It was close to midnight when Leopold and Ariel’s carriage entered the capital city of Atlan.

Even though it was pitch dark, the palace attendants lined up in the front yard upon hearing the news of their return.

Evan, Richard, and Walter stood at the very front.

“Brother. Did you get some rest?”

“Yes. How did you spend the week, Walter?”

The Clark brothers stood side by side with their hands behind their backs. They conversed while keeping their gazes fixed ahead.

“I was pretty much the same as usual, but I was busy keeping an eye on Noah Diaz. But why did you come back so early?”

When Noah’s name came out of Walter’s mouth, Evan’s expression changed. He turned his head sharply towards his brother.

“It’s because of Noah Diaz. Demonic beasts appeared in Macglier too. Along with lower-ranking dark mages.”

“What-?!”

Walter’s shocked voice echoed in the air.

“But, he was really quiet. If I didn’t know the circumstances of his imprisonment, I would have wondered why someone who hadn’t committed a crime was in prison. Are you sure he’s really connected to the dark mages?”

“His Majesty thinks so. And I think so too.”

In the Helmir Forest, Noah Diaz even knew the location of the hideout and the existence of secret passages.

Given the circumstances, he is clearly in league with the dark mages. But there’s no tangible evidence. His quiet behavior makes me worry that things might get more complicated.

Evan lifted his chin and looked up at the sky.

Countless stars sparkled in the clear sky.

‘How will things unfold…’

A groan escaped his lips, and soon silence followed.

Evan’s head hurt from the complex thoughts with no clear answers.

But the suffocating silence was short-lived. The sound of carriage wheels echoed in the palace courtyard.

A plain carriage, which did not look like it would carry the Emperor of Atlan, passed through the palace gates and arrived in the front yard.

The carriage stopped in front of the lined-up attendants.

Richard approached the carriage and opened the door.

“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”

“Glory to Atlan.”

Hundreds of lips spoke in unison.

“Why are you all out here? It’s late.”

Leopold said as he got off the carriage. He held Ariel’s hand as she tried to get out. Her complexion was still not good.

“The Empress is not feeling well, so let’s postpone the welcome greetings.”

Leopold supported her shoulder and walked into the palace.

Richard and May hurriedly followed them.

“Why does the Empress look so unwell?”

Walter asked worriedly.

“She drank too much yesterday. The royal family of Macglier threw a party to thank Their Majesties. She seemed to be in a good mood, drinking like it was a beverage.”

“Ha, really? I’ve never seen her like that before. Suffering from a hangover.”

“Liese is sleeping now, so… I’ll ask her to heal the Empress as soon as she wakes up tomorrow.”

Emerald eyes, just like Ariel’s, were filled with worry. Once Leopold and Ariel’s figures completely disappeared, the attendants returned to their quarters.

***

Ariel, who had been suffering from nausea all night, finally fell into a deep sleep at dawn.

Leopold felt helpless that he couldn’t solve the problem for her and brought her water and medicine.

He was worried and felt sorry for her, as she hadn’t eaten anything since the little dinner in Kolnman.

‘I can’t sleep.’

He was afraid she might suffer from nausea again.

Leopold stayed up all night with his eyes open.

And as soon as morning came, he drew the curtains over the window where the sunlight was streaming in and went down to the first-floor kitchen of the palace, leaving Ariel, who was sound asleep, behind.

The attendants, who had gathered early for breakfast, were busy working.

They were so focused on their tasks that they didn’t notice the Emperor himself had come.

Having cooked a few times during their week-long stay in Macglier, Leopold had gained some confidence in his cooking.

Just yesterday, Ariel had enjoyed the soup he made with potatoes and mushrooms.

So, Leopold decided to make seafood stew for Ariel himself.

But the kitchen was in chaos, and there was even shouting.

‘I guess I have to give up on making it myself.’

He gave up the idea of making the stew himself.

Knock knock-!

“I have a request.”

Everyone in the kitchen was startled by the familiar voice and looked up at the entrance.

It was Leopold Diaz, the Emperor of Atlan.

Why had such a high-ranking person, who never visited the kitchen, come here?

“Glory to Atlan.”

The attendants couldn’t kneel on the wet floor but bowed their heads.

“What, what? The Emperor has come to the kitchen?”

From inside the kitchen came the flustered voice of the royal chef. Soon, he hurried to the entrance.

“Y-Your Majesty! Why have you come to such a humble place?”

“Seafood stew. Make me some seafood stew.”

Seafood stew, suddenly, in the morning.

A person who usually had a simple breakfast of bread, salad, and fruit juice.

The chef looked at Leopold with a puzzled face but quickly erased his expression. The person before him was someone he should never question.

“Yes, understood. What kind of seafood would you like in it?”

“Clams, crab. If you have squid… and some shrimp, put those in too. The broth needs to be refreshing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare it with the ingredients you mentioned. Will you be dining in the bedroom?”

“Yes, bring it to the bedroom.”

Having said what he needed to, Leopold leisurely left the kitchen. The head chef and the kitchen attendants stared blankly at his back for a moment.

Richard encountered Leopold in the hallway as he was leaving the kitchen.

Richard, who had come to work on time and was heading to his office, thought the Emperor would still be asleep.

But when he heard the Emperor’s voice near the kitchen, he turned towards it as if bewitched.

‘So I did hear correctly.’

Richard bowed deeply to Leopold.

“You could have told me……”

He followed behind the Emperor.

“You should rest a bit too.”

“You arrived late. I will bring you your meal.”

When they reached the bedroom, Leopold stopped at the door.

“Tell Walter to come to my office in the afternoon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When Leopold fully entered the room, Richard gently closed the door.

Thanks to the blackout curtains, the room was still as dark as midnight.

He had gone out wearing the same clothes he had slept in. He took off all his clothes, leaving only his underwear.

Slowly, he raised his hands and unbuttoned his shirt. He gently pulled his arms out of the sleeves. The shirt fell to the floor with a thud.

In the darkness, his back was marked by rough but smooth muscle lines, and deep scars from wounds were scattered here and there.

Despite his bare skin being exposed, he didn’t mind and untied the waistband of his pants. He pulled down the zipper just below it.

As the pants slid down effortlessly, his muscular thighs were revealed.

He lifted his foot to remove the pants that had slid down to his ankles and approached the bed without hesitation.

Leopold gently lifted the blanket and carefully slid his body under it. He was mindful not to make even the slightest rustling sound, fearing it might wake Ariel.

Leopold, with his large frame and bare upper body, wrapped his thick biceps around Ariel’s delicate body.

“I want to give you a peaceful world, but it’s not that easy.”

I need to become stronger.

So that no one can disturb her peace. But how can I become stronger?

Leopold had never met anyone stronger than himself.

‘Hyle and Ariel are the same. They are both swordmasters, but…… they don’t have the skills that I can learn from…….’

Leopold was unaware that Ariel had not fully displayed her skills in Macglier.

He only knew her as a swordmaster who used agile techniques with her light body.

“I want to protect you from a great power.”

As strength surged through his arm, the veins and muscles bulged.

He buried his face in Ariel’s delicate shoulder.

Her soft hair tickled his cheek.