Chapter 114
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 114
* * *
Northern Region, Pendraegan Territory.
Getty stared intently at The Emperor's attire.
Having come from the warm Capital to the frigid Northern Region where eternal snow never melted, his wardrobe needed adjustment.
"Hmm... I think a touch of exposure would be better than just warmth, no? Your Majesty's magnificent physique isn't showing properly. The Lady seems like the type who appreciates appearance quite a bit."
"Don't voice your personal preferences."
Soho, who had grabbed his head in exasperation, pushed the thoughtless aide aside and draped a thick fur coat around The Emperor.
"The Northern Region is cold. You need to be dressed at least as well as when you go to war—that way you'll protect both your health and your love. Trust me, Your Majesty."
Soho nodded with satisfaction as he looked at The Emperor, now warmly dressed.
But Getty pouted and grumbled.
"That's not it. It looks dull."
"Ahem."
The aides treated The Emperor like a doll, carefully observing him as they tried this outfit and that.
The Emperor's aides had already established their base at an inn in the heart of Pendraegan Territory and made full preparations for the date.
Of course, it wasn't their date.
It was The Emperor's date—the master of the Empire and master of his aides.
"His Majesty would look handsome even in a burlap sack..."
"Don't you two have any sense of moderation? Should I report this to His Majesty?"
The aides watching Getty and Soho dress up The Emperor whispered among themselves.
"But why did all of us mobilize for this date?"
"Because we need to actively capture the Lady's heart. How did you even pass the aide examination with that brain?"
"So that's why the official certificate was revoked."
"Speaking of His Majesty though..."
Everyone filling the inn simultaneously looked at The Emperor's face.
"He looks truly happy."
A face that commanded presence even in silence now radiated brilliance.
His Majesty had been sharp-edged and taciturn, unapproachable.
Even small jokes to ease the atmosphere for smooth work were not permitted in his presence.
Though his expression remained similarly impassive, there was now happiness in The Emperor's face.
Especially when conversing with the Lady of the Lockhart Family, he would even laugh aloud.
Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the aide's office and The Emperor's office, which had always been like thin ice, had become considerably warmer.
So His Majesty's happiness was their happiness.
While they certainly cared for his wellbeing, it wasn't merely figurative—it actually determined their quality of life.
"It's time."
The Emperor's lips parted as he sat quietly receiving the Aides' ministrations.
"Your Majesty, you still have two hours until your appointment with Lady Enya...?"
"Two hours is hardly any time at all."
As a furrow deepened across The Emperor's smooth brow, the Aides nodded in unison.
'Anything concerning Lady Enya—understood, very well, of course.'
It was a commandment, almost sacred, that the Aides lived by.
Dale set down the documents he had meticulously prepared—the entire date itinerary, restaurants, travel times, and whether they would go by foot or carriage.
He had long since committed it all to memory, made it second nature.
His expression was grave and rigid, like a knight marching into battle.
"Today."
Before leaving, he issued a stern warning to the Aides.
"Do not follow me."
"That is impossible, Your Majesty."
"I need no disguised soldiers either. Rest yourselves."
"It cannot be done. For your safety, an escort must accompany you."
Dale turned back, finding it all rather tiresome.
"...."
Then he understood. The Aides were only speaking those words. Their faces betrayed their delight, even as their voices remained earnest and pleading.
"...Do not follow me."
The discipline had grown lax, but in this situation, it was actually advantageous.
Dale passed a flower shop, purchased the most expensive bouquet on display, and walked toward his meeting with Enya.
'Is a flower gift even appropriate for someone who tends to plants...?'
The white flowers that bloomed primarily in the Pendraegan Territory, surrounded by snow, possessed an exquisite fragrance.
After buying them, he felt somewhat embarrassed at his choice, but he headed to the meeting place, hoping Enya would smile.
'It must be quite far from Enya's house. I wonder if she'll arrive safely.'
He had stationed concealed knights to protect her, but his mind remained uneasy.
He wanted nothing more than to accompany her, but he had lied about being elsewhere, away from the Capital, so it was unavoidable.
'A foolish choice.'
He exhaled softly.
He wanted to be with Enya as soon as possible.
With each drift of floral fragrance, his thoughts turned to her. The plants in the Imperial Palace Greenhouse that she had touched.
Those dying things had regained their vibrant green within hours of her touch. The life within the Imperial Palace was responding to her.
And so was he.
"Hah...."
The throbbing pain that had once wracked his body from head to toe had noticeably diminished.
It was not intentional, but since she had kissed him, his body had been filled with vitality instead.
Arriving beneath the Clock Tower at the meeting place, Dale gazed at his breath misting in the cold air.
The weather should have been better.
"Would you like to see the aurora?"
The decision to head to the Northern Region for our date had been Enya's suggestion.
She wanted to see the aurora.
'If Enya's wish doesn't come true today, I'll have to summon Cassion and create it through magic.'
As I pictured her delighted expression, my lips curved upward without my realizing it.
The moment he smiled with such happiness, a merchant nearby who sold warm food dropped his skewers in admiration of his beauty.
Dale waited for Enya endlessly, oblivious to the cold.
An hour later, Enya finally appeared.
* * *
"Dale!"
I had arrived thirty minutes early, yet Dale was already there waiting for me.
I rushed over and embraced him.
"How long have you been standing here?! Are you alright? Why is your skin so cold—!"
"I just arrived."
"You expect me to believe that? It's painfully obvious you're lying."
His fingers felt as though they'd been frozen solid in a deep freeze. I grasped Dale's bloodless hand and tried to warm it with my body heat.
But his icy fingers refused to thaw easily.
"What should I do? It seems like you were here at least two hours before me. Are you really alright?"
"I'm fine now."
Dale offered a beautiful smile as he held out a bouquet of flowers.
"Because you came."
"Dale, you really...."
His attempt to change the subject was transparent, but seeing him make the effort, I couldn't press further.
I let out a soft laugh despite myself and accepted the bouquet he offered.
"I thought I smelled something lovely, but it wasn't your scent—it was the flowers?"
"I hope it pleases you."
"I love it so much."
"...Really?"
Dale's smile deepened.
The flowers had a clear, sweet fragrance that felt comforting.
"You chose flowers that are just like you, didn't you?"
"...."
Dale rubbed his nose shyly, his entire ears flushed crimson.
Seeing such an expression stirred something strange in my heart.
Especially today.
"Shall we go have dinner then?"
I linked my arm through Dale's, deciding to enjoy a proper romantic date with him.
"It would be faster to take the alley that branches left from the Clothing Store rather than this route."
"You've already learned the shortcuts? That's impressive."
I smiled as I looked at Dale.
Dale, who had grown less inclined to avoid my gaze than before, returned the smile with his eyes.
I walked along the brightly lit street, surveying my surroundings.
'It should be appearing soon.'
Among the street lined with quaint, storybook-like shops, a single grand, black establishment stood out conspicuously.
'There it is.'
I took hold of Dale's arm and led him in that direction.
"...Enya. That is not a restaurant."
"I know. It's the Mercenary Guild."
"...!"
That was exactly what I had been searching for.
The Mercenary Guild.
Specifically, Black Tail—the Northern guild that effectively commands the entire organization.
"Black Tail is where Dale belongs, isn't it? It must be where your comrades are. I thought I'd like to pay my respects. We've come to the Northern Region anyway."
"Enya."
"They're mercenaries, after all—people who might help Dale in ways I can't predict. They deserve my gratitude. I need to know them."
"That isn't necessary."
"It is for me. I want to grow closer to Dale, so I absolutely need to understand this part of his world."
"I will introduce you."
Dale stopped me rather urgently.
With his massive, wolf-like frame, Dale gently gripped my shoulder, his expression resembling that of a frightened puppy.
His golden eyes trembled with anxiety.
"You cannot enter right now."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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