“May. It’s all over now, right?”

“…Are you worried?”

May said, patting Ariel’s shoulder. In response to the worry and fear embedded in her master’s voice, May tried to brighten the mood.

“Even if it’s not all over, Your Majesty, you will be able to overcome it just like you have so far.”

“Is that so?”

Ariel leaned against the bathtub. As she soaked her body in warm water, her body relaxed.

May’s words didn’t sound as burdensome as she thought.

‘I think the same way.’

Having overcome death and being resurrected, thoughts of what else she couldn’t do crossed her mind.

Ariel closed her eyes and waited for May’s words.

“I’m not trying to burden Your Majesty, but… I believe in you. Everything you have achieved is thanks to Your Majesty the Empress.”

This petite and delicate body had truly accomplished remarkable feats. Since childhood, the Empress had been extraordinary.

While children from other families spent their adolescence under their parents’ protection, she wielded a sword and eventually became a Swordmaster.

Ultimately, captivating even the heart of the Emperor, with her beauty and character, she ascended to the position of Empress.

Besides, wasn’t she the one who rescued the people of Atlan from the hands of dark mages?

During the hunting festival, if Her Majesty hadn’t made quick decisions, the people wouldn’t have been able to evacuate through the portals. More casualties might have occurred.

The fact that such a person is my master made me incredibly proud, May thought.

“It’s not exactly like that, May.”

If the one who called me here hadn’t bestowed me with power, I wouldn’t even become a Swordmaster; I would have simply exhausted myself swinging a sword around.

“I am where I am now thanks to the help of many people. Of course, I have also received a lot of help from you.”

As Ariel looked up at May and smiled, May smiled back at her.

She wanted to cool down her body heated by the bathwater. As Ariel stood up from the tub, water trickled down her white and graceful body.

May quickly brought a bath towel and dried Ariel’s body.

“How humble of you. Please be careful on your way out.”

May held Ariel’s hand as she stepped out of the tub. Ariel cautiously stepped out, and May unfolded a fresh towel to cover her body.

Ariel naturally headed towards the dressing room door, and May opened it for her.

“I will meet Liese Willington in the morning.”

May dressed Ariel in a gown made of silk and lace, then sat her in front of the mirror and dried her hair with a towel.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I remember. You mentioned that tomorrow is the consecration ceremony for the saint, is that right?”

“Yes. Even though she must be busy, she said she would come willingly.”

“She’s truly a grateful person.”

May’s words were correct. From her first meeting with Liese, Ariel herself had made the unreasonable demand to follow her all the way to Norca.

But she didn’t resent Liese; instead, she thought she had been saved by her. And considering it as a debt, she had chased after her to the castle in Helmir Forest to rescue her from Bill.

If she hadn’t come there, Ariel might have been dead long ago.

“I think the same way. That’s why I prepared a gift.”

It was a necklace specially made by the imperial jeweler with a topaz embedded in it.

Ariel’s wish was for Liese, who had no family or parents to support her, not to wear just a shabby dress and participate in the consecration ceremony.

‘Well, Evan might have prepared it.’

With his meticulous nature, he probably searched through the imperial wardrobe and jewelry stores to prepare only the best for Liese. Ariel also wanted to do that much for her benefactor.

“It’s all done, Your Majesty.”

When May opened the door to the dressing room, Ariel entered the bedroom. Emperor Leopold Diaz was waiting for her there.

Ariel firmly tied the loose strap around her waist. When Emperor Leopold Diaz entered her sight, her lips naturally softened.

“Why are you getting dressed up so early just to meet someone?”

His low and affectionate voice tickled her ears.

“I just finished bathing. I’m not dressed up yet, Your Majesty.”

Approaching him as he sat at the table, she reached out her hand. He reached out his arm and gently pulled her wrist, bringing her closer.

Leopold lifted Ariel onto his lap, wrapped his thick arms around her, and deeply breathed in her scent.

“Your Majesty, call me if you need anything. I will go out.”

May quickly spoke while keeping her gaze fixed on the door before walking out of the room with brisk steps.

Thud!

As the door closed, Ariel’s expression, which had seemed indifferent, softened.

“Please be more considerate of May.”

Who would want to see their superior’s affectionate actions?

Contrary to his teasing tone, Ariel hugged his neck. Her soft hair tickled his lips.

“Well. If her head moves faster than your body, so be it.”

His hand moved unconsciously, wondering what to do when his lips or hands moved towards hers.

Leopold raised his head and gently kissed Ariel’s cheek.

Even now, his body acted on instinct alone.

“But what’s this? There are so many delicious dishes prepared since morning.”

When Leopold released her from his arms, Ariel sat next to him. Breakfast was laid out on the table.

Beef steak flavored with black pepper and herbs, seafood stew with clams and crabs, salad combining crispy bacon and fruits, bread exuding a strong buttery aroma, and even wine.

It looked simple, but it was definitely not an ordinary spread.

“You don’t have to eat all this for breakfast, right?”

Although she was hungry, she didn’t think she could eat all this food.

“Just taste them. Eat as much as you want.”

At his kind words, Ariel’s eyelids lifted slightly. Her lips formed gentle curves.

“I prepared it for your comfort; I had it tasted.”

“You did well.”

When Leopold held out her plate and filled it with food, Ariel reached for a spoonful of stew.

“Mmm, delicious.”

She put a spoonful of stew with shellfish into her mouth, and the flavors swirled around. Ariel closed her eyes and savored the taste with small bites.

‘No way, how can she eat so cutely.’

Leopold absentmindedly watched Ariel eat. An urge to nibble on her lips arose within him.

“Excuse me.”

Leopold reached out his scarred hand and wrapped it around the back of Ariel’s head.

His strong fingers tousled her soft hair. The strands brushing against his fingers tickled him.

Leopold applied pressure to pull her head towards him. As Ariel’s face came close to Leopold’s shoulder level, her breath reached deep into his neck, causing his body to tremble.

Leopold’s desire-filled gaze focused on Ariel’s lips, and finally his lips touched hers.

The tangy taste of stew lingered on his tongue.

In the teasing of his tongue that stirred her red lips, Ariel found it hard to keep her composure.

“Hmm…”

A soft moan escaped Ariel’s lips.

Leopold skimmed through her orderly diligence and pressed his lips, but her thirst was not easily quenched.

The hand that had been holding the back of Ariel’s head descended to her waist. It attempted to untie the tightly bound robe.

A flustered Ariel pushed him away and licked her lips as she took a step back. Her lips were moist. She took a deep breath and looked at Leopold.

“Your Majesty, what is this all of a sudden…?”

“Sorry. You’re just too lovely, so my body moved on its own again.”

Realizing what he had done, he chuckled self-deprecatingly.

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat first, then we can do something else.”

A mischievous smile appeared on her lips as she finished speaking.

In response, Leopold chuckled in agreement,

“Well then, eat a lot. You should be plump so I can enjoy catching you too.”

He cut the steak and placed it on her plate.

As Ariel picked up a piece of steak with her fork and put it into her mouth, Leopold also ate his steak.

“Mm, delicious. But I’m meeting Liese Wellington in a little while.”

“Don’t you still have some time?”

“Well, probably.”

Ariel smiled with her eyes closed and chewed her food with relish.

If she got lost in his embrace, time would pass quickly and smoothly. Ariel thought to herself that she should eat quickly because she wanted to enjoy it fully and slowly.