Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

"... I didn't mean to sit on your lap, but you're so unscrupulous."

'Who was it that seduced me, and who made me do something unscrupulous?' Unlike Aria, who laughed happily, Asher was not laughing at all.

"Do you hate being unscrupulous?" Asher asked, brushing her hair, which was a little distracted.

The touch, unlike the usual, really contained self-interest, as Aria had said.

So Aria's smile changed its meaning, too, and it had long since her playful giggles had disappeared, and she had turned into a face that was suitable for a woman who had been an adult today.

"… well, I don't know yet how unscrupulous you are, so I can't make a judgment."

So was the way she spoke. Her tone was so secretive and stealthy enough to justify her lover's unscrupulous behavior, and as soon as Aria's answer was over, his hand, which had been brushing her hair, turned to her cheek.

The soft cheeks were cold from the winter wind, and when he felt sorry about that, he swept down several times, they began to flush as if they had not been cold.

"Your cheeks are hot."

"… I guess I'm drunk."

It was not a drunk face even if anyone saw it, but Aria answered so, and Asher did not suspect it, for it was not important whether she was drunk or not.

"I heard that if we shared pain, it would be half... Is it the same with what you're drunk with?" Aria asked, putting her hand on Asher's hand as it brushed her cheek. It was a question that was foolish, but more important and seductive to him than anything else.

"Well... will you try it?"

She didn't have to ask how, because his fingers, which had been brushing her cheeks, softly touched her lips.

Aria closed her eyes slowly, without answering at his dense touch. Asher was no longer tolerable and bowed his head. No one thought that such a secret act would be seen in the garden under the terrace.

It was not like that he hadn't seen her in a long time. The movement of the overlapped lips was filled with nostalgia because she had been far away. There was also a plea and a desire not to go anywhere again. And as he hugged her tightly and kissed her deeply as if he would not let her go, she also wrapped her hands around his neck and hung on to it, saying she would do the same.

Their kisses continued until the people beyond the terrace could not overcome their curiosity and rushed out into the garden.

* * *

Because he moved from the empire to Croa at once, Asher did not get up all day just like when Aria used the hourglass.

Unlike Aria, who had never got up by external stimuli, he opened his eyes and woke up when she shook him violently as a stroke of good luck in the midst of misfortune. However, he was not in a state of normal life, so he had to excuse that he was stuck in a room as he was doing something he hadn't done yet.

"... don't be so reckless again." Aria gave the cold water to Asher, who had spent the whole day in bed, and said. She felt uncomfortable to think that it was only because of her birthday, not because of any other important matter.

Asher answered casually, "I won't do anything for you to worry about."

He did not accept Aria's advice, but it was vague in his reply that he might do it again. 'I can't believe you said such an answer with this poor appearance!' Aria furrowed her forehead.

"You're too rash! What if the Crown Prince, who is no one else, does such a reckless thing?!"

He could open his eyes if she woke him differently, but if he was threatened by a sudden threat, he might have lost his life. As she got angry with this, he held her hand, saying, "Don't worry about that. I would not do such a reckless thing unless it's not related to you."

"How can you say that now…?"

But when he smiled softly and said it was because of her, she couldn't get angry anymore. She said, adding to the small advice that he could no longer be obstinate because it was something she could not pass on. "... I get it. If Mr. Asher thinks so, but I can't help it. Instead, whenever something like this happens, I'll be locked up in my room and won't see you, so you take care of it. I'll never be as pleased as yesterday again. I'm not also offering water to you."

"…"

After all, it was Asher who lost. It was because she declared that she would not meet him even if he used his ability to meet her. Moreover, if he insisted anymore, it would cause her anger.

"You're not answering. Can I take that as a gesture of yes?"

And Asher gave a sigh and shook his head, as she seemed to be locking herself up in her room at any moment.

'I don't know if I can really keep it, but it is important to cheer up Aria now.'

* * *

"Oh, my God, what have you done in one day so much that you have become so emaciated?"

As Asher appeared at the dining room for breakfast, Violet asked with a startled look. As she said, Asher looked very tired.

Aria smiled softly and answered instead of Asher, "His Highness the Crown Prince. I don't know in detail, but he would do a great job fit for his status."

"…"

She had said that she would pass on about the use of his ability, but as if all her anger did not subside, it was a response that made him not say anything. And he nodded quietly and saved his words. It was better to refrain from saying unnecessary things.

"Are you going to return today?"

"Yes, I'll be leaving right after the meal."

"I see… You're going to return right away. You've been visiting us for a long time, and I feel uncomfortable because of our poor hospitality."

"No, your hospitality has been good, and I've had a good time. There are some mistakes I have made in my sudden visit, so don't worry about it.

"I'm relieved to hear that." Violet's expression softened a little as if she really cared.

"Aria, when are you planning to go back? Were you not planning to leave yesterday morning?"

Aria answered Carin's question with a nod. "Yes, I thought so, but I had an unexpected visitor. We don't have to go separately, but I'll leave after breakfast with him."

The answer darkened Violet's face again. It was as if she had someone in front of her that she would never see again. Though there was a border and it was close, she could come and go as long as she liked.

"I see, are you ready? The carriage seems to be waiting."

"Yes, I don't have much luggage to carry, so I don't have anything to prepare for."

"Be careful and go back. I'll take the time and drop by soon."

"Yes, mother."

Carin, Chloe and the Marquis of Piast said goodbye to Aria carefully, as she really had little time to leave, except for Violet, who still looked dark. Even though it was predictable enough, she didn't utter a single word until the meal was over. She just ate very slowly and sadly in grief. And the condition continued until after the meal when Aria and Asher left the front door to leave for the empire. The woman who had always talked to Aria by her side was nowhere to be found. Violet shut her mouth as if she had become speechless.

"I have to go now. Please stay healthy."

Standing in front of the carriage with Asher, Aria gave a final farewell to the family of the Marquis. Violet's silence continued until then, so Aria held the hands of Violet, as she was annoyed, and said goodbye to her.

"Don't worry. We're not breaking up forever. Please visit the empire with my mother. It's not as beautiful as the mansion of the Marquis family, but it's beautiful too."

"... Lady Aria."

And whether it touched Violet's tear glands that she had been holding back all the time, she suddenly burst into tears and took Aria's hands.

"Please... please stay healthy. Please feel free to contact me if anything happens. I'll be brave and visit the empire soon."

Violet, who said that with tears in her eyes, looked genuinely unwilling to let Aria go. 'There are so many things that I have not done yet for you.' Her sorry and sad feelings passed through the hands of each other and were delivered to Aria as they were. Even her mother, Carin, looked so calm. It was also the first emotion Aria faced.