At the entrance to the ice land, the knights we encountered again were relieved to see that Leopold and I had returned unharmed. However, they insisted on immediately laying waste to the ice land. Even after I explained that the negotiations had concluded successfully, they continued to be noisy until Leopold gave them a stern look, which finally silenced them.

The journey back to the mansion was far from pleasant. The biting cold was relentless, and to make matters worse, it started to rain, making each step difficult. The ground became increasingly muddy, and it was hard to keep my eyes open. Leopold, who stayed close by my side, kept casting worried glances at me, but not wanting to burden the group, I pretended to be fine. However, I couldn’t match the endurance of those whose bodies had been hardened by rigorous training.

By the time we reached the mansion, I was utterly exhausted, and the servants who rushed out to greet us were shocked at my appearance. I wasn’t the only one who looked like a drowned rat, but my wet hair and clothes clung to me, emphasizing my small stature even more.

Because of the rain, I felt too heavy and had to accept Leopold’s help to dismount from the horse. He lifted me as if I were as light as a feather, showing no signs of fatigue, making me wonder if we had even traveled the same path.

Leopold wrapped me in a large towel handed to him by Peter, covering me from head to toe. As a result, only my face peeked out, and it was no surprise that the servants stifled their laughter. Even I couldn’t help but smile at the moment.

“Prepare a hot bath and light a fire in Hazel’s room. Serve the knights plenty of food and drink,” he instructed.

“Yes, Your Grace. What about your meal?” the butler inquired.

Instead of answering, Leopold looked at me. Puzzled, I tilted my head before realizing what he meant and replied, “Could you prepare something simple for when I’m done with my bath? I’m too tired to have much of an appetite.”

It felt strange yet refreshing to have Leopold prioritize my wishes first.

“Bring my meal to Hazel’s room as well,” he added.

“Understood,” the butler said, bowing respectfully. As he turned away, the servants busied themselves. I was about to follow them when suddenly,

“Whoa?”

I found myself lifted into the air. Startled, I clung to Leopold instinctively. He supported me with his arms under my knees and shoulders, looking down at me calmly.

“You’re exhausted,” he stated.

“I can walk just fine. Are you going to keep doing this in front of everyone?” I scolded him softly, but it was no use. Leopold merely smiled and whispered playfully, “Keep doing this? I could do this every moment.”

“Leopold!” I exclaimed.

“Let’s go, my lady,” he said.

His insistence left me unsure of how to respond, and I sighed. Not that I disliked it, of course.

The servants didn’t openly stare, but they glanced curiously, probably surprised by Leopold’s unexpected behavior. Unable to withstand their gazes, I buried my face in his chest.

“Perhaps I should re-educate the servants,” he mused suddenly, his tone cold.

“Re-educate them?” I asked, lifting my head quickly.

“They’re part of the Duke’s household, yet they lack decorum. If it weren’t for their rude gazes, would you have lowered your head? You would have leaned on me comfortably,” he explained seriously.

Flustered, I hurriedly tried to dissuade him. “Please don’t. It’s not such a big deal…! Besides, um… I can lean on you, without hiding.”

Leopold raised an eyebrow as if to ask what I meant. Then he chuckled softly, probably because I leaned against him in the most awkward and stiff manner. It might not have been what he had in mind, but it would have to do.

Fortunately, he didn’t say much more, his smile lingering.

“We’re here. I’ll set you down,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

As I thanked him and moved to release my hold, I hesitated for a moment. Then,

Smooch.

I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. It was a bold move, considering we had already kissed before, but it still made me blush.

Though my face flushed instantly, I pretended otherwise and stepped out of Leopold’s arms.

He appeared frozen with surprise, and I quickly made my exit with a polite farewell.

“See you later.”

I turned to head inside, but Leopold’s swift movement to pull me back was quicker.

“Hazel.”

As I turned back to meet his gaze, his long, firm fingers threaded through my hair. The sensation of his lips brushing softly against mine instantly took over my mind.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide like a rabbit, but soon had no choice but to surrender. I closed my eyes and indulged in his lips as if they were a sweet dessert, just as Leopold did. Through the slight gap, warm breaths exchanged between us, making the cold feel as though it had vanished entirely.

Before long, Leopold pulled away from me.

“As much as I’d like to continue, you need to warm up first. See you soon.”

I nodded obediently, and he left a brief kiss on my forehead before disappearing. The word “soon” lingered in my mind.

I thought my heart would calm down quickly, but it was filled with a strange trembling. Even after closing the door and while the maids helped me undress and soak in the bathwater, every sensation on my skin heightened my awareness.

In the end, I had to make a concerted effort to focus on other thoughts until the water in the bath, which reached up to my neck, had almost cooled completely.

Perhaps noticing how tired I looked, the maids spoke only when necessary and focused on attending to me. In truth, I was indeed exhausted.

Once I changed into indoor clothes and dried my hair thoroughly, hunger set in. Emily, who had been quietly combing my hair, must have heard my stomach growl because she cautiously asked,

“My lady, shall I prepare your meal now?”

“That would be good. I’m having dinner with Leopold, so please let him know I’m ready.”

“Understood. Also, my lady, how about adding a bit of color to your lips?”

At Emily’s suggestion, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks had the right amount of color from the bath, but my lips were pale, almost as if I were unwell.

“That’s a good idea. Thank you. I’ll take care of the rest myself, so you may go.”

“Yes, my lady. Please call if you need anything.”

After the maids left, I opened the vanity drawer for the first time in a while. If I remembered correctly, the left side held cosmetics, and the right side contained a few pieces of jewelry. I reached for the left side first.

As expected, it was filled with various cosmetics, neatly organized from blemish concealers to a range of lip, cheek, and eye colors. I chose a suitable shade that wasn’t too bold and applied it to my lips.

Looking in the mirror again, I felt my neck looked a bit bare, so I opened the right drawer. Perhaps a thin chain necklace would complement my look.

However, among the accessories I had, there wasn’t a necklace with the thinness I desired. The others were too flashy and didn’t match my indoor attire. Disappointed, I quickly gave up and closed the drawer.

Then I suddenly remembered the ring he had unexpectedly gifted me after my return. It was deeply tucked away somewhere in the drawer, adorned with a radiant amethyst. Unfortunately, it was in the capital estate, not here, so I couldn’t see it even if I wanted to. Even my wedding ring wasn’t here.

I spread my hand open for no reason. Would he be upset seeing my bare hands? But I had no immediate plans to visit the capital.

“Why are you looking at your hand?”

Startled by his voice, I turned to see Leopold approaching with a neat appearance. His hair was tidily styled, and he wore something akin to formal attire rather than indoor clothes.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“No, why?”

“Your outfit… and your hair…”

“Oh.”

He turned his face slightly and cleared his throat.

“Well…”

I watched him closely, finding it odd that he struggled to continue. Leopold, uncharacteristically, shifted his eyes. After waiting patiently, I received an unexpected answer.

“I wanted to look handsome for you.”

Why did my face flush at those words? Though my throat felt tight, I managed to squeeze out a response. I wanted to say something kind to him, too.

“…You look very handsome. You always do, even without dressing up.”

It felt like our roles were reversed, and this time I avoided his gaze. I suddenly understood why he had acted shyly.

Soon, footsteps approached, and my heart began to race. Leopold took my hand and gently kissed the back of it.

“…You’re beautiful, as always.”

Did he know how his deep voice resonated so strongly in my heart? I resolved to confess this to him one day as I stood up. Just then, the servants entered, carrying trays of food to the table.

“But Leopold, I have a question.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

As I took my seat, led by his hand, I asked about the ring he had gifted me.

“After I woke up again, you gave me a ring. Why did you do that?”

“Don’t you remember? I thought you knew.”

He sounded slightly surprised, and I was equally taken aback by his reaction.

“Know what?”

“I wrote it in a letter from the academy.”

“Um, I wrote so many things…”

In truth, I had written about all sorts of trivial matters, so it was impossible to remember everything.

Leopold took a sip of the prepared wine and explained seriously.

“There was a rumor that wearing a ring with a gem matching your eye color brings good luck, and if you receive it from your first love, you’ll be happy forever.”

“Did I… really write that?”

“Yes. Though I can’t say how true it is.”

Did I really write such a childish, silly thing in a letter to someone as powerful and wealthy as him, whom I also liked?

How could I have been so naive?

“I’m sorry. I really don’t remember. It might have been a rumor among friends…”

But even as a child, I wasn’t so shameless as to ask for it outright. Embarrassed, I trailed off.

Leopold shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

“It’s fine. Now you’ll truly be happy forever. I’m glad I gave you that ring.”

And with a satisfied expression, he raised his glass once more.