---

Elena stared at Damian’s retreating figure as he ran toward the forest, remaining in place until he completely disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

Was it because of the regret from their brief encounter? She found it hard to take a step away.

If only she hadn’t woken up late, they could have talked a bit longer, that thought kept filling her mind. But she also well knew that holding on to such fleeting moments was nothing but foolishness.

Putting her disappointment aside for a moment, she closed her eyes and focused her mind.

Before her closed eyes, something warm like the sun emitted a light, even though she shouldn’t have been able to see anything. Upon confirming that, Elena finally relaxed her stiff expression and let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness…”

Without using any magic, she distinctly felt Damian’s presence as if he were standing right beside her.

This meant that the crystal she had given him was functioning properly. It was her first time using her power in this way, so she worried it might not fulfill its intended role, but now she felt she could ease her mind a little.

The reason for her tardiness was also due to the crystal, and had it not functioned properly, things could have gotten complicated. The crystal was the key element in the plan she had devised. With the presence of Noel and Orcus preventing movement like last time in Merohim, this was the best she could do.

‘I’m glad I could at least relay this…’

Above all, it was a crucial item that held the plan’s key and would protect Damian from potential dangers.

For some unknown reason, the current Damian was growing stronger at a faster rate than Elena remembered from earlier times. She didn’t know what motivated this change, but at the current pace, he could reach the level of the greatest mysterious knight she knew, Reinhardt, maybe even surpass him.

But unless that became a reality immediately, it would be hard for Elena to stop worrying about Damian.

How could she possibly send him into the forest, fully aware of what might happen without any protective measures? Originally, she had planned to have a bluebird drop the crystal into the woods, and that was why she handed it to him.

“Whoa…”

Once her tension eased, she suddenly felt exhausted, as if all her strength had drained away.

After spending the night reconstructing the crystal, she was utterly drained; her mind was intact, but her body was not. If she misstepped at all, she might just fall flat on her face. Fortunately, noticing this, Hailey rushed to Elena’s side and supported her.

“Lady!!”

“Ah… Hailey, thank you…”

As soon as Hailey grasped Elena’s arm, she called out her name.

Elena was about to express her gratitude when she sensed something odd in Hailey’s tone and halted her words. Initially, she thought Hailey was worried she might collapse, but the look in Hailey’s eyes didn’t show any concern for her but rather seemed to be awaiting something.

This wasn’t the first time Elena had seen Hailey like this. During their time in the Count Kraus House, or after she spent time alone with Damian, Hailey always had that expectant look in her eyes, which quickly led Elena to understand what Hailey wanted to hear.

Glancing around and feeling the gazes from all around, she noticed many people shared the same look as Hailey.

It seemed that the actions Damian had taken before leaving had certainly caught the attention of the surrounding onlookers.

A kiss on the back of the hand wasn’t something that demanded this much attention. Before entering the tournament, it was a quite common gesture among participants toward ladies they liked. There must have been plenty of similar acts occurring elsewhere too.

However, the sheer focus on the two of them stemmed from the fact that it was not just any lady and gentleman but rather the outstanding Damian and Elena.

Now reaching the age to be recognized as adults, some elders looked at their actions with fondness, while those around Elena’s age were certainly in quite the uproar.

Though some children reflected Hailey’s response, there were also many eyes filled with feelings of jealousy and regret.

Yet Elena had no time to react to the flood of emotions directed at her. As soon as Hailey spoke, a torrent of words burst forth from her lips.

“Lady! Congratulations!! Just yesterday, you seemed so flustered about holding hands, and now you’re casually doing hand kisses! Honestly, I was worried you two seemed a bit distant after your camping trip… Thankfully, it was just my imagination!”

“Ha, Hailey!! I get it, so please speak a little quietly!!”

“Oh, and even from a distance, I couldn’t see clearly, but Lady! When did you prepare such a gift?! That’s unfair! If you had told me, I would have definitely helped you!!”

“I get it, so please stop…!”

Hailey’s words dragged up emotions Elena had carefully tucked away. Just a few hours earlier, she was agonizing over what face to present to Damian, and Hailey’s comments were like flames reigniting her buried feelings. Above all, the longer Hailey went on, the hotter Elena’s face felt from all the gazes directed at her.

Though a long time had passed since she stopped caring about others’ stares, this topic was the one exception. And knowing this, Hailey continuously teased her.

Elena pulled her hat down until she reached a place where no one could see her face, with Hailey trailing right behind, unable to stop talking.

*

After seeing him off, I returned to my room to tidy my attire.

Not participating in the tournament didn’t mean I was free to lounge around; standing before others in my current outfit was a bit unreasonable.

For someone like me attending as a spectator, there were only two options: wait in the castle banquet hall or stay quietly in my room. In truth, those choices didn’t hold much weight for me. As a member of Kraus, it was pretty much mandatory for me to attend any gatherings in the banquet hall.

I took off my hat and sat in front of the mirror, beginning to straighten up my messy hair.

“Oh my…”

When I left the room this morning, I was so frantic that I only had time for a quick glance, but sitting here and staring into the mirror now, I realized my appearance was even worse than I had imagined.

I had washed my face somewhat before leaving, so my face looked fine, but the problem was my hair.

Not wanting to show my disheveled hair, I shoved the strands under my hat, but this only made things worse. Even if I hid it under my hat, I would still end up showing it when I met him anyway. Perhaps I should’ve gone out without a hat, even if it meant looking a little messy.

Thinking about how he would see this crazy hair made my face flush. What if he thought I was a disheveled girl? That worry came and went, but then I recalled my behavior when I was with him up until now, and I realized there was no need for such concerns.

“Maybe he’s already thinking that.”

A voice, almost resigned, slipped from my lips.

How many times had cream been wiped from the corners of my mouth while eating sweets in front of him?

I couldn’t deny that after experiencing that thrill, I somewhat intentionally smeared it on my face again afterward. What could I do? When I found myself before him, my heart fluttered, making me act clumsily.

Once I finished taming my tangled hair, the sight of my room, which was in disarray, caught my eye in the mirror. Seeing this, the events that transpired here this morning became vividly clear in my mind.

Letting out a sigh at the mess of my room, I thought while it was just a small accident, it still made me feel like a clumsy girl unable to properly tidy up a single room.

Since I hadn’t let Hailey into the room, I started tidying up on my own, moving my fingers here and there. Had I entered with Hailey earlier, it would’ve been a breeze to clean while I styled my hair, but I was still too peeved for that.

“Hailey really!! How could you say such things in front of everyone….”

In reality, I wasn’t angry; I was just embarrassed.

It was nothing new for Hailey to make such comments, so I should have brushed it off, but those gazes from others made me more emotional than usual. Of course, I knew Hailey did it intentionally to tease my flustered self in front of everyone.

Regardless, what Hailey had said wasn’t anything alarming for everyone else to hear.

It was simply I, the person involved, found it embarrassing.

“You’re welcome to come in now.”

As soon as I finished tidying up and casually said she could come in, Hailey dashed in like she had been waiting for that moment.

Now standing in front of me, Hailey had closed her mouth and wore a penitent look, contrasting her earlier excitement. It seemed she genuinely thought I was hurt, especially since I had never reacted like this before.

“Um… Lady, I’m really sorry!! I didn’t mean to do it on purpose!! Ah, I mean, I was just so happy that you and the gentleman got closer…”

Hailey’s eyes darted around as she spoke, much like when Wilhelm caught her nibbling on the sword sheath he cherished. When I kept silent and merely watched, Hailey continued to apologize, and I listened quietly before cautiously opening my mouth.

“…You won’t do it again, right?”

“Yes! I’ll keep it to a minimum…!! No, I’ll just say it when we’re alone, like before.”

It seemed a bit like her true self slipped out, but this was about right.

Seeing Hailey’s eyes, clearly filled with remorse, I nodded in understanding.

“…Okay, I forgive you. I mean… it’s just really embarrassing to talk like that in front of everyone.”

“Of course! I’ll be more mindful from now on!”

Recognizing my mood had completely brightened, Hailey immediately broke into a playful smile, striking a pose like a tough soldier.

Honestly, she was impossible.

Her smile made me return a small grin.

“Well then, we’re all set now, shall we head to the banquet hall? I wonder if Alphonse is already there?”

“Yes, Hans told me earlier that he and young Master Alphonse would be waiting ahead.”

Father said he would wait outside with the knights, meaning only Alphonse, who hadn’t reached the age to participate in the tournament, and I would be attending the banquet. Though he didn’t specifically advise me not to go outside, considering the high attendance rate of other noble children at this tournament, it seemed like he hoped I could mingle with peers my age.

Waiting outside for him might be better…

I wasn’t completely averse to making friends, but when it came to meeting someone with whom I had no prior connection, I was still a bit hesitant. But just like how he had done in Merohim, I too needed a chance to introduce myself in the southern region, so I decided to follow Sir Arthur’s suggestion.

As I made my way to the banquet hall, I noticed Hailey cast a sly glance at me and break into quiet laughter.

“…? Why are you suddenly acting like that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Hehe. Let’s quickly head to the banquet hall; everyone’s waiting for you!”

I dismissed her as simply having some silly thought. Still, it wasn’t until I entered the banquet hall that I realized the reason behind Hailey’s laughter.

The guests within the banquet hall consisted of some who had just now been outside seeing off tournament participants. Naturally, those who had been with me and him were also present.

As soon as I opened the door and stepped inside, the same gazes I felt outside turned towards me. When everyone’s eyes focused on one point, it naturally created a strange pressure in the air. While I was accustomed to this feeling and didn’t crumble under the gazes, the moment I sensed all eyes on me, I let out a small sigh.

It felt like I was going to tire myself out in many ways.

 

---