“Are you leaving now?”

The guildmaster spotted Maxime as he was about to step outside the building. He glanced at Maxime’s crutches under his left arm and the bandages wrapped around his right arm, a sympathetic expression crossing his face.

“Are your injuries alright? Is it really okay for you to be out like this… Oh, do you need any help? I could call a few adventurers to assist you.”

Maxime quickly shook his head. If he didn’t firmly refuse, the guildmaster might actually call over some adventurers to help him.

“No, thank you. I appreciate the thought. It’ll take some time, but these injuries aren’t permanent. Besides, sitting around in a hospital room all day gets boring. I need to get out sometimes.”

Maxime waved off the guildmaster’s offer. What had started as concern quickly shifted to curiosity, and the guildmaster stroked his thick, bearded chin.

“I’ve heard you’re quite skilled, so this must’ve been some mission for you to get hurt this badly. Was it connected to those irritating mage-tower scholars?”

Maxime neither confirmed nor denied, only shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, I’ll consider it a badge of honor. I’m sure you’ve gotten your share of injuries from your days as an adventurer, haven’t you?”

The guildmaster let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head.

“Not quite! I was always more of a coward and an opportunist. I never really did anything worthy of the title ‘adventurer.’ The worst injury I ever got was from carelessly getting too close to a beast and getting slashed across my back.”

He laughed again, this time with a hint of self-deprecation, but there was a sense of pride too.

“Well, that’s probably why I survived long enough to become guildmaster.”

Maxime chuckled softly.

“It seems I’ve kept you too long just for a quick greeting. Whenever you have time, drop by the guild again. Whether as a guest or an adventurer, I’ll make sure you get the best treatment.”

“Of course.”

With a nod and a shared look, Maxime bid the guildmaster farewell. As he stepped through the back door and into the open air, the cold winter breeze hit him sharply. The warmth and bustling atmosphere of the guild melted away as the chilly sky loomed overhead, making his breath visible as it escaped his lips.

“Senior.”

Christine was waiting near the back entrance, pacing in small circles. When she spotted Maxime, she hurried over, her cheeks and ears flushed red from the cold. Maxime felt a pang of guilt and decided to apologize first.

“Sorry I’m late. You should’ve waited in the carriage. It’s too cold to be standing out here.”

“I didn’t expect it would take so long to say goodbye to Adeline. You must’ve had a lot to talk about, huh?”

Christine’s question had a teasing edge to it. Maxime gave her a somewhat awkward smile. If he told her everything that had happened in Adeline’s room, Christine would no doubt be furious.

“Just… catching up, that’s all.”

“Oh, more secrets. Well, whatever. I don’t really care.”

Christine pouted, pretending to sulk, but she slowed her pace to match Maxime’s as they walked. Maxime, noticing her little gesture, smiled softly to himself.

“The sun was up just a little while ago, but now the sky’s looking pretty gloomy.”

Maxime glanced up, and Christine followed his gaze. The sky was covered in light gray clouds, not heavy like rainclouds but soft, spreading a muted winter color over the city.

“It looks like it might snow soon.”

Christine blinked up at the sky, her voice soft. As they walked, a carriage appeared, the one with the royal guard who had been waiting for them. Christine slowed her steps, her expression tightening as if she were considering something. Maxime, understanding what she wanted, glanced at the carriage before turning to her.

“Want to walk a little more? I can tell the guard to head back without us.”

Christine’s face brightened for a moment, but then she quickly composed herself and shook her head.

“No, we shouldn’t. I’m happy you suggested it, but you’re still recovering. What if your injuries get worse from walking too much?”

“If that happens, you can just heal me again, right? Come on, I’d like to walk. It’s suffocating to stay cooped up in a hospital.”

Christine hesitated, torn between concern and her own desire to keep walking. Finally, she nodded, agreeing with a smile.

“Alright, but just a little. It’s cold, after all.”

“You’re one to talk, after waiting out here in the cold for me.”

Christine tried to protest, starting to say “It wasn’t that bad,” but Maxime had already walked over to the guard. She grumbled under her breath as she watched him speak to the soldier.

“You can return to the palace without us. We’ll be fine.”

The soldier nodded and climbed into the coachman’s seat.

“Please don’t stay out too long, Sir Arsen. We need you back in top shape soon.”

“I understand. Thank you for the ride.”

“I’ll see you next time you go out.”

With a sharp “Hah!”, the soldier urged the horses on, and the carriage rattled away. Maxime turned back to Christine, giving her a small nod. She tried to act indifferent but soon broke into a grin.

“So, where should we go first?”

“Well, I smell something good coming from that street over there.”

Christine carefully took hold of Maxime’s right arm, gently guiding him as they walked side by side.

The streets of the royal capital, though touched by winter’s grayness, were still lively. Children ran around, their shouts of laughter filling the air, and the soft jingle of bells echoed from various stalls. Steam rose from food vendors, carrying warm, savory smells that made their stomachs growl.

“Phew, hot!”

Christine was blowing on a hot apple-and-cheese-topped bread she had just bought from one of the vendors. Despite taking only one bite, her face was already smeared with cheese. Maxime chuckled and wiped a bit of cheese off her cheek.

“You’re such a mess.”

“…I have hands, you know.”

“Uh-huh. You’ve still got some on your other cheek.”

Maxime grabbed her shoulder gently and wiped away the remaining cheese. Christine, too flustered to argue, just stood there while he cleaned her face.

“You’re looking a bit thin.”

Maxime noted quietly. He wasn’t sure if the lingering effects of her time imprisoned under the Mage Tower had fully passed, but it seemed like she still needed to regain her health. Christine gave him a small nod.

“I didn’t realize it, but they said I was trapped down there for months. It’s not like I could recover fully in just a few days.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

Christine shook her head with a smile.

“I’m just grateful my mana came back. I thought I’d lost it for good.”

She narrowed her eyes at Maxime, her expression suspicious.

“Wait, why are you talking about my health after feeling my face? Couldn’t you have just said I look slimmer or something?”

“I liked you better the way you were before. You reminded me of a little chipmunk.”

Christine’s face turned even redder, whether from embarrassment or anger, Maxime couldn’t tell. Her voice rose in a flustered shout.

“You’re just saying I used to be chubby! What’s wrong with you? Are you some kind of weirdo?”

“Well, I thought it was cute.”

Christine seemed ready to retort but ended up sighing instead, her breath coming out as a white puff in the cold air.

“…Even if I go back to how I was, I won’t let you touch my cheeks again. Enjoy my ‘bony’ face while you can. It’s not like Adeline’s, right?”

“Why are you bringing up Adeline? And I never touched her face…”

Wait, did he? Maxime’s mind flashed back to the dungeon, remembering the time he held her cheeks, telling her to hang on. It had been an urgent moment, but the memory of her face lingered in his mind.

Maxime faltered, unable to finish his sentence. Christine’s icy stare made him shift uncomfortably, and he quickly changed the subject, deciding not to think too deeply about why he felt so off-balance around her.

“Anyway, I wasn’t planning on touching your face again. I just think it looks nice.”

His playful tone made a vein throb at Christine’s temple. She glanced at Maxime’s untouched bread and found that not a single piece of cheese had stuck to his face. Frustrated, she stuffed a large bite of bread into her mouth, chewing furiously.

“You were just all over my face a second ago, and now you’re being smug. Ugh, so annoying.”

“Oh, now it’s on your nose too.”

“I can wipe it myself!”

They bickered as they walked, laughing occasionally as they reached the edge of the central district. Christine, feeling tired, sat down on a nearby bench and began massaging her sore legs. The sky remained a dull gray, as if undecided about whether to snow. Maxime sat next to her, and Christine turned to him with a question.

“By the way, what exactly happened in the East?”

“We needed allies to stand against the Count. His Majesty’s forces alone weren’t enough to face the Benning family head-on.”

Christine’s eyes widened in surprise as she listened.

“Wait, so you went to the Agon County in the East?”

“That’s right. I was sent to recruit two of the region’s noble families to our side.”

Christine nodded in understanding but then tilted her head in confusion.

“But convincing them must’ve been difficult, especially the Border Lord. Did you reveal your true identity?”

“I got lucky. The Count’s men made a critical mistake in their assessment.”

Christine listened intently, her expression changing from intrigue to melancholy as the conversation shifted toward Marion.

“…So, in the end, the Count of Agon persuaded the Border Lord, and His Majesty secured the allies needed to face the Benning family.”

“And you managed to rescue your fiancée too.”

Marion. Now working diligently as a lady-in-waiting for the First Princess at the royal palace, she had adapted quickly to her new duties, often wearing a warm smile whenever they met. It seemed she had found some happiness in being able to serve someone important.

“I’m glad Marion is adjusting well back in the capital. With everything that’s changed for both of us, I imagine she’s gone through her own transformation.”

Maxime looked up at the sky as he spoke, honestly expressing his relief. Christine stared at him, lost in thought.

“You’re such a sneaky person, Senior.”

“What?”

“…Never mind. I’m glad Marion’s doing well. Shall we walk a bit more?”

Christine stood, brushing off her pants. Maxime noticed her determined expression, wondering what she was thinking, but he stood as well, following her as they continued walking.

“As I was saying, walking through here reminded me… Isn’t this place…”

Christine glanced around, recognizing the surroundings.

“Near the orphanage. I thought it might be nice to visit since it’s been a while. That’s why I led us this way.”

“…We’ve walked all this way without even realizing it.”

Christine blinked, then smiled brightly at Maxime.

“You really are sneaky.”

“Calling the person who brought you here as a favor ‘sneaky’ isn’t very nice.”

“There are things you wouldn’t understand, Senior.”

Christine replied with a playful smile, her steps light as she led the way. The cold winter air no longer seemed to bother her.

“I wish I had brought a gift with me.”

“They’ll be happy just to see you, don’t worry.”

“That’s just not how I am.”

They passed by a familiar alley where a large dog barked at them, eventually arriving at the open field where the orphanage stood. Christine stopped and turned to face Maxime, her usual playful expression softening into something more serious as she spoke.

“I’m not giving up.”

“On what?”

Maxime asked, curious. Christine flashed him a mischievous smile and turned toward the orphanage.

“That’s a secret.”