“You speak wisely.”

“By the way, a mage appears in Peiren and there’s no report – who’s in charge of the potion experiments in Peiren?”

Viscount Paipers answered.

“It’s someone called Count Trow.”

“Count Trow?”

It was an unfamiliar name.

“What did he report?”

“He said there haven’t been any successful potion experiments in Peiren recently…”

Prince Archaik raised his eyebrow.

“Are you certain?”

“We’ve even checked Count Trow’s ledgers and journals.”

The experiments were conducted by making potions from Dragon’s mana.

Experiments involving feeding potions to children and observing the results were being carried out outside the Oken Empire. Cruel experiments with low survival rates, where surviving ability users had to be sent to the Oken Empire.

Though it was dangerous work where any fruits of labor had to be handed over to the Empire, many nobles from smaller countries were willing to endure this much just to establish connections with the Oken Empire.

“Should we investigate Count Trow again? He might have used some underhanded methods.”

“Underhanded methods?”

“Yes. Like recording failures in the ledgers while secretly diverting potions…”

“Would they dare to do such a thing without fear?”

Prince Archaik smiled coldly and made a gesture.

As if his gesture had stirred the wind, black-clothed guards instantly revealed themselves.

“You called for us?”

It was such natural stealth that even Viscount Paipers standing nearby was startled.

The Prince commanded in a low voice.

“Send some members to closely monitor this Count Trow.”

***

Meanwhile, at the Piert villa in the north, farewells were in full swing.

“My lord, I’ll see you again in the capital.”

“I hope Your Highness also accomplishes your goals and returns safely.”

After exchanging formal greetings and handshakes, Prince Patrick and Ruyan Piert exchanged glances.

‘Lord Piert, really? Coming all this way and not staying until the end?’

‘Your Highness, I’ve spoon-fed you this much, what more do you want? Figure it out yourself now!’

Glare glare.

In the end, having lost both the battle of glares and justification, the Prince had no choice but to let Ruyan go.

As he lightly mounted his horse, Prince Patrick approached Leah, who was standing in front of the carriage, to say goodbye.

“Lady Piert, it’s regrettable. Coming all this way, but we were both too busy to meet often.”

Leah felt somewhat bewildered.

They had been merely acquaintances who barely acknowledged each other even when they occasionally met at various events in the capital, but since meeting in the north, Prince Patrick had somehow become notably friendly towards her.

‘I wonder why?’

Though curious, she decided to let it pass for now. She had many other things to worry about besides the Prince’s kindness.

“I regret it too, Your Highness. Until we meet again in the capital, I hope you stay healthy…”

The returning party consisting of Leah, Helix, Ruyan, and Karai set off quickly.

It was a small group accompanied only by a few knights and hired hands, while Knight Biden, the 2nd squadron leader, the head maid, and others who needed to organize the villa stayed behind.

Watching the departing carriages and horses, the subjugation force knights said to the Prince.

“For the return of the Piert young lord and lady, isn’t the escort too small?”

“With Lord Piert there, why would they need more?”

Most knights nodded at the Prince’s words.

“By the way, Peirlily… I mean, Lady Piert is truly like a goddess up close.”

“Doesn’t she seem even prettier than in the capital? I wanted to at least talk to her while she was here.”

“Stop that. Lord Ruyan Piert wouldn’t let that slide.”

Though the knights laughed while pretending to shudder at the Prince’s words, they didn’t question why Ruyan let Helix stay close to Leah. Even to their eyes, Helix appeared extraordinary.

“…Helix of the Hel Mountains.”

Prince Patrick muttered to himself.

The more he investigated the anomalies, the more this name appeared in ancient ruins and temples. Helix. An elderly fortune teller in a nearby village claimed that even the name of the Hel Mountains came from Helix.

‘There were other frequently appearing words besides Helix.’

Helix, guardian, Dragon’s Holy Maiden.

It felt like if he could just uncover the identity of these three words, long-hidden secrets would be revealed.

‘Though it’s not immediately related to the northern anomalies…’

Something felt off. He wavered between wondering if it really wasn’t related and feeling like he should pretend not to know.

‘For now, both the heavy snowfall and monster invasions in the north have stopped, and we’ve eliminated most of the monsters.’

It should be fine not to dig deeper.

Prince Patrick thought this as he turned his gaze away from the departing carriage.

He too had far too many things to worry about besides the connection between ancient secrets and a suspicious handsome man.

***

Leah gazed at the receding villa and Hel Mountains through the carriage window.

After tearful goodbyes with the magic school students, it was a return journey with Ruyan accompanying them. Karai was also briefly joining them to buy necessities for the children in the city before returning.

But why did she feel so unsettled? Had she grown attached to this place already?

“Leah, are you alright?”

Helix asked worriedly from beside her.

“The court physician said you get severe motion sickness.”

“Yes. I’m fine for now.”

She replied while looking at Helix.

He usually wore loose, flowing clothes in an old style, but today he was wearing a modern formal suit. The suit fit Helix’s broad shoulders and firm body perfectly, as if he was born wearing it.

‘My goodness, how does he look so handsome in anything?’

After admiring him briefly, Leah came to her senses.

This wasn’t the time for that.

He must be feeling several times more complicated than her.

“Helix.”

She carefully opened her mouth.

“Thank you for agreeing to come with me to the capital even though it’ll be unfamiliar.”

“I decided this as your contractor.”

“Yes. You made a difficult decision as my contractor.”

Leah continued.

“It might be hard at first, but you’ll be able to adjust soon. You have me and the Piert Ducal Family by your side.”

She glanced at Helix and rolled her eyes.

“And… um. People in high society have high standards.”

“High standards?”

“They really love beautiful and handsome people. Everyone will go crazy when they see you.”

Helix’s expression turned uncomfortable at the compliment.

“…Are you suggesting I use my looks?”

“What are you talking about?”

Leah jumped.

“I can barely stand keeping you to myself!”

“But aren’t we returning to the capital because of an emergency? If my appearance could help…”

“Our family isn’t that desperate, you know?”

“Is that so?”

Helix looked around the luxurious carriage interior.

The difference in luxury items shows in the details.

Not only was the velvet covering the seats luxurious, but the flawless corner finishing without a single fiber out of place demonstrated the true prestige of the Ducal Family.

‘This outfit too.’

There shouldn’t have been a way to immediately find clothes for Helix, who was taller and larger than average. Yet on the day of departure, the head maid brought out what she said was a prepared suit that fit Helix perfectly from head to toe.

The knights felt through the window were well-disciplined, and each individual’s skills were excellent.

The Piert Ducal Family.

He had heard they were one of only three ducal families in the kingdom, but while getting along with Leah at the villa in Helkan, he hadn’t been conscious of it. Now, leaving the villa, he suddenly felt what an extraordinary family they were.

‘It will be even more so in the capital.’

Everywhere, everyone.

They would show interest and bow their heads at the name of the Piert Ducal Family.

“…I shouldn’t become a burden.”

At Helix’s words, Leah asked back.

“Helix, I think you’ll only bring blessings, how could you be a burden?”

Helix momentarily gripped the carriage window sill tightly before quickly releasing his grip.

‘That was dangerous.’

He almost destroyed the carriage because she was too cute.

“…Aren’t you seeing me too favorably?”

“It’s because you deserve it.”

Leah added with a smile.

“What is there to worry about? You’re a blessing who made me healthy.”

“A blessing…”

Helix repeated the word and smiled slightly.

Had there ever been someone who called him, a guardian, a blessing so innocently?

Leah, seeming relieved at his smile, said brightly.

“There were so many things I wanted to do once I became healthy! Once this urgent matter is resolved, let’s go out and have fun before it gets colder.”

“What do you want to do?”

Leah counted on her fingers.

“Hmm. Go to famous dessert shops. Go shopping in busy streets. And…”

She wiggled her feet excitedly.

Helix stared down at those white feet.

He felt sorry for her, speaking so eagerly about things that other young ladies her age would have done to the point of boredom.

“What about you, Helix?”

Leah met his gaze with sparkling eyes.

“Is there anything you want to do in the capital?”

“I…”

His eyes lingered on Leah’s feet.

“I want to dance with you, Leah.”

Helix said abruptly.

Leah’s words about being able to dance at balls now that she was healthy had stuck in his mind.

“Dance with me? After seeing that at the festival?”

“…Yes.”

His gray eyes stared directly at her.

“With me, not Prince Patrick.”

Leah blinked.

“Why suddenly bring up Prince Patrick?”

“You’re Lady Piert.”

Helix said.

“When you become healthy and go to balls, everyone will expect you to dance with the Prince.”

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.”

“I have.”

Helix’s Adam’s apple moved prominently.

“Leah.”

He said seriously.

“It would be better to step on my feet than the Prince’s.”

“…I might not step on them!”

“That’s impossible.”

Helix snorted with a solemn face.

“By my estimation, you’ll probably step on them about fifteen times per song. Your partner’s feet might turn black and blue with bruises.”

“…Why such a specific number?!”

But even Leah thought Helix was right.

She felt like she would keep losing her balance and missing the beat, energetically stepping on her partner’s feet.

“Ugh, this won’t do. There will be so many eyes watching me dance at the ball…”

To her groaning, Helix said.

“That’s why you should dance with me.”

“What about your feet?”