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"I'm looking into a place for Iana to stay."
Charles's face hardened at Mule's words.
"You mean a place for Iana the mage to stay? Why all of a sudden..."
"New mages have come from the capital, and if Iana goes to the Rechelles estate, we'll have to adjust the mages' posts anyway."
"..."
"I thought a place with more women than where the mages currently live would be better, so I came to look around here."
There were many women among the magic stone artisans.
Women whose husbands had died or been injured by monsters, making it difficult for them to farm alone, became artisans.
So, many women lived around the workshops.
Mule's words were logically sound, but Charles couldn't easily speak.
"But Iana has only recently gained control of her magical power. Would it be alright?"
Mule smiled and asked jokingly.
"Why, are you disappointed?"
"..."
Charles couldn't lie, so he just stared at Mule.
"Your Highness, shall we take a walk?"
"Let's."
Charles and Mule walked in silence for a while. Behind them, the escort knights and Johan followed at a distance.
"This old man knows well what Your Highness is worried about. But you can only see the world when you come out from beyond the fence."
"..."
"Iana must live not only the life of a woman but also the life of a mage."
Mule stopped in front of a small bridge overlooking the stream. He then said with a benevolent smile.
"But the Ducal Palace has become too sturdy a fence. For Iana."
"I see."
Charles agreed with Mule's words, but something bothered him in his heart.
The fact that Iana decided to move to the village right after Aden's visit.
However, it would be impolite to directly ask Mule if it was because of Aden.
It was like asking if a matter decided publicly by the Archmage was due to personal reasons.
"We should be having this conversation over drinks."
Mule playfully gestured as if drinking.
"Have you forgotten after all this time? I never lifted the ban on alcohol for you."
Charles said firmly, and Mule glared at him and pouted.
Charles smiled at the sight and asked.
"Then when will Iana be moving to the village?"
"I plan to do so right after Iana returns from the Rechelles estate."
✦ ✦ ✦
At sunset, Iana, who had returned from the outer castle, headed to the infirmary to pick up Ru.
She entered, greeted Karen, and called for Ru.
"Ru, I'm here."
But Ru, who had been running around excitedly, turned their back on Iana as soon as they saw her.
Their small back view was quite resolute.
It seemed they were properly sulking from the day she didn't bring them along to care for Charles.
Karen hugged Ru and handed them over, saying.
"Ru is quite angry."
"It seems so."
Even as Iana tried to hold them, Ru turned their head to the side as if ignoring her.
'What should I do with Ru?'
She wasn't planning on taking Ru with her when she went to the Rechelles family.
She didn't know what dangers there might be, and she was planning to travel by horse instead of a carriage.
But with Ru so angry, Iana was troubled about what to do.
Karen chuckled, finding the sight of the sulking Ru and the flustered Iana amusing.
"First, play with them and try to soothe their anger."
"I suppose I'll have to."
Iana took Ru in her arms, left the infirmary, and headed to the garden.
As soon as she let Ru down on the grass, they ran around everywhere.
"Ru, don't go too far."
Iana created a small barrier to stop Ru when they went too far, and removed the barrier when they came back to her.
Pop!
As the barrier disappeared like a bursting bubble, Ru curiously poked at another barrier with their small paws.
At that moment, a good idea came to Iana's mind.
"Wait! A barrier doesn't necessarily have to be just for defense."
Iana muttered with a thoughtful face.
'What if, the moment a monster touches the barrier, the monster's body burns?'
Suddenly, she remembered the image of a Krikan tearing through the barrier with its body.
If there were a shortage of mages, they had to increase the efficiency of using magical power.
"I can use it when catching Krikan."
Iana squatted down, picked up a stone, and wrote down a magic formula on the dirt floor, combining the barrier and fire magic.
Perhaps thinking it was a fun game, Ru hopped and skipped over the magic formula she had drawn.
"You little troublemaker!"
Iana, still squatting, stretched her hands up to the sky, holding Ru. Now that they seemed to have calmed down a bit, Ru didn't struggle.
Fluffy clouds flowed across the sky as the sun set.
"You're all I need."
Iana murmured softly, looking at Ru.
Just then, Charles's face suddenly appeared from behind her.
"All you need is what?"
"Your Highness!"
The squatting Iana was about to fall backward.
Charles slightly bent his leg to prevent her from falling.
Embarrassed, Iana picked up Ru and stood up.
"You surprised me, coming without a, without a sound."
"Without a sound? You were so lost in thought that you didn't even notice someone coming."
"I was just thinking about new magic... Ah, I'm trying to create a barrier that can attack and defend at the same time."
Iana explained to Charles with an excited face.
"That would be useful for catching Krikan. It's a good idea, but it seems like it would consume a lot of magical power."
"So, I'm going to ask the Archmage for ways to improve it."
Iana smiled brightly at his words that it was a good idea.
But Charles just stared at her with a face that didn't reveal his emotions.
"Your Highness, was I talking too much?"
Charles suddenly said as if he had just remembered.
"No. Oh, it seems you'll be moving to the village after you return from the Rechelles estate. Archmage Mule seems to be planning to make you suffer in earnest."
Iana knew that Charles was joking when he blamed Mule.
But she felt uncomfortable, as if she was hiding behind Mule after saying she would go.
She stopped walking and carefully spoke.
"I, I'm the one who said I wanted to go to the village. It's not that the Archmage is sending me."
"May I ask why? Why you suddenly wanted to go down to the village."
Charles didn't seem greatly shaken, as if he already knew.
"For my peaceful life."
Silence fell between the two.
The sound of the low wind and the flock of birds flying by replaced the silence.
Iana continued calmly.
"I had forgotten for a while. How tumultuous my divorce was and how much I suffered. But now I realize. I can't live peacefully if I keep staying in the Ducal Palace."
Charles, who had been watching Iana's eyes, came close to her.
"I too dream of a peaceful life. But I do not desire a peaceful life before my responsibilities."
"..."
"I will take responsibility for my emotions to the end. So, take responsibility for your share."
Charles gave a curt nod and headed towards the main castle.
Iana looked at him painfully, then turned around with Ru in her arms and walked towards the Spire.
Long shadows fell between the two.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next afternoon, Carrion arrived at the Imperial Palace.
He had stayed overnight in a townhouse in the capital the day before, but he didn't bring Riel with him.
As usual, a secretary was waiting at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, today he was guided to the conference room instead of the office.
Creak-.
The doors of the conference room opened on both sides, and Carrion entered.
Inside, Duke Havel, the ministers, and the imperial elders were gathered.
"Carrion Dietrian, I greet His Majesty the Emperor."
Carrion knelt on one knee and greeted.
The Emperor, sitting on the throne, gave him an order with a serious face.
"Count Dietrian, explain once again about the rumors of Charles's affair."
Carrion explained in detail to the ministers what had happened in Ervin.
"So, in conclusion, I think His Highness used the letters to pretend that he liked Iana Rechelles alone, but that was a disguise to cover up their affair."
"Your Majesty, if Count Dietrian's words are correct, shouldn't both of them be punished?"
At Duke Havel's words, the Emperor put his hand on his chin and seemed to ponder.
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he gave a loud order.
"Then, reflecting the opinions of the imperial family and the ministers, I will arrest Grand Duke Ervin and Iana Rechelles and hold them accountable."
'He's going to show the people Grand Duke Ervin being dragged away.'
A smile spread across Carrion's lips.
Then, the Emperor's clear eyes turned to Carrion.
"Count Dietrian."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Leave for Ervin right now."
"Yes? Me?"
Carrion looked surprised at the unexpected words.
The Emperor's face turned cold, as if he didn't like his reaction.
The Emperor beckoned Carrion with a flick of his finger.
It was a gesture to come closer.
Carrion approached the throne with a stiff face.
"Closer."
Carrion went up to the throne and bowed before the Emperor.
The Emperor whispered in a low voice.
"Count Dietrian, you must arrest Charles and pass through the capital's gates..."
"..."
"Wouldn't that further highlight Charles's affair?"
Charles's face hardened at Mule's words.
"You mean a place for Iana the mage to stay? Why all of a sudden..."
"New mages have come from the capital, and if Iana goes to the Rechelles estate, we'll have to adjust the mages' posts anyway."
"..."
"I thought a place with more women than where the mages currently live would be better, so I came to look around here."
There were many women among the magic stone artisans.
Women whose husbands had died or been injured by monsters, making it difficult for them to farm alone, became artisans.
So, many women lived around the workshops.
Mule's words were logically sound, but Charles couldn't easily speak.
"But Iana has only recently gained control of her magical power. Would it be alright?"
Mule smiled and asked jokingly.
"Why, are you disappointed?"
"..."
Charles couldn't lie, so he just stared at Mule.
"Your Highness, shall we take a walk?"
"Let's."
Charles and Mule walked in silence for a while. Behind them, the escort knights and Johan followed at a distance.
"This old man knows well what Your Highness is worried about. But you can only see the world when you come out from beyond the fence."
"..."
"Iana must live not only the life of a woman but also the life of a mage."
Mule stopped in front of a small bridge overlooking the stream. He then said with a benevolent smile.
"But the Ducal Palace has become too sturdy a fence. For Iana."
"I see."
Charles agreed with Mule's words, but something bothered him in his heart.
The fact that Iana decided to move to the village right after Aden's visit.
However, it would be impolite to directly ask Mule if it was because of Aden.
It was like asking if a matter decided publicly by the Archmage was due to personal reasons.
"We should be having this conversation over drinks."
Mule playfully gestured as if drinking.
"Have you forgotten after all this time? I never lifted the ban on alcohol for you."
Charles said firmly, and Mule glared at him and pouted.
Charles smiled at the sight and asked.
"Then when will Iana be moving to the village?"
"I plan to do so right after Iana returns from the Rechelles estate."
✦ ✦ ✦
At sunset, Iana, who had returned from the outer castle, headed to the infirmary to pick up Ru.
She entered, greeted Karen, and called for Ru.
"Ru, I'm here."
But Ru, who had been running around excitedly, turned their back on Iana as soon as they saw her.
Their small back view was quite resolute.
It seemed they were properly sulking from the day she didn't bring them along to care for Charles.
Karen hugged Ru and handed them over, saying.
"Ru is quite angry."
"It seems so."
Even as Iana tried to hold them, Ru turned their head to the side as if ignoring her.
'What should I do with Ru?'
She wasn't planning on taking Ru with her when she went to the Rechelles family.
She didn't know what dangers there might be, and she was planning to travel by horse instead of a carriage.
But with Ru so angry, Iana was troubled about what to do.
Karen chuckled, finding the sight of the sulking Ru and the flustered Iana amusing.
"First, play with them and try to soothe their anger."
"I suppose I'll have to."
Iana took Ru in her arms, left the infirmary, and headed to the garden.
As soon as she let Ru down on the grass, they ran around everywhere.
"Ru, don't go too far."
Iana created a small barrier to stop Ru when they went too far, and removed the barrier when they came back to her.
Pop!
As the barrier disappeared like a bursting bubble, Ru curiously poked at another barrier with their small paws.
At that moment, a good idea came to Iana's mind.
"Wait! A barrier doesn't necessarily have to be just for defense."
Iana muttered with a thoughtful face.
'What if, the moment a monster touches the barrier, the monster's body burns?'
Suddenly, she remembered the image of a Krikan tearing through the barrier with its body.
If there were a shortage of mages, they had to increase the efficiency of using magical power.
"I can use it when catching Krikan."
Iana squatted down, picked up a stone, and wrote down a magic formula on the dirt floor, combining the barrier and fire magic.
Perhaps thinking it was a fun game, Ru hopped and skipped over the magic formula she had drawn.
"You little troublemaker!"
Iana, still squatting, stretched her hands up to the sky, holding Ru. Now that they seemed to have calmed down a bit, Ru didn't struggle.
Fluffy clouds flowed across the sky as the sun set.
"You're all I need."
Iana murmured softly, looking at Ru.
Just then, Charles's face suddenly appeared from behind her.
"All you need is what?"
"Your Highness!"
The squatting Iana was about to fall backward.
Charles slightly bent his leg to prevent her from falling.
Embarrassed, Iana picked up Ru and stood up.
"You surprised me, coming without a, without a sound."
"Without a sound? You were so lost in thought that you didn't even notice someone coming."
"I was just thinking about new magic... Ah, I'm trying to create a barrier that can attack and defend at the same time."
Iana explained to Charles with an excited face.
"That would be useful for catching Krikan. It's a good idea, but it seems like it would consume a lot of magical power."
"So, I'm going to ask the Archmage for ways to improve it."
Iana smiled brightly at his words that it was a good idea.
But Charles just stared at her with a face that didn't reveal his emotions.
"Your Highness, was I talking too much?"
Charles suddenly said as if he had just remembered.
"No. Oh, it seems you'll be moving to the village after you return from the Rechelles estate. Archmage Mule seems to be planning to make you suffer in earnest."
Iana knew that Charles was joking when he blamed Mule.
But she felt uncomfortable, as if she was hiding behind Mule after saying she would go.
She stopped walking and carefully spoke.
"I, I'm the one who said I wanted to go to the village. It's not that the Archmage is sending me."
"May I ask why? Why you suddenly wanted to go down to the village."
Charles didn't seem greatly shaken, as if he already knew.
"For my peaceful life."
Silence fell between the two.
The sound of the low wind and the flock of birds flying by replaced the silence.
Iana continued calmly.
"I had forgotten for a while. How tumultuous my divorce was and how much I suffered. But now I realize. I can't live peacefully if I keep staying in the Ducal Palace."
Charles, who had been watching Iana's eyes, came close to her.
"I too dream of a peaceful life. But I do not desire a peaceful life before my responsibilities."
"..."
"I will take responsibility for my emotions to the end. So, take responsibility for your share."
Charles gave a curt nod and headed towards the main castle.
Iana looked at him painfully, then turned around with Ru in her arms and walked towards the Spire.
Long shadows fell between the two.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next afternoon, Carrion arrived at the Imperial Palace.
He had stayed overnight in a townhouse in the capital the day before, but he didn't bring Riel with him.
As usual, a secretary was waiting at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, today he was guided to the conference room instead of the office.
Creak-.
The doors of the conference room opened on both sides, and Carrion entered.
Inside, Duke Havel, the ministers, and the imperial elders were gathered.
"Carrion Dietrian, I greet His Majesty the Emperor."
Carrion knelt on one knee and greeted.
The Emperor, sitting on the throne, gave him an order with a serious face.
"Count Dietrian, explain once again about the rumors of Charles's affair."
Carrion explained in detail to the ministers what had happened in Ervin.
"So, in conclusion, I think His Highness used the letters to pretend that he liked Iana Rechelles alone, but that was a disguise to cover up their affair."
"Your Majesty, if Count Dietrian's words are correct, shouldn't both of them be punished?"
At Duke Havel's words, the Emperor put his hand on his chin and seemed to ponder.
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he gave a loud order.
"Then, reflecting the opinions of the imperial family and the ministers, I will arrest Grand Duke Ervin and Iana Rechelles and hold them accountable."
'He's going to show the people Grand Duke Ervin being dragged away.'
A smile spread across Carrion's lips.
Then, the Emperor's clear eyes turned to Carrion.
"Count Dietrian."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Leave for Ervin right now."
"Yes? Me?"
Carrion looked surprised at the unexpected words.
The Emperor's face turned cold, as if he didn't like his reaction.
The Emperor beckoned Carrion with a flick of his finger.
It was a gesture to come closer.
Carrion approached the throne with a stiff face.
"Closer."
Carrion went up to the throne and bowed before the Emperor.
The Emperor whispered in a low voice.
"Count Dietrian, you must arrest Charles and pass through the capital's gates..."
"..."
"Wouldn't that further highlight Charles's affair?"
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