In response to Raphael’s teasing, Hazen offered an excuse.

“No, but you always say things that hit home. Actually, let’s think about when we were six. We just played recklessly everywhere.”

“Quiet down. Do you have to make a fuss about it here?”

Watching the two argue, Kite spoke up.

“Kite.”

“Yes.”

In response to his father’s call, Kite’s momentum immediately subsided.

Being the king of the Helaine Kingdom and receiving the respect and fear of everyone, Kite knew very well that his father, unlike the uncles who listened to everything, became truly fearsome when angry.

The impudent expression from earlier faded, and his submissive expression changed. Kite’s voice softened.

“Is this the first time you’ve ventured out so far from the capital?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m so excited and happy.”

It was the first time being away from busy parents and being together all day, making it even more thrilling.

Kite patted his son’s head and said, “This place is different from the capital. The roads are rough, and we may encounter dangerous beasts unexpectedly.”

“Are we going to a scary place?”

With sparkling eyes, his son asked. Kite, with an affectionate yet firm voice, admonished him.

“Not such a place. But traveling can always bring about dangerous and difficult situations. Moreover, it might be hard for Clothilde to ride the carriage for a long time since she’s still young. So, will Chait help to make the journey end quickly?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Depending on what Chait does, the journey can end quickly. Then it will be less challenging for your mother and Clothilde.”

Chait looked at Ruelala with a dubious expression, tilting his head.

“Is Mom having a hard time?”

In response to the child’s curious question, Kite answered, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Well, it may look that way to you because you’re in front of her. Your mother and Clothilde are weaker than us. I’ll protect your mother, so can Chait watch over his sister?”

As with other boys of his age, once they set a goal and were asked for help, they became enthusiastic, making them easier to handle.

In response to the father’s request, which he always found remarkable, Chait responded loudly with renewed energy.

“Yes. I will protect Clothilde!”

Having reached a compromise with his son, Kite looked at his friends.

“Let’s have lunch here and then depart. It seems more troublesome to stop and eat somewhere along the way.”

After everyone agreed, Kite ordered the servants to prepare, then went into the tent with Ruelala and the children.

Watching them, Hazen muttered with a nostalgic expression.

“It still feels awkward that Kite is the father of two children.”

Raphael also spoke, looking beyond the entrance of the open tent at the serene family scene.
“Time really flies, doesn’t it? It feels like we defeated the Kurain Duke not too long ago, but it’s already been seven years.”

“I sometimes miss those times. It was challenging and frightening, but extracting the utmost from my abilities and fighting against enemies felt rewarding.”

Nodding in agreement with Mitchell’s words, they all recalled those times.

Even though they still met every day in the capital, the determination and closeness from back then seemed to have diminished.

Unlike the times when they trusted each other and fought for their lives, now they might feel the peace of the current situation.

Moreover, everyone had taken on important roles in the capital, keeping them busy, and there was little time to think about their friends.

So, when they decided to visit Senhwe this time, everyone eagerly followed.

While they were away, the capital was left in the care of the acting king.

“Anyway, since it’s been a while since we left the capital, let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest. For a while, we don’t have to deal with those tedious documents.”

With Raphael’s words, everyone laughed and entered the tent for lunch.

“Eating buff food makes me nostalgic.”

Hazen said with a nostalgic face as he ate bread and cookies made by Ruelala.

Emma had been busy preparing food for Chait and Clothilde, so the adults had to eat the food made by Ruelala.

“This stove is really something after a long time.”

Raphael pointed to the stove Emma had taken out and laughed.

“I don’t know how convenient it is because of this. The kettle too.”

Emma said, looking at the stove with an affectionate gaze.

After stepping down as the head chef of the capital’s kitchen, she had been making food only for Chait and Clothilde.

Since the recovery of the Kurain Territory, many disruptive forces had disappeared, but it was not a situation to be relieved.

Patric Duke, pushed out of central politics, was still scheming behind the scenes due to his unyielding ambitions.

In such a situation, Emma was so sensitive to the food of the prince and princess that she took great care.

Although she was told there was no need to worry because there was a healer mom, she still carefully grew and processed ingredients to make food.