Chapter 134
The couple’s lunch was served on the terrace of the uniquely styled side palace.
The terrace, far wider than those of the other palaces, had a glass table and cozy chairs prepared.
Beyond the railing lay a garden pond of unknown name, and behind it, tall green trees rose high, pleasing the eye.
“If you need anything, please ring the bell on the table.”
After setting the entire meal, the attendants bowed respectfully and left the terrace.
They withdrew far enough not to be seen, so as not to make the diners uncomfortable.
With no one watching, Riana’s tone during the meal was relaxed.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a dish often eaten in the country this palace was modeled after. The sauce is made from a common plant there.”
“I see.”
Listening to Ianheart’s kind explanation, Riana poked at the meat covered with white sauce.
The sauce carried a faint tang.
“…Oh. This tastes new.”
“Does it suit you?”
“Yes. I like almost any kind of meat.”
When Riana nodded and picked up another piece, Ianheart watched her fondly.
“You should eat too.”
“I don’t like being called that. Right now, it’s just the two of us.”
“Honestly… fine. You eat too, then.”
At his almost childlike complaint, Riana chuckled and called him as he wished.
Only then did Ianheart finally lift his utensils.
‘…He’s really cute.’
Looking at his faintly sulking expression, Riana thought she might tease him later by deliberately calling him Your Majesty.
After that, Ianheart continued to explain the dishes Riana was curious about in his gentle voice.
Once the meal ended, the attendants reappeared—almost as if they had known exactly when—and quickly cleared the table before serving dessert.
The sweets matched the summer atmosphere: chilled fruit juice, cheesecake, and small bite-sized pies.
Riana smiled softly at the tiny, adorable pies.
“What is it?”
“They’re just cute. Like mouse droppings… ah, what am I saying. Just… small, that’s all.”
“Mouse droppings…”
Repeating her words, Ianheart bit his lip.
A moment later, his shoulders trembled.
Cursing her uncorrected speech habits, Riana hid her reddening face with both hands.
“Just laugh already…”
Ianheart always listened to her well.
Riana heard his cool laughter in her ear and silently promised herself to fix her careless way of speaking.
“…I wasn’t trying to tease you.”
Still chuckling, Ianheart offered a quiet excuse.
“I know…”
“You’re not mad, are you?”
“I’m not that petty.”
Riana sighed, half raising her hands to rub her face, then lowered them again, remembering she had makeup on.
Settling her embarrassment, she popped the tiny pie into her mouth.
Knock, knock—
Count Chadwick tapped on the terrace door.
“Come in.”
Entering, the count bowed neatly to both of them before speaking with a troubled expression.
“The Crown Prince of Roan has requested an audience.”
At those words, Riana frowned.
It wasn’t unusual for a visiting envoy to request an audience with the emperor.
But the fact that it was Reindel made her displeased.
Especially since he had arrived two days earlier than scheduled, without courtesy.
Ianheart glanced at Riana’s stiff expression, then turned back to the count.
“Refuse him.”
The rejection was cold.
“Understood.”
Count Chadwick asked no further questions.
After bowing again, he left the terrace.
“…So you heard yesterday.”
Riana murmured quietly, lowering her head.
“Count Chadwick told me.”
Ianheart admitted without hesitation.
“You didn’t want me to know?”
Reaching out, he gently covered Riana’s hand on the table.
She shook her head slowly.
“If I didn’t want you to know, I wouldn’t have done it in front of him. …Still, it’s a little embarrassing, I guess.”
“What’s embarrassing? I felt completely relieved.”
“Then I’m glad.”
Riana glanced down at the hand covering hers, then lifted her head with a light laugh.
She shifted her hand, intertwining her fingers with his. The solid, steady grip gave her a strange sense of peace.
‘Since when did I like holding someone else’s hand…’
The change in herself felt odd, but not unwelcome.
Compared to the past, when she had tried to handle everything alone, she now felt far more secure.
Soon, the two rose from their seats.
After strolling briefly around the shallow artificial pond, they began walking through the palace grounds.
“You said earlier you’d send a reconnaissance team.”
“Yes.”
“…And after that, you’ll form a subjugation force, won’t you?”
At her question, Ianheart hesitated, then nodded.
“I’ll have to. We’ll discuss the details after the Founding Festival. I’m sure most people are already expecting it.”
As she thought.
The last subjugation of the Forest of Death had been led by Ianheart himself, nearly ten years ago.
Though not a perfect sweep, it had reduced the number of monsters greatly.
All the nations bordering the forest, not just the Empire and Roan, had benefited.
“There will be other participants?”
“If they don’t want to be abandoned in a crisis, they’ll join.”
“Hmm…”
Of course. The one proposing the plan was Erkal—the strongest power on the continent, led by Ianheart himself.
Riana walked quietly, eyes on the grass beneath her feet, before finally speaking.
“I want to go too.”
“…Where?”
He knew what she meant, yet Ianheart asked anyway.
“The subjugation. It’s practically decided, isn’t it? And you’ll be going too.”
Even with her reasoning, Ianheart didn’t answer right away.
Though he knew she had guarded the border for years as commander, the words didn’t come easily.
Looking at her, his face turned complicated.
“…Shall I be honest?”
“Yes.”
“As you said, I must go. Otherwise, too many rumors will spread. But as for you—I’d rather you stay here.”
He spoke calmly, with a serious expression.
Knowing his heart, Riana listened without protest.
“I know your abilities surpass those of my men. I know you’ve lived with your life constantly on the line.”
“Mm.”
“Even if you were stronger than me, I’d still want you safe. You’ve always been at the front. Now, I’d rather you be in a safe place.”
His careful words paused.
Riana gazed at him, then stepped forward and embraced him.
Her arms wrapped around his broad waist as she leaned her cheek against his chest.
“I know. I know it’s not because you doubt me that you want me to stay.”
Ianheart gently held her back as she spoke.
“I know you’re not treating me like glass. Even I want you to be safe, though I know how strong you are.”
“…”
“But I also know one more thing. You’ll trust me in the end.”
With firm voice, she loosened her hold slightly and leaned back.
Looking up into his eyes, she smiled faintly.
“Isn’t that right?”
Her short question broke his composure.
Closing his eyes briefly, he opened them again with a small smile that mirrored hers.
“Yes. Do as you wish. I’ll protect what’s behind you.”
It was the encouragement she wanted—gentler than she’d hoped for.
Riana smiled broadly and whispered in his ear.
“And I’ll protect what’s behind you.”
Their lips met, and she cast a concealment spell.
A dark, damp cave that smelled foul.
At the very front row of iron bars—
Grrrrrr…
A savage monster with bright yellow eyes bared its teeth, drooling heavily.
Though not the top of the food chain, it was among the predators near the top.
Yet its eyes shrank in terror, fixed to the ground.
The trembling muzzle and dripping saliva were born of fear, not hunger.
Still, from time to time, a strange light flickered in its yellow eyes before fading again.
A man in a shirt clicked his tongue irritably as he watched from outside the bars.
“So this is the best it can do without being conscious of it.”
His voice was smooth, low, and refined.
With a calm face again, he moved deeper inside.
Farther into the cave, countless monsters of different species were locked in cages, shrieking.
Among them was a flying beast, as large as two grown men, with pitch-black wings.
But the deafening cries ceased all at once when the man pulled a gem no larger than a fingernail from his pocket.
“…Ha.”
He smiled in satisfaction.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached.
“…Sir Ran. The master calls for you.”
“…Very well. Let us go.”
The man cast one last look behind him, then followed the knight in battered leather armor out of the cave.
Even after his figure vanished, the cave remained shrouded in silence.
