Lenisha slowly closed and opened her eyes.

Drip.

A bead of sweat fell down between Lenisha’s collarbones and rolled downwards.

Every time Lenisha slowly moved her body, Casius let out a hot breath.

Beneath Lenisha’s palm, Casius’s heart was pounding.

The sound seemed to resonate within Lenisha’s body.

It sounded like the beat of a distant drum.

A large palm gripped Lenisha’s waist.

Lenisha let out a sharp cry.

“Lenisha…….”

What heated Lenisha more than anything was the sound of Casius’s voice calling her name.

Casius’s voice was usually low, but now it was even lower.

The gap made Lenisha’s lower belly tingle.

Lenisha bit her lips hard.

Uncontrollable emotions surged.

Casius’s heat seemed to set Lenisha aflame.

Casius caught Lenisha as she slipped.

He embraced Lenisha with all his might as she collapsed forward, strength gone.

Lenisha took a deep breath.

Casius pressed his lips to Lenisha’s cheek.

The unabated heat was still raging.

(This is a time separator.)

Somehow 10 days had passed since Lenisha and Casius had left.

It meant that the time since Meteo had left Shandir had grown that much longer.

Now the central nobles of Hientri were wondering if Meteo was planning to settle here.

They knew that sometimes Meteo, who enjoyed social gatherings and did not reveal his intentions, was also spoken of as seeking new blood.

However, Meteo’s intentions were not so pure.

Meteo took a deep breath, holding a lantern.

Meteo’s eyes, looking around, were dark.

He knew that nobody would be here, but he still acted cautiously.

Meteo raised his hand and knocked on the door.

“……The youngest princess of Shandir is getting married soon.”

A faint voice came from inside.

“The partner is a duke from Hientri.”

Meteo quickly replied.

Squeak. The door opened.

Meteo, who had entered through the opened door, closed it again.

“Whew. Even though I’ve been doing this for months, my heart still flutters.”

“……I know you are risking danger for us.”

A soft voice smiled.

“It’s been a while. How have you been, Prince Meteo?”

“I’m glad to see you are unharmed, Brixstun Lotera. And Heilin Nova Lotera.”

Meteo smiled softly.

The vanished Brixstun and Heilin were in front of Meteo’s eyes.

Shandir’s Meteo’s hidden secret was this.

He was hiding the descendants of Lotera, known to be missing!

Shandir repays an enemy tenfold and a favor a hundredfold.

He hadn’t properly repaid the favor received from Lenisha.

He planned to pay for the youngest princess’s life with the lives of these two people.

Having been driven to the brink, Lotera was now rescued by Shandir’s king, who entrusted Meteo with this mission.

To rescue the young noble couple and protect them safely.

And, depending on future circumstances, to arrange a meeting between them and Lenisha.

In fact, Meteo had secretly entered the country a year ago.

He was watching over the fate of Lotera, which was shaking like a candle in the wind according to the turbulent feelings of Lexus, and to save them.

And Meteo successfully rescued them at the right time.

He pulled them out just before Lexus’s people closed in.

The only regret was not being able to save Isabella.

“Have you found Isabella?”

Heilin asked in a desperate voice. Meteo shook his head with a heavy face.

“There’s been no trace since the trail went cold, madam.”

“Ah……. I know that saving us is something we should be grateful for, Prince Meteo. But I beg you once again.”

“It is a matter of course. I came to repay a debt to Lotera, and if Isabella is alive, I will certainly bring her to both of you.”
Heilyn nodded her head.

“Thank you, Prince.”

“Both of you will soon be going to Hiloshain.”

“Are you coming with us, Prince?”

“Yes. I intend to pay respects to Lady Lenisha before returning to the Emperor. I don’t have much interest in Shamdir’s affairs, so there won’t be any issues. And we plan to pretend to return and then track Isabella’s whereabouts in secret.”

“Then we are…….”

“Yes, Hiloshain. They say that’s a place untouched by the Emperor’s breath.”

“It’s a wasteland. There would be no reason to keep an eye on a place where nothing is.”

Brixton spoke heavily.

He also knew the secret of that place.

Thanks to the black snake buried in the ground, even grass had difficulty growing there.

In order to eat and live in Hiloshain, they had to buy grain from outside.

A land unable to sustain itself was not welcomed by anyone.

“That Lenisha has gone there…….”

Fate seemed to be hurrying along.

While they were being complacent.

“Thank you, Prince. We will certainly, certainly repay this. Rotera will never forget a favor.”

Meteo laughed heartily.

“This is a virtuous cycle indeed. Get ready. We will leave as soon as we inform the Emperor.”

“Yes, Prince.”

Finally, they were leaving this suffocating place.

Brixton and Heilyn had not left this small mansion since they were saved.

Meteo had provided food, and the people of Shamdir he brought had taken care of them.