Time passed, drawing closer to the spirit of summer. The warm air filled the imperial palace of Atlan. The palace gardens were filled with the fragrance of various flowers.

The fresh greenery offered a lush vibrancy, and the clear water of the small pond reflected sunlight, creating a shimmering effect.

The vitality of life breathed new energy into the palace.

Beyond the window where Ariel sat, she could see the blue sky and the trees covered in green leaves. Ariel sipped her tea at the table.

“Are you busy today too?”

“Hmm. I think it’ll be a bit busy.”

Leopold waved his hand at Richard, who was tying his tie. After finishing the tie, Richard stepped aside.

Click-!

Richard bowed his head and closed the door as he left.

“Walter agreed to take over.”

“What?”

Ariel, who was sipping tea at the table in the bedroom, looked at Leopold with a surprised face.

“I informed him yesterday.”

—Walter, please take care of Atlan.

—What do you mean?

—I’ll be away for a month. I’d like you to take over my duties during that time.

—What? That’s out of the question-!

—It’s an imperial order.

“I just handed it over by calling it an imperial order.”

“He probably sighed deeply inside, unable to voice his complaints to Your Majesty.”

Walter was a reliable and excellent talent of the Atlan Empire, so Leopold could entrust Atlan to him.

Of course, it was possible because, after eliminating the dark mages, the empire had regained stability and was flourishing both internally and externally.

“Have I mentioned it?”

Leopold walked over to Ariel. He leaned on the table and looked down at her at an angle.

“Evan is coming along on this journey.”

“What–?”

Ariel set her cup down on the table with a thud.

Taking a newlywed who had only been married for a few days on a month-long trip?

She opened her mouth to dissuade Leopold.

“Leo, but that’s…”

“Of course, Liese Clark is coming too. It’s my wedding gift.”

Ariel raised her eyebrows.

How could tagging along with the Emperor and Empress on a month-long vacation be considered a gift?

‘They might feel uncomfortable…’

If it were her, she would have flatly refused Leopold’s offer.

But Evan’s loyalty to Leopold was extraordinary. His devotion to his lord was such that he would even lay down his life for Leopold.

So, he probably didn’t even think of refusing.

Liese Clark likely couldn’t say anything under her husband’s influence.

“So, what did they say when you asked them to come along?”

“He said he wanted to travel with his wife anyway. He gladly accepted my gift.”

Clearly, he lacks experience in social life.

Even if Evan accepted the offer with a bright smile, it didn’t mean he truly welcomed it with a joyful heart.

Ariel pretended to sulk and turned her head.

“…We should stay separately and travel separately when we’re there.”

“Why? Aren’t you close with Liese Clark?”

Leopold asked with a puzzled expression as he sat next to Ariel.

Wouldn’t it be nice to create happy memories together?

“No matter how close we are, I can’t kiss you in front of my brother and sister-in-law. It’s embarrassing enough when May sees us.”

“Oh…”

So that’s the reason.

Leopold couldn’t hide his laughter.

He swallowed her pouting lips. She was too cute and lovely to leave alone.

“Alright. I promise.”

Ariel looked at his face intently and nodded.

His deep, drooping eyes. His beautifully curved thin lips.

‘This man is dangerous to my heart.’

***

With about three weeks left, they notified the Kingdom of Macglier of their unofficial vacation.

「I, Leopold Diaz, together with the Empress, will be taking an unofficial vacation in Macglier. We will stay as ordinary nobles of Atlan. Therefore, we hope the royal family of Macglier will treat us accordingly.」

Leopold’s letter threw the Kingdom of Macglier into a state of emergency. They suddenly started repairing roads and beautifying the cityscape.

The people of that country, without knowing the reason, were mobilized to welcome Leopold.

Meanwhile, Leopold sent Richard to personally prepare the mansion and various other things for their stay during the trip.

Since it was a trip with Evan and Liese, there were many things to take care of.

“We’re really leaving next week.”

“Yes. We’ll drop Hyle off at Kolnman on the way.”

She recalled what Leopold had mentioned before.

Master will spend a month in Kolnman.

“Have you decided where he’ll stay?”

There’s still the mansion owned by Louis Clark. Staying there would allow him to live more comfortably.

“Hmm. It seems he plans to stay where he originally lived.”

“Oh… That place would be inconvenient for him to use. His body isn’t what it used to be. He can stay in the mansion my Father prepared for me. I’ll talk to my Father.”

“Alright. I was worried about that too. But he firmly refused, saying there was no need for unnecessary expenses because of him.”

Considering Master’s nature, he must already feel a tremendous debt staying in the capital of Atlan.

If the imperial family also bore the costs of his travel to and stay in Kolnman…

He would firmly refuse. He wouldn’t care about the hardship his aging body might endure.

“What about the servants attending him in Kolnman?”

“I chose them very carefully. Don’t worry.”

“Who are they?”

Although Hyle was a laid-back person, far from being sensitive, it was possible that he was stressed by the sudden changes in his body.

“Hmm. He’s called Ron. The one who went to Kolnman with you.”

“It’s been a long time since I heard that name. Yes, Ron went to Kolnman with me as my escort knight. I haven’t seen him since he entered the imperial palace.”

“Walter recommended him. He said Ron probably knows Hyle well.”

If it’s Ron, then that’s reassuring. Having spent ten years with Hyle, he would know many things about his preferences and tastes.

‘So we’re going with that same group.’

Ariel licked her lips.

She felt a sense of anticipation. Although she had painful memories there, there were more fond ones. A place filled with memories of her teenage years. She would be visiting Kolnman.

***

The green mountains embraced Kolnman. The high mountains, like protectors, watched over the land and created beautiful scenery.

In Kolnman’s basin landform, there were beautiful castles and scattered houses. The picturesque homes blended with nature.

Three carriages passed between the buildings.

They traveled slowly, not at a fast pace, meandering through the village.

“It’s just the same.”

It hadn’t even been a year since she left, so it was natural. Ariel felt a sense of familiarity at the unchanged scenery.

“This is my first time in Kolnman.”

“You’ve never stopped by?”

Her green eyes, which had been looking out the window, turned to Leopold.

It’s a very close and friendly country. How could this be his first time?

“Yeah. So this is what the inside of the village looks like.”

Leopold also leaned out to look out the window.

As they reached the center of the village, a small market appeared. It was still a space full of liveliness and activity.

“Let’s stop the carriage for a moment.”

“Stop the carriage-!”

At Leopold’s command, the carriage slowly came to a halt.

The two got off the carriage.

Ariel and Leopold, walking the streets of Kolnman, were dressed comfortably to conceal their identities.

Ariel wore a light-colored skirt and blouse that reached her waist. The sleeves had a small embroidered emblem representing the imperial family of Atlan.

Her feet, in comfortable flat shoes, moved nimbly.

Following behind her, Leopold wore comfortable-fit dress pants and a shirt. He had light loafers on his feet.

His hair, left unkempt, flowed naturally and fluttered in the mountain breeze of Kolnman.

Ariel stood in front of a small fountain. The clear droplets created by the vivid water stream scattered in the wind.

Perhaps the reason was because Diaton and Bill, who had once troubled Kolnman, are now gone, and even the demonic beasts have disappeared.

The faces of the people standing around the fountain, enjoying the sound of the refreshing water, were filled with happiness.

Ariel, staring blankly at them, started walking towards the market. Leopold dismissed Richard, who had been riding beside the coachman, and followed her alone.

Small shops displayed various goods on colorful tables. Fragrant bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables, handicrafts, and fabrics dyed with a variety of natural dyes stood out.

“It seems to bring back memories.”

“To think we struggled so hard for this peace.”

The time she lived as a demonic beast hunter flashed by like a panorama.

Even if I could turn back time and live again, I would make the same choice.

Her jade-colored eyes quivered slightly.