They fell onto the bed placed in the wide bedroom, collapsing. Leopold carefully supported Ariel’s waist so she wouldn’t lie down too hastily.

“Leo…”

Her long eyelashes cast shadows over her eyelids. Her sharp nose. The hollow of her ear and her slender jaw. Leopold scattered small kisses over her.

The ticklish sensation stimulating her whole body made Ariel open and close her eyes tightly.

When his lips landed on her nape, a shiver ran down to her curled toes.

“Ngh…”

She let out a low moan. His lips slid downward. His lips roamed over her white, smooth skin, not wanting to miss any part.

Seemingly remembering something, Leopold suddenly lifted his head.

“Thinking that it’s just the two of us in this big house…”

“Strangely, it makes you feel more tender, doesn’t it?”

The imperial palace is always bustling with attendants. They serve the Emperor and Empress to ensure their comfort. Although it’s true that their help allows for a comfortable life, there are unimaginable hardships that come with it.

Unless they deliberately dismiss the attendants, there are attendants waiting in their bedroom, bathroom, and office.

That’s why Ariel didn’t take other maids and only moved around with May. Recently, she had taken Solviche as a maid and traveled here with her, but Leopold had the maids stay strictly in another building.

Even Richard was not present in the other house, making this a precious moment where Leopold and Ariel could breathe together alone.

However, instead of agreeing with her sentiment, Leopold was focused on something else.

“Tender, you say…”

A shadow fell over his once bright red eyes. His thick fingers undid the tiny buttons on her crumpled blouse.

“I need to check.”

Leopold’s grand body collapsed onto Ariel. Ariel gasped for breath, finding it overwhelming.

***

The next day.

Perhaps due to the fatigue from the carriage ride, the two of them woke up late and had a simple breakfast.

Ariel sat at a garden table with Leopold, drinking tea.

She felt alive as she watched the sunlight, filled with the essence of summer, filtering through the tree shade.

‘To think I couldn’t enjoy this relaxing time peacefully.’

She thought it might be her fate to live her entire life with such tension.

I hope all the issues get resolved quickly…

She lifted her teacup, wetting her lips, and looked at Leopold.

“We’ll have lunch with the King of Macglier, right?”

“Yes. Have you decided what to wear?”

“No. I asked May to pick the most modest dress from the wardrobe.”

Although the King and Queen of Macglier knew their identities, the attendants and people of the Macglier royal family didn’t know that they were the Emperor and Empress of Atlan.

And they had to remain unaware until they left, so she deliberately chose inconspicuous clothing.

‘Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t stand out…’

Her long monolid eyes with fiery red pupils. And her sharp, beautifully shaped nose.

It was a beauty that simply could not go unnoticed. The face of Leopold sitting across from her.

Ariel sighed deeply.

“Don’t worry in advance, El. The magical orbs made by the dwarves are recognized worldwide as excellent weapons. Macglier was the country that had an exclusive supply of those magical orbs. And I broke that monopoly with the war.”

“Yes, I know. Actually, I’m not worried about not being able to defeat the dark mages or demonic beasts because my mana hasn’t recovered. It’s just…”

I’m just annoyed that the opportunity to enjoy complete peace has been taken away.

Ariel swallowed the last part of her sentence.

Complaining and grumbling wouldn’t change the situation or make it go away.

But her narrowed eyes revealed her discomfort.

“Come on-! Let’s go. We’ll eat a lot of delicious food, visit the bustling areas of Macglier on the way back, and you’ll feel better after a change of mood.”

Leopold, with a refreshing smile perfect for summer, extended his arm towards Ariel.

The early summer sunlight shone dazzlingly behind him.

He knew very well why she wasn’t in a good mood.

But since it was a moment that would never come back, he didn’t want to let precious time slip away like this.

Instead of just catering to Ariel’s feelings, he wanted to help her get out of her gloom.

Perhaps his earnest wish was conveyed, as Ariel firmly grasped his outstretched hand.

“Instead! Promise me that we won’t go back home until I say so.”

She knew his intention. She said it as if she was reluctantly agreeing to do what he wanted.

In truth, what would she do by sightseeing? At most, she would just take a round of the market and look at some food.

“As much as you want.”

He chuckled.

Her pouting lips and narrowed eyes were cute and lovely.

As he led her into the mansion, he thought about meeting the King and Queen of Macglier, uncovering the truth about this issue, and getting as much information as possible if they could.

***

The royal castle of Macglier was not very large but it gave off a grand impression. The castle, built of white stone, had towers of varying heights, covered with pointed apricot-colored roofs.

At the top of the towers were round jade-colored ornaments.

When the carriage arrived at the castle entrance, Ariel and Leopold got off the carriage.

Ariel, carefully getting off the carriage with Richard’s escort, wore a serene blue dress.

The wide-flowing skirt fluttered in the humid wind of Macglier, and her golden hair scattered under her wide-brimmed hat.

“The royal castle is quite beautiful too.”

Ariel said to Leopold, who followed her off the carriage.

“It’s like a fairytale place. Not only the trees and flowers but even the buildings boast their colorful presence.”

At his low and soft voice, Ariel turned around.

‘To think he can act so silly.’

Ariel’s lips curled up as she looked Leopold up and down as he got off the carriage.

He was wearing a shirt in a shade similar to the bright blue she was wearing. The soft cotton shirt clung tightly to his chest muscles.

He matched his outfit to hers, mixing in a spoonful of her taste to create a similar look.

In Atlan, because of the gazes of people looking up to the imperial family, they couldn’t dress so similarly in such an obvious way.

“You seem to like it. Seeing you smile.”

“Hold my hand.”

Ariel extended her hand first. Leopold raised his eyebrows in surprise but soon took her hand.

At that moment, a tall man with white hair approached them.

Judging by his attire, he seemed to be the chief attendant of the King of Macglier.

He bowed his head to Ariel and Leopold.

“King Kaiser Miller is waiting for you.”

The two followed the chief attendant of the King of Macglier forward.

Richard, May, and Solviche watched them go.

If Ariel and Leopold had come as the Emperor and Empress of Atlan, they could have brought all their attendants.

However, since they were visiting the King and Queen of Macglier as mere nobles of Atlan, Richard, May, and Solviche had to stay outside.

***

‘To think this is my taste…’

After coming to the Kingdom of Macglier, Ariel realized things she hadn’t known even after living two lives.

I like small and cute things.

Following behind the chief attendant of Macglier, Ariel reached out and brushed the wall decorated in light pastel colors.

The imperial palace of Atlan, with its elegance and splendor coexisting, exudes a brilliant feeling, sometimes giving a sense of intimidation to visitors.

This place reminded her of the dolls she used to play with as a child.

The floor was also covered with tiles in a faint pink hue.

Ariel and Leopold’s shadows passed one by one over it.

“Here we are.”

When the chief attendant opened the door, King Kaiser of Macglier and his Queen, Celine, were seen sitting in the banquet hall.

As soon as Kaiser saw Leopold and Ariel through the door, he stood up and approached the banquet hall door.

“W-welcome, Duke Leo.”

At Leopold’s command-like request, Kaiser had to talk casually towards him. Even though it was clearly at Leopold’s behest, Kaiser felt nervous.

His throat moved up and down greatly in tension.

“I greet the dignity of Macglier.”

Leopold extended his right arm wide, then brought it back to his chest and bowed. Ariel, standing behind him, greeted politely according to etiquette.

Cold sweat trickled down King Kaiser of Macglier’s forehead.