The man’s skill at flirting despite the yellow flower pinned to my chest was impressive.

‘This really seems to be a festival that excites young people.’

I chuckled, remembering the joke the old lady had made earlier.

Right at that moment, Hadel seemed to put his arm around my shoulder, then applied force to spin me and pull my body towards his own.

“Let’s go over there, Marian.”

“Huh? Oh.”

As I walked, half-embraced in Hadel’s arms in a daze, the man from earlier laughed heartily and teased Hadel from behind.

“You’re narrow-minded, brother!”

I frowned at those words.

‘He’s talking as if Hadel is jealous.’

There’s no way Hadel would be. Even I thought it didn’t make sense, so I waved my hand dismissively. Then I patted Hadel’s shoulder, asking him to release his arm around my shoulder. For some reason, Hadel hesitated a bit before slowly letting go.

I walked right beside Hadel and said in a cheerful voice:

“Neris is truly a wealthy and abundant domain. It would be nice to have a similar festival in the Grand Duchy. Isn’t marriage the foundation for increasing population?”

“……”

But for some reason, Hadel’s face darkened even more. Even after walking a bit further, there was no reply, so I brought up another topic in a cheerful voice.

“Still, that fountain doesn’t seem right. It must be frozen most of the year.”

Even when I pointed at the frozen fountain with my finger, Hadel still didn’t respond. I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

‘Am I the only one enjoying this?’

Come to think of it, now wasn’t the time to be running around so excitedly. Hadel needs to go to the lord’s castle now to discuss the price and delivery date of the Hinari coal.

‘Hadel must be feeling complicated with an important negotiation ahead, while I’m the only one getting excited.’

Should I just suggest going to the lord’s castle?

As I was pondering, someone tugged at the hem of my clothes. Unable to see who it was, I looked around and finally found them below.

It was a little girl who looked about 7 years old. Her eyes sparkled like glass marbles.

“Elder sister, are you a princess?”

“Huh? What are you saying all of a sudden?”

“Mom said that princesses have sparkling, pretty pink hair. You’re secretly on a date with the prince now, right?”

‘Secret date,’ she says.

‘Kids these days are really precocious.’

If you’re asking if I’m a princess, I am. I wonder if she knows about the White Ferret Princess?

The child tugged at my clothes again and pointed to the large tree behind me.

“Princess, this is a mistletoe tree. They say if you kiss under this tree on a day like today, you’ll be happy forever.”

“Is that so?”

It’s a tree I’ve seen somewhere before, but it’s the first time I’ve heard its name. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel any majestic or romantic aura that would suggest eternal happiness.

‘Did this little one make up that legend too?’

Little one, I may look young, but I’m over 100 years old. It’s not nice to tease grandma.

Whether she knew I was doubting her or not, the child held onto my clothes and implored:

“You absolutely must not miss the chance to kiss the prince. Understood?”

“Thank you.”

I’ve answered, so please go away now.

I waved my hand. I thought she would leave quickly, but the child, who seemed to be retreating like a squirrel, hid behind the tree and peeked at me.

‘Surely she’s not planning to watch until we kiss?’

Really. Shouldn’t I find this child’s parents and give them a hint? I never thought I’d have to worry about children’s education while visiting another domain.

Anyway, I had no intention of kissing or anything while someone was watching, so I tapped Hadel’s shoulder.

“Hadel, shouldn’t we go to the castle now?”

“Marian.”

“Y-yes?”

But Hadel, who had been quietly keeping his mouth shut all this time, suddenly spread his arms and embraced me. Caught off guard by the sudden attack, I flapped my hands.

“What’s wrong, Hadel? Wait a moment.”

Hey, there’s a little one watching our skinship with eagle eyes.

Even though I was flapping my hands in embarrassment, Hadel embraced me even more tightly. Was something bothering him? Anyway, I didn’t dislike the warmth, so I eventually left Hadel be.

Hadel came close to my ear and whispered in a low voice.

“I’ll make the Grand Duchy a much wealthier place than this domain within a few years.”

“Oh? Alright.”

It’s good to have high goals. I nodded. Hadel continued:

“I’ll practice more to control fire at will, and I’ll ask the royal family to expand our territory.”

“Huh? Even the territory?”

Wouldn’t we have to meet that detestable Prince Saedel again for that? I was about to reply that it was fine, when Hadel suddenly loosened his arms around me and faced me head-on. His serious red eyes sparkled like rubies in the darkness.

“So, marry me.”

It was a proposal I never imagined I’d receive!

I opened and closed my mouth, then slowly let out a deep sigh.

“Ah, really……”

At my sigh, Hadel’s body flinched slightly. He must have thought I sighed because I didn’t like the proposal. I chuckled and cupped Hadel’s cheeks with both hands.

“You’ve been quiet all day because you were thinking about this?”

“I was wondering when would be a good time to say it……”

“I thought you were quiet because you were bored.”

“That’s not possible.”

Hadel tightened his hands around my waist again. His voice was filled with sincere emotion.

“It feels like I’ve only started breathing since I met you.”

It’s a strange thing. Whenever Hadel shows his vulnerable side like this, a corner of my heart aches and feels sorry. But at the same time, seeing Hadel wanting only me fills me with a tingling joy.

Is it because I’ve been alone for so long, or is some part of my affection twisted?

‘I don’t know anymore.’

I reached out and stroked Hadel’s slightly disheveled hair. Hadel gazed at me like a large, gentle dog.

Straight eyebrows, eyes that look fierce when his mouth is closed, a sharp nose, and firm lips.

‘They said if you kiss under the mistletoe tree, you’ll be happy forever, right?’

Looking at his lips, I felt an irresistible urge to kiss them. To verify whether that legend is true, or if it was made up by that little one?

I tried to tease Hadel a bit.

“Hey Hadel, I feel like I might turn back into a ferret at this rate.”

“Hmm?”

But the straightforward Hadel didn’t understand the hint. I couldn’t help but laugh.

‘I guess beating around the bush doesn’t suit me after all!’

I grabbed Hadel’s face. Then I boldly kissed Hadel’s lips as his eyes widened in surprise.

Hadel, who was dazed for a moment, soon closed his eyes. The kiss was sweet.

Hadel and I arrived at the lord’s castle around sunset. Contrary to my expectation, the lord was a woman.

“Welcome to Neris.”

“It’s a very splendid domain.”

“Please speak comfortably, Your Grace. I am Evelyn, the lord of Neris. Though I am lacking, I received the title of baroness by His Majesty’s recognition.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

She was more polite than anyone I had met so far. Hadel also greeted her courteously.

Evelyn’s gaze turned to me.

“And who might this be…?”

“My fiancée.”

“Your fiancée, I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I wondered how Hadel would introduce me.

I smiled brightly.

“I’m Marian. It’s nice to meet you.”

Evelyn led the way into the lord’s castle, speaking sociably:

“Did you enjoy touring my domain? It’s quite lively these days due to the festival, isn’t it?”

It was more than lively, it was bustling. Unable to say that, I smiled ambiguously. Hadel gave an appropriately social response.

“There were many interesting foods. I’d like to create a similar festival in our domain.”

Interesting foods….. The sour cheese made from goat’s milk came to mind again. If I come back, I should never eat that again.

Evelyn replied in a friendly manner.

“Haha, it’s all peace we can enjoy because Your Grace protects us from the ice demons. We are always grateful.”

We sat down in the dining room. The table was round, as if she was as unpretentious as she appeared. Somehow, she and I ended up sitting across from each other.

As soon as we sat down, Evelyn got straight to the point.

“I was very surprised when I first saw the Hinari coal. I had read about it in records, but to actually see it is moving.”

“There are records?”

I opened my eyes wide at the unexpected words. Evelyn replied with a gentle smile.

“Yes. Similar cases are recorded in documents left by past mage craftsmen. Recently, fire attribute mana holders have become so rare that we couldn’t even attempt to implement it in practice.”

“I see.”

Everyone reacted as if they were seeing Hinari coal for the first time, so I thought they didn’t know about it, but to think there were actually records. My brow furrowed involuntarily at Evelyn’s explanation.

‘It seems fire attributes weren’t that rare in the past.’

I really don’t know what happened in the past 100 years.

While I was crossing my arms and making a frustrated sound, the lord’s assistant came with paper and pen.

“We would like to actively purchase Hinari coal in our domain. Let’s discuss it in detail.”

Ugh, jumping straight into business before even having dinner.

I was tired, perhaps from walking too much. Sensing my mood, Hadel was considerate enough to speak first.

“Do you want to go rest in the room first, Marian?”

I did feel like I might fall asleep if I lay on the bed. But I couldn’t waste time when I might turn into a ferret again at any moment.

“I’d like to read the documents you mentioned earlier. Do you have them?”

Evelyn nodded willingly.

“I’ll have them sent to your room. Are you interested in magical artifacts?”

“A friend explained a lot to me, so I just have some random knowledge.”

“I see. Then I’ll have someone guide you to your room.”

As she clapped her hands, a maid immediately came to guide me.