CH 175

A pleasant, cool breeze brushed through her hair, carrying the fragrance of all kinds of flowers. Gazing ahead, the scenery unfolding before her eyes was not of this world. There was a mountain dyed in myriad colors, and beneath it were limestone ponds of different depths. Against the backdrop of the white limestone, the colors of the ponds stood out vividly, ranging from a light sky-blue all the way to a light pink. The ponds were remarkably different, except for one commonality: they were all crystal clear. It was almost frightening how the movements of the swimming fish were all visible at a glance. The shallow ponds, like a palette filled with all the colors of the world, gently rippled in the wind.

“How pretty…” she sighed.

The ponds weren’t the only beautiful things. In the distance, Cecile could spot several animals emerging from the edge of the forest—a deer with huge antlers and its family. The fawns following their parents raised their heads to look at Cecile, as if to say, “There were people living in there?” She watched the deer family cross the ponds and make their way to the small waterfall in the center to drink. Resting her chin on the balcony railing, she admired the peaceful scenery for a long time.

“Do you like it?” Estian asked, hugging her from behind.

Cecile mused on how familiar his skinship felt, and thought of the expressions on the villa attendants she saw a little while ago. ‘They looked like they were seeing a ghost.’ Their faces had been etched with astonishment, as if they’d witnessed something impossible. Their reactions had only worsened when she called Estian by his name; their eyes so wide that she worried they might pop out and roll to the ground.

“How could I not like this place? It’s perfect!” Cecile said, cupping Estian’s face with a hand and planting a kiss on his cheek.

The view before Cecile was not something other people would be privy to. One of the past emperors had chosen to build the villa in this spot because of the remarkable view. Naturally, it was the best location and was inaccessible by the general public.

Not even the nobles would dare set foot in here. Only a select few might be given the opportunity to enjoy this scenery should they be invited to a banquet held by the emperor on the rare occasion that the emperor vacationed here. However, since Estian had never visited Aluna since he ascended the throne, the villa gradually became a landmark of legend. Cecile was overjoyed at being able to visit Aluna, but to think she even had access to the legend from the start!

“I’m so glad to be the empress,” she said sincerely. The empress palace was a wonderful place, with all the fruits and delicacies she could wish for and all the pretty things she could have. However, to be able to enjoy such scenery on top of that? This was heaven! Cecile planted a series of joyful kisses on Estian’s cheek. ‘I can play here for two whole weeks!’ Even though she wouldn’t be able to leave the villa, it was enough.

Her only regret was that she hadn’t gotten to eat the famous local apple pie. All along their way, Cecile kept looking out the window. If it hadn’t been for Estian, she would’ve stuck her head out the coach. ‘I can finally taste it!’ she thought excitedly. She waited in anticipation for Maggie’s Pie Shop to come into view, but when they arrived, a note was stuck to the shop door that read: Closed indefinitely for personal reasons. It had been a huge letdown, but Cecile soothed her disappointed heart by reminding herself that she was lucky enough to try the ‘Omni-Scoop Fantastic Unbelievable Magical Superstar 32.’

“You stay here,” Estian said, reluctantly releasing her from his embrace when they heard a knock at the door. Standing outside the door was a knight, who’d come to report on an order regarding a certain matter.

In a discreet voice, the knight reported, “I have found out the reason the pie shop is closed.”