Exiting the Emperor's chambers with Calix, Lellia saw Lut standing with his back leaning against the nearby corridor wall.
It seemed he had been waiting for Lellia all this time.
Lellia spoke to Calix who was following behind her.
"Lord Calix, thank you for coming with me. Please go to your quarters first. I'll follow shortly."
"Huh? Oh. Ohhh..."
Calix had a dazed expression. Why was he like that?
Lellia recalled that when she had used the item on the Emperor just moments ago, Calix had been sitting on the sofa in the reception room.
So she never imagined he might have heard or seen what happened inside.
No matter how simple-minded Calix was, she didn't think he would lack basic etiquette to the point of eavesdropping on the Emperor's conversation.
At the foundation of that thought was the influence of Calix's sensible appearance, having neatly tied his cravat to meet the Emperor.
"What's wrong? Brother Calix? You don't look well."
'Surely not...'
But it was possible.
Wondering if perhaps he too was affected by the item, she asked, and Calix shook his head.
"...No, I just suddenly felt dizzy."
At those words, Lellia was startled. She grew anxious, wondering if his seizure symptoms had appeared again.
"If you're feeling unwell, please make sure to take the medicine I gave you. I'll come soon."
"Oh..."
With those final words, Calix rushed away.
Like someone in a desperate hurry.
'Is it really seizure symptoms again?'
Seeing Calix's pale complexion, worry washed over her.
The scenes she had witnessed just last night came to mind, making her feel uneasy. He must have always endured such pain alone...
Lellia decided to quickly deal with Lut and return to Calix.
With that in mind, she walked briskly toward Lut.
"......"
Lut was still glaring at Lellia as if looking at a mortal enemy. If eyes alone could kill, she would already be dead.
Lellia let out a deep sigh.
"Sir Lut, I have something to discuss with you."
"...Of course you would."
Lut sneered, twisting one corner of his mouth.
When Lellia gestured with her chin for him to follow and walked ahead, Lut followed her with blazing eyes.
The two headed to a garden connected to the main castle's corridor.
When people became scarce, Lellia turned to look at Lut.
Lut's eyes told her to speak if she had something to say.
Lellia let out another deep sigh before speaking.
"...His Imperial Majesty insulted me, asking if I was actually a woman."
"...What did you say?"
Lut blinked. He had a blank face, as if he couldn't comprehend what he had just heard.
How could His Majesty give such an insult!?
Lellia continued.
"So I proudly proved before His Majesty that I was a man, and His Majesty apologized. As an apology for the insult, he agreed to grant me one request."
"......"
"So I brought up the matter regarding you, Sir."
"......!"
"Sir Lut, I told His Majesty how sincere and good a man you are, and recommended you as a fiancé for Princess Juriana. My request was for him to arrange a formal meeting between the two of you."
"...Sir Raymond!"
Lut blinked in disbelief, then wiped his mouth with his hand.
And just as expected.
Lut began to look at Lellia with eyes that said there was no greater benefactor in all the world.
'This annoying bastard.'
Lellia inwardly criticized Lut's attitude, praying only that he would confess to Juriana as soon as possible.
With her heart boiling with frustration, she looked at the quest window tucked in the corner of her vision.
[Sub Quest~]
∙ Help the lovesick young man confess his love
The fact that the quest had not yet been completed, glowing gray, was nothing but resentment.