Editor Group: Liber Reverie
“I should not have said I have to pay the price. I realized my limitations a long time ago, so I’ve never used my power to fall down ever since, so don’t worry too much.”
“But…” It was possible that with distance this far he might go beyond his limits without realizing it.
As the light of concern lingered on Aria’s face after he had explained it several times, Asher held her hand gently. “In addition, I am a descendant of the blood of the first emperor, who was called a half-god. I’ve seen the ancient texts that someone, who does not succeed the blood of the royal family that had been passed down through generations but who was taken from the outside will pay a serious price… However, I hope you’ll be relieved of your worry because I will not be harmed at all with this much.”
She could not refute it any longer when he said that he would be careful.
Come to think of it, he had used his power many times last night. Unlike herself, who once used her power and had to fall asleep all day, Asher was fine.
Of course, being worried was another matter. This was because she realized through this incident that their abilities were not omnipotent and that relying on it could lead to an unexpected mishap.
“… I understand. Instead, I hope you don’t overdo it.”
Understanding Aria’s worries, Asher gently kissed the back of her hand and promised to do so.
“I’ll take your words into consideration.”
Aria was relieved of her worries, and Asher held the hourglass’ box in her hand and said,
“But it’s okay today, so we’d better move on. The carriage is uncomfortable. When we get a comfortable carriage, let’s get on the wagon and move.”
She thought he would not let it go because he was stubborn, but she didn’t even feel like blaming him because he added an excuse.
“… I understand. I’ll pick up my stuff.”
So when she gave up and got the hourglass box back from him, he moved the space as if he had waited. The sudden change in vision was no longer surprising to Aria. As Aria toured a quiet vacant lot outside the village, he handed over a black cape to her that he had prepared.
“For now, wear this cape. You’ll have to buy some clothes first and change them.”
The clothes that she was wearing only attracted people’s attention, and Aria wore the cape and hid her whole body without saying anything. She looked very suspicious. So she went into the clothing store. She bought a simple dress and changed to it right away.
“… I want to hide all your hair as I wish. I think it’s better to cover your face, too…”
Asher furrowed his forehead upon the beauty of Aria, which he could not erase even though she had changed into a simple dress. He seemed to want to hide her beauty that was too much.
Aria smiled and asked him to relieve his worries. “Should I tie my hair?”
“No, I don’t think that’s going to solve it.”
“Well, do you want me to wear a hat?”
“No. Even if you do so… we’d rather go to a deserted place.”
“A deserted place?”
‘Is there a place like that?’
As Aria asked back, wondering, Asher replied with a nod. “Yes, we’d better get an accommodation.”
“… Yes?”
Surprised by the unexpected answer, Aria stepped back and sprained her ankle, and Asher hurried to wrap around her waist to support her.
‘Where? Lodging? A place where we can be alone? Is that really the sound that comes out of the mouth of a man who had his ears blushing whenever we meet?’
Aria asked if she had heard it wrong. “… Where?”
“Accommodation where we can be alone.”
“…”
‘Oh, my God.’ As Aria’s face turned pale from holding back her hiccups, only then did Asher realize the meaning of the “accommodation” that she might have misunderstood. He folded his eyes slightly.
“Well, I didn’t know you were such a bold woman. If you’ve told me earlier…”
“Oh, no!”
As if she had not had a pale face, she raised her voice with her red-hot face this time, and he laughed out loud because he found Aria’s actions very cute.
Unlike Aria’s needless worries and concerns, two accommodations were taken. As the sun went down, the carriage driven by Lane was supposed to arrive, and there was no need to take two lodges, but he did that, because Aria’s red face showed no sign of cooling down.
In addition, there was a mix of Asher’s pranks to make fun of her. Despite having two rooms, Asher and Aria did not stay in their rooms. They read books and reviewed the documents in a different place instead.
“We didn’t mean it, but we’ve got a vacation after a long time, so what do you want to do?”
As she was reading, facing the wind from the window, he asked. Aria was in agony because it was like a vacation where there was nothing else she could do, as he said.
‘Vacation…’
She had already had enough fun in the past, so she had never thought of taking a vacation or playing. Rather than having fun for nothing, she had enjoyed her busy days.
“Well… I’ve never really thought about it. It’s fun to do something rather than take a break. Doing nothing will only make me nervous.”
“Umm… I see.”
Aria’s answer gave him a slightly sympathetic nod. But he had a doubtful look on his face, so Aria, who covered the book, asked him back. There seemed to be something he wanted to do.
“What about Mr. Asher?”
“Do you mean me?”
“Yes. How would you like to spend your vacation? I can’t really think of anything to do.”
Then he answered as if he was expecting that Aria would say that. “In fact, I want to walk on the streets with you without anyone’s interference.”
“Streets?”
‘Do you really want to do something that trivial?’ Aria opened her eyes wide and asked back.
“Yes, isn’t it impossible in the capital city because you are so famous.”
“That’s true, but…”
It was ironic that Aria was more famous than the Crown Prince, but it was inevitable that he had not been as often seen outside as Aria. So Aria agreed and blurred the end of her speech.
“Then, cover the book and stand up.” As soon as what they wanted to do was decided, he reached out to Aria. As such, there was no reason to reject it because she wore a simple dress worn by the common people. It was only a walk.
“Ok, then let’s go out for a while.”
“Thank you, Lady Aria. And I’m sorry, but I’d like you to cover yourself with a hood.”
“Okay.” Aria smiled with a bright smile. Moreover, since it was what Asher wanted, she was willing to do it even if it was difficult.
* * *
Who was the one who had just been asked to go out for a walk? Aria, who came out of the lodge, began to glisten her eyes. Looking around constantly, it reminded him of a noble lady who first came out to the street. He was sure she would have been used to it if the days of when she was a commoner were longer.
“Oh, my God, Mr. Asher! Look at that!”
At the end of Aria’s hand, there was a man who dazzled people with a plausible magic trick. There were probably more magicians that were more beautiful and mysterious than this one, and perhaps because of the joy of being on the street, she was very excited by the crude magic.
As Aria who was enjoying their walk more than anyone else, watched every street vendor and adorned the street, Asher smiled contentedly and held her hand gently.
“You look like a lost child.”
Only then did Aria, realizing how excited she was, blushed and avoided his gaze.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve never been out like this before.”
“You mean before you went into the count’s family?”
It was a question referring to when she was still a commoner. When there were no restrictions on going out.
Aria hesitated, unable to answer the question for a moment. She soon slowly opened her mouth. “At the time… We were too poor to go out. There were so many pretty and delicious things out there that I always wanted to buy. Besides, it was hard for a little girl to go to a crowded place alone. It was dangerous.”
Prostitutes had been a disgrace not only to the nobility but also to the common people, so she had been often told harsh words by mischievous men. That had made her more reluctant to go out. He had seen Aria in an exhilarating mood in a long time. Since her face was starting to become somber again, Asher changed the topic.
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