“Is that all?”

King Kaiser looked at the two of them with an incredulous expression.

If that was all they were asking for, Kaiser thought he could receive Atlan’s help. Two times, three times, as much as needed.

“Yes. Didn’t my Empress say so? That’s enough.”

“Th-thank you.”

Kaiser jumped up from his seat. He bent down to the floor as if to bow. Queen Celine also stood up and gently sat on the floor.

“Please, save Macglier from chaos.”

“It won’t take that long.”

Probably.

Ariel’s emerald eyes sparkled with vitality.

***

At that time.

Evan and Liese were spending a pleasant time at the mansion Leopold had provided.

How the Emperor understood his desire to go on a trip with Liese after their wedding.

Evan thought gratefully as he held Liese tightly in his arms.

“I’m tired.”

Even though the sun was high in the sky, Liese couldn’t even open her eyes properly.

It was understandable.

Last night, he hadn’t let her go in his huge embrace.

She collapsed from exhaustion several times, moaning. She fell asleep, only to be woken up a couple of times by his licking.

Liese had fallen asleep when the early summer sun had deeply entered through the window.

Evan, enjoying the softness of Liese’s brown hair, ran his hand through it.

When the bright sunlight caused her to frown, he got up from the bed without hesitation and drew the curtains.

He then lay back down beside Liese, who was sleeping soundly like a baby bird, and embraced her.

Kissing her round and smooth forehead, he too fell into a deep sleep.

“You can sleep a bit more. It’s just us here.”

That’s right.

The two hadn’t brought a single attendant from Atlan.

Liese still felt uncomfortable being served by someone, and they also wanted to spend time alone.

It was a very good choice.

There was no one they had to care about and no one to be mindful of.

Since they married suddenly and their house wasn’t ready, they had been staying at Marquis Louis’s house for a while.

So they couldn’t fully enjoy the sweetness of their honeymoon. Naturally, they had to be mindful of their parents.

There was no one to give them a hard time for sleeping in the morning and waking up late in the afternoon.

Evan wrapped one arm around Liese’s waist and the other around her neck.

He loved how she fit perfectly in his embrace.

‘She’s mine now.’

He thought he might never be able to reach her.

But now, at this moment, Saint Liese Clark was hugging his waist and snuggling into his arms.

With a smile on his lips, Evan scattered tiny kisses all over her face.

A face so clear and lovely, with not a single unlovable spot.

He truly loved her.

***

They returned to the mansion. Ariel immediately changed her clothes.

—So, where do they frequently appear?

—The eastern plains. The royal chief mage will guide you there.

May helped her put on her training uniform by her side.

“To think you have to exterminate demonic beasts even here. What should we do, Your Majesty the Empress?”

Originally, they had come to Macglier to rest, but May was concerned about her master having to step into another dangerous situation.

“My mana has recovered. I want to use it properly. You told Solviche to prepare too, right?”

“Yes. She was very excited. She said she brought her clothes just in case…”

Ariel nodded.

Since Solviche had activated her mana, the two hadn’t trained together.

‘She must have gone out to the training ground alone to expand her mana utilization. That’s why she’s excited that her wish to use mana has come true.’

As Ariel extended her arm, May helped her put on the top of her training uniform, speaking with a worried face.

“Always be careful.”

“Leo is going with me, so what’s there to worry about? By the way, I wonder if those guys have any connection to Noah Diaz. That’s also a problem.”

Ariel’s round eyes narrowed.

After that incident, Noah Diaz had been confined to his house and eventually imprisoned in the imperial palace’s prison.

The possibility of him contacting the dark mages was slim.

Still, there might be a connection.

‘He said he would tell everything, but he didn’t open his mouth in the end.’

If they couldn’t hear from him, they had to find the connection from outside sources.

They had to capture and interrogate the dark mages.

Ariel sat in front of the dressing table. May began brushing her hair.

Knock, knock-!

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

It was Richard.

“I’m coming out.”

May’s hands moved busily as she brushed Ariel’s hair.

“You can take your time, May.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you. But how should I tie your hair today?”

“Hmm… Pigtails?”

Ariel blushed and smiled shyly.

But where else could she try such a hairstyle if not here?

The lively braids might make the Empress of Atlan look a bit immature.

May followed her lord’s smile and said,

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

She began braiding her hair as requested.

***

After changing into his training uniform, Leopold was sitting at a table in the mansion’s garden, drinking tea.

He also thought that Noah Diaz might be related to the dark mages that appeared in Macglier.

If they found such evidence through this matter, they might have to return to Atlan immediately.

Although he was imprisoned in the imperial palace’s prison…

Considering the abilities Diaton and Bill had, he might easily overpower the imperial mages and knights and escape.

‘Taking this trip with such uncertainties might turn out to be a mistake.’

Leopold frowned.

At that moment.

Clunk-!

The mansion’s main gate opened, and Ariel walked out.

The soft material of the neat white training uniform wrapped around her body. The top fluttered like a blouse, and the pants, which reached her ankles, had a loose fit that allowed her free movement.

Leopold looked at her with a very affectionate gaze. Her braided hair added to her loveliness.

“Leo.”

Ariel called his name as she approached.

Seeing her like this made him want to lay her down on the bed immediately…

‘Does this mean I’m just a lustful man?’

Before reuniting with her, he thought of himself as asexual.

It was only today that he realized that was a misconception.

He was completely mad. Even seeing her fully dressed made him think this way.

Leopold’s crimson eyes darkened.

“Yes.”

“Thinking about it, Noah Diaz might be related to the dark mages… Ah-!”

Seeing her chattering lips, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

Leopold pulled Ariel’s wrist as she stopped before him, causing her to fall into his embrace.

He didn’t miss the fleeting moment and captured her lips.

“Mm-!”

Ariel breathed heavily. Leopold firmly supported her waist and neck to prevent her from falling backward.

May and Solviche, who were standing nearby, quickly turned and went inside the mansion.

White teeth bit down on her red lips. His hot lips brushed past her burning cheeks and moved to her ear.

“Ah…”

A moan escaped like a sigh.

Her clear face was soaked in restrained pleasure.

He showered her earlobe with tiny kisses. As she closed her eyes tightly in a daze, he eagerly lowered his lips to her neck.

His lips slipped inside the collar of her soft training uniform, finally nibbling at the soft flesh near her collarbone.

Nevertheless, a thirst arose, making his throat dry.

Leopold’s hand, which had been gripping her neck, moved to her chest, ready to unbutton her clothes at any moment.

‘What are you doing, Leopold…!’

Ariel grasped the fading thread of her reason. But she couldn’t bring herself to push him away harshly. She gently pushed his hand away.

His scarred hand fell weakly in midair.

The large hand that had been tightly hugging her waist also lost strength.

His lips left her neck. His eyes trembled as he exhaled hot breaths.

‘I really am a lustful man.’

He had to admit it.

His gaze met her emerald eyes, which were mixed with reproach.

“Leo-!”

He gave her a short kiss on the lips as she tried to say something.

“Sorry. I couldn’t hold back.”

But it’s partly your fault for driving me crazy, El.

Leopold hugged her tightly, swallowing the rest of his words.