Since Cassian Artez was always sincere about feeding me, I had some expectations for tonight’s dinner as well.

The place Cassian took me to was somewhere I knew.

It was Ilium, a resort for imperial nobles about an hour by carriage from the Lopez ducal villa.

The stream that extended from the forest near the villa formed a large river that cut through the center of Ilium.

When we got off the carriage, the narrow river widened and a dock appeared where moderately sized boats could float.

“It was when you had just come to the capital.”

“Yes?”

Cassian naturally got off the carriage first and spoke while escorting me.

“Back when you were speaking so formally to me, not letting a single word go to waste.”

“Ah, yes.”

As someone approaching a year and a half of service, I responded halfheartedly, completely different from back then.

Though it could have been unpleasant, Cassian just burst into laughter, finding something amusing.

“Remember when we went to crack down on illegal drug trades happening on the cruise ship?”

“Ah, right.”

The impression was so strong that I still remember it clearly.

It was around my second month of service, when I was getting used to working at the Winter Palace and becoming so busy that I was starting to forget my fear of the Imperial Consort.

My superior suddenly told me to prepare for a business trip.

After traveling east from the capital for two full days, we arrived at a large inland lake that was rumored to look like the sea at first glance.

Nobles and businessmen with money and time to spare would often enjoy floating quite sizeable cruise ships on that lake.

“We caught quite a few mages in succession, making it quite a productive operation.”

And those mages are now being put to good use in Cassian’s official duties in exchange for partial exemption from fines and detention.

“To think you’d remember that.”

“……Is there something happening on the cruise ship today too?”

“I clearly said this was personal time.”

Cassian gripped my hand tightly as he looked at me.

“I remember very well how your eyes sparkled while infiltrating that cruise ship.”

Back then, I had just recently escaped from my impoverished life.

“To think you’d forget, you’re not just indifferent to me but to yourself as well.”

Cassian led me into the cruise ship docked at the pier with a noticeable sigh.

An attendant in a simple yet bold-colored uniform, who seemed to have been waiting, guided us.

“I thought back then that I should take Rose on a beautiful cruise ship.”

That gentle gaze momentarily left me speechless.

Rather than pressing for an answer, Cassian allowed me to take in the modestly but tastefully decorated cruise ship and the serene scenery outside.

“That spire rising over there is the Lopez family’s villa.”

“Wow……”

Though partially hidden by dense forest, the silhouette of the spire was distinctive enough to recognize.

Cassian skillfully turned my body, explaining the various sights visible from the cruise ship.

After watching the cruise ship glide along the calm waters for a while, just as I started feeling hungry, he guided me to the onboard restaurant.

That’s when I finally realized something.

“……Did you perhaps rent out the entire cruise ship?”

“Yes, I didn’t want any interruptions during our time together.”

“……There isn’t some important work discussion that shouldn’t be overheard by others?”

Considering everything until now, this seemed more plausible.

Cassian wasn’t usually one to carelessly waste his private resources.

Moreover, wasn’t he the type who traveled with minimal guards, saying it would inconvenience others?

Even at times like this, he kept it to just a few knights following discreetly, as Cassian didn’t like ostentatious displays.

‘Even in the original work……’

Even when the romance was progressing, the original Cassian never rented out anything for Roselita.

To be precise, he couldn’t go to such famous spots where many people gathered.

‘Because assassins or kidnappers could appear at any time.’

Even the temple interfered like crazy.

“My fiancée loves work too much, am I allowed to feel a bit lonely?”

Cassian matched my gaze while resting his chin on one hand, casually instructing the attendant to bring appetizers.

“That’s not it, it must have been difficult to prepare all this in just one day.”

“Why do you think it’s impossible? It’s for my lovely fiancée.”

“……Your Highness couldn’t possibly have come all the way here just because of me?”

Besides, didn’t Your Highness say just a few days ago that you could work alone and give me a vacation?

“Why do you think it’s impossible?”

“Pardon?”

“I might have pleaded with His Majesty the Emperor, saying I’d go on strike because I was dying to see my fiancée.”

You?

Even the original Cassian wouldn’t do something like that, right?

Though I had my doubts, I broke into a cold sweat thinking that this devilish Cassian might actually do such a thing.

“Perhaps His Majesty the Emperor was being very lenient with House Zamoti regarding the recent exhibition matter?”

So this was rebellion against the Emperor by causing trouble, something my superior would definitely do.

“How exactly do you see me, Rose?”

“As a very capable, meticulous superior who’s generous with allowances.”

“Not as a devil who works people hard and pays well but is only generous with money?”

Isn’t that a compliment too?

When I looked at him quizzically, Cassian let out a small laugh.

“Fortunately, neither seems to leave a bad impression on you, Rose.”

Cassian gestured for me to start with the appetizer, scallops garnished with caviar.

I carefully scooped up some caviar along with a seared scallop and put it in my mouth.

The moment it touched my tongue, the flavors exploded up to my palate, instantly making me happy.

“Is it delicious?”

“Very much so!”

Though I prefer meat a bit more, does category even matter when something is delicious?

Seeing my face armed with honesty, Cassian leisurely picked up his fork, ate a scallop, and slowly began speaking.

“Coming here was actually coincidental.”

“……I suppose so, since I didn’t know I’d be coming here either.”

“Yes, though I considered it fortunate. Actually, when I first had to come suddenly, I wanted to throw water at my brother.”

“Prince Charlie?”

Cassian nodded with a bitter expression.

“His first assistant, Lord Ashwood, happened to be away.”

To think he’d take time off while enjoying a three-day work week.

Amazing, that future young duke’s sense of responsibility!

As someone constantly being ground down despite working regular hours, I couldn’t help feeling envious and jealous.

Cassian tapped the table to draw my attention away from such thoughts.

“Anyway, where people gather at famous resorts, it becomes easier for them to plot unnecessary schemes.”

“That’s true.”

“It seems they’re starting to miss me after about a year. The mages.”

Ah, so those lunatics were dealing illegal drugs again.

“Wouldn’t those cunning individuals have been difficult for Prince Charlie to handle without Lord Ashwood’s help?”

“Yes, that’s why the Imperial Consort brought it up during dinner last evening.”

Cassian’s lips curved into a slanted arc.

“Saying that since this requires discretion, it’s quite convenient that my fiancée happens to be visiting the Lopez ducal villa.”

Clang–

I was so shocked by Cassian’s words that I dropped my fork.

The attendant who had been keeping their distance to avoid overhearing our conversation quickly replaced the fork and stepped back again.

“So I came because of you, more or less.”

To think that crazy Imperial Consort dropped this big event on my vacation!

Moreover……

A chill ran down my spine.

‘Wilma is being used.’

Even in the original work, Wilhelmina was used starting from the smallest things, with the damage snowballing gradually.

“……Your Highness, is this really similar to the previous cruise ship incident?”

“For now at least, I suppose.”

Cassian saw my tense face and added reassuringly.

Rarely misinterpreting.

“So you should enjoy your vacation leisurely. I can handle this sufficiently on my own.”

And I’m truly happy to spend time like this with you, Rose.

Cassian’s habitually added sweet words leaked out one ear.

I knew I was worrying unnecessarily.

‘This time it’s just to avoid giving Prince Charlie difficult work.’

Even though I knew the Imperial Consort lacked both the means and intention to attack Cassian or me because of the recent exhibition incident.

“Your Highness, please promise me something.”

“Yes?”

“If you feel I should be there, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

I simply couldn’t ignore this premonition that made my whole body tremble.

Cassian didn’t dismiss my unusual symptoms.

“As you say, I’ll call you along with the allowances you love if needed.”

The allowances aren’t important right now.

Perhaps the lives of me, my precious ★friend★ Wilhelmina, and you, my devilish superior, could be at stake.

Though of course I’d gladly accept if offered.

Seeing my still unsettled face, Cassian raised his hand to caress my cheek.

Though it was spring, nights still carried a chill, but his large hand felt warm.

“At least I don’t think I’ve ever disappointed you regarding work.”

“Yes, I know.”