“A bad boss who won’t even let me go out freely!”

Thwack. I slammed my fist into the cushion with all my might. A tuft of feathers popped out from the edge of the cushion. If I hit it any more, it might burst.

But.

“But it’s so frustrating!”

Thwack! I whacked the cushion once more. The cushion finally burst open with a pop.

I flopped onto the floor, my whole body assaulted by the spewing white feathers. Tears welled up in my eyes, the anger still not subsiding.

“Where in the world does it say you can’t go out just because your boss says no……”

After hearing about the commercial district from my maid friends who had gone on an outing, I immediately made plans for a fun shopping trip.

The very first step was getting permission from Aspeiran. It’s basic common sense that you can’t just go out freely during work hours without your boss’s permission.

So I politely brought it up during my walk with Aspeiran. I even baked cookies as a bribe in case he was displeased about me briefly leaving my post.

‘It was such a perfect plan.’

The mood was really good until I gave him the cookies. No, from the very beginning when we first met today, Aspeiran seemed to be in an unusually good mood.

So I had high hopes. Honestly, there’s no reason for him to say no, right? I don’t really get holidays or vacation days.

But our lord betrayed all expectations. He cleanly denied permission without giving me a chance to argue!

But why? I’m not saying I’ll be gone for long or go far, just that I’ll stop by nearby for a bit to buy some things.

On top of that, I haven’t seen a single hair of Aspeiran for ten days since then, up until today. He won’t even let me try to persuade him!

The feeling of unfairness bubbled up again. I grabbed a new cushion from the corner and kicked it high into the air.

“I’m going to quit!”

“Quit, you say?”

“Ah!”

Right as I loudly declared my grand ambition, Canis’s voice suddenly came from behind me. I reflexively snatched the falling cushion and turned my head.

“Ca- Canis?”

“Hello, Miss Shuria! But what’s this about quitting? Did something happen?”

This is bad.

Canis is Aspeiran’s right-hand man. If he reports my impulsive declaration of quitting straight to Aspeiran, it’ll be a disaster.

I hastily made up an excuse, laughing nonchalantly.

“What? I think you misheard. I said I’m going to climb Mount Tai. I like hiking, you see. Hahaha.”

“……Mount Tai?”

Canis’s eyes widened. The instant I saw his face, I had a gut feeling.

‘I’m doomed.’

My raised thumb trembled as I laughed. Damn it, what kind of excuse is that. Who would believe such a ridiculous thing. What should I do……

“Oh dear…… So that’s how it is. It must be disappointing that there are no comfortable mountains to hike in Veloey.”

“Actually, it was a joke…… Huh?”

The trembling stopped abruptly. I unconsciously furrowed my brow and looked carefully at Canis.

His reddish-brown eyes were filled with a deep sense of genuine regret.

‘He… believes it?’

Oh my goodness. I swallowed a sigh, my eyes clouding over.

To think he’s so innocent to this serious degree. How is this man going to survive in this rough world?

‘I’ll have to follow him next time he says he’s going out to buy something.’

Anyway, I’m relieved my excuse worked. Before Canis could continue this topic any further, I quickly changed the subject.

“So what brings you here? Were you on your way to the knights’ training grounds?”

“No, I came to deliver a message from His Majesty.”

“From His Majesty?”

For the past ten days, the only thing I heard from Aspeiran was that he’s canceling today’s regular appointment. Don’t tell me, is our Aspeiran trying to skip out on tomorrow’s appointment too?

But what Canis relayed was something I never expected.

“His Majesty said to clear your schedule tomorrow from 1 to 6 o’clock.”

“Clear my schedule?”

“That’s right. And he also told me to give you this.”

I reflexively accepted the heavy pouch Canis handed me. Judging by the weight, it seems to be a money pouch.

“What is this?”

“He said it’s a bonus.”

At Canis’s explanation, I slightly opened the pouch to take a peek. Inside, gold coins glittered and gleamed.

“Why the sudden bonus……”

“I’m not sure myself, but perhaps it’s because Miss Shuria has been doing a good job and His Majesty wanted to specially reward you?”

“But this seems to be about a month’s worth of salary……”

“Oh, congratulations!”

Canis grinned from ear to ear. I don’t think I’ll get a proper explanation out of this guy.

‘I’ll have to ask Kiara or Aspeiran for more details later.’

I steered the conversation back to Aspeiran’s order to “clear my schedule.”

“Did he say anything else?”

“No. He only told me to relay the message about clearing your schedule.”

Canis also seemed clueless about the reason.

After seeing off Canis, who hurriedly left once his business was done, I became lost in thought.

Just what is this about?

“Hmm……”

No matter how much I ponder, I’m not Aspeiran, so there’s no way for me to know exactly what’s going through his head.

‘Ah forget it. Let’s not worry too much.’

It’s not like it’ll be a situation where he says, “From 1 to 6 o’clock, we will carry out your execution.”

I picked up a ball to play with Sammeomeo, my heart at ease. I should play with him a lot today since I might not be able to properly play with him tomorrow.

And as soon as the appointed time arrived the next day, I came to regret having let go of all my tension and worries the day before.

Am I dreaming right now?

I dumbly looked up at the lifeform standing majestically in front of me, my mouth agape. Aspeiran said to me:

“Let me introduce you. His name is Albus.”

Aspeiran’s expression seemed oddly proud. Unable to find the right words to respond, I just pinched my innocent palm. It hurts.

‘In other words……’

This current situation where Aspeiran barged into the stable with a giant white horse is undoubtedly reality.

‘This is crazy.’

I smacked my forehead. It was absurd enough to make my head and nose stuffy.

As soon as it was 1 o’clock on the dot, the appointed time, Aspeiran immediately showed up. With a huge white horse beside him.

And then he straight up introduced the horse to me. Just what kind of situation is this?

‘I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I should’ve stayed at least a little wary. Then I wouldn’t be this surprised!’

The sound of Sammeomeo barking like crazy from inside the fence made my ears ring. Aspeiran’s expression, seeming to expect something, was even more confusing.

After a long while, I hesitantly asked.

“Uh, is this a new Monster? That I have to take care of……”

“What are you talking about? This is my horse.”

“B-But.”

I slowly examined the white horse that looked haughty at first glance.

It certainly looks like a horse, but it’s a bit different from the horses I know. First of all, it’s incredibly large, and the fur doesn’t seem like normal horse fur.

Perhaps sensing my puzzlement, Aspeiran added an explanation.

“It’s a Pomols, a special breed only found in Roakin that is resistant to the cold and can run fast even in snowy fields.”

“I- I see.”

I gulped and asked.

“But why bring Your Majesty’s horse……”

“You need something to ride if you want to go out.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the commercial district?”

I just blinked. So that horse is……

“To take me to the commercial district?!”

“You insist on going out, and I can’t send my only Monster Keeper into danger, so I have no choice.”

Aspeiran spoke as if it was no big deal, but I was so happy I could dig to the earth’s inner core.

Oh my gosh, an outing!

And a date with my favorite person at that!

My busy Aspeiran specially made time for me!

‘Aspeiran is the type to be endlessly generous to his cherished subordinate after all?!’

I clasped my hands tightly together and expressed this emotion with all my heart, spinning in place.

“I will be loyal to Your Majesty for life. From now on, all the time given to me belongs to Your Majesty.”

“……What are you even saying. Come here.”

Aspeiran reached out his hand as if to lift me onto the horse.

But we can’t leave right this moment. I had no idea I would be going out today, so I didn’t prepare anything at all.

I politely declined his hand and stepped back.

“Your Majesty, I’m truly sorry but would it be alright if I go prepare for the outing and come back?”

“What preparations?”

“I need to get money and change clothes.”

I spun around in front of Aspeiran, showing him my current attire. Aspeiran narrowed his eyes and said:

“……I don’t see why you need to change.”

Aye, this lord doesn’t know a thing.

“I can’t go on an outing with Your Majesty in the comfortable clothes I wear for work. I have to wear something more special!”

Aspeiran frowned. But soon, words of permission fell from his mouth.

“Hurry back.”

“Yes!”

I immediately ran to my room on the 3rd floor of the lab building.

As soon as I arrived, I took out a large bag from under the bed, stuffed all the money I had into it, and started rummaging through the closet for clothes to change into.

I chose a luxurious pearl-colored dress with delicate lace trimmings on the sleeves and hem and intricate embroidery on the fabric.

I hadn’t dared to wear it while working for fear it might get damaged.

“But it’s the perfect dress to go buy an expensive cloak in.”

Lastly, I put on a deep green cloak with black fur trimmings over it and meticulously adjusted my appearance in the mirror.

Okay, perfect.

“Let’s go play with my favorite person!”

I left the room with a light spring in my step. My heart fluttered like a child about to go on a picnic.

Today will surely be the best day!

“This way.”

Aspeiran reached out his hand toward me. As I quickly approached, Aspeiran lifted me up and sat me on the saddle.

“Hehehe.”

The suddenly elevated view was refreshing. Aspeiran nimbly mounted behind me, firmly settling into place, and grasped the reins.

“No need to be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.”

“Yes, I can see that.”

Clop clop, the horse slowly began to move. My body swayed this way and that, but Aspeiran’s sturdy arms wrapped around me from both sides, so I wasn’t scared.

As I confidently straightened my back, Aspeiran gradually increased the speed. The scenery I used to slowly take in while riding an unmanned carriage swiftly passed by.

We rode along the familiar path, then onto an unfamiliar one, and at the end, the familiar yet unfamiliar city walls came into view. And finally, when we passed through the gates.

“Wow……!”

What unfolded before my eyes was a vast snowy field, shining dazzlingly white.