The dinner gathering ended close to midnight.
Emerald declined the requests from several Magic Affairs Institute staff members to escort her back to the Research Institute, so on the way back, only Larkspur rode in the same carriage with her.
Compared to the leisurely, cozy scenery along the way there, nighttime Luen Nore felt far colder and quieter.
Leaning against the seatback with her eyes shut tight, Emerald said nothing. She seemed to want to take another nap on the road, just as she had on the way there, but after maintaining that posture for some time without falling asleep, she helplessly opened her eyes.
"I slept too much today..."
She groaned in distress.
Supporting herself on the armrest as she raised her upper body like an old woman, she turned her gaze toward Larkspur, who sat opposite her. Larkspur had her hands folded neatly in her lap and sat upright in her seat. Her expression was blank, her gaze lowered. Even when Emerald looked at her, she showed no reaction, clearly lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Are you really that unhappy?"
Emerald simply called out and took the initiative to start a conversation. "You've had that look like someone owes you money ever since before dinner. Is there something you're dissatisfied with?"
"...No."
Larkspur raised her head at that and glanced at Emerald. "I was just thinking about something."
"What about?" Emerald looked at the streets outside the carriage, realized they still had some distance to go before reaching the Research Institute, and asked.
"It's my own business. It has nothing to do with you or them." Larkspur shook her head.
"Them," of course, referred to the members of the Magic Affairs Institute.
"You can still tell me about it."
Imitating Larkspur's posture, Emerald sat up straight like a