Cyrus pointed somewhere with his chin, chuckling softly. A small duffle bag was placed there.

“Essential for traveling.”

“I didn’t see it earlier.”

“It’s tucked inside my cloak. You’d be surprised what Louis has hidden in his clothes.”

“Speaking of Louis, where is he?”

“He’s picking mushrooms. There are valuable medicinal mushrooms growing in this cave. I know you’re curious, but let’s eat first? Your stomach won’t stop screaming.”

Ariana blushed and picked up a piece of meat with her hand, putting it into her mouth. The salt-seasoned meat was savory and delicious. After chewing and swallowing the tender meat, she asked,

“Where did the meat come from?”

“You saw the fresh meat scattered around earlier, didn’t you?”

“Earlier…? Ah!”

Ariana’s eyes widened as she recalled the gruesome scene she had seen before entering the cave.

Cyrus spoke calmly.

“It was a joke.”

“You really have a cruel sense of humor, Your Highness.”

“Are you angry?”

“No.”

“You seem angry.”

“How could I dare to be angry at Your Highness, who has been so gracious to me?”

“So you’re angry enough to slap me, but you’ll hold back because you owe me?”

Ariana pressed her lips tightly and glared at him.

Cyrus grinned.

“The meat was caught outside the cave while you were sleeping, so don’t worry.”

“You caught it, Your Highness?”

“Yes.”

“I’m envious.”

“Of what?”

“Your strength.”

“Catching a small rabbit doesn’t require much strength.”

“But I can’t even catch a small rabbit myself.”

“But you moved me to catch the rabbit, didn’t you? You’re the first woman to make me hunt for food, so you can take pride in that.”

“Yes, that’s very comforting.”

Ariana resumed eating.

As they stopped talking, the sound of dripping water became more noticeable.

The serenely glowing blue lake looked otherworldly in its beauty.

She had been too focused on escaping before to really take in the view.

“How are your feet?”

“My feet? Ah…”

She realized the pain in her feet had mostly gone away.

“It was really painful earlier, but it doesn’t hurt much now.”

“I used a good ointment. I know an excellent alchemist.”

“Ointment…”

Ariana wriggled a bit to check her feet.

They should have been a mess from running barefoot through the forest, but they were clean and an ointment had been applied to help the wounds heal.

“Who did this…?”

“I did.”

“Really?”

“Just joking.”

“Your Highness…”

“No one should casually touch the feet of an unmarried woman. Louis did it, so don’t worry.”

“Very. Reassuring.”

“Are you angry again?”

“No!”

Cyrus turned his head with a soft laugh.

Ariana wondered why it was so hard to control her emotions around Cyrus as she finished the remaining meat.

“Is it not enough?”

“It’s sufficient.”

“You eat too little. You’ll stay small forever.”

“If eating well could make me as strong as Your Highness, I’d eat as much as possible.”

“No one on this continent is stronger than me.”

“That’s truly enviable.”

“That didn’t sound sincere. Are you mocking me?”

“How could I dare to mock Your Highness?”

“Oh, you’re mocking me again.”

Ariana narrowed her eyes and glared at Cyrus.

Cyrus was very different from the rumors that Ariana had heard.

Is this man really the Emperor of the North? Or am I mistaking him for someone else because they look alike?

Ariana had only known Cyrus from portraits. Makeup could easily make anyone look like a portrait.

‘But that man actually used ice magic.’

Magic that only a select few in the North could use.

‘Plus, his stealth was perfect. He must be the Emperor of the North… right?’
Cyrus cast his gaze over the lake as he spoke.

“Do you doubt that I am the Northern Emperor?”

“Do you read the minds of others, Your Majesty?”

“I wish I had such a skill. Then I would know what you’re scheming.”

“I just want to live a comfortable life.”

“It doesn’t seem that way.”

Cyrus turned his head and locked eyes with Ariana.

“Your eyes always shine desperately. I’ve seen such eyes in someone before.”

“Who has eyes like mine?”

Cyrus pointed to his own chest with his thumb.

“You, Your Majesty? You seem quite relaxed to me.”

“It takes practice and effort. You should practice too. Eyes that burn intensely are beautiful, but they make others wary.”

“I will deeply consider your valuable advice.”

“What will you do next? Head to the empire?”

Ariana hesitated to tell Cyrus her plans but quickly made up her mind.

There was no need to hide it at this point. The clever Cyrus must have some idea of what she intended.

It was better to be honest and win his favor; it might be useful someday.

“It would be pointless to visit the Empire now. I plan to go to Dongling.”

“I see.”

“I’m not sure if the Eastern Emperor will readily accept me. He might let me stay for a few days, but during that time, I have to prove my worth.”

“You don’t need to worry; the Eastern Emperor will gladly accept you.”

“I doubt it. I’d be grateful just for a room in Chase Castle.”

“Trust me. The Eastern Emperor won’t turn you away.”

“I don’t trust anyone, Your Majesty.”

Cyrus looked at Ariana intently before speaking.