In the desolate, windswept mountains of Myene, two figures trudged forward, both clad in heavy winter gear to guard against the biting chill. The bleakness of the landscape around them was only emphasized by the absence of any other travelers.
*Step, step.*
“Hah… huff… hah…”
“…”
*Step, step.*
“Huff… huff… haah…”
“…Let’s take a break. You seem quite worn out.”
The tall man leading the way through the rugged terrain glanced back, offering a calm suggestion to the woman following him. Exhausted, she imdiately dropped to the ground, too out of breath to respond.
*Thud.*
“Huff… I’m sorry… I keep holding us back…”
“No need to apologize. Had it not been for your suggestion, I wouldn’t have thought to visit this place in the first place.”
“I… I’m sorry to bring this up, but… perhaps if you’d carry , we could make better ti…”
“I’m afraid I can’t accommodate that. I made a vow to never hold another woman apart from Tanacia. Even though you’re a princess, I won’t break that promise.”
“Oh, I… I was just joking. Just in case we can’t make it back before the end of sumr vacation…”
With a slightly embarrassed smile, she looked away. As she adjusted her scarf and removed her hat to rest, her golden hair—marked with the emblem of royalty—tumbled out, revealing the face of zlenn Emilia Valtoria, the fourth princess of the Argantia Empire. Here she was, taking what she considered a “date” with her beloved Harold. Even though their “date” involved a grueling hike up a remote mountain, and Harold seed to think it was anything but romantic, she couldn’t have been happier.
*Gulp, gulp.*
“Ahh…”
After quenching her parched throat with a quick sip from her canteen, zlenn offered it to Harold, who watched her with a neutral expression.
“Professor Harold, would you like so water? It might help to keep hydrated…”
“No need. Back when I was a soldier, I went a week without water and managed fine.”
“But it’s not a battlefield anymore… and staying hydrated is essential…”
“True, but that canteen barely holds enough for one person. Didn’t you say the next water source is still two days away?”
“I can manage two days without water.”
zlenn wasn’t fooling anyone—not Harold, at least. He knew very well that she wouldn’t last half a day without it. Still, sensing that the journey would only be further delayed by her stubbornness, Harold took the canteen from her outstretched hand and took a drink.
“Very well, thank you.”
*Gulp, gulp.*
“Ah…”
As he drank, zlenn blushed, watching him with dreamy eyes. To Harold, it was a simple act of sharing water, but for zlenn, it felt like an indirect kiss. It was the closest she had co to intimate contact with him, and her heart raced at the thought.
*I never imagined my first kiss would happen like this, but… I’m not complaining. Harold, you have no choice now but to marry …*
She endured the harsh climb and the weariness of her body by envisioning a rosy future with Harold. Each ti her strength flagged, she renewed her resolve by conjuring fantasies of them together. Her mind drifted to the reason they were on this trek in the first place: a quest to find the rare Aprian Flower. This journey, though grueling, was one she had planned for weeks. During her research, she’d discovered that this elusive flower could be used to create a treatnt for the disease that had claid Harold’s late wife, Tanacia Brycewell Blackwood.
Her objective was twofold: she wanted to find the Aprian Flower to prove her dedication to Harold and possibly bring closure to the man she loved by offering him a way to fight the illness that had taken Tanacia from him.
*If I can convince him to protect while I search… maybe he’ll start to see differently.*
At first, Harold had been reluctant, citing his responsibilities as the head of the Blackwood Estate, even during the sumr break. However, when she ntioned her intentions to research the flower’s dicinal properties, his attitude changed.
*Flashback.*
*“I’d like to explore the northern mountains over the sumr, and I’d be honored if you would accompany as my escort.”*
*“I’m afraid I can’t commit to that, Princess. My duties at the Blackwood Estate can’t be neglected, even during the break.”*
*“I see… well, I suppose I’ll find soone else to accompany , then.”*
*“What business do you have in the mountains?”*
*“I’d like to gather Aprian Flowers and study their cultivation… I’m interested in developing a treatnt for magic-induced blood sclerosis…”*
*“Aprian Flowers? You an the flowers used to treat magic-induced blood sclerosis?”*
*“Yes… I ca across so research recently, and it piqued my interest…”*
*“Very well. If that’s your purpose, I’ll join you.”*
And so, their expedition began.
“Ah, here’s another one!” zlenn called out as she spotted a cluster of pale blooms nestled among the rocks.
“You certainly have a talent for finding them. Must be a royal’s unique magic,” Harold replied with a hint of admiration.
“It’s not because I’m royalty; it’s because I’m talented.”
“So, which direction are we headed next?”
“North… it’ll take a day, or maybe two if we have to go around.”
“Why such a difference? Are you getting tired?”
“No, it’s just… there’s a twenty-ter cliff in the way. We could take a longer path, but it’ll add another day…”
Scaling a cliff was hardly an issue for a man of Harold’s experience, especially not with his military background. Carrying soone else, though?
“I’ll carry you down when we get there. We’ll head north.”
“Y-you’ll carry ?”
“I don’t intend to waste any more ti than necessary. The more Aprian Flowers we gather, the more likely you’ll be able to cultivate them successfully.”
“Oh, of course, Professor Harold! Then let’s go north!”
As she practically skipped ahead, Harold couldn’t help but notice her enthusiasm. He might have been oblivious to emotions in general, but after observing his son’s relationship with Lilith, he had learned a thing or two about romantic feelings. Although he could never reciprocate zlenn’s affections, he had no intention of rejecting her help. Her assistance was invaluable in finding a cure for the disease that had taken Tanacia’s life, and he could not simply dismiss her feelings.
*I wonder how Ethan and Lilith are getting on. They should have received my letter by now.*
He had a sense that the two of them were engaged in so kind of sparring and that Lilith might be rewarding Ethan for each victory. Although he felt a bit guilty about interrupting their routine, he hoped they wouldn’t lose focus in his absence.
*I do worry they might let their guard down without around, especially given their age and tendencies…*
Contrary to Harold’s concerns, Ethan and Lilith were managing to control themselves—at least for the ti being. Though they had found other ways to channel so of their restrained desires, they were continuing to uphold the structure and discipline that he valued so deeply.
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