But it passed so quickly that I wasn’t sure if it really did.

His expression quickly turned blank.

Instead of Ernst, Ludwig was the one who spoke.

“Aide, I must have told you to use only Foyer pearls.”

“I’ve checked it over and over again. Perhaps the pearls have been replaced when it entered the Imperial Palace. As you know, the Princess….”

Tsk.

It was only me and Ernest who heard him click his tongue.

I clapped my hands with an innocent expression, as if I could not read the atmosphere at all.

“Well, there you go, brother. Can I take her as my maid?

“Can I do that as my sister’s wedding present?”

“Wow, how exciting!”

That’s how I snatched Sonia away.

Standing very awkwardly among the blue-eyed maids, Sonia leaned deeply, and quickly moved into the rest of the procession.

Now the rest of the Imperial Palace should be punished, except for her.

The first prince hates it when his image is damaged.

“I want you to live happily. If your husband makes you upset, make sure to write a letter.”

“Sure.”

Whoosh!

Ludwig grasped my shoulder.

“Ah, it hurts.”

I shrank and did not lower the corners of my mouth despite the strong grip that could easily leave a mark on my skin.

This is a play.

The stage is not over yet.

“My wife.”

But it was then.

“I’ll take care of you from now on. Your Highness, don’t worry too much.”

Ernst, who was quietly staring at me, as I was smiling like a fool, took a step forward.

Tuk.

With his hands covered in black leather gloves, he struck out the prince’s hand, and he stood proudly even after committing such an undignified act.

In addition, he went as far as to look down on the first prince’s other hand.

As if asking, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

“Oh, my! What kind of man is that?”

“How dare he put his hand on His Majesty’s precious body!”

The nobles on the first prince’s faction, who were watching, raised their voices with a serious look.

When the officers in red jackets rolled their boots all at once, they shut their mouths like shells.

“Well, there’s a long way to go. Let’s go.”

Ernst wrapped my shoulders held by the prince earlier in his arms.

It is so warm that my lips tremble.

“Hand.”

In front of the carriage Ernst reached out quietly.

At first glance, he seemed to say, ‘Take it or not’, but I knew it.

He was being considerate.

In fact, he’s a man who doesn’t care at all about the etiquette used by the Forces of Day. He keeps his manners aristocratic more than anyone else in this place.

Now this was an attitude stating that he would respect me in the future.

‘Oh, my heart aches.’

Thump

As soon as I held his hand, my heart rate went up to the point where my chest hurt.

For a short moment, I felt suffocated.

I thought I would never see him again. For the past few days, I’ve been worried that this might be all a dream.

However, when she confirmed reality like this, tears began to form in her eyes.

“Let’s leave.”

“Yes, sir!”

When I got into the carriage, Ernst sat across from me.

This was also consideration. There would be no reason for him to go in the same carriage, but it was clear that he was trying to be a shield for her as there was trouble with the first prince.

‘I can’t help but love him.’

Although the system of knights has long disappeared, he continued to live with chivalry that protects the weak.

“Hah.”

As the door closed, the first prince disappeared from sight and the carriage’s wheels began to roll vigorously, I was relieved at last.

I finally got out of here.

At last, we are going back to the land of the Forces of Night.

“I’m afraid you’ll be uncomfortable for a few days, since we’ll have to camp.”

“Ah.”

“When we arrive to the castle of Eques, I’ll give you the eastern annex. You can live there with the maids.”

It’s been about ten minutes since we left.

A low husky voice echoed in my ears, awakening me from my thoughts.

Unlike when he was protecting me from the first prince earlier, he was quite indifferent, but I was not hurt.

There’s no reason for that. It’s a miracle that we’re together like this.

It was also a pleasure to take my eyes off the window and look at him quietly to see how much he had changed.

The twenty-five-year-old Ernst and thirty-one-year-old Ernst were distinctly different.

He’s grown up, mature, and deep. Both his eyes and voice.

What made him so deep over the years?

It is unfair that she missed those moments.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Your eyes.”

He seem to be bothered.

Contemplating what to say, I answered with sincerity.