After finishing the modest but enjoyable party celebrating my release and coming down from the rooftop, I passed out right there in Aspeiran’s arms.

Perhaps all the accumulated stress and fatigue exploded at once as the tension was released? Still, if I was going to faint anyway, it would have been nice if I had endured until I returned to my room.

I just felt sorry for Aspeiran who must have been startled.

When I finally regained consciousness, the first thing I saw was…

An unfamiliar ceiling.

“I refuse a second ice magic experience…”

“Lady Shuria?”

I was speaking nonsense in a half-awake state, but I came to my senses at the sound of someone calling me. It was Rumel’s voice.

As I rolled my eyes, I saw Rumel hurriedly running over, almost throwing the white cloth he was holding.

“Lady Shuria, are you awake?”

“Rumel…”

“Yes, it’s me. How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?”

Rumel inserted something long and thin into my mouth. A quick glance told me it was probably a thermometer.

A few seconds later, Rumel took out the thermometer and checked it. He let out a sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, your fever has completely subsided…”

I cleared my strangely hoarse throat and asked.

“I had a fever too…?”

“You did. It was boiling. Lady Shuria, you were unconscious for three days.”

Three days? I thought I just fainted for a bit because I was tired!

But perhaps thanks to the deep sleep, my body felt refreshed. As I struggled to sit up, Rumel, with droopy eyes, supported me.

He placed a few fluffy pillows behind my back and handed me a cup of lukewarm water.

“I was so worried. Even when we rescued you from Veltraum, you didn’t get this sick.”

“I know. I can’t believe I was unconscious for three days.”

“It’s because of the accumulated fatigue and your greatly weakened energy. This incident was big enough to collapse even if it’s strange…”

This incident. He must be referring to the attack of the blind cave rats.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen Rumel since I ran out saying I would check on the blind cave rats. Rumel’s condition was very poor at that time.

I asked cautiously.

“Are you okay, Rumel? You looked really unwell that day.”

Rumel immediately understood what I was referring to. He rubbed the back of his neck as if embarrassed.

“I’m okay. I was just startled for a moment… I showed you an unpleasant sight.”

“Unpleasant sight? It’s only natural for a person to be shocked.”

Honestly, the squirming blind cave rats looked a bit like… maggots.

I’m not very afraid of bugs so it was fine, but someone who dislikes bugs could easily react that way.

At my reply, Rumel covered his mouth and chuckled. He said kindly,

“There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with your body, but how do you feel? If there’s any pain, please let me know.”

“I’m energetic now! But where is this place?”

The room, decorated in black and deep blue, was not overly luxurious but had an overall elegance and sophistication. It seemed like a room that a very high-ranking person would use.

Rumel let out a groan as if in a difficult situation and muttered softly.

“It’s His Majesty’s bedchamber.”

“…What?”

I asked again, certain I had misheard. Rumel answered with his eyes tightly shut.

“It’s His Majesty’s bedchamber. After you suddenly collapsed, His Majesty brought you here.”

“…”

Why…?

No, you could have just taken me to the infirmary…

Come to think of it, the blanket in my hand gave off the refreshing scent of a winter forest. The same scent as Aspeiran’s when I rode with him last time…

Blushing without realizing it, I threw off the blanket. I cautiously asked.

“Rumel, where is His Majesty…”

“Ah, His Majesty is currently-”

“Rumel, how is Shuria?”

As soon as his name was spoken, Aspeiran barged in. As if he were a tiger!

Before Rumel could answer, Aspeiran noticed me sitting up. He strode over at a fast pace.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

“I’m, I’m fine.”

“Your complexion is pale? Are you really okay?”

“As long as she doesn’t overexert herself for the time being, it will be fine. Her fever has completely subsided too.”

“I see.”

Even though Rumel answered curtly, Aspeiran didn’t seem to be at ease. He brought his handsome face close to my body and examined here and there.

It’s a bit burdensome that he brought me to his bedchamber because I fainted, but it means he was that shocked, so I’m moved. And I’m touched that he’s so worried, but…

‘Isn’t this being too overprotective…’

Just when I thought I could finally become a reliable subordinate, why is he still treating me like a child?

Growl~

That’s when it happened. My stomach, which had been quietly holding its breath, powerfully rumbled.

I rubbed my belly, laughing sheepishly. It was an inevitable physiological phenomenon since I couldn’t eat properly during the three days I was unconscious.

Aspeiran gently fixed my hair with his soft touch and said,

“You should eat something first. I’ll have the meal brought right away.”

“Thank you.”

“Rumel, will you join us?”

Rumel alternately looked at me and Aspeiran. Then he smiled brightly.

“No, it’s alright. Now that Lady Shuria has safely recovered, I should get going.”

“Okay.”

“Lady Shuria, if you feel anything wrong with your body, you have to come and tell me right away.”

“I will!”

Rumel left the room with a strangely delighted expression. Aspeiran poked my cheek.

“I’ve prepared clothes over there, so go change. In the meantime, I’ll have the meal ready.”

When I changed clothes and went out, I saw a variety of meals for patients arranged in the drawing room.

Seeing the food, my stomach rumbled even more. I happily sat down and neatly devoured the food Aspeiran handed me one by one.

The last menu was a strange juice with an ominous dark green color.

“It’s good for your body, so drink it all.”

Aspeiran’s eyes flashed threateningly, looking like he wouldn’t move an inch until I finished it all.

In the end, I closed my eyes tightly and downed the juice in one shot. It tasted really bad, bitter, astringent, and acrid.

But thanks to the candy Aspeiran directly fed me, it was a bit more bearable.

After the meal, tea was prepared for dessert. But Aspeiran rolled up his sleeves in front of the tea set.

“Your Majesty is going to brew it himself?”

“So?”

“Wow.”

The Northern Grand Duke, no, the Northern Monarch brewing tea.

‘It doesn’t suit him at all…’

But the thought of being able to see a rare sight made my heart race uncontrollably.

I waited with bated breath for the scene that would soon unfold, when I noticed a cute little milk jug hidden among the tea set.

I pointed to the milk jug and asked,

“Does Your Majesty not add milk when you drink?”

“You add it.”

Aspeiran answered indifferently. Then he skillfully moved his hands.

He poured the strong steeped black tea into the teacup. And pours milk into it. Exactly in a 1:1 ratio with the tea.

Next was the sugar. Three sugar cubes plop into the teacup one by one. The swirling tea water following Aspeiran’s delicate touch was really nice to look at…

‘But wait.’

This, this is… the ratio of my signature milk tea!

“How on earth!”

“You said last time this was the way you liked it.”

He was referring to the day I gave Aspeiran the milk tea he would surely hate as revenge for abandoning me.

I knew our Aspeiran had a good memory, but I didn’t know he would remember even this trivial thing!

Aspeiran tilted his head as if telling me to try it. I carefully picked up the teacup with trembling hands.

‘Milk tea made by my favorite, the epitome of the Northern Grand Duke…’

I took a cautious sip. And my eyes widened.

“…It’s delicious.”

It was definitely made with the same ratio as mine, but how did it taste like this?

The black tea, milk, and sugar dance on the tongue in perfect harmony. I exclaimed, kicking my feet.

“It’s really delicious! As expected, Your Majesty is the greatest monarch of this era who can do anything. The god of black tea. The legend of milk tea. My lord to whom I will pledge my lifelong loyalty…”

“Stop it.”

“Yes!”

I sipped the milk tea little by little. It was too delicious to drink quickly.

Aspeiran quietly watched me, then suddenly said,

“I’ll make it for you from time to time.”

“Gasp! Really?”

“Well, it’s not a difficult task.”

Aspeiran shrugged as if it was no big deal. I giggled and fiddled with the teacup.

The air surrounding us was warm, the aroma of black tea wafting into the nostrils was fragrant, and the tea touching the tongue was heavenly.

It was such a peaceful time that it was hard to believe I was agonizing between life and death just a few days ago.

Aspeiran, elegantly crossing his legs and sipping tea, said,

“Let’s go to the Magic Tower after you finish your tea.”

“The Magic Tower?”

Could it be that my triple magic control device is completed?

However, the words that came out of Aspeiran’s mouth were not such a happy story.

“You need to practice dealing with your ability. It would be a big deal if you unknowingly attract monsters again.”

“Pft.”

I spat out the tea I was drinking from choking. Fortunately, I didn’t spit it towards Aspeiran.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and subtly averted my gaze.

Ummm… Aspeiran, you knew everything. That I was the one who pulled the blind cave rats attached to the roots of the siler tree out…

Although I didn’t do it on purpose, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Thankfully, Aspeiran didn’t make any accusations. Rather, he even changed the subject.

“By the way, it’s not bad that you’re staying in Kronen Palace. It’s convenient to have meals or tea together.”

“Th-that’s true~ I like it too.”

It was a hastily blurted agreement, but it was definitely an interesting experience.

Kronen Palace was built solely for the Roakin royal family, so unless I become royalty, I can’t stay in this palace.

Of course, among the many rooms in Kronen Palace, staying in His Majesty’s bedchamber for three days is so burdensome that my teeth chatter.

But where did Aspeiran sleep while I occupied the bed? Surely not on the sofa?

Oh my god, a subordinate who kicked the monarch to the sofa and slept sprawled out. Should I apologize for my mistake now?

I pondered, tightly gripping the teacup and twisting my body. Then Aspeiran, who was pouring another cup of tea, suddenly asked,

“The room you’re staying in now isn’t uncomfortable, is it?”

Room? Why the sudden mention of the room?

Feeling guilty, I first flattered with a grin.

“Not at all. I really like my room. It’s just the right size for one person, and there’s the wardrobe Your Majesty made for me. It gets good sunlight and the location is great. It’s the best room ever!”

“…Still, don’t you want to move to a slightly larger room? Besides, you said it feels empty because the researchers won’t come out. If you want, to another place…”

Huh? Does he want to change my room?

It’s quite sudden. Is this an extension of the incident where I complained last time that the room was small and there was no place to put the gifts, so he should take them back?

But I didn’t really need a new room. I’ve become quite close with the researchers now. And moving is a hassle.

I politely put the words of refusal in my mouth.

“I really appreciate your consideration, but I like the research institute. The moonlight wolf dog breeding facility is also in the research institute. It’s better to live in the research institute if I want to work hard!”

I thought it was an appropriate answer, but for some reason, Aspeiran’s expression didn’t look good.

Aspeiran put the teacup down on the table with a clink.

“…If you’re done, let’s get up.”

“Oh, yes!”

I also put down the teacup and stood up. A quick glance at Aspeiran’s teacup showed that there was still a lot of tea left.

‘It doesn’t seem like he finished it all?’

Thinking it was strange, I looked at Aspeiran’s back as he walked ahead.

For some reason, his mood seemed very gloomy.