I had to think a little deeper about Leoprick.

Throughout the horse ride, I thought about his connection to magic.

If it was magic that could turn back time, it wouldn’t be ordinary magic, so there was a high possibility it didn’t exist even in the imperial family’s library, which was said to have limited resources.

How much did Leoprick truly know about the magic that had disappeared even from the imperial family’s library?

If it wasn’t Leoprick who cast the spell, but Lloyd, did they collaborate? Things like that.

But the more I thought about it, the deeper my worries became.

To begin with, magic wasn’t a field I knew well, and as time passed, I was learning new things about the person named Leoprick Baldini Reinhart. The more I learned, the less certain I became about what I knew about him.

‘Is this the best option?’

Just this morning, it was like that.

Leoprick asking back with such a dumbfounded face.

And then he says something like, ‘The male attire is so beautiful that it’s impossible to see you as a man.’

‘Isn’t there any other clothing? No, isn’t there any other way? Like this, it’s absolutely…’

He even shook his head while looking at me with a troubled face.

Saying that eight or nine out of ten people would recognize that I was a woman.

He also told me not to stray from him while riding.

I glanced sideways at him, who was still riding close to me.

Leoprick was riding with his back straight, in a perfect posture that could be in a riding manual.

Looking ahead with a slight smile, I thought he looked just like a painting.

At that moment, as I was staring blankly, he suddenly turned his head.

Fearing he might catch me looking, I quickly straightened my gaze.

I could feel his gaze on my profile, but I pretended not to notice.

Then, after lingering for a while, his gaze returned to its place with a smile.

Glancing sideways, I saw him looking ahead again.

And I also saw that the smile on his lips had deepened.

…This is why I keep getting confused.

Wondering if he might have turned back time for my sake, even though I know it’s impossible.

Clearly, the Leoprick I know is someone who can create any appearance he wants if he sets his mind to it.

Even so, I wonder if even that comfortable-looking appearance could be a lie.

Once again, I stopped pondering.

“We’d better rest here today.”

In the completely darkened time.

We, who had been riding horses without rest, stopped our horses at the traveler’s inn that was starting to appear.

It was getting dark, and we couldn’t see clearly what was around us anymore, so the knights suggested we rest here before continuing.

Well, since we don’t have lanterns or anything we can carry while riding horses, it makes sense to stop here.

“That’s a good idea. We can’t see what’s ahead clearly now, so it’s better to set out when day breaks tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll check if there’s anyone inside.”

When I and Leoprick agreed, everyone started moving, dividing roles on their own.

Some checked if anyone was in the traveler’s inn, some checked where the luggage needed for camping was in case the inn was full.

And some checked if there were any danger factors around.

Watching the knights move in perfect order, I got off the horse and pulled my luggage tied to the horse.

“Everyone’s role distribution is well organized.”

“Well, they are trained knights after all.”

“Do they train for this kind of thing when they train to be knights?”

“What do you mean? Dividing roles? Or camping?”

Leoprick smiled and asked which one I was curious about.

Seeing him speak, it seemed like they learned most of what I was curious about, so I shook my head.

“It seems like you’ll say they learn everything no matter what I ask.”

“Well, being a knight is a job where you have to do everything. You need to be good with a sword, good with your head, and good with both body and mind.”

“Then did Leo also learn to be good at everything?”

I heard that the title of ‘Sir’ that only knights have can only be received by those who have completed all the set training.

And Leoprick, putting aside his status as the crown prince, trained together with his peer apprentice knights and as a result, gained the title of ‘Sir’.

It was a unique achievement among all crown princes in history.

Of course, he would have thoroughly hidden his identity, but I vaguely remembered hearing that he had a hard time being envied and checked by those around him throughout his training.

That memory came to mind, so I asked, but Leoprick looked very surprised.

“…Did you know that I received knight training?”

“Yes. Any palace servant who’s worked for a long time seems to know.”

I nodded, recalling the conversation of palace servants whispering among themselves, not knowing I was behind them before the regression.

I tilted my head, wondering if it was that strange that I knew this fact, but Leoprick couldn’t shake off his surprised expression.

“I did receive knight training. It was when I was very young, though…”

“I was curious if you were trained to be good at everything like that back then too. From what you said, it seems knight training thoroughly teaches a wide variety of things.”

It was just pure curiosity.

“Then that means Leo can survive sufficiently no matter when or where he’s dropped, right?”

It was just a meaningless question asked out of genuine curiosity.

But whatever meaning it held for Leoprick, he smiled more gently than ever before.

“If I go by what I learned, that should be the case. After all, I did receive all the training that the knights receive now.”

“I see. Knights are amazing.”

“Everyone does it. It’s not that amazing.”

“Isn’t it amazing to be good with your head, good with your body, and good with both sword and mind? Usually, most people are only good with their head or good at just one thing.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Leoprick trailed off slightly at my words.

Wondering what was happening again, I turned my head to look at him.

At that moment when his expression wasn’t clearly visible due to the dark night sky.

A light suddenly turned on from the traveler’s inn.

And.

“…To be honest, I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect you to know about my childhood.”

“Ah…”

I saw Leoprick’s face, which had turned completely red.

It wasn’t bewilderment, but embarrassment.

“Lady Mer! They say everything’s ready inside.”

“Okay, Betty.”

At that moment, Betty approached me, saying the preparations inside were complete.

Saying we could now bring in the luggage.

“There’s no one else inside, and they say there’s no sign of anyone else around. For now, if you two settle in first, and then I and a few of the knights go in together, it should roughly fill up the space.”

“What about the others? Is it not big enough for everyone to fit?”

“The knights say the size of traveler’s inns varies a bit by region. They say this one seems small because it’s just past the entrance to the capital, so statistically, not many people stay here.”

Betty explained in detail what she had heard from the knights in response to my question.

And as I listened to her explanation, I could see knights setting up a base for camping around the traveler’s inn.

“So in the end, not everyone can go in, is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes. So we decided that only you two, a few knights for protection, and myself will go in.”

Betty nodded lightly and pulled the luggage from the horse.

“They said it would be good to have a simple dinner, so I’ll go ahead and prepare dinner. You two can finish your conversation and come in.”

As she was about to leave, I glanced at Leoprick and took a step.

“No, I’ll come with you. What can I help with?”

“Huh? Weren’t you two in the middle of a conversation?”

“…It’s over. I’ll go ahead, Sir Leo.”

“Ah… Alright, Mer.”

He answered in a slightly dazed voice.

Betty looked a bit confused seeing him like that, but I just walked with her towards the inn.

“Did something happen between you two? His Highness’s expression is really…”

“Nothing happened.”

I shook my head lightly at her, who was tilting her head with a face full of questions.

How could I talk about someone who blushed just because I knew about his knighthood ceremony?

Not knowing this, I had just kept praising him, so was that why he was even more embarrassed?

It was also somewhat puzzling that someone who seemed to have lived a life of constant praise and admiration would react like this.

“Betty, is it strange to tell someone who’s good at something that they’re doing well?”

Since I didn’t say anything, Betty didn’t ask further, but I thought it might be better than her wondering alone, so I spoke up.

“What’s strange about that?”

“Right? It’s not strange, is it?”

As I was inwardly wondering why Leoprick had acted that way.

“But the person hearing it might feel awkward. Especially if they’re not used to receiving compliments.”

“Aren’t people who are good at things usually used to compliments?”

This time, Betty made a face of disbelief at my words.

“How could that be? Just look at you, Lady Mer, you’re not very used to compliments either.”

“Am I in the category of ‘people who are good at things’?”

“I don’t think anyone would say you’re not?”

Is that so? Then was Leoprick also not complimented much by those around him compared to how good he was?

As I tilted my head, Betty chuckled and shook her head.

“Usually, people who are good at things are more awkward with compliments. You’re the same way, you know.”

“Really…?”

“Why, did His Highness feel awkward about the compliment? Did he blush and all that, like you do?”

When I tilted my head, Betty asked with a slightly mischievous face.

At her tone that seemed like she was teasing me, I slightly raised my eyebrows.

“That’s enough, Betty. It’s not like that.”

“Hmm, I think I’m right, and your face looks a bit red now too, but I’ll stop here.”

Betty giggled softly and walked a bit ahead.

Following her, I recalled Leoprick’s face, which had somehow seemed moved.

…What was that about? My heart seemed to flutter along with it.