When I arrived near the transfer gate, I witnessed my father giving directions to his subordinates in front of it.

The reason my brother isn't at his side is that he too went to war this time.

When my father noticed us, he hurriedly came here.

Without looking at me, he bowed his head to the King.

"Your Majesty."

"Lucas, did you get any information from Sahaja? Anything about their sudden withdrawal?"

"Not yet. This is the first, so everyone is confused. However, I expect we'll soon understand their movement."

Although the King made a bitter face at my father's answer, he nodded.

"You're right. Be prepared to deal with whatever happens."

"I understand. I shall convey it to my son."

"Come to think of it, this time he took part in the war. It's wonderful nothing happened."

"Thank you. It's not the first time, so I wasn't that anxious, but after all it's a relief he can some back safely."

"Yes."

While listening to my father and the King's conversation, I gazed at the transfer gate.

Its presence is overwhelming. While I was absentmindedly looking, the transfer gate suddenly shone white.

A huge magical formation appeared. After the dazzling brightness disappeared, the army appeared.

This was my second time seeing it, but after all over a thousand soldiers suddenly appearing is a magnificent sight.

Seeing Freed on a white horse in front of the army, I unconsciously raised my voice and waved my hand.

"Freed!"

Dressed in the black military uniform, Freed turned to me as soon as he noticed my voice. His mouth slackened happily.

"Lidi."

His black mantle swayed.

I was splendidly moved by his sweet smile.

―― Ah, Freed is cool.

As usual, he's too cool. There's nothing worth watching besides Freed in a black military uniform on a white horse.

From the start, I've loved Freed in the formal wear.

Now I'm infatuated regardless of his appearance, so when I'm thrown my favorite food, my heart pounds so hard it feels like it will break, and I will collapse from infatuation.

Fetishes are terrifying. Hurray military uniforms.

I'm happy, I'm blessed, I'll collapse, I'll die, while my head was filled with such nonsensical thoughts, I rushed over to Freed.

"Lidi, I'm home."

"Welcome home."

Freed descended from his horse and ushered me by spreading his arms.

He wasn't away for that long, but even so, I'm happy he returned safely.

While I was reflecting over this happiness, Freed lifted me in his arms.

"Fuah!? Freed?"

"Fufu. How cute, Lidi. Were you lonely without me?"

"… Yup."

As Freed asked me, I obediently nodded.

I brought our foreheads together and complained.

"I was worried and lonely, so I wanted to see you soon. That's why I'm happy you've returned quickly."

"Lidi, I was also lonely not being able to see you. I don't want to sleep alone. I'm really glad it was settled today."

"Freed…"

"Lidi, I love you. As promised, I came back post haste."

"Yup, yup. I was waiting. Any injuries?"

When I asked what was weighing on my mind the most, Freed narrowed his eyes and denied.

"Lidi, there's no way I'd do anything that would worry you, right? I don't have any injuries. That's why Lidi, keep your promise too? I did my best, so give me my reward?"

It like my soul got caught in his sweet gaze.  While thinking this, I nodded.

"Yup. Fine, I'll give it to you."

"I'm happy."

We talked in quiet voices only we could hear.

When we were about to spontaneously kiss, I heard a truly deliberate cough.

"… Aah, you lovebirds over there. Please continue in your room."

"… Eh."

I stopped moving at the line I heard from somewhere.

When I turned my eyes in the direction of the voice, I saw Brother with an extremely fed up face.

Looking at my grimacing brother, for now I said.

"… Older Brother. Welcome home."

"Yeah, Lidi. Considering you fell from the ceiling, you seem to be doing well. That's the most important. But please, don't flirt so obviously in front of the public. It's a nuisance."

"Hey? Each of your words is bothering me."

"Yeah? You're imagining things."

Mainly the ceiling, or the ceiling, or the ceiling. I glared at my brother, upset because it wasn't like I really wanted to fall from the ceiling. Then Freed said.

"Alex… I wish you wouldn't pour cold water on my reunion with my dearest lover. It's extremely unpleasant."

"I don't want to either. But, isn't it unendurable for those watching?"

When my brother complained to Freed, Freed answered by frowning.

I left the conversation to them and looked around, still up in Freed's arms. When I did… Certainly, we were absolutely being watched.

―― Whoa, embarra.s.sing.

I reflexively shrunk together with a shriek, but when I accidentally overheard a conversation between soldiers, my consciousness instantly focused on it.

"―― Hey, His Highness was incredibly cool when fighting Sahaja."

"Yeah, did you see how the new technique exploded? The fire attack is cool, but the ice attack is cool too."

"I only saw the result. Really, His Highness is in good shape recently."

"The enemy frontline was encased in ice in in an instant. His Highness is in this condition because things are going well with Princess Consort, right? They're perfect both officially and privately… How nice."

"Even now that she came to welcome him, they're lovey-dovey. Aah, my family… probably isn't here yet."

"It can't be helped. Who could expect we'd return so quickly?"

"They'll be surprised when I come home."

"Certainly, it'll be a little fun to see their surprised faces."

"I get you."

It was a light conversation between soldiers, but there was something that I couldn't let slide.

That is, Freed showing the new technique on the enemy.

―― N-e-w-t-e-c-h-n-i-q-u-e was it?

Moreover, it was ice magic?

The moment I heard it, my imagination ran wild.

"… That's bad, he's too cool."

Freed in my imagination was extremely cool. However, it was probably even more wonderful in reality.

After all, it's Freed in the black military uniform using the golden sword to release magic from the back of the white horse. Because it was ice magic, I'm sure ice shards also appeared.

I can't think of it as anything but a picturesque sight. However, my lacking imagination has its limits.

Of course I understand it was war, but I can't help but be envious of the soldiers who saw Freed's cool new technique.

"Lidi, Lidi?"

Freed called out to me, but I didn't notice, immersed in what I'd heard from the soldiers.

Then my cheek was pinched.

"Ouch… Freed, what was that for?"

When pain made me return to my senses, I glared at Freed. But Freed returned a sharp look.

"You can't look away. Lidi, look only at me. What in the world was that?"

"F… Freed, I heard about your new technique… and…"

"New technique?"

"I-Ice…"

When I explained what I'd heard, Freed nodded with satisfaction.

"Aah… Jeez. And so, you p.r.i.c.ked your ears up?"

"Y-Yup. Because, I wanted to hear about you being cool, Freed."

Hearing my complaint, Freed cheered up, but then he peered into my face and said.

"Lidi, I'm happy you lost yourself in thought about me. But Lidi, I want you to look at the me here, not the one from gossips."

"I-I'm looking. This and that are different… But Freed, I heard you showed the new technique in this formal wear… It would be strange if I wasn't interested."

For me, that's natural.

I strongly insisted, but Freed made a somewhat astonished face.

"Yup… Lidi, I'm certain only you would think that. But really, you like this look, Lidi."

"… It's to my liking. It can't be helped."

Even if he's astonished, I won't yield on that alone.

When I grasped Freed's coat and told him so, he corrected his hold on me and stroked my head.

That's all it took to make the simple me happy.

"Ehe… ehehe."

When I willingly presented my head, Freed hugged me tightly as if he couldn't endure anymore.

"Aah, jeez. Lidi, you're extremely cute. Hey, Alex is annoying, so how about we go back to my room soon? I'm impatient to be alone with you."

As he whispered in a voice oozing with l.u.s.t, I weakly nodded, despite flus.h.i.+ng from antic.i.p.ation.

"Y-Yup. I also want that."

"―― That's how it is, Esteemed Father. Can the victory celebration party and postwar cleanup wait for tomorrow? I'd like to retire with Lidi for today."

"No problem. I thought it would be like that anyway. You are my son, so I understand your feelings."

"Thank you very much."

Before I noticed, the King came to us. Mother-in-law was next to him, smiling awkwardly.

"Friedrich. I understand that you are happy, but you must not force Lidi."

"… Esteemed mother. I understand."

Freed nodded after a delicate pause.

Anyway, after getting the two's approval, Freed returned his gaze to me and declared in a whisper.

"As you heard, I obtained approval. There's enough time until tomorrow. Lidi… Are you prepared to not sleep tonight?"

"Prepared to not sleep…"

Yup, should I say, as expected?

Despite thinking the conversation with Mother-in-law some time ago was pointless, I blinked my eyes at being told it would be an until-morning course.

As for me, it's as I suspected, so I don't really mind. However, there's just one thing that weights on my mind.

To confirm it just in case, I discreetly asked Freed.

"… That's fine, but I have just one question. Will you take off this military uniform? I think various things will change with that."

That's right, for example my festive state. Various things.

"Eh?"

"Eh? After all, it's the case, right? Am I wrong?"

It was quite a serious question, but the instant Freed heard my words he froze, and the next moment he burst into laugher.

"W-Why are you laughing?"

"N-No, sorry. I thought it was just like you, Lidi. Yup Lidi, I'll listen to your wishes."

"Eh? Wishes? … Err, err, I wonder what I should do…"

While my heart was throbbing, Freed laughed as if something was strange.

"Freed, you're laughing too much."

"Sorry, sorry. Lidi, you were just too cute… Fufu."

When I glared at him, Freed finally stopped laughing.

Then he fixed his eyes on me and said in an unbearably lovely voice.

"Then, let's go. Lidi, tonight I'll make it sink in that you came back inside my grasp."

"―― Yup. Fine. I love you, Freed."

"Lidi. I love you too. I don't need anything but you, Lidi."

Strength filled the arm carrying me. I also wrapped my arm around Freed's neck.

Defying the attention on him, Freed brazenly left the spot in an incredibly good mood.