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'Perfect weather for a date.'
She had accepted Felix's offer to go out alone after the exams and was heading to the Duke's townhouse in a carriage.
The dense buildings gradually faded away, and a beautiful landscape, so unexpected in the capital, greeted her.
The sight naturally calmed her heart.
'How long has it been since I had such leisure?'
With the end of the exams, Ayla was free.
According to her original plan, she was supposed to leave the dormitory, find a new residence, and immediately begin researching the kinship Magical Tool.
However, as soon as she had free time, instead of accomplishing her goals, she was suffering from unprecedented childcare.
This was because Piyo, after transforming into a human and learning various Magic spells, had started causing just as many accidents.
"Piyo, no! That's dangerous!"
"You can't do that. Don't do—! Oh, no."
A Dragon who had just learned Magic was no different from a child holding a dangerous weapon.
Therefore, Ayla couldn't leave Piyo's side for even a moment and had to constantly scold and watch him.
'Debens said that the power of Magic would decrease as his body shrank... If it's this strong now, how much more powerful would he be in his original form?'
Ayla sighed deeply and shook her head.
It was fortunate that Peony had agreed to take care of Piyo in her place today; otherwise, she wouldn't have even thought about going out.
Like a Dragon, Piyo could use almost all Magic after Shedding, but his control was still lacking.
And more than anything, he had hardly learned any etiquette for the human world.
Ayla had to attend Emperor's birthday banquet with Piyo in a short while, so she couldn't help but worry.
'If Piyo commits a major discourtesy, it will all be my responsibility... Can I really teach him all the basic manners by then?'
While Ayla sighed again, the carriage passed through the forest and through a tall, white-painted gate.
It seemed they had arrived at the Duke's townhouse.
Soon, the carriage gradually slowed down and came to a complete stop in front of a garden full of colorful flowers.
Ayla, helped out of the carriage by a knight, was immediately captivated by the sight before her.
The mansion, boasting a pure white exterior buried in greenery, looked like a painting.
While she was deeply admiring it with her mouth open, Felix, who had come out to greet her, approached with a welcoming face.
"Welcome, Ayla. Was the journey difficult?"
"No, it was quick by carriage. But wow...! The mansion is like a villa built in a resort. It's so beautiful."
Ayla was still too busy looking around to even glance at Felix.
Then Felix subtly blocked her view with his long, knobby fingers and said,
"It's good that you're praising it... but is the mansion that great? To the point where I'm not even visible?"
Ayla smiled sheepishly at Felix's sulky tone and slowly pulled his hand down.
"Of course not. I've been looking forward to today so much."
"...Really?"
"Yes, it's been a very long time since I spent time alone with you."
Perhaps her sulky heart was quickly relieved by Ayla's words, the tips of Felix's ears turned red.
He soon changed the subject as if nothing had happened.
"So, are all the busy matters resolved now? I mean, the matter of educating Piyo."
Ayla gave him an awkward smile at his question.
"Well, roughly?"
"Roughly... That's quite a vague answer."
"Piyo is still a child, so he can't stay still for a moment. Well, everyone is originally impatient when they're young."
"Hmm, can you attend the birthday banquet with Piyo in this state? Peony said that he causes accidents almost every day."
As soon as she heard his words, Ayla lowered her eyes gloomily.
"Actually, I'm worried about that too. All the dignitaries will attend Emperor's birthday banquet... I'm worried that he might cause a big commotion there."
Felix, looking at her worried face, carefully opened his mouth.
"Or, how about this."
Felix gently intertwined his fingers with hers and continued.
"I've also been invited to the birthday banquet, so I'll attend as Ayla's partner that day. It's better to have more eyes watching than to monitor Piyo alone."
"Partner?"
"Yes, we're dating anyway, so it's more natural that way."
"That's true, but..."
Ayla stopped walking in the middle of her sentence.
She was slightly afraid that her relationship with Felix would become more solid than it was now if she rashly accepted the offer.
If they attended a large banquet like the birthday banquet together, there would definitely be various rumors circulating around them.
Perhaps they would be mistaken for a couple who had promised a future, not just simple lovers.
'I decided to be brave... but I keep worrying that Felix will be harmed because of me.'
Ayla carefully glanced at Felix, only slightly moving her eyes.
Then Felix held her hand even tighter, as if urging her to answer.
Ayla's heart could not help but weaken at his firm attitude.
In the end, Ayla smiled resignedly and replied,
"Okay, thank you for the offer. I feel much more at ease if you do that."
"It's nothing. It's only natural."
Felix, excited to have received the answer he wanted, took large strides and led her somewhere.
"There's so much to show you today. This mansion is beautiful, but the nearby lake is also famous for its beautiful scenery."
"Really? I'm glad I decided to have our date here. It's so peaceful and quiet, I really like it."
After the exams, the two had spent a long time racking their brains about where to go.
However, due to Felix's status, he needed guards to walk around the streets.
And both Ayla and Felix agreed that they didn't want their long-awaited time alone to be disturbed by others.
So, after much deliberation, they decided to have a simple picnic at the Duke's townhouse.
Soon, Felix arrived in front of the stable and asked as he entered the horse stable.
"We don't need two horses, do we? You can ride the same one as me."
"The same one?"
"Yes, this horse."
Felix led a dazzling white horse out, holding the reins.
"Wow, this horse is really pretty too."
"I've prepared the saddle in advance, so you can ride right away. Here, I'll lift you up."
Felix approached Ayla and lightly lifted her onto the horse.
Then he skillfully put his foot on the stirrup and climbed up behind her.
"......"
As his firm chest pressed against her back without any gaps, she felt a strange tightening in her lower abdomen.
"Ayla, you have to look ahead. And hold the reins tightly."
"Okay."
"Then let's go."
At the same time as Felix pulled on the reins, the horse began to move. However, the shaking was more significant than expected, considering the slow speed.
As a result, Felix's arms and thighs kept touching her body every time the horse took a step.
But Felix didn't seem to mind this kind of contact at all.
'...Am I the only one who's conscious of it?'
She felt her body stiffen whenever Felix's breath tickled her hair.
Ayla tried to hold her breath as much as possible and breathe slowly so as not to reveal her nervousness.
As she did so, they had already reached the lake.
As soon as they came out of the tall trees, Ayla gasped again at the sight that came into view.
"Wow...!"
As Felix had boasted, the scenery here was truly breathtakingly beautiful.
The late afternoon sun shone on the lake, turning the blue surface into a dazzling silver.
And colorful wildflowers and bushes were blooming profusely around the lake.
"How is it, Ayla?"
Felix lowered his head with a triumphant look and gazed at her profile.
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