“……You worked hard.”

Kana comforted him while gently patting his back. Kiriel nodded and asked her.

“Yeah. How was your gathering?”

“Of course I enjoyed it. The atmosphere was so good I lost track of time.”

Kana’s lips drew a soft curve as she recalled the gathering. Kiriel, who knew the people she was meeting since they shared schedules, immediately acknowledged.

“Well, that makes sense since you met with close friends. Now we just need to return to the mansion in the south tomorrow?”

“We need to stop by the ‘Four-Colored Leaf Guild’ first. I’ll go quickly by myself, so you should rest.”

Kana considered Kiriel who must be tired. But he shook his head and expressed his will.

“No, I want to go together.”

“Alright.”

Kana readily agreed. Being together with him would be nice too.

* * *

The next morning, Kana dressed in neat, less conspicuous attire unlike when she went to the imperial palace.

After finishing all preparations and coming out, Kiriel was waiting dressed as a mage for the first time in a while. He smiled warmly while wrapping a cloak around her.

“You look beautiful today too.”

“……Seriously.”

Kana chuckled at his natural movements, preparedness, and familiar line. Kiriel played innocent before smoothly extending his hand.

“Shall we get going?”

“Sure.”

Kana firmly held his hand. They left the townhouse and took a carriage to the street lined with spirit summoner guilds.

Kiriel opened his mouth while glancing through the carriage window.

“Going together after so long reminds me of when you first joined the guild.”

“I was just thinking about that too. It’s all memories now.”

“Yeah.”

While they exchanged small laughs looking at each other, the carriage stopped in front of the Four-Colored Leaf Guild building.

Kana entered with her husband’s escort after getting off the carriage.

Curious gazes from the spirit summoners inside focused on them. There were quite a few faces Kana didn’t recognize.

Denia, who had been talking with guild members, brightened upon seeing the two and greeted them.

“Oh my, Miss Kana! Ah, you came with your husband. Welcome.”

“It’s been a while, Guild Master.”

Kana elegantly smiled while gently waving her folded Nubes. Kiriel, who naturally stepped slightly behind his wife, made a light gesture to Denia who was subtly watching.

“I just tagged along, so please focus on my wife as if I’m not here.”

“Understood, Marquis Curtis.”

Denia’s expression eased. Kana carefully examined the guild master’s face and asked cautiously.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course. Shall we go inside and talk first?”

“Sure.”

Kana nodded readily.

The two followed Denia’s guidance to the guild master’s office and sat down. Denia, who personally served tea using water spirit magic, spoke first.

“Have you been well?”

“I’ve been well except for being busy with lots of work. How about you, Guild Master?”

“I’ve been living as usual. It feels like just yesterday I attended your wedding, but time really flies. I’m glad you remembered to visit despite being busy.”

Denia answered vigorously while bowing her head then lifting it. Kana responded with a gentle smile.

“Don’t mention it. By the way, I noticed some unfamiliar faces.”

“Ah, they’re new guild members who joined recently. They’re all energetic and good spirit summoners.”

“I thought the atmosphere seemed good. You must be busy, Guild Master.”

Kana felt renewed emotions. It felt like just yesterday she was a newcomer, but now new members had joined and positions had changed. Denia smiled proudly while squaring her shoulders.

“Still, it’s rewarding. Having people in the guild is better than not having any after all.”

“Well, that’s true. Are Miss Aila and Miss Cellie not here?”

“Ah, they both recently took a request and went west.”

Denia gave a regretful look. Kana tapped her palm with her folded Nubes before letting out an awkward laugh.

“Oh my, our timing unfortunately didn’t match. I wanted to at least exchange greetings since it’s been a while.”

“I’ll pass on your regards instead.”

“Thank you.”

Kana answered gently while sipping her tea. In the quiet atmosphere, Denia carefully examined the elegant noble lady before her. A weighty presence had been added to her existing solid impression along with composure.

She tried guessing the reason for Kana’s visit before carefully bringing it up.

“……Miss Kana, you must have more work now as a noble lady of a great family ruling the south?”

“Yes, certainly more than before marriage.”

Kana calmly acknowledged while putting down her teacup. She maintained a detached expression since she had prepared herself for this aspect. Denia hesitated before asking in a slightly trembling voice.

“Then are you thinking of leaving the guild?”

“Pardon?”

Kana blinked in slight surprise. Denia, startled by the other’s reaction, hurriedly waved her hands and explained.

“Ah, am I wrong? I thought you visited to leave the guild.”

“Why would I leave after just joining? Though my position will make it harder to show my face and train together…… I have no intention of leaving here.”

“Ah.”

Denia only moved her lips while listening to the Marchioness of Curtis’s gentle voice. Realizing it was just her misunderstanding, belated embarrassment washed over her.

Kana held a mischievous smile and playfully tested the guild master.

“Did you want me to leave?”

“Absolutely not!”

Denia denied while jumping up. No one would reject a spirit summoner who was reliable just by existing, had solid skills, and a good personality.

Kana placed a plump money pouch she had prepared on the table. A dull sound rang on the table. She made a small request with a meaningful smile.

“That’s good. Though I’ll mainly live in the south, I won’t be completely cut off from the capital…… Keep me updated occasionally.”

“Passing news to a guild member isn’t difficult, but this money……”

Denia trailed off hesitantly. Kana brought her folded Nubes close to her lips and smiled with her eyes. Then she smoothly resolved the guild master’s concerns.

“Oh my, this money is simply a sponsorship contribution for the guild’s development as a member.”

“Then I gratefully accept.”

Denia politely took the sponsorship money.

They chatted about small topics and ended the meeting. Kana left the guild with her husband while being seen off by the guild master.

* * *

In the moving carriage, Kiriel who had been quiet the whole time finally spoke.

“Now we’re returning to our mansion?”

“Yes. Were you bored just quietly watching at the guild?”

“How could I be when it was your business. I was fine.”

“That’s good then.”

Kana smiled gently. They used the capital’s long-distance magic formation to move to the south at once.

When they arrived at the Curtis mansion in the south and entered while receiving greetings from the servants, Kiriel examined Kana’s thoughtful expression. He waved his hand in front of her eyes and casually asked.

“Kana, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

“It’s random but I recalled the cliff by the shore where I met the water spirit.”

“Do you want to go there?”

“A little.”

“Then let’s go. We’re both dressed comfortably anyway.”

Kiriel extended his hand without hesitation. As soon as Kana took his hand, the scenery changed instantly.

The modest wildflowers blooming on the ground, the sound of waves crashing against the steep cliff, and the cool breeze brushing their faces. It was just as beautiful as when they came before.

While she looked around adjusting her cloak, his low voice flowed into her ears.

“Wow, it’s been a while since we came here too. I remember our conversation from back then.”

“You said we should come again if I liked it.”

Kana answered sentimentally while lowering her eyes. Hearing her emotional voice, Kiriel deliberately responded cheerfully.

“Right. Fortunately that came true. Though unlike then, we can’t see the water spirit.”

“That doesn’t matter. What’s more important is that we’re spending time together.”

“That’s true.”

The two looked at each other and smiled pleasantly. What broke the gentle silence was Kiriel’s murmur.

“I wonder if your hesitation during our conversation back then was because of ‘that library incident’?”

“Yes. At that time I expected our ending would be separation. I thought I would keep it as a memory tucked away in a corner of my heart.”

Kana’s voice was slow but calm. Of course, it was a situation Kiriel didn’t want to imagine. He involuntarily flinched before letting out a sigh of relief.

“Wow, that was dangerous. Though it feels strange to say again, I’m glad you settled in this world.”

“I also think it was a good choice that I won’t regret.”

Kana’s eyes curved beautifully. Her sincere bright smile appeared more radiant than anything to him. Feeling his heart suddenly swell, Kiriel hugged her tightly.

“……Yeah.”

“I notice it every time, but you really love hugs.”

Already used to her husband hugging her like a beloved doll whenever he got the chance, Kana laughed softly.

While she gently stroked his back, Kiriel answered in a somewhat excited voice.

“It’s limited only to my wife. I can’t help it since I’m happy and in love seeing you every day.”

“You’re really hopeless.”

The corners of her lips rose slightly. Though the wind was cool, their atmosphere was warm.