We rented back the inn we had destroyed.
Of course, it remained completely unrepaired, but we had no other choice.
The innkeeper, having already received generous payment once, handed over the building again without complaint. Perhaps he was calculating how to extract even more this time.
So we managed to catch our breath, but only barely. Jigor and Tristan had been left behind at the flower farm, and I was worried about what to do with the Dullahan who was crying there.
Meanwhile, Xenon and Heinrich still hadn't let their guard down, continuing to glare at each other.
"Since you've escaped the farm, shouldn't you be on your way now?"
Whether he heard my politely phrased dismissal or not, Xenon's expression brightened considerably.
"But having witnessed such sights, how could I simply leave? If you needed help, I would have done my best to assist."
"Are you really in a position to help me?"
Heinrich shook his head without any visible offense at my words.
"I can be of help to you. If you recall who is pursuing you, the answer is simple."
I narrowed my eyes and asked in a suspicious voice.
"......Are you saying you'll hide me from the search party?"
"Isn't that already what I'm doing? Before, and now as well."
But helping me at such risk wouldn't benefit Heinrich at all.
I fell silent with a bitter taste in my mouth. Then Xenon, who had been quietly observing our conversation, asked me gently.
"It seems you and Lady Anneli are well acquainted."
"Why does that one call you by your name?"
At the same time, Heinrich frowned and glared at Xenon. Whatever thought crossed his mind, he soon muttered with a pale face.
"Surely not... the princess......"
"Whatever you're thinking, that's not it, so erase it from your mind."
Things were so tangled I didn't even know where to begin sorting them out. While I rubbed my aching forehead, the two were at it again, glaring fiercely at each other.
Sigh. I, who had briefly stopped complaining to God, felt resentment rising once more.
At this point, it's certain that God resurrected me with some kind of grudge.
This is a rational conclusion.
With Maxell around, we couldn't move rashly anyway.
Fortunately, Tristan who had joined with Jigor sent word through the hornet bees that they had hidden well while avoiding human eyes, which gave me some peace of mind.
Also, the reason for the city's excitement was the Crown Prince's visit—news that arrived far too late.
'Two able-bodied men right beside me, yet only Dullahans to rely on.'
Living in this world is truly this difficult.
Taking advantage of this forcibly imposed rest, I introduced Heinrich and Xenon to each other.
First, I repeatedly emphasized to Heinrich, who was making absurd speculations, that Xenon was my hired employee, and to Xenon, I gave notice that since this was a person of noble status, he should behave accordingly.
That alone seemed to make Xenon realize Heinrich's status.
In the first place, how many people are there to whom I show respect while they treat me with familiarity? Only a fool wouldn't know.
What was surprising, however, was his attitude—not becoming any more polite despite guessing Heinrich's status.
On the contrary, his dissatisfaction seemed to have grown even larger. While most nobles wouldn't dare act improperly toward a magician from the Magic Tower, I didn't know he would be this bold even toward royalty.
After roughly mediating between the two and finally achieving peace, both asked me the same question.
They asked how exactly I had been controlling those animals earlier.
And so, the fact that I could converse with animals was ultimately revealed.
By this point, I seemed to have just resigned myself. There was also some bravado mixed in—what would they do even if they knew?
"So that's how you escaped so well, Anneli."
Heinrich, who had been nodding, added my name at the end of his words in a gentle voice. Hearing that, goosebumps rose on my forearms and my spine prickled for no reason.
Since Xenon read all sorts of meaning into the name he used, I had permitted him to do the same—a mistake on my part.
'Who knew he would keep calling it so affectionately at every opportunity?'
Heinrich kept calling my name like someone with a deep-seated grudge. To the point where I wondered if a spell called "Anneli" had been cast without my knowledge.
"Well, now that you know I don't need help, you can return."
"But there are limits to planting animals in the imperial palace."
"The scope of activity within the palace is limited...... Lord Heinrich, you face the same limitation."
When I called his name, Heinrich's complexion noticeably brightened. Since he asked to be called by name given the situation, agreeing to that had brought about this result.
Who can I blame? This is all my fault, my fault.
"These days the imperial palace is busy because of you, so inevitably I've had to handle matters in Maxell's place more often. Regardless of the weight of the work, this means I'm visiting the main palace or carrying out external schedules more frequently. Is there any guarantee today's situation won't happen again?"
I understood well enough that Heinrich wanted to create some point of contact with me by any means.
"Xenon, prepare a meal please."
"Now? Suddenly?"
"Yes."
At my abrupt request, Xenon wore a baffled expression. However, he rose obediently without raising further objections.
After confirming Xenon had left, I turned to look at Heinrich, who was watching me with rather serious eyes.
He must have realized I'd sent him away on purpose.
"I have a question."
"Anything."
"Do you perhaps intend to use me to regain power?"
If it's Anneli the resurrected rather than Anneli Roam who was a public enemy, she could be of help in various ways.
That would be all he could gain by showing such sincerity toward me. I thought that was sufficient to explain the current cause and effect.
So it was a reasonable question from my perspective, but for some reason, Heinrich's expression turned cold.
He, who had looked pleased just moments ago, now gazed at me with a smileless face.
"If that were your intention......"
"You think I——"
A suppressed voice cut off my words.
"I appear to be expecting such a thing?"
I know that expression. It was definitely one Xenon often wore.
"......Because you have no other reason."
"Ha, if I played such tricks, you would have intention to cooperate?"
Of course not. But I couldn't spit out this clear answer.
"Did you think I wouldn't know you wouldn't help me? Did I seem like someone without even that much judgment?"
Because Heinrich provided my answer first. With his face contorted, he seemed to be suppressing some emotion, gritting his teeth.
His profile as he turned slightly away from me looked sorrowful.
"I've clearly learned how worthless a man I appear to you."
I couldn't say it outright, but it was true I didn't have great expectations for Heinrich's abilities.
I received his help twice, but both were based on coincidence.
He lost to Maxell and lost his limbs in the palace. What would I rely on to take his hand?
"You can't not know what it means for the imperial family to dispatch a search party."
As if guessing my thoughts, Heinrich calmly brought up the topic.
The imperial family's search party. Even though I knew, it felt strange having it confirmed like this.
Until recently, I had believed without doubt that I would live in the imperial palace for my whole life and die as a member of the imperial family.
And the imperial family replaced my position, which I had believed would never be substituted, with someone else without any hesitation.
They replace people without hesitation, so they're doing it this time too. Without hesitation, trying to use me again by picking me up.
When I nodded indifferently, Heinrich frowned and continued.
"Maxell said so. His Majesty wishes to bring you into the imperial family, asking whether he could accept you as an adopted daughter or arrange a marriage with me."
This crazy bastard.
I bit my tongue to hold back the curse that nearly slipped out reflexively.
"If I truly desired power, I would have persuaded His Majesty first. To allow a marriage with you. Saying he needs to keep the resurrected one by his side. Instead of rambling on and on like this."
The moment I parted my lips even slightly, I couldn't guarantee what words would come out, so I kept my lips pressed tight for a while.
And only after several deep breaths could I manage a calm voice.
"Did Maxell... propose a marriage between Your Highness and me?"
"He did."
I thought there was no more room for disappointment, but how could someone be like this until the very end. Making me feel this miserable.
Discarding even the minimum courtesy and treating me like this? Even though you were once my fiancé?
"He likely mocked you thinking there was no possibility, but honestly, if I said I wasn't tempted, that would be a lie."
Heinrich, who had been watching me sit there motionless, gave a bitter laugh.
"Didn't I tell you? Unlike my brother, I was very interested in you."
Into my burning mind, Heinrich's words suddenly pushed their way in.
Heinrich before me, whose appearance had been changed by a magic tool, gave a more impression than his original form.
But because of that, I could easily read his emotions. Because he had a face unlike Maxell's.
"That is the sole reason. At the grand library and here as well. The reason I'm stepping forward now like this is because I don't want to repeat my regrets."
"Is that truly all that feeling is?"
"If you insist I state what I desire, there is one thing."
I hoped what he desired was a gain I could accept. A dream of making a comeback.
Saying he'll hit Maxell in the back of the head when he's off guard and reclaim power. That he'll obtain me, take on the temple faction's power, and oppose him once more.
If it were that, it wouldn't be difficult. But Heinrich continued to pile up difficult words.
"Your affection."
And with an entirely sincere tone at that.
"Maxell—your affection that he failed to appreciate even when it was right before his eyes."