Even in the chilly winter, the sound of determined men training echoed across the field. As Arundel gazed at the bare trees, the realization that winter had arrived sank in.
When a dry leaf rolled under the table and touched her foot, it crumbled weakly.
Arundel leaned against the table, appreciating the sound of leaves rustling.
“Are all men like this?” she asked, looking at the withered tree.
“What do you mean?” Hills’ face appeared suddenly. Arundel, now accustomed to his patterns, pressed his forehead gently. In response, Hills’ gaze retreated.
Arundel hesitated, staring into Hills’ eyes as they moved away.
“Constantly…this…” he stammered.
“What?”
Today, Hills’ eyes seemed unusually innocent, making it harder for Arundel to speak.
Ever since Arundel’s visit a week ago, she had been wrestling with a dilemma.
[It’s not surprising. Just being near you does this to me.]
Zion had said nonchalantly, but it had hit Arundel like a shockwave.
True, she and Zion had shared a bed, but nothing had actually happened.
Zion had assured her that he wouldn’t force anything upon Arundel.
So Arundel had tried to forget about it. The fact that Zion desired her so intensely.
Since then, Arundel had been caught in a subtle whirlwind of emotions.
“Is it an emotion…or just desire…?”
It was a question she had deliberately avoided last time. What fueled Zion’s advances? Was it mere desire? Or something more?
“Ha.”
Arundel sighed once again.
If the emotions he was feeling were what she suspected, it would only complicate matters further.
However, curiosity, like a cat, kept nudging at Arundel’s mind, despite the danger she knew was associated with seeking the truth.
Arundel had come this far in her deliberations, so she decided it was time to ask.
Initially, she had considered going to the prime minister, but after witnessing too many strange occurrences, she opted to approach Hills this time.
After all, they were both men, and Hills might have some relevant information.
Arundel raised her head from the table and looked at Hills. The sudden intensity in Hills’ green eyes made her flinch.
“Why…Why are you like this?”
“Men are naturally so…forward, aren’t they?”
“What?”
Hills furrowed his brow in confusion.
“What do you mean by ‘forward’?”
Arundel lowered her voice, aware that someone might be listening, and spoke again.
“Well… that… physiological phenomenon.”
“Oh, feeling aro…right!”
Arundel hastily covered Hills’ mouth. She instinctively knew that dangerous words were about to spill out.
Feeling the heat radiating from Hills’ skin, Arundel pressed him firmly.
“Quiet!”
Then she removed her hand from Hills’ mouth. Hills finally took a deep breath.
“You ask me, and now you’re acting like this!”
“Just don’t mention that word directly.”
Arundel’s threatening tone made Hills sit back in his chair, crossing his legs.
“Men react down there without any provocation, right?”
“Yeah.”
Arundel nodded with a knowing expression.
“No, it’s not like that for any animal.”
Hills raised the hand with the crossed leg.
“Well, maybe in front of a woman they like.”
At Hills’ nonchalant remark, Arundel froze. It was as if a loud thunderclap had sounded in her ears, making a ‘bang’ noise.
“Yo…You mean… liking someone?”
Could it be that Zion…?
Her heart raced. The abnormal fluttering of her heart seemed to reach her ears, even paralyzing her head.
It felt like her body was malfunctioning.
Unaware of this, Hills asked again.
“But why?”
“Oh… it’s nothing.”
Seeing Arundel’s strange expression, Hills narrowed his eyes.
“Could it be that guy?”
Arundel couldn’t say anything for a moment. Whether her reaction was positive or not, Hills’ pupils turned red.
“That little… I’ll kill him right now.”
Hills stood up abruptly. Arundel urgently grabbed Hills’ hand.
“Wait.”
As Arundel’s warm hand touched his, Hills made a surprised expression. Then a flush of color spread over his face.
He mumbled absentmindedly.
“…Your hand.”
Arundel tried to grab his arm, but it didn’t reach, so she held Hills’ hand instead. It seemed to have an effect. Hills’ pupils returned to their normal color.
“Okay, calm down and sit back.”
Arundel’s persuasion worked, and Hills sat down again. He looked down at Arundel’s hand still holding his.
When Arundel tried to pull her hand away, Hills tightened his grip.
“How precious this hand is.”
Then, as if satisfied, Hills released Arundel’s hand. He grinned and asked.
“What were we talking about?”
“It’s nothing…”
Arundel awkwardly turned her head. When she had seen Hills’ intensity earlier, she had thought he might go find Zion immediately.
Hills seemed to have forgotten for now, and Arundel breathed a sigh of relief.
“Earlier, you asked if men react down there without any provocation.”
“…..”
“In front of someone they like… But now that I think about it, just liking someone might not be enough.”
Hills playfully continued.
“It has to be a much stronger emotion. For example, thinking about Arundel?”
Arundel chuckled weakly at Hills’ teasing words.
“What nonsense.”
“Uh, I’m serious.”
Hills glanced down at his body and then back at Arundel.
“Or do you want to check now?”
No, no. Surely he’s just teasing, this rascal.
Arundel resisted the curiosity of an overly curious cat this time and didn’t look down.
Hills chuckled, and the sound reached Arundel.
“Oh, I guess I should stop teasing Arundel today.”
“This rascal…”
Arundel clenched her fist under the table. It was indeed just teasing.
“But by the way, did you come here for that reason?”
“No, I have something to tell you.”
Suddenly, it hit her. Come to think of it, there was another purpose for being here.
“Next week, we’re going to the Grand Temple in the eastern part of the Croyden Empire.”
“A temple? Not a very welcoming place.”
The demon Hills seemed visibly annoyed at the mention of a temple.
“Did you hear anything from Zion?”
“That kid wouldn’t say anything.”
“Then are you not going with me?”
It was rare for the emperor and empress to move together. That’s why this outing was quite special.
The Imperial Knights would naturally accompany them. After all, they needed protection.
Of course, with Zion’s power and my divine abilities, we could easily go alone. But there was always the possibility of unforeseen events, and public perception mattered, so it was best to bring the Imperial Knights along.
If Zion hadn’t mentioned it, then would Hills not go with me? Arundel was puzzled.
However, Hills mumbled something that seemed unrelated to Arundel and Zion.
“If I don’t go, that kid Zion will probably like it.”
Probably…
The sparks that flew when their eyes met were enough to exhaust anyone. Yet, occasionally, they would stick together and secretly do something.
At first, Arundel was curious, but now she was more curious about not getting involved in whatever was going on between them.
“Then let’s go.”
Hills nodded with a satisfied expression.
“But a temple, huh?”
“Yeah. There’s something I need to do.”
“Seems a bit ominous.”
Arundel turned her gaze away from Hills, who was contemplating. Looking around, she saw knights diligently practicing their swordplay, filling the training grounds.
At first, Arundel was worried that they might not listen to Hills, but one day, seeing the knights’ disciplined forms in the training yard, she realized:
“Oh, I don’t have to worry about Hills at all.”
Later, Arundel learned something interesting. Shortly after Hills took office, there was an incident.
A knight refused to recognize Hills as the captain of the Imperial Knights and swung his sword. Hills sensed the attack and froze the knight’s body in place.
As a result, the knight had to remain immobile for three days until Hills released him. After that incident, Hills gained complete control over the Imperial Knights. It turned out that power didn’t necessarily have to be wielded through a sword.
Afterwards, he was often seen laughing and joking around with the knights.
‘…Is this okay?’
Asking a demon to go to the temple might be quite a harsh treatment. She said it casually, but it would be right not to take Hills this time for his sake.
Zion’s intentions are still unknown, but there is also a plan to ask him. To exclude Hills from this trip.
However, Hills didn’t seem to have that intention. Hills, who put his hand on Arundel’s shoulder, smiled brightly.
“I want to go.”
Purple eyes stared at Arundel for a long time.
“If Arundel goes, I have to follow, even if it’s heaven.”
****
“You were not called.”
A sharp voice flowed from Zion.
The reason for Zion’s displeasure was the temple visitation group.
The members were modestly decorated.
Arundel asked Zion if Hills would join the visitation group, but he shook his head. He said he would exclude not only Hills but also the entire Knights from this outing.
However, the prime minister seemed unable to accept it and raised an objection.
‘It doesn’t make sense. The Imperial Knights must accompany us!’
But Zion cut off his opinion in one stroke.
It was Zion’s opinion that their going would not be of great help, and accompanying them might rather attract attention and cause an incident.
The prime minister no longer refuted. No, he couldn’t refute.
It’s true that Zion has mellowed a lot lately, but when he takes such a firm stance, it helps to maintain a peaceful daily life by following him quietly.
[What about the maids?]
[We have to take them for Irina.]
Arundel shook her head.
[No. As His Majesty said, it’s right to go with a small number of people.]
[It’s going to be tough, will you be okay?]
They heard the story from Zion. He plans to spend about two weeks.
Not only the temple, but as the Pope said, it was time to look at the state of the plague and tour the eastern region.
Because it was quite a long journey, Zion seemed to worry if Arundel might be uncomfortable.
[I’m fine. As His Majesty said, it seems more uncomfortable to bring many people.]
Unable to accept her decision, Zion eventually decided to bring a small group of knights to replace the maids.
Apparently, Zion was worried about not having anyone to take care of Arundel.
Certainly, as Arundel said, it was likely that the maids would be a hindrance on a potentially dangerous journey, but if they were knights, everyone would take care of themselves, so there was no need to worry about that.
That’s how the final conversation ended, and an uninvited guest appeared on the day.
Hills, who was riding a horse, looked at Zion with a bright smile.
“Isn’t the knight captain originally to protect the high-ranking people? Our Empress must not be hurt.”
“Even without the likes of you, Irina can protect herself enough.”
At that remark, Hills frowned.
“What I’m worried about is not other people, but you.”
Zion didn’t say anything and looked at Hills, then took Arundel’s hand and climbed into the carriage together.
At times like this, Zion’s silence meant permission.
A question came to Arundel’s mind, reminding her of the conversation a little while ago.
‘Is Zion in danger?’
Arundel glanced at Zion. Zion was looking out the window with his chin propped up.
“Zion, is there something wrong…?”
Zion turned his head. He gently stroked Arundel’s face, which seemed worried.
“There’s nothing wrong.”
“If there’s something, please tell me.”
At Arundel’s words, Zion laughed refreshingly.
Contrary to the refreshing smile that made the surroundings refreshing, Arundel’s head was hot.
It was because she remembered the embarrassing words he had said.
[It’s not surprising. Just being near you does this to me.]
To hide her flushed face, Arundel turned her head to the window.
It will probably take some time for this symptom to disappear.
So she was cooling down, and the carriage soon departed and ran without rest. Hills and the Knights followed on horseback.
Suddenly, Arundel, who was looking out the window, caught Hills’ eye. He pursed out his lips and lowered his eyebrows to make a pitiful expression, but Arundel turned her head and ignored him.
The carriage running on a rough road kept shaking. When it passed a big stone, it shook quite a bit.
Arundel, who was seasick, closed her eyes. As she leaned her head quietly on the shaking window, sleep poured out. Her fluttering eyelids were getting heavier.
And at some point, she fell asleep.
When she opened her eyes for a moment, she was leaning on Zion’s shoulder. She didn’t know when this happened, but she felt that his shoulder was solid and stable, so Arundel slept more.
How much time has passed since then?
Screeech-!
Arundel, who had been in a deep sleep for a while, woke up from sleep with a strong shock as the carriage stopped abruptly.
