Chapter 39

Today, my novel "The Quiet Duchess and the Cold Emperor" is being released by Ichijinsha Novels. I hope you enjoy it!

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Eleanor had just moved into the imperial palace where Alexei resided. The griffin family was coming to play on the castle roof, and Alexei and Eleanor were waiting for them alone.

It was a clear, sunny day, and a comfortable breeze was gently blowing Eleanor's wavy blonde hair. Alexei took her hair in his hands as if it were a treasure.

"Eleanor, have you ever visited the streets of this capital, Kentograd?"

As Eleanor gazed at the town below from between the castle walls, Alexei asked her.

"I've only been once. It was the day I met Ham again at the castle ball. Back then, I was dropped off to get a carriage. I haven't been to the town since then."

When Eleanor turned around and answered, Alexei frowned and muttered that he should have sent that family to a desert instead of an uninhabited island, but she didn't hear him.

"That day was at night, so the streetlights were sparkling with magic stones, and it was beautiful. But, the stars shining in the night sky of the Demon Forest are even more beautiful. So, I felt sad."

"Is that so? Eleanor, was there anything else that caught your attention besides the streetlights?"

"I've seen the town many times from inside a carriage. There are a lot of people and shops."

"Yes, that's true."

"Hey, I want to take my time looking at the display cases I can see through the windows. The various items are beautifully arranged, and it looks fun."

With those words, Alexei decided to take Eleanor on a secret trip to the bustling streets of Kentograd. Incidentally, after that, the griffin family came to play, and when Eleanor hugged them, Alexei showed his jealousy out of envy. As for the griffin, he provocatively challenged Alexei with a smug look.

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On the day of the date, both of them were so strikingly beautiful that they stood out, so they used magic to change their hair and eye colors to a dark brown, dressed as wealthy merchants' lovers, and headed to the town in a small carriage.

"Even with the color change, Ham still stands out."

"Eleanor, you're quite noticeable too."

No matter how much they changed their hair and eye colors, their presence couldn't be hidden.

"Well, it's fine. As long as no one recognizes us as the emperor and his fiancée, there's no problem."

"That's true!"

Eleanor looked at the scenery outside the carriage window with the excitement of a child. The carriage entered a street lined with shops in the city center, and they got off there.

"There are so many people, it's crowded," Eleanor whispered, acting like a lady.

"No, it's not crowded," Alexei replied.

As Alexei said, there weren't many people, but it was enough for Eleanor, who was still afraid of crowds. She couldn't bear the gazes directed at her and looked down.

"It's okay. I'm here."

With that, Alexei took Eleanor's hand.

"Alexei-sama..."

Looking up at Alexei, she smiled shyly and happily.

"This is the street with the shops you wanted to see."

There were high-end stores selling hats and watches for the wealthy.

"Just looking is fun."

For Eleanor, who had lived a simple life, that was enough.

"Aren't you going to go into the stores?"

In response to Alexei's question, she shook her head.

"Being able to walk through the town with Alexei-sama is fun enough."

Alexei smiled warmly at Eleanor's gentle smile. As they walked hand in hand for a while, they entered a more common area with daily goods and food stores, where there were many more people. Alexei held Eleanor's waist to walk closer together, as she was intimidated by the crowd.

"I'm embarrassed."

"Don't worry about it."

Eleanor's cheeks turned red, but she was soon drawn to the savory smell of grilled skewers.

"!"

Eleanor's attention was focused on a store where meat skewers were being grilled.

"I'll buy them. This smell is of Ham's favorite meat!"

Without thinking, she let go of Alexei's hand and approached the store without fear of the crowd, calling out to the shopkeeper.

"One skewer, please!"

"Hey, pretty lady! Are you new in town? Alright, I'll give you an extra one for free!"

"Thank you!"

Eleanor took out a cloth bag from her pocket, handed over five copper coins, and received two skewers.

"Ham! This is your favorite!"

Turning to Alexei, Eleanor's face lit up with a smile reminiscent of Pie.

"Thank you, Pie."

"Hey!"

When she handed one to Alexei, Eleanor felt like she had returned to the past, being called Pie again.

"You haven't changed, Ham. You're so cute, so cute."

That day's secret date made them feel like they were back in the Demon Forest, and the romantic distance between Alexei and Eleanor didn't seem to close.

"I used to feel lonely and miss the Demon Forest when I saw the streetlights alone, but now I like this town too. Wherever Ham is, it's a paradise!"

After that, Alexei continued to take secret dates with Eleanor, but it would take a bit more time before their dates became more romantic.