Lorin and Xueyi sat on a bench, an arm's length apart, as dusk slowly deepened and lights flickered on in nearby homes.

Lorin stood, stretching his arms. He sighed, watching Xueyi still turn her face away, refusing to look at him. "Let's go. Time to head back."

"......" Xueyi remained silent, ignoring him. Even when Lorin stepped closer, she deliberately turned her head the other way.

"Seriously, what are you even mad about?" Lorin scratched his head, utterly clueless why she was still upset after all this time.

"You wanted to know why I went to Lilith's yesterday, right?"

"I don't care! What you do is none of my business!" Xueyi finally spoke, her lips still pouted.

"Fine. I'll tell you, if you really must know."

Lorin had planned to keep this from Xueyi. Her father knew bits but hadn't told her, suggesting it'd cause more trouble than help. Though, this current mess was trouble enough.

So Lorin recounted the past two days, sharing his suspicions too.

Xueyi, who'd kept her body rigid and turned away, gradually relaxed her shoulders as she listened.

*She's actually taking it in,* Lorin thought.

"Anything else you want to ask?" Lorin felt like he was coaxing a stubborn child.

"So... besides that, did you say anything else to Lilith?" Xueyi turned slightly, meeting Lorin's gaze as he crouched before her.

"What could I possibly say?" Lorin replied. "Lilith acted today based on her own reasons. Haven't you noticed the pressure at the academy eased up for you?"

Xueyi puffed her cheeks. True—after Lilith greeted her this morning, hostile stares and ill-will from others had vanished.

This surprised Lorin too. He hadn't expected Lilith to show up at the academy today, seemingly waiting for Xueyi.

"That's exactly why I hate her attitude," Xueyi muttered under her breath. Lorin caught it clearly and almost smiled wryly. *Not many people like your attitude either.*

"Oh! And what were you doing in that shady alley today?" Xueyi suddenly perked up. "Were you up to something dirty?!"

"Huh? Dirty?" Lorin froze. If she hadn't followed him earlier, he'd be comfortably in bed by now.

"I've heard boys like you sneak into dark alleys to meet girls for... secret stuff." Xueyi blurted it out, her cheeks flushing pink.

"......" Lorin didn't answer right away. Instead, he flicked her forehead hard with his fingers.

"Ow! Why'd you hit me?!" Xueyi rubbed her head, wincing.

"Where do you even hear this nonsense?" Lorin recalled her odd knowledge from last time.

"Never mind! I just know. If you won't explain, you must've done something bad!"

"You......" Lorin raised his hand again. Xueyi quickly covered her head, bracing for another flick.

Lorin scratched his head. He'd held back earlier for good reason, but her insistence left him cornered.

"Alright, fine. I'll tell you." Lorin stood up. "But swear you won't tell anyone."

Hiring a black-market informant on the Bookkeeper's tip could cause trouble. Even as Second Prince, he couldn't fully shield himself if Laei Mog's family found out.

"As long as it's not dirty, I guess I won't tell." Xueyi mumbled. "Who would I even tell?"

"I hired someone to investigate Laei Mog. From Lilith's words, she's tied to this mess somehow. She's the biggest red flag I've got."

Honestly, Laei Mog was Lorin's only lead. If she proved unrelated, he'd need a new angle.

Xueyi's face darkened at the name, dissatisfaction curling her lips—until Lorin's explanation softened her expression again.

"That's it?" Xueyi looked up at him.

"That's it." Lorin spread his hands. "Happy now? Can we go?"

Xueyi stood, half a head shorter than Lorin, but lifted her chin defiantly.

"One last question!"

"What now?" Lorin was growing weary. He'd explained everything.

Xueyi's expression turned serious. Her snow-white hair fluttered in the evening breeze, strands drifting across her eyes. For a moment, Lorin lost his train of thought.

"Why are you helping me like this?"

To Xueyi, Lorin was a stranger. She'd only glanced at him occasionally—the useless Second Prince, irrelevant once the crown went to the First Prince. With her strained ties to the Gret Family, helping her gained him nothing. She'd puzzled over his motives for days.

"Helping you......" Lorin murmured. Honestly, anyone would doubt such random kindness—even him.

"It started with a book's story."

"A story?"

"A god apparently loved a character from some book. When the book vanished, it sent someone to check on that character."

As Lorin finished, a sharp pain stabbed his head. He gasped.

The Bookkeeper's voice warned him for the first time: *Do not overexplain matters beyond this world's logic.*

"Huh? What does that mean?" Xueyi frowned, confused.

"You'll understand someday." Lorin waved it off and walked away.

"Hey! Explain properly!" Xueyi pouted, hurrying after him.