By the time the simple snow covered the roof of the Dsev mansion, Ejed captured the hearts of those who lived there.

They couldn’t hate the way he treated Annie. It was sweet and cherished, yet respectful.

In the end, the grown-ups of the family had high expectations. They watched with patience, and at a family dinner, they alluded to ask. Her intention to marry.

Annie, who would usually cut such a question with a dagger, remained silent. That alone made her family very happy.

However, a problem arose in an unexpected place.

“Are you sure you want to go? No, right?”

Annie, who was sitting in the garden stroking Lang, raised her head. Then she saw Carla standing with her arms crossed.

It was like when two children were severely scolded. Her voice was no different.

Annie gave a bitter smile instead of an answer. Carla’s attitude had been like this since a few days ago. It was because of the official proposal Annie recently received from Demela.

Demela asked Annie about her intention to visit Isatka. In fact, it was almost like studying abroad. They wanted to trade with Porcaus, but the conversation didn’t work.

So Isatka wanted people who could learn their language. Annie was the one who met that condition the most.

A new opportunity unprecedented in the history of Porcaus. What’s more, it was also stepping into the realm of Annie’s dream. It’s a little risky, but it’s definitely worth the time.

But if she did go, she couldn’t promise the time. Learning a new language didn’t take days or weeks. It will take at least a year or more.

That was the part that Carla was frustrated with. If Annie leaves there, Ejed will be left alone.

How long has it been since they officially started dating? Carla persuaded Annie several times to not go.

She knows about her master who is happy with writing travel books to announce new places, but she can’t help it. Because she was looking forward to the two of them getting married.

“Miss. No. Really can’t.”

Annie said to Carla she would think about it, as she emphasized several times. She hated being reassured by lies.

At the same time, she could not completely deny Carla’s words. As she talked, she could guess what would happen if she left now.

“Miss.”

Carla, who whispered in a low voice, looked to the other side. Annie moved her gaze following it and got her body up.

Ejed’s cheeks were reddened as he approached with a coat on. Perhaps it was because the weather was colder today.

Carla, who greeted him with a curtsy, hurriedly left. Because of Ejed’s visit without his aides, all that was left was Lang.

Annie asked as she fiddled with her cold hand.

“You came early. Isatka’s work, did you do well?”

“Thanks to you.”

Ejed took off his black coat, answering with a faint smile. Then he draped it over Annie’s shoulders with a thin shawl.

Ejed’s coat was almost below the knees for Annie. The still remaining warmth seemed to cover her completely.

Annie looked up at Ejed. Like last time, he seems to catch a cold easily, but he always takes care of her first.

Ejed, having read her complaint, added what seemed like an excuse.

“I’m healthy. I sweat a lot from walking.”

It was completely unreliable. The distance he walks is also the distance where he gets off the carriage and comes to the garden.

But Aniie reached out to him, didn’t dare to scold him. Then, as if waiting, he took her hand.

Crush, crush.

The sound of stepping on the snow was beautiful. Annie walked through the garden with Ejed and then stopped.

She narrowed her eyes as Ejed looked at her with a puzzled face. Of course she was going to talk first, but it doesn’t feel good that he was so silent.

There was no way Ejed was unaware of Demela’s proposal about Isatka. The rumors have already spread both inside and outside the Imperial Palace.

But Ejed never once asked about it. Annie was pretty sad even though she knew his temper.

Rather, her family, including Carla, actively tried to stop her. Much of their concern was about Ejed.

‘But this person is just standing still…… Is he saying it’s okay if he doesn’t see me in a few years?’

It seems that she was not originally such a childish person, but an unavoidable sense arose roughly.

As he opened his eyes, Ejed asked in a friendly voice that melted the cold.

“Do you have anything to say?”

It somehow hurt her pride to answer that question. Moreover, he is several years older than Ejed.

Hmmmm. As she cleared her throat for nothing, he smiled softly and hugged her. Ejed’s signature soft scent tickled the tip of her nose.

Annie pouted her lips, even though she felt secure in it. Ejed used to get out of trouble with this from time to time.

Not only that, but Ejed leads conversation topics well, and he has a good eye for it. It was a tremendous development.

She couldn’t even remove the skinship. With warm lips touching her cheek, she murmured, “Aren’t you getting too adept?” Although of course he has learned it from her.

“How was your day today? Did you even throw the discus with Lang?”

“That’s only with His Majesty, isn’t it? You know she doesn’t listen to me well these days, so why are you asking me for nothing?”

When she answered him bluntly, Ejed smiled lowly, as if even that was good. A tickling breath tickled her ear.

As she placed her cheek against Ejed’s arms, she felt his warmth, as if the whole world was full of Ejed.