Chapter 77

The next story will be the end of Part 2!

Zain sat down right next to me on the sofa, letting out a small sigh.

"Thanks to you breaking the magical artifact, the increase in monsters has stopped. The knights are now hunting down the remaining ones."

Although there were some injuries, it seems the incident was somehow brought under control. If the number of monsters had continued to increase, there would have been fatalities.

I couldn't help but sigh in relief and mutter, "That's good," only to be scolded with, "It's not good."

"Why were you there at that time and place? How did you know that the magical artifact was the cause?"

"Well, that's... "

After I woke up, I was asked such obvious questions. Unable to answer, I was only told, "If you can't say, that's fine. But don't do anything dangerous again."

Still, I wondered what that light that saved me was. Was it because of Zain, the protagonist, that I, a minor character, was miraculously saved?

As I recalled that close call, I found myself facing a new crisis.

"Um, don't you think you're a bit too close?"

"It's just your imagination."

"I don't think so at all."

Before I knew it, his arm was firmly around my waist, and our bodies were pressed together.

And yet, Zain's beautiful face was right by my ear, making my heart pound so loudly it was unbearable.

It was already embarrassing enough to face him after such a tearful confession, but in this position, I couldn't even think straight.

"For the three months we kept our distance, do you know how much I had to endure? And you, despite having me, went out with Ranheart Gardner? You're a really bad woman."

"W-well, that is... I'm really sorry..."

Zain was smiling, but I felt an overwhelming pressure and could only apologize.

Trying to change the subject, I quickly spoke again.

"Um, I understand about Charlotte, but why did you keep your distance?"

"..."

Leaning his head lightly on my shoulder, Zain continued.

"Actually, I went to the restaurant you run."

"Huh?"

I couldn't believe my ears. I had never been told that a noble like Zain had visited, even on days when I wasn't working.

Besides, I had never told Zain that I ran a restaurant.

But with his extensive network, it made sense that he could find out such information easily.

"When did you go?"

"On the pre-opening day."

"Huh? But I was working that day..."

"Yes, I talked to you."

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did."

Zain was adamant, but I had no such memory. I was confused, thinking he might be joking, but he continued.

"I went with Alfred."

"Alfred...? Who's that?"

"You used to call him Al, remember?"

"Oh, Al had such a name!?"

We had been acquainted for a while, but I had never asked him more about himself because he didn't like to talk about himself.

According to Zain, he had even borrowed a valuable magical artifact from the king to disguise himself and come to see me work and check out the restaurant.

"But I didn't realize you two knew each other at all..."

Then I realized something terrible.

I had always thought Al was just a fan of Grace, and I had welcomed him into the house, chatted with him, and told him everything.

The dots connected, and I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Y-you mean... you heard everything from Al...?"

"You're too trusting. Even though I used Alfred, it's dangerous to invite someone you don't know and tell them everything."

"Um, what do you mean by 'used'?"

"He was my hired spy. I see you really didn't notice."

"Spy..."

Al, it turns out, was an excellent spy who had even served the royal family of another country. It was only because Evan found him that he was discovered, as it was almost impossible to find someone like him.

He held a high position in his organization, which explained his arrogant attitude.

"Everything... was leaked..."

Thinking about how everything I had ever said had been relayed to Zain, I felt like collapsing on the spot. But I also understood.