Spring had passed, and summer had come.

Even in the middle of summer, temperatures in Edenbell did not rise significantly, but this year’s summer seemed a bit capricious.

The weather was extremely humid, and even the blowing wind was hot, making it difficult to cool off during the sweltering days.

Nevertheless, Edenbell was extremely peaceful.

Despite the scorching sun, people walking on the streets were smiling brightly without exception.

The reason was simple.

It was because Edenbell’s new emperor was governing the empire perfectly, watching over the people without any shortcomings, and ensuring their lives could be peaceful.

No more wars or civil strife occurred in Edenbell.

There was only an abundance of overflowing peace.

People all spoke in unison. Since the founding of the empire, this might be the first time there had been such a perfect emperor. They said they were truly fortunate.

It was not only the commoners and ordinary people who respected the emperor. The imperial family, nobles, and even those in charge of the imperial palace’s affairs felt the same way.

A benevolent and wise emperor.

Thus, loved by all.

That was Sinclair’s present.

…But the renowned emperor would occasionally dismiss everyone and leave the imperial palace.

Just like today.

“How is it? Feeling a bit cooler now?”

By the valley filled with memories of Elly and Ren.

Elaina was sitting on a large rock with her feet dipped in the cool water.

“No? Well, there’s a lot of shade here, so you’ll cool down soon.”

Despite the fact that he himself was sweating profusely, he was still very concerned. Elaina smiled faintly as she looked at Sinclair, who was even fanning her with his hands.

“I’m fine. You had a harder time carrying me all the way here.”

The reason Sinclair, who didn’t handle heat well, ended up like this was simple. It was because he had carried Elaina on his back from the bottom.

Of course, Elaina kept refusing, saying she could walk, but Sinclair didn’t back down at all.

“Sit here, Sinclair.”

When Elaina tapped the rock and looked at him, Sinclair grinned and finally sat down next to her.

“…But you didn’t ditch Schuler and Sir Rex to sneak out again today, did you?”

Sinclair flinched slightly.

“Don’t tell me…?”

“What are you talking about, Elaina.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, he replied with the most nonchalant expression possible.

“Of course, they might be looking for me. But I’ve finished all the government affairs. There won’t be any urgent matters. I solved the issue of the Aztecs’ future yesterday, and I also thoroughly reviewed and gave instructions on all the documents that came up from the southern regions. And, well… that’s right. I also organized in detail the territories of the Grand Duke’s family donated by Anneli.”

“Hmm….”

“By the way, how are things going with the school?”

When Elaina’s reaction was not satisfactory, Sinclair, who judged it would be better to change the subject, asked in a slightly urgent voice.

“Now that the building is finished, it’s about time to find teachers.”

“Schuler, Sir Rex, and Lady Perin said they would take charge of the martial arts subjects. Lady Regas will teach liberal arts, Lord Voltaire political science. Also, Viscount Dwain wants to teach basic academics, and Lord Ryan wants to teach based on what he learned from Confucianism. He said he wants to show the children a wider world.”

Sinclair no longer held any ill feelings towards Ryan, but whenever he heard his name so unguardedly like this, he was still seized by unnecessary jealousy.

That’s how rivals are. Of course, he didn’t show it to Elaina.

“Yeah. That wouldn’t be bad either. After all, Ryan Henard is well-versed in all fields of study.”

Still, Sinclair did not ignore Ryan’s abilities. Rather, he highly valued them.

So when he heard the news that Elaina was demolishing the Aswald family’s estate and building a school. And when he learned that Ryan was also involved in the project, he didn’t say anything.

Moreover, he was not ungrateful.

Although Sinclair had a very childish temper in front of his rival, on the contrary, he was also a person who did not forget to be thankful to those who had helped him, whatever the reason.

“So, what do you want to do at that school?”

At Sinclair’s unexpected question, Elaina paused for a moment but soon smiled and moved her lips.

“I just want to watch over it. And….”

“And?”

“I want to help the children have a happy and enjoyable childhood. Unaffected by status, honor, power, wealth… I want everyone to smile equally.”

In fact, inquiries were already pouring into the school Elaina had established. Among them were noble ladies from prominent families, and on the other hand, there were also commoner and low-class children who grew up in unfortunate circumstances.

Elaina hoped they would all be happy together. And she wanted them to realize from a young age. That each other’s smiling faces are no different. So there are no better or worse people.

“Yeah. That’s all. Just like how we were in the old days.”

At Elaina’s gentle voice, Sinclair smiled brightly.

“I thought I had grown up in a hurry, always being chased by something.”

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“But looking back… there were definitely happy and enjoyable times. The time I spent with you right here.”

Sinclair no longer found it painful to come to this valley.

Now, the joyful memories he had built with his beloved Elly remained deeper than the moment he had wandered in grief searching for his mother’s corpse. And the painful memory of the day Elaina’s legs were permanently damaged.

How wonderful those days had been. Sinclair smiled.

“I hope the children can create many such memories there as well. Then no matter how difficult things get as they live on, they will be able to overcome them with strength.”

“Right. That’s what I wanted.”

Elaina also smiled.

“But I hope you keep paying attention to me, Elaina.”

“Hm?”

“I’m saying this in advance because I know you’ll be very busy. It’s good to take care of the children, but it would be troubling if you completely forget about me.”

“….”

“Then I would be very disappointed and saddened. I wouldn’t even properly attend to government affairs and would be immersed in melancholy. And in the end, I would go down in Edenbell’s history as the worst emperor….”

“How can you say that without even blinking an eye? Sinclair.”

When Elaina asked with genuinely curious eyes as if she couldn’t believe it, Sinclair finally burst into laughter.

“I see it every day, but it’s really amazing. My goodness, when you were a prince, you kept pushing me away….”

“…I’m still sincerely sorry about that.”

As if he had never laughed, Sinclair slightly lowered his gaze and replied somewhat gloomily.

“You can take revenge for what you couldn’t do back then. I have committed sins, so I’ll gladly accept it.”

“Really?”

When Elaina asked back with a serious face, tension slightly colored Sinclair’s golden eyes.

…What kind of revenge are you going to take?

Are you really going to push me away?

When he actually said it was okay to take revenge, his heart seemed to sink at that moment.

Even now, he wanted to hold her every day. Just by making eye contact or hearing her voice, it was no exaggeration to say he fell in love every time. But he was trying his best to endure it, thinking it might strain Elaina’s body….

“Close your eyes.”

“….”

“Quickly.”

Since he had already said it, he couldn’t refuse even if he didn’t like it. Sinclair eventually slowly closed his eyes, and Elaina kept looking at him as if to check.

Then, she scooped up the cold valley water in her hands and threw it directly at Sinclair’s face.

Sinclair, who unexpectedly received a baptism of water, finally opened his eyes and looked at Elaina with a somewhat dumbfounded expression.

“You said to do it. Revenge.”

“….”

“I love you too much to push you away. So this much is a very cute revenge. Right?”

It wasn’t wrong.

However….

“It’s really refreshing, Elaina.”

“Huh?”

“So I’ll do it for you too.”

Her cute revenge was more than enough to ignite Sinclair’s playfulness.

“Wait, wait a minute!”

Elaina quickly turned her body, but it was of no use. Elaina, who had gotten slightly wet from the bouncing water, got up from her seat and entered the water.

Then, as if to take revenge all at once, she began to attack Sinclair recklessly.

“No, Elaina, this is against the rules. I waited for you….”

“There are no such things in real combat.”

Sinclair, who was thoroughly soaked in an instant, tried to say something, but it was of no use. Elaina kept splashing water while laughing brightly, and Sinclair took it without being able to counterattack at all.

Then he suddenly stood still.

“…Wait a minute.”

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Was I playing too rough?

Elaina approached Sinclair in a fluster.

“Eek!”

And at the same time, Sinclair tightly embraced Elaina and slightly lifted her up.

“It’s a temporary truce.”

Sinclair said with a grin.

“You’re so pretty, I need to take a closer look.”

Elaina, who was smiling brightly while soaked in water, looked just like Elly from before. So he wanted to hold her close like this. He wanted to indulge in happiness while taking in her face up close.

“…Actually, I’m having a very dangerous urge right now, but I’ll try my best to hold back.”

Sinclair whispered softly as he looked down at Elaina, whose inner skin was fully exposed from being soaked.

“Because I can’t be more disliked by my beloved empress.”

When Elaina blushed slightly at his implication, Sinclair spoke with an embarrassed expression.

“Don’t tempt me like that, Elaina.”

“….”

“I just said I’d try my best to hold back. Are you going to make my painstaking efforts meaningless? I want to be as considerate of you as possible.”

Considerate? Even after saying that, when we return to the imperial palace, he’ll probably torment me all night as if he never said such a thing.

It was no exaggeration to say that she already saw through Sinclair’s dark ulterior motives, but Elaina ended up laughing as if she couldn’t help it because the Sinclair in front of her eyes was so cute.

“I told you not to tempt me.”

“You just see everything I do as temptation. That’s not my fault.”

“If we consider it, that’s also true. But I can’t help it. Even if you just sit there breathing, I….”

“Stop, stop it.”

Hearing such words to her face was quite extraordinary. So Elaina reflexively tried to cover his mouth, but her attempt failed miserably because Sinclair suddenly pulled his head back slightly.

“I haven’t said the really important thing yet. It’s not too late to cover it after you hear that.”

“…What is it?”

Even so, Elaina perked up her ears as if she was curious.

Sinclair looked at her affectionately, then spoke in a warm voice.

“I love you, Elaina.”

“….”

“Without fail, today as well.”

“…I feel the same way.”

It was always the same words and the same answer, but Elaina and Sinclair loved having this conversation.

That was no different today.

Elaina slowly lowered her head. Then, she kissed Sinclair, who was holding her, and smiled as brightly as the sun.

Sinclair was the same.

Elly and Ren embraced each other tightly and smiled happily.

Among the countless joyful days Sinclair and Elaina spent together, it was the hottest summer.

But a day as happy as the heat was slowly coming to an end.