“He’s handsome. He also reminds me of myself.”

Hinael covered her mouth and laughed. She burst out laughing because Lutz’s words weren’t a joke.

“Who else but me knows how cute Your Majesty is?”

“I’d prefer no one but you knows. If it became known, everyone would be horrified, like Evan or the prime minister.”

Lutz emptied his glass with Hinael and caressed the back of her hand suggestively.

“Come somewhere with me.”

“The banquet isn’t even over yet. Where do you want to go?”

“Outside the palace.”

It was an enticing proposal.

The party was enjoyable, but sightseeing outside was more appealing. Moreover, wasn’t today a special day for the Empire’s citizens too?

The current Trycas had long established itself as a great power with significant prosperity. Neighboring countries wouldn’t dare provoke the Trycas Empire, but monsters were different.

Whenever people started to forget, they crossed the border and threatened the Empire’s safety.

The unpredictable monsters instilled vague fear in the Empire’s citizens.

With public sentiment like this, it was natural for people to jump for joy when the Emperor’s army stepped forward to quell yet another war.

Just as she was about to nod, Lutz thought she was hesitating and actively began persuading her.

“The entire Empire is stirring. We should properly enjoy ourselves too. And that’s not all. Honestly, when the Emperor and Empress stay in place, everyone watches our behavior and we can’t play freely.”

“I understand.”

“You’ll go?”

“Yes.”

No sooner had she answered than Lutz grabbed Hinael’s wrist and pulled her up.

Then he announced a bold escape.

“We’re staying out overnight.”

“What?”

“Shh! If someone hears, the plan will fall apart. So let’s quietly run away. Got it?”

He winked one eye.

Even though it was a playful wink, it was sensual enough to make her heart drop.

Lutz’s unique atmosphere didn’t fade no matter what expression he made.

The problem is he gets more intense and bolder with age.

* * *

They rode out on horseback through the western gate of the imperial palace.

Normally, the Empress should travel by carriage, but since they planned to enjoy themselves as ordinary citizens, they both mounted a single horse.

The night wind was very cold. Hinael asked with her head lowered.

“Is it just the two of us?”

“Naturally, we should go with just the two of us to avoid interruptions.”

“If danger approaches Your Majesty…”

“Hina, who am I?”

That’s right.

He was the War Devil who beheaded monsters and annihilated invaders without blinking an eye.

Someone who could single-handedly do the work of ten imperial knights would easily subdue dozens of ruffians, wouldn’t he?

When her words diminished, Lutz pulled her waist toward him.

“But right now, I’m the Emperor. Guards will naturally follow to protect me, or heads will roll. I ordered them not to show their faces, so they won’t appear unless my life is in danger. Do you feel better now?”

“So that’s how it is. Then I’ll properly enjoy myself today too.”

“That’s what I wanted.”

“I’ll drink a lot too.”

“Most welcome. You can drink until your nose goes crooked. I’ll put up with all your drunken antics.”

Hinael reached up and stroked Lutz’s cheek. Thinking it was praise, he buried his head and burst into a pleased laugh.

The two walked through the bustling streets and danced with people to the music echoing through the streets.

When they got hungry, they left the crowd and entered a fairly large tavern in Tubon, sitting in a corner.

Lutz ordered food and drinks, then looked at Hinael with an expectant face.

“I thought it would be good to sleep in a proper place, so I reserved one in advance.”

“You already found an inn? But when did you start planning this? Did you personally choose the clothes I’m wearing too?”

“Since you’re already eye-catching, you should dress more modestly. I planned today’s surprise party after visiting the temple with Isabella. I missed you. You live in luxury, but repeating the same routine every day must be dull. At least I get to go on expeditions under the pretext of war, but you must feel so stifled.”  

“I’m just glad you understand.”

“Just understanding isn’t enough for me. Only when you put it into action can you say you’ve achieved your goal.”

Highly excited, Lutz half rose and leaned on the table. He grabbed Hinael’s nape, left a soft kiss, and sat back in his chair.

Hinael gave Lutz, dressed as a nobleman, the happiest smile. He stood up again and gave her another brief kiss.

They satisfied their hunger with moderate intoxication and abundant food. Above all, this time of candidly chatting with the person she loved was so precious that she wanted to frame it.

She was drunk on alcohol and drunk on Lutz’s handsome face. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, treating her like the only woman in the world, which made her unable to keep her composure.

She thought they could enjoy this happy moment like this……

If only a drunk hadn’t treated Hinael like a tavern hostess.

“Why are you telling me to leave!”

“Look, I’m telling you our place doesn’t provide women.”

“What about that woman? Look at her over there, selling her smiles and giggling in front of that man! Don’t you see? Can’t your eyes see!!”

If he had noticed Lutz’s eyes turning coldly sharp, he would have stopped here.

But with his reason already swallowed by intoxication, the drunk didn’t stop his rudeness. Eventually, he staggered over and started speaking to Hinael.

“Hey! I have money here, so come with me over there.”

It was a place where lower-class people couldn’t enter. Judging by his clothes made of relatively expensive fabric, the man seemed to be a wealthy merchant.

The man placed a few coins on the table, almost sticking them down and raised his chin toward Lutz.

“I just paid more than this guy paid. Come on, don’t dawdle, get up now. Aaaagh!”

He was just about to reach for Hinael. The moment there was a sign of the man moving his arm, Lutz took action.

He moved so swiftly that pushing back his chair, standing up, stepping out, and twisting the man’s arm all happened in the blink of an eye.

After screaming, the man’s pupils trembled pathetically, not understanding what happened. It was because Lutz’s movements, using overwhelming force whether attacking or defending, were too brutal.

Lutz, who gripped the arm mercilessly, pressed down on the skin with his thumb, poised to gouge. Easily subduing him with just the strength of his fingertip, he coldly rebuked.

“Your rudeness has crossed the line, so apologies are useless.”

“Aaagh! Ugh…… I’m, I’m sorry. I’ll apologize a hundred or thousand times if you tell me to.”

“I said it’s useless.”

“Owww! Aaaagh!”

The drunk sent Hinael a pitiful look, begging for help. Then a burning pain shot through his shin.

Lutz had turned around and kicked the man’s leg with his heel, still wearing spurs on his shoes.

When the metal piece dug in and came out, the man clutched his shin and rolled around. Despite wearing thick pants, blood seeped through, staining the man’s hands.

Hinael watched carefully and gently pulled Lutz’s hand.

“Shall we leave now?”

“I’m considering how to deal with this fellow, so wait a moment.”

The man’s face, who thought his crime would be forgiven with just one kick, turned pale.

Lutz’s demeanor was so fierce that it wouldn’t be strange if he pulled out a dagger and slit the man’s throat. Meeting those eyes burning with k*lling intent, the man quickly knelt.

“Spare, spare me! I won’t do it again. I won’t appear before you two again, so please turn a blind eye just this once! Next time……, yes! K*ll me next time we meet!”

Hearing this bargain that wasn’t much of a bargain, Lutz sneered, pulling up one corner of his lip crookedly.

“Your Maj—”

The moment Lutz’s toe was about to rise, Hinael called to him but hastily swallowed her words. She tried to call Lutz by name, but his real name was known along with his War Devil reputation, making the situation awkward.

She pondered for a very brief moment, then shyly blurted out.

“Dar……ling.”

“……”

She succeeded in getting Lutz’s attention but couldn’t prevent the hot flush rising to her face.

Remembering how Hackel called his wife that way, she blurted it out, but immediately regretted it seeing Lutz’s blank face.

Hinael covered her face, which felt like it would melt away, and mumbled.

“Let’s just leave.”

“What did you just say?”

Unlike someone who was about to tear apart the drunk who was clinging to Hinael, the corners of Lutz’s mouth twitched quite easily.

He touched his upper lip with his index finger and tilted his head slightly.

Then he kissed Hinael, who couldn’t continue her words, stammering.

“Say it again.”

“Then will you leave?”

“Do you want to leave?”

“Thank you! Thank you, my lady!”

Suddenly the man wiggled his knees, turned toward Hinael, and prostrated himself on the floor. Thinking that wasn’t enough, he approached on his knees.