Footprints not left behind on the white snow field shining brightly under the sun’s rays.

Behind the snowy plains, tall coniferous trees wearing white clothes stood densely like soldiers guarding the castle walls.

Above that, the whitish mountain peaks stretching endlessly into the far distance, the occasional cool and refreshing winds blowing, the shards of ice dancing and sparkling in the air accordingly, and the blue sky cozily covering this entire scenery.

I looked around constantly without hiding my flushed cheeks. Aspeiran lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Look over there.”

Aspeiran’s finger was pointing towards the bottom of the mountain. I stretched my neck out and looked to where his fingertip was pointing.

There, the full view of Belloy, the capital of Roakin, was unfolding before my eyes.

“Haha, looking from here, it’s pretty like a toy village… huh?”

Wait, what’s that thing in the center?

I rubbed my eyes and looked down the mountain again, glanced at Aspeiran, then turned my gaze back to the foot of the mountain.

The huge mirage-like object was still majestically covering the city center.

Eventually, I asked with a trembling voice.

“What, what is that? A glass dome…?”

That’s right. What made me doubt my own eyes was the huge transparent dome covering the center of the city.

Even looking down from a high place, the enormous size of the dome could be vividly felt.

Aspeiran carefully explained to me who couldn’t close my mouth.

“That dome is the pride of Roakin, the commercial district of Belloy. The essence of Roakin’s magic engineering, started by the 10th monarch and completed by the 12th monarch.”

This marvelous architectural work brilliantly reflecting the sunlight was so beautiful that it sent shivers through my entire body.

Slowly riding the horse to allow me to fully appreciate the city scenery, Aspeiran continued his explanation.

“Belloy, being located at the northernmost part of the continent, had very low temperatures all year round, so it wasn’t very prosperous for a national capital.”

“Yes…”

“But after that magical structure was built, tourists flocked to see Roakin’s unrivaled magic engineering technology. Accordingly, the number of immigrants gradually increased as well. As a result, Belloy rapidly developed to its current state.”

“I want to go see it quickly!”

“It’ll be quite a sight to behold… Hmm. If you’re thinking of buying frost ermine fur, we should go to Fior Street, the high-end shopping district.”

I just nodded my head without saying anything, then suddenly felt something strange.

Our As, how does he know I’m planning to order a cloak made of frost ermine fur?

‘I’m sure I never mentioned it?’

I tilted my head to look at As. He curtly said.

“Whatever. It’s dangerous so look forward.”

“How did you know?”

“Know what.”

“That I’m looking to get frost ermine fur.”

“……”

Aspeiran narrowed his eyes and pressed his lips together tightly.

But when I didn’t back down and kept staring, Aspeiran finally opened his mouth with a scowl.

“There’s nothing that happens in this castle that I don’t know about.”

“Then, is that why you suddenly gave me a bonus? Because the money I had wasn’t enough to buy frost ermine fur with my entire fortune.”

“…I just gave it to you because you did a better job than I expected.”

“Hehe.”

Our lord has great sense.

Saying that, I lightly bumped my head against As’ firm chest. I could feel Aspeiran’s body stiffening.

‘Oops, was I too casual.’

I hurriedly pulled away to apologize but Aspeiran wrapped his arms around me and had me completely lean against his embrace.

Then he whispered in a low voice.

“Focus now. I’ll go down quickly so hold on tight.”

Aspeiran’s embrace smelled of the cool scent of a forest wet with morning dew.

I nodded my head and firmly grasped the handle attached to the saddle. I also fixed my eagerly wandering eyes forward.

Wishing for the cold wind constantly slapping my cheeks to quickly cool down my reddened face and ears.

The commercial district of Belloy, surrounded by a transparent dome, has a total of seven entrances, and accordingly, it is divided into seven main streets – Aspeiran explained.

The high-end shopping street Fior Street that we were heading to was directly connected to the 7th entrance, so we quickly rode the horse towards the 7th entrance.

Arriving at the entrance, there was a storage facility in front where people could leave their horses, sled dogs, sleds, and other items.

While Aspeiran was leaving the horse, I had nothing to do so I stood there blankly. But at that moment, a hand suddenly reached out to me.

Of course, it was Aspeiran’s hand.

“Do you need storage fee? I have a lot of money.”

When I smiled leisurely and tried to reach into my bag, Aspeiran frowned and snorted.

“What are you saying? Take off your cloak. It’ll be hot if you wear a cloak inside.”

“Oh, is that so?”

There must be some kind of temperature control magic in place.

I obediently handed my cloak over to him. After that, we headed straight into the commercial district.

Whew, a slightly muggy wind blows in as if in greeting.

“Ugh.”

My vision was obscured by my hair blowing in the wind and becoming a mess. Aish, fortunately my hair is short.

I roughly fixed my hair and raised my head. Immediately after, my mouth naturally fell wide open.

Just a moment ago, I was clearly walking on a white snowy path, but as soon as I crossed a single transparent wall, everything in front of my eyes was all green.

“Wow…”

This place was indeed a separate world that was not wasted being called the essence of Roakin’s magic engineering.

I blankly stared at the sight of the green leaves shaking in the gentle breeze along the rows of trees lining the straight path.

Turn your head and there are pretty shaped green bushes decorating the front of buildings, turn to the other side and colorful flowers like roses and daisies are brilliantly showing off their beautiful colors under the sunlight.

The sunlight settling on my eyes is warm. Like a street in early June.

This time I raised my moved gaze upward. Under the round ceiling, I could see sparkling lights floating like the Milky Way.

And the soap bubbles flying in, crossing that dreamlike scenery.

Oh my god, this place is really…

“Amazing!”

I ran forward excitedly without asking, checking, or warning.

No, I tried to run forward but Aspeiran grabbed my arm so it ended as just an attempt.

Aspeiran said sternly.

“Don’t think of wandering alone and walk next to me.”

“Let’s go quickly!”

“There are many people and the streets are complicated so you might get lost if you’re not careful.”

“Yes! Let’s go quickly!”

I urged him on while constantly taking steps in place, held by Aspeiran. Aspeiran let out a soft sigh above my head.

Then suddenly, I heard a small laugh mixed in with that sigh. Startled, I looked up at Aspeiran but far from a smile, he had an expression like looking at a child left by the water.

Did I mishear?

I tilted my head to the side and Aspeiran reached his hand out to me.

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Huh.”

I thought he would normally hold my arm but Aspeiran wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me tightly to his side. As if he was worried I would disappear if he took his eyes off me for even a moment.

This was way too unexpected!

‘Woo, our As. Strangely, his skinship has been unrestrained since earlier. Have I become that comfortable to him.’

For now, that’s a happy thing, but it was quite embarrassing that only my face kept turning red. Aspeiran didn’t even bat an eyelash!

‘My pride is hurt…’

I can’t go on just being pushed around like this. I lifted my chin with a nonchalant air as if it was nothing. Whether As holds my hand or tucks me under his arm, I don’t care either.

While at it, I also reached my arm behind As’ back and sneakily grabbed his clothes.

Actually, at first I was thinking of wrapping my arm around his waist, but honestly, I didn’t have the courage for that yet.

Still, his body slightly stiffening meant Aspeiran was also quite flustered by my bold action. I was very satisfied.

Like that, As and I engaged in a subtle battle of nerves as we headed to the biggest and most splendid clothing store on Fior Street.

Entering the huge building shining golden, a neatly dressed clerk came running to greet us.

“Welcome, guests. This is Bellus Clothing Store. Is there an item you’re looking for?”

I could feel the clerk’s eyes quickly scanning me up and down through their kindly folded eyes. I smiled ambiguously and nodded.

“Yes. I’d like to get a cloak tailored.”

“I will guide you so you can have a comfortable shopping experience. Is this your first time visiting our Bellus Clothing Store?”

“Um, yes.”

I followed the clerk in a daze and Aspeiran leisurely followed behind me.

He said he cast a recognition interference spell so people wouldn’t recognize him, and indeed, no one in the store paid any attention to that ice sculpture-like handsome man.

‘Amazing.’

I kept sneaking glances at Aspeiran. Meanwhile, the clerk, not knowing the lord of Roakin was watching her, began an enthusiastic sales pitch.

“To be able to serve a guest as beautiful as you, I can’t help but say it’s truly an honor for our family. We happen to have a cloak decorated with platinum fox fur that would suit you very well. Would you like to see it?”

“Ah… No! I’m not getting it tailored for myself, it’s a gift for someone else. The size is, well…”

Oh no, I forgot to find out Rumel’s size. How big should I make it? I don’t think an exact size is necessary for a cloak.

“That size should do.”

Just then, Aspeiran helpfully pointed to a men’s cloak on display inside the store. As expected, our As has overflowing sense.

I winked at As as a sign of gratitude. Aspeiran scowls.

While we were having a conversation with our eyes like ‘What are you doing.’ ‘It’s a thank you.’ ‘Don’t do that.’ ‘Saying that is really too much’, the clerk brought out a huge fabric swatch book.

“Then I’ll recommend the gray horned mink fur. If you touch it, you’ll see the texture of the newly arrived fur is especially very soft…”

“No good. Don’t you have anything better?”

Aspeiran cut in sharply. The clerk showed another page without being flustered.

“Then, how about this black marten fur? Touch it once. The feel is really…”

“No. Is this the extent of Bellus’ level?”

The clerk was seen slightly biting her lip. She said with trembling lips.

“You have very discerning tastes. But our store is the only one in Belloy that handles fur of this level. Fur better than this, you probably won’t be able to find…”

“Bellus should carry white frost ermine fur, right?”

The clerk’s expression hardened. I couldn’t find the timing to interject and discreetly assessed the atmosphere.

Soon the clerk said with a slight sneer.

“Guest, frost ermine fur is an item that is offered to the royal family with top priority. Especially the white color is even rarer. Of course, Bellus does handle frost ermine fur, but as it is rare, there are many looking for it as well…”

I roughly understood what she meant. Precious items like frost ermine fur are sold to higher-ranking customers, not to you.

What to do. I’m just a humble servant, and As can’t reveal his identity…

As I pondered for a moment, Aspeiran whispered to me in a low voice.

“Show your identity tag.”