It was rare to have a day off from the academy. Though this wasn’t his original world, Lorin still kept his habit of sleeping in on rest days.

If not for the maid waking him, he wouldn’t have realized it was already past noon.

The parlor felt oddly quiet. Something was missing.

Watching the maid prepare what might be breakfast or lunch, Lorin asked, "Where’s Xueyi?"

"Miss Xueyi left early this morning. Said she was returning home."

"Home?" Lorin was surprised. Given how strained her relationship with her father had been, he’d thought she’d avoid going back anytime soon.

"Well," he murmured, "this might prevent some trouble."

His duty was to protect Xueyi. Having her stay here ensured constant supervision, but her involvement in certain situations could complicate things. Besides, he had another tedious dinner tonight at the palace with Baneka and Romon. He disliked these obligatory gatherings but couldn’t skip them.

"One more thing," Lorin added. "Did she say anything before leaving?"

Xueyi facing her family was progress—better than hiding here under the guise of a guest. Yet something felt off.

The maid hesitated. "Miss Xueyi didn’t say much. But she seemed… angry."

When Xueyi left, the maid had wanted to wake Lorin, but Xueyi stopped her. Her face had been clearly displeased.

*Why would she be angry?* Lorin frowned. Since last night, she’d been acting like a child throwing a tantrum, and he had no idea why.

He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. He’d see her at the academy soon enough. For now, he had preparations to make.

After eating, Lorin began readying for the evening’s dinner. The formal attire was far more intricate than his usual clothes, requiring specific accessories. Without the maids’ help, he’d never have managed it alone.

By dusk, seated in the carriage under a darkening sky, Lorin turned to the Bookkeeper. "How long until Lilith leaves the Royal Capital?"

"Two months."

Though Lorin’s presence had altered the story—like the changed dynamic between Xueyi and Lilith—some fixed events would still unfold.

*Guess I’ll have to leverage Lilith’s protagonist aura while I can.*

In the original plot, Lilith’s departure would sever her ties to the capital. With her still here, her influence could smooth things for Xueyi.

The dinner proceeded as usual. Lorin, though present, felt peripheral. The conversation revolved around Baneka advising Romon on royal duties and noble politics—likely how things had always been before Lorin’s arrival.

Beside Romon sat Oulei, ever the poised future consort. She listened quietly to Baneka and Romon, a subtle smile playing on her lips. Compared to Xueyi and Lilith, Oulei embodied the grace of a true noblewoman.

After dinner, etiquette demanded lingering awhile to avoid seeming perfunctory. Lorin stepped outside to breathe.

The palace gardens alone dwarfed his entire estate. Yet as Second Prince, he resided outside the palace walls to avoid suspicion.

"Second Prince," a voice called. "You seem fond of this place."

Lorin turned, surprised to see Oulei instead of the First Prince. Her involvement in his current investigation made this encounter awkward—he barely knew her.

"Is that so?" Lorin glanced at the garden, then up at the starry sky. "I just think the stars here are clearer."

Oulei paused, then laughed lightly. "If you truly like it, why not request to move back? A word to the right person—"

*To whom?* Lorin thought. *Baneka? Or Romon, the soon-to-be emperor?*

"I prefer the freedom outside." He raised a hand to leave. Small talk with Romon was hard enough; with her, it was impossible.

Oulei’s voice stopped him. "Romon and I are engaged. That makes me your sister-in-law soon. Frankly, I’ve grown concerned about your own marriage prospects."

Lorin froze. Her words sounded reasonable, yet carried an undercurrent.

"I’ve heard you’ve grown quite close to Miss Xueyi lately. Rumors even say she’s living with you."

*Tsk.* Lorin clicked his tongue softly. So this wasn’t casual chatter.

He faced her. "We have dealings, yes. But nothing of *that* nature."

*Xueyi would be shrieking right now, pointing at me: "Me? With this guy? Never!"*

"Oh?" Oulei feigned surprise. "I thought if things were serious, I might play matchmaker."

"Heh. How kind." Lorin forced a smile, turning to leave—then paused. "Miss Jonaka. I heard ladies often prepare special pastries for tea parties. Is that true?"

Oulei blinked, thrown off. "Yes… why do you ask?"

"A friend’s taken an interest," Lorin said, scratching his head with an easy grin. "He tried several bakeries based on recommendations, but none satisfied him. Any suggestions?"

"Taste is personal. I couldn’t recommend one blindly."

"No worries. If you think of any, do tell me." Lorin’s tone turned casual. "The Mog family recommended one place recently. After trying it, he felt rather… unwell."

"……"

Oulei’s composed expression shattered. Her face darkened abruptly; words died on her lips.

"I trust," Lorin said, his voice dropping low, "you’d never do anything like that… *sister-in-law*."

"Ha… of course not." Her laugh was brittle. A faint twitch flickered at the corner of her eye.

Lorin had his answer. If direct words failed, implications would do. Oulei now knew her schemes weren’t invisible. That alone might make her tread carefully.