Straddling Lottis’s back, Roman’s beautiful eyes cautiously surveyed the surroundings, his hands tightly clutching the reins Rosetta held.
He didn’t dare to let go at all.
Perhaps sensing the instinctive fear of riding a horse for the first time, Rosetta wrapped her arms around Roman’s hands and pulled him into her embrace.
She patted Roman’s shoulder, letting his gradually relaxing body lean against her chest.
Her chin rested lightly on his cheek, and Rosetta drew her legs in, trapping Roman’s calves between Lottis’s belly and her own legs.
In this way, she used various methods to envelop Roman within the safe environment she’d created, finally allowing him to relax.
“Your Highness… Are you still comfortable?”
Rosetta lowered her head and asked softly.
“Mm… I don’t feel so scared anymore.”
Roman smiled slightly.
He had to admit, the armor on Rosetta’s body was really helpful in alleviating awkwardness when the two of them were together.
Even now, with their limbs intertwined, Roman hardly felt anything physically—there was no sense of intimacy.
But… that was only Roman’s perspective.
For Rosetta, the armor on her body had long since become one with her over the years.
Not physically, but in spirit.
In other words, what was a barrier for Roman was no barrier at all for Rosetta.
In fact, right now, holding the reins, Rosetta instinctively wanted to move closer to Roman’s face…
I want more.
A devilish whisper echoed in Rosetta’s heart.
Staring at Roman’s side profile, so close at hand, she found herself dazed for several seconds.
She felt as though she was falling, unimpeded, into an abyss…
Especially with the fragrance from Roman’s body wafting into her nose, Rosetta even felt a surge of pride.
Roman’s body, only those truly close to him could appreciate its wonders.
Otherwise, if Roman’s scent were to spread freely, he might have suffered even more misfortune by now.
He might not have even made it to the Auction.
In the loosely governed Countryside, no one would protect a boy with no support…
They would only compete to seize him, to indulge in this beauty within reach.
After all, most people simply seek profit and avoid harm, with no such thing as restraint.
In the end, it’s just a helpless fact.
The economic base determines the superstructure.
Without an economic foundation to nourish them, how could people in the Countryside have any superstructure?
Naturally, they would not care for Roman the way The Countess did, waiting until the time was right to fully claim his body and soul…
At this thought, Rosetta silently erased the last sentence from her mind.
In short, perhaps as a protective instinct, apart from his basic beauty, everything else about His Highness was hidden beneath his surface.
This was the conclusion Rosetta had drawn after several experiences.
Only when close to his body, cheeks pressed together and limbs entwined, could she smell that dreamlike fragrance on him.
Truly a body that tempts one to fall.
Unlike those vulgar and commonplace beauties, His Highness’s allure could only be savored by those he truly accepted.
Moreover…
From now on, and in the days to come… even if she did something excessive to His Highness, wouldn’t it be understandable?
After all, when Lottis ascended into the Sky later, it would be only right for her to protect Roman closely, wouldn’t it?
As he lay harmlessly in her arms, wasn’t it up to her to decide what happened next…?
In the next instant, Rosetta forcibly dragged her derailing thoughts back on track.
Under the lining of her Armor, cold sweat formed unconsciously on her body.
“Did you just space out?”
Roman’s voice sounded softly.
“…Mm, sorry.”
Rosetta replied with deep embarrassment.
What on earth was she thinking just now!
How shameless!
Even her Stigmata of Justice was probably secretly despising her!
Rosetta slightly moved away from Roman, shook her head, cleared her mind, and, after tidying up the reins, Lottis slowly stood up.
She had to admit, Lottis was truly a tall and imposing horse.
As she rose, Roman felt the distance from the ground grow significantly.
Lottis’s wings stretched and fluttered a few times, and with a gentle tug from Rosetta, the unicorn leaped forward and began to run.
As a divinely gifted Unicorn, Lottis’s speed was, of course, beyond compare.
The racetrack, once endless at a glance, was crossed to its edge in just a few seconds.
And clearly, for Lottis, this speed was not even a warm-up.
Carrying Rosetta and Roman, Lottis circled the track several times.
The wind whipped against Roman’s face, but rather than discomfort, he found the pressure exhilarating and novel.
Behind him, Rosetta carefully watched over him, quietly releasing a Magic Field that wrapped Roman within it.
Occasionally, a few strands of silver hair would brush against Rosetta’s face, disrupting her focus, but instead of annoyance, she would gently smooth Roman’s hair and help arrange his long hair behind him.
After several more laps, Rosetta felt the time was right and lightly nudged Lottis’s belly with her foot.
With their minds linked, Lottis let out a melodious cry, spreading her snow-white wings to their fullest.
With a powerful leap, Lottis carried them both into the Sky.
The evening clouds at the horizon gradually faded, the setting sun draping the sky like a scroll, dyeing the entire world a crimson hue.
The brilliant scene of the Fire Cloud was so close it seemed within reach, and, marveling at the masterpiece of nature before him, Roman found himself momentarily entranced.
Lottis, understanding, slowed her pace, carrying the pair leisurely through the air.
“Your Highness, do you want that cloud?”
Noticing Roman’s gaze fixed on a distant Fire Cloud, Rosetta softly asked him.
“Mm…”
Roman instinctively responded.
He thought Rosetta was just making conversation, but to his surprise, as soon as he answered, she reached out toward the cloud.
Without reservation, Sanctuary-level Control burst forth before Roman’s eyes.
A vast stretch of Fire Cloud, as if summoned, began drifting toward them.
Roman immediately shut his eyes and hid in Rosetta’s embrace.
A few seconds later, he cautiously opened his eyes and peeked around.
At that moment, Rosetta slowly opened her palm in front of him.
In Roman’s astonished gaze, a spherical Magic ball hovered in her hand.
Inside the ball was the very Fire Cloud they had seen from afar.
Bright red and dazzling, Rosetta gently placed it in Roman’s hands.
“Your Highness, please accept this.”
Staring blankly at the ‘cloud’ in his hand, Roman slowly bit his lip, his expression growing complex.