The people I met in the north were ruffians through and through!

‘To think he got engaged even before our Hadel. How is this possible? Hadel is so much better in both personality and looks!’

Once again in the mindset of Hadel’s mother, I fumed as I recalled Saedel’s flaws one by one. Nella, who had been watching me intently, snickered. Though there was a hint of mockery, it didn’t sound unpleasant, probably due to her excessively haggard expression.

“You may be a country bumpkin, but you’re really clueless about the ways of the world. Yes, he has a very long-standing fiancée. She’s an elegant and cultured lady who actively participates in external activities like charity events.”

“If they’ve been engaged for so long, why haven’t they married?”

It must be due to a character flaw. Say it’s because of a character flaw.

Though I chanted this inwardly like a mantra, Nella’s answer was quite ordinary.

“Because Prince Hadel hasn’t yet. I heard they plan to marry as soon as Prince Hadel does.”

“Huh, how oddly old-fashioned.”

He doesn’t seem to particularly respect his elder brother, so why follow him in this?

‘Isn’t he just using it as an excuse because he doesn’t want to marry and finds it bothersome?’

If so, that makes him even worse.

In any case, the information about the capital that I heard from Nella was very useful. The north was truly disconnected from the capital, so it was impossible to hear such stories there.

I rested my chin on my hand and summarized the story.

“So essentially, Prince Saedel is the main force in state affairs, and his fiancée takes the lead in external events?”

Nella didn’t seem to find this particularly strange.

“Prince Saedel is young but capable. He has the deep trust of the ministers as well.”

“I see.”

“And Lady Cecil…”

Nella, who had started to speak about Saedel’s fiancée, suddenly frowned and stiffened.

“Oh? Come to think of it, you?”

Me? Why? I tilted my head in confusion.

“What is it?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

I wanted to hear more, but Nella didn’t say anything further about it. Instead, she explained about Hadel’s other family members.

“There’s also another princess, but she’s still young, so she doesn’t often appear in public.”

“A princess? You mean he has a younger sister?”

“Yes. I’ve heard she’s very intelligent. Though I’ve never seen her myself.”

‘So it’s Prince Saedel and his fiancée who appear in public, then.’

Yet she proudly introduces a princess she’s never even seen. While not doing the same for Hadel.

‘No need to ask about Hadel’s reputation. It must be terrible.’

This is all because of those royal bastards who neglected Hadel’s bad reputation. I bit my lip, resenting Hadel’s parents whom I’d only seen in portraits.

‘Come to think of it, there was another child besides Hadel and Saedel in the family portrait. One who resembled Hadel. That must be the princess.’

Even then, I thought it strange that only Prince Saedel’s face looked so different. Now that I knew Espen was alive, that fact felt ominous.

‘Is Prince Saedel just an ordinary person who only follows Espen’s orders? Espen…’

Did he also sacrifice someone to wake up 100 years later?

‘He can’t be that bad of a person.’

I muttered as if to reassure myself. However, it was difficult to think entirely optimistically.

‘I should prepare for the worst.’

What preparations could I make? I fell into deep thought.

Today, we again unpacked in a village. Since camping was arduous work, this was naturally welcome.

‘It’s a very small village.’

There was an inn, but it was closer to a house cleared out to accommodate outside guests rather than a proper inn. It seemed unused for a long time, with cobwebs and dust, but not enough to be bothersome.

The villagers warmly welcomed our group.

“The lodging fee is settled, so tell us stories. News of how the world is going.”

“Do you have any delicious food or snacks?”

While the others mingled with the villagers, Hadel, Nella, and I entered the house. After closing the door and lying down on the bed in thin clothes, Hadel lay behind me and embraced my waist.

Honestly, the warmth was welcome, given the old bed and the chilly house that had been empty for so long. But when his large hand started to fumble inside my clothes, I turned to face Hadel.

“Hadel.”

His red gaze fixed on me intently. I wanted to kiss his slightly drooping eyes for no reason.

‘But I shouldn’t.’

This wasn’t the time to gloss over with a quick kiss. If it were an act stemming from joy, I would gladly reciprocate, but Hadel’s touch carried a thirst I hadn’t felt before.

I cupped Hadel’s face with both hands. And asked in a gentle voice.

“Are you anxious?”

That was the only reason I could think of for the usually straightforward Hadel to whimper like a puppy and burrow into my arms.

Blinking his eyes, Hadel buried his face in my shoulder and answered.

“…Honestly, yes.”

Like a flickering candle flame, Hadel’s voice trembled. It was anxiety so restrained that only I, familiar with Hadel, could notice.

When I prodded that emotion like a pin prick, Hadel obediently poured out his feelings.

“The closer we get to the capital, the more anxious I feel.”

“I see.”

I could fully empathize because I felt the same way.

‘It’s good I prepared.’

I had wondered if I was needlessly sapping strength by being wary of Espen, but seeing Hadel made me think I did well. I sat up in bed.

“Just a moment, Hadel.”

There was no need to leave his embrace. After all, I had been carrying it on me all along. What I pulled out from my bosom was a bracelet made of a round stone woven onto a leather strap.

“Can you see this?”

“A bead?”

As Hadel said, the stone had a pinkish, translucent color that made it look like a glass bead. I held it out to Hadel.

“Blow on this.”

Hadel obediently blew on it. The stone resonated with a red light before returning to its original translucent color.

I tied it around Hadel’s wrist while explaining.

“It’s a magical tool that allows you to come to where I am, just once. It should be permanent originally, but I’m not as skilled as Yulnisia, so I could only make a one-time use version.”

Like a flare, it was a magical tool created on the battlefield. We arbitrarily called it an ’emergency escape’. It was an accurate name since that was its actual purpose.

While magical tools themselves had developed tremendously, to the point of controlling room temperature, Hadel seemed unfamiliar with this type of tool and kept fiddling with the bracelet curiously.

“Me, to where you are?”

“Yes.”

“Anytime, anywhere?”

“Well, since it was originally used on battlefields, I’m not sure how far its range extends. But we probably won’t be that far apart, right?”

“I see.”

Hadel’s expression, carefully touching the bead, looked much more at ease than before. I explained how to use it.

“It only works once. So don’t use it unless it’s absolutely urgent. Understand?”

“Can anyone use it?”

“No, just you. I just imprinted it like that.”

I tapped my lips, indicating that the breath he blew was the imprinting. I blushed slightly in embarrassment.

“I was able to make it because you’ve been infusing me with enough mana lately. Still, it took a lot of energy and I could barely make one… Hadel, you’re heavy.”

The part about infusing mana was embarrassing. It essentially meant we were stuck closely together!

As I fumbled, not knowing what to do with myself, Hadel hugged me tightly. With his full weight on me, it felt like being pinned down by a giant leopard.

“I’m sorry.”

Hadel’s voice lowered. After clearing his throat for a moment, Hadel spoke again.

“I’m sorry for making you anxious.”

He’s really like a child at times like this. I stroked Hadel’s head and replied.

“You can repay me twofold for life.”

“Haha.”

Hadel, who had been laughing softly, put strength in his arms to raise himself and looked down at me. As soon as our eyes met, his lips began to suck on my lower lip.

Chup.

It started as a gentle entanglement, but soon his tongue intertwined intensely as if trying to swallow all my breath.

I gasped and embraced Hadel’s body. The rippling of muscles from his firm chest to his back strangely stimulated me.

Don’t I already know? How flexibly and fiercely he can drive me.

‘Ah, when I came to my senses.’

Clearly Hadel was the one on top of me, but I was the one who had undressed him.

‘I’m in no position to scold Hadel.’

No, if I were to make an excuse, I’m also at a passionate age and well…

Just as I was slyly moving my hand to touch a bit more since I’d already undressed him, Hadel suddenly hugged me tightly, causing my wayward fingers to end up groping the air. Hadel confessed in a serious tone.

“You say it with a smile, but I’m always truly wondering what I can do for you. No matter what I give, it seems to pale in comparison before you.”

Did I do something that amazing? In the end, I just struggled because I didn’t want to be eaten by bugs and happened to encounter Hadel.

Still, it felt good to hear Hadel say such things. I gently embraced his waist and answered.

“Treat me kindly.”

Hadel’s solemn red eyes turned to me.

“Always tell me I’m pretty, and that you love me.”

I smiled softly and kissed the tip of his chin.

“Stay by my side.”

Hearing my answer, Hadel held his breath for a moment. Then he kissed me again and replied.

“…Even if you push me away, I’ll cling to you.”

That sounds good.

That answer was swallowed into my throat.