Lion was sitting in a cave deep in the sea cliff, where no human footsteps could reach. There was a small stream inside the cave, and a snow-white otter was soaking in it.

The otter had grown slightly larger than when previously seen.

“I heard Roti’s growth rate is incredible.”

Lion nodded at the otter’s words.

“Every time she overexerts her power, Floyd heals her. Floyd’s life force is helping Roti’s soul not to shatter.”

“Isn’t it amazing? I never knew a spirit fused with a human soul could exert such power… Sometimes even Lit’s reckless actions can be helpful.”

“Have you found Lanian?”

“Not yet. I’m looking around here and there… If Lanian has become undead, it’ll be hard to find him. The scent would be different from when he was alive.”

“I suppose so.”

“Oh, I heard from the kids that Roti is joining the monster subjugation this time?”

“Yes. Roti seems to want to try various things.”

The otter’s eyes narrowed.

“Will she realize that our power can be used in different ways?”

“I hope she doesn’t…”

The otter slapped the water with its tail. The water stream extended and wet Lion’s nose bridge.

Lion frowned and wiped off the water droplets on his nose bridge with his front paw.

“You pretend not to, but you’re quite overprotective.”

“El, Roti is much more meddlesome than we thought.”

“Hmm. Are you worried she might try too hard for our sake?”

“Very much so. I just want Roti to be happy after she finishes what she wants to do.”

“I feel the same way.”

The otter swam up in a circle in the water.

“I’ll look for Lanian some more. Mine is searching too, so it shouldn’t take long. Please take care of Roti.”

+++

Red, Floyd’s warhorse, thought.

‘How many times is this human going to repeat the same thing?’

From a week before Roxiana’s subjugation was decided until today, the day before departure, Floyd had been repeating the same words like a chant.

“In dangerous moments, you must save the princess. Like you saved me before. Understand? Don’t come running to me. You must run to the princess, carry her, and escape no matter what.”

Of course, Red intended to do so. Even without Floyd’s plea, he planned to ruthlessly abandon Floyd and save Roxiana. Because that’s what the King wanted.

‘What an annoying human.’

If it weren’t for the presence lurking inside Floyd, he would have bitten off a chunk of that flame-like hair long ago. Instead, Red pretended to neigh and sprayed his snot on Floyd’s face.

Floyd, suddenly covered in horse snot, said “Hahaha. You’re strong today too!” without showing any displeasure, and wiped off the snot by rubbing it with his hand.

“Um, Your Highness.”

Roxiana was standing behind him, having arrived at some point.

“Ah, Princess.”

Floyd turned to her with his usual charming smile. Hoping she hadn’t seen his actions until now.

“Can you communicate with the horse?”

She saw.

Floyd’s face reddened, but fortunately, his dark skin tone didn’t show it well.

“It’s similar to how you converse with Lion, Princess.”

“Ah, I see. But…”

Roxiana suddenly approached and took out a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the side of Floyd’s nose.

“There’s snot on you.”

“It’s his.”

Floyd pointed at Red with his index finger. Red neighed in annoyance.

“But what brings you to the stable…?”

As Floyd asked suspiciously, Roxiana tilted her head slightly to the side and said.

“I’m going to steal a horse, go to some dead land somewhere, recklessly draw out power, and try to purify the land.”

Floyd frowned slightly, but then realizing her words were a joke, he grinned.

“So you know how to joke too, Princess.”

“It’s more of a snide remark than a joke, Your Highness. Are you still worried I might do something reckless?”

“Always, Princess. Always.”

Floyd gazed intently at Roxiana, who was wearing a deep green velvet dress with a white fur coat over it.

Since becoming aware of his feelings for her, it had become harder to get close to her. Realizing that the strong urge to touch her, kiss her, and do even more was not just a pure desire to heal her, it felt overwhelming. He felt guilty for wanting to desire her body without being able to convey his feelings to her.

So he tried to be careful, but this time Roxiana’s behavior changed.

She boldly stepped into Floyd’s personal space and confidently demanded kisses when her power was depleted from overexertion.

Suddenly, he became curious.

Do you know what thoughts I have, what thirst I suffer from, every time I kiss you?

Floyd barely managed to tear his gaze away from her green eyes that seemed to engulf him.

It was the first time his heart had been this troubled since he decided to live looking forward while harboring a mad presence inside. He had resolved to do what he wanted and say what he wanted, but that resolution became meaningless with her.

There were times when he felt like he had returned to being that shabby boy from his younger days who could do nothing and have nothing.

“I came to check on the horse I’ll be riding. I’ll be riding for a long time starting tomorrow.”

Floyd snapped back to reality at Roxiana’s words.

“What’s the longest you’ve ridden a horse before?”

“The last time I secretly stole a horse from here was the longest I’ve ridden.”

“I see that incident has become nothing to you now, Princess?”

“Of course. You’ll heal me every time my soul feels like it’s about to shatter, won’t you?”

He didn’t dislike her brazen attitude. Rather, he liked that she was relying on him.

“I’ve become like a stamina potion for you, Princess.”

“Yes, you have a similar effect to the juice I make.”

“I never thought harboring a mad presence in my chest would make me your stamina potion… Ah, this is the horse you’ll be riding.”

He had chosen one that was particularly docile and less wild. It was a black horse with an impressive white mane.

As Roxiana approached and extended her hand, the horse sniffed it and then nuzzled its muzzle against her palm. It seemed to like Roxiana.

“It seems you’re loved not only by spirits but also by beasts, Princess.”

“That’s probably true. They say beasts sense spirits more clearly than humans. Beasts like and revere spirits. That’s why in the past, some spirit users became tamers who handled beasts instead.”

Roxiana gently stroked the horse’s muzzle.

“I’m counting on you tomorrow.”

The horse wagged its tail as if to say not to worry.

After finishing their business at the stable, Roxiana and Floyd walked along the path leading from the stable to the forest. They did so naturally, without anyone suggesting a walk.

December in Torkan. The trees were just now dropping their brown-faded leaves to the ground. The sound of dry leaves crunching underfoot with each step was pleasant to hear.

Roxiana glanced at him while walking slowly.

She wanted to know what he was thinking as he walked slowly, gazing straight ahead. She wondered if he was tired of her recklessly demanding kisses recently, but soon erased that thought.

With her mind already complicated by the issues with Lanian, Elise, and Lucas, she had neither the leisure to gauge his mood nor the energy to examine her own feelings.

‘If he dislikes it, he’ll say so. If it’s burdensome, he’ll say it’s burdensome. He’s the type to say what he wants to say.’

Thinking this, Roxiana opened her mouth.

“I don’t know much about Joseph V. When Elise tries to become the crown princess using whatever method, will Joseph V allow it?”

“Is Elise Hailis becoming the crown princess an important issue?”

“Yes. Elise doesn’t yet understand that the higher the position, the greater the responsibilities and duties that come with it. I’m curious how she’ll navigate through the many criticisms she’ll face, bearing the yoke of being the crown princess.”

“I see. It will depend on what methods Elise Hailis uses, but if she has something that could further damage the reputation of the Pelur royal family, he will initially designate her as the crown princess.”

“Initially…?”

“The next hurdle Elise Hailis will have to overcome won’t be Joseph V, but Queen Christine Pelur. The queen’s affection for her eldest son is at an insane level.”

“I see.”

“The queen will reluctantly accept Elise Hailis for the sake of the Pelur royal family and the crown prince’s reputation, but if Elise Hailis doesn’t meet her standards, she’ll find a way to bring her down somehow.”

“And if she can’t find a way?”

“She’ll kill her. A dead person can’t become the crown princess. But what do you think? Do you think Elise Hailis will die so easily?”

Roxiana slightly furrowed her brow.

“I’m not sure. What I’m curious about is the dark mage. There’s a high possibility that a dark mage is attached to Lucas. I want to know if this dark mage is working for Lucas or for Elise. If the dark mage is enchanted by Elise, she won’t just endure the queen’s harassment.”

“Do you really think a dark mage would be enchanted by Elise Hailis?”

“It’s possible. Elise is small, pretty, and lovable.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Didn’t you see her at the party?”

“I saw her, but I didn’t see any pretty or lovable woman. Oh, she was small though.”

As Roxiana stared up at Floyd, he shrugged his shoulders.

“Do you think I’m lying? Do I seem like I’m pretending not to be enchanted while actually being enchanted?”

“Honestly… a little?”

Floyd burst into laughter.