Eric and Beliar sat side by side in the carriage. The rattling carriage was remarkably quiet inside.

‘Southern region after three years.’

Eric gazed at the exotic scenery, lost in memories.

Three years ago, he had visited the South with Rose. It was their honeymoon after the wedding.

When Rose was with him, the carriage was bustling with noise. He suddenly recalled Rose’s restless figure, who couldn’t sit still, excited about their first visit to the South.

It was an enjoyable trip, although it was a bit challenging to keep up with Rose’s excitement.

He glanced at Beliar sitting next to him, a completely different figure from Rose.

Being with her was boring. Breaking the silence, Eric spoke to Beliar.

“Have you ever been to the South?”

“…Yes. It’s my hometown.”

“Hometown? I thought you were born and raised in the capital.”

Beliar seemed to realize her mistake at Eric’s words and showed an awkward expression. Then she quickly excused herself.

“I meant my hometown in my heart. I was captivated by the beautiful scenery.”

Eric didn’t doubt Beliar’s words much and nodded. The South was indeed a peaceful and beautiful town.

‘That was close.’

Beliar held her pounding heart and wiped her chest. She had to play the role of Lady Decar, and unintentionally, her true self almost showed.

She kept checking Eric’s reaction, fortunately, he didn’t seem to pay much attention.

‘…Thank goodness.’

“We’ve arrived.”

The deep voice of the coachman was heard. The carriage wheels slowly came to a stop. Eric got off the carriage first, followed by Beliar.

“It’s unchanged, just like before.”

Eric muttered to himself as he looked around. Not much had changed from when he came with Rose on their honeymoon.

He gazed at a large tree in the center of the square.

The tree, covered with purple petals, was so mystical that it took his breath away. The tree, over 500 years old, was a famous attraction in the South.

Suddenly, he remembered Rose, who used to love this tree.

‘Wow, Eric, look at this! It’s so beautiful.’

‘What’s so great about this tree? Let’s go inside and take a nap.’

She had loved the falling petals so much that it was a bit of a struggle to bring her to their accommodation.

‘How do I look? Am I pretty?’

Picking up the fallen flowers and adorning them in her hair, she asked Eric with shining eyes.

‘Not pretty.’

‘Stop teasing. Well… even your teasing is charming.’

‘Don’t laugh. It makes you look inadequate.’
‘Whenever I’m with Eric, I can’t help but smile all the time! I’m truly so happy.’

‘Where exactly do I have any charm?’

‘Hmm, everything. Your handsome face is great, and even your annoying habits are so cute.’

‘…I must be insane.’

‘Eric made me crazy. Now you have to take responsibility for me for the rest of our lives, understand?’

Even though three years had passed, memories of that day were vivid.

In Eric’s mind, Rose’s face, bright with a smile, appeared.

Rose’s smile in the spring sunshine was refreshing. Her blushing cheeks were as ripe as peaches.

Her eyes, looking at him, shone brightly as if they contained the Milky Way.

At that time, Rose expressed her love for Eric with her entire body.

Her expressions, every gesture, conveyed everything.

Therefore, without saying a word, it was too clear that she loved him.

Eric stared blankly at the tree.

Somehow, he missed Rose.

Jane, whose eyes were swollen from crying all night. Just looking at Jane’s eyes, it was clear how much she had cried.

Next to Jane was Saren, with eyes as swollen as hers.

Jane and Saren looked at each other’s faces. Then, without saying who first, they burst into laughter.

“Pfft.”

“Hehe.”

“Oh, don’t laugh.”

“Jane laughed too.”

On their tired faces after staying up all night, there was a sense of fatigue. However, their hearts were more relieved than ever.

“Seren, can I ask you one thing?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Now Jane had no secrets. She had laid everything bare to her.

“Since when did you genuinely like me?”

At the sudden question, Saren’s face turned red. Avoiding Jane’s eyes, he mumbled.

“I… I don’t know.”

Jane narrowed her eyes at Saren’s unsure words.

“What? Are you sure you like me?”

“I do!”

Saren responded directly to Jane’s doubtful words. Then he slowly expressed his true feelings.

“At first, I thought your smiling face was cute, and somehow, I kept wanting to see you… be with you… that’s how I came to like you. I don’t know exactly when. ”

It was a straightforward but sincere confession.

‘I’m five years older, and he says I’m cute…!’

Saren’s words made Jane’s face flush. Even during their relationship, she had never heard anyone say she was cute.

The only person who called her cute was always Jane.

Saren was playful but often failed to express his feelings well, making him the type of person who could be a bit frustrating.

“Well… Saren, how much do you like me?”

At Jane’s words, Saren lowered his head and replied quietly.

“A lot…”