“I packed sandwiches, grilled chicken legs, and desserts that are great for a light meal.”

It was Ena who handed over the hefty picnic basket.

She insisted on personally carrying the basket and running all the way to the front door to hand it to me, even though she could have used someone else.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

As I received the basket with a smile, Dante naturally snatched it from my hands.

Ha. Such a sweet guy he is.

How can I not fall for him when he’s like this?

The two of us, thoroughly equipped with a picnic basket, picnic mat, and even cloaks to wear, got on the carriage amidst everyone’s farewell.

Ena, Mari, Siena, and even Barhan.

Anyone would think we were going to a battlefield, not a picnic.

“Have a safe trip, Madam. Your Grace.”

“We’ll be back by evening at the latest.”

“Hoho. Yes. You two have a good time.”

Leaving behind the people with blissful smiles, the carriage Dante and I were riding in slowly started to move.

Those who remained at the mansion saw the two off with smiling faces, and only returned inside the mansion when the carriage was out of sight.

“Do you think there will be some progress today?”

At Mari’s worried question, Barhan let out a worried laugh.

In fact, the people of the mansion hoped that the relationship between the two would deepen a little more.

Of course, they seemed to get along well now, but…

How should I put it? Occasionally, they seemed to lack a couple-like aspect.

They looked more like well-matched friends than lovers.

Despite the fact that the gaze they had for each other clearly contained romantic affection.

This was always regrettable.

In the Richter family, who had always been pushed by the royal family to marry and had a loveless married life, it was really rare for a married couple to have feelings for each other.

So, since they had already developed feelings for each other, everyone in the mansion sincerely wished that they would have a truly love-filled married life.

Hopefully, today’s date would be the turning point for that.

“By the way, where did they say they were going?”

“Litan Lake.”

Mari answered Siena’s question.

If it’s Litan Lake…

“Isn’t it a bit close to the northern forest?”

Litan Lake was famous for its beautiful scenery.

However, due to its ambiguous proximity to the northern forest, it was a place without many visitors.

After all, one cannot risk their life for a beautiful scenery.

“They recently scouted the northern forest and the ice fields. Since they confirmed it’s safe, they must have chosen that place.”

“Ah. That makes sense.”

If safety is guaranteed, there is no better date spot than Litan Lake.

Secluded and beautiful.

They can have a good time laughing and enjoying themselves without worrying about others’ eyes.

Siena looked up at the clear sky and grinned.

Ah, I hope the two of them have a deep kiss or something today!

“Wow!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim as we arrived at our destination, Litan Lake.

Oh my gosh. Who knew there was such a place in the north?

A feast of beautifully tinted autumn leaves, and trees that still boast their greenery in between.

Sprouting grasses, cute yellow wildflowers newly revealing themselves.

Even the lake, glistening so brightly that it was dazzling, as if directly embracing the blue sky and sunlight.

Even the occasional scene of small birds flying in with chirping sounds, quenching their thirst and leaving, was as beautiful as a scene from a fairy tale.

“Do you like it?”

“Very much so. This is the most amazing place I’ve ever been to in my life.”

That was true without exaggeration.

Due to my unfree past, it was my first time visiting such a beautiful place.

“Actually, it’s my first time too.”

“What? Really?”

He nodded his head.

…Well. Dante was also someone who avoided going out.

Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, he must have had a lack of freedom in external activities, just like me.

“It’s a good thing it’s Dante’s first time too.”

At my lively words, his eyes widened.

“It means I’m the person you saw this beautiful scenery with for the first time, right? Now you won’t be able to forget about me for the rest of your life?”

Yes. I should leave at least one unforgettable memory like this for Dante.

So that he has at least one memory like this to deal with the female lead.

I spun around to hide my sinister smile, and that’s when I heard it.

“Then, I will never forget you for the rest of my life.”

I froze at the soft voice coming from behind me.

“Because you are always with me in all my firsts.”

…Police officer, there’s a thief here.

A thief who stole my heart.

I covered my face with both hands, feeling the heat rise.

I’m sure my face has turned into a burning sweet potato by now.

How can I not fall for him when he says such sweet words in such a pleasant voice?

I tried hard to cool down and sat on the mat that Dante had laid out.

When I opened the picnic basket, it was filled with food that Ena had carefully prepared.

Hmm. A thought that comes to mind while eating outside…

It tastes better when eaten at home. After all, freshly made food tastes better.

Still, it felt different to eat while looking at the beautiful scenery.

“Here. Have some juice too.”

“Ah, thank you. Thanks.”

As if he knew exactly when I would choke, Dante poured a glass of juice and handed it to me.

Ah. This is so nice.

Having filled my stomach to the brim, it was truly heaven on earth.

The scenery was beautiful, and beside me, a fairy-like man was firmly keeping his place.

“I always wanted to live in a place like this.”

As if intoxicated by the atmosphere, my lips moved on their own.

“A place like this?”

“I wanted to build a cozy house in a place with beautiful nature and live there. Growing herbs, flowers, and vegetables in the yard, making food with what I harvest myself and selling it. I just wanted to live like that.”

It was a dream I had until relatively recently.

Although now my goal is to seduce Dante and take his place instead of the female lead.

“Are you sad that you couldn’t achieve your dream?”

“Hmm. No. Somehow, I’m growing herbs, flowers, and potatoes in the ducal residence. Everyone is enjoying the desserts I make too. I should consider my dream almost achieved to this extent.”

“Then, all that’s left is the beautiful nature to make it perfect.”

Dante recited with utmost sincerity.

It seemed like he would summon Markops as soon as we returned.

I lay my head on Dante’s lap with a light laugh.

I could feel the surprised and stiffened muscles right under my head.

“Can I stay like this for a bit?”

When I asked, glancing at Dante’s face, he showed a very agonizing expression.

“It’s not good for your body to lie down right after eating.”

“…It’ll be fine since I take good nutritional supplements?”

Probably.

I closed my eyes tightly as if defying him. It was a declaration of intention not to get up.

In the end, it was Dante who yielded first.

“Only for today.”

“Yes, doctor.”

At my playful words, Dante’s body shook lightly.

Soon, a gentle breeze blew.

It was a cool yet still somewhat warm autumn breeze.

“Serpina, Serpina.”

Mmm, what is it?

At the somewhat urgent call, I opened my eyes groggily.

It seemed I had fallen asleep while just resting my eyes for a bit with my head on Dante’s lap.

“…Dante?”

As I rubbed my eyes and sat up, I saw Dante with a serious expression.

It wasn’t just a little serious. There was a sharpness in his eyes like a well-sharpened sword.

What’s going on? What in the world happened?

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

I was sure it was a romantic healing story until I fell asleep, but when I woke up, the genre of my life had changed to a thriller.

I just closed my eyes for a short while, how did this happen?

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

I asked in an instinctively lowered voice. But instead of an answer, he brought his long index finger to his own lips.

“Shh.”

To the extent that even such a question was not allowed.

There’s no way Dante would just tell me to shut up, so it must mean the situation is that serious.

That’s when it happened.

Grrrrr.

…W-What is this sound?

As if to back up my prediction, a spine-chilling sound was heard.

A sound like a beast scratching its throat.

I looked at Dante with startled eyes.

As if trying to reassure me, he pulled up the corners of his mouth once to smile at me, then immediately switched to a serious expression and warily surveyed the surroundings.

His right hand was on the hilt of the sword sheathed in its scabbard.

If even Dante, who could take down a bear in one hit, was reacting this sensitively…

At this point, I had a rough idea of what the owner of the low growling sound was.

A magic beast.

That’s probably a magic beast.

In the tense atmosphere, as if a string had been pulled taut, I bit my lip.

A magic beast.

Even to me, who was nothing, it felt like my whole body was sending danger signals.

Grrrrr.

Once again, a low and huge beastly sound that seemed to shake the mountain was heard.