* * *
The scenery shifted one last time, and the coachman signaled their departure.
Compared to teleportation, the carriage ride had noticeable vibrations, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
“We’re in a forest. Nix’s forests are always covered in snow, so they’re white, but it’s nice to see greenery again after so long.”
Lowell absentmindedly voiced his thoughts before realizing his mistake.
Felix, who always worried that the cold and stillness of Nix might pale in comparison to Phoebos, could easily misunderstand his words.
“Ah, of course, it’s not that I dislike Nix’s scenery. It’s just nice to see something different after a while, so don’t worry.”
“I know.”
Contrary to Lowell’s concerns, Felix responded calmly.
Seeing that Felix wasn’t actually bothered, Lowell wondered if he had overreacted and started fidgeting with his hair.
Felix’s gaze followed his fingers, and his lips curved into a soft smile.
“Lowell, you’ve already told me you love Nix. I won’t misunderstand anymore. I believe you.”
Hearing that simple phrase—”I believe you”—had taken a long time.
At times, it felt frustrating, like they were taking the longest possible route, but Lowell knew that made it all the more meaningful.
“Yeah.”
His response was short and unpolished, contrasting with the overwhelming emotion welling up inside him.
No words in existence could fully express what he was feeling.
For a while, the only sound inside the carriage was the thundering of their hearts.
Although their schedule had been slightly delayed, it seemed like their journey was finally settling into place—until a deafening crash shattered the moment.
The carriage came to an abrupt halt, shaking violently.
Lowell, who had been sitting on the sofa, nearly toppled over, but Felix immediately extended an arm to steady him.
“What’s going on?”
Once he confirmed Lowell was safe, Felix turned to the coachman outside.
“Y-Your Grace! A monster appeared nearby! The knights are handling it, but you should remain inside.”
Outside the window, the mages looked tense.
Since they specialized in teleportation magic, they weren’t particularly suited for combat, and their hesitation was evident.
“A monster, here?”
“It seems the local knights were driving monsters away and let one slip through.”
Charis, who had rushed out at the sound, quickly returned to report the situation.
Felix rubbed his temples, clearly irritated.
He couldn’t understand how they had failed such a simple monster hunt and let things escalate like this.
“Is it a high-ranking monster?”
He placed Lowell back in his seat and prepared to open the carriage door.
But just as he was about to step out, Lowell instinctively grabbed the hem of his clothes.
Felix froze in place, unable to brush him off.
“Ah… I didn’t do that on purpose. I just… reflexively…”
Flustered, Lowell quickly let go of Felix’s clothes, trailing off.
He knew Felix wouldn’t get hurt over something so minor, yet his body had reacted on its own.
“Lowell, trust me too. I’ll take care of this quickly, so don’t move an inch and stay put.”
Leaving Tia and Charis behind, Felix stepped out of the carriage.
Watching his back through the glass window, Lowell let out a deep sigh.
“Should I learn swordsmanship? I have no talent for magic, after all.”
He mumbled in frustration, fully aware that he had no magical abilities whatsoever.
No matter how much he thought about it, he hated feeling so helpless in situations like this.
“Just your presence and patience are already a great support to His Grace.”
Noticing his distress, Tia offered a comforting smile.
Though Lowell had gotten better at waiting after experiencing it several times, it seemed he hadn’t completely overcome his unease just yet.
“You’re right. Everyone has their own role to play.”
Lowell obediently acknowledged it and followed Felix.
As he gazed endlessly at the silhouette that had already shrunk to the size of a mere finger, Charis smirked.
“It’s fastest and safest for His Grace to handle it personally. He knows that, which is why he went. Besides, he was really looking forward to this journey.”
If even Charis had noticed, then surely everyone in the Grand Duchy had as well.
Though Lowell felt his mood lighten slightly, he still couldn’t take his eyes off the window.
The dark light settled over the forest.
‘It’s huge.’
Normally, he would have been startled or even scared by such a phenomenon, but knowing it was Felix’s magic made it feel almost comforting.
‘Maybe because I believe he’ll protect me.’
The repetitive thumping sound continued, but unlike the first time he heard it, it no longer surprised him.
“Looks like he really intends to finish everything in one go.”
Charis murmured in surprise.
Just as he said, Felix emerged from the forest in no time at all.
Seeing Lowell pressed against the window, Felix quickened his pace—only to pause just before opening the door.
He glanced down at the blood staining his clothes and hesitated.
“I should change first.”
Ignoring Lowell’s assurance that it was fine, Felix shrugged off his top right then and there.
As his well-defined muscles were revealed, Lowell’s face instantly flushed red.
‘What the hell is he doing outside?’
Lowell’s reddened face darted around, checking the reactions of those nearby.
The knights carried on with their duties as if nothing was out of the ordinary, while the mages deliberately averted their gazes.
‘Even if they’re used to it, how can they stay so unaffected by that almost godlike physique?’
Deciding that if no one else was going to appreciate it, he should at least make an effort, Lowell carefully observed Felix as he changed.
Every small movement of his outstretched arms caused his muscles to ripple mesmerizingly.
When Felix finally donned a lighter outfit, his body lines became even more pronounced.
‘When he was wearing thick clothes, his muscles weren’t as obvious.’
Uncertain whether he felt disappointment or concern, Lowell leaned against the window frame.
Sensing his gaze, Felix paused mid-buttoning and met his eyes.
Nestled within the dense forest, Felix looked as though he was safely embraced by nature itself.
Finally, feeling completely at ease, Lowell raised a hand in greeting.
Despite having parted only moments ago, Felix responded with a wave of his own.
As their gestures exchanged silent greetings, sunlight filtered through, scattering fragments of uncontainable emotions that shimmered brightly.
“The area ahead has been cleared.”
“Good.”
Upon hearing the knight’s report, Felix gave his attire one last check, wiped the blood from his sword, and even ran a hand through his hair before stepping into the carriage.
Seeing Felix—who usually didn’t care whether he was covered in dirt or blood—go through so much effort to look neat for Lowell was a bewildering sight for Tia.
But she wasn’t so tactless as to point it out.
“You really handled it quickly, huh?”
“It was nothing. The fact that such low-level monsters were roaming freely makes me question Kania’s security.”
While ‘low-level’ by Felix’s standards, it was true that the knights had done a poor job handling the situation, leaving no room for excuses.
“Still, I read that Kania’s barrier hasn’t been breached in the past ten years.”
As Lowell earnestly recited what he had studied, Felix’s expression eased slightly.
“The schedule has been delayed quite a bit.”
Yet, despite his composure, he couldn’t hide his growing frustration.
Delays were one thing, but encountering monsters on a supposedly safe route had dampened Felix’s previously excited mood.
Lowell, content simply to be outside, didn’t mind.
But for Felix, who wanted this to be the perfect journey, anxiety crept in.
He worried that Lowell might regret coming.
“It’s fine. We’re almost there, and the sun is still high in the sky.”
Sensing Felix’s unease, Lowell playfully patted his hand. To Lowell, it was strange—he had been the one to plan most of the trip, so why was Felix the one feeling so nervous?
“Let’s pick up the pace.”
At Felix’s command, the coachman urged the horses faster, allowing them to reach the village by around 3 p.m.
* * *
