IF Side Story. Claude (3)

A soft light illuminated the night streets.

Claude came to Hilton’s central square and looked up at the glowing stones connected by long strings, beautifully lighting the entire street.

They were mysterious stones mined from the quarry that emitted light on their own at night.

How is such a thing possible?

Some speculated they might be magic stones, a phenomenon almost like magic, but according to Mihail with his random knowledge, they were just stones. Special minerals, that is.

Though Claude had not the slightest desire to agree with that crazy holy knight, he thought he was right. Because he couldn’t sense any mana from the stones at all.

Claude looked at Seraphina standing next to him. The face of the person who had successfully hosted the ice festival wore a satisfied smile.

“How did you know about such stones?”

“When you’re around Sir Andantino, you pick up quite a lot. I think I heard it in passing while staying in Sahar.”

“He just has too much useless knowledge.”

As he clicked his tongue disparaging Mihail, Seraphina smiled with her eyes, giving him a loving look.

“Thanks to that, it’s uselessly pretty.”

Claude silently gazed at Seraphina. After sending an eye-smile that seemed to seduce people, she turned her attention back to the lights decorating the street.

Yes.

It’s beautiful.

It wasn’t bad seeing Seraphina against such a backdrop.

Will we hold an ice festival every year from now on.

Thinking they absolutely should, Claude turned his head toward the square filled with crowds. Excitement shimmered on the faces of tourists from various regions.

For Claude, this was his hometown that had always been this way since birth, but as Seraphina said, it was an unknown world to others.

Perhaps ice sculptures developed here because they were almost the only year-round cultural activity available.

He had always thought winter was just a cold and harsh season……

Who would have thought that a season he believed only served to make people tougher could bloom into such a beautiful and warm festival?

It was all thanks to Seraphina.

Where else could one find such a smart and perfect wife?

Claude sincerely thought this. That he was the luckiest man in the world.

Thinking thoughts that would shock anyone who heard them (“How could the Guardian of the North say such cheesy things!”), Claude wrapped one arm around Seraphina’s shoulders.

It was then that he spotted those irritating figures.

Seeing Johann and Mihail, Claude deeply furrowed his brow.

The ice festival had been widely publicized through newspapers and special editions. There were no formal invitations, meaning the doors were open to everyone, nobles and commoners alike.

Still, shouldn’t an emperor be busy?

Had he really crawled all the way up here instead of doing his work?

Johann approached with an annoying smile.

“When a subject holds a special festival, Marseus couldn’t stay away.”

“Who’s your subject?”

Claude growled at his irritating first words.

Right beside him was another figure that raised his blood pressure. Mihail looked around and offered his assessment.

“Quite impressive.”

Claude thought he was surprisingly giving straightforward praise, but the words that followed made him want to throw a punch.

“Doesn’t seem like something that could come from the Guardian of the North’s mind. Is this your work, Lady Sera?”

“Hehe.”

Claude was so annoyed he wanted to snap back, “What’s wrong with my brain, you b*stard?” but seeing Seraphina smile shyly beside him, he lost all will to fight.

This woman.

How could she smile so adorably in front of other men?

Ugh, it really made him anxious.

Claude glared at Johann and Mihail with warning eyes that said “don’t touch my woman,” then demonstratively kissed Seraphina’s cheek.

She accepted it naturally without avoiding it, and for just a fleeting moment, a hint of pain crossed the eyes of those two men.

Claude liked that.

It felt like he had firmly stamped a confirmation that Seraphina was his wife.

“If you came to see the ice sculptures, go over there.”

Claude jerked his chin toward one side with a sneer. Various intricate ice sculptures displayed their magnificence where crowds of spectators gathered.

Deer and wolves that inhabited the Grodes Mountains, the mysterious ancient animal—unicorn, a model of Hilton Castle, camellia flowers with a different charm due to their transparency, and so on.

The list was endless.

The most popular sculpture was “The Bone Dragon Breathing Fire and Seraphina Fighting Against It.” It was truly a work that conveyed the artist’s mastery.

Johann and Mihail looked at this sculpture, which was much larger than the others, then turned their heads again. Both men simultaneously gazed at the real Seraphina.

Claude’s irritation surged at these two who couldn’t control their gaze.

The reason they came all the way to the distant Hilton was obvious. Claiming they came to congratulate the successful opening of the ice festival was just an excuse; they came to see Seraphina.

How dare they look at a married woman with impure eyes?

At that moment, something touched his cheek and then fell away. His anger, which had been about to erupt like an active volcano, cooled completely as if by magic.

It all happened in an instant.

Seraphina had tried to secretly kiss him while Johann and Mihail were looking at the sculpture. Of course, she hadn’t timed it quite right.

Claude looked at her with a slightly dazed feeling.

Though she was his wife whom he saw every day, each day was different.

Watching Seraphina become flustered after belatedly noticing Johann and Mihail’s gazes, Claude felt an irresistible urge.

“Hahaha…… I thought you two were busy looking at the sculpture……”

Seraphina was explaining awkwardly, but couldn’t finish her sentence. That’s because Claude cupped the back of her head with one hand and tilted his face.

Johann and Mihail’s already stiff expressions completely twisted. But that was all. The two men who had confessed and been rejected had no right to interfere with the scene before them.

The couple shared a passionate kiss that could melt the cold winter.

Hilton’s square was bustling with crowds from all regions. Amid them, Claude focused on the enchanting world that was Seraphina.

The various ice sculptures that amazed countless people, the glowing minerals above, and the twinkling stars above them.

Everything was romantic.

Almost too perfect to exist in reality……

Yes.

If you wonder how it could be so perfect……

It’s because this isn’t reality.

* * *

Knock knock.

Claude awoke from his reverie at the sound of knocking.

He thought he had come here during the day, but outside the window, it was already growing dark.

“Ah…… Your Grace, you were still here?”

Receiving no answer, Aveline opened the door and entered, then uttered a voice mixed with embarrassment upon discovering Claude still at his post.

That was understandable.

She had probably given him plenty of time, thinking she was being considerate.

“I was lost in thought.”

Thinking he was talking nonsense, Claude wrinkled one eye. Perhaps because he had been immersed in such sweet fantasies, the contrasting reality stirred his heart like a powerful dagger.

D*mn it.

I shouldn’t have asked her to vacate the room.

With that thought, Claude rose to his feet.

“Thank you for giving me the space.”

“Yes. Please let me know whenever you want it.”

Claude nodded as he looked at Aveline standing carefully by the door. He would probably never ask for such a favor again.

Claude left the room that Seraphina had once used.

No, he should get used to it now.

How long had it been since the owner changed?

Aveline’s room.

He decided to start by acknowledging the new owner. It was a small struggle to escape the trap of pathetic lingering attachment.

Claude descended the stairs to the central hall. He felt as if the imaginary Seraphina was coming down the stairs, but he deliberately shook off the feeling.

He planned to go to the training grounds to work up a sweat.

If he tired himself out, distracting thoughts might disappear.

If that didn’t work, there was always the Grodes Mountains as a good training ground. The way he felt now, dancing with his sword against the undead all night didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“Your Grace, where are you going at this hour?”

Kiel spotted him and asked.

The butler who oversaw all matters large and small at Hilton Castle naturally knew Claude’s entire schedule. There was no reason for him to leave the castle at this hour.

“To the training grounds.”

Claude replied curtly and continued striding forward. Kiel bowed respectfully toward him.

“Ah. By the way, Kiel.”

He could have just walked past.

Claude impulsively stopped.

“Hasn’t Hilton become quite peaceful now?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Kiel answered with a pleased smile. However, he looked somewhat surprised at Claude’s next words.

“Think of ways to bring money into the territory.”

“Pardon?”

“You know, like festivals. Attracting tourists and such.”

Kiel seemed taken aback by the sudden order, but like the capable butler he was, he quickly composed himself and asked about his master’s intentions.

“Do you have anything specific in mind?”

“Aren’t ice sculptures quite useful?”

At those words, Kiel bowed his head in understanding and answered.

“I will proceed with organizing an ice festival.”

They understood each other perfectly.

Satisfied with the butler’s response, Claude nodded briefly and continued on his way.

Seraphina.

It was the kind of idea that would come from that woman’s mind. He had certainly thought so, but belatedly realized it might not be true.

Pathetically, it seemed his imagination had extended that far because he wanted to see Seraphina smiling brightly and happily.

If he actually implemented it, she might visit Hilton every winter.

If that happened and he could see her face occasionally, he couldn’t ask for more.