Otherwise, Ariana wouldn’t be coming to the Northland at a time like this. There was no reason for time to feel suspended with Ariana’s appearance, and there was no reason for the heavy trembling in his heart.

The air, which had darkened with Lord Brown’s betrayal, now cleared up, and the uncomfortable emotions that had weighed him down somehow turned refreshing. There was no reason for all this to happen unless it was a dream.

Cyrus watched in a daze as Ariana walked slowly through the crowd. She walked as upright and graceful as ever, stopping in front of Cyrus.

While the onlookers, who had been cheering, held their breath, Ariana raised her head to look at Cyrus and reached out her hand. Cyrus unconsciously took that small hand.
The small hand on Cyrus’s cold palm conveyed abundant warmth. Only after feeling her body temperature did Cyrus realize that this was reality.

Ariana had come to the Northern Crown.

Ariana was right in front of him.

Why does this make me happy?

Even as he wondered in confusion, Cyrus, in perfect composure, lightly kissed the back of her hand. Stopping to bend his waist to align with her hand, he only raised his eyes to gaze at her. Ariana’s blue eyes were also focused on Cyrus.

In those clear eyes, like a lake, only Cyrus existed.

For some reason, Cyrus felt like he had everything in the world.

+++

The people who had come out to welcome the ‘Northern Crown Princess’ were actually in a state of disbelief.

Our sovereign has taken a liking to a lady? Has our sovereign fallen deeply for a lady? It couldn’t be.

However, the moment they witnessed Cyrus lightly kissing Ariana’s hand, the moment their gazes intertwined, and the moment their lord’s expression softened as he looked at the two of them, they were convinced.

‘Soon, a North Heir will be born!’

+++

Unaware that the people of the Northern Realm were expecting Cyrus and Ariana’s second child, Ariana, not even in her dreams, walked into Maho Castle with Cyrus.

Outside was cold, but inside Maho Castle, it was warm.

Ariana admired the bright red flowers that filled the lobby.

“How beautiful.”

A pleased smile appeared on the lips of Duke Heron, who was following behind. Cyrus realized that Duke Heron had been so active all this time for this single compliment.

Even though he found it absurd, Cyrus didn’t feel bad.

“Duke Heron worked hard for the princess.”

Ariana turned to Duke Heron, slightly bending her knees.

“It’s a sudden visit, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome. I didn’t know Maho Castle was such a magnificent place.”

“It’s nothing when our Princess Consort has come from a faraway place. I feel a bit heavy-hearted as we couldn’t prepare enough due to lack of notice.”

“No, there’s no need to feel that way. Looking at all the countries, there’s no castle as splendidly decorated as this. And Duke, I’m not a Princess Consort; I’m the Princess of the Northern Realm.”

“Yes, Princess Consort.”

Seeing Duke Heron respond politely, Ariana discreetly bit her tongue.

Young people like Isaac, Noah, Louis, and even Andrei could playfully use titles, but it was awkward to see Duke Heron, who held an important position, address her like this.

Especially since the welcoming party had made her embarrassed enough.

‘But…’

Ariana glanced sideways at Cyrus walking beside her.

He still possessed a sculpted appearance, just like when she first saw him. From the neat forehead to the sharp nose and the sharply defined jawline beneath long eyelashes and red eyes.
At first, not knowing what Cyrus was thinking made Ariana uneasy and fearful, but now it was not as intimidating as it was then. Rather, from the moment they arrived at Maho Castle and she saw his face, a stone that had been pressing on her chest seemed to disappear, making her feel relieved.

The Maho Castle of the Northern Crown was the first in both past and present lives for Ariana, and even though her home was Chase Castle in the Dominion, it felt comfortable, as if returning to her own home.

Whether it was because they met Cyrus, who had been connected to her from the moment of her regression, or because the people of the Northern Crown welcomed them more fervently than expected, she couldn’t tell.

The two headed to the drawing-room.

On one side of the spacious drawing-room, there was a piano, and a violin hung on the wall next to it.

Ariana was curious if Cyrus knew how to play musical instruments.

“As the weather is cold, I’ll prepare warm tea, Your Highness Consort,” said Duke Heron. Ariana smiled softly at his words.

“The weather may be cold, but it’s a bit warm here.”

Isaac had repeatedly warned Ariana that Maho Castle was a cold place.

Contrary to his words, Maho Castle was as hot as the early summer of the Dominion, and sweat formed on her forehead as she walked to the drawing-room.

“Oh. Should I light the fire a bit more?”

In response to Duke Heron’s words, Cyrus answered instead.

“I’m not talking about turning up the heat, Duke. Lower the heating and bring cool drinks.”

At Duke Heron’s signal, the brought drink was a red juice with ice cubes, refreshing and sweet.

“What fruit is this made from?”

“That mountain you see over there is called Gratian Mountain. If you go deep into that mountain, there’s a lake, and there’s a tree that only grows by that lakeside. The fruit of that tree is famous for being good for the body.”

Ariana widened her eyes in surprise.

“Could it be Lorea fruit?”

Lorea fruit was one of the specialties of the Northern Crown, known for being good for health and delicious. It was so precious that one fruit could cost more than 1 silver.

Ariana had only heard stories and never tasted it.

“Yeah. You know a lot.”

“It’s a famous specialty of the Northern Crown.”

Cyrus, who observed Ariana looking curiously into the glass, cast a glance at the red-haired woman standing behind her. Red hair like blood, golden eyes, chestnut-colored skin, and an expressionless face.

As Cyrus’s sharp gaze reached her, she shivered and bowed her head. Observing her silently, Cyrus opened his mouth.

“Paganus, huh.”