Then she sat down on the sofa by the window and picked up the book she had been reading before going out.

(This is a time separator.)

“Excuse me, Your Highness?”

Belkein, the young noble who had been following Icar for quite a while, cautiously spoke. Only then did Icar look back with an indifferent expression.

“What is it?”

“May I hear what you wanted to say to me?”

Belkein, the young noble, asked with a fresh expression. Icar, after looking at his face for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.

“We’ll talk about it next time. Let’s leave it for now.”

Belkein, the young noble’s mouth, which had been gaping, quickly closed.

“……Yes, as you wish.”

Watching the retreating back of Belkein, the young noble, Icar’s eyes narrowed.

Just then, Druhan, who was walking towards him, looked at some documents and said,

“Your Highness, there is something I would like to discuss from the meeting’s agenda… Your Highness?”

Not receiving an answer, Druhan looked up at Icar.

But Icar was staring at Druhan with his lips tightly pressed and his brows slightly furrowed.

“Why is that? Did I make a mistake with Your Highness or….”

As Druhan straightened and quickly reviewed the day’s events, Icar spoke with an indifferent face.

“No, continue.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Druhan pondered over the strange behavior he had been noticing from His Highness recently.

Feeling a gaze and looking up to find him staring intently, or the fluctuation of emotions that hadn’t been there before, like right now.

“Just like now.”

“Regarding the mining of the magic stones in the Nathaim hot spring area that Your Highness discovered a while ago.”

Icar’s expression, which had seemed uncomfortable just before, now relaxed lazily.

“……?”

(This is a time separator.)

Reneb, who had been looking over the dresses that filled one wall, pointed to a pale lavender dress.

“I’ll go with this one today.”

“How about these shoes to match?”

Kierun pointed to a pair of Mary Jane shoes with a strap over the instep from several pairs.

A kind of safety measure for Reneb’s feet, tormented by new shoes that exposed the instep.

“That’s good.”

As Reneb made her decision, Kierun closed the window that had been slightly opened for ventilation.

“It’s chilly outside today.”

Fortunately, the dress Reneb chose that day was made of slightly thicker material.

Changing into the dress and sitting at the console, Kierun brushed Reneb’s hair back with a brush.

In the mirror, the reflection of Kierun carefully combing each strand of long silver hair was seen.

Watching quietly, Kierun met her eyes through the mirror and spoke,

“I’ll apply the fragrance now.”

As Kierun stepped aside, the reflection of the sofa came into view.

On the sofa lay a neatly placed men’s jacket.

Returning to the console with the fragrance, Kierun read Reneb’s gaze and said,

“The jacket dried quickly because of the wind.”
Reneb looked straight into Kiernen’s eyes and asked meaningfully.

“Have you cleaned it thoroughly?”

“Of course.”

Kiernen added, nodding his head vigorously.

“I left it to the maid who always takes care of your clothes.”

“Well done.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Reneb’s lips. Kiernen’s sense was indeed excellent.

A smile also appeared on Kiernen’s face, pleased with the praise.

“It’s all done now, Lady.”

Kiernen said, applying a little fragrant oil to the ends of her hair.

“Thank you.”

Kiernen asked Reneb, who was heading towards the door after getting up.

“Where are you going?”

“To the library.”

Reneb picked up a book from the table.

And she carried Icar’s jacket over one arm.

(This is a time delimiter.)

Scritchscratch.

The large quill swiftly glided over the paper, flaunting elegant handwriting.

Icar’s left hand quickly piled up the signed documents, and his right hand was busy inscribing new signatures in the margins.

Taptap.

Despite the knock, Icar’s hands continued their swift work on the papers, moving like machinery.

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty, a guest has come.”

“Who?”

“The honorable Siren Duke of Paradium Empire.”

Icar’s busy hands stopped abruptly, forming a round ink puddle beneath the quill.

“The Siren Duke’s honor? Are you sure?”

“Yes! Your Majesty. I’m certain.”

“Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

“Understood.”

Icar put down the quill he was holding and quickly left his office.

The royal knights guarding the office bowed to Icar.

“Where is the honor?”

“He is waiting in the reception room.”

Icar’s long, straight legs quickly headed for the reception room.

Under the towering ceiling window, Reneb’s back was seen sitting on the sofa.

Feeling someone’s presence, Reneb stood up and turned towards Icar.

“I’ve come to see Your Majesty, the Emperor.”

Icar’s eyes landed on the jacket she was holding.

“You must have come to return that.”

“Yes, I’ve cleaned it just as Your Majesty asked.”

Reneb approached him and held out the jacket.

Icar, who happened to be in shirt sleeves, threaded his arms through the jacket and then moved into the corridor.

“Then go.”

“Excuse me? Where are you saying I should go?”

“To supplement protein.”

Reneb briefly looked at the book in her hand, then scanned Icar’s sturdy body.

Then, with determination, she took a step.

‘Ah, muscle loss can’t happen.’