Horses have quick legs and can travel long distances, so it might have already crossed the mountains and run to the plains.

There are many wild animals beyond the mountains, and I wonder if it was attacked by predators.

Images of the horse running freely on the plains and being chased by predators alternated in Litania’s mind, causing her to shake her head vigorously.

“Orbis, do you remember the hunting festival last year?”

“That’s where I saved you.”

“Yes. Before I encountered the beast and fell off the cliff, I actually lost my horse.”

“You lost your horse?”

“Yes. It was a white horse similar to Sonipes.”

That white horse was much more beautiful than Sonipes. At the time, I didn’t realize it because it was the only horse I had actually seen, but comparing it to the other horses in the stable made me realize how mysterious it was.

“There was one horse left, so I thought it was my share and took it out. But I didn’t know how to ride a horse at that time.”

Litania, recalling her past mistake, became a bit embarrassed, blushing and lowering her gaze.

“I entered the forest holding the reins, but I ended up losing the white horse. I lost it just like that.”

Orbis, who had been listening attentively to her story, asked in a gentle voice as if to comfort her.

“So you’ve been worried, thinking that if you had known how to ride a horse then, you wouldn’t have lost the white horse.”

“Actually, I had forgotten… But when I received the Emperor’s letter inviting me to attend this spring festival, the first thing that came to mind was the hunting festival. I think that’s why.”

How is the horse living now that it has regained its freedom? Has it been captured by humans again?

How long do wild horses live? At the time, I didn’t realize it because I was attacked by a beast right after losing the horse, but as time passed, the image of that horse kept coming back to me.

“I wonder how that white horse is doing now?”

“Would you like to meet it?”

“It’s a horse I lost, of course I’m curious about how it’s doing. I’m worried.”

Orbis spoke in a reassuring tone, with confidence in his voice.

“Don’t worry, Litania. It’s probably doing well even now. Just like you’re safe here.”

“Do you think so?”

“If there’s a connection, encounters tend to repeat. You’ll probably meet again someday.”

If that horse didn’t cross the mountains and made its habitat near the forest, maybe we could encounter it again at this hunting festival.

The possibility was slim, but just thinking about it somehow made Litania feel reassured.

“You’re right. If there’s a connection, we’ll meet again.”

“That’s why we should cherish this moment.”

“Haha. Are you saying I should take care of you beside me more than the lost white horse?”

Litania understood Orbis’s words as a joke and approached him, linking arms.

“Alright, alright. I’ll be most faithful to you.”

“That’s the most pleasing thing you’ve said to me today.”

“Oh, you’re exaggerating.”

“I’m serious, Litania.”

As the two were leaving the riding grounds arm in arm, the winter sky, which had seemed so pale and clear, gradually clouded over, and small white dots began to appear.

Those white dots soon became small snowflakes, fluttering down.

“Orbis, it’s snowing!”

“It’s the first snow we’re experiencing together.”

The first snow had fallen on the night of Litania’s recovery celebration, but that night she was too drunk and being carried by Orbis to experience the snow.

“Didn’t you say we should go on a date while experiencing the first snow?”

“This isn’t the first snow, though. Haha, but since it’s the first time we’re experiencing it together, can we insist it’s the first snow?”

Orbis smiled, narrowing his eyes as he watched white dots begin to fall on Litania’s hair.

“Whatever you wish.”

“Okay. Then let’s say this is the first snow.”

The two looked at each other and smiled. Strangely, it was snowing on a winter day that wasn’t cold. Small snowflakes were accumulating on Litania’s hair and clothes, but not a single flake stuck to Orbis’s body.

“But if it snows like this, the roads might become slippery.”

“I don’t think it will pile up that much.”

“Your shoulder injury has just healed, and if you slip and fall, you might get hurt again. Though that wouldn’t be too bad either.”

“I’ll be careful… What?”

“It’s more enjoyable to do this right now.”

Orbis unwrapped his arm from hers and encircled Litania’s waist, then lifted her up.

“Shall we walk like this?”

“You just wanted to hold me, didn’t you?”

“You caught me.”

“I thought there might be some ulterior motive.”

“Oh my, that’s a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Because there was only ulterior motive.”

Litania’s eyes widened at Orbis’s brazen response, then she burst into laughter. She wrapped her arms around Orbis’s neck and clung to him.

“Ah, I think I’m starting to understand Orbis’s jokes now.”

“It seems you still have a long way to go to understand my sincerity.”

“Understanding is enough. And doing this right now.”

Litania brought her face close to Orbis’s and gently touched noses. Unlike Litania’s face, which had grown cold, Orbis maintained his usual body temperature.

“I like it too, you know.”

At first, it was bewildering, and then embarrassing.

‘They say humans are creatures of adaptation.’

Now, she liked being held by Orbis.

‘No, is this not adaptation?’

The feeling of relying on someone you like in a comfortable and stable position warmed her heart.

He had approached slowly, like clothes getting wet in a drizzle, and was now in the closest position to her. When did it start feeling natural?

Litania rested her head on Orbis’s shoulder. This distance had become normal since that night they kissed. Although they hadn’t repeated that act since then.

“You’ve gotten thinner, Litania.”

“Everyone’s been saying that. But my body feels the same.”

“You’re so light, I feel like you might disappear like this.”

“Oh, you’re exaggerating again.”

Litania lifted her head, smiling. Their eyes met. Her face was reflected in his blue eyes.

Litania suddenly thought she wanted to kiss Orbis’s lips. Perhaps this was the most appropriate timing.

But.

“Orbis, what are we to each other?”

A couple united by the Emperor’s order. And friends.

A relationship that was lovers on a certain night in the past.

“We’re two people who think alike.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

Though it was the dead of winter, his words were as warm as a spring breeze. Litania kissed Orbis on the cheek and smiled brightly.

She enjoyed watching the white snowflakes dance down as she was carried in his arms. This is good enough for now. There will be plenty of time to get closer in the future.

“Orbis, let’s have dinner together when we get back.”

Orbis agreed to her suggestion.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll feed you warm food.”

“You’re not going to feed me again, are you?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“My hands are perfectly fine, you know? I’m not a patient.”

“That’s a shame.”

His expression looked genuinely disappointed, which made Litania feel a bit dumbfounded. She looked at Orbis with a bewildered face, then soon chuckled.

“I don’t understand why Orbis is so desperate to do things for me.”

“Because you don’t ask me to.”

“I’ve asked for plenty of things, but Orbis doesn’t listen.”

“…”

“But, well, if you had listened to my requests then, we probably wouldn’t have become like this.”

Two different individuals grew closer at different speeds. Even getting used to each other was different for both of them.

But the feeling of reassurance in their current relationship is the same for both.

Thinking this, Litania smiled contentedly.

“Let’s make more memories together from now on.”

They walked along the snowy path and entered the main palace of the Dragon Castle across the lake.

White snowflakes densely gathered on the large footprints left on the path.

Litania and Orbis returned to their respective rooms to change clothes, agreeing to meet in the dining room for dinner.

As the two returned to their rooms, large and small silhouettes emerged from the empty hall, whispering and exchanging words.

“The master seemed to be in a good mood, didn’t he?”

“The lady seemed to be in a good mood too.”

“The two of them are having dinner together?”

“A chance to score points!”

While it’s heartwarming for the servants to see the master couple getting along well, it had a special meaning for the servants of the Dragon Castle.

Since that banquet, the fierce dragon’s whims had noticeably decreased. They no longer had to be on edge, fearing they might offend his nerves.

“Our master has changed…”

Chef Pepper’s eyes welled up with tears.

Judging by his tone alone, he sounded like a parent shedding tears of joy upon seeing their wayward eldest son return as a respectable person.

It seemed that after studying human speech patterns by poring over gossip magazines recently, he had even adopted their mindset. The influence of media on the public is indeed this powerful.

“I think Pepper has changed the most.”