Chapter 126
“I’m going down.”
“…Pardon?”
“Hold on tight.”
Almost instinctively, Riana tightened her arms around Ianheart’s neck.
A moment later came the sound of his feet pushing off the ground, followed by the soft crunch of grass beneath them.
For a brief while, being held in someone’s arms and lifted into the air…
“What is this…”
“Why?”
“…It feels strangely nice.”
At her dazed confession, Ianheart finally laughed openly.
Riana, caught off guard, soon found herself laughing along with him.
“I’m glad you don’t dislike it.”
“Yeah. Somehow… it feels comfortable?”
She leaned her head against his shoulder, smiling lazily, and let her body relax.
“You’re not going to put me down, are you?”
“Well, if you disliked it, I would have.”
“And right now?”
“Since you don’t seem to, just stay quietly in my arms, my lady.”
Pfft!
His words sounded like something a flirtatious knight might say while running off with a noble lady in his arms. Riana burst out laughing.
“What even is that…”
Her laughter spilled out bright and clear, enough to make her stomach ache.
“It’s me,” Ianheart replied smoothly. “I’m escorting you with the utmost respect.”
“This is respectful? What about that sly remark just now?”
“That was… my sincerity? I guess I can be a bit overbearing.”
At his shameless reply, Riana laughed even harder. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so much her stomach hurt.
“Ah, this is crazy. My belly hurts from laughing too much.”
“Good. Then I pass.”
“…Pass what?”
“The test of whether I can make you happy. I’m not exactly a funny man, after all.”
This ridiculously kind man…
“Who says that? Being with you is what makes me happiest.”
Her quiet confession tugged the corners of his lips upward.
“Thank you… for smiling by my side.”
He whispered low, brushing his lips lightly over her hair.
Since leaping down from the balcony, his steps had paused briefly, but now they moved forward again, slow and steady.
They walked for a while, exchanging silly yet heartwarming words. About five minutes passed.
“Am I not heavy?”
Dangling her legs, Riana looked up at him as he carried her effortlessly.
Ianheart’s breathing didn’t even waver—he didn’t seem burdened in the slightest.
Still, being the one held made her worry.
His answer, however, made her heart swell.
“I could carry you forever.”
Sweet, teasing, gentle.
“But how will you wield a sword while holding me? I don’t want you getting hurt.”
Her playful mischief slipped into her voice.
“Hm… then there’s only one option.”
Looking down at her with eyes that made her cheeks tickle, he said softly:
“I’ll just have to become a mage. I can’t let you get hurt, so I’ll fight from the back instead.”
It was a lighthearted answer to her teasing—but it carried a strange sincerity, too.
“Oh, come on…”
Riana chuckled, swinging her feet.
They walked for a few more minutes.
By then, Riana realized where they were headed.
“That place… are we going to the pond?”
“Yes, that’s where.”
The very same pond where Leon had once tugged her along to meet Ianheart.
“Leon didn’t take this route though…”
Riana muttered under her breath. Ianheart snorted.
“That creature’s always odd. Prefers sneaking around instead of using proper paths. Says sacred beasts should move in secret.”
“…Pft.”
She could almost picture Leon puffing out his chest, shouting, ‘A great sacred beast must walk in secret!’
Cute—just like his master.
…No, I definitely shouldn’t say that out loud.
She bit back a smile.
“Did Leon come with you this morning? When I finished training, I noticed he wasn’t around.”
“Yeah, he went with me.”
“And where is he now?”
“He said he’d sleep outside tonight.”
Riana blinked. Usually Leon hogged her bed, but suddenly he wanted to stay out?
…Did he know something?
She recalled the strange way Leon had been watching her and Ianheart lately. A prickly mix of embarrassment and suspicion ran through her chest.
But the moment they stepped into the forest, all such thoughts vanished.
“Wow…”
It was the forest Ianheart had said was bound by spatial magic.
Between the thick trees, fireflies drifted like living sparks of light.
“Fireflies?”
“Yeah. They only come out at night.”
“I didn’t notice before… seeing them in the dark feels magical.”
Riana tapped his shoulder—her silent signal to be put down.
The grass here was higher, and she wanted to walk on her own, to savor the beauty around them.
Ianheart lowered her gently without complaint.
Her shoes pressed into the grass with a soft step, and the jewels on her gown chimed faintly, blending with the night sounds.
“Good thing my heels are low,” she murmured, shaking off her skirt before turning with a grin.
Ianheart’s expression was oddly distant, almost dazed.
“…Your Majesty?”
She tilted her head, puzzled at his silence.
Suddenly, he raised a hand to cover his face.
What?
Before she could ask, he whispered hoarsely, eyes burning as he gazed at her:
“…You’re too beautiful.”
His cheeks were faintly flushed.
Riana let out a small, incredulous laugh.
“You’ve been staring this whole time, but now you say that?”
She stepped closer, and his eyes flickered. He lowered his gaze, gently clasping her hand.
“…Back then, I just wanted to see you. Of course you were beautiful even then.”
“So now that you’ve calmed down, I look even prettier, is that it?” she teased.
Her playful tone was light, but deep inside, the words warmed her.
“Suddenly… my heart just hurt a little,” he admitted softly.
Then, lifting her hand, he pressed a tender kiss to her fingers.
Riana had noticed how his small touches had grown more frequent—ever since she had finally accepted her own feelings.
I guess I’ve started allowing more too.
And after tonight, she knew those feelings would only deepen.
“Alright. That was a very satisfying compliment.”
Grinning, she tugged his hand, walking forward.
The warmth of his grip lingered, steady and sure, until even their footsteps fell into perfect harmony.
And when they finally arrived—
“Wow…”
Her violet eyes widened at the sight.
The pond lay before them, glowing under the silver light of the full moon.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Ianheart asked, smiling.
Riana nodded slowly, unable to look away.
The pond, once lifeless and still, now held the full moon within its surface. Stones and mana crystals beneath reflected the light in dazzling colors, while fireflies fluttered above, adding a touch of magic.
“It’s… breathtaking.”
There were many beautiful things in the world. Ancient ruins. Magnificent palaces. Works of master artisans.
But nothing moved the heart like nature itself—
Towering trees that had stood for centuries. Wildflowers that bloomed each spring. The vast, endless sea. The sun and moon that lit the skies.
“On nights when the full moon rises, the pond holds it completely,” Ianheart murmured at her side. “And the stones and mana crystals reflect it in every color.”
His soft voice brushed against her ear, warm and intimate.
“This isn’t the easiest place to reach… but under the full moon, it’s worth it. That’s why I wanted to show you. It’s one of my favorite views.”
