* * *
Instead of answering, he looked at Serta.
Serta narrowed his eyes slightly before saying, “If the Tower Master permits.”
Once my initial confusion passed, I actually found the idea intriguing.
A man who looks like a scheming villain versus an actual scheming villain.
“Fine. Where?”
And so, we moved to the training grounds of the Fourth Prince’s palace.
Ateol and Serta stood facing each other, both wearing light armor.
Ateol’s attendant served as the referee.
“Begin!”
At the loud command, I slightly lifted my hood.
The enchanted robe prevented me from feeling the heat, but a sliver of summer warmth brushed against my cheek.
Neither of their outfits had any magic enhancement.
Yet they voluntarily chose to fight in this heat?
What strange people.
As soon as the signal was given, the two gripped their swords and observed each other, the tension between them palpable.
The moment felt like a string snapping—both lunged forward at the same time.
From then on, the sharp clash of blades rang out in rapid succession.
Serta was smaller in build than Ateol, but his speed was unmatched.
Ateol, on the other hand, had superior strength.
That’s not to say Ateol was slow or Serta was weak—both were incredibly skilled.
Within moments, beads of sweat formed on their foreheads.
Even I could feel the heat.
Their movements were so fast it was hard to follow with the naked eye, yet the fight was exhilarating to watch.
Before I knew it, I was watching them like a spectator at a sporting event.
The first round ended with Ateol dropping his sword first.
The second, Serta lost.
The third round was the deciding match.
The fight grew even fiercer until the referee finally raised a hand, calling for a stop.
“The hourglass has run out. It’s a draw.”
Ateol’s attendant, Lessa, shook the hourglass in his hand.
Both fighters caught their breath before exchanging respectful bows.
It was a shame that there was no clear winner, but their skill levels were almost identical.
If the match had continued without a referee, they might have fought until sunset.
Serta approached me first.
“I apologize for acting on my own, Tower Master.”
“No… it was entertaining.”
“I’m relieved if I truly provided you with entertainment.”
“You did. It was enough. Ateol is no pushover.”
At my words, Serta glanced at Ateol with a wary expression.
It was only natural.
Serta had heard of Ateol’s skill, but he hadn’t expected it to be this formidable.
“To be honest… I wasn’t sure why you chose the Fourth Prince. But now I understand. I lacked the insight to comprehend the Tower Master’s intentions.”
That’s a bit much.
I waved a hand dismissively and stood up, and Serta followed suit.
“Shall we return to the Tower?”
“Well…”
I was about to say “Yes” when Ateol suddenly appeared beside me, smiling.
“What now?”
“I haven’t felt the summer heat like this in a long time. It’s refreshing. Tower Master, why not take the time to enjoy summer as well?”
“Are you suggesting a trip?”
Ateol nodded.
A trip?
In this situation?
Still, I was slightly curious about experiencing the summer heat without my robe.
I glanced at Serta, then turned to Ateol.
“Where to?”
“There are plenty of good places.”
“Hmm…”
I hesitated.
Would following Ateol lower my affection points?
Serta’s gaze was burning.
He clearly wanted me to return to the Tower with him.
[Event Triggered!]
Ateol wants to enjoy the cool breeze by the lake with you.
Why not go with him?
The ultimate cheat key has arrived.
I quickly nodded.
Summer, a lake. What a perfect combination.
“Serta, you may step back.”
“I will stand guard.”
“It’s fine. I’m here.”
Ateol cut off Serta’s words.
Serta, unable to refute, glanced at me with a reluctant expression—almost as if asking, Do I really have to go?
I felt a little guilty, but I patted his shoulder.
“Step back for now. Tell Cloden I’ll be late.”
I couldn’t bring Serta along.
Who knew what would happen at the lake?
At the very least…
My gaze landed on Ateol’s lips.
Perhaps from all the running, his lips were flushed a deeper red.
Bringing Serta along was absolutely out of the question.
After Serta left, I changed clothes and got into the carriage with Ateol.
The carriage exited the palace, veered off the main road, and traveled down a forest path for about thirty minutes.
As I quietly admired the refreshing greenery, a hand suddenly reached out and pulled down the window shade.
“Why?”
“To surprise you.”
I wasn’t sure what kind of surprise he meant.
Whenever Ateol spoke, even the most ordinary words never sounded quite so ordinary.
Soon, the carriage came to a stop.
From outside, I could hear the gentle lapping of water.
Ateol even covered my eyes with his hand before opening the carriage door.
The sound of waves grew louder.
A cool breeze brushed against my cheek.
“I hope you like it.”
Ateol removed his hand.
I was definitely surprised.
It wasn’t the size of the lake that caught me off guard—it was the color.
The water shimmered with iridescent hues, as if molten opal had been poured into it.
Even the waves rolling onto the shore carried the same colors.
Ateol, who stood right behind me, asked,
“Do you not remember this place? The Fairy Lake.”
“Did something special happen here?”
“No. But it’s a well-known sightseeing spot from the capital. Today isn’t an open day, so no one else is here.”
I see.
With a sight like this, it made sense that it was a famous attraction.
“Why is it called the Fairy Lake?”
“Because thousands of fairies died here. Their bodies do not decay, so the lake continues to shimmer with the colors of their wings.”
“…….”
I had expected a more romantic reason.
But in this world, fairies seemed no different from plankton.
Didn’t Earth have something similar?
A sea where bioluminescent plankton would glow when disturbed.
The thought of fairy corpses made me uneasy, but… it was still beautiful.
“Shall I help you out of your robe?”
I turned to look at Ateol.
“The lake breeze is refreshing.”
The damp wind against my cheeks was indeed cool.
I pulled back my hood, undid the robe’s fastenings, and slipped it off.
As soon as the robe was gone, the summer heat wrapped around me instantly.
It was like stepping out of an air-conditioned room into the sweltering outdoors.
The thick, humid air of midsummer—overwhelming, but not unpleasant.
I kicked off my sandals, loosened the ties of my pants, and approached the lakeshore.
The water glistened under the sunlight, shifting colors as gentle waves lapped the shore.
I cautiously dipped my toes in.
Cool water spread over my bare feet.
Ateol stood a little distance away, watching me.
When our eyes met, I couldn’t help but smile.
For no particular reason, I laughed.
The moment I did, Ateol narrowed his eyes and strode toward me.
A gust of wind blew past.
The sweat beading at the back of my neck quickly cooled.
Ateol wrapped an arm around my waist— and kissed me.
* * *
