At that time.

In an empty cabin on the outskirts of the Hunt Kingdom’s capital.

Kaisis, standing alone, twisted his head with a cracking sound.

“Sigh…….”

Soon after, as Kaisis raised his fingertips, the sunlight pouring into the cabin began to gather in one place as if forming a shape.

But as if something was interfering, the gathered light flickered, making it hard to discern its form.

“This is getting……. interesting.”

* * *

“Wow……. They really went all out, didn’t they?”

In the lobby of the Wilkins family villa.

Leon couldn’t close his mouth at the magnificent sight.

The castle’s exterior, made of white walls and a blue roof, and the interior, which resembled it, evoked a feeling of being in the sky.

Moreover, the white cloths hanging everywhere and the elegant floral decorations added to the atmosphere.

The grand lobby looked ready for a wedding at any moment.

This was due to Kieran’s concern that the delayed schedule might cause the meaning of a honeymoon to be forgotten, and it was also because of their gratitude towards Charlie, who saved her life, and Hector, who had advised Noel, the one they had to face during the last expedition.

Tanner snorted as he passed by Leon, like it was nothing.

“With all the grace the Queen has shown them, this much is only right.”

Saving Kieran was secondary.

Whether intentional or not, Charlie brought significant changes to the Wilkins family.

There were too many to list, but the first was that Noel, the head of the Wilkins family, began attending the Central Nobility Council.

Next was reconciling with the branches of the Wilkins family and the neutral cardinal factions, with whom relations had soured.

Because they regained influence in the temple, the Wilkins family stood shoulder to shoulder with the Edwards family in the east and the Lewis family in the west, opposing the imperial faction.

“The commander’s hobby is gardening, so the floral decorations are worth seeing.”

If they had decorated with the blue flowers unique to the south, he would have changed them all.

Tanner’s face broke into a smile, thinking he should decorate the bedroom with the flowers he brought.

“Shouldn’t we give something in return?”

Thud—

Tanner’s steps halted.

“What’s gotten into you?”

Leon hesitated at the sharp gaze directed at him.

“W-What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it your specialty to wash your hands clean?”

Tanner mimicked wiping his mouth with his hand.

“Why call it a specialty?”

“See, you can’t deny it.”

“Well, that’s because……. we’re the superiors, aren’t we?”

“Superiors?!”

Tanner’s eyes narrowed.

Leon rambled on, trying to explain.

“The Duke comes by unannounced and calls the Queen his friend, friend…….”

“Friend.”

“I remember when the Emperor bestowed the chessboard, His Highness received it personally…….”

“So.”

“Why don’t we give something in return this time? That way, the hierarchy can be maintained.”

Leon wasn’t wrong.

Originally, a bestowed gift¹T/N: it doesn’t have an english translation, but the word is 하사품 (gift given by a superior to a subordinate), which differs from 선물 (gift that’s exchanged between equals or from a subordinate to a superior was something a superior gave to a subordinate.

In other words, if King Hector gave a gift to Duke Noel, it would be a bestowed gift.

And the Wilkins family, receiving it, should have their head kneel and pay homage.

Of course, the Hunt family, being a Grand Ducal family, already ranked higher than the Wilkins family, but now the positions of the two were incomparable.

As Leon said, there was a need to straighten out the discipline.

But Tanner’s skeptical eyes didn’t waver.

Though called a bestowed gift, Kaisis came without any pomp, carrying only a chessboard without even an aide.

Hector, having received it, had told Tanner to dispose of it as if it were trash.

“If His Highness personally goes and commends the villa’s decoration–! That would put Duke Noel in his place, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh, commending the villa’s decoration. And His Highness personally?!”

“Well……. you could send me instead.”

Tanner licked the inside of his cheek.

“So what do you think we should give?”

“H-Hydrangea seeds?!”

At that moment, the knights moving the luggage all turned their eyes to Leon.

“…….”

“…….”

It was Percy who broke the brief silence.

“Why not just advertise it?”

Tsk tsk—

Percy clicked his tongue as he put down the bundle of carrots he was holding dearly.

“I was pretending not to know, but you’re just blowing yourself up.”

Sighs erupted from here and there.

“Luke, don’t act like that. It’s ugly, ugly.”

“Am I a fool? Do I look like I can’t distinguish between public and private matters.”

“There he is, that foolish brother.”

Derek casually jerked his chin, gesturing at Leon.

“But what happens if they get married?”

Mateo, the royal chef of the Hunt Kingdom, asked Percy as he set down the ingredients.

“What do you mean, what happens?”

“The location of their newlywed home would be a challenge, wouldn’t it?”

“He’s the commander of the Royal Guard, so of course he should live in the Hunt Kingdom.”

“But still, the other party is the commander of the Wilkins Knights, so the Hunt Kingdom might be a bit… don’t you think?”

At that moment, Gerard, who had been listening, chimed in.

“Then they’ll have to be a weekend couple. And when war breaks out, they’ll meet as enemies.”

“Those who have experienced the love of the century, humbly accept that fate!”

Percy puffed out his chest and put on a solemn expression. The members who couldn’t hold back their laughter giggledat the sight.

How, how did they know?

Creak, creak–

Leon’s head moved unnaturally.

“Minister of the Imperial Household. That, well…”

“Hurry up, Commander. His Highness will be back soon.”

Tanner turned his back coldly.

It was Hector and Charlie who had been sent for a walk to buy time to inspect and prepare the interior of the castle.

But knowing Charlie’s strong dislike for walking, Tanner was in a hurry.

“We’ll listen to your love story with Lady Kieran later.”

“……”

* * *

“This seems to be the right area…”

There was one thing Tanner didn’t know.

That there’s a clear difference between an aimless stroll and walking with a purpose.

As proof of this, Charlie, who was sightseeing in the town, was full of joy without a trace of fatigue.

“Turn left at the entrance of the alley and…”

Holding Hector with one hand and looking down at the ‘Conquering Chatori Island’ guidebook in the other, Charlie’s expression was quite serious.

How many times had she looked at it?

The booklet, filled with red circles, was slightly frayed at the edges.

[This place is famous for crepes. And this place…]

Before leaving for the honeymoon,

Emma had carefully read the guidebook to Charlie, who had just started learning to read.

Of course, most of the guidebook consisted of pictures, so it was easy to understand even without knowing how to read.

“Oh, there it is!”

In the winding alley.

Charlie beamed with a broad smile upon spotting the sign mentioned in the guidebook.

[If there’s no one there, it’s just a deserted island, not tourism or travel.]

Charlie had rejected Noel’s offer to empty the entire island.

It wasn’t just about tourism. She didn’t want to drive out the island’s residents because of her.

“I Came, I Saw, I Ate! Soft And Fluffy Crepes!”

“……”

Why does the shop name have to be so grand?

Or rather, was buying a crepe such a serious matter to begin with?

Hector stared blankly at the pink sign with a large rabbit drawn on it.

“Let’s go!”

Charlie tugged at Hector’s hand, who was standing still.

“Strawberry chocolate and strawberry vanilla… The reviews say banana is delicious too.”

Charlie muttered as if talking to herself.

If we eat all that… Just as he was thinking this,

[Your Highness, women, unlike men, have separate stomachs for dessert and meals.]

Leon’s earnest advice flashed through Hector’s mind.

[If women say ‘Let’s go get a snack,’ and you try to stop them saying they won’t be able to eat dinner later…! You might end up not being able to eat at all. Especially if you say such things when a woman is full of anticipation, you’ll be cut off from conversation for at least three days.]

Gulp–

Hector swallowed dryly and gazed at Charlie.

Even without sensing her pheromones, Charlie’s anticipation was at its peak since Hector had known her.

Rustle- rustle.

Hector quickly organized his thoughts and smiled brightly.

“Let’s eat all three.”

“Eh? All of that?!”

Charlie turned to look at Hector in surprise.

“Yes.”

“But then we’ll be full… We still need to have dinner when we get back.”

“……”

Contrary to her words, Charlie’s pheromones, full of excitement, were bubbling up.

If she wanted to eat, she could just say so. Why lie about it?

To Hector, Charlie was like an unknown world, incomprehensible yet fascinating.

“I’m hungry, that’s why.”

This time, Hector pulled the hesitant Charlie along.

“But you don’t like sweet things.”

“I like the name of the shop.”

Pat pat–

Charlie’s flushed cheeks twitched at the sight of Hector’s back as he walked ahead.

It seems I made a good choice in marriage.

“Should we buy some for the knights too?”

Charlie’s excited toes bounced up. In sync, the lavender-colored robe made by Isabelle fluttered lightly.

“We can bring the chef.”

“Aw, but that would make Mateo sad.”

“Then we’ll give him a bonus.”

* * *