His hand caressing Ariel’s cheek was gentle and warm, unlike his seemingly emotionless gaze. As his slow-moving touch grazed her lips, Ariel snapped to attention and pulled his hand down.

The places where his hand had touched burned as if on fire, in stark contrast to the chills she had felt just moments ago. As if trying to recall the memory of falling into water, Ariel turned her gaze to the cold, deep river. Kaius’s eyes remained calm as he watched her. The only change on his indifferent face was the movement of his hair in the cold river breeze.

As the boat’s speed gradually slowed and turned towards a small tributary of the river, a small exclamation escaped Ariel’s lips.

“How beautiful…”

It was a firefly habitat. Though it didn’t seem to be a popular spot judging by the lack of people, she liked that it could be enjoyed quietly.

As she repeatedly stretched out her hands to catch and release fireflies, Ariel’s lightly worn hat slipped off. Fireflies clung to her hair, cheeks, long eyelashes, and lips. Kaius, who had been quietly watching her, reached for her hat, causing Ariel to burst into laughter.

“It seems fireflies like handsome people too. They’re really sticking to your face, Duke.”

She caught the fireflies on his face and held out her slightly cupped hands to him.

“Duke, try this like me. You can easily catch fireflies this way.”

The firefly in her small hands flew up into the sky. Her gaze followed that firefly, while his gaze was fixed on her.

He had intended to use this woman to treat him and satisfy his desires under the name of a duchess.

The woman laughing and chattering before him was dazzling. In a place where the only light came from fireflies, as even the boat’s lantern had been set aside.

It was an incomprehensible moment, like when he had bought her ribbon without realizing it himself.

Eventually, Kaius began specific negotiations with King Leon regarding the marriage.

Dressed in a gray formal uniform, he was sophisticated and elegant, befitting a successful nobleman of the empire. Kaius slowly swirled the glass of red wine, keeping its base on the table.

“We’ll skip the engagement and proceed directly to marriage.”

“Right away, you say.”

King Leon sighed deeply at Kaius’s words about taking Ariel with him when the delegation returned.

“Could you delay your return a little? It’s too sudden, and the queen will be greatly distressed.”

“I can delay for two or three days, but no longer than that. I apologize.”

King Leon nodded in agreement, knowing this well. He was aware of how busy a man Kaius was, especially since the Duke hadn’t come alone.

When the topic shifted to wedding gifts, King Leon mentioned a suitable gold mine, but Kaius had already arranged to send the deed to a mana stone mine. The House of Elbartan had such capabilities, and considering what Ariel would give him, he had to do at least that much.

Only then would it be a fair trade.

After finishing the meal and on his way out, he made a request to King Leon. He asked to be allowed to tell Ariel directly about their conversation today. The king readily agreed. And, he shared one more piece of information.

“I hear you’re trying to contact the Elia Company? If so, meet Edward Camellon, the court magician.”

Kaius leaned languidly against the window frame, drinking the peppermint tea Ariel had sent. His mind felt clearer. Outside the window, white and pink rose petals swayed in the wind. The incoming breeze caused his black hair to fall, tickling his forehead.

Kaius’s heart had already inclined after the second night in the annex. He had planned to seek out Ariel the next day, but urgent news from Kaldenbach forced him to postpone matters with her. As Baron Hamond, the delegation’s representative, was Emperor Hart’s spy, the fact that he had left the palace was kept secret.

On his way back after handling urgent business, he received a message from the knight he had assigned to watch over Ariel. Upon hearing that she had left the palace with Duke Beloas, he too headed for the festival grounds.

Although he was displeased to see her alone on a boat with Duke Beloas, he left them be, thinking it would be the last time for him to sort out his feelings.

But the moment her boat headed elsewhere, a scuffle broke out, and Duke Beloas’s words telling her not to marry him were heard, Kaius realized.

How arrogant his feelings, which he had thought were considerate, had been.

In his heart, she was already the wife of Kaius von Elbartan.

She was his woman, unable to be anyone else’s anything.

“Your Excellency, we’ve met all five people named Elia Camellon in Letiana, but couldn’t find anyone related to the Elia Company. The agent, Servan Carze, had only met with someone named Edward a few times and knew nothing more. However, it will take more time to find out who he is. There are so many people named Edward, and we don’t even know his surname.”

Lemon approached quietly and reported the results of the past two days’ investigation.

“Tell Edward Camellon, the court magician of the royal palace, that I want to meet him.”

Edward Camellon. Elia Camellon.

Are these two family or relatives? I’ll find out when I meet Edward Camellon.

Ariel, who had overslept, was having a late morning coffee with Anna.

The wide-open windows let in the fresh scent of the forest, birdsong, and warm sunlight that filled the room.

“I’m sorry. Something came up at home, so I couldn’t watch over you, Lady Ariel.”

Anna spoke quietly with a stiff expression. Yesterday, she had left her post due to news of her brother’s injury, and only returned this morning to hear about yesterday’s events.

“It’s okay. I came back safely, didn’t I? And the Duke instructed a maid to bathe me in warm water, so I didn’t even catch a cold. I also drank some precious ginger tea.”

“Lady Ariel, that’s beside the point. If you hurt yourself again, I’ll really get angry.”

Though her words sounded angry, Anna’s voice was full of guilt. Even though it wasn’t her fault.

“I’m sorry, this was really a mistake. I only meant to pretend a little.”

Those words were sincere. Even she was surprised by the unexpectedly large wound. It was a problem caused by her eagerness despite not being skilled with a knife.

“This time, I’ve come to see Duke Elbartan a bit differently. He seemed indifferent, but he actually saved you in a critical situation.”

Ariel nodded slowly, a gentle smile forming on her lips. Yesterday, if he hadn’t come, something terrible might have happened.

On the table lay Kaius’s handkerchief, neatly washed and folded. Today, she might hear from him that he had accepted her proposal. With that expectation, she smiled again, her gaze turning to the dressing table drawer.

More precisely, to the golden ribbon he had tied for her, which she had placed inside.

“By the way, is Eric alright?”

Ariel changed the subject.

“Yes. His arm is broken, but they say he’ll be fine with proper care.”

As she was asking about how Eric got hurt and how Anna’s mother was doing, a maid announced Ludvian’s visit.

Here it comes.

But she didn’t want to ruin her current cheerful mood by meeting him.

“Tell him I can’t get up because I’ve caught a cold.”

If she said she was sick, he would leave. He’d have to come back soon to tend to the flowers. A little while later, the maid returned to inform that he had left quietly. Along with a message that he would visit again tomorrow.

The first meal Ariel and Kaius shared was set in the back garden of the North Palace.

On a moderately sized table placed in the shade of a plane tree, steak and wine were prepared, along with salt bread and a few fruits including grapes.

“Duke, I made good use of the handkerchief.”

Kaius nodded slightly and began the meal. Throughout the meal, Ariel chattered incessantly. Kaius was genuinely curious where such energy came from in such a small body.

From the various effects of plants grown in the greenhouse to how they were used. Even the origin of Letiana’s fireflies and their famous salt bread.

She persisted even though he didn’t give a single response.

That’s not to say he wasn’t listening to her. Kaius learned that Ariel had considerable expertise in plants and was very interested in using them for treatment. And one more thing.

We’ll build a greenhouse at the ducal residence too.

When his thoughts reached that point, he realized he should finally give the answer she was waiting for.

“I’ve never seen snow even once.”

A small sigh escaped his lips. Because the winters in his territory, Tris, had very heavy snowfall.

“Let’s get married.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, let’s get married.”

“Ah…”

It’s done. It’s done. Finally, the biggest hurdle has been overcome.

She was so happy about this fact that she forgot he was right in front of her and got lost in her own thoughts. Now when she went to the empire, she had to visit the Brandt Library.

To find the Demon Realm Plant Encyclopedia.

Would it still be there at this time? It was a book she had accidentally discovered in the past while searching for an ancient book about dragons to get revenge on Ludvian. However, she had found it a few years later than now, so she was a bit worried if it would be there now. She couldn’t send anyone because of its contents, and she couldn’t move herself because of the flower-growing work. That’s why she had been patiently waiting until now.

“You don’t seem very happy. I thought you would be quite pleased.”

Kaius let out a silent laugh at her suddenly quiet demeanor, so different from her chattering just moments ago. He even felt a inexplicable sense of emptiness.

Snapping back to reality at Kaius’s low, even voice, Ariel looked at him and smiled brightly.

“I am happy. Very much so.”

Satisfied with her answer, Kaius nodded slowly and took a sip of wine.

A gentle breeze blew, and the afternoon sunlight pierced through the tree shade, stinging Kaius’s eyes. As he looked at her through narrowed eyes, her image overlapped with the portrait he had seen recently.

“Ariel, about your appearance. Your hair and eyes.”