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For four days, Ervin was the site of a massive burning of Arika Vine.
Smoke rose from the village and the foothills.
Thump, thump, thump.
Charles, at the head, moved through the thick smoke, followed by knights and mages in a line.
Mages and knights worked in pairs to remove the Arika, and fortunately, the monsters didn't show any particular movement.
Iana hadn't had her official appointment ceremony yet, but she joined Charles as a mage.
Today, they were to remove the Arika near the rocky mountain close to the monster habitat.
The procession stopped at the foot of the mountain.
"From here, the path is narrow and rough, so let's walk."
Charles gave the order and jumped off his horse.
Everyone else dismounted lightly, except for one person. Only Iana struggled on her horse.
'Why is getting off a horse so difficult?'
Her magical power grew stronger every day, but her riding skills didn't improve easily.
While Iana was struggling alone on the horse, she met Charles's eyes.
His gaze, which briefly brushed over her, was cold.
"Let's go."
Charles left Iana behind, just as Mule had done, and walked away.
"⋯⋯!"
Iana was embarrassed to the point of tears.
Of course, she didn't expect Charles to help her, and she knew very well why he was doing this.
It was to treat her not as a woman who needed protection, but as a mage who would protect people.
She finally managed to get off the horse with a groan and followed the group.
"I will cast a shield."
As Iana loudly chanted the spell, a strong blue shield was cast over the group's heads.
The knights and mages began to burn the Arika Vine with light magic stones.
The Arika Vine that Iana touched turned black and became ashes on the spot. She glanced at Charles.
But Charles didn't say a word to Iana except for what was necessary.
Until the vine removal work was finished.
✦ ✦ ✦
The group didn't return to the Ducal Palace until late afternoon.
Everyone ate an early dinner and rested, but Iana went back to the stables.
'Let's practice!'
She didn't want to show herself struggling on the horse again.
"Andre, please help me."
Perhaps her earnest request worked. Andre blinked his long-lashed eyes and nodded.
Iana dragged Andre to the training grounds. Fortunately, there was no one there.
She took a spot on one side and repeatedly got on and off the horse.
"Balance, send one foot out, and land."
Darkness had fallen on the training grounds. The light magic stones sparkled, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
As Iana was focused on practicing and getting off the horse, Andre turned his head away, as if he smelled sweat.
Only then did Iana realize that her training clothes were soaked with sweat.
"S, sorry. Andre."
Despite her apology, Andre still looked displeased, but he didn't spit.
"Were you practicing?"
At that moment, Charles approached from the entrance of the training grounds with a smile. Unlike the cold look he had during the day, he had a kind face.
"Yes. The mage has to stand at the front and cast a shield, but I seemed to be wasting too much time getting off the horse."
Iana replied.
"I was just about to go to your room to ask if you wanted to practice together."
"I see."
A brief awkward silence flowed between the two.
Charles, quick to notice, read her mind and suddenly asked a question.
"Were you perhaps upset earlier today?"
At his words, Iana shook her head.
"No. I know what your intentions were. I've become a formal mage who has to protect people now."
"That's right. In places like our Ervin, a mage's mistake or lack of skill doesn't end with a simple trial and error."
Charles said soothingly.
Iana thought for a moment and carefully spoke.
"So, there's one thing I'd like to ask."
"I understand. I'll teach you how to get off the horse again."
Charles naturally thought she was asking him to teach her how to get off the horse and approached Iana.
"No!"
She firmly held out her hand.
"Then what are you asking for?"
"Please be consistent. It's too confusing when you're cold sometimes and kind at other times."
"So, you want me to do just one?"
Charles chuckled as if he was dumbfounded. But Iana was more serious than ever.
"Since you can't be kind when performing official duties like today, please continue to treat me coldly."
"What?"
"I'm only asking until I can get off the horse skillfully. It's hard for Your Highness to go back and forth."
Charles listened with his arms crossed, then said with a cool face.
"Do you think that's even a reasonable request to make to me, the Grand Duke?"
"S, sorry."
Iana's large eyes trembled at Charles's cold reaction. She felt like tears might well up.
"Hahaha."
Charles laughed loudly.
"See? You get flustered even if I treat you a little coldly."
"No, I don't!"
"What do you mean, no? First, I'll teach you how to get off the horse again."
As Charles approached, Iana stepped back in disgust.
"Why are you running away?"
"That's⋯⋯."
She retreated slowly, making a troubled expression.
"My, my clothes are sweaty."
"So what if they are?"
Charles walked closer.
"I don't like being dirty."
Iana and Charles circled around Andre.
"You've shed tears and snot in front of me, so why are you only ashamed of sweating? You're the one who lacks consistency."
"That's different."
Charles came close behind her and said politely.
"I'll be a little rude for a moment."
He hugged Iana from behind and put her on the horse.
"⋯⋯!"
Iana's face turned red with embarrassment. Charles playfully glared at her and said.
"Let's practice more instead of arguing like this. Are you going to struggle on the horse again tomorrow?"
"⋯⋯No."
Iana shook her head slightly.
"You're afraid of getting off the horse because you're afraid of falling. Don't try to get off skillfully right now, just practice getting rid of the fear."
"But I'm still scared⋯⋯."
Iana muttered, glancing down from the horse.
"What's there to be afraid of when I'm next to you?"
His words sounded strangely exciting, and Iana smiled without realizing it.
"Don't think strange things, and practice."
"I, I didn't think anything strange!"
While the two bickered, the spring night at the Ducal Palace deepened.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, Carrion, who had returned from Ervin, took a carriage from his townhouse in the capital to the Imperial Palace.
In Carrion's hand were letters written by Charles.
Bang!
He hit the carriage door with his hand holding the letters, as if venting his anger.
'Where did it go wrong?'
Carrion retraced the events that had happened so far as he headed to the Imperial Palace.
A short time later, the carriage carrying Carrion arrived at the Imperial Palace. However, the imperial secretary who was waiting led him to the office instead of the conference room.
"Are you having a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor again today?"
Carrion asked tentatively, and the secretary nodded.
"Yes, that's right, Count."
As they approached the Emperor's office, the Emperor's laughter and a woman's flattering voice could be heard.
"Shh!"
The guards standing in front of it gestured to Carrion and the secretary to be quiet.
And the moans coming from beyond the door of the Emperor's office.
Carrion was embarrassed and tried to avoid the situation, but the guard shook his head firmly.
It meant not to make a sound.
Carrion, the guard, and the secretary awkwardly faced each other, hoping that the Emperor and his mistress's stormy time would end quickly.
'The Emperor isn't in his right mind either.'
Carrion chuckled inwardly at the absurd situation.
After a while, when the sounds inside the office subsided, the guard announced.
"His Majesty the Emperor, Count Dietrian has arrived."
"Let him in."
At the Emperor's permission, the guard opened the office door.
Creak-
Carrion quietly stepped inside.
The mistress was nowhere to be seen, having already left through the middle door, and another secretary was buttoning up the Emperor's shirt.
"Carrion Dietrian greets His Majesty the Emperor."
Carrion knelt on one knee and greeted him.
The secretary tidied up the Emperor's clothes and quietly left through the middle door.
The Emperor sat down at his desk as if nothing had happened and asked a question.
"Your ex-wife was in Ervin?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Carrion approached and placed the letters written by Charles on the Emperor's desk.
The Emperor's lips curved into a smile as he slowly read the letters.
"Charles is making dirty advances on a married woman, so the imperial family must hold him accountable. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Carrion replied firmly.
Thud-.
The Emperor threw the letters on the desk and asked Carrion.
"I heard that a swarm of monsters suddenly appeared in Ervin, causing the investigation team a lot of trouble, so we should give them the price, right?"
"There were difficulties, but it was naturally my job to do it, Your Majesty."
"Tell me what you want."
Carrion pretended to think for a moment and conveyed the thoughts he had organized in the carriage.
"Please allow me to take her as my mistress. My ex-wife⋯⋯."
Smoke rose from the village and the foothills.
Thump, thump, thump.
Charles, at the head, moved through the thick smoke, followed by knights and mages in a line.
Mages and knights worked in pairs to remove the Arika, and fortunately, the monsters didn't show any particular movement.
Iana hadn't had her official appointment ceremony yet, but she joined Charles as a mage.
Today, they were to remove the Arika near the rocky mountain close to the monster habitat.
The procession stopped at the foot of the mountain.
"From here, the path is narrow and rough, so let's walk."
Charles gave the order and jumped off his horse.
Everyone else dismounted lightly, except for one person. Only Iana struggled on her horse.
'Why is getting off a horse so difficult?'
Her magical power grew stronger every day, but her riding skills didn't improve easily.
While Iana was struggling alone on the horse, she met Charles's eyes.
His gaze, which briefly brushed over her, was cold.
"Let's go."
Charles left Iana behind, just as Mule had done, and walked away.
"⋯⋯!"
Iana was embarrassed to the point of tears.
Of course, she didn't expect Charles to help her, and she knew very well why he was doing this.
It was to treat her not as a woman who needed protection, but as a mage who would protect people.
She finally managed to get off the horse with a groan and followed the group.
"I will cast a shield."
As Iana loudly chanted the spell, a strong blue shield was cast over the group's heads.
The knights and mages began to burn the Arika Vine with light magic stones.
The Arika Vine that Iana touched turned black and became ashes on the spot. She glanced at Charles.
But Charles didn't say a word to Iana except for what was necessary.
Until the vine removal work was finished.
✦ ✦ ✦
The group didn't return to the Ducal Palace until late afternoon.
Everyone ate an early dinner and rested, but Iana went back to the stables.
'Let's practice!'
She didn't want to show herself struggling on the horse again.
"Andre, please help me."
Perhaps her earnest request worked. Andre blinked his long-lashed eyes and nodded.
Iana dragged Andre to the training grounds. Fortunately, there was no one there.
She took a spot on one side and repeatedly got on and off the horse.
"Balance, send one foot out, and land."
Darkness had fallen on the training grounds. The light magic stones sparkled, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
As Iana was focused on practicing and getting off the horse, Andre turned his head away, as if he smelled sweat.
Only then did Iana realize that her training clothes were soaked with sweat.
"S, sorry. Andre."
Despite her apology, Andre still looked displeased, but he didn't spit.
"Were you practicing?"
At that moment, Charles approached from the entrance of the training grounds with a smile. Unlike the cold look he had during the day, he had a kind face.
"Yes. The mage has to stand at the front and cast a shield, but I seemed to be wasting too much time getting off the horse."
Iana replied.
"I was just about to go to your room to ask if you wanted to practice together."
"I see."
A brief awkward silence flowed between the two.
Charles, quick to notice, read her mind and suddenly asked a question.
"Were you perhaps upset earlier today?"
At his words, Iana shook her head.
"No. I know what your intentions were. I've become a formal mage who has to protect people now."
"That's right. In places like our Ervin, a mage's mistake or lack of skill doesn't end with a simple trial and error."
Charles said soothingly.
Iana thought for a moment and carefully spoke.
"So, there's one thing I'd like to ask."
"I understand. I'll teach you how to get off the horse again."
Charles naturally thought she was asking him to teach her how to get off the horse and approached Iana.
"No!"
She firmly held out her hand.
"Then what are you asking for?"
"Please be consistent. It's too confusing when you're cold sometimes and kind at other times."
"So, you want me to do just one?"
Charles chuckled as if he was dumbfounded. But Iana was more serious than ever.
"Since you can't be kind when performing official duties like today, please continue to treat me coldly."
"What?"
"I'm only asking until I can get off the horse skillfully. It's hard for Your Highness to go back and forth."
Charles listened with his arms crossed, then said with a cool face.
"Do you think that's even a reasonable request to make to me, the Grand Duke?"
"S, sorry."
Iana's large eyes trembled at Charles's cold reaction. She felt like tears might well up.
"Hahaha."
Charles laughed loudly.
"See? You get flustered even if I treat you a little coldly."
"No, I don't!"
"What do you mean, no? First, I'll teach you how to get off the horse again."
As Charles approached, Iana stepped back in disgust.
"Why are you running away?"
"That's⋯⋯."
She retreated slowly, making a troubled expression.
"My, my clothes are sweaty."
"So what if they are?"
Charles walked closer.
"I don't like being dirty."
Iana and Charles circled around Andre.
"You've shed tears and snot in front of me, so why are you only ashamed of sweating? You're the one who lacks consistency."
"That's different."
Charles came close behind her and said politely.
"I'll be a little rude for a moment."
He hugged Iana from behind and put her on the horse.
"⋯⋯!"
Iana's face turned red with embarrassment. Charles playfully glared at her and said.
"Let's practice more instead of arguing like this. Are you going to struggle on the horse again tomorrow?"
"⋯⋯No."
Iana shook her head slightly.
"You're afraid of getting off the horse because you're afraid of falling. Don't try to get off skillfully right now, just practice getting rid of the fear."
"But I'm still scared⋯⋯."
Iana muttered, glancing down from the horse.
"What's there to be afraid of when I'm next to you?"
His words sounded strangely exciting, and Iana smiled without realizing it.
"Don't think strange things, and practice."
"I, I didn't think anything strange!"
While the two bickered, the spring night at the Ducal Palace deepened.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, Carrion, who had returned from Ervin, took a carriage from his townhouse in the capital to the Imperial Palace.
In Carrion's hand were letters written by Charles.
Bang!
He hit the carriage door with his hand holding the letters, as if venting his anger.
'Where did it go wrong?'
Carrion retraced the events that had happened so far as he headed to the Imperial Palace.
A short time later, the carriage carrying Carrion arrived at the Imperial Palace. However, the imperial secretary who was waiting led him to the office instead of the conference room.
"Are you having a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor again today?"
Carrion asked tentatively, and the secretary nodded.
"Yes, that's right, Count."
As they approached the Emperor's office, the Emperor's laughter and a woman's flattering voice could be heard.
"Shh!"
The guards standing in front of it gestured to Carrion and the secretary to be quiet.
And the moans coming from beyond the door of the Emperor's office.
Carrion was embarrassed and tried to avoid the situation, but the guard shook his head firmly.
It meant not to make a sound.
Carrion, the guard, and the secretary awkwardly faced each other, hoping that the Emperor and his mistress's stormy time would end quickly.
'The Emperor isn't in his right mind either.'
Carrion chuckled inwardly at the absurd situation.
After a while, when the sounds inside the office subsided, the guard announced.
"His Majesty the Emperor, Count Dietrian has arrived."
"Let him in."
At the Emperor's permission, the guard opened the office door.
Creak-
Carrion quietly stepped inside.
The mistress was nowhere to be seen, having already left through the middle door, and another secretary was buttoning up the Emperor's shirt.
"Carrion Dietrian greets His Majesty the Emperor."
Carrion knelt on one knee and greeted him.
The secretary tidied up the Emperor's clothes and quietly left through the middle door.
The Emperor sat down at his desk as if nothing had happened and asked a question.
"Your ex-wife was in Ervin?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Carrion approached and placed the letters written by Charles on the Emperor's desk.
The Emperor's lips curved into a smile as he slowly read the letters.
"Charles is making dirty advances on a married woman, so the imperial family must hold him accountable. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Carrion replied firmly.
Thud-.
The Emperor threw the letters on the desk and asked Carrion.
"I heard that a swarm of monsters suddenly appeared in Ervin, causing the investigation team a lot of trouble, so we should give them the price, right?"
"There were difficulties, but it was naturally my job to do it, Your Majesty."
"Tell me what you want."
Carrion pretended to think for a moment and conveyed the thoughts he had organized in the carriage.
"Please allow me to take her as my mistress. My ex-wife⋯⋯."
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