Ariel staggered and looked at Leopold sideways. Her emerald pupils were already unfocused.

He had seen Ariel drunk on the day of the victory celebration, but… she had never swayed this much.

‘She’s completely drunk.’

Leopold let out a small sigh.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

Ariel said her piece and turned around. Leopold quickly grabbed her wrist as if to restrain her.

“I’ll go with you.”

He was worried that something might happen to Ariel if she went out in this drunken state, but she shook her head vehemently.

“Nooo. I can go alone. I’m not drunk.”

Isn’t that the trademark line of all drunk people?

Her tongue was so loose that it was hard to understand what she was saying.

She sat down to free her arm from Leopold’s grasp.

May, who had been chatting with a young noble from Macglier with whom she had danced, thought Ariel had collapsed from drunkenness and ran over to them.

However, Leopold shook his head, blocking her approach.

Making a fuss could upset the drunkard.

‘It’s a relief she’s too drunk to use mana.’

He let out a long sigh and lowered himself to meet her eyes.

“Do you know where the restroom is?”

Ariel’s face, which had been frowning, softened at his sweet voice. She cupped Leopold’s cheek with her hand and raised her eyebrows.

‘Wow. Handsome Leopold. Even his voice is nice.’

Her lips curled up into a thin smile.

“Yes, I know. It’s over there.”

The place Ariel pointed to with her slender finger was indeed the restroom.

“Can you really go by yourself?”

Ariel frowned deeply, seemingly offended by his question.

‘It’s not like I’m leaving the banquet hall. I’m just going to the restroom right in front of me!’

Contrary to her thoughts, a very childish remark slipped out of her mouth.

“Are you looking down on me?”

“No, that’s not it. Alright. Go ahead. I’ll be watching from here.”

Leopold let go of her hand. Ariel staggered as she stood up and slowly started walking.

He persistently watched her unstable back. May also watched Ariel with a worried look.

When she reached the restroom.

Thud-!

Ariel collided with a child who was running towards her and fell backward.

“Ouch!”

Both Ariel and the child fell on their bottoms.

Leopold, who witnessed the scene, hesitated about whether to go to her but decided to watch.

“How dare you make me fall and not apologize!”

The child stood up abruptly and scolded Ariel in a pretentious, stern voice. But a middle-aged woman ran over and hugged his shoulders.

“Oh dear, Prince! Are you alright? Didn’t I tell you that the party is for adults? Please return to your room now. I will read you your favorite ‘Princess of the Forest’ story.”

The woman, who appeared to be the prince’s nanny, glanced at the unsteady Ariel.

If the king saw the prince bumping into a drunken person in the banquet hall, both the prince and the nanny might face punishment.

“Sorry, sorry. Are you hurt?”

Ariel got up and examined the child’s body.

The child’s eyes emitted a transparent light, and his chubby cheeks were slightly reddish, showing his health. His eyes had deep double eyelids.

Ariel felt a sense of déjà vu as if she had seen this child somewhere before.

‘But they called him prince?’

If so, he must be the son of Kaiser, the King of Macglier.

Ariel gently tidied the child’s disheveled hair with her hand.

“Be careful, Prince.”

The child’s eyes, which had been staring at her face, trembled slightly. Then his face turned red.

“Hmph. I’ve never seen you before. Who are you, and which family do you belong to?”

He asked Ariel with his hands on his hips.

“I am Ariel from Atlan.”

Ariel bowed her head.

But then, she heard someone running towards her from behind.

“Zayd Miller-!”

A deep, low voice echoed through the space, and Ariel turned around.

It was Kaiser Miller, the King of Macglier.

“My child has caused trouble. Apologize for your rudeness!”

Kaiser pressed Zayd’s head down with his hand, making his stiff neck bend low.

Ariel thought it was harsh to treat a child who seemed about six years old this way.

“No, it’s my fault for not watching properly. Please comfort the prince, as he must be startled.”

She bowed her head and hurried into the restroom.

‘Why is Your Highness speaking so politely to that young lady…’

After Ariel left, Zayd’s nanny tilted her head in confusion.

Kaiser lowered himself to place a hand on Zayd’s shoulder.

“Zayd. What arrogant act did you commit against the benefactor of Macglier, who defeated the demonic beasts of the eastern plains?”

“Is that lady really the benefactor of Macglier, Father?”

“Yes. I raised you indulgently in my old age, and now you’ve committed such rudeness. Go back to your room and reflect until I come to see you.”

Kaiser patted the child’s small shoulder.

Zayd was a blessing to the king and queen, who had suffered heartache due to not having a child. It was no exaggeration to say that they quickly surrendered to Leopold’s invasion because of this child.

“Take the child to his room.”

Kaiser stood up and walked back to the banquet hall.

“Yes, Your Highness. Prince, let’s go.”

The nanny wrapped her arm around his shoulder and led him to the room.

‘That woman, who looks like a princess from the forest, defeated all those terrifying demonic beasts…’

Zayd, his face flushed, blinked his sparkling eyes and walked as his nanny guided him.

***

“Ugh…”

Ariel rubbed her heavy eyes.

She remembered bumping into Zayd and then going into the restroom. But after that, she remembered nothing.

‘How did I get into the carriage?’

Unable to support herself, Ariel frowned deeply as she leaned on Leopold’s shoulder.

“Leo…”

A languid voice slipped out of her mouth.

Her large eyes blinked slowly, the lids opening and closing until they gradually narrowed.

Leopold turned his head in the direction she was leaning, gazing at the shadow cast by her long eyelashes.

After returning from the restroom, Ariel had stubbornly insisted on enjoying the party further. He had barely managed to escort her out of the banquet hall.

‘Even such a careless side of you…’

Everyone has flaws. However, people dislike showing their flaws to others. If someone shows their flaws to another, it means that trust and love for that person fill their heart.

So, I hope only I know.

This side of you.

Leopold tenderly kissed the top of Ariel’s head.

“Yes, my El.”

Every time the carriage swayed heavily, a faint smell of alcohol wafted from her body.

“Leo… How did I get into the carriage? Did I walk out on my own? You didn’t carry me out, did you?”

“Luckily, you walked out on your own. Though I can’t say you did so gracefully.”

Evan had shaken his head at the sight of Ariel stubbornly insisting she could walk on her own.

—Your Majesty… Just leave her.

—How dare you be so rude to the Empress of the Empire.

—I’m sorry.

Liese, May, and Solviche had trailed behind Ariel, worried she might fall to the ground.

‘It seems she doesn’t remember anything.’

Leopold gently cradled Ariel’s head.

“Thank goodness…”

Relieved, Ariel slowly closed her eyes.

“Yeah. Rest easy. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“I’m not going to sleep… My eyelids are just too heavy, so I’m just closing my eyes…”

Her words dragged out, her voice growing softer.

Anyone could tell it was the voice of someone slipping into a deep sleep.

She could just sleep. Why is she being so stubborn?

Ah, is Ariel’s drunken habit to answer contrary to what others say, like a frog?

‘I’m learning yet another new side of you.’

Leopold’s lips curved into a pleasant arc. He suppressed the chuckle that threatened to escape from his slightly parted lips.

“Alright. Just close your eyes. I’ll let you know when we arrive.”

He spoke kindly, his lips still pressed to the top of her head. Feeling the warm breath spread through her golden hair, Ariel finally fell asleep.