The moment Serena saw Yohan, she noticed something unusual.

The Watcher of the Abyss had the ability to make others like him.

No one had realized it before, but Serena was different. She could say with certainty that Yohan possessed some form of enchantment. That certainty stemmed from the life she had led.

She had never once felt affection for anyone. Everyone adored Serena, yet her own heart was achingly empty. There was no room in it for anyone else. She had learned the true nature of humanity far too young.

With the Mind-Piercing Eye, Serena could peer into people's true feelings. Every human harbored ugliness within. Everyone in the world lived behind a mask. Even archbishops and saintesses had loathsome depths. The more dazzling and brilliant the exterior, the more rotten the inside.

Some of those private thoughts remained etched vividly in Serena's mind.

'A lowborn wench pretending to be refined.'

'Too baseborn to marry, but the bitch would make a perfect mistress.'

'A merchant family on the Council? The world is coming to an end.'

And so on.

Every one of them wore a warm smile in Serena's presence, never revealing anything beneath the mask. Having grown up witnessing all that ugliness, she could feel no affection for humanity.

This time was different. The moment Serena saw Yohan, a strange fondness washed over her. Inexplicable trust, familiarity, a sense of connection, and even a faint flutter of excitement welled up within her.

Serena had never experienced anything like it. Affection at first sight? That was not remotely normal. Some unknown power must be at work. Of that, she had no doubt.

She stared into Yohan's eyes. Just as she expected, fondness continued to blossom whenever their gazes met. He was clearly bewitching people through those eyes. In a world where even a miracle like the Mind-Piercing Eye existed, it would be stranger if there were no power to enchant others.

That gaze must also explain how the fallen House Miyatro had so suddenly found its footing again. Having reached that conclusion on her own, Serena spoke with a smile.

"You're rather selfish, aren't you? Would you mind withdrawing that gaze of yours first?"

He had forbidden her from using the Mind-Piercing Eye while continuing to use his own power. The Watcher of the Abyss was a coward. That was Serena's opinion, at least.

Yohan answered calmly.

"My apologies. This isn't a power I can control."

Despite being caught using his power, Yohan showed no embarrassment. He was skilled at controlling his expression. Young as he was, he had something in common with those old monsters among the nobility. That was Serena's assessment of him.

She put on her usual gentle smile.

"... I see. Then there's no helping it. I'll have to check for myself."

Something alien crept into Serena's eyes. Her golden pupils emitted an uncanny light. The Mind-Piercing Eye was activating.

To be precise, Serena was pretending to use it. She intended to test Yohan. She needed to verify whether he truly knew about the Mind-Piercing Eye.

Yohan's expression tightened slightly. He clicked his tongue.

"I imagine you're trying to gauge me, but please don't cross the line. The moment you use the Mind-Piercing Eye on me, I will consider it an act of hostility."

Yohan knew perfectly well that Serena had not yet activated the Mind-Piercing Eye. He really did have information about it.

The uncanny light vanished from Serena's pupils. She spoke with a composed expression.

"That's a rather cowardly demand. Wouldn't you agree?"

Yohan was using his power even now, yet forbidding her from using hers. He could hardly have been more petty.

After a moment's consideration, Yohan closed his eyes.

"I agree with you to an extent, my lady. So I'll keep my eyes closed."

With his gaze gone, the fondness welling up within her instantly faded. Serena gave a disbelieving laugh.

"Do you intend to stay like that?"

Yohan nodded.

"I have no choice. As I said, my power isn't something I can regulate."

Yohan still could not control the Great Saint's eyes because he had not learned to use holy power.

Serena studied him thoughtfully. After a while, she sighed.

"This is even more uncomfortable. Just open your eyes."

Yohan's eyelids lifted at once.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

Warmth toward him began to bloom once more. Serena deliberately assumed an indifferent expression.

"I can bear it. They're only false feelings, anyway."

Merely knowing a mental power's effects halved its effectiveness on the target.

Yohan chuckled.

"You're a strong-minded person, my lady. Remarkable for someone so young. I mean that."

Serena was around Shaperia's age. She had not yet undergone her coming-of-age ceremony. In her late teens, she displayed a maturity beyond her years.

Serena's gaze swept over Yohan from head to toe.

"It feels rather strange to hear that compliment from someone so much younger than me."

Yohan was still only a boy. He had not even reached his growth spurt yet. He spoke calmly.

"Appearances aren't everything."

A questioning look crossed Serena's face.

"What do you mean?"

Yohan shook his head.

"Nothing. More importantly, shall we sit? I've unintentionally kept you standing all this time."

He pulled out Serena's chair himself, observing the most basic courtesy. She took the seat without demur.

"I was just wondering when you were going to offer me a seat."

Her tone was teasing.

Yohan smiled gently and sat down opposite her.

"My apologies. I'm not used to occasions like this. I hope you'll understand."

This was his first time dealing with a noble young lady.

Mischief spread across Serena's face. She teased him.

"For someone who says that, you've been quite forward in your courtship. Father told me you asked to be betrothed to me."

Serena had a playful streak. It was probably one of her charms: putting others at ease with light jokes while keeping the conversation flowing.

Yohan was quite pleased with her way of speaking, too. Her jokes offered a path to the heart of the conversation. Thanks to her, he did not need to beat around the bush. He could get straight to the point.

He nodded.

"That's right. I would like to take you as my wife someday."

It was a matter-of-fact proposal. No, it was downright dry. Never in her life had Serena received a proposal like this. Bewilderment and interest showed on her face.

"... How should I put this? That's quite a unique declaration."

"If you would prefer a formal proposal, I would be happy to arrange one."

Serena laughed and waved her hands.

"No, no. I wasn't asking you to go through any formalities."

She was not fond of empty ceremony. Because she could see what lay hidden beneath a polished exterior, no form of outward show moved her. Whether in people or their actions, Serena preferred sincerity.

Yohan spoke.

"Practical benefits certainly matter more than petty formalities. A betrothal to me would bring House Marcano considerable advantages."

House Miyatro might be diminished now, but it had once been among the continent's most illustrious houses. With Yohan's emergence, its former glory was returning.

Still, its standing remained insufficient. It was difficult to call it a perfect marriage prospect for House Marcano. Its rise would need watching a little longer.

Serena smiled gently.

"Sir Yohan, shall we take things a little more slowly? I think it's still a bit early for a betrothal."

Yohan answered calmly.

"I've put you under pressure without meaning to. My apologies. There's no need to decide right away. For now, please just keep my proposal in mind."

Serena gave him a soft smile.

"Very well. I'll give you an answer after discussing it with Father. For today, shall we talk about something other than a betrothal? Father said you proposed a deal to our house."

Yohan replied.

"I'd like to borrow the Mind-Piercing Eye for a few hours. Have you heard about my situation?"

"Yes, I've heard the gist of it. You've been through quite an ordeal. I'm glad you're safe."

Horentz had told her what had happened to Yohan the previous night.

"I need to find the culprit. Please help me. Of course, I will pay you."

A foothold in Veldana for the Marcano Trading Company. That was the fee for using the Mind-Piercing Eye. For House Marcano, it would be an exceedingly profitable bargain.

Serena spoke.

"Very well. But I have one more request in addition to the payment you promised."

Yohan suppressed an inward groan.

'I thought my offer was already exceptionally generous. She's being too greedy.'

For now, he answered without showing his feelings.

"I'll hear you out. Please go ahead."

The smile faded from Serena's face. She spoke with a calm expression.

"Please enter a binding pact never to disclose anything concerning the Mind-Piercing Eye to anyone from this moment onward."

Yohan had never intended to talk about the Mind-Piercing Eye in the first place. He nodded.

"Very well. I give you my word. I won't share information about the Mind-Piercing Eye with anyone."

Serena's expression grew firm.

"Your word isn't enough. I need a binding pact."

She took a sheet of the finest parchment from inside her clothes. Blue writing densely covered its surface.

"... A binding pact. Do you mean to use the Great Saint's Sacred Covenant?"

A Sacred Covenant was a Class Three holy relic. The moment it was signed, its written terms had to be fulfilled. A signatory who failed to honor the contract would lose their life.

Sacred Covenants were rarely used for ordinary contracts because of their cost and scarcity.

Serena replied.

"Yes. Please understand. This matter is important enough to House Marcano that we must ask you to stake your life on it."

Yohan understood their position perfectly well.

"Very well. Hand it here."

He took the parchment and read its contents quickly but thoroughly. He found no particularly harmful clauses.

Yohan bit down hard on his index finger and smeared the blood that welled up onto the bottom of the parchment. Once the Sacred Covenant was taken to Church headquarters, the contract would be fully sealed.

Serena, who had watched the whole process, looked a little taken aback. She had not expected Yohan to agree so readily.

"Y-you make decisions quite quickly."

"There's no reason to drag this out."

"... I see."

"I should be going now."

Yohan rose. Serena looked up at him, somewhat dazed.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. I'll see you shortly. Dinner will be a little early. I'll send someone for you at the appropriate time."

Yohan ended the meeting as soon as their business was concluded, without any small talk. There was something straightforward about the man. That was certainly the impression Serena received.

She quietly watched his retreating back, then abruptly sprang to her feet. She had forgotten to see him out. Making a mistake like that was rare for her.