“Sometimes you might want to drink. At those times, just drink in front of me.”

“Ah…”

I should have just agreed roughly, but the answer didn’t come out immediately.

If I were to get drunk, the person I should be most cautious about was Kaern.

Telling the truth about this world was dangerous, but even more dangerous was my feelings towards him.

Both were secrets that no one should ever know.

Since I didn’t respond quickly, Kaern narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Yes. I’ll do that.”
Seeing that, I responded, understanding the situation in order to avoid it for now.

Only then did his expression return to normal.

Watching him like that, I felt the need to say this at that moment.

“I also have something to say to Kaern.”

“What is it?”

“Excessive drinking is poison, but anyway, alcohol itself isn’t that good.”

“Are you telling me not to drink?”

“Not exactly… It’s just that reducing the frequency of drinking might be a good idea.”

“I also thought about it, but it’s not easy to change a long-standing habit.”

“Well, how about trying a different approach? For example, taking a light walk just before bedtime.”

Offering my own method, I urged him to restrain himself from drinking.

“A walk.”

Kaern, who was pondering my words, spoke again.

“Then, it’s better to do it with you.”

“Huh? With me?”

“I don’t feel like walking alone.”

“Oh, then that’s fine. I’ll do that.”

“Then let’s go out right now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Kaern got up from his seat abruptly.

“Now? Are you okay?”

I had only had one glass, but before I arrived, he had already emptied at least half a bottle.

“It’s okay. Let’s go.”

He stood up from the chair, and I watched him briefly from behind. Certainly, there was no sign of staggering like yesterday.

Feeling relieved, I walked out of the room with him.

“Won’t it be cold?”
“Yes. The weather is warm now, so it’s fine.”

Saying that, I was about to go down the stairs when Kaern grabbed me.

“Just a moment.”

After glancing at my attire, he went back into the room and brought out a cloak.

“Put this on.”

Kaern personally wrapped the cloak around my shoulders.

“It’s okay… Thank you.”

After properly wrapping myself with the cloak, I walked outside with Kaern.

The fragrance of flowers that I noticed when we arrived in the village was now blooming all around.

“Where should we go?”

“Do you have a place you want to go?”

“Well, this is my first time here, so I don’t know where to go.”

“It’s my first time too.”

“Really? Then should we just go wherever our feet take us?”

“Sure. Let’s do that.”

So, without deciding on a destination, we started walking side by side.

“Summer is coming soon.”

It had been several months since Adelia and Calix’s wedding.

“Did you hear? The Empress’s birthday is approaching, and they’re planning to hold a hunting competition on that day.”

“I heard.”

“All the nobles staying in the capital must attend.”

“I’m not particularly fond of hunting, so I’ll pretend to participate halfheartedly and come back.”

Kaern grumbled with an unsatisfied tone and a furrowed brow.