Roxiana opened her mouth when she had emptied her fourth glass of beer.

“Your Majesty, have the displaced people settled in now?”

“Ah, the displaced. Usually, it takes about half a year for refugees to flow in and settle down. It takes that long to find work and get somewhat acquainted with the people around. Torkan is relatively free of major hostility since it accepts even those who were slaves, but problems arise when such large numbers come in at once.”

He explained calmly, as if it was not an unfamiliar occurrence.

“It must be difficult to provide jobs since they all left their previous work behind.”

“Creating jobs for many, not just one or two people, is a national issue, so I’m considering various options. I was planning to expand the fish export sector anyway, so we’re looking into launching more fishing boats and researching ways to deliver fresh fish deep into the continent.”

“That will take a lot of time. Until then, I suppose the national treasury will support them?”

“That’s right. But don’t worry. With monsters overflowing, they won’t starve to death if they hunt monsters and sell the by-products. A single monster heart has sold for more than a low-ranking noble’s annual salary before.”

Floyd’s expression remained unchanged even as he spoke of these troubles. He seemed to have no worries and no concerns about the future ahead.

‘How can he be so flawless?’

Roxiana had planned to discuss ways to use her abilities by targeting the part where Floyd complained, but he didn’t reveal any weaknesses at all.

‘Is it that he’s not revealing them, or does he truly have no weaknesses?’

Roxiana knew very well how many problems accepting refugees could bring. No matter how accustomed Torkan was to refugees, problems always arose where people gathered.

Suddenly, she recalled his figure settling disputes in the marketplace, spewing curses. Remembering his unrestrained scolding that was refreshing to hear, she could understand the composure he was showing now.

‘Right, if you resolve everything like that, I suppose there’s no need to worry.’

His behavior and thoughts, completely different from the nobles she had known so far, constantly bewildered Roxiana.

Roxiana abandoned her plan to make him ask for help first and spoke frankly.

“Your Majesty, if the problem is that the forest burned and died, how about I try to revive that forest?”

Fortunately, Floyd chuckled instead of bursting out in anger like before.

“I’ve heard that the garden of Lily Palace is exceptionally beautiful. They say flowers bloom out of season and trees grow vigorously.”

“Yes, so with that power…”

“Princess. When this mad flame faces monsters, it becomes much more… intense than what you’ve seen. This flame burns all the land the monsters have stepped on, as if it has a grudge against them. All the way to the depths. It takes at least 3 years for land burned by this flame to come back to life. With all sorts of… efforts, barely a blade of grass grows.”

“With my power…”

“Give it up, Princess. I have no intention of seeing you freeze to death like that again.”

“That was because I was too weak then. This time will be different. I’m healthy now.”

“Healthy, you say?”

Floyd looked Roxiana up and down. Her neck that seemed it would break if held, her white skin, her excessively slender wrists.

“Princess, your eyesight must be poor. Where exactly are you healthy?”

“Everywhere. I’ve eaten well, slept well, and rested well. I’ve moved around a lot, so my stamina is better than ever.”

“Ah.”

“Not everyone can have such thick arms like Your Majesty.”

“Of course not.”

“Then how much bigger do I need to get for you to let me use my power?”

“As big as me.”

“Ha!”

“When you get as big as me, then we’ll talk again.”

It was nonsense. To get as big as that man. Even among knights, there was no one bigger and more muscular than Floyd.

So this was a rejection. It meant don’t even dream of it.

Roxiana bit her lower lip firmly, then picked up the glass in front of her, gulped down the beer, and set it down with a thud.

“Your Majesty, you’re really stubborn.”

“As much as you, Princess? I’ve never met anyone as stubborn as you in my life.”

“Me too. I’ve never met anyone as stubborn as Your Majesty either.”

“Alright. Let’s say I’m more stubborn then, and have some apple.”

He picked up an apple and split it in half. Apple juice trickled down his wrist.

Roxiana looked down at his glistening hand, then took half the apple and bit into it with a crunch. As she bit into the ripe apple, juice trickled down her lips, which she wiped off with the back of her hand while glaring at him.

She hoped he would point out this vulgar, rude, and improper behavior, but he only said, “You eat well. You must like apples?” without commenting on her actions.

When he accepted without any reaction what she had done to show her anger, Roxiana’s spirit deflated.

“I’m not a bird in a cage.”

“I see you’ve decided not to be a slave anymore.”

As Roxiana pressed her lips tightly shut, he smiled gently and raised both hands slightly.

“Alright, stop glaring. I won’t tease you anymore.”

“…”

“Of course, I have no intention of caging you, Princess. You can fly anywhere you want.”

“Then why…”

“Princess, an injured bird can’t fly in the vast sky for long. It quickly tires and can’t escape danger in time. So you still need to be in the cage for now.”

“Do I look that weak to you?”

“Very much so. I’m afraid you’ll crumble if I hold you in one hand. So Princess, stay in the cage a little longer. I’ll open that cage door anytime once you’re fully healed.”

+++

Floyd glanced at Roxiana, who was walking away with her lips firmly pressed and a displeased expression.

‘Still, she’s expressing her emotions better than before.’

Adrian had said seeing a woman’s sulky face was the most troublesome, but Floyd found it enjoyable. He was amazed that Roxiana could make such expressions.

‘Well, she was originally a princess with various expressions.’

Lucas had stolen the smile from Roxiana, who used to laugh well and get upset easily.

‘But her smile will return too.’

Because Floyd did as well.

They had succeeded in taking away Floyd’s smile, but it was only for a very short time. Floyd didn’t want to let them manipulate his emotions as they pleased.

He hoped Roxiana would realize that too.

‘Or has she realized it in a different way from me?’

Floyd had decided not to live the life they wanted. They had wanted Floyd to be drowning in despair and grief, but Floyd had crawled out of the darkness and laughed loudly.

But there were times when he had thought of choosing a different way.

‘Is she thinking of revenge?’

Until recently, Roxiana had only wanted to die, but her attitude had suddenly changed. It didn’t seem to be just because of her sense of responsibility for the wolf cub.

Instead of smiling, Roxiana was trying to accomplish something. She was trying to prove her usefulness.

‘And she’s trying to drag me into that revenge?’

Whether it was revenge or stubbornness to not just cry as they wanted, it was fortunate that Roxiana had given up thoughts of dying.

‘Well, thinking about living is the start. Realizing that burning your life with revenge is futile is something to learn gradually.’

As they arrived in front of Lily Palace, Roxiana stopped for a moment and faced Floyd.

“Thanks to Your Majesty, I drank delicious beer and had a good time. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Then I’ll go in now. Sleep well.”

“I could sleep well if the Princess doesn’t do anything unnecessary.”

“Why is that unnecessary? I’m just trying to help Your Majesty.”

“Seeing that you know what I’m talking about, your head must be full of thoughts of doing that?”

As if hit right on the mark, Roxiana’s face reddened. She glared at Floyd intently, then turned around and walked away quickly.

Floyd watched her retreating figure with a smile, only turning away after she was out of sight.

As he walked, thinking about their drinking session, Floyd’s eyes caught a white figure wandering in the garden. It was Arsen, dressed in full uniform.

It was rare for Arsen to remain at the Grand Duke’s palace at this hour, so Floyd called out to him curiously.

“Arsen. Not feeding the dogs today?”

Arsen, who kept three dogs, always fed them himself even though he could have employees do it, so he usually returned to the mansion on time unless there was something special.

Even when he occasionally had drinking sessions, he would return home before midnight. The reason was that the dogs would feel lonely if they didn’t see him for a long time.

“I did feed them.”

“You did? Then why are you back?”

“The wolf…”

“Wolf?”

“No, it’s nothing. I’ll be going.”

The only wolf Floyd could think of was the gray wolf entrusted to Roxiana, so he grabbed Arsen’s arm as he turned to leave.

“What about the wolf?”

Seeing Arsen’s pale face full of concern, Floyd’s heart sank.

‘Is there some problem with that wolf cub? If something happens to the wolf, the princess might want to die again.’

Arsen swept his long silver hair back as if annoyed and let out a small sigh. He stared at Floyd blankly for a while, then spoke in a voice full of worry.

“The wolf is too small.”

“…What nonsense is that?”