Chapter: 632
The Mukgwangdae went off to clear the dungeon—without Pine, of course—and it’s been a few days since they’ve returned.
But oddly, I wasn’t worried at all. The first division was basically a fan club passionately supporting my relationship with Pine. If they rushed back to interrupt our precious moments, it would likely mean something chaotic had happened.
‘Guess nothing’s going on after all.’
So, I felt at peace even with no news from the first division. To be honest, they shouldn’t be getting stuck in a dungeon level. Unless the dungeon decided to close its doors just to avoid them, that’s another story.
“Maybe they’ll come back tomorrow or the day after?”
“Yeah. Unless a new dungeon suddenly appears out of nowhere, that’s probably the case.”
As I whispered that in Pine’s ear while we enjoyed our horseback date, she blushed but replied calmly.
Talk about progress! Pine doesn’t even go full-on vibrating mode anymore when she gets a back hug and a whisper at the same time.
‘Guess all that one-on-one time has paid off.’
I felt proud. Until the first division wiped out the dungeons in Count Yudher’s Territory, I decided to stick around and not return to the capital. I even got permission from the Capital’s Ladies in advance, and they readily allowed it.
The only concern was that my lovely little angel babies wouldn’t get to see their daddy, but thankfully, with Titi and the holy waters around, they weren’t crying for me.
I felt a bit sad, but hey, it’s legally granted time away, and I poured all that time into dates with Pine.
To help Pine relax, to let her be more honest, and to bring more smiles to her face.
“Minister… if it’s alright, would you mind going out for some fresh air?”
“I heard there’s a huge lake to the west of Count Yudher’s estate. I’d love to check it out with you, Minister.”
“It seems a bit awkward to take multiple rooms for a guest, so sharing a room with you, Minister… might be…”
Remembering all those things Pine had asked me lately, I couldn’t help but softly dab at my eyes.
This wasn’t a feeling typical of a lover, but it was so heartwarming. It felt like witnessing a child who was once crawling finally taking their first steps.
No, it was more like the overly dependent and adoring Pine finally standing up for herself. The metaphor about her walking was far from wrong.
“Thinking like this makes me feel guilty towards the first division, but I kind of wish about ten more dungeons would pop up.”
“Actually, I was thinking the same thing… Minister.”
At that, I ruffled Pine’s hair vigorously.
How can every single word she says be so adorable and heartwarming?
“Pine, how about you just come back to the capital with me?”
“F-forgive me, but I can’t. If I abandon the first division, it would burden you, Minister.”
Her insistence on keeping work and play separate was so very Pine-like.
“I’m just joking! I know you’re working hard because you care about me.”
I playfully ruffled her hair even more.
I was well aware that Pine was pushing through for our honeymoon and parenting leave, and she’d eventually return when my leave was over. No matter how fast I got promoted, I’m not blind to the fact that the department was still busy.
So I was always grateful and felt sorry. If only I wasn’t a crazy husband on an extended honeymoon for over two years, maybe Pine would have it a bit easier.
‘A two-year honeymoon.’
Thinking about it like this makes me realize I’m quite the lunatic as well.
Of course, considering all the years we’ll face moving forward, two years or even three are just a drop in the bucket.
– Vroom!
‘Huh?’
While I was lost in those complicated feelings, the black horse Count Yudher had lent me suddenly kicked into high gear and took off somewhere.
‘What’s happening?’
I was thrown off by the sudden burst of speed. I figured it would just follow the course I had set, but now that we were on board, I had to grab the reins.
But it was running with such a serious face that I didn’t want to interfere. And despite the full-on sprint, the rider wasn’t shaken.
That’s for sure; a noble steed is still a noble steed. If any other horse had bolted off like that, I’d be saying goodbye to my tailbone.
– Whee!
“Hey?!”
“What’s that?”
Only when the black horse reached the grassy plains near a river did it stop.
No, to be precise, it stopped at a distance from where a white horse was drinking from the river.
“Did we come here because of that?”
– Vroom!
The black horse nodded in agreement.
Here I thought it was a loyal steed that would only pick up riders it deemed worthy, but apparently, it was an agent for introducing me to a new stallion.
‘Is this like a pyramid scheme?’
It was reminding me of some random group meeting I once attended.
So, is this white horse also gonna introduce me to more horses?
That night, in our shared room with Pine:
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence surrounded both Pine and me.
Neither of us said anything weird or made a mistake. Our date was perfect, and Pine’s emotions were becoming more and more genuine.
Yet, despite that, the silence was palpable due to a very compelling reason.
– Whee!
“Hey, what are you doing?!”
The black horse that had been carrying us suddenly crouched down to let us off before racing towards the white horse for some loving moments!
I nearly lost my mind at that unexpected sight. Who would’ve guessed it would take off for a potential mate several kilometers away? How on earth did it even spot the horse so far away? Is it like dogs with their keen smell? Or do northern horses have some sort of psychic sharing ability?
‘Well, this is something I never expected to witness in my life.’
Anyway, thanks to the black horse, who managed to sprint off in search of its love while carrying a rider, Pine and I had to watch this horse romance unfold live.
And naturally, it wasn’t a pleasant feeling. If it weren’t a noble steed, I might’ve slapped it.
“Uhh, Minister?”
“Yeah. What is it?”
“That white horse we saw earlier… looks like a pretty good one too.”
I enthusiastically nodded at Pine’s attempt to break the silence.
Pine was the first to take the brave step to speak up. If I showed any ambiguity here, she might never speak again.
“I know, right? It seems hardy since it’s grown freely. Or maybe it’s related to the black horse.”
I had heard that the noble black horse had wandered around the north before settling in Count Yudher’s territory. So, it stood to reason that both horses might share similar bloodlines.
– Whee!
– Whee!
Perhaps that’s why, after their little mating session, the white horse followed us back to Count Yudher’s castle.
Winning a noble steed for free was certainly a happy occurrence. It is a joyful thing; however, the price to pay for that was just a bit too rough on me.
“Congratulations, Minister. If that noble bloodline continues, you might just have two priceless treasures.”
After I fell silent for a moment due to my complicated feelings, Pine softly bowed her head and offered her congratulations.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholic seeing the genuine effort she was making to keep the conversation going.
“Especially that black one—it was impressive and a splendid horse just like you.”
“…Uh, thank you.”
And there it was; I delayed my response to her subtle compliment by a beat too long.
Saying a noble horse resembled some random junker passing by is indeed a compliment. But when the noble horse had just publicly engaged in some affection, hearing “You and that horse look so alike,” it can’t help but feel a bit strange, can it?
It felt like I became one of those public exhibitionists too.
“Ah.”
Suddenly realizing the strangeness of my situation, Pine let out a small sigh.
“W-wait! That’s not what I meant─!”
“That white horse is beautiful, just like you, Pine.”
To calm down the overly flustered Pine, I joked about it.
While such statements could lead to misunderstandings if it came from someone else, between us, it was perfectly fine. Plus, Pine was the one who first said the horse resembled her.
“It’s also following us, so she should ride the white horse. I’ll take the black one with me.”
“Uh, y-yeah. Okay.”
As I consoled Pine with a smile, she finally managed to calm down.
For a moment, I thought, ‘If it had been a gray horse instead of a white one, it would’ve been perfect,’ but I kept my mouth shut. If I said something like that, Pine might drown in embarrassment.
“By the way, I feel a little bad, though. Dumping our new friend right after it meets its match.”
“It’ll be fine. They had their fair share of affection, after all.”
At her resolute reply, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Well, there’s a significant difference between parting ways without bonding and parting after some affection has been shared.
“Maybe horses have it better than we do?”
“Excuse me?”
However, Pine’s steadfastness crumbled in an instant.
Seeing that, I stepped in closer and gently enveloped her in an embrace. If we weren’t in Count Yudher’s castle and if Pine weren’t on duty, maybe I would’ve turned into a noble steed myself.
“Just hang in there a little longer. Once summer hits, even if the Emperor wants to take me, I’ll have no problem expressing my feelings.”
“I don’t think that’ll be because of me…”
“Shh.”
“I’ll be eagerly waiting with joy.”
At that, Pine buried her face in my chest.
Considering how many restrictions our meetings had faced, this time felt rather satisfying.
*
The first division that set out to clear the dungeon finally came back.
They returned a little late compared to their usual skill, but they managed to come back in time for our transition to the next territory.
Feeling their understanding warmed my heart, though I felt a bit shy. They must have intentionally delayed their work just for my sake.
“Well then, I’m heading off. Once all the work is done, I’ll come straight to the mansion.”
“Yes, your Excellency.”
“I won’t force you to contact me daily, but do reach out when you can.”
“Yes, I’ll be sure to do that.”
“Make sure to take Pine’s communication device if she’s just fiddling with it and replace your own contact, okay?”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After giving this advice to both Pine and first division head, I hopped onto the teleportation magic circle with the black horse.
– Whee…
As I watched the black horse slowly fade away, the white horse let out a sad whinny.
I understood. It was just a bond formed in a single day, but to this white horse, the black one was surely something precious.
‘Looks like we’re alike.’
Just like on that day when I first met my Master, I began to see her as someone precious and important above all else.
And I too was sending my Master off while suppressing my feelings of sorrow.
“By the way, that white horse is beautiful just like Pine.”
My Master’s words about how I resembled this horse were definitely not wrong.
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