It was obviously a threat, but to Yurina, it was more like a pleading than a threat. And so it became clear that Reynard carried through the years all his childhood complaints and requests.

The anxiety was sad but cute at the same time, so Yurina laughed.

“Are you going to change tactics and threaten me instead of begging?”

There was no reason to fear insincere threats.

“Can you kill me?”

He was unable to answer immediately. Yurina’s calm tone knocked him out of the saddle. Yurina gently rubbed his cheek and started again.

“While it’s true, you are the only one who can save me, and that I should be by your side, that too. But are you the only one who can kill me? Do you think this is normal? You can’t kill me.”

Raynard nodded obediently.

“But look at it this way. I’m the only one in the world who can harm you. But I won’t even think of laying a finger on you. And where else can you be safer than next to me?”

“Well, obviously you let yourself touch me.”

Yurina patted his hand that was holding her waist. Then his hand got stronger.

“I don’t mean it. So, Yurina, even if you are afraid of death, as long as you are by my side, you have nothing to worry about. You just need to be by my side, not by Karion’s. Okay? From now on, don’t even look at him.”

“Do you know what I want to tell you?”

Yurina got up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“It was me who brought you to my house. It’s not me who should be by your side. But you have to be by my side. Right?”

Yurina whispered softly and kissed him on the lips. Raynard suddenly widened his eyes, as if in surprise.

“It’s not the first time, so why are you surprised?”

He let out a light sigh. Hot breath escaped from parted lips.

“But I’m serious.”

“Just like me.”

Yurina pretended to be serious and frowned pointedly, and he sighed again.

“Where did you learn to play like that?”

“That doesn’t mean I’m lying. I’m really serious.”

“…”

“So you don’t like him?”

“No.”

Raynard hugged Yurina tightly. His body was hot, as was his breath.

“I only like you.”

* * *

“Yurina!”

As soon as they returned to the hall, one of the twins deftly pushed the crowd with his elbows and jumped out to her. Yurina slowed down a bit at the sight.

Looking into the corners of the eyes, she quickly realized that it was Edwin.

“Where the hell have you gone? We’ve lokked for you.”

Yurina smiled brightly when she saw the sweat on his forehead.

“Sorry. But my head was spinning, so I went out to breathe.”

“So it’s dizzy? You are pale. You don’t like this place?”

Yurina shook her head, carefully deflecting Edwin’s hand that was touching her forehead as if checking her temperature.

“But it’s all right. I breathed fresh air and feel much better.”

“And you’re not lying?”

“I thought it would be great if my brothers, mother and father coming together. But this is my first big party, so I guess I was nervous. But what about the rest?”

“Mother and father went to the break room, and Riggs and Justin are running around looking for the two of you. I stayed here to search this part of the hall.”

“But I’m not a child, so why were you looking for me in such a sweat? I’m not alone, I have Ray.”

Yurina pointed this out on purpose. She knew that the affection of the three older brothers was excessive, but she had a premonition that her further relationship with Raynard would be hampered if the three continued in the same way.

However, Edwin couldn’t calm down despite Yurina’s grumbling.

“Are you really okay?”

“Like I said.”

“What were you talking about with Lydia?”

“What?”

Yurina froze at the unexpected name.

“You were talking to Lydia and suddenly went out. What the hell did she say to you?”

While Yurina hesitated, unable to find an excuse, Edwin said.

“Now Marquis De Flon has ruined the evening.”

“Ah…”

Yurina guessed what he was talking about.

“Blessed… You mean?”

Karion no longer concealed his red eyes. It must be assumed that Marquis De Flon arrived this evening to announce publicly that he also raising the Blessed.

Reynard, already rumored to be Blessed, revealed the existence of another Blessed at a party where he was ordained a knight. It was so obvious that they couldn’t even laugh.

“You knew it too.”

“Huh. I saw you with Lady De Flon earlier.”

“I still don’t like it.”

Edwin whispered while clenching his teeth and frowned as he looked behind Yurina.

Yurina followed his gaze, turned around, and found Lydia smiling innocently.