Several days passed quickly.

Ariel recalled her memory of meeting Hyle for the first time in Kolnman as she began mana training with Solviche.

“Solviche, close your eyes. And feel the mana scattered around your body.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ariel and Solviche stood in training attire at the training ground. Following Ariel’s command, Solviche closed her eyes.

“You should see it in your mind’s eye. A sparkling mana.”

“I see nothing, Your Majesty.”

Furrowing her brow, Solviche spoke. With her eyes closed, all she saw was darkness. Due to this visual impairment, he could only see things floating in front of his eyes.

“Concentrate more. Gather your thoughts.”

At Ariel’s firm voice, Solviche focused more on his body.

“Oh, I see it. Something like green water droplets, I see it! Your Majesty!”

“Move the mana and try to concentrate it near your solar plexus. Then a mana core will be formed.”

“How do I move it?”

Ariel tilted her head. When she recalled memories from ten years ago, she moved mana effortlessly without wondering how.

Thinking about how to explain, Ariel revived the faint sensation she felt at that time.

“Think about gathering each water droplet and look at them.”

“Uh… They’re moving very slowly. At this rate, it seems like it will take a long time to create a mana core.”

Solviche blinked her eyes. Sweat formed on her forehead due to her concentration.

While training Solviche, Ariel realized again how remarkable she was.

‘So that’s why my master said I had a natural talent.’

Understanding mana, forming a mana core, and skillfully using mana with the sword – all of these were extremely easy for the young Ariel.

“Let’s stop here for today. You’ve seen the mana in your mind and even moved it. You’ll do better next time.”

“I’m sorry for not meeting the Empress’s expectations.”

“What are you talking about? Everyone finds the beginning difficult. Just don’t give up.”

Ariel wiped her face with a towel over her shoulders and then left the training ground with Solviche.

May, who was waiting in front, followed behind Ariel.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor is looking for you.”

“Alright. Solviche, go wash up.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

Bowing her waist, Solviche expressed her gratitude. As Ariel passed by her, she spoke to May.

“Why did he summon me?”

She had some ideas, but she asked anyway.

“He didn’t give detailed instructions, but it seems to be related to news about Evan’s marriage.”

May quietly replied while following her master.

“Really? It’s not that surprising.”

During a stroll after the consecration ceremony, they witnessed Evan proposing to Liese.

When she entered the palace, Ariel headed straight to Leopold’s study. She might smell of sweat. She thought about washing up but felt he would have to wait too long if she did so.

“Richard isn’t here.”

“I’ll knock.”

Knock knock —

“The Empress has arrived.”

“Come in.”

With permission granted, May opened the door.

Creak-!

Ariel entered the room. Leopold stood up from his desk and walked over to the sofa. Ariel also walked towards the sofa where he was headed and took a seat.

“So Evan is getting married this month?”

He went straight to the point without exchanging greetings. He must have been so curious to ask without even exchanging greetings.

Ariel looked at him affectionately and began to speak.

“Yes, he came to me saying he wants to hold the ceremony before the weather gets too hot. He proposed during the saint ceremony and seemed eager to get it done quickly.”

Leopold stared blankly into space at the sudden news.

‘Damn it. I wanted to do it before Evan’s wedding…’

Things were not going as he planned.

“I see. Do you know the exact date?”

“He said it’s set. Ah, next Wednesday, I think?”

“I didn’t know Evan was in such a hurry.”

Evan, despite being the commander of the imperial knights, was meticulous and never rushed his subordinates with his typically leisurely work style.

Seeing him rush the wedding, Leopold found it surprising.

“It’s unfamiliar to me too. Love can change a person so much.”

“He must be very happy.”

Leopold threw his gaze towards the window, stroking his chin. His furrowed brow indicated he was in deep thought.

‘Should I send them on a trip… They haven’t had a break due to various matters.’

Turning his head, his gaze briefly lingered on Ariel. Surprised by the news of Evan’s wedding, he hadn’t noticed Ariel’s outfit.

When he looked at her again, she was in her training uniform.

“Noticed it just now?”

Ariel rested her chin on her arm on the sofa’s armrest.

“Training again?”

Now that he looked, her blonde hair seemed damp with sweat.

Leopold leaned in and brushed her tousled bangs aside.

“Today, I taught Solviche how to activate her mana.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

His hand slid down to caress her cheek. Ariel’s shoulders twitched at the desire in his dark eyes.

“I’m not. She’s following well.”

Ariel placed her hand over his and gently removed it.

“I’ll prepare the wedding gift.”

“Do you have something in mind?”

“Hmm. Yes. I think he’ll like it.”

Leopold’s lips curved into a sharp smile.

***

On the day of Liese Willington and Evan Clark’s wedding, the golden sunlight shone.

The inner garden of the Holy See was bustling with people.

The lawn was covered in clear green, and white roses and irises were planted for the wedding. The fragrant flowers swayed in the breeze.

Along the wedding aisle, white tables and chairs were placed here and there.

People gathered to celebrate the wedding, marveling at the beautifully decorated venue.

“The wedding of Sir Evan, who made the hearts of young ladies flutter. Hohohoho! Some of the young ladies might be secretly crying.”

“I’m very curious about how the two met.”

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the empire was abuzz with the news of the marriage between Evan Clark, the Empress’s elder brother, and Saint Liese Willington.

As soon as Liese Willington became a saint, Evan, who had postponed his marriage, immediately married her, which sparked various rumors.

There were sensational rumors that the two were in a political marriage to maintain close relations between the imperial family and the Holy See, or that Marquis Louis and Marchioness Rose opposed the marriage due to Liese Willington’s poor family background.

Occasionally, some short-sighted noblewomen would ask Ariel about the truth of the rumors when they met her.

Ariel, finding it not even worth answering, firmly denied them.

However, amidst the excited atmosphere, various talks continued.

These disturbances subsided when Richard entered the Holy See.

“The Emperor and Empress have arrived.”

All the guests paid their respects. Leopold and Ariel entered.

“Glory to Atlan.”

Ariel, dressed in an elegant and sophisticated black dress, appeared arm in arm with Leopold.

The off-shoulder style dress made of black silk beautifully revealed her shoulders and neckline, and the waistline accentuated her femininity.

The lower part of the dress spread softly in an A-line silhouette, moving gracefully in the wind. The flexible fabric highlighted her elegant figure as it touched her body.

The black diamond earrings and necklace further enhanced her beauty. She also carried a black clutch bag adorned with fine gold decorations.

Leopold, dressed in a dark purple uniform, escorted her, while May followed behind them, ensuring the dress’s hem did not catch on her feet.

People glanced at the couple. If Her Majesty the Empress had not chosen a black dress, one might mistake her for the main character of the day, given her beauty.

“Thank you all for coming to my brother’s wedding.”

When Ariel greeted briefly, the people nodded with reverence in their eyes.

Leopold felt a surge of pride seeing Ariel’s dignified yet majestic demeanor as she interacted with the people.

‘She was definitely born to be my woman.’

Under the shining sun, seeing Ariel’s radiant smile, his heart pounded heavily.