Ariel, listening to their conversation, was lost in thought.

A character not mentioned in the original work, Noah Diaz.

How much could she find out about him? She might need to visit the imperial library.

‘I’ll have to look into this man when I return.’

If he truly knew her identity, he might be connected to those who had taken her mana.

Resolved, Ariel turned her head to the outside.

“Lady Liese.”

“Lady Ariel! Are you alright?”

Liese stepped closer upon seeing Ariel’s pale face.

“It’s because of me… that all this happened. I’m truly sorry…”

“It’s not your fault. Maybe the same thing would have happened even if I had come alone. Don’t blame yourself.”

Liese wasn’t wrong. There were often those who targeted relief supplies for theft.

That’s why Liese thought that such an incident occurred because she had failed to consider all possible scenarios.

“Ariel, today you were braver and more splendid than anyone else. Thank you.”

Liese had the opportunity to meet many nobles while living on a stipend from the Holy See, from high-ranking nobility to modest noble households.

Some of them were truly noble and kind-hearted, yet even they did not sacrifice their own for the lives of others.

But Ariel Clark was different… She threw herself into danger for the safety of a mere low-ranking priest.

‘That scene, I will never forget it until the day I close my eyes.’

Liese smiled.

“And I promise you, no one who was with us today will blame you for what happened.”

Consideration, understanding, empathy, thoughtfulness—all were encapsulated in Liese’s words.

Ariel quickly waved her hands in dismissal.

Perhaps due to the involvement of a low-ranking priest and the nobility. She couldn’t dismiss the possibility that they wouldn’t properly investigate the incident and would instead place all the blame on her.

“No, Liese. Thank you, but I will take responsibility for what I must.”

“As expected of you. But I too am just doing what I must.”

Liese’s eyes curved beautifully. It had been a long time since she had smiled so freely and sincerely.

‘Ah… I’ve truly met a good person.’

A small sense of anticipation sprouted in Liese’s heart. Abandoned by her family and having lived without a single friend, she thought that perhaps she had finally made one.

“We must leave now if we want to return before the sun sets.”

Noah, who had been silently listening to their conversation, spoke up.

“Yes. Then we should go back. May must be anxiously waiting for me.”

Ariel looked around and, just as he had said, the dusk of early autumn was settling in.

“Then let’s part ways here.”

Just as Noah finished his farewell and was about to move on, a chill wind swept past them.

He suddenly pulled Ariel close to him. Her face pressed against his solid chest.

But at that moment, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from afar.

The sound grew louder until a golden horse stopped in front of them.

Ariel squinted her eyes shut against the dust kicked up by the horse.

‘Whoever is riding so recklessly, I want to see their face.’

Ariel opened her eyes, annoyed, and caught the gaze of Leopold, who had yet to dismount his horse.

Seeing Ariel in the arms of another man, Leopold immediately got off his horse.

Without even wiping the sweat from his brow due to his urgency, he ran straight to Ariel, who was in Noah’s arms.

“I am honored to see the glory of Atlan.”

Noah bowed his head, paying his respects to the emperor.

He was perplexed by Leopold’s arrival; how did he find this place, and had the two of them met before? He was curious.

But as Noah was a duke who had been exiled to the border regions, he was not in a position to question the emperor first.

Leopold, casting a wary glance at him, snatched Ariel from Noah as if he hadn’t heard his greeting at all.

Ariel was startled by Leopold’s sudden appearance.

“How did you know to come here?”

He scanned Ariel’s face before answering, his eyes a mix of worry and affection.

“Could it be that you’re hurt?”

Seeing his face, Ariel felt confused.

‘He’s genuinely worried about me.’

It was a strange sensation that she had never felt before. A fluttering that made her feel on edge swept through her stomach. Ariel instinctively tensed her toes.

“No. I’m alright.”

Ariel buried her head in Leopold’s embrace to hide her trembling eyes. His actions and tone conveyed his sincerity.

‘I must pretend not to see. Pretend not to hear. Regret should be enough with just once.’

Ariel struggled to ignore what she felt in his heart.

“It seems you are not hurt then.”

‘Ariel avoided my gaze.’

At that single action, Leopold’s heart ached. He hugged her body tight, as if to forget the pain, and then he lifted his head to stare at Noah.

‘How dare someone like you hold Ariel in your arms.’

Everything about her belonged to Leopold, to himself. Leopold’s red eyes flickered with anger.

It seemed from the situation that the man before him had saved Ariel but…

His gaze towards Ariel was disrespectful. It seemed to be swirling with foolishness, regret, and longing.

“It is an honor to meet the glory of Atlan.”

Noah greeted Leopold. He wondered when Leopold Diaz had begun to harbor feelings for Ariel Clark.

But he did not show it outwardly.

Liese read Leopold’s displeasure and moved a few steps to stand beside Noah.

“This incident is my oversight, Your Majesty. Please forgive me. This person only helped us.”

Leopold’s gaze shifted to Liese.

So this lowly priest was the one who brought Ariel to this dangerous place.

Leopold’s eyes, fierce and commanding, glowed red.

Feeling a chill from his gaze, Liese was at a loss for words, even though she needed to explain what had happened.

“It is not her fault, Your Majesty. Let her down. I will explain everything.”

“No. You need to rest.”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ariel pushed against Leopold’s chest. But he denied her proposal by embracing her more firmly.

“Your Majesty, please listen to me…”

“Haah…”

Leopold let out a heavy sigh, and Ariel’s red and plump lips closed once more.

‘Just imagining what might have happened to you if it weren’t for this man… I, I can’t bear it.’

Leopold’s heart was frayed as if it had been worn down by the setting sun.

“Later, we’ll talk later.”

Leopold threw his gaze into the void before making eye contact with Noah.

“Wait a moment.”

Leopold stared intently at him and then furrowed his brow deeply.

He seemed familiar. The memory was on the edge of his mind but not quite clear.

“I am Noah Diaz.”

Only after he revealed his identity did Leopold remember. The son of Davis, the half-brother of the former emperor, Duke Noah Diaz.

He was surely sent to the northern territories about six years ago; what was he doing here?

Surprised, Leopold’s eyes widened for a moment before narrowing again.

“It’s been a while, Duke. I will summon you to the imperial palace soon.”

Leopold left those words behind and turned to walk towards his horse. There was much he wanted to ask Noah Diaz. However, the priority now was for Ariel to stabilize.

“Your Majesty.”

At her call, Leopold stopped briefly to examine Ariel’s face. Her pale complexion and trembling shoulders caught his eye. Leopold quickly resumed his pace.

How could she have been so reckless? Suddenly going to the Holy See she never visited before. Coming to such a dangerous place for volunteer work. Was the marriage that shocking to her? Leopold was confused.

‘This person, his expression…’

It’s not good. He wasn’t saying anything. He was definitely angry.

His mouth was set in a hard line, and anger seeped into his gaze. His sharp face pierced Ariel’s heart like a sharp dagger.

‘Why does my heart feel so sore?’

An inexplicable discomfort spread through Ariel’s chest. She pressed her hand against her heart, trying to overcome this cold feeling.

“Unfortunately it’s not a carriage.”

Finally, the two of them arrived in front of Swift. Leopold was reluctant to have Ariel ride the horse after such an ordeal.

‘If I had brought a carriage, I would have arrived after Ariel had disappeared with Noah.’

With that thought, he set Ariel down from his embrace. Then, he climbed onto the saddle first and stretched out his arm to her below.

“Take my hand.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ariel gripped his hand tightly while stepping onto the stirrup with one foot.

Thanks to Leopold’s strength, Ariel was able to settle behind him.

“Thank you.”

Ariel gently grasped the area around the waist of his jacket. If they were to go too fast in this state, it was certain that Ariel would fall off.

To prevent such an accident, Leopold reached back with his hand to catch her arm and wrap it around his waist.

“You’ll need to hold on tight to handle the horse’s speed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ariel tensed her arm and hugged his back, and instead of a heavy heart, a flush of embarrassment took over her.

It was because her chest was pressed against his back. Surely, on the day they first met, they had done more than this. Yet Ariel’s cheeks reddened anew.

“Hold on tighter.”

Was it because of the physical contact? Leopold’s heart also calmed down.

But with Noah Diaz’s appearance, he did not want to allow even a small gap between him and her.

Leopold loosened her arms only to wrap them tightly around his waist again.

“Tighter.”

Ariel pulled herself closer and sat up straight.

Startled by the unexpected contact, Leopold flinched but feigned indifference as he snapped the reins.

“Then let’s depart.”

Swift began to move slowly.

How long had they gone?

Racing at high speed, they faced the cold wind with their entire bodies.

It was refreshing, and it made their consciousness clearer. Riding the horse seemed to improve his mood.

And suddenly, Leopold became aware that Ariel was relying entirely on him on the swaying horse.