54. The Summer Palace

After the carriage arrived at the Magic Tower and Larael, the Empress Consort, stepped down, Sasha and Joanna followed her out of another carriage.

Sasha and Joanna were startled to see Larael looking so disheveled—they exchanged glances in surprise. Larael hadn’t looked like that when she first boarded the carriage.

Meeting each other’s eyes, the two couldn’t help but laugh and blush. Larael, noticing their laughter as she glanced back, turned away awkwardly. She had almost been unable to get out of the carriage. She thought she’d barely managed to compose herself, but apparently, it hadn’t worked.

Remembering Edward, who had lost all self-control at her words and nearly devoured her, Larael bowed her head deeply. She herself didn’t know where she’d found such boldness earlier.

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Empress Consort.”

The wizards of the Magic Tower had come out to welcome them. Larael looked around for Nora among the wizards, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Larael lifted her head and gazed up at the Magic Tower. The symbolic tower that gave the place its name rose tall into the sky. Aside from the tower, the rest looked much like a small castle.

In truth, when Larael had thought of the Magic Tower, she’d imagined a single, massive tower standing alone. But now, faced with it, she realized that unless you were specifically looking for the tower, it simply looked like a small castle. Disappointment was plain on Larael’s face.

“Larael. Don’t look so disappointed. I felt the same way when I first saw it,” Edward whispered, as if reading her mind. Larael couldn’t hide the smile that crept onto her lips.

Truly, she felt certain that every moment with Edward would be a joy. To think they could spend the whole day together—Larael wanted to climb to the very top of the tower and shout out her happiness.

Excited with anticipation, Larael did her best to calm her pounding heart.

Ferma, the master of the Magic Tower, led Edward and Larael inside.

“Shall we skip the tour and go straight to the summer palace?”

Ferma began to launch into a history of the tower as they entered the building, but Edward cut her off.

Ferma looked at the Empress with a crestfallen expression, hoping she would say she wanted to hear more. But Larael avoided her gaze and stared off into the distance.

“Hm, well, if Your Majesty wishes it, so be it. I wanted to serve you some tea, but I suppose you aren’t interested. Still… it seems the two of you have already had a good time. I doubt you boarded the carriage looking like this,” the Tower Master said with a sly smile, glancing at Edward. But seeing Edward’s stern face, she quickly wiped the smile away and cleared her throat.

“Ah, and Nora is out running an errand right now. She was very disappointed not to see Your Highness…”

“I see…”

The Tower Master, looking regretful that she couldn’t share the tower’s history, led them back outside to where the carriages were gathered.

At Ferma’s command, about ten wizards surrounded the entire procession of carriages. Since they had to teleport the Emperor’s entire entourage, it required a great deal of magical power. The sight of the wizards chanting in unison was something too marvelous for only them to witness.

Larael had used teleportation portals powered by mana stones before, but this was her first time experiencing teleportation magic cast directly by wizards. Ferma, who knew the location of the summer palace, cast the spell, while the other wizards channeled their power to her.

While Larael gazed in awe at the wizards casting their spell, Edward was equally entranced watching her. The way her sparkling red eyes focused so intently, as if she didn’t want to miss a single detail, made him tense with anticipation.

Once they reached the summer palace, he was determined not to let her leave his side for even a moment. As he made this vow, he recalled the moment Larael had called his name. He couldn’t even find the words to describe the overwhelming feeling that had given him.

As a dazzling light began to envelop them, Larael instinctively gripped Edward’s hand tightly and closed her eyes.

Edward’s warm hand reassured her. When the blinding light faded, Larael slowly opened her eyes.

“…”

Larael was rendered speechless by the beautiful scene before her. It was so unreal, she wondered if she was dreaming.

She checked to see if Edward was beside her. As always, he was looking at her with a gentle smile.

The Emperor’s attendants, who had accompanied him on previous summer holidays, began unloading luggage from the carriages.

“Your Majesty, it feels like we’ve stepped into a painting.”

Larael gazed at the small castle perched atop the cliff. The castle itself wasn’t particularly special.

Beside the castle, below the dizzying cliff, stretched a deep blue sea with gentle waves. Whenever the light touched the shallow waves, it sparkled as if jewels had been scattered across the water. Larael thought the color of the sea resembled Edward’s eyes.

To the right of the castle was a forest so enchanting it wouldn’t be surprising to see fairies dancing there. Birds chirped and flew in flocks. Perhaps because the sea was nearby, a light mist drifted through the forest, making it look even more dreamlike.

While Larael took in the scenery with a look of rapture, Edward patiently waited for her to enjoy it to her heart’s content.

Edward had looked just like her the first time he came here. Last year, he never would have imagined he’d return with someone else.

When he’d spent holidays here alone, Edward would wander the forest in contemplation, or leisurely practice swordsmanship in the castle’s training yard.

Some days, he would read books in the library all day without interruption, and on others, he would spend hours gazing at the waves crashing against the cliffs.

But from now on, he would spend all his time here with Larael. Next year, and the year after, he would come here with her again.

‘We’re two now, but maybe next year or the year after, there will be three…’

Just the thought made Edward smile. How adorable would a child who resembled her be?

“Your Majesty, I must have lost myself for a moment. I’m sorry for keeping you standing here. I’ll go to the bedroom, unpack, and return right away.”

Larael, watching the attendants busily unload the luggage, turned to head into the palace. Lifting her dress slightly, she was about to step forward when Edward grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“Larael, didn’t I tell you? We’ll be sharing a bedroom here.”

“What??”

Larael blurted out loudly, unable to help herself. Edward, wearing a calm expression, tightened his grip on her arm and pulled her toward him. Larael was helplessly drawn into Edward’s embrace.

“Your Majesty!!”

Larael glanced around, blushing, but Edward didn’t care at all and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Call my name again.”

Edward wanted to relive the feeling from when Larael first called his name. When she did, he’d lost even the thinnest thread of reason. He would never forget that thrill.

“Your Majesty, there are so many eyes on us…”

Larael tried to push Edward away with her elbow, but he only held her waist tighter.

“Should I gouge out all those eyes, then?”

It was such an uncharacteristic thing for Edward to say that Larael let it pass, thinking it didn’t suit his gentle nature. Still, she didn’t doubt for a second that he was capable of it if he truly wished.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be better to go somewhere with no eyes on us?”

Larael, embarrassed, turned her head and lowered her gaze.

“R-right? We need to unpack, don’t we? Let’s go to the bedroom.”

With an exaggerated tone, Edward led Larael into the castle.