She quickly opened it and the contents were concise.

“We have handled it as you requested. We are doing our best and hope for a smooth transaction going forward. By the way, we would like to inform you that the profits going to the residents of the Atanase Forest have increased.”

“They’re not fools. They have greed too.”

Jade grinned and examined the envelopes placed below.

The neat but faint handwriting was Ollie’s, and the messy, crooked handwriting was Nina’s.

She felt so good that she laughed automatically.

She felt bad for Nina, but she opened Ollie’s first. The old man’s letter began with an exclamation.

“Oh, what a pleasant surprise to receive an unexpected letter from you!

And the content is also delightful. I didn’t know the details, but I can understand your joy at the news of holding a coming-of-age ceremony. I sincerely congratulate you with all my heart, little magician girl.

But I was surprised that you really want to invite this old man to your ceremony. I thought it was better for a noble’s coming-of-age ceremony to attract as many prestigious guests as possible…

It seems better to refuse, but what can I do when the bearded merchant is impatiently waiting for a reply? He’s even holding clothes for me to wear!

I have no choice but to send an answer that I’ll come.

Well, actually those are all excuses. I was curious about you, Jade. I want to see with my own eyes how you are doing.

Even if it’s greed, what can we do about the bond we’ve already formed?

From the humble old man of the Atanase Forest,

Ollie.

P.S. Have you met that jerk Axel? I’ll tell you in person how pathetic he looked after you disappeared. Look forward to it. It’ll be very fun.”

The warm contents made her body melt as if she was sitting in front of a fireplace. Ollie’s letter had the power to remind her of the happy evenings she spent at the house in the Atanase Forest.

Jade caressed Ollie’s thin handwriting and smiled shyly. The thought of seeing the old man’s kind smile made the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony definitely worth looking forward to.

Next was Nina’s letter. The girl’s letter started with resentment right away.

“It’s Nina. How could you leave without even saying goodbye? Dad said a great adult is good at greetings. Isn’t Jade a great adult?”

Yes, I’m not a great adult, that’s why I’m holding a coming-of-age ceremony now. Jade giggled and read on.

“When I received news to come out and congratulate you, Dad agonized terribly. Actually, I wanted to go, but Dad wanted to refuse. Then Grandma Ollie came and scolded Dad.

I didn’t hear it well, but she said to give you a choice. She said it’s all adults’ greed, but I’m not sure what that means.

But I like the Atanase Forest too. We can just go out and come back. Right?

Anyway, thank you for the pretty clothes! Is Jade rich? The red skirt is so pretty. Dad eventually accepted the clothes.

The merchant said he’ll come pick us up next time. I’m glad I can see Jade in a little while!

But where did big Axel go? He told me not to look for him every day while you were gone. You have to scold him.

Nina, and Pavel.”

The name Pavel seemed to be written by pulling Dad’s hand. Jade burst out laughing at the innocent content.

“Haha.”

Yes, it’s all adults’ greed.

But there were also parts that made her feel guilty. In fact, Jade wanted to pull Nina and Pavel out of that forest. She knew the filth of the outside and the beauty of that place, but she wanted to give the girl another chance. It was Pavel who was tired of the world, not Nina.

However, she definitely intended to give them a choice. The girl could go back if she wanted to.

“Ha, I should have sent the letters earlier. It’s so easy to be happy like this.”

Ollie would love it if she showed him the study. What should she show Nina to make her interested and happy about the outside world?

Sighing pleasantly, she opened the last envelope that didn’t even have a name written on it.

The only clue was the calm handwriting, but as she read through the contents, she could tell who sent it and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

Asela, you’ve made up your mind.

Then someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“Young lady, a response has arrived from the palace regarding your request for an audience.”

Jade opened the door and received the paper. It was the king’s handwriting.

“Come right now. You have to come now.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Jade started preparing to leave. The letter was informal, but formal attire was needed.

The palace was the same as always. The very center of the capital city of Siena. A glimmer amidst the chaos that suddenly rises from the mix of civilian houses.

“Every time I come here, I get lost.”

“We are no different, as new buildings are constantly added. There are many new constructions even inside the palace.”

“Does anyone get lost?”

“Haha, we often find newly hired young servants crying in the corner of the garden.”

The attendant the king sent to greet her calmly replied as if it was a daily occurrence while walking down the corridor.

Many things had changed since her last visit a few months ago. The paintings hanging in the corridor and the sculptures on the tables all seemed unfamiliar and new.

Slowing her footsteps and focusing on the colors of the paintings that seemed to be newly hung on the wall, Jade spotted a familiar back at the corner turning at the far end.

Oh? That dark hair color…? That height and build too.

Could it be…?

But before she could be sure, that back disappeared at the end of the corridor.

What should I do?

Jade finally made an excuse to the attendant who was waiting for her with a puzzled look, as she had completely stopped walking.

“Oh, um, I’m sorry. I think I just saw someone I should greet. Can I go to the usual meeting room?”

“Ah, today it’s the meeting room in the east wing. Are you familiar with the way there?”

“Yes. I’ll go right away.”

Fortunately, the attendant disappeared without further questions.

After making sure there were no signs of people nearby, Jade quickly followed the man who had disappeared. If it’s not him, she could just come back out and go to the meeting room.

She hadn’t really made up her mind yet, so it was hard to say anything, but it was difficult to think about that. She just missed him so much.

But as soon as she turned the corner following the shadow, Jade’s waist was grabbed and pulled.

“Wha…!”

She quickly lowered her voice as she landed in a somehow familiar embrace. A low laugh was heard.

And what touched her eyes was someone’s lips. He was always a man with a low temperature and only hard parts on his body, but the place he touched was strangely hot and soft.

Jade shivered slightly with goosebumps all over her body and whispered.

“Why, why are you here?”

“Are you cold?”

“That’s not it, ugh, no…”

“Call me whatever you want.”

Then I should call you Axel. Because it’s a name only I would call.

The moment she was about to open her mouth with a bit of jealousy mixed in, he bent his waist deeper. As if invading her open mouth, he entered and licked every corner obsessively.

Belita was right. Even if there were distractions, she should have tried this and that while living. Just with the second experience, it was so good that she felt a bit unfair for not knowing until now.

No matter how much, thinking this was a palace, her hands that tried to push him away suddenly shrank back. It was because a little moan mixed in as she ran out of breath.

Blushing with embarrassment, Axel laughed again with his lips still joined.

That carefree sound was annoying, so Jade bit his flesh hard. But as if that was a signal for the next step, he slid his lips from her ear to her jawline and neck. There was a sucking sound as something got wet.

Her back was pressed against the wall. As the posture became stable, he moved more comfortably.

“Now, ugh…! St, stop.”

She panted as if whispering from the tickling sensation. No matter how secluded and shaded the corner was, this was a corridor. Moreover, it was a corridor in the palace where the king resided!

If they were caught, rumors would spread throughout the kingdom. No, first of all, the exalted owner of the palace, the king, might get angry.

Of course, if the king saw this scene, far from getting angry, he would probably tie up Axel while jumping with joy that he could keep them together, but Jade had no way of knowing that.

But as if he hadn’t heard her words, or didn’t want to hear them, one of the man’s hands that had been supporting her back came down along her spine and settled somewhere on her waist.

A position that could go anywhere.

She could feel his fingers moving softly over her clothes. Saliva went down the back of her neck…

When her heart was beating so fast that the movement of her chest became vivid, Axel regretfully pulled his lips away and straightened his waist.

His eyes that met hers were filled with a desire she had never seen before. The pressed mark was dark. It was a place he had finally reached, passing a dry moment in the past and a soft and kind point.

Receiving that gaze alone was so tingling that it was confusing.

Jade hastily threw out any words to dilute the man’s deep gaze.

“So, have you been well?”

“What do you think?”

Damn it. It only added to the dissatisfaction.

“If it were you, what would it be like if a woman kissed you the day before, then disappeared without seeing your face the next day, leaving words that made it seem like she would never come back.”

“Well, I’m not sure, but it would probably be pretty bad…”

“Right?”

She nodded her head vigorously. Only then did the dissatisfied gaze get a little better.

For now, she timidly made an excuse.

“I had to sort of wrap up work… to be able to come.”

“Can’t you write letters? You were busy holding paper and drawing and writing something every day at my house, but not anymore? Or do you think there’s no need to put in that effort for me?”

Somehow the conversation flowed as if it was a cheating wife trying to appease an angry husband. Jade had a wronged look.

“Where should I send letters to? I don’t even know where to send them! Yes, come to think of it, it’s your fault. It’s because you didn’t tell me anything!”

“Now you’re blaming me? You could have sent it with someone.”

“Who is that person? Do you have a lot of close friends besides me? Do they know well where you are? I didn’t know!”

When they were passionately kissing, they didn’t care, but now they started bickering as usual. When there was a small wet sound from saliva, she worried it would be heard, but they made loud growling noises just fine.

So naturally, they got caught.