Chapter 49

'Something about the atmosphere...'

It's strange. With a uneasy feeling, I smoothed the curtain and glanced out the window.

'Altear and Orca are having tea together...!'

And they're in the garden! They've even set up a tea table! Just the two of them! Their tea time was far from warm and friendly. I could tell just by watching from a distance. The cold wind was so strong that Pavel, who was serving them, looked uncomfortable as he kept checking the atmosphere.

'What on earth are they doing?'

Altear is not the type to take the lead in a tea time. He doesn't enjoy conversation, after all.

'If he wants to find something out, he would work from behind the scenes.'

So, the person who suggested this tea time must be Prince Orca. Prince Orca is someone who is used to leading conversations. He wins people over through conversation and uses their goodwill to gather important information, which he then uses as a weapon against his enemies. Sometimes he even spreads favorable rumors to his advantage.

'Is he trying to get something out of Altear? Or is he planning to use Altear to create a favorable public opinion for himself?'

Or maybe, like in a novel, he's trying to lure Altear into becoming a villain's ally.

'Right. That's probably it.'

But I hope Altear doesn't become a terrifying villain like in the novel. I'm afraid of staying by his side and dying pointlessly if he becomes a villain? No, the first reason is more likely. But as I spent time with Altear, I found more reasons. The life of Altear described in the novel was dark and lonely. So, I always thought he was a dark and lonely person from the beginning. However, the Altear I met in Eilsford was neither dark nor lonely. There were people who cherished him, and he cherished people too.

'What could have happened to make him turn his back on all this and become a terrifying villain?'

I still don't know the reason, but I'm sure that Prince Orca is the one trying to lead Altear down the path of a villain. I glared at the back of Prince Orca's head with a full sense of caution.

'If I can't figure out the reason, I need to keep the instigator away.'

The most important thing is to reduce their points of contact and not give Orca the chance to lure Altear.

'So, this kind of tea time...'

As I was formulating my plan and burning with determination, a sigh came from behind me.

"Excuse me, ma'am."

I turned around in surprise to see the new owner of this space, Leon, holding a stack of books and looking at me. He seemed to have a lot to say, but his words were simple.

"You said you would help me organize, but you're actually hindering me."

"Ah!"

Only then did I realize that I was blocking the bookshelf next to me while looking out the window. I quickly moved back to make room and reached for the books Leon was holding.

"I'll help too!"

"I can manage on my own."

Leon lightly rejected my offer and placed the books on the shelf. I noticed a pile of books in one corner and rushed over to pick up a stack. The weight was heavy, but I managed to reach the bookshelf without much trouble.

'My arms are a bit shaky, but...'

This is nothing! As I placed the books on the shelf, I subtly observed Leon. I had promised to support his research and brought him here, and I needed to win his favor to keep him on our side rather than with Prince Orca. I had to pay attention to him in every way. Sensing my gaze, Leon continued to organize the books and asked me.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was wondering how you feel about being back in Eilsford. I heard you even refused to have someone sent to help organize the clinic..."

Although he returned to Eilsford to develop a cold medicine, there was still a lingering distrust of Eilsford in his heart. Leon's stance was clear. He accepted the clinic and research funding but refused all other help. It was a statement that he would reject all human kindness, not just investment.

'At least I'm not from Eilsford, so I'm less suspicious to him.'

The fact that I had no connection to the past tragedy seemed to have slightly broken down his defenses.

"I'm not sure. I haven't really had a chance to look around Eilsford yet. But the atmosphere is quite different."

Despite his indifferent expression, he answered my question honestly. If he wasn't deeply rooted in evil, he wouldn't be cruel to someone trying to help him. Leon was one of those ordinary people. I gained a bit more courage and continued the conversation.

"How is it different?"

"It's much more vibrant than the Eilsford I remember. It used to be a quiet and simple town."

As he recalled the past, Leon's eyes became distant for a moment. Not wanting to interrupt his memories, I kept my mouth shut and focused on organizing the books. Soon, Leon exhaled softly and spoke first.

"You don't need to manage this so closely. I can handle it properly. Personal feelings and research are separate."

"Huh?"

"I mean, you don't need to worry that I might not do my research properly due to personal feelings. So, you don't need to help me directly like this in the future."

"I never had that worry from the beginning."

I blinked and tilted my head, not understanding Leon's words. Having read the novel, I knew Leon's sense of responsibility and dedication as a medical professional. If he wasn't going to do his research properly, he wouldn't have come to Eilsford in the first place. Despite his anger over past events, he chose to come to Eilsford for the sake of research for the greater good.

'He wasn't wrongly revered as a saint in the novel.'

His medical skills were excellent, but his character also played a role.

'I wanted to win his human kindness...'

Doubting his research? That was never in my mind. Leon was silent for a while, staring at me as if trying to gauge the truth. He eventually frowned, looking somewhat awkward.

"I don't understand you."

"Me? Why?"

Is there anyone who reveals all their thoughts like me? I'm not boasting, but I'm not very good at hiding or embellishing myself, so I found Leon's words puzzling. He sighed deeply, finding my reaction strange.

"Most people are suspicious. Even if I treated your injuries."

"Why should I be suspicious of Leon?"

"You know the enmity I have for the viscount. Yet, you convinced the viscount to invest heavily in my research. It's normal to wonder if I accepted it for some ulterior motive or if I plan to waste the research funds in revenge."

"Leon wouldn't do that."

If it's about research, he would be sincere. I was startled by his words and jumped up.

"You thought that?!"

"Of course not!"

Leon also jumped up, refuting me. I sighed in relief and resumed organizing the books.

"Well, then what's the problem? Leon should do what Leon needs to do, and I'll do what I need to do."

"What do you need to do?"

"Leon clearly has a misunderstanding about the past events, so I need to correct that. If the research goes well and helps Eilsford's reputation and wealth, that's good too. If you thought I was giving without expecting anything in return and found it suspicious, you can stop now."

"It's not that I'm suspicious... I just don't understand."

As he slowly continued, Leon, who had been staring at me, cleared his throat and turned his head away when our eyes met.

"If you don't understand, you don't need to try to understand. I think time will solve everything, including the misunderstanding about our lord."

"I see."

Mentioning Altear made the atmosphere, which had slightly eased, sharp again. Leon glanced at Altear, who was having tea with Prince Orca, and lightly clicked his tongue.

"What kind of misunderstanding do I have about a person who is having tea with the prince to form connections, despite not fitting in?"

"That's the misunderstanding!"

I flared up, placing my hands on my hips and glaring out the window. My reaction was more intense than I expected, and Leon's eyes widened, but I needed to clear this up immediately.

"The prince suggested the tea time first. The one who wants to form connections by luring the other is definitely the prince. Look, Altear is clearly uncomfortable and doesn't know what to do!"

I pointed to Altear, who was awkwardly pouring tea, urging Leon to agree. But Leon only frowned, looking confused.

"The viscount looks very relaxed."

"What are you talking about? His left corner of the mouth is subtly drooping."

"How can you even... How do you know that?"

"Why wouldn't I know? Of course I know."

Leon and I blinked at each other, not understanding each other. Since it was impossible to make Leon understand, I sighed and clenched my fists.

"It's no use. I need to save Altear from this awkward situation."

"Save him? How?"

"I'll completely block Prince Orca from luring Altear."

I chuckled and glared at the scheming Prince Orca.

"If you like tea so much, I'll treat you to tea every day! From tomorrow until the day you leave Eilsford Castle, you won't even see Altear's shadow. I'll drag him around everywhere!"

As I spoke, a plan began to form in my mind.

'Right. Why didn't I think of this sooner?'

Prince Orca wants to lure Altear into being his ally, so to stop him, I need to prevent him from having the opportunity to lure Altear.

'There's no reason to refuse when the host wants to entertain the guest!'

***

At the moment Nadia was burning with determination.

"..."

"..."

Altear and Prince Orca were sitting across from each other in an awkward silence.

"..."

"The tea doesn't taste like I remember."

"The leaves are the same."

"Yes, I understand that, but—"

The conversation didn't flow, but both Altear and Orca were thinking the same thing.

'Why am I having tea with this guy?'