While Bill said he missed Ascan first, it somehow sounded like he appeared due to curiosity about me.

Ascan’s thoughts seemed not too different from mine.

Ascan turned his head with a slight frown and said to Bill, “Stop thinking nonsense and follow me.”

“Ugh, what did I do?”

Though Bill grumbled with pursed lips, he obediently followed Ascan.

I was curious about the conversation between the two as they moved away, but currently, there was no way to know.

My head felt strangely complicated.

The next day, Jelin heard that I was going to the palace and brought out the finest dress and accessories, preparing me for the visit.
The diamonds embedded in the necklace and earrings sparkled brilliantly in the light, rare on the continent. The elegant dress with a sophisticated design suited the formal occasion, exuding grace.

The reflection in the mirror was so beautiful that even I, looking at myself, felt satisfied. Jelin looked at me with a bright face and said, “You did well to bring plenty of dresses and accessories. There should be no shortage at such an event. Perfect, Miss!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Jelin’s thumb-up gesture. “It’s good to dress up, but you had too many bags. Let’s reduce them a bit when we travel next time.”

“Lady, for a woman, weapons are jewels and dresses. If you wish, I can reduce them, but please consider the inventory.”

Unable to resist Jelin’s words, I nodded my head with a look that said I couldn’t stop her.

After preparing to visit the palace and leaving the room, I saw Ascan waiting for me not far away.

Seeing Ascan, who was now dressed up, made my eyes widen. I knew he was handsome, but Ascan, adorned from head to toe, was so charming that one couldn’t take their eyes off him.

“Cool.”

At my compliment, Ascan, who had been looking elsewhere, turned his gaze towards me. Somehow, Ascan’s pupils seemed to shake subtly, but his expressionless face made it unclear if I had seen it wrong.

Ascan approached me and extended his hand, speaking in a low voice, “Shall we go?”

I nodded and took Ascan’s hand, and we began to walk together.

With Ascan escorting me, we reached the carriage parked at the entrance of the mansion.

Butler Bishop came forward to greet me. “Please take care, my lord.”

Zen, who seemed to be waiting, approached riding a horse. He couldn’t just let me go to Kalua Palace alone, as my appointed escort.

Ascan, as if he had already anticipated that Zen would follow, spoke with an indifferent voice, “Let’s go.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With the butler’s reply, the carriage began to move.

Even though it was the same street, the atmosphere exuded a completely different vibe during the day and at night. I had toured this place when I first arrived, but I hadn’t been out at night, making it feel different.

Observing the streets through the carriage window, I commented, “The Kalua Empire seems to have a lot of fancy decorations. Maybe it’s because there are no plants like flowers or trees, it feels a bit bleak, but the monochromatic buildings with fancy decorations have their own charm. Especially at night, it looks even more beautiful.”

“Is that so?”

Ascan gazed at the night streets with an unimpressed expression.

Even ten years ago, Ascan had a dry personality. I wondered how much he had changed now, how he had transformed.

“Don’t you like the scenery much?”

“They all look the same to my eyes.”

“Then what do you like?”
As Ascan’s gaze, which had been looking outside, turned towards me, lost in thought, I smiled while looking at that Ascan.

“You were like that before. You said you wouldn’t reject the interest I have in you now. Surely you won’t avoid answering, right?”

Ascan remained silent for a moment. However, soon he slowly opened his mouth.

“I don’t particularly have preferences. Maybe herbs…”

“Can I ask why you started to like herb tea?”

“It just smells good. I happened to smell it, and it made me feel comfortable.”

When I heard Ascan’s direct answer, my heart fluttered. He might unconsciously miss me.

I had thought for a long time that only I remembered Ascan, but perhaps the amnesiac Ascan also felt an empty space of his own.

Lost in thought, I realized I was staring at Ascan. He asked with a puzzled look, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Just, it feels like a date, and I like it.”

For a moment, Ascan’s eyes showed an indiscernible glint.

I wondered what he was thinking. Would he answer if I asked?

“What were you thinking just now?”

“I probably find it hard to believe what you said before.”

“What did I say?”

“The you I remember was so pure that you would avoid me when I approached. But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t imagine myself doing that.”

“Really.”

When I unbuttoned Ascan’s shirt, the embarrassed look he had then still remained vivid in my eyes.