Chapter 29
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Chapter 29
Iellie, relieved, opened her mouth.
The two were now outside.
Because of the cold weather, she had all kinds of scarves and hats wrapped around her, so she looked somewhat like a snowman.
“Len, be careful not to catch a cold. It’s very cold these days.”
Zachary said, standing close to her side. Iellie, who narrowed her brow, clasped her arms with difficulty.
“You wrapped your clothes up like this. How can I catch a cold?”
“Honestly, I think you should wear more.”
“Then, I’ll be in a situation where I can’t even walk because I would just stumble.”
She muttered awkwardly.
A lot of Zachary’s wardrobe goes in her current attire. As soon as she decided to go outside, he came to her and put on his scarf, gloves, and hat.
“It’s better than being sick.”
At his stubborn answer, she lost her words.
‘Yes, as long as you’re comfortable with it.’
“More than that, Len, come here.”
He called her with hand gestures. At that, Iellie approached Zachary with light steps. He had a rein in his hand—it was a dark brown mare of a gentle nature, with white dots scattered across the back of the nose.
“Want me to help you get on the horse?”
“Yes…”
Iellie nodded her head with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
Zachary approached her and hugged her waist as though it was natural. She exclaimed as she was startled. She was hanging by Zachary around his neck.
“Kyaa, Zachary!”
“Why? This is the fastest way to get on a horse.”
“Well, still…!”
She thought he was just going to hold her hand or something!
Terrified, she blushed and rode on the horse. Zachary let out a smirk and grabbed the reins. To be honest, he did that on purpose.
‘If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to even hug Len.’
If Iellie hears it, she would say that like he’s sly, and she’ll be mad. With that in mind, Zachary glanced at her with a dissatisfied expression on his face. It was all her fault that he acted this way.
“…I mean, who told you to be so pretty?”
With a small grunt, she gave him a gaze as she was struggling to balance herself on the horse.
“Zachary, what did you say?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
He naturally shook his head. Iellie glanced at him suspiciously for a moment, but she turned her gaze away, concentrating on riding the horse first. Zachary, who was strolling with the reins in his hand, grinned.
“You are suddenly practicing horse riding.”
“But, I don’t want to be the only one who is not good at riding a horse. They said that the North often had hunting parties.”
Iellie pouted her lips.
At that, Zachary nodded his head. Well, until now, the two of them weren’t socializing when they were young, but now they can’t.
She was the wife of Zachary, the Heir Apparent of Hessenweitz, who would later become the mistress of the Duchy. It was time for her to start thinking about socializing.
“So, that’s why you started practicing horse riding?”
“Yes. Well, I can ride, but… I’m still clumsy.”
Saying so, she shrugged her shoulders. Zachary then gazed up at Iellie, who was concentrating, with a mischievous face.
“Don’t you want to run a little?”
“Huh? ”
Iellie, who was riding on the horse with a lot of tension, made a bewildered face. Zachary laughed.
“The weather is nice today, so riding a horse would be very refreshing.”
“Uh…”
Hearing that, it makes her a little eerie.
She blinked her eyes. Zachary gave soft words of temptation. “What do you say? If I ride with you, you won’t even fall off the horse.”
“Well, then that’s fine.”
She nodded her head. Finally, he jumped onto the horse, singing with delight inside. As he hugged Iellie by the waist, she glanced back at him.
Zachary smiled casually.
“I was just holding you in fear of falling.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
As he lied without a blink of an eye, Iellie turned her gaze back to that questionable face. Zachary felt the back of his neck heat up. It was because she was sitting right in front of him.
‘Len…’
She was wrapped around in fur and fluffy clothes and scarves, but Iellie’s pink hair shimmered in front of him.
Afraid that she would suddenly hear the sound of his beating heart, Zachary quickly grabbed the reins.
“Giddy up!”
The horse started taking off. As the surrounding scenery passes by, Iellie, who sat in front, immediately lets out an exclamation.
“Wow!”
“At this speed, are you okay?”
“Yes!”
Hearing her excited reply, Zachary smiled brightly. He laughed out loud. The cold air gently caresses the cheeks, and the world moves quickly behind.
Wow, this is great. So much fun!
He then skillfully drove the horse into the woods behind the Duchy.
“Where are we?”
“My secret place.”
“Zachary, did you have a secret place?”
Surprised, she widened her eyes. Zachary bursts into laughter and shakes his head and said, “Actually, it’s not even a secret place, it’s a place I found by chance recently.”
“I see.”
Iellie nodded her head.
Zachary swiftly jumped off the horse. Sitting on the horse, she glanced around. A small vacant lot in the frosty forest was like another world carved out of white ice.
“Come on, hand.”
He held out his hand in front of her, and Iellie took his hand. Zachary clasped her hand, lifted the arm opposite her and wrapped it around her waist. As he hugged her tightly, she was buried in his arms.
“Zachary, I’m suffocating!”
Iellie hurriedly patted him on the back. Zachary whispered in a sweet voice in her ear.
“Len.”
“Huh?”
She tilted her head at his words. Even with the thick fabric, she could still feel Zachary’s warmth.
“I like you too much.”
Such a sudden confession was now familiar. Zachary would whisper words that he liked her from time to time. When their eyes meet or pass by by chance, as if pinning on her.
“I, too, like you very much as well.”
Iellie made eye contact and smiled brightly. At that, he looked at her with a slightly affronted expression.
“Your ‘like’ and mine… It sounds like we have too much of a temperature difference.”
Still, he has no intention of forcing his own feelings. When they were young, they went to the Asha festival together. That time, she said that the marriage did not matter much it was still vivid.
He sighed again.
‘I will do my best to satisfy you.’
Zachary pressed his chest tight. It’s okay now. Even if his chest jumps like this, he can stand it. But, how long can he hold out…?
He doesn’t know about that. It was then that he lifted his gaze with a complicated mind.
“Zachary, what are you thinking?”
Iellie poked her head out and asked him a question. As soon as he looked into the clear pale green eyes, all the emotions that had confused him evaporated.
‘…Yes, because you are by my side.’
Zachary grinned before opening his mouth.
“Nothing.”
“Your face doesn’t look like nothing, though?”
“Because I like you so much?”
He replied softly. Meanwhile, Iellie narrowed her brows and pouted.
“Just say you don’t want to tell me why, then.”
“But, I’m serious.”
“Yes, yes. You are.”
As she shrugged her shoulders, she strode forward in front. She wanted to look around and observe, and then Iellie’s eyes widened. She found red berries shining brightly through the frost-covered leaves.
“Ah, Zachary. Look at this, there are berries!”
“Oh, really? These are berries.”
She looked back at Zachary, who was picking the berries in both hands. Then, in a puzzled voice, she asks him.
“How do you know so well?”
“During the Knights training, there are some who survive three days in the mountains with it.”
“Wow, that must be too hard.”
Iellie, who was disgusted, looked at her fruit. She beckoned to eat the lusciously ripe berries.
“Can I eat this?”
“You can eat it, though… it’s a little sour.”
“It’s okay if it’s just sour.”
She shoved the fruit into her mouth and wrinkled the tip of her nose before shaking her shoulder.
She exclaimed. “Ugh, this is too sour!”
“I said it was sour, right?”
Zachary smiled. He can’t stop his soaring laughter whenever she stays in his sight. Just the fact that Iellie is by his side makes the world so dazzling and twinkling. He was happy.
Eventually, the two returned to the Duke’s Castle at sunset. The frosty forest wet with the burning sunset was so beautiful that Iellie felt deeply grateful to Zachary.
If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have been there.
Iellie told him with a pleasant mood.
“Today was really fun. Thanks, Zachary.”
“If you were happy, I would be happy, too.”
Hearing that, he chuckled. Iellie, riding on the horse, asked him, as she leaned into Zachary’s arms as if embracing her.
“By the way, Zachary, isn’t it your birthday soon?”
“Ah…”
Controlling the horse’s speed slowly, he tilted his head slightly and nodded his head.
“It is… Thank you for remembering me.”
“What are you talking about? Of course, I should remember.”
“Huh…?”
“I am your wife.”
The word ‘wife,’ which she says as if it were taken for granted, tickles his heart—the soft feel as though rubbed with feathers. Zachary blushed and smiled.
Iellie then thought carefully about his age.
“Well, then, are you going to have your coming-of-age ceremony this year?”
“Maybe?”
Zachary answered indifferently as if just talking about the usual stuff.
‘Why are you so indifferent?’ Iellie narrowed her brow and pressed the back of her head to Zachary’s chest, whom she was leaning on.
She opened her mouth and spoke in a stern tone.
“What is that reaction? We’re talking about you, aren’t we?”
“It is, but…”
He wasn’t really interested in it. Zachary swallowed those words. To be honest, he wasn’t expecting it at all.
“Len, your coming-of-age ceremony passed quietly.”
“It’s because I didn’t want it.”
She answered without blinking an eye. In the Empire, women’s coming-of-age ceremonies are held at the age of eighteen and men at the age of twenty. Therefore, she already had her coming-of-age ceremony.
At her coming-of-age ceremony, the Duke offered to hold a large banquet if she so wished, but she refused because they will soon have Zachary’s coming-of-age ceremony.
‘If I make my coming-of-age ceremony grandiose, then Zachary’s coming-of-age ceremony will be buried.’
The next Duke of Hessenweitz was Zachary.
Iellie didn’t want him to be buried because of herself.
“Still, you’re the only heir to the Empire’s Duke family, so you should be paying close attention to your coming-of-age ceremony.”
She said so with a bit of anticipation. However, Zachary didn’t seem to mind.
“Well…”
Has his father ever cared for him like that? Zachary thought cynically as he narrowed his eyes.
“Uh, what is that?”
“Huh?”
Iellie lifted her head up. Among the horses that had entered the stable, there was a horse she had never seen before.
“I don’t think there was such a horse in the Duke family…”
“Oh, my little master!”
Suddenly, the stable keeper rushed towards them.
Zachary tilted his head and asked a question, “What is that?”
It was a well-managed horse. It was the same with the shiny, silky hair. There must have been guests from somewhere, although there was no word of guests visiting the Duke’s Castle.
“His Majesty is looking for you two!”
That was then.
“Us? Why?”
As the stable keeper spoke, he wore a bewildered face. The stable keeper answered quickly.
“That’s because a messenger arrived from the Imperial Family…!”
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Chapter 29
Iellie, relieved, opened her mouth.
The two were now outside.
Because of the cold weather, she had all kinds of scarves and hats wrapped around her, so she looked somewhat like a snowman.
“Len, be careful not to catch a cold. It’s very cold these days.”
Zachary said, standing close to her side. Iellie, who narrowed her brow, clasped her arms with difficulty.
“You wrapped your clothes up like this. How can I catch a cold?”
“Honestly, I think you should wear more.”
“Then, I’ll be in a situation where I can’t even walk because I would just stumble.”
She muttered awkwardly.
A lot of Zachary’s wardrobe goes in her current attire. As soon as she decided to go outside, he came to her and put on his scarf, gloves, and hat.
“It’s better than being sick.”
At his stubborn answer, she lost her words.
‘Yes, as long as you’re comfortable with it.’
“More than that, Len, come here.”
He called her with hand gestures. At that, Iellie approached Zachary with light steps. He had a rein in his hand—it was a dark brown mare of a gentle nature, with white dots scattered across the back of the nose.
“Want me to help you get on the horse?”
“Yes…”
Iellie nodded her head with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
Zachary approached her and hugged her waist as though it was natural. She exclaimed as she was startled. She was hanging by Zachary around his neck.
“Kyaa, Zachary!”
“Why? This is the fastest way to get on a horse.”
“Well, still…!”
She thought he was just going to hold her hand or something!
Terrified, she blushed and rode on the horse. Zachary let out a smirk and grabbed the reins. To be honest, he did that on purpose.
‘If I don’t do this, I won’t be able to even hug Len.’
If Iellie hears it, she would say that like he’s sly, and she’ll be mad. With that in mind, Zachary glanced at her with a dissatisfied expression on his face. It was all her fault that he acted this way.
“…I mean, who told you to be so pretty?”
With a small grunt, she gave him a gaze as she was struggling to balance herself on the horse.
“Zachary, what did you say?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
He naturally shook his head. Iellie glanced at him suspiciously for a moment, but she turned her gaze away, concentrating on riding the horse first. Zachary, who was strolling with the reins in his hand, grinned.
“You are suddenly practicing horse riding.”
“But, I don’t want to be the only one who is not good at riding a horse. They said that the North often had hunting parties.”
Iellie pouted her lips.
At that, Zachary nodded his head. Well, until now, the two of them weren’t socializing when they were young, but now they can’t.
She was the wife of Zachary, the Heir Apparent of Hessenweitz, who would later become the mistress of the Duchy. It was time for her to start thinking about socializing.
“So, that’s why you started practicing horse riding?”
“Yes. Well, I can ride, but… I’m still clumsy.”
Saying so, she shrugged her shoulders. Zachary then gazed up at Iellie, who was concentrating, with a mischievous face.
“Don’t you want to run a little?”
“Huh? ”
Iellie, who was riding on the horse with a lot of tension, made a bewildered face. Zachary laughed.
“The weather is nice today, so riding a horse would be very refreshing.”
“Uh…”
Hearing that, it makes her a little eerie.
She blinked her eyes. Zachary gave soft words of temptation. “What do you say? If I ride with you, you won’t even fall off the horse.”
“Well, then that’s fine.”
She nodded her head. Finally, he jumped onto the horse, singing with delight inside. As he hugged Iellie by the waist, she glanced back at him.
Zachary smiled casually.
“I was just holding you in fear of falling.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
As he lied without a blink of an eye, Iellie turned her gaze back to that questionable face. Zachary felt the back of his neck heat up. It was because she was sitting right in front of him.
‘Len…’
She was wrapped around in fur and fluffy clothes and scarves, but Iellie’s pink hair shimmered in front of him.
Afraid that she would suddenly hear the sound of his beating heart, Zachary quickly grabbed the reins.
“Giddy up!”
The horse started taking off. As the surrounding scenery passes by, Iellie, who sat in front, immediately lets out an exclamation.
“Wow!”
“At this speed, are you okay?”
“Yes!”
Hearing her excited reply, Zachary smiled brightly. He laughed out loud. The cold air gently caresses the cheeks, and the world moves quickly behind.
Wow, this is great. So much fun!
He then skillfully drove the horse into the woods behind the Duchy.
“Where are we?”
“My secret place.”
“Zachary, did you have a secret place?”
Surprised, she widened her eyes. Zachary bursts into laughter and shakes his head and said, “Actually, it’s not even a secret place, it’s a place I found by chance recently.”
“I see.”
Iellie nodded her head.
Zachary swiftly jumped off the horse. Sitting on the horse, she glanced around. A small vacant lot in the frosty forest was like another world carved out of white ice.
“Come on, hand.”
He held out his hand in front of her, and Iellie took his hand. Zachary clasped her hand, lifted the arm opposite her and wrapped it around her waist. As he hugged her tightly, she was buried in his arms.
“Zachary, I’m suffocating!”
Iellie hurriedly patted him on the back. Zachary whispered in a sweet voice in her ear.
“Len.”
“Huh?”
She tilted her head at his words. Even with the thick fabric, she could still feel Zachary’s warmth.
“I like you too much.”
Such a sudden confession was now familiar. Zachary would whisper words that he liked her from time to time. When their eyes meet or pass by by chance, as if pinning on her.
“I, too, like you very much as well.”
Iellie made eye contact and smiled brightly. At that, he looked at her with a slightly affronted expression.
“Your ‘like’ and mine… It sounds like we have too much of a temperature difference.”
Still, he has no intention of forcing his own feelings. When they were young, they went to the Asha festival together. That time, she said that the marriage did not matter much it was still vivid.
He sighed again.
‘I will do my best to satisfy you.’
Zachary pressed his chest tight. It’s okay now. Even if his chest jumps like this, he can stand it. But, how long can he hold out…?
He doesn’t know about that. It was then that he lifted his gaze with a complicated mind.
“Zachary, what are you thinking?”
Iellie poked her head out and asked him a question. As soon as he looked into the clear pale green eyes, all the emotions that had confused him evaporated.
‘…Yes, because you are by my side.’
Zachary grinned before opening his mouth.
“Nothing.”
“Your face doesn’t look like nothing, though?”
“Because I like you so much?”
He replied softly. Meanwhile, Iellie narrowed her brows and pouted.
“Just say you don’t want to tell me why, then.”
“But, I’m serious.”
“Yes, yes. You are.”
As she shrugged her shoulders, she strode forward in front. She wanted to look around and observe, and then Iellie’s eyes widened. She found red berries shining brightly through the frost-covered leaves.
“Ah, Zachary. Look at this, there are berries!”
“Oh, really? These are berries.”
She looked back at Zachary, who was picking the berries in both hands. Then, in a puzzled voice, she asks him.
“How do you know so well?”
“During the Knights training, there are some who survive three days in the mountains with it.”
“Wow, that must be too hard.”
Iellie, who was disgusted, looked at her fruit. She beckoned to eat the lusciously ripe berries.
“Can I eat this?”
“You can eat it, though… it’s a little sour.”
“It’s okay if it’s just sour.”
She shoved the fruit into her mouth and wrinkled the tip of her nose before shaking her shoulder.
She exclaimed. “Ugh, this is too sour!”
“I said it was sour, right?”
Zachary smiled. He can’t stop his soaring laughter whenever she stays in his sight. Just the fact that Iellie is by his side makes the world so dazzling and twinkling. He was happy.
Eventually, the two returned to the Duke’s Castle at sunset. The frosty forest wet with the burning sunset was so beautiful that Iellie felt deeply grateful to Zachary.
If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have been there.
Iellie told him with a pleasant mood.
“Today was really fun. Thanks, Zachary.”
“If you were happy, I would be happy, too.”
Hearing that, he chuckled. Iellie, riding on the horse, asked him, as she leaned into Zachary’s arms as if embracing her.
“By the way, Zachary, isn’t it your birthday soon?”
“Ah…”
Controlling the horse’s speed slowly, he tilted his head slightly and nodded his head.
“It is… Thank you for remembering me.”
“What are you talking about? Of course, I should remember.”
“Huh…?”
“I am your wife.”
The word ‘wife,’ which she says as if it were taken for granted, tickles his heart—the soft feel as though rubbed with feathers. Zachary blushed and smiled.
Iellie then thought carefully about his age.
“Well, then, are you going to have your coming-of-age ceremony this year?”
“Maybe?”
Zachary answered indifferently as if just talking about the usual stuff.
‘Why are you so indifferent?’ Iellie narrowed her brow and pressed the back of her head to Zachary’s chest, whom she was leaning on.
She opened her mouth and spoke in a stern tone.
“What is that reaction? We’re talking about you, aren’t we?”
“It is, but…”
He wasn’t really interested in it. Zachary swallowed those words. To be honest, he wasn’t expecting it at all.
“Len, your coming-of-age ceremony passed quietly.”
“It’s because I didn’t want it.”
She answered without blinking an eye. In the Empire, women’s coming-of-age ceremonies are held at the age of eighteen and men at the age of twenty. Therefore, she already had her coming-of-age ceremony.
At her coming-of-age ceremony, the Duke offered to hold a large banquet if she so wished, but she refused because they will soon have Zachary’s coming-of-age ceremony.
‘If I make my coming-of-age ceremony grandiose, then Zachary’s coming-of-age ceremony will be buried.’
The next Duke of Hessenweitz was Zachary.
Iellie didn’t want him to be buried because of herself.
“Still, you’re the only heir to the Empire’s Duke family, so you should be paying close attention to your coming-of-age ceremony.”
She said so with a bit of anticipation. However, Zachary didn’t seem to mind.
“Well…”
Has his father ever cared for him like that? Zachary thought cynically as he narrowed his eyes.
“Uh, what is that?”
“Huh?”
Iellie lifted her head up. Among the horses that had entered the stable, there was a horse she had never seen before.
“I don’t think there was such a horse in the Duke family…”
“Oh, my little master!”
Suddenly, the stable keeper rushed towards them.
Zachary tilted his head and asked a question, “What is that?”
It was a well-managed horse. It was the same with the shiny, silky hair. There must have been guests from somewhere, although there was no word of guests visiting the Duke’s Castle.
“His Majesty is looking for you two!”
That was then.
“Us? Why?”
As the stable keeper spoke, he wore a bewildered face. The stable keeper answered quickly.
“That’s because a messenger arrived from the Imperial Family…!”
Chapter 29Iellie, relieved, opened her mouth.The two were now outside.Because of the cold weather, she had all kinds of scarves and hats wrapped around her, so she looked somewhat like a snowman.Len, be careful not to catch a cold. It's very cold these days.Zachary said, standing close to her side. Iellie, who narrowed her brow, clasped her arms with difficulty.You wrapped your clothes up like this. How can I catch a cold?Honestly, I think you should wear more.Then, I'll be in a situation where I can't even walk because I would just stumble.She muttered awkwardly.A lot of Zachary's wardrobe goes in her current attire. As soon as she decided to go outside, he came to her and put on his scarf, gloves, and hat.It's better than being sick.At his stubborn answer, she lost her words.Yes, as long as you're comfortable with it.'More than that, Len, come here.He called her with hand gestures. At that, Iellie approached Zachary with light steps. He had a rein in his handit was a dark brown mare of a gentle nature, with white dots scattered across the back of the nose.Want me to help you get on the horse?YesIellie nodded her head with a somewhat embarrassed expression.Zachary approached her and hugged her waist as though it was natural. She exclaimed as she was startled. She was hanging by Zachary around his neck.Kyaa, Zachary!Why? This is the fastest way to get on a horse.Well, still!She thought he was just going to hold her hand or something!Terrified, she blushed and rode on the horse. Zachary let out a smirk and grabbed the reins. To be honest, he did that on purpose.If I don't do this, I won't be able to even hug Len.'If Iellie hears it, she would say that like he's sly, and she'll be mad. With that in mind, Zachary glanced at her with a dissatisfied expression on his face. It was all her fault that he acted this way.I mean, who told you to be so pretty?With a small grunt, she gave him a gaze as she was struggling to balance herself on the horse.Zachary, what did you say?Huh? Nothing.He naturally shook his head. Iellie glanced at him suspiciously for a moment, but she turned her gaze away, concentrating on riding the horse first. Zachary, who was strolling with the reins in his hand, grinned.You are suddenly practicing horse riding.But, I don't want to be the only one who is not good at riding a horse. They said that the North often had hunting parties.Iellie pouted her lips.At that, Zachary nodded his head. Well, until now, the two of them weren't socializing when they were young, but now they can't.She was the wife of Zachary, the Heir Apparent of Hessenweitz, who would later become the mistress of the Duchy. It was time for her to start thinking about socializing.So, that's why you started practicing horse riding?Yes. Well, I can ride, but I'm still clumsy.Saying so, she shrugged her shoulders. Zachary then gazed up at Iellie, who was concentrating, with a mischievous face.Don't you want to run a little?Huh? Iellie, who was riding on the horse with a lot of tension, made a bewildered face. Zachary laughed.The weather is nice today, so riding a horse would be very refreshing.UhHearing that, it makes her a little eerie.She blinked her eyes. Zachary gave soft words of temptation. What do you say? If I ride with you, you won't even fall off the horse.Well, then that's fine.She nodded her head. Finally, he jumped onto the horse, singing with delight inside. As he hugged Iellie by the waist, she glanced back at him.Zachary smiled casually.I was just holding you in fear of falling.Really?Really.As he lied without a blink of an eye, Iellie turned her gaze back to that questionable face. Zachary felt the back of his neck heat up. It was because she was sitting right in front of him.Len'She was wrapped around in fur and fluffy clothes and scarves, but Iellie's pink hair shimmered in front of him.Afraid that she would suddenly hear the sound of his beating heart, Zachary quickly grabbed the reins.Giddy up!The horse started taking off. As the surrounding scenery passes by, Iellie, who sat in front, immediately lets out an exclamation.Wow!At this speed, are you okay?Yes!Hearing her excited reply, Zachary smiled brightly. He laughed out loud. The cold air gently caresses the cheeks, and the world moves quickly behind.Wow, this is great. So much fun!He then skillfully drove the horse into the woods behind the Duchy.Where are we?My secret place.Zachary, did you have a secret place?Surprised, she widened her eyes. Zachary bursts into laughter and shakes his head and said, Actually, it's not even a secret place, it's a place I found by chance recently.I see.Iellie nodded her head.Zachary swiftly jumped off the horse. Sitting on the horse, she glanced around. A small vacant lot in the frosty forest was like another world carved out of white ice.Come on, hand.He held out his hand in front of her, and Iellie took his hand. Zachary clasped her hand, lifted the arm opposite her and wrapped it around her waist. As he hugged her tightly, she was buried in his arms.Zachary, I'm suffocating!Iellie hurriedly patted him on the back. Zachary whispered in a sweet voice in her ear.Len.Huh?She tilted her head at his words. Even with the thick fabric, she could still feel Zachary's warmth.I like you too much.Such a sudden confession was now familiar. Zachary would whisper words that he liked her from time to time. When their eyes meet or pass by by chance, as if pinning on her.I, too, like you very much as well.Iellie made eye contact and smiled brightly. At that, he looked at her with a slightly affronted expression.Your like' and mine It sounds like we have too much of a temperature difference.Still, he has no intention of forcing his own feelings. When they were young, they went to the Asha festival together. That time, she said that the marriage did not matter much it was still vivid.He sighed again.I will do my best to satisfy you.'Zachary pressed his chest tight. It's okay now. Even if his chest jumps like this, he can stand it. But, how long can he hold out?He doesn't know about that. It was then that he lifted his gaze with a complicated mind.Zachary, what are you thinking?Iellie poked her head out and asked him a question. As soon as he looked into the clear pale green eyes, all the emotions that had confused him evaporated.Yes, because you are by my side.'Zachary grinned before opening his mouth.Nothing.Your face doesn't look like nothing, though?Because I like you so much?He replied softly. Meanwhile, Iellie narrowed her brows and pouted.Just say you don't want to tell me why, then.But, I'm serious.Yes, yes. You are.As she shrugged her shoulders, she strode forward in front. She wanted to look around and observe, and then Iellie's eyes widened. She found red berries shining brightly through the frost-covered leaves.Ah, Zachary. Look at this, there are berries!Oh, really? These are berries.She looked back at Zachary, who was picking the berries in both hands. Then, in a puzzled voice, she asks him.How do you know so well?During the Knights training, there are some who survive three days in the mountains with it.Wow, that must be too hard.Iellie, who was disgusted, looked at her fruit. She beckoned to eat the lusciously ripe berries.Can I eat this?You can eat it, though it's a little sour.It's okay if it's just sour.She shoved the fruit into her mouth and wrinkled the tip of her nose before shaking her shoulder.She exclaimed. Ugh, this is too sour!I said it was sour, right?Zachary smiled. He can't stop his soaring laughter whenever she stays in his sight. Just the fact that Iellie is by his side makes the world so dazzling and twinkling. He was happy.Eventually, the two returned to the Duke's Castle at sunset. The frosty forest wet with the burning sunset was so beautiful that Iellie felt deeply grateful to Zachary.If it hadn't been for him, she wouldn't have been there.Iellie told him with a pleasant mood.Today was really fun. Thanks, Zachary.If you were happy, I would be happy, too.Hearing that, he chuckled. Iellie, riding on the horse, asked him, as she leaned into Zachary's arms as if embracing her.By the way, Zachary, isn't it your birthday soon?AhControlling the horse's speed slowly, he tilted his head slightly and nodded his head.It is Thank you for remembering me.What are you talking about? Of course, I should remember.Huh?I am your wife.The word wife,' which she says as if it were taken for granted, tickles his heartthe soft feel as though rubbed with feathers. Zachary blushed and smiled.Iellie then thought carefully about his age.Well, then, are you going to have your coming-of-age ceremony this year?Maybe?Zachary answered indifferently as if just talking about the usual stuff.Why are you so indifferent?' Iellie narrowed her brow and pressed the back of her head to Zachary's chest, whom she was leaning on.She opened her mouth and spoke in a stern tone.What is that reaction? We're talking about you, aren't we?It is, butHe wasn't really interested in it. Zachary swallowed those words. To be honest, he wasn't expecting it at all.Len, your coming-of-age ceremony passed quietly.It's because I didn't want it.She answered without blinking an eye. In the Empire, women's coming-of-age ceremonies are held at the age of eighteen and men at the age of twenty. Therefore, she already had her coming-of-age ceremony.At her coming-of-age ceremony, the Duke offered to hold a large banquet if she so wished, but she refused because they will soon have Zachary's coming-of-age ceremony.If I make my coming-of-age ceremony grandiose, then Zachary's coming-of-age ceremony will be buried.'The next Duke of Hessenweitz was Zachary.Iellie didn't want him to be buried because of herself.Still, you're the only heir to the Empire's Duke family, so you should be paying close attention to your coming-of-age ceremony.She said so with a bit of anticipation. However, Zachary didn't seem to mind.WellHas his father ever cared for him like that? Zachary thought cynically as he narrowed his eyes.Uh, what is that?Huh?Iellie lifted her head up. Among the horses that had entered the stable, there was a horse she had never seen before.I don't think there was such a horse in the Duke familyOh, my little master!Suddenly, the stable keeper rushed towards them.Zachary tilted his head and asked a question, What is that?It was a well-managed horse. It was the same with the shiny, silky hair. There must have been guests from somewhere, although there was no word of guests visiting the Duke's Castle.His Majesty is looking for you two!That was then.Us? Why?As the stable keeper spoke, he wore a bewildered face. The stable keeper answered quickly.That's because a messenger arrived from the Imperial Family!
