“It’s as big as ten people combined.”

That was what Askal told me when we came here together.

“Mom, it’s huuuuge!”

Rublion’s head was bent all the way back. Standing right next to Rublion, his height only reached the statue’s ankles.

“…It’s amazing.”

If only I could capture this scene in a photograph.

‘The camera hasn’t been invented yet.’

Of course, there were inventions that were the ancestors of the camera, but it took a long time to take a single picture, so people didn’t prefer it that much.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

Askal came up beside me and asked. I answered sincerely that I did.

“Mom, there are painters over there.”

I looked where Rublion was pointing, and there were street painters like in Louvre Square. Their hands were moving very fast like machines, and they were painting portraits of tourists along with the statue of the primordial god.

“It’s just like a tourist spot.”

Askal nodded at my words. I left him alone and carefully approached the painters.

And after asking if it was okay to watch them work, I stood right next to them and observed. Amidst the noise made by the tourists, only the vivid sound of charcoal passing over the canvas could be heard.

“Do you like this painting?”

Askal whispered softly in my ear as he approached. I shook my head.

“Rather than the painting itself, I prefer the act of painting more. It’s mysterious and beautiful to see the paint stacking up on the white canvas layer by layer.”

“That’s right. Art makes human life more beautiful. I learned that in my aesthetics class.”

Rublion, who had finished looking at the statue, came to my side at some point and spoke. The child, thinking this was the moment, started babbling on and on about aesthetics.

I took the child and Askal a few steps back, thinking that if we crowded too much, the painter would be nervous. Even then, Rublion’s mouth didn’t stop showing off his knowledge.

“If you like painting, why don’t you try it yourself?”

Askal said as he stroked Rublion’s head, who was talking enthusiastically. I looked at the child with my eyes and answered.

“There are things that you can’t do no matter how hard you try. To rationalize it as my own uniqueness… it’s too much like future art, shall we say?”

“I see. It’s sad when you can’t do what you love the way you want to.”

I just laughed it off. Askal looked at the atmosphere and silently held my hand.

After finishing the statue tour, we entered the largest hotel in the hot spring district. Unlike the residence in the territory, the suite on the top floor of the 4-story building had large windows.

The hot spring district could be seen at a glance through the window. Rublion muttered that it was cool and looked out the window for a long time.

While the hotelier unpacked our luggage, we decided to discuss our plans for tomorrow.

“I want to take a hot spring bath.”

This was something I had wanted to do since I first saw Gatrata. I wanted to soak my body in the warm water and then pour cold water over my body when it became unbearably hot.

“Then let’s go take a hot spring bath tomorrow.”

Askal accepted my opinion without objection. Rublion also seemed to be secretly looking forward to it.

We had a simple dinner at the hotel’s 1st floor restaurant. And after Rublion fell asleep, we also ordered room service in advance, planning to drink wine together.

As expected, Rublion, who had used up all his energy running around all day, declared that he would go to bed early. Then, as if keeping his promise, he went into the small room with the bed and soon fell asleep, snoring.

“Ma’am, please sit over here.”

When I came out after staying next to Rublion until he fell asleep, Askal was waiting near the window table with cheese and fruit set out. His serious appearance somehow looked cute.

“We’re finally alone.”

I smiled at him as he poured wine into my glass.

“We need moments like a honeymoon too.”

After pouring the wine, Askal picked up some cheese with a fork and held it out to me. Then he raised his glass and clinked it against mine.

The alcohol went down smoothly without getting drunk. The night view of the hot spring district was really beautiful, and it was even better that the person sitting across from me was Askal.

Sweet fruit with wine that had a rich acidity.

My man’s gaze, which was even sweeter, was so lovely that there were no words to describe it.

“You are such a lovely man.”

“You are also a very lovely person, ma’am.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Even a few months ago, I never imagined he would be like this.

“Askal, shall I tell you a secret?”

The alcohol made my mouth move on its own.

“Remember when Rublion asked Black Swan to find someone to be his mom? When the condition was attached that your ideal type had to be big, do you remember what I said?”

Askal thought for a moment and answered.

“I remember you talking about spending habits. I think it was when we were together in the unit to meet the baron.”

I raised one finger and wiggled it to the side. Then I said to him, who was looking at me curiously.

“At that time, I thought your ideal type was a woman with big breasts.”

Askal’s eyes gradually widened. Ah, I love this reaction so much.

“I must have seemed like someone who would have physical conditions as my ideal type.”

“Hehe, so I cursed you a lot in my mind at that time. Of course, after I found out that it was about spending habits, not breasts, I stopped.”

I rubbed the rim of the wine glass with my finger. A clear sound like a musical instrument came out for a moment and then disappeared.

“Do you have any other secrets like that?”

“I do have one, although it’s not quite like that secret.”

“I’d like to know.”

The wind that came in through the open window gently touched Askal’s bangs. Since when did my ideal type change from a bear-like person to a cheetah-like person?

“On the first day I decided to stay at the Artenbach ducal residence, Gaben showed me a mural.”

It must be something that remains a wound to him. So I thought I should be careful and continued speaking.

“I heard the story of your childhood from Tidd, who was looking at the unfinished waterfall in the painting. What the story behind the painting was, why it wasn’t finished, and so on.”

Askal didn’t say anything. He just quietly picked up his glass and sipped the wine.

“I just… suddenly imagined you painting the waterfall like Tidd. Because I thought my heart would be full if I saw the person I love doing what I like the most.”

He didn’t really show any change in expression. I fiddled with my fingers, thinking I had said it for nothing.

“…It’s been a long time since I put down the brush, so honestly I’m not confident. I didn’t really have any intention of finishing it either.”

Askal looked down at his own hand. I hurriedly grabbed his hand and said,

“I’m not forcing you to paint. I just thought of it while talking about secrets.”

Askal’s golden eyes stared at me.

“I have no intention of picking at your wounds. So don’t misunderstand. Okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He smiled slightly and tucked my hair that had fallen forward behind my ear. Then he gently stroked my cheek with his thumb and said,

“Please wait here for a moment.”

“Where are you going?”

He suddenly got up from his seat after touching me subtly while looking at me. Then he headed towards the room where Rublion was sleeping.

Not even a few minutes later, he came out quietly. I don’t know what he went to do, but he was smiling even more brightly than before.

“Ma’am, I was thinking we should go to bed now.”

“Oh, are you tired? Then you go in first. I’ll look at this beautiful night view a little longer…”

Before I could even finish my sentence, my body floated in the air. He had come up to me and lifted me up with both arms.

“I’d like you to only look at me right now.”

He kissed my forehead with a smacking sound. I wondered what this situation was all of a sudden.

“The way you carefully bring up secret stories, and the way you get anxious worrying if my feelings were hurt, it’s all so lovely that I have no choice but to come to this conclusion.”

“Wh-what is it?”

I was startled to be suddenly held, but I didn’t dislike it either.

“I’m going to give you an amazing night, but please don’t make too much noise. I did check that the child is asleep, but just in case he hears.”

“Don’t tell me that’s why you just…”

He nodded. I blushed at the blatant confirmation.

“It’s embarrassing.”

I put strength in my toes for no reason. His steps toward the bedroom while holding me seemed urgent, so my heart also raced along with it.

When we arrived in front of the room, Askal lightly pushed the door with his foot. I saw a large, pure white bedding.

He gently put me down on the bed. Embarrassed by this situation that I didn’t want to avoid, I kept my arms around his neck and buried my face like that. It’s not even the first time, so why do I feel so shy and ticklish?

“Ma’am. I want to see your face.”

The drunkenness had already disappeared. Only his words about giving me an amazing night echoed in my ears.

“Schmidt, show me your face.”

Was the way he called my name always this sweet?

I let go of my arms and slowly lay back. He stroked my hair affectionately and said,

“Have I ever told you that you’re pretty?”

I don’t know. How could I possibly remember that in this situation and atmosphere?

“You’re pretty. So much that I don’t want to leave this room for the entire trip.”

My face felt hot. My mind was turning blank.

“Schmidt, call my name with your lovely lips.”

“Askal.”

“One more time.”

“Askal.”

As if he couldn’t stand it anymore, he grabbed both of my hands. Soon his warm lips approached my lips.