It was indeed the person I had been thinking about who appeared at my door. My already tangled thoughts became even more chaotic as I walked over and opened the door.

Claude stood in the dimly lit hallway, holding a candle, his face illuminated in the dark. I greeted him with a troubled expression.

“Come in.”

I opened the door wider and stepped aside to let him in. Despite getting what he wanted, he seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

“You let me in so easily?”

“What? Why? You asked to come in, didn’t you?”

My words came out more harshly than intended, but he didn’t seem to mind and looked around the empty room.

“You shouldn’t just open the door right away when you’re alone and underage, Khalia. You need to be more cautious.”

“But it’s you.”

I didn’t understand. He gave me a strange look and said,

“Even if it’s me, you still shouldn’t.”

“You wouldn’t do anything dangerous to me.”

He rubbed his face and mumbled something incomprehensible.

He entered and placed the candle on the table, and I closed the door and followed him inside.

There was only one chair in the room. He sat in it, and I perched on the edge of the bed, facing him.

From below, I could faintly hear the voices of drunk people.

Claude stared at me silently. The flickering candlelight cast shadows over his eyes.

“So, what’s the reason you came?”

I asked, already knowing the answer. As expected, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“I came to ask you to let me accompany you on your journey.”

<i>“Sigh…”</i>

What was I supposed to do with this unpredictable prince?

A deep sigh escaped me. From start to finish, he was impossible to predict.

He always defied expectations and never once followed my plans.

“I never thought you’d hide in a box.”

“It wasn’t bad. It was a unique experience.”

This time, I rubbed my face.

“Claude, I told you. This journey is important to me. It’s not just a trip for fun.”

“…”

“There’s more than just my life at stake. I absolutely cannot fail.”

My voice inevitably turned somber.

To confess, when I saw his face emerge from that pile of luggage… I was surprised, but secretly, I was also happy.

It would be a lie to say I didn’t want to see him again.

But there was no choice.

“Your presence is too dangerous. You’re an unpredictable variable. I can’t make an already difficult journey even more unstable.”

I steeled my resolve.

“I can’t take you with me. So please return to the capital tomorrow.”

Claude remained silent.

Even though I had said it, I feared his reaction. I resisted the urge to look away and met his gaze directly.

“Not all variables are bad.”

He countered.

“Listen, I can be a positive variable for this journey.”

“How?”

“First, I can supplement your strength. Adding another combatant, especially one of my caliber, will make the party safer.”

He was right. I had seen his prowess firsthand in the dungeon.

“Your escorts might see me as just another high-status person they have to protect, but you know better. I can be a valuable asset in unforeseen situations.”

“…”

“And don’t worry about causing trouble with the royal family or any political complications.”

Despite my doubtful look, his confidence remained unshaken.

“I frequently visit a gambling den. The owner is someone I trust. I’ve arranged for them to cover for me, pretending I’m holed up there, gambling and drinking. The Empress won’t find out.”

“How trustworthy is this person?”

“Trustworthy enough to stake my life on.”

That level of assurance swayed me. As I hesitated, Claude quietly added,

“I’m not disregarding your resolve or belittling your passion. I promise not to ruin your journey. I swear it.”

His low voice resonated in the room.

“I came because I wanted to see you. That’s all.”

Something deep inside me thudded.

“But if, despite everything, you truly don’t want me here, if you can’t stand my presence, I’ll return to the capital immediately.”

Claude had been looking down with his long eyelashes casting shadows and now lifted his gaze.

“So, what will you do?”

“I…”

I was conflicted.

Honestly, after hearing him out, I wanted him to come along.

But I was worried about what Andrew and Guinness would think. And Father Adrian, too.

What if they found it inconvenient or secretly resented it?

They said they’d follow my decision, but it felt wrong to change the plan so suddenly. I couldn’t bring myself to speak easily.

“Do what you want. It’s your journey.”

Hearing that, all the complicated thoughts in my head vanished.

“I’ll take you with me.”

As soon as I said it, everything became clear. My wavering thoughts solidified.

‘So what if they’re a bit uncomfortable?’

A straightforward feeling burst forth. It was childish and selfish, but it was my true thought. Accepting it felt liberating.

“It’s an honor.”

Claude smiled broadly, genuinely happy. Seeing him like that made me feel ticklish inside.

Claude Valentin had never adhered to my plans and always played the role of an unpredictable variable…

But ultimately, those unexpected events and the new experiences they brought made me happy.

Chasing after his unpredictable and bouncing nature had been exasperating, but it was also enjoyable.

Spending time with him made me feel free.

“Now that it’s decided, I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“You said this journey is important because you’re going to meet the elves and learn about spirits.”

“That’s right.”

I nodded quickly but froze at his next words.

“And last time you visited the palace, you apologized and cried, saying you had to get stronger to get revenge.”

“…”

Claude’s face had turned serious.

“Is the target of your revenge the Barden family?”

My lips parted slightly.

“…Yes.”

“What exactly did they do to you?”

He asked cautiously. My answer didn’t come out immediately.

“I’ve had some suspicions from observing you and those around you, but suspicions are just that. I want to hear it from you. Why you need to become stronger, and why you have to gain power, even if it means taking risks and separating from those close to you.”

“…”

“Can you tell me?”

I had always thought I would have to tell this story someday.

Slowly, I began recounting the abuse I had endured. I stuck to the facts, avoiding emotion.

I didn’t want pity or sympathy. As I condensed my story, Claude’s face darkened more and more, becoming cold and severe.

When I finished, he growled.

“I knew something was off.”

Suddenly, I remembered something.

“At the Oakley engagement party, you told Helena you detested people who hide their true selves. You knew she was pretending to be nice?”

“I had a hunch. I hadn’t thought about it in detail, just knew something was off.”

“How?”

“Because I was interested in you.”

That sounded… strange. He didn’t mean it that way, but my face heated up.

It was fortunate the room wasn’t brightly lit. I cleared my throat.

“Khalia?”

“It’s nothing.”

I waved off his offer to get some water. I hurriedly asked,

“You realized something was wrong with her because you were watching me closely.”

He nodded.

“Yes. You banished their family overnight. After living with them for seven years, if Helena Barden was as kind and warm as the rumors said, you wouldn’t have done that. Others said it was because of your notoriously eccentric personality, but…”

“What happened next?”

“Once I found something odd, I started digging. I found out the support projects in Estellaria weren’t running properly, and at the academy, her friends mocked and ignored you while she subtly encouraged them.”

He frowned.

“They’re vile. Disgusting.”

Ha. I wanted to show that expression to Helena Barden, who had confessed her love with tears streaming down her face.

I felt a strange mix of emotions. A slight ache spread through my chest. I asked softly,

“But Helena is very beautiful…”

“Huh? Why bring that up?”

He seemed genuinely puzzled. His eyebrows raised, and his eyes and mouth formed an incredulous expression.

“Her beauty and her vileness don’t matter here. Personality has nothing to do with appearance. Khalia, you think the same, don’t you?”

“Oh, of course. Yes, of course.”

I hurriedly agreed.

“By the way, you rode in the carriage with Helena, didn’t you? What was that like?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just, how was it?”

I tried to sound as casual as possible.