Chapter 23.2

I felt a little sorry for Ian because I had to show such an indifferent reaction. He looked particularly exhausted these days. I think he has been like that since Celina was kidnapped. He must have gone through a lot of trouble.

I had been quietly snacking for a while, but suddenly, the teacup in the archmage’s hand broke weakly, making a shattering sound.

The white gloves instantly began to turn red. Ian approached in astonishment, and I was silently shocked.

Hey! What’s wrong with you?!

“Father…?”

Elijah looked angry. His expression was peaceful, but he was clearly angry. I was the one who didn’t understand anything here. A character who I can never grasp his intentions and is always surrounded by complex thoughts.

As expected of the one who boasts the greatest difficulty among the target characters. I couldn’t believe he would be like this even to his daughter, really.

I was going to push Cain to him, but what if Mikael says he likes him? Although he was much better than Samuel, it was still a difficult route.

“That’s right.  I’ll try to find a woman as you said. She will need to be trained, so it will take some time to find the right person. Now get out of here.”

Elijah began to pull out a piece of glass from his hand.

“Ian. Take Celina straight to her room and don’t let her escape anywhere else.”

Apparently, the ban had not yet been lifted. If you are concerned that your child has attempted suicide, you should sit down and have a conversation. What do you think will change if you pressure them like this?

I stood up quietly. Before leaving the laboratory, I said something full of excessive solicitude.

“You are a wise man. I believe you know where the arrow should be headed.”

“… What does that mean?”

Only then did he make eye contact with me. His untied purple hair swayed around his neckline. A beautiful and pure face with deep eyes, golden like the sun.

And the magic stone that was exactly of that same color.

I touched my index finger, which had nothing on it now.

“Please don’t blame Ian any more. You must have scolded him harshly several times without my knowledge. Enough is enough.”

Ian and Celina had a superficial relationship. So, I just pushed him to the protagonist’s side at the right time. But even when he did go over to him, I didn’t want to keep making Ian walk on thin ice. I wanted the final knot of fate to have a pretty shape.

“Is it worth stepping up and covering for him? The servant who couldn’t even protect his master?”

“I care about him more than what Father thinks.”

“You’ve been talking nonsense lately. I think I told you to know your place.”

Elijah’s lips twisted slightly.

“Father, too, seems to be doing nothing but questionable things these days. To the point where I keep loafing around in my ‘place’. But I’m keeping it well. I never crossed the line. And I have no intention of doing it in the future.”

I swept my hair over my shoulder indifferently. Celina’s memories certainly made every little action or conversation easier. This meant that there was no need to worry about going against etiquette.

“That is why I did not ask any questions about the man with the eye patch whom I met in the Catacombs that day. Even though I realized that he is somehow connected to Father’s past.”

“…”

Staring at me with emotionless eyes, he then lowered his head and pulled out the glass that was stuck in his hand at once. The sound of the piece of glass clinking on the table was chilling. The blood spreading over his gloves was eerie.

“Then I hope you go just that far. I think you’ll step on the line if you act just a little more unruly here.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

I bowed with a straight waist and left the lab with Ian. Neither of us said anything until we left the area.

“Young Lady.”

Ian only opened his mouth in front of Celina’s room. I turned and looked up at him.

“What is it?”

“I’m really sorry. Thank you for everything.”

He apologized with a slightly sunken look. His stiff mouth was resolute and sharp. His gaze beyond the glasses was dark.

I smiled faintly. He and Celina weren’t close; they had mostly a sense of duty towards each other. But their trust was still very strong.

“You’ll stay by my side until someone is found, but… Anyway, you’ve worked hard.”

“What do you mean, worked hard? Why would you say that? It was just an honor.”

Ian smiled grimly. I tapped his shoulder lightly. It was an early goodbye.

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