just following orders? I’m just following orders too.”

“Orders. What orders?”

Vika, staring at Pasium, smirked as if entertained.

“You’re really a complete idiot.”

It wasn’t just his tongue Pasium had sacrificed for power. Realizing this, Vika laughed uncontrollably.

“You’re quite a spectacle, Pasium.”