“It’s about respect for life. Respect for the heart, the blood, and the living body that I breathe in.”

And for me, the effort for the man who loves you.

Alfonso whispered only to himself. Don’t die. I realized it this time. I can’t live in a world without you.

“Good days will definitely come if you stay alive.”

Even as Alfonso received comfort by smelling Ariadne’s scent while traveling through the snowcovered 280 miles (about 500km) in the cold winter wind, there will certainly be a good part in life.

He paused for a moment and added words.

“I was really scared I might lose you.”

Ariadne could only nod hastily.

Alfonso gently looked down at Ariadne, and he tightened his arm around her again and hugged her forcefully.

“I thought you were dead.”

Alfonso recounted the emotions he felt while running through the snow from Taranto. The first thing that came was regret.

‘Why couldn’t I even tell her I love her?’

There were countless reasons. For the nation, for the people, for the protection of the royal power. But when he thought Ariadne was gone, all he felt was a terribly heavy loss.

He was not okay without her.

Alfonso grew up learning that he must live sacrificing himself for the nation and the people. But he realized, worshipping her lips, that he would be left with nothing without this girl.

He was the kind of person who couldn’t abandon his responsibilities and duties and leave. Even now, he would not take her hand and run off to the wilderness. Instead, he had the youthful optimism and tenacity that he could do anything.

Alfonso lowered his head and brushed his nose against her cheek, which he was still holding tightly in his arms.

“I’ll solve everything and come back.”

There were more than ten inappropriate behaviors for the Grand Duchess of Lariessa as a partner of the national spirit. Although the regular army of the Etruscan kingdom was in a mess, they had abundant gold, prosperous land, and an overflowing population.

Even without Gallico’s help, it would have been fine. That’s what she resolved. Prince Alfonso, the future young king, swore silently to his future queen in front of him.

“Just wait a bit, Ari.”

Alfonso pressed his lips to Ariadne’s cheek.

Ariadne immediately understood what the prince was saying. She knew what was to happen later. Would he really be able to handle all of that?

Ariadne wanted to leak the future to Alfonso, but it was impossible.

Remembering Giada’s hands that burned like ash, Ariadne shuddered. She didn’t want to think about anything right now. She just wanted to believe Alfonso’s assertion, that promise so unbearably sweet.

Looking up at Alfonso, she nodded, and he met her lips again.

The repeated kiss was not rough.

The two young people shared the heat again, breathing heavily, and Alfonso’s touch, holding Ariadne in his arms, gradually rose like a salmon going against the water flow, and touched the edge of her dress front.

“Alfonso!”

Whether it was accidental contact or if he had intentional movement, no one knew.

However, the first thing that came to Ariadne’s mind were the actions of her former fiancé. Without even considering the possibility that it could be a mistake, she was startled reflexively and straightened her posture.