53. Heading to the Magic Tower

“What are Sir Berser and Sir Handelson planning to do during the summer holiday?”

Larael asked her knights, who would not be accompanying her to the summer palace.

“I’ll be participating in the knights’ training this time. I don’t really have anything else to do…”

Handelson replied with an awkward smile.

“I need to take care of my father…”

Berser said, glancing at Handelson as if making excuses. Handelson waved his hand broadly.

“I didn’t say it for you to hear. I just don’t have much else to do.”

Larael gifted them each a pouch of gold coins she had prepared in advance. She felt sorry for them. Originally, Berser and Handelson were supposed to go to the summer palace as well, but only the Emperor’s personal guards were allowed to accompany her, so they unexpectedly ended up with a vacation. In the end, only Sasha and Joanna would be going to the summer palace with Larael.

It was rare to get a chance to visit the Emperor’s summer palace, so they had been looking forward to it as well. When they couldn’t go, Larael felt guilty, as if it were her fault.

The head maid, Anais, had prepared so much luggage for Larael that it filled an entire carriage. Larael told her to reduce it, but Anais just shook her head, saying there was nothing she could possibly leave out. Still, since Larael insisted, Anais, close to tears, removed a few dresses.

As the time to depart drew near, Sasha and Joanna exchanged cheerful farewells with Lillian and Kara, whom they had grown close to while working together.

Lillian and Kara looked at Sasha and Joanna with envy as they accompanied the Empress Consort, but honestly, having a vacation was more comfortable than serving the Empress Consort. In their hands were pouches of gold coins that Larael had distributed.

The summer palace was hidden by a magical barrier, so ordinary people didn’t even know a palace existed there. Only the wizards who managed the place and the imperial family knew its location. Since it was a place for the imperial family to rest in peace, its secrecy was strictly maintained.

Therefore, there was no way to reach the summer palace by ordinary means. First, one had to go to the Magic Tower where the wizads were, and then be transported by their teleportation magic.

The summer palace, perched atop a cliff, was said to be breathtakingly beautiful. But for Larael, more than the scenery, what thrilled her was the prospect of spending an entire week together with Edward, free from official duties. She was so excited that she hadn’t slept well the night before.

Once all preparations for departure were complete and she went out to board the carriage, everyone from Abella Palace came out to see her off.

Receiving their farewells, Larael left Abella Palace and headed to the main palace.

In front of the main palace, Edward was already waiting for her, all preparations complete.

Standing at the entrance, Edward was giving last-minute instructions to his aides about unfinished business, his face expressionless. But when he saw Larael’s carriage approach, his expression changed completely.

The aides, now used to this, simply stepped back without surprise.

“Did you wait long?”

Worried that Edward might have been waiting outside in the heat, Larael asked him. Edward waved his arms and shook his head exaggeratedly. The gesture was so comical that Larael burst out laughing.

Edward, pleased by her laughter, offered his hand to Larael.

She took his hand and stepped down from the carriage. Edward glanced around at his aides one last time and reminded them,

“Take care of things while I’m gone.”

Then Edward climbed into the carriage with Larael to head to the Magic Tower together.

“It’s your first time visiting the Magic Tower, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even before her regression, Larael had never been to the Magic Tower. There were no wizards around her, and any magical matters had been handled through the Duke of Anderman.

But this time was different. She had some connection to the Magic Tower now. There was Aunt Nora, who sometimes sent her meat pies, and the bracelet given to her by the Tower Master. Larael looked down at the bracelet on her wrist.

Edward watched her intently, a faint smile on his lips.

“If you like it, I’ll give you another present.”

“No, thank you.”
Larael quickly lifted her head. Edward squeezed her hand firmly. Larael couldn’t help but smile, even though she tried to hide it. She didn’t have to force it; the smile just wouldn’t leave her face.

“Larael, when we get to the summer palace, call me Edward.”

“Pardon?”

Larael’s eyes widened. Her red pupils lost focus and darted around. Edward laughed and gently caressed her face.

“I want us to live like an ordinary couple there. While we’re at it, try calling me that now.”

“Your Majesty, that’s a bit…”

“Larael, if you don’t call my name, I won’t let you out of this carriage.”

Edward closed the distance between them as he spoke in a low voice. He brought his face right up to hers in an instant. Larael gasped in surprise. Edward grinned mischievously at her reaction.

Every time Edward’s breath brushed her face, Larael’s heart beat faster. Not knowing where to look, her eyes darted around.

“Go on. Larael.”

At Edward’s low whisper, Larael looked into his eyes. His gaze was so deep and intense, it felt like it would swallow her whole.

Larael loved that deep tone of his. His voice tickled something deep inside her chest. Sometimes, that voice made her lose her senses a little. Today was no different.

Larael reached out, cupped his cheeks in her hands, and pressed a gentle kiss to his playful lips. As her lips touched his, she kept her eyes open, gazing into his.

The mischievous smile that had lingered on Edward’s lips disappeared. A dark desire stirred in his deep eyes. Edward closed his eyes, entrusting everything to Larael.

“How about this instead of calling your name, Your Majesty?”

After the short kiss, Larael asked him. It wasn’t that calling his name was hard. But she was afraid that, once she started, their relationship would become so close she couldn’t turn back.

“Larael, is that all?”
Disappointed by the brief kiss, Edward furrowed his brow slightly. It was far too short for him to feel like he’d entrusted everything to her. Larael, startled by his bold words, lowered her eyes and shrank back.

Edward closed his eyes for a moment and took a long breath to regain his composure. Otherwise, he felt he might pounce on her like a beast at any moment.

He wanted to devour her luscious lips, her cute nose, her sweet, peach-like pink cheeks, and those eyes that looked only at him. He reminded himself that their summer holiday hadn’t even begun yet, and tried to calm his excitement.

When Edward slowly opened his eyes again, the desire still lingered in his gaze. Unable to resist any longer, he grabbed the back of Larael’s head and pulled her toward him.

Without giving her time to breathe, Edward claimed her lips. As he savored her lips, he slipped smoothly into her mouth the moment she let her guard down. Larael gripped his clothes tightly, as if afraid he might pull away.

Edward looked at Larael, clinging to him with her eyes closed, and couldn’t help but laugh. The sound of his laughter passed directly into her mouth.

Her long eyelashes trembled, then her beautiful red eyes slowly appeared. Edward regained his composure and pulled away from her lips. Smiling, he wiped her lips, now a mess from his kiss.

“Edward, don’t stop.”

Larael breathed out, her voice trembling with excitement.