Edwin pulled one of the horses out of the stable. Although it was a little older, it was the fastest and most sturdy of all the horses the Mackenzies owned.

He checked the condition of the horse one last time. As it was a long journey, there was nothing more important than the condition of the horse to be a means of transportation.

Are you ready?

Herietta, who was standing behind Edwin, asked him quietly. Her worried eyes looked over him.

Aren't your things like clothes and luggage too light? You would have to spend 15 days on the road, you know.

Did you bring food? You can eat all three meals a day, right?

Edwin laughed silently at the murmurs from behind.

Don't worry, I have everything I need.

He had to minimize the volume and weight of his luggage and supplies to travel long distances as quickly as possible. So Edwin only packed the bare minimum.

He would be able to reach Bangola in five days if he ran nonstop. It wouldn't be easy for him, no matter how experienced he was in long-distance travel, but he couldn't afford to pay attention to the details. He'll go even faster to Philioche. No, to be more precise, returning to Herrieta in Philioche was his main concern.

After the saddle was placed on the horse's back and the stirrups were tuned, Edwin stood up straight. He put the small load he had prepared in advance on the back of the saddle and secured it, and now, everything was ready.

Edwin turned to face Herietta. She stood there, about two steps away from him. Two large eyes turned to him as he stood under the blue sky.

'What should I say to you?'

Edwin thought for a moment. However, no matter how much he thought about it, he could not come up with a proper greeting for Herietta.

No matter what word he uses, how short or long he says it, goodbye is, in the end, only goodbye. He would not see Herietta for a while until he returned to Philioche.

Recognizing that fact again made Edwin feel even worse. At the same time, he was ignorant of himself. Since when did he become so weak and dependent? He just can't see her for about a week or so. He was sure he'll see her again soon anyway.

He wanted to keep on talking here and indefinitely delaying his farewell to Herietta, but he knew he couldn't. If it can't be avoided anyway, he'd rather look at it positively. He comforted himself, saying that the sooner he leaves, the sooner he can come back here.

Then I will go.

Edwin said. It was an absurdly simple greeting for what he was thinking about, but he couldn't think of anything else to say. The reined horse grunted as if to urge him.

Herietta glanced at Edwin. Now it was her turn to return a formal greeting. But for some reason, she just kept her silence.

Miss Herietta?

Edwin called out Herietta's name. Upon observing her, he noticed that the expression she was wearing looked vague. She seemed sad and also confused. No, is she hesitating about something? There were so many mixed emotions that it was impossible to pinpoint exactly what it was.

Miss Herietta. Are you okay?

Edwin felt something strange and was about to ask Herietta to confirm. Standing like a stone, she slowly approached him. The gap between the two of them narrowed and a strange aura circulated.

Edwin.

Herietta took Edwin's hand and called out to him.

A warm temperature. A soft touch. A friendly voice.

Edwin held his breath unknowingly.

Look up.

Herietta said, raising her head slightly.

'Up?'

Edwin was puzzled by the absurd remark, but then he followed her.

A large zelkova tree hung over their heads. It was a tree with countless leaves. The leaves, which were once green and fresh, were already dyed with a reddish color.

When I was young, I used to lie down under this tree often. On a sunny day, the magic that this tree spreads out was very attractive.

Magic?

Yes. It's magic that allows you to see the stars even in the middle of the day.

Herietta raised one of her hands and pointed upwards.

Look. Look at those countless stars.

Edwin looked at where Herietta's finger was pointing to.

The leaves were densely nestled and small gaps formed between them. Bright sunlight was streaming in through the small crevice.

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Every time the leaves swayed in the wind, the sunlight streaming in through the crevices swayed slightly as well. As Herietta said, it looked like the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Edwin involuntarily admired it. They were just standing under an usual tree. Nevertheless, the scenery unfolding before their eyes was so beautiful and fantastic that it could be called spectacular.

Now that I think about it, I think I really liked looking at the stars since I was a kid. It's a pity that it's so far away that I can't reach it, but the twinkling is so pretty that it makes me feel good just looking at it.

Herietta, who was looking at the same place as Edwin, said. Looking back on the past, her eyes looked distant.

Maybe that's why I was attracted to you at first sight.

Herietta turned her head to look at Edwin.

Edwin, you are like a star in the sky. You're beautiful, you're attractive, you're superior to anyone else.

At Herietta's words, Edwin lowered his gaze and looked at her.

'Attractive? Superior?'

Edwin, who quietly digested Herietta's words in his head, gave her a puzzled expression. He didn't know if she was talking about him before they met, but those were words that didn't suit him at all now.

Miss Herietta always tends to overestimate me.

Edwin said with a bit of embarrassment.

Come to think of it, didn't I tell you that I thought you were a prince before?

She confessed without hesitation that she thought he, who was currently a mere slave, was the noblest person after the king in this country. When he said that it was nonsense, she made an even more absurd claim that he was, in fact, a prince and was more handsome.

He didn't know at the time that he would fall for her like this, helplessly.

Edwin.

Yes, Miss Herietta.

What kind of person have I been to you over the past two years we were together?

'What kind of person were you?'

Edwin was bewildered for a moment at the unexpected, random question. But for a while. He pondered her question.

What kind of person was Herietta Mackenzie, the daughter of the Viscount Mackenzie, to the slave Edwin?

Her question was very simple. Still, it wasn't easy for him to answer. His eyes narrowed.

Mackenzie's daughter, Herietta Mackenzie, and the slave named Edwin.

A woman named Herietta Mackenzie to a man named Edwin.

Herietta Mackenzie to Edwin

A magician.

After thinking about it, Edwin answered her.

A magician?

Perhaps it was an unexpected answer, Herietta opened her eyes a little wider. Edwin nodded.

When I am with you, things that are usually overlooked as just common and ordinary look more special and beautiful than anything else.

Like the paintings that express the clouds floating in the sky.

Or like a starry sky that spreads out under the sun.

After a while, Herietta smiled as if she understood what he meant.

I guess it wasn't bad.

It wasn't.

Edwin smiled and agreed.

At that moment, a strong wind blew from somewhere. Whoosh. The leaves above their heads swayed violently, and Herietta and Edwin's hair and hem fluttered in the wind.

Her vision was obscured by her fluttering hair. Edwin lowered his head slightly and naturally covered her face with one of his arms.

The wind is strong today.

Edwin said, waiting for the wind to subside. But Herietta did not respond. Could it be that the wind is blowing so hard that she can't open her mouth? But all she could hear was the sound of the wind blowing in her ears.