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say the name seventeen.

What?

I was startled by Elisha's remark and glanced back at her. Elisha was angry and had a very serious face.

H-Hey. Since when was Allen going to be my husband?

I opened my mouth in embarrassment at the situation where the heroine was trying to attach her brother to me.

No, what's going on here?

What was even stranger, though, was that Cassis hardened his expression without saying a word.

Why is he like that?

I was at a loss as the conversation proceeded in a totally unexpected direction.

Just in time, Baron Forem entered the conversation.

"You've become reliable during the time I haven't seen you. Was it worth living in the capital?"

"I thought I knew everything, but when I went to a very big place, I had so many things I didn't know."

When Allen answered modestly, Baron Forem replied with a chuckle.

"I suppose so. It's been a long time since you've come home, so forget about the complexities in the capital."

"Yes, Allen. Grandma told me to prepare a bunch of food you like."

Baroness Forem welcomed her son with a sweet smile. There was a long conversation between the Baron and Allen, and the Baron said.

"Oh. You must have had a hard time coming, but your father's been standing around for too long. Let's talk about the rest of the story at the castle."

"Yes, Father."

Allen replied with a warm smile. I looked alternately at Elisha and Cassis, whose conversation was cut off before long.

Cassis looked dazed as if he had lost his mind, and Elisha, unlike before when she was sullen, would wander in a state of high spirits.

It felt strangely twisted, but it was now a difficult situation to explain.

"Evelyn, let's go."

Elisha said, with her arms crossed. I shook my head that was in a mess and followed her.

Cassis also followed quietly. Since then, he has been silent.

***

During the whole way back to the castle, Cassis somehow looked dejected. His expression changed from moment to moment.

Are you feeling sick again? I asked, looking anxiously at Cassis, who had no strength at all.

"Cassis, are you sick?"

"No."

"You don't look so good."

Cassis looked at me and shook his head.

"No. I think it's right that I'm sick."

"Oh! Then Cliff...!"

When I quickly turned around to call Cliff, he stopped me.

"I think I'll feel better after I sleep a little. Don't call Cliff."

Then he trudged up the stairs.

***

I was lying down next to my knitting mother and was drawing intensely with crayons.

At the same time, as I was drawing a black Bean breaking out of the egg, my mother asked.

"Evelyn, what's going on with Cassis these days?"