I opened the book’s cover and flipped through its pages before handing it back to Leopold. Aside from its worn condition, it didn’t seem particularly different from the one I already had.

“Did he mention why he wanted you to read this?” I asked.

“He said there might be answers to what I’m curious about,” Leopold replied.

His response was a bit unexpected, and I widened my eyes as he examined the book with a puzzled look.

“What are you curious about? Maybe I can help. I’ve read the first-year textbook so many times that I know it by heart.”

“No, let’s save that boring talk for later. First, let’s get on the carriage.”

He declined my offer with a gentle smile and extended his arm. I naturally took it and stepped into the open carriage door, where one side of the seat was filled with colorful flowers.

“Oh my…!”

I was instantly enveloped in a fresh, rich fragrance, and I gazed in awe at the scene before me.

“I wanted you to fully enjoy the warm season,” he whispered, his beautiful low voice as sweet as the flowers themselves.

***

My mother’s right leg wasn’t healing as easily as we had hoped. It had been injured for too long, and Leopold’s magic at the time had been too strong.

I attempted to heal it the morning after visiting my mentor, but aside from a slight twitch that hadn’t been there before, there was no significant improvement. To make matters worse, I had used so much magic that I couldn’t leave my bed all day, succumbing to overwhelming drowsiness.

My mother seemed a bit disappointed, but when I assured her that a few more sessions would likely do the trick, she insisted I focus on recovering and not worry about preparing for the banquet.

This situation seemed to weigh heavily on Leopold, increasing his sense of guilt. I wished I could have healed her in one go. It felt like I was blaming him for both the failure to heal her instantly and my own semi-conscious state…

Having witnessed the process, Leopold was so upset that he suggested I stop the treatment and return to the estate immediately. However, he couldn’t sway my determination.

“If we leave now, nothing will change. My discomfort is temporary, but if I don’t heal Mother, the emotional burden will haunt you forever. So trust me and be patient.”

Leopold turned away, clearly uneasy. The dark night sky outside the window seemed to amplify the heavy atmosphere. I waited patiently for his response. After a period of silence, he spoke in a subdued voice.

“Then promise me one thing. If you feel anything strange in your body, you’ll stop immediately.”

I was momentarily at a loss for words. It wasn’t something I could promise lightly just to get past the moment. As I kept my mouth shut, he turned to look at me. I couldn’t ignore the earnest plea in his eyes.

“…Alright.”

Only then did Leopold breathe a small sigh of relief and come closer to embrace me.

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t something he needed to thank me for. Feeling a bit sorry, I patted his broad back. He gently patted mine in return and continued speaking.

“I think it’s best if we skip the royal banquet tomorrow. I’m too uneasy―”

“Oh, no, we can’t do that!”

I shouted in surprise, pulling away from him. Leopold froze, his hands suspended in mid-air, looking bewildered. I grasped his hands with a serious expression.

“There’s someone I must meet.”

“Who?”

“A noble who collects bird feathers. Do you know them?”

He narrowed his eyes, retracing my words carefully, and then mentioned a name that sounded familiar.

“Feather collection? Are you talking about Viscount Setubun?”

“You know him!”

I looked at him with admiration and delight as Leopold began to explain a few things about Viscount Setubun.

“Of course. He’s well-known for his unusual passion for collecting. His father made quite a fortune through trade, but he spent nearly all of it filling his house with rare items. Feathers are particularly useful for clothing and accessories, so he often shows them off. But why do you ask about him?”

I detailed what had happened in the Ice Land, explaining how the viscount had given incense to the chieftain’s husband without any warning, resulting in the loss of two of the chieftain’s children.

“I’ve always regretted not telling the chieftain the truth back then. That’s why I want to find the culprit and make sure he pays for his crimes.”

Initially, Leopold listened with a blank expression, but gradually his brow furrowed.

“It’s been so long since you returned from the Ice Land, and you’ve been carrying that burden all this time? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

His concern was slightly different from mine, but I was relieved he was supportive. Since I had no acquaintance with Viscount Setubun, I needed Leopold’s help.

“I planned to tell you when we came to the capital. There seemed to be no way to handle it from the estate. And I’m telling you now, aren’t I? Anyway, I need to see his face. Let’s go together tomorrow, and you can point him out to me.”

But Leopold immediately shook his head and pointed out something I hadn’t considered, speaking as if it were impossible.

“What do you plan to do once you see him? Bring up the incense publicly? Do you think he’ll admit to it? Absolutely not. He’ll just make a fool of you. You know better than anyone how much the nobles would love to find a flaw in you, and I can’t let that happen.”

His reasoning was sound, so I asked anxiously, “Then what should we do?”

“We’re hosting a banquet too, aren’t we? I’ll invite the viscount then, and you can observe him. Please, rest until tomorrow. I’ll greet His Majesty on your behalf at the royal banquet.”

So, he was essentially telling me not to attend the royal banquet. I felt fully recovered, but his protectiveness seemed excessive. Yet, seeing Leopold’s unusually serious expression, I eventually nodded.

“…Alright.”

We had worried each other enough, so I understood his feelings.

Even after that, his insistence didn’t stop, which meant I couldn’t completely heal my mother by the time of the banquet hosted by the duke’s family. During another attempt at treatment, my mother could walk, albeit unsteadily like a child taking their first steps, but the result left me bedridden again. Leopold stayed by my side, constantly checking on me, as if ready to leave the capital at the slightest sign of trouble.

I couldn’t ease his worries with my strength alone, so I sought help from my mentor. A response arrived quickly, and it was quite satisfactory.

“Look at this. You were so worried about me that I asked my mentor to write a letter, and they say you’re overreacting.”

He had brought a single-seater sofa next to the bed to drink tea and read the letter, his expression increasingly annoyed. Somehow, it amused me. After all, who could dare tell the Duke of Lawrence what to do?

“To Hazel.

I was a bit taken aback by your message. It’s not like he’s the only one in the world who loves so deeply. I never imagined that cold child would be so kind to you. Well, as you requested, I’ll pass on a word.

Duke, it’s perfectly natural and healthy for a healer to recover their stamina and magical power through sleep after using magic. It seems you haven’t read the basic manual I gave you, so I recommend you do so promptly.

Wishing both of you good health, Isabel.”

Leopold chuckled as he folded the letter back up. Though it didn’t seem to change his mind much, I couldn’t keep him by my side any longer.

“So now, let me get ready. At this rate, I’ll end up going out with my hair barely tied.”

“You still look lovely.”

“Leopold.”

Unable to hold back at his continuous off-topic responses, I finally spoke sternly, and Leopold raised his hands in surrender and stood up.

“Alright. I’ll send the maids in. Let me know as soon as you’re ready. I’ll come to pick you up.”

Finally managing to get him to leave, I began preparing eagerly for my first banquet.

Although it might not have been a big deal for Leopold, appearing in public together with him as a couple held significant meaning for me. Reflecting on the banquets we had attended before, I remembered how we acted like strangers, wearing masks and pretending. It was a distant memory, but I wanted to cover it with new ones.

After several hours of preparation with the maids’ help, I was almost ready when someone knocked on the door. One of the maids went out and returned with a long rectangular gift box in her hands.

“This is a gift from Viscount Setubun.”

The name was unexpected. Although Leopold had mentioned meeting him, there had been no special remarks. I glanced at the box with suspicion.

“…Open it.”

The maid quickly untied the ribbon and exclaimed in admiration.

“It’s a waist ornament, ma’am. Look at the beautiful feathers! Shall I put it on you right away?”

It was indeed a beautiful item. The long, white feathers, as delicate and soft as lamb’s wool, were intricately arranged like a peacock’s tail. Attached to a thin leather belt like a pendant, it would sway enchantingly when worn.

However, as I carefully examined the ornament, I soon discovered a problem. On the metal clip at the end of the leather strap, the emperor’s seal, which I had seen on a bracelet bestowed by His Majesty, was clearly engraved.