A few days later, on Chadwick and Ophelia’s wedding anniversary, the three of them—Ophelia, Yser, and Chadwick—rode together in a carriage bound for the gate. Their departure was carried out without Hian’s knowledge.

Over the past week, Chadwick had regained his old focus and completed three months’ worth of paperwork, leaving him with no reason to heed Hian’s protests. Still, knowing the man would surely make a fuss if he discovered their plans, Chadwick chose to leave the castle without a word to him.

If Hian were ever to learn that everyone else had been informed in advance, he would no doubt sulk—but that was hardly Chadwick’s concern.

“I never thought we’d return so soon.”

Ophelia said, gazing out the carriage window.

Chadwick, who had been watching her in her white fur cloak and Yser in his matching white cap, opened his mouth.

“It will look quite different this time.”

“Has the village grown much?”

At her smile, Chadwick gave a slight nod.

Their destination was the village at the foot of Yeong-go Mountain, where the winter lake had once spread. On the day Chadwick destroyed the monster and the mountain began to melt, the villagers had, fortunately, suffered no casualties.

At the time, restoration had been delayed, his thoughts consumed with finding Ophelia. But once she was safely returned to him, Chadwick swiftly began rebuilding the village.

He had long meant to bring her back there, yet fearing that the memory of her abduction beneath the frozen lake might still remain a wound, he hesitated—so the visit was postponed.

Had he not overheard her softly murmuring just days earlier as she gazed at a knot in the wood that she wanted to see the village again, this journey might have had a different destination.

“I’m truly looking forward to it. Leta was lovely, but honestly, no place ever captured my heart quite like the winter lake. Of course, the scenery must have changed a great deal by now…”

At the faint wistfulness in her voice, Chadwick looked out the window and spoke in a low tone.

“You’ll like how it has changed. Even the lake will not be as you last saw it.”

Ophelia turned to him with a questioning look, but just then the carriage crossed through the gate.
For a fleeting moment, she thought how convenient it was—that with Chadwick, even faraway places could be reached in an instant.
Then, with only the faintest lurch, the very scent of the air around them shifted.
She pushed the window open and drew in the crisp chill, her lips parting in mild surprise as she spoke.

“It doesn’t feel as cold as I expected.”

Even with the windows shut, the wind had been fierce enough to rattle the carriage in the past. Now, however, with the window open, the cold was far less intense. She also noticed that the coachman’s clothing was thin and that the garments Chadwick had chosen for her and Yser were only slightly heavier than usual. He had once bundled them up so much that they looked like snowmen.

As she blinked at the change, the carriage came to a sudden halt. They had already passed through the gate and arrived at their destination.

Yser, who had dozed off to the gentle rocking of the ride, stirred at the stillness and opened his eyes.

“Amma.”

“Yes, we’ve arrived, Yser.”

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Ophelia gazed at him with affection as his eyes brightened with curiosity.

“Awived?”

Tilting his head, he repeated the end of her words.

“That’s right. We’ve arrived.”

Chadwick answered, his eyes soft as he lifted the boy into his arms. Then he knocked twice on the carriage door.

The sound of footsteps came from outside, and soon the door swung open.

“Please take my hand.”

Holding Yser easily with one arm—who had grown quite heavy—Chadwick stepped down first, then extended his hand to Ophelia.

She smiled, took it, and descended lightly from the carriage.

The breeze was cooler than the spring winds of Weibrick, yet still pleasantly gentle as it brushed through her hair.

“It was so bitterly cold the last time we came…”

“The glacier has melted. Since then, the air here has warmed considerably.”

“Yes, it feels almost like another place entirely.”

Murmuring so, Ophelia followed Chadwick’s lead.

The last time she had come with him, the ground had been sealed beneath solid ice. Now, beneath her fur-lined boots, only soft snow crunched.

Surrounded by drifting flakes, Yser, who had always loved the color white, laughed again and again.

After they had walked a while, Chadwick halted.

“We’re here.”

He lifted his gaze, and Ophelia followed. Her lips parted slightly.

[Welcome to Herzion.]

The rounded arch at the village entrance bore words of greeting, painted in many colors. Beyond it stretched strings of twisted ribbons. Blue, red, green, gold, silver. Paper flags of every shade fluttered above rooftops, and with each gust of wind, the ribbons danced with them.

The village, once wary and hostile to outsiders, now brimmed with the life of a festival.

“It hasn’t even been three years since the last time, and it’s changed so much…”

“A great deal can happen in three years.”

Chadwick said, gently brushing his hand over Yser’s plump cheek.

“You’re right. It’s true.”

Smiling at his words, Ophelia pressed a kiss to Yser’s round cheek before stepping forward into the village.

As they entered, they were greeted by lively sounds and the aroma of a rich, spiced stew simmering in an iron pot. It was a scent that Ophelia had only encountered once before, a long time ago.

Her eyes brightened with recognition when she spotted the familiar stall in the same spot as before. A pot rested on a metal frame above a fire of dry logs, reminiscent of street-side food stalls on the southern continent.

“Chadwick, shall we eat here for lunch?”

She turned toward him, her eyes shining.

“You like spicy food. Yser and I can eat something else—we can stay here.”

Because Ophelia rarely spoke with such insistence, Chadwick frowned faintly, as if troubled, before confessing at last.

“…I already made arrangements elsewhere. Would you mind if we went there instead?”

“Somewhere you prepared?”

“…The villa.”

At his words, Ophelia’s face flickered with momentary puzzlement, but then she understood what he meant and stepped closer to him.

“Heavens, the villa still exists? I thought…it must have collapsed that day.”

“It did. This isn’t the exact same place, nor is it entirely as before. But I rebuilt it as closely as I could.”

Chadwick studied her expression briefly, then spoke again.

“Shall we go see it? If you prefer, we can still eat here first. Only…”

“Let’s go. I want to.”

Ophelia cut him off before his words could wander further. She had long since realized that whenever Chadwick spoke in such a roundabout way, it was because he feared the gift he had prepared for her or for Yser might not please them.

Yet his worries had never once been justified. Today was no different — what he suggested touched her heart immediately.

Every day, he fulfilled his vow to devote himself to her happiness, and he did so wholeheartedly. Ophelia leaned into him and he drew her into his arms. The tension that had been furrowing his brow eased, revealing the straight, handsome forehead that she loved so much.

“Joah!”

Amused, Yser stretched out his tiny hands and patted Chadwick’s forehead. Chadwick took one of Yser’s hands and pressed it softly against his cheek, then adjusted the boy’s cap. The small white pom-pom on top bobbed playfully with the movement.

Seeing the father and son mirroring each other so perfectly, Ophelia took Chadwick’s hand when he offered it to her.

“Shall we look around the village after we’ve seen the villa?”

“We can. Didn’t you say you were looking forward to it?”

He looked at her, his grip on her hand tightening as though he could read her thoughts. Meeting his gaze, which was different now, always attuned to her heart, Ophelia laughed softly.

The village, adorned with ribbons of every color, had so much more to offer. Last time, they had only passed through. This time, they were staying for a week. There would be plenty of time to explore later.

Besides—

“You’ve said something I’m anticipating even more.”

That modest, peaceful little villa. It was where he had first met her as himself, and where she had first encountered him as himself. She couldn’t resist being curious about how it had changed.

“I can’t wait to see it.”

She tugged lightly at his hand.

“Bbaari!”

Imitating her, Yser wriggled in his father’s arms.

The pair’s affectionate gestures struck a chord with Chadwick immediately, softening his lips into a smile. He laughed gently, adjusted his hold on Yser, kissed Ophelia on the forehead, and murmured quietly.

“As you command.”

When she heard his voice, Ophelia laughed and let his courteous escort guide her.