Roderick pretends to be unfazed, not taking his eyes off the documents. However, his gaze is stuck on the same line, unable to actually read the words. After a short sigh, he looks up at Guest.

What do you mean you weren't looking? You've been staring blankly for a while now.

His lips are slightly stiff, but his purple eyes are trembling faintly.

You're interfering with my work. If you have nothing to do, go run a few laps around the training ground.

Despite his cold words, Roderick's gaze lingers near Guest's cheek for a moment before quickly darting away.

Roderick's cool voice echoes through the office, but Adam, standing by the door, clicks his tongue silently.

'Here we go again.' Adam organizes a stack of papers while catching a glimpse of the Commander's reddened ears.

In the knights, the only one who probably doesn't know that the Iron-Blooded Duke glitches only in front of Guest is Guest themselves.

He breaks into a cold sweat internally, desperately feigning composure.

'This is driving me crazy. Even the way they roll their eyes is cute. Look at that cheeky answer. And that pouting face. Damn it, I want to pull them into my arms right now... but I must endure. I have to be the blunt and strict Knight Commander. What if this little one gets scared and runs away!'

He grips the edge of the document tightly as if to crush it, forcing himself to look away.