Every time Kaligo said something like a confession, he was very casual. Perhaps he had no idea â how much she understood each word he says. The words he said very indifferently caused a rippling in her calm heart. In the past, she was sad and hurt by his words and actions, but that must be the reason why she couldnât hate him.
In any way, Kaligoâs words had the power to make her heart flutter. That nature of his probably hasnât changed that much.
âDid you⌠miss that?â
ââŚâ
Ashia decided to muster up her courage again. She was afraid that she might hear the answer she didnât want to hear, so she decided to ask him the questions she hadnât been able to ask him.
âRenna Cornelli, the daughter of a Viscount, and Renna Edmund, the Duchess of House Edmund.â
ââŚâ
âDid you miss them⌠even just a little bit?â
His red eyes that were looking down slowly looked up. When he met Ashiaâs eyes looking at him, his slender eyes bent in an arc. âThere was never a single moment I didnât miss them.â
ââŚâ
âAt least⌠until a little while ago. Because now⌠I miss Ashia Bliss too.â
ââŚâ She couldnât turn her eyes away from his gaze. Kaligoâs red eyes and low voice were a trap â both her eyes and heart were caught and unable to escape. He was showing her his sincerity for a long time without taking a step back.
âAshia!!â Just then, a voice calling for her came from the direction of the main building.
Ashiaâs head turned to that voice calling her name. âVen?â
The man who came running quickly was her teacher, Ventus. She rose from her chair.
Not used to using his body in such a manner, Venus gasped for air. âAre you okay?! Haa, aigoo.â
âAre you alright, Ven? Why did you run?â
âAh, I used too much mana today, so I want to save it.â
âWhat?â
âI should have gone there myself, but as you can see, I was busy reorganizing the Grand Dukeâs mansionâs barrier.â
Ashia then raised her head and looked up at the sky. The deep purple barrier made by magic surrounded the Grand Duchy and everything around it.
âAhâŚâ
âWith this, you will be safe from any attack. It might be even stronger than the Imperial Palace,â Ventus said confidently.
At that, Ashia glanced at Kaligo. He was sitting quietly with the two of them chatting and sipping tea. He seemed to understand why Kaligo shouted that it would be safer than the Imperial Palace.
âThen, are you going to stay in the Grand Dukeâs residence for a while?â
âYes, thatâs what happened.â
With Ventusâ appearance, their teatime ended there. Kaligo went back to the office so the two of them could have a conversation, so Ashia and Ventus went up the stairs and talked.
âIt wonât be easy to attack here. Even if they attack, there wonât be any danger of the building collapsing or getting hurt.â
The two headed to Ventusâ lab. This was because Ashia told him she wanted to borrow his laboratory.
âIâm sure thereâs no shortage of tools here, but do you have any ingredients?â
âYes, fortunately, I have kept the expensive or hard-to-find ingredients somewhere else. It would be no problem at all.â
Ventusâ laboratory was admirably spacious and magnificent.
As Ashia looked around in amazement, Ventus chuckled and said, âItâs different from the Magic Tower, right?â
âAh⌠yes.â
Filling the walls were lines of bookshelves tightly packed with hundreds of thousands of books, and tools needed for research were on one side lined up.
âYou can come here anytime and make what you want to make. Of course, just let me know if you need more ingredients. Kaligo will surely save you.â
It means that the person who supplied gold and materials was Kaligo, and for some reason, Ventusâ shoulders and nose were turned up to the sky.
âYes, thank you.â As Ashia giggled and eventually burst into laughter, Ventus followed her and laughed as well.
âBy the way, what floor are you staying in? The room near the stairs has a nice view. It overlooks the garden.â
âAhâŚ.â
Ashia hesitated. Ventus didnât seem to know that she was staying in the Grand Duchessâ room.
âShould I tell him that or not? He will find out soon enough anywayâŚâ
After thinking for a while, Redin entered the lab. âWe meet again, Miss Ashia Bliss.â
âYes, hello.â
âI am glad you werenât seriously injured.â
âThanks for your concern.â Ashia smiled back.
âHis Grace is looking for you.â
âKaligo?â
Then, from behind Ashia, Ventusâ voice suddenly intervened, âAh, she had only been away for a few minutes. Tell him to be patient.â
Despite Ventusâ grumbling, Redin didnât pay him attention and looked at Ashia. âHe said that he had something to explain to you.â
Explain? Ashia tilted her head. Ah, maybe there was a secret place inside the Grand Dukeâs mansion that she shouldnât go to. If that was the case, then there was nothing wrong with listening to things she should be careful of in advance.
âVen, Iâll be back later.â
âTch⌠okay.â
Ashia followed after Redin and left the lab. The place where she was led to was the Grand Duchessâ room, where she woke up in the morning.
âKaligo?â
âYouâve arrived.â
When Kaligo looked at Redin and then turned away, Redin bowed his head in farewell, then left the room.
âI have something to explain.â
âYes.â
Kaligo walked over to the side of the bed and then tapped on the long rope, saying, âIf you pull this, the Head Maid Melanie will come up.â
âAh yes.â
âAnd if you open the top box on this table, you will find a set of keys. You can open all the doors and safes in the Grand Dukeâs mansion.â
ââŚâ
And immediately Kaligo walked to the door connecting the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchessâ rooms. He continued his speech, pointing to the part of the door that had been closed. âThis door can be opened by pressing and pulling this to open. We havenât put a safe inside the Grand Duchessâ room yet. If you urgently need gold, you can take it out from the safe inside my room.â
ââŚâ
âAnd if you look hereâŚâ
âKaligo.â Ashia stopped Kaligo, who continued to speak. âWhatâs with you?â
ââŚâ
âWhy are you explaining this to me now?â
Her question drew a faint line on his smooth forehead. âKaligo?â