“We greet Your Grace the Grand Duke. May Areis’s blessing always be with you.”

“May Areis’s blessing always be with you.”

Startled by Hector’s imposing figure on the black horse, the knights hurriedly paid their respects.

The black carriage Charlie was riding in followed behind.

The knights kept glancing at the carriage while keeping their heads bowed.

Usually, the heads of each family arrive in carriages. Therefore, it wasn’t a particularly noteworthy scene.

However, Hector had rarely even shown his face, let alone get out of the carriage, in every expedition.

Yet here he was, riding in on a horse?

This was truly a surprising event.

Not to mention, the escort surrounding the carriage was so tight, as if someone important was riding in it.

Incomprehensible gazes rolled here and there.

And it was the same for Cedric and Noel, who had come out to greet them.

Cedric, alternating his gaze between the carriage and Hector, had wide eyes as if bewildered, while Noel’s expression was completely hardened, having noticed that Hector’s power had changed.

“Do you intend to keep blocking the way like that?”

A low, thick voice fell savagely. Only then did Cedric and Noel bow their heads.

“We greet Your Grace. May Areis’s blessing always be with you.”

“May Areis’s blessing always be with you.”

Hector, sitting straight on his horse, looked down at the two with a cold gaze.

As a Grand Duke, Hector clearly outranked both of them.

And although he was officially a Master, he couldn’t hide the power emanating from his aura.

Especially Noel. Since he had the ability of wind, he was very skilled at reading the flow of air.

Under his bowed head, his jade-colored eyes stared at the black carriage.

As the silence lengthened, Hector opened his mouth.

“Raise your heads.”

As soon as Hector’s command ended, Cedric spoke.

“Your Grace, this expedition, according to the imperial order…”

“The Hunt family will move independently.”

“……!”

Before he could even get to the main point, Hector cut off Cedric’s words.

All eyes in the camp focused on the two at once.

The imperial army was truly enveloped in bewilderment.

Kaisis had entrusted the command of this expedition to Cedric, the commander-in-chief. Not only that, but he had also granted him authority as the emperor’s representative.

In other words, everyone was supposed to follow Cedric’s orders as if they were the emperor’s.

Yet Hector was now clearly refusing the imperial order.

Cedric spoke.

“Your Grace. However…”

“There is only one price to pay for breaking the alliance.”

At that moment, a cold blade slipped out of Leon’s scabbard.

“……!”

Led by Leon, the Hunt family’s knights who had drawn their swords took up offensive positions.

The imperial army, not knowing what to do, stared at Cedric with awkward postures.

The golden flag of the Graham Empire and the red flag of the Hunt family fluttered in the rising wind.

“……”

The Hunt family and the Graham Empire were in a relationship akin to allied nations formed by a treaty.

Therefore, while the Hunt family belonged to the Graham Empire, they maintained an independent system.

Until now, they had only kept their heads down and stayed quiet to avoid armed conflict. Even if he was the emperor, he couldn’t treat the Hunt family carelessly.

Moreover, Hector, whose ability had been perfectly purified, had now regained his full power as a Grand Master.

There was no longer any need to bow down or reason to run away.

“Duke Cedric.”

Hector’s sharp voice shook the silence.

“Do you want war?”

“……”

Cedric’s lips trembled finely as his complexion changed.

On the other hand, Noel was straining his mouth, trying to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out.

The Hunt family had strictly controlled the exposure of their power for generations.

Even in expeditions, they had always stayed in the rear, watching from afar like spectators across a river.

Yet not only had they revealed themselves, but Hector’s actions, which seemed like a provocation towards Kaisis, were clearly unusual to anyone who saw.

Cedric took a step back and paid his respects to Hector.

“How dare I. I merely wished to convey the imperial order and seek assistance.”

Hector, who had been observing Cedric for a moment, turned his horse’s head.

The black cloak brushed past Cedric.

* * *

The Hunt family set up camp near the river.

Hector’s actions were impeccable.

Assistance is different from an order. In other words, refusing doesn’t mean breaking the alliance.

They had joined the expedition according to the alliance, and although they were positioned a bit away from the imperial army, they hadn’t left the military camp.

“The mountains are good, the water is good, and even the weather is good.”

“Mr. Mateo, how about grilled fish for dinner tonight?”

“I’d be grateful if you catch some.”

The knights setting up the camp were bustling with excitement.

Charlie’s concern about whether something had happened quickly vanished.

“Miss Charlie, an amazing tent will be ready soon.”

Luke waved his hand at Charlie, who was sitting quietly under a pre-pitched tent.

What could they be so excited about?

No, was coming on an expedition something to be excited about in the first place?

Charlie, unable to understand, smiled awkwardly.

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Hector was giving instructions to Leon not far from Charlie.

The golden epaulettes on his well-tailored black uniform gleamed in the sunlight.

Unlike other knights, Hector wasn’t wearing armor. Just a sword at his waist was all he had.

Charlie felt this appearance was more dignified.

It was as if he needed nothing but himself.

And that wasn’t all. His unparalleled looks seemed to have captured all the light in the world.

‘Does he think he’s alone in this world?’

While Charlie was grumbling inwardly, Hector suddenly turned his head, sensing her gaze.

“……!”

Startled by meeting Hector’s eyes, Charlie quickly turned her face away.

It was because of the embarrassment that washed over her, as if she had been caught secretly peeking.

As her flushed cheeks twitched, Hector’s lips stretched into a smile.

Having finished giving instructions about tomorrow’s schedule, Hector walked towards Charlie.

“The wind gets cold when the sun sets.”

Hector’s black cloak was draped over Charlie’s shoulders.

“The sun is still out though.”

Charlie said this but still grasped the cloak.

It was true that she felt a chill, perhaps because they were by the river.

Hector sat down next to Charlie while Charlie gently moved aside to make room for him.

The setting sun was already dyeing the sky red.

The rippling water surface reflected it, emitting a brilliant light.

Charlie was momentarily lost in the scene, like something out of a painting.

Hector, who had been intently gazing at Charlie as she held back her flying hair, spoke.

“Charlie.”

“Yes?”

“I want to kiss you.”

“W-What did you say?”

Surprised by the sudden statement, her body retreated a span.

As though he didn’t want to lose her, Hector pulled Charlie into an embrace.

“Why are you running away?”

Hector frowned at Charlie’s action of stretching her head back.

“I’m not running away, it’s just so sudden…”

“Didn’t you tell me to say when I want to?”

[From now on, if you want to kiss, ask if it’s okay. Please ask for my consent before doing it.]

This was what Charlie had said to Hector to restrain his skinship that came without warning.

But that didn’t mean it was always okay just because he asked.

Besides, weren’t there eyes watching from all around right now?

Charlie looked around and lowered her voice.

“Surely not now?”

“Yes, now.”

“Here?”

Hector’s brow furrowed even more at Charlie’s question filled with refusal.

“Is there a problem?”

“There are many problems.”

“What problems?”

“It’s open all around. And there are many people.”

Charlie stretched out her hand, circling it in the air as if pointing to the surroundings.

There were at least a dozen knights that her slender fingertips had passed over.

But Hector still wore a puzzled expression.

“People?”

“Yes, if we kiss here, all those people will see.”

“Is being seen a problem?”

“Of course it is…”

For a moment, Charlie blinked.

Come to think of it, where was this place? Wasn’t it a very open place when it came to s*x? In a world where even intercourse was shown openly, complaining about a kiss seemed pointless.

How should she explain this? Charlie hesitated.

After waiting for a moment, Hector spoke.

“Do you hate kissing me?”

“No!”

Hector’s lips curved into a smile at the answer that burst out immediately.

“Then.”

“It’s just… if someone sees… it’s embarrassing.”

“It’s not something to be embarrassed about.”

“I’m embarrassed.”

Hector fell into thought. Sensing an opportunity, Charlie quickly continued.

If he acted like this throughout the expedition, it would be nothing but trouble.

“Skinship is an intimate act between two people, it’s embarrassing if others are watching.”

“Intimate, is it… I understand.”

Hector finally nodded.

Did he really understand properly? Charlie glanced at Hector.