Unexpectedly, the answer did not come immediately.

As the subtle silence lengthened, Barhan turned pale and asked again.

“D-Don’t tell me. Has something happened?”

“That’s not it.”

“No, but why are you hesitating……”

Dante furrowed his brow and mumbled to the grumbling Barhan.

“Nothing serious has happened, but it’s not that nothing happened at all.”

It was exactly as he said.

Nothing tremendously serious had occurred, but it wasn’t that nothing had happened either.

There were no traces of magical beasts in the northern forest, and he confirmed that no magical energy was leaking around the ice land.

That was fortunate.

Occasionally, animals and plants would turn into magical beasts due to leaking magical energy, and once such an incident occurred, it was no small headache.

Magical beasts were incomparably stronger, more ferocious, and more intelligent than mere animals.

If even the slightest trace of a magical beast was discovered, they would have to stay in the forest until it was found, which could take up to several months.

Barhan had received news that Adeline’s uninvited guests had arrived, and he was dying to rush back, but if his feet were tied because of magical beasts…

‘It’s terrifying just to imagine.’

It was a thousand times fortunate that such a thing didn’t happen.

However, there was one thing.

He did discover a change that, while not significant, was bothersome.

Namely.

“Dew has formed on the ice land.”

“Dew… on the ice land?”

Barhan’s expression instantly turned serious upon hearing this.

And for good reason.

Barhan had been working here since the time Dante’s father was the duke.

However, in all those long years working at the duke’s residence, this was the first time he had heard of a change occurring in the ice land.

Because the ice land, created neither by nature nor by humans, was completely unaffected by external influences.

Even when madmen occasionally brought hammers to unleash magical beasts and disrupt the world, not even a tiny scratch would appear on the ice land.

The fact that it maintained the same solid appearance throughout all four seasons was due to the same principle.

And yet, a change in such an ice land.

“Could it be that the ice land is melting or something?”

Dante shook his head at Barhan’s overly serious concern.

“I don’t think so. The dew that formed was only a few drops at most. I watched for several days, and the amount didn’t particularly increase.”

“Hmm. That’s somewhat reassuring. But it’s still a worrying matter.”

Given that it was a change in the ice land that sealed magical beasts and magical energy, one couldn’t be too sensitive in reacting to it.

“We need to find out the cause.”

“Yes. I’ll also look into whether there’s any related content in the literature or documents. Should we report this to the imperial family as well?”

As soon as the imperial family was mentioned, Dante’s brow furrowed.

If that fussy emperor heard about this, he would surely make quite a commotion.

However, they couldn’t not report it either.

Whether they liked it or not, protecting the north and the ice land was the duty of the Richter family.

“…Submit the report.”

“Yes, understood.”

With that brief answer, Barhan left.

Left alone, Dante rested his chin on his desk and turned his gaze out the window.

He searched with his eyes for Serpina in the clearly visible potato field, no, garden.

However, the figure he was looking for was nowhere to be seen.

Is she not coming out today?

Well, after what happened yesterday, it would make sense for her to rest today.

Just remembering the scene of Countess Adeline and her daughter intimidating Serpina made his anger rise again.

In truth, he wanted to charge in and smash everything without even investigating their weaknesses.

The urge to turn into chaos the hell that had made her afraid welled up inside him.

The only reason he didn’t was because of Serpina.

For fear that she might become afraid of him, or disgusted.

Worried that she might feel guilty seeing a family ruined because of her.

But if something similar happened just one more time…

He didn’t think he’d be able to hold back then.

His expression, on his tilted head, was as cold as frost.

The spring-like warmth that spread across his chilly face came right after the person he was looking for entered his sight.

…I thought she would rest, but she came out today too.

Wearing thick clothes that the maids had likely forced her into, Serpina was waddling around the garden.

She checked that the tiny watering can in her hand was filled with water and then began diligently watering the potato field, circling around it.

Her expression, which looked satisfied, was clear even from here.

“…Pfft.”

Unable to hold back the laughter escaping through his teeth, Dante buried his face on the desk as if collapsing.

His broad shoulders shook slightly a couple of times.

Finally raising his head, he continued to gaze out the window with a gentle smile on his lips.

Golden eyes were proof of imperial lineage.

The brilliant golden eyes were a noble blessing especially bestowed by God.

Indeed, as if to prove that the blessing was real, the imperial family had lived for generations without suffering from major illnesses and escaping trivial misfortunes.

The people of the empire explained even the existence of the ‘ice land’ in this way.

They said it was a blessing created by God to protect against magical energy for the sake of Hensten, whom He cherished and loved.

Although it was ironic that it was the Richter family that guarded the ice land.

But.

“…Dew has formed on that ice land?”

Habiel Hensten.

The current emperor of the Hensten Empire read through the report sent by Duke Richter with no expression.

The face that always laughed heartily showed no expression whatsoever.

There wasn’t even a hint of surprise.

Tok, tok, tok.

He only seemed lost in thought, tapping the armrest of his chair at regular intervals.

Chelsea’s voice saying that the Duke and Duchess Richter got along well.

And then Dante’s face, showing uncharacteristic prowess at the hunting festival.

Even the image of the ducal couple sharing affectionate smiles while constantly linking arms.

“…They really did get along well.”

No. It seemed insufficient to explain it simply as getting along well.

A couple truly cherishing and loving each other. It was clear that the two had genuinely fallen in love with each other.

“I didn’t expect this result at all.”

The emperor, crumpling and tossing the report, reached for an ornament placed on the table next to the sofa.

It was a decoration with an opaque mineral inside a transparent glass case.

The emperor brought it close to his face and examined it carefully.

Between the gap of the glass and the mineral, a faint drop of dew had formed.

Soon, the emperor’s face twisted fiercely.

“This is really troublesome.”

And it wasn’t just a little troublesome.

Especially in a situation where there was still no news of a child…

“I warned them not to engage in useless love play.”

The golden eyes, signifying God’s blessing, flashed chillingly.

“It will really be winter soon.”

I said this while quickly wiping away the runny nose that was about to drip from my cold nose tip.

As I sniffled, Siena, who was watering the potato field with me, handed me a handkerchief.

“But isn’t it still comfortably cool?”

“Yeah. That’s true. It’s a bit cold in the mornings and evenings though.”

But soon it will be cold during the day too.

Ugh.

“How cold is the northern winter? So cold you can’t move?”

“Hmm. We were born and raised in the north, so we manage somehow. It’s difficult to go out when there’s a lot of snow though.”

“How do you think I’ll fare?”

“I think you’ll probably wrap yourself up in a blanket in front of the fireplace and eat only roasted sweet potatoes and potatoes.”

I see. In other words, a weak person from the capital like me would find it hard to endure.

Thinking about that, I felt like I was already getting chills.

“…I want to go out.”

“What? Are you serious?”

I am serious.

Although I’m a homebody, the thought of not being able to go out to the garden properly made me desperately want to go out.

Preferably outdoors.

Ah.

“How about a picnic?”

“A picnic?”

“Yeah. Wouldn’t it be nice to pack a lunch box, bring a mat, and go for a picnic? It’s still autumn after all.”

“A picnic……”

Siena narrowed her eyes and mumbled softly.

She glared at something for a while, then suddenly opened her eyes wide and broke into a broad smile.

“That sounds great, a picnic!”

“Right?”

As expected. I knew Siena would like it.

I imagined a fun autumn picnic, no, an autumn outing in my mind.

Should we take a list of those who want to participate this time and all go together?

It might be fun to go to a nice forest and experience chestnut picking or mushroom picking.

As I was spreading my wings of imagination, feeling like a kindergarten teacher planning a children’s outing.

Clap!

Siena’s cheerful clapping brought me back to reality.

And then.

“It really is a great idea! The Duke and Madam, the two of you can go on an intimate outing!”

My group autumn outing plan had somehow transformed into a couple’s autumn date plan.