“…Raphael.”

His slightly twitching eyebrows indicated he wasn’t completely angry. More accurately, he was relaxed.

“What situation is this?”

“…”

“Won’t you explain, wife?”

Literally, it sounded like a request, but in reality, it wasn’t a request at all. She was being pressured to explain the whole situation.

“I’m just going on an outing with Leonel.”

“Why does it look to me like you’re secretly running away?”

It did look suspicious to anyone. Not only had they secretly escaped the castle, but they also wore robes covering their entire bodies and even called for a hired carriage instead of the family’s carriage.

“It’s not a place to go noisily in the Siegfried carriage.”

The nearby temple was hard to get the truth from because of Raphael’s influence. That’s why she asked Leonel to choose a region. The priests in the Siegfried territory wouldn’t open their mouths since he had already dealt with them.

“I’m curious where you’re going.”

“Do I have to reveal our destination?”

It’s not like she was obligated to. If today really was the day they were running away, she had a feeling it would be a big problem. How could he immediately notice? No one realized she and Leonel had left the castle.

“Can’t you tell it between us?”

“Our relationship is…”

“We’re a couple.”

Amelia’s eyebrows furrowed inside her robe at the mention of being a couple. He only used their relationship when it suited him.

“We plan to go to Black Ford.”

She didn’t want to reveal it, but it was better not to arouse suspicion. One thing was certain: Black Ford wouldn’t be a candidate for her escape in the future. She had intended to do some preliminary investigation and see what kind of place it was…

“To Black Ford…?”

“Yes.”

Black Ford was a bit far from the Siegfried territory. Not as far as the capital, but because there was a magic tunnel, they could arrive anywhere in the Kalid Empire within 30 minutes.

“No.”

She thought they were just about to leave since the hired carriage had arrived, but she stopped when Raphael held her back with his words.

“Are you saying I can’t go out?”

“You are a grand duchess. And you want to go to another territory without any escort?”

Was it dangerous even if she’s just going to the temple? Of course, Raphael had many enemies. Since they couldn’t target him directly, it was more practical to target her, who was relatively weaker.

“We’re visiting incognito.”

“Your appearance is already known throughout the empire.”

“…It’s okay since I’m going with Leonel.”

It might seem like she was relying on a child who was barely five years old, but Leonel was no ordinary child. It might even be safer with him than bringing knights. But she agreed with Raphael’s opinion. It was a reckless outing.

“Take proper escorts.”

In fact, if she took escorts, she would have to inform the territory she intended to visit. The position of a grand duchess came with many restrictions against impulsive movements. In some ways, her will might also be Raphael’s will when visiting other territories. Visiting another territory wasn’t as simple as just going out for leisure in the capital.

“And why go all the way to Black Ford? Wouldn’t it be better to go to the capital?”

He was right. It might be more convenient to go to the temple in the capital. But that wasn’t possible. Just like the temples near Siegfried territory were under Raphael’s influence, the temples in the capital would be under the influence of the imperial family. It would be just as hard to get proper information there.

“I would have to mind the imperial family if I went to the capital.”

“…”

Amelia wiggled her toes under the intense gaze she could feel even through her robe. Why does this man have such a strong presence even when he’s not visible?

“What’s your reason for going to Black Ford?”

“We’re going to the temple.”

She didn’t want to tell him the truth in case he took measures before their visit, but she had no choice. Since they were caught in a suspicious manner, they had to avoid any suspicion as much as possible.

“Going to the temple with Leonel?”

“Is there a problem?”

Is there a reason she can’t go to the temple with the child? Most people take their children for blessings. It’s not like they were going somewhere bad… Anyone listening might think she was taking Leonel to a gambling den.

“We’re just stopping by the temple.”

She was about to tell him not to worry, but the sight of his broad chest filled her view and made her close her mouth. The heat seemed to rise to her face for no reason at the sight of his broad chest.

“I can’t let my wife go alone.”

“Then I’ll bring the knights.”

If Raphael went with them, the temple wouldn’t be able to ignore his presence. It would be better to go with several knights instead.

“Don’t worry. What you’re worried about won’t happen.”

***

Before she could even ask what she was worried about, three of them were cramped inside a small hired carriage. Until now, they had only ridden in the family’s carriage, so she didn’t realize how big Raphael was.

“…….”

It was uncomfortably cramped inside this tiny carriage with three people. No, to correct that, it would look cramped with just Raphael alone. Not only was he big, but he was also tall, so his legs seemed like they would dig into the space between her feet and legs.

“Um……”

“What’s wrong?”

She wanted to say we should have just taken a larger carriage, but it had already departed. Moreover, he wasn’t covered in a robe like she and Leonel, so the coachman almost fainted at the sight. The golden hair and distinct golden eyes that unmistakably belonged to the Grand Duke of Siegfried.

“We should have taken a different carriage.”

His legs didn’t seem to fit, and it looked extremely uncomfortable. Of course, she felt the same way. She was tense, not knowing when his legs would slide between hers under the robe. His large physique seemed to fill the small interior even more.

He’s almost taking up an entire carriage compartment on his own, so it was impossible not to come into contact with him. This made her realize anew why the Siegfried family’s carriages were so large and ornate.

“I like it better this way.”

“I’m uncomfortable.”

“Me too.”

Leonel next to her seemed uncomfortable too, constantly shifting his position. Despite the uncomfortable seating, the carriage hurried towards the magic tunnel. The coachman, seemingly more scared, drove the carriage even more recklessly, causing us to bump into each other’s knees continuously.

“We might need to buy a robe when we arrive at Black Ford.”

If they saw his face at the temple, they surely wouldn’t speak honestly. And if he entered with them, it would certainly surprise the priests. Even the priests who visited the castle were always wary of Raphael.

“No need for that.”

Amelia clenched her fists at his overly relaxed tone. Maybe she should be thankful that there was no temple of Siegfried. If there had been, they would have kept their mouths shut without him having to do anything.

“Aren’t you going to ask why we’re going to Black Ford?”

“Wasn’t it to go to a place somewhere that’s less influenced by me?”

When did this man start smiling so easily? Although he was teasing, his smile was different from before. Except for Siegfried, temples of the goddess Elaina existed everywhere in the empire. It made her wonder why only Siegfried was singled out without a temple.

“We’ve arrived!”

It’s said nothing is more accurate than fear, and the coachman drove like he was possessed, bringing them directly in front of the temple at Black Ford before speeding away as if his life depended on it.

“Shall we go then?”

“Ah… That’s…”

She should tell him he can’t enter… But she couldn’t bring myself to say it outright. Knowing her feelings, Raphael smiled ambiguously.

“You don’t have to make that face.”

Before she could grab him, he walked towards the temple with long strides. she should have refused when he offered to come along.

“Um…!”

“I’m sorry, but you cannot enter.”

Before she could stop him, other people blocked Raphael’s way. Several priests were trembling as they formed a defensive line.

“Siegfried is not allowed in the temple!”

Raphael still had a smile on his lips, she was wondering what he was thinking.