Its winter.

I know. Its winter.

Sienna and Carl sat at the garden table and chatted.

The capital city was now facing winter. The hot summer passed in a flash, and the short fall ended as soon as it began.

Unlike Heidel, the hometown of Sienna, it was late autumn weather, even in winter. There was no snow and no icy cold wind. People just think its winter when all the red leaves were gone.

Feeling cooler air than before, the two drank tea. It was called the wondering tea that Sienna has been drinking recently. The purple tea with a sweet and sour taste had a cinnamon-like scent, which suited the season of falling leaves.

Carl and Sienna spent more time together, even if they didnt have a conversation over a particular topic. They enjoyed sitting together like an ordinary couple, having such a quiet, casual conversation.

Winter in Heidel must be different from here. How was it?

Very different.

Sienna rummaged through memories of her childhood in Heidel.

It was so cold that I felt like my nose was going to fall off. Even in the boiling water, the ice would form. No matter how many times we burned the woods indoor, I could see my breath. I have icicles in my hair after washing up.

Carl smiled and showed interest in Siennas explanation.

Its amazing that people survive in such icy weather. Doesnt the blood of a living man freeze when its that cold?

Blood? Blood doesnt freeze, but it often causes frostbite. There are many young people and soldiers who lost their fingers because of it.

Carl looked at Siennas fingers with a surprised look. Sienna noticed that he was worried about her, and she stretched her fingers wide and shook them.

I am fine. Look, I have all ten of them. Im from Heidel, but Im very sensitive to the cold, so I didnt go out from the castle and stayed under a blanket on a very cold day. And even on days when it wasnt cold, I wore a lot of clothes.

Good for you.

Sienna smiled at the worried voice.

Heidel has accumulated snow all year round. Its also called the ice cap because it doesnt melt.

SnowIve heard of them. Beautiful and cold.

It was Sienna who was surprised by Carls words.

Youvenever seen snow?

No. The place I was in was hotter than the capital city or had similar weather.

As most of the empires borders were concentrated in the south and east, the battlefields where Carl fought in were often located there. Snow that didnt fall in the capital couldnt have fallen there.

I think youve experienced everything, but its amazing that youve never seen snow before.

Theres quite a lot I havent experienced.

What have you never done?

In Siennas question, Carl gave a moment of thought and said, Ive never stepped on snow, Ive never met a dragon, Ive never seen an Elf or a Dwarf. Ive never been to a mountain where red and hot lava flows.

Carl only laid out things that no one would ever experience. Sienna said with a smile, Im sure you havent even met a sorcerer.

Ive met a magician.

Dont joke around.

Really, though he was a dark magician.

At Carls words, Sienna asked with a surprised look.

Really?

There are quite a few black magicians and witches in the Castro Empire.

Are those witches really capable of magic orspell? Can large balls of fire pop out of their hands or cause thunderstorms with a flick of their fingers?

Carl shook his head with a smile at the curious question of Sienna.

The Black Wizard is not the kind of wizard you think. You cant make a fire in the air or spill ice in midsummer. Black sorcerers usually attack under a curse.

What curse?

They make the soldiers get skin rash or complain of dizziness, and they make the barracks infested with rats.

At Carls words, Sienna burst into a laugh of absurdity.

Is that the only way to attack?

It was funny that they were only sending a rash or rat to fight a war. At Siennas reaction, Carl shook his head with a grave face.

One or two soldiers may not have a big impact on the battle but if hundreds of soldiers are out of focus or start to vomit, it can influence the battle.

Hundreds of soldiers at the same time? Thats great. Then how did you catch it?

I was lucky. It would never have been an easy battle if we hadnt caught those witches quickly.

Thats a relief. I dont want to see such a wizard forever. Rash, rat, terrible! I feel like Im losing my appetite.

While talking like that, Carl burst into laughter at Sienna, who was constantly putting cookies in her mouth.

Youre not going to eat it all because its too sweet, are you?

After emptying her own cookie plate, she even wanted the cookies Carl took a bite out of. Carl gave Sienna a piece of the cookie because he didnt want to eat it all.

Strangely, I cant stop eating these cookies made of almond powder. Hain said if I didnt cut this off, Id have a belly hanging out, and you wouldnt like it.

Sienna didnt grab Carls cookies and looked worried. Carl said, putting cookies in her mouth.

Just because you have a fatter stomach doesnt make you a different person. That wont make me hate you.

Sienna chewed on the cookies Carl had put in her mouth.

Bring Carl in! Now!

Bluebell flung the cup to the floor as she was annoyed. The teacup that hit the marble floor cracked with a rupture. Nevertheless, the anger has not subsided.

Your Majesty

The nanny tried to soothe her, but Bluebell buried her face on the sofa and screamed.

This condition has been going on since Count Ferrers last visit. The nanny asked for the reason behind her sadness, but Bluebell did not answer. She could not help but think that Bluebell was under a lot of stress over childbearing after the talk with Count Ferrer.

In fact, Bluebell had more trouble with other things than the succession issue. It was because of her relationship with Carl.

But she couldnt confide this to the nanny. No matter how much a nanny was like her mother, it hurt Bluebells pride to tell her that she had never slept with Carl.

She pretended to her father not to want to have children yet and not to know the trend. But in fact, Bluebell knew how she could have become Carls wife, and what she should do to not end this marriage as a failure.

I cant have a baby alone!

Even after her marriage, Carl did not ask for Bluebells whereabouts.

This is the Empress palace!

Bluebell knew that Carl was spending most of his time in Siennas palace. He looked for Bluebells residence with an expression of helplessness only when Bluebell made excuses for being sick or crying.

Bluebell became anxious. Before that, she just hated Sienna, but it became clear why she hated her so much. Sienna seemed to take her Carl away.

But it was a secondary problem. Wherever his heart was, it didnt matter if she could only have a child. Even if Carls love for Sienna was bigger now, if she had a child, she would be able to receive his attention and the support of his neighbors considering how precious a successor was at this point

The only problem was that there was no chance to have children.

If Sienna gets a baby first

Bluebell ripped her nails with her teeth. There was no way to relieve the anxiety that came up from the bottom of her stomach.

Your Majesty! The Emperor is here.

The announcement of Carls visit surprised Bluebell. The maid had not yet cleaned up the thrown teacup.

What do I do! What do I do?

She stamped her feet. She didnt want to show Carl that she was blinded by speculation and couldnt contain her anger.

Your Majesty the Empress?

The nanny called her.

What if Carl sees that and thinks Im bad?

The teacup was just lying on the floor broken, and Bluebell made a fuss as if something had happened. Having been under stress, she was thinking big about even the smallest things.

If he looks at that, hell see that I couldnt contain my anger and threw out the teacup. What if hes disgusted at the sight? What if he says hes not going to come here at all?

The nanny, who had been watching Bluebell for a long time, seemed to know what she was thinking. The nanny hurriedly ordered the maid to clean up the broken teacup and pulled the rug over it.

He wont know if you did this.

Only

Bluebell looked at the nanny with a crying face.

Thanks, nanny.

Its nothing. Will you greet the Emperor with that face?

No, no. Im going to laugh. Because my Carl said my smile was the prettiest.

Bluebell smiled forcedly, recalling his childhood words. Feeling sorry for her, the nanny smiled, making eye contact with Bluebell.

I agree that your Majesty is most beautiful when she smiles. If the fairy in the fairy tale exists, it must look like the Empress.

You mean it?