From the inner side of the garden, it was Padre who walked out. Behind him were priests, draped behind him like curtains. Adel gazed at him with slight surprise.

Although they had agreed to encounter each other casually at this time and place, she hadn’t expected him to appear so openly.

The priests, each holding a bible and a thorned staff symbolizing Morrig, had stern and mysterious expressions. It seemed they were tipped off about something.

Ignoring Adel’s perplexed look, Padre greeted them warmly.

“It seems the Duke himself is here as well.”

Valentin, still preoccupied with Adel’s face, seemed unaware of anyone approaching. He appeared almost indifferent.

Adel, nervously glancing around, managed to smile at Padre.

“Archpriest Padre, it’s a surprise to see you here. I hope you are comfortable.”

“Of course.”

Only then, as if bothered, Valentin threw an annoyed glance at Padre. His narrowed eyes in the light seemed almost arrogant.

Valentin scrutinized Padre from head to toe, then seemed to relax a bit, as if deciding that Adel wouldn’t smile lovingly at such a person.

“Who is this?”

“Do you remember I mentioned that Grita was ill? Her condition worsened recently, so I asked for help from the priest, a friend of mine. We’re also discussing the renovation of Morrig’s chapel.”

“I see.”

“I used to frequent the institution and had a good relationship with him. You might remember him from our wedding ceremony, he officiated it.”

“Nice to meet you again, Duke. I am Morrig’s servant, Padre.”

“Ah.”

Valentin responded indifferently, as if considering the priests as mere annoyances. Perhaps they were shocked to witness the Duke’s return, rumored but never confirmed.

Adel thought anxiously, hoping they wouldn’t behave too rudely.

However, Valentin seemed indifferent to whatever they might do, casting a dismissive glance over their heads and gently pulling Adel’s hand.

“Adel, let’s… walk now.”

Padre interjected.

“Are you going for a walk? Perfect timing. I have something urgent to discuss… May I accompany you both?”

“Of course, Padre. It’s absolutely fi…”

“No.”

Valentin, unusually firm, interlaced his fingers between Adel’s.

“Next time. Not now.”

“Your Highness?”

Valentin gripped Adel’s hand tightly and hurried down the walkway, brushing past the astonished onlookers. His knights and the priests followed, but he waved them off and quickened his pace.

His long strides meant Adel nearly had to run to keep up, especially in her cumbersome dress. She quickly became exhausted.

“Your Highness, wait… I… can’t breathe…”

Clutching at his arm, Adel gasped for air. Finally looking at her, Valentin’s eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected her to struggle so much.

“I’m sorry.”
Valentin immediately lifted Adel by supporting her waist and the back of her thighs. Feeling her legs float in the air, Adel was startled and clung tightly around his neck.

“Your Highness!”

Startled by Adel’s loud voice, some servants tending to the animals glanced over, realized it was the Duke and his wife, and turned away, covering their noses, as if inadvertently witnessing someone else’s happy moment.

Embarrassment filled Adel’s round green eyes.

“Please, put me down. I was just startled earlier, but I can walk now.”

“We’re almost there.”

His manner of holding her reassured her peculiarly, like comforting a child. Once he confirmed that she was holding onto his shoulder firmly, he quickened his pace again.

It was more of a raid than a stroll, except that the ‘plundered’ was already his wife.

Feeling awkward, Adel finally rested her forehead on Valentin’s shoulder and bowed her head, overwhelmed by embarrassment. Valentin stopped only when he noticed her hands, gripping his collar, trembling slightly.

“Are you alright? Tired?”

“I’m fine, just put me down, please.”

Adel, with her head still down, gently pushed Valentin’s chin. It would have been different if they were alone, but she was almost burning with embarrassment in public.

Carefully, Valentin set her down. Adel quickly stepped away from him and straightened her crumpled clothes. She then looked sternly at Valentin.

“We mustn’t do this again. It was against proper etiquette.”

“You looked pained.”

“Ah, my waist is a bit sore, that’s all.”

Adel coughed weakly. Despite Valentin exerting the effort, she felt completely drained, having been so tense the entire time.

“I’m sorry.”

Valentin looked downcast with his elegant eyes slightly lowered.

“I just didn’t like the idea of you walking.”

“…”

“It’s our first walk together, Adel. I wanted to show you… this.”

A cool breeze brushed her cheeks. Only then did Adel realize where they were – the northern clearing of the castle.

It was typically used as a training ground for knights, occasionally for equestrian tournaments when the Duke was present, and sometimes for festivals in the summer.

The vast clearing was filled with white wildflowers, bizarrely flourishing out of season.

“This is…”

Beyond, bare tree branches and a cloud-covered sky affirmed it was still winter. The wildly grown grass and flowers made the entire scene surreal.

Adel finally understood the hints dropped by the maids while dressing her. The wind on her cheeks was gentle, as if spring had arrived solely for them.

“…”

Overwhelmed by indescribable emotions, Adel stepped forward. Was this all an illusion? Magic? But the fresh scent of grass reaching her nose felt too real. She bent down, gently cupping the overgrown flowers in both hands.

White flowers piled up in her hands like snowflakes.

“Ah.”
Feeling the damp warmth on the back of her hand, Adel looked down. A scruffy dog she occasionally fed had approached and was gently licking her hand.

Surprised, she stared at the dog. Behind it, its puppies were playfully tumbling, biting their mother’s tail. Adel’s light green eyes widened.

It was surprising that the usually wary dog had come so close, but even more surprising was that it showed no fear, even with Valentin nearby.

Suddenly, she turned back to find Valentin watching her a few steps away, captivated.

“Adel.”

Their eyes met, and his golden eyes, which had narrowed as if dazzled, soon curled into a magnificent smile. At that moment, her heart pounded as if it would break beneath her slender ribs.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t keep my strength for long.”

He was apologizing for not being able to sustain his strength for their first walk, for wanting to show her this place.

Hearing his gentle voice, Adel felt a sudden rush of sorrow. No one had ever looked at her with such intense affection. No one had called her name so tenderly, or shown her such affection. She was overwhelmed.

“…Ah.”

At that moment, it seemed that it didn’t matter what he was. As long as there was no deceit in those eyes that looked at her.

Even if he were not human, even if he were a monster, such blind affection was overwhelming.

She felt like she might cry.

“That happened to you?”

“It must have been Morrig’s arrangement. The white wildflowers symbolize Morrig, after all.”

“…I did hear the servants whispering. The flowers bloomed for about an hour and then suddenly withered.”

“I’ve decided not to doubt him anymore. His return to me must be Morrig’s will.”

“Adelhite.”

Despite Padre’s call, Adel stubbornly continued.

“I heard that the priests found no particular reason to suspect him. Even more so…”