The cause of the nest’s formation is still unknown, and the safest place to study it was the magic engineering laboratory containing the magic essence from the design stage.

“I see,” she hummed in a nonchalant tone.

Miel laughed at her remark. From what he saw, it seemed like Seira was bored with him.

“Don’t be too disappointed. What you have is something that has not been worked on in the temple. It’s not the same as being sent directly to the lab.”

“I didn’t say I had it. I just drew what I saw.”

“I’m quite surprised you are still alright. If handled incorrectly, it could blow a castle into smithereens,” Miel noted.

Seira did her best to hide her disbelief. Did he mean that a piece as small as her thumb had that much power? When she recalled how she carelessly carried it inside her pocket, she felt her back sweat all over.

“Don’t you wonder why the initial work of the temple is necessary?” Miel asked.

“Well, I just think it’s because it was announced for purification purposes,” she shrugged, “That’s all there is to it, right?”

“You are one of the faithful.”

“I don’t think so.”

Seira’s words and actions clearly avoided Miel’s point. It annoyed him, but he didn’t show any signs of that. Rather, he just relayed to her what he wanted to say firmly.

“If you feel like entrusting the research, please bring it on your next visit. Be careful not to come in contact with human body fluids.”

In any case, Seira stood up thinking she was a resourceful person. After handing over a gold coin, Miel bowed his head toward her, and she took the box of contraceptive tea from him.

“Thank you for trusting and using our products here at the top, Duchess,” Miel said. “Take care of yourself.”

The owner of Haipon, who was unusually free at the time, saw her off to the first floor.

‘Was it the reason why it has such high value?’ Seira pondered quietly.

Seira left the shop with her head heavy with complicated thoughts. All of a sudden, she saw the back of a familiar man standing near her, and she stopped right in her tracks.

“Aven?” she called out.

As expected, it was Aven Helford who looked back at her call.

“Duchess,” he greeted her calmly.

Seira was slightly puzzled by their unexpected meeting. She walked closer toward him and asked, “What brings you here?”

“I decided to meet Zion here.”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, she remembered that she had decided to call Zion to make Askan’s townhouse usable, as it was empty for nearly half a year now.

“Duchess…”

Aven’s gaze stopped at the box she held. Since she brought what was originally packed in a paper bag, it was easy to recognize with just a glance.

“I have heard you visited Jeff, but why are you here alone?”

Seira hesitated to answer with his cold gaze. She didn’t want to tell Aven everything that happened in Jeff. He never let go of those who trample on Askan’s honor.

Either way, she was on the side of retaliation. No matter how much she knew she was treated merely as a tool for breeding, she couldn’t do much to take revenge at this point.

‘I can’t let that happen. I won’t let Askan be in any danger.’

Seira sighed and smiled as she said to Aven, “It didn’t work out. I appreciate your concern, but I don’t think I can do it with Baron.”

“Is that so?”

His answer was calm. As expected, he didn’t seem to care much about her overnight stay with Baron. He didn’t seem sorry that things didn’t work out with Baron, though.

‘Maybe he’s just not interested enough with the details.’

Even in a relationship that didn’t involve emotions, how can he be so carefree when they made love for three years now? Apart from the bitter feeling, Seira somehow felt relieved.

‘I’m so glad you didn’t give me your heart.’

At least he won’t be hurt and heartbroken by her. From now on, he’ll have to go see the candidate alphas on the list until everything was finished.

“Come to think of it, the owner of the top of Haipon actually recognized the picture,” Seira calmly changed the subject.

“If you feel like it, they want you to bring the Ancora when you trade. How about getting an estimate?”

“Haipon seems to be the best value for our money.”

Aven nodded in agreement, and then stepped closer to take the box from her hands. He whispered softly to her, who followed the neat movement of his hand with her eyes, “I presume you don’t really intend to take this, so I’ll just keep it.”

“… okay.”

His voice that tickled her ear quickly subsided as quickly as he distanced from her.

“Then I’ll have to go to the castle soon,” she said.

The Ancoras had been placed in unused greenhouses around the castle. She had also left loots from the nests in the castle, so she had to go and get them as well.

“Come to think of it, I have to bring a handkerchief, too,” she mused.

Seira suddenly recalled the alpha, who handed her a handkerchief on the day the subjugation force was disbanded.

“Louis Franto…” she hummed his name in amusement.

He had caused unnecessary attention that day as well.

“Are you calling me now?” a man’s familiar voice asked.

“Huh…?

Seira turned her head at the voice that sounded close. Aven’s gaze was directed at the man in an instant.

“I’m glad to see you again, Princess Askan.”

She saw a handsome man with turquoise eyes and bright blond hair standing tall. His hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing a navy-blue suit as he stood and smiled at her.