When Litania pressed the corners of her twitching mouth with her fingertips and managed to smile, the head maid also smiled in return.

“The Glass Palace has the best sunlight and scenery, so I’m sure Her Highness the Princess will be pleased with it.”

Would they really leave empty the palace with the best sunlight and scenery? It’s probably just lip service.

While thinking this, Litania still tried her best to smile.

‘Still, if I move to the palace, my range of activities will increase, so if I do well, I might be able to escape the Imperial Palace.’

The current detached palace was too isolated and surrounded by high walls, making it impossible to even think about escaping, but the palace next to Herna’s was in an open area with many paths extending in all directions.

Since the palace is so large, there must be areas where security is lax. It would be easier to escape by taking advantage of those gaps.

Feeling much better, Litania hugged Snow tightly and followed the head maid. She prayed that this change would finally bring peace.

The dove that was supposed to bring peace seems to have been roasted by the dragon’s breath.

“Oh my, what a coincidence.”

People decided to call this kind of coincidence a bolt from the blue.

“Yes. A coincidence… indeed, Orbis.”

Litania greeted Orbis while averting her gaze to hide her trembling eyes.

She had only worried about encountering Herna when moving to the palace, but she forgot that an even bigger mountain remained. What could be the reason for not granting the palace with the best sunlight and scenery to either the prince or princess, and leaving it empty?

It must be for the Emperor to use.

‘Right. No wonder they said they were giving me a nice palace…’

Although it was said to be granted to Litania, that palace wasn’t her sole possession. It meant that others could use it as well.

‘But.’

What on earth was the case for Orbis to be here at the tea party held under the pretext of comforting the princess who was greatly shocked at the hunting festival, instead of the Emperor?

Of course, it wouldn’t have been comfortable to sit across from someone else’s father and drink tea even if the Emperor were here, but why on earth send Orbis instead?

‘If you’re going to send someone instead, send the Crown Prince or Prince!’

Litania screamed inwardly, but no one heard her.

“I found the scenery here quite pleasing. Do you feel the same?”

“Yes, well, I… It is nice.”

Litania couldn’t see the scenery or anything else, just wanting to leave quickly.

“It seems you don’t like it.”

Orbis lowered his eyebrows slightly, putting on a somewhat sulky expression.

If she hadn’t known his true nature, she would have been moved by his beauty and clapped her hands with tears, saying, ‘Whatever you say is right.’

However, the dragon before her eyes was a historic psychopath who could suddenly change while laughing and drinking tea, and tear the other person to shreds.

“No, how could I not like it? Of course I do. Certainly.”

Litania smiled her best, feeling as if she was being strangled. She couldn’t even hold the teacup because her hands were shaking, let alone drink the tea.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Everyone likes beautiful things, after all.”

“…Pfft.”

Orbis burst into laughter again. He clearly knew he was beautiful. While suppressing the urge to shout that he alone was an exception, Litania added with effort:

“The scenery, I mean. I meant I like beautiful scenery.”

Excluding people. No, since he’s not even human, excluding living beings, she nailed it down to just the scenery. Hoping that it wouldn’t be taken as a sign of affection for Orbis.

“I see, beautiful scenery.”

The fingertips in white gloves leisurely brushed against red lips. Like Litania’s, Orbis’s teacup was also full of tea. Neither had touched their cups. As if they had no intention of drinking tea here at all.

“Then, Litania.”

Orbis rose smoothly from his seat and approached Litania.

Whether the table was small or his legs were long, the distance between him and her narrowed without him taking many steps. As Orbis gently bent his waist towards Litania, his shimmering golden hair flowed down like waves.

Litania held her breath and gripped the armrests of her chair tightly. The distance was too close.

With the formidable strength of a dragon, just reaching out and grasping would be enough to crush her slender body, bones and all.

“I know an even more beautiful place.”

“Y-Yes, yes.”

“Would you like to go together?”

It sounded not like a date invitation but more like an offer to send her to the afterlife, making Litania frown without even breathing.

“Um, surely not now?”

“Yes, now.”

Is there any way to refuse his request? Litania desperately racked her brain.

“Uh, that! I hurt my leg at the last hunting festival! I don’t think I can walk for long!”

“Oh my, you hurt your leg?”

Orbis tilted his head slightly and then bent his body a little. Soon, his large body lowered and his long arm was seen stretching out.

‘Surely he’s not trying to lift my skirt to check my leg? Is he crazy?’

Is it because he’s not human that common sense doesn’t apply? Litania hurriedly grabbed her skirt.

However, a moment later, she regretted not grabbing the chair instead of the skirt.

Strong arms wrapped around the voluminous dress, and her body was lifted up. Orbis, who had picked her up by the waist, smiled.

“Then I’ll carry you there.”

“What? That’s not neces-”

Before she could finish her refusal, she felt her body floating, and the surrounding scenery changed.

“Huh?”

Just a moment ago, they were in front of the tea table in the garden, but as if erased by magic and recreated, a completely different landscape appeared in an instant.

Before she could even judge what had happened, Orbis adjusted his hold on Litania and nodded towards the outside.

“Look around, Litania.”

“Uh…”

The two were standing at the edge of a cliff on a high mountain.

An endless, vast, and rugged plain was visible, with mountains towering towards the sky surrounding that plain.

Noticing the faint outline of a castle in the distance, Litania realized it was the view of the capital.

Until now, she had never left the castle, and even the brief outing during the hunting festival was all she had experienced, so she never had the chance to see the overall view of the capital city.

‘It’s magnificent…’

She had thought that since the castle was so large, being confined inside wasn’t too stifling, but it seems that wasn’t the case.

Facing the open plains, the long flowing river, the shining lake, and the cityscape that looked as small as toys, she felt strangely unburdened.

It was a feeling different from mere refreshment. It was closer to the peculiar sense of relief one feels when accidentally discovering something long-forgotten yet missed.

She had a memory of seeing this scenery before.

‘Did I read it in a novel?’

Litania muttered while blankly staring at the scenery.

“There’s a lake.”

“It’s hard to know when you’re only in the capital. It’s even more beautiful up close.”

Orbis pointed to a place where small lakes were lined up like sparkling jewels, then snapped his fingers.

Once again, the surrounding scenery changed, and this time a clear lake like a mirror spread out before her eyes.

‘Is it spatial teleportation magic?’

Thinking that if one could move to distant places this easily, she could understand why transportation methods hadn’t developed in this world, Litania peered into the lake.

Colorful fish and strange aquatic plants were glimpsed.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Orbis asked. Litania nodded slightly. Was it needless worry that she had been concerned for a moment? Orbis had only shown her various sceneries and didn’t seem to be trying anything particularly forceful.

‘Is it not yet time to worry? At what point did they get closer in the original work?’

This much could be considered a slightly unusual date, couldn’t it? Litania, feeling a bit more relaxed, nodded.

“Yes, it’s beautiful.”

“Though I am more beautiful.”

“…”

She wanted to ask what this sudden statement was about, but it was more troubling that she couldn’t refute it.

“Do you find my appearance pleasing?”

Litania bit her lip, drawing in a sharp breath.

Although he might be a crazy reptile with a violent temperament, Orbis’s appearance was beyond reproach.

His beautiful long golden hair and vividly shining blue eyes seemed to have jumped out of a holy painting, and his tall figure dressed in a dazzlingly white suit was nothing short of a work of art.

Not only that. His elegant gait as he walked, effortlessly carrying Litania’s body with one arm, and the movement of his long fingers in pristine white gloves were so captivating that just looking at them made one’s heart flutter.

She had to admit it. The fact that dragons seemed to embody beauty, elegance, and wonder – the essence of nature itself.

‘But acknowledging his beauty and this are separate matters!’

She needed to create distance. Mental distance for survival!

Litania desperately avoided eye contact and blurted out as if making an excuse.

“I don’t judge people based on their appearance.”

“I see. Neither do I.”

“…”

“Despite looking like this, I actually don’t care about my appearance at all.”

Is it because he has everything, that he doesn’t even realize how good what he possesses is?

Of course, Litania only thought this to herself.