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nTL: Lilac | PR: Faith

nBut Astelle, without looking at him, handed the sandwich to her grandfather who was sitting on the other side.

n“Have something to eat, Grandpa.”

n“Okay. Thank you.”

nKaizen slowly lowered his hand.

n“……”

n‘Tch.’

nIt was a very sad and embarrassing scene.

nVellian, who watched his master’s pitiful appearance, truly sympathized with him.

nHe carefully offered the meat pie to Kaizen.

n“……Your Majesty, please eat this.”

n“No need.”

nKaizen didn’t even touch the food and drank only the wine that Vellian poured in.

nThe four adults gathered at the picnic and silently ate their food.

nThey just felt uncomfortable around each other.

nKaizen and Vellian were still awkward with the Marquis of Carlenberg, Astelle and Kaizen were a divorced couple, and Vellian and Astelle were……

nAstelle didn’t want to deal with Vellian for as long as she could after he threw her into the public bath and looked through her clothes and belongings.

nThey were uncomfortable with each other, and there was no common topic of discussion.

nNaturally, there was only an uncomfortable and heavy silence in the tent.

n“This is really delicious. Can I have another one?”

nAmidst the silence, only Theor was eating happily.

n“Yes. You can eat as much as you like.”

nTheor ate the whole sandwich and the meat pie that Vellian gave to him.

nA sweet pie filled with savory juices melted in his mouth.

n“Oh right. Have you met Sir Seibel at the ball, Lady Astelle?”

nIt was Vellian who broke the uncomfortable silence.

n“Do you mean the commander of the Lanberg Knights?”

n“Yes, he is a friend of mine. We have been best friends since childhood.”

n“Is that so?”

nA young man with silver hair and light blue eyes came to mind.

nHe was polite and had a good impression, but when Astelle heard that he and Vellian were friends, her liking was reduced to half.

nThe Marquis, who had been listening quietly, intervened in curiosity.

n“If he is the same age as you, then he must be young. Is he already a knight commander?”

n“Yes, he is very talented.”

nVellian said proudly and added a small addition at the end.

n“Well……it does make sense since his father is the minister of the military, Count Ecklen.”

n“Who?”

n“Count Gerald von Ecklen. He is Sir Seibel’s adoptive father.”

nWhen Astelle heard the name, something came to mind.

n“Oh, yes. Sir Seibel’s father asked him to send regards to Grandpa. I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

nThere were so many things that happened after the ball that Astelle had completely forgotten about it.

nAstelle was a little startled to see her grandfather sitting there with a bemused look.

n“Grandpa?”

n“Gerald Ecklen became the minister of the military?”

n“Yes, do you know him?”

nAfter hearing Vellian’s question, he regained his senses with a little startling.

n“Ah, well… we used to know each other. He used to be my lieutenant.”

n“Is that true? That’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

nThe Marquis still seemed to be thinking of something.

nAstelle was struck by her grandfather’s strange reaction.

n‘What happened?’

nShe decided to ask him about it later.

n“The rain has subsided.”

nAstelle, who was organizing the baskets, said while looking at the dimly bright sky.

nVellian, sitting next to Theor and watching him draw on the floor, raised his head.

nIt really stopped raining little by little, and the sky was gradually clearing.

nTheor asked as he looked out of the tent.

n“Can I go out and play?”

n“Okay.”

nExcited, Theor ran outside.

nThe grass-covered with rainwater was moist and wet.

n“I’m going to go get some herbs. Please take care of Theor.”

n“Okay. Be careful.”

nAstelle listened to her grandfather’s worrisome remarks, grabbed a basket, and went outside.

nPerhaps because the rain had stopped, a cool breeze was pleasantly blowing.

nAstelle took the basket and disappeared deep into the forest.

nAs soon as she left, Kaizen also stood up.

n“Your Majesty? Where are you going?”

nVellian asked, but Kaizen did not answer and walked towards Astelle’s direction.

nTheor asked as he looked into the forest where the two had disappeared.

n“Where did His Majesty go?”

n“Hmm…… His Majesty seems to have something to say to Lady Astelle.”

nVellian let out a low sigh as if he was a little sad.

nAfter watching them, he felt a little ominous.

nAs well as the fact that they had been together up to this day, the emperor paid so much attention to Astelle that it felt a little strange.

nAstelle said that the Emperor was only feeling guilty, but it wasn’t like him to do something simply out of remorse.

nBecause of the emperor’s useless interest, Astelle has already suffered several bad experiences.

nLast time, even Theor was put in danger.

nAfter thinking about all that happened, Vellian lost more weight.

n‘What kind of enemies did the Emperor and Lady Astelle have…’

nVellian let out a deep sigh.

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n***

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nAs Astelle was walking through the forest looking for herbs, she heard footsteps behind her.

n“Astelle.”

nThe person who was following her was Kaizen.

n“What are you doing here?”, Astelle asked.

nComplex emotions flashed in Kaizen’s red eyes.

nAs he approached her, he confessed calmly.

n“I’m sorry about last time.”

nAstelle seemed surprised by the sudden apology.

n“I wanted to apologize about what happened at the ball. I’m sorry I tried to hold Theor down for my greed. You’re right, I was selfish.”

n“……”

nHe was worried that she would get angry, but Astelle listened quietly until Kaizen finished.

n“You have nothing to apologize for.”

nAfter hearing him out, Astelle answered dryly.

n“Your Majesty is the lord of the empire, so you must always do what Your Majesty wants to do.”

n“I don’t want to listen to your flattery.”

nKaizen suppressed the rising anger. Talking to Astelle always made him angry. How can so many emotions soar with a single word?

nAstelle looked at him with an expressionless face.

n“Then will you allow Theor and grandfather to return home?”

nKaizen could not say no in this situation.

n“Okay. They can go back home.”

n“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

nJoy spread across Astelle’s pale face.

nSeeing Astelle’s happy face gave Kaizen a bitter feeling.

nHe forced his gaze away.

n“I should have given you permission earlier, but I needlessly insisted .”

n“Don’t worry about it, I do not resent Your Majesty. I’m going to go home with Theor and my grandfather anyway.”

nAstelle’s voice was extremely soft.

nIt sounded like she had nothing to worry about anymore, as Kaizen had granted her wish.

n‘Are you going to return after your work in the capital is over?’

nKaizen wanted to ask that question.

nHowever, it was such a stupid question that he could not speak out.

n‘Of course, you will return.’

nWithout Theor and the Marquis, Astelle had no reason to stay in the capital.

nAs soon as the work of the Empress Dowager’s will is finished, she will return without hesitation.

nKaizen had no reason to be with Astelle. He felt sadness at that bitter reality.

nShe turned around again, ignoring him, and started looking for herbs.

nKaizen, who was watching her, slowly approached.

n“I’ll help you find the herbs too.”

nIt was then that he heard a strange noise.

nThere was a very faint rustling of footsteps.

nThe sound was coming from behind Astelle.

nOver her shoulders, birch trees were towering high in the sky.

nIt was dark because the leaves blocked the light.

nNo one can see who was hiding a few steps behind.

nNo one was allowed to enter this forest without permission in the first place.

nThe knights who came with them were waiting outside the entrance to the forest.

n‘Is it Vellian or the Marquis?’

nKaizen listened attentively to the quiet footsteps.

nThe rustling was getting closer and closer.

n‘It’s not just one or two people. It can’t be Vellian or the Marquis.’

nKaizen walked forward without hesitation as if approaching Astelle.

nBehind her, who was looking at herbs, there were thick bushes.

nKaizen took one or two steps closer and said quietly,

n“Astelle, bow your head.”

nAstelle, who was about to find the medicinal herbs, read the danger and tension hidden in Kaizen’s voice.

nShe instinctively bent over quickly.

nAs soon as Astelle bent over, Kaizen quickly pulled out a dagger and flew it towards the bush.

n“Ugh……!”

nA desperate scream erupted from among the shady blades of grass.

nWith that sound, assassins who covered their faces with masks ran out from their hiding places.

nThey all drew their swords.

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n***

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n‘Is this an assassination attempt?’

nNo raids of this kind had been seen since the end of the war in the North.

nKaizen drew his sword.

nSix opponents.

nThe odds were good enough.

nExcept for one important variable.

n“Astelle.”

nKaizen held up a sword and turned to Astelle.

nHe should protect her, she was defenseless.

n“Stick close behind me.”

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