Since then, Ria has learned much about the Empire from Rune and Eden.

The Liberté Empire was so different from Korea that there were so many new and interesting things to learn. The fact that the language here was the same as in Korea was particularly intriguing. Well, not exactly the same… more like they could understand each other?

People here understood everything Ria said and wrote in Korean without any difficulty, and she, in turn, could immediately understand their words. This is why she was able to communicate with Rune in Korea without a hitch. She thought he was just a foreigner who spoke Korean well.

Ria considered it to be some kind of automatic translation feature. In any case, it was fortunate that they could communicate.

Another fascinating aspect was the hierarchical society and the custom of getting engaged and married immediately after turning 19, but most nobles get engaged before they come of age, so everyone starts a family between the ages of 19 and 21.

Ria, who had lived in a democratic country until now, found the hierarchical society somewhat unfamiliar, and the idea of marrying right after becoming an adult was equally surprising. Not only nobles but also commoners tended to establish families before reaching their twenties, which was starkly different from Korea where the marriage age was increasing.

However, Ria had her doubts after hearing about it. Rune and Eden, both in their early twenties, had not been engaged or married despite being past the age of adulthood.

When she asked about it out of curiosity, both gave the same answer.

“Because I want to be with you, Ria.”

“Well, Ria, would you marry me?”

Caught off guard, Ria unconsciously fanned herself, turning her head away to hide the heat rising to her face.

One of the other things she found curious was that monogamy and polygamy were possible, thanks to the law allowing one-sided or mutual dissolution of marriages.

“The former Emperor of the Empire was quite promiscuous. He desired many women and wanted to keep them by his side. That’s how the law came about. It was supposed to be repealed once, but unfortunately, the Empire got involved in a major war at that time. Although the war ended in victory, more men who went to the battlefield died than expected, resulting in a decrease in childbirth rates.”

“So, does that mean…”

“Yes. Inevitably, the law survived. There was no other way because there was no successor in the Imperial Palace. It has been deeply rooted ever since.”

However, after that, the birth rate increased too much, and contraceptive technology developed. The contraceptive injection that Rune mentioned was a result of that.

But Ria was more intrigued by that law for another reason. It was that among nobles who practiced monogamy or polygamy, there were more love marriages than arranged marriages. Since she had never encountered such situations and it was frowned upon as adultery in democratic societies, it felt strange that one person could love multiple partners legally.

“That’s interesting.”

It didn’t seem like a bad thing, just a new realization that this was a different world.

As she continued to learn one by one, around ten days later, Ria and Eden became so close that they could talk freely.

Rune might have felt uneasy every time, but he didn’t interfere. In any case, Eden’s presence turned out to be beneficial in various ways. Among them, the biggest advantage was that Ria could walk.

“Ria, be careful. Okay. Little by little, slowly.”

Ten days of diligently taking Eden’s herbs had definitely paid off. As they walked out of the bedroom and into the hallway, holding Rune’s hand, Ria was so happy she could almost cry. It had been a long time since she’d had any strength in her legs, and she was happy to feel the slightly unfamiliar sensation.

She couldn’t make it down the stairs yet, but they said that the more the herbs stayed in her system, the better they worked, so if she kept moving like this, she’d be able to do it in two days.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Ria was grateful to Rune, who had been by her side every day, to Eden, who had provided her with herbs, and to the Duke’s physicians and servants, who had taken such good care of her when she was unexpectedly sensitive to unfamiliar situations.

Gradually, the warmth she felt from everyone made her adapt to this place.

* * *

“Eden!”

As Ria descended the stairs, calling out to Eden from the entrance of the Duke Astina’s residence, his eyes widened. Every time he checked her legs, which were getting better day by day, the sense of relief he felt was so unfamiliar that it surprised him each time. However, it wasn’t as bad as he thought. In fact, it made him feel good, and a smile naturally appeared on his face.

“Aah!”

“Ria!”

But just for a moment, he saw Ria’s body about to tilt forward on the edge of the stairs due to her twisted foot. She would have hit the ground hard if Eden hadn’t rushed over and wrapped his arms around her.

Ria, who had closed her eyes in anticipation of pain from the impending impact, opened them slightly when she felt no pain. In her field of vision, she saw Eden’s red eyes anxiously checking on her.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I was going to show you that I can go down the stairs now, but… I guess I was too eager.”

“Seriously! Phew, no, it’s fine, as long as you’re not hurt.”

Eden’s anger subsided as he saw her smile apologetically at him, his heart beating faster despite being worried.

She was too pretty that he can’t stay mad. Sighing heavily, he simply hugged Ria tighter, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.

The more time he spent with Ria, the more he realized that the feelings he thought would fade away only deepened. He can’t even remember what life was like without her anymore. There was a brief moment when he wondered how he could have been so easy on himself. Now, all he can think is that he’s genuinely glad he met her.

Of course, she has no idea how he feels about her.

Still, he wanted to scoop her up in his arms and carry her back to Carlisle Manor. Especially when he thought about her falling asleep in Rune’s arms every night.

“Did I scare you? I’m sorry.”

“…No, you don’t have to apologize, as long as you’re safe. But where is Rune? Did he come down on his own?”

Every time he visited the mansion, Rune stuck closely to Ria and never left her side. It was strange, but Eden ignored it, knowing he would likely do the same if he were in Rune’s place.

“Oh, he went out with Kahin, the palace called.”

“Is that so?”

That meant there was no one with her right now. His desires stirred, but he suppressed them.

‘Now is not the time.’

He couldn’t act on impulse and risk destroying everything he had built up so far.

Fortunately, after observing them for a few days, it seemed she didn’t share the same depth of feelings as Rune did. Although there was a subtle difference in the way they looked at each other. Of course, that applied to himself as well.

Anyway, it was an opportunity for him. At least a chance to be on equal footing with Rune. If he couldn’t have her all to himself, receiving equal affection with Rune seemed like the best option. Better than not being able to be by her side at all.

“Eden?”

Ria called out to him, puzzled by his stillness as he hugged her. Eden snapped out of his reverie.

“Eek!”

“I’ll carry you since you’re still wobbly.”

With that excuse, he picked her up. Startled by the sudden lift, Ria threw her arms around his neck. The warmth of her embrace spread contentment across Eden’s face.

“I, I can go by myself!”

“I’m holding you because I’m worried. I’ll get you down in a second, okay? I can’t get there fast enough if you move.”

At his gentle reassurance, Ria stopped her fidgeting, realizing that he was right; staying still would be the quickest way down. But as much as he wanted to hold her, his steps were slower than his words.

“It’s a nice day, so why don’t we go to the garden?”

“The garden? Yeah, sure.”

He didn’t even bother to change the destination to the garden, and took the longer route there. Holding Ria tightly, Eden headed slowly towards the garden.

As they neared the garden, Ria, who was silently hugging Eden, tilted her head slightly and called out to him.

“Eden.”

“Yeah?”

“By any chance… Have you been sleeping well lately?”

“Sleep? Why?”

“Um, you just seem a bit tired.”

Due to their close proximity, Ria could scrutinize his face closely. At first, she just admired the sharp features and handsome appearance that were right in front of her. However, she suddenly noticed shadows starting to form faintly under his eyes, and the habit that had become almost automatic for her emerged.

It was the habit of always checking Rune’s fatigue.

“Oh, a bit? I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”

As Ria said, Eden had been having trouble sleeping lately. Thinking about how he could get her, and grinding his teeth at the thought of her in Rune’s arms at night, kept him from sleeping comfortably.

However, Ria, who did not know these details, was momentarily troubled by his answer. When she grew suddenly quiet, he stopped walking and lowered his head to see a grave expression on her face. Even her pouted lips, tightly closed as if concentrating, seemed cute, and a smile escaped him.

“What are you thinking about so seriously?”

Eden asked, his voice cracking with laughter.

“Huh? No, I was thinking about…, um…….”

Then, as if breaking free from a serious thought, Ria, with round eyes, quickly made up her mind and gestured at him.

“Eden, can you lower your head for a moment?”

For whatever reason, it was the nicest thing he’d ever been asked to do, so Eden jumped at the chance and ducked his head. Now that they were nose to nose, he could smell her lovely scent all the more strongly. It made him feel a little tight in the pit of his stomach.

“Can I surprise you with anything I do from now on?”

“…Sure.”

She said something, but Eden didn’t quite register her words. All his attention was drawn to her beautiful features, especially her blood red lips, which were moving in a way that caught his attention instantly. He lowered his eyes and stared at the red lips moving in front of him.

His voice scraped against his vocal cords as the urge to devour those tiny lips rose, and whether it was in response to her question or a growl escaped him, he didn’t know.

‘Should I?’

He struggled with the boiling desire, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Just then, Ria wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him towards her and gently pressing her lips onto his forehead. As her lips touched him, a blue light shimmered and vanished, leaving a refreshing sensation spreading through his body.

Color returned to his face, which had been drained by fatigue.

Eden blinked in surprise at the sudden contact and the ensuing situation.

“How is it? Feeling better?”

“Ria, what was that…”

“Uhm, I actually have a rather unusual ability. It’s called healing magic, and I can heal injuries or relieve fatigue through touch, though I can’t use it on myself.”

Healing magic?

Trying to recall something, he furrowed his brow slightly. Then, widening his eyes, he urgently asked her.

“Ria, who knows that you use healing magic?”

“Huh? Rune, Kahin, and now you?”

Eden let out a relieved sigh at Ria’s answer. At the same time, a smile played on the corners of his lips.

Now he understood. The reason Rune couldn’t let her go, the reason he himself was falling for her. It was because of Ria’s “healing magic.” While it might not be the sole reason, it certainly played a significant role in the initiation of these emotions.