It was around four in the afternoon when Empress Emerita Hilde, Flora, and Elsa emerged from the Kaina Village hot spring.
The summer sun still held the bright warmth of midday.
The group made their way leisurely back to Jin Castle, enjoying the cool evening air as they walked.
By that time, some of the villagers were returning from their work in the fields.
"Well now, Jin! You're back in town?"
"Jin, it's been a while! Are those your guests?"
Whenever they passed by, the villagers called out warm greetings one after another.
"Good afternoon. It is a lovely day, isn't it?" Hilde said in greeting.
"Good afternoon, visitors! Take your time and make yourselves at home!"
"Good afternoon, young miss!"
Such cheerful replies came back to them.
"They... don't mean me, do they? They must mean Flora."
She wondered whom the "young miss" was supposed to refer to.
Empress Emerita Hilde was certainly not so brazen as to assume the title was meant for her.
Even if she had remained unmarried, she was fifty-six years old this year.
And yet...
"Young miss, would you care to try some of these?"
A peasant woman stepped forward, holding out a basket filled with freshly harvested clary—mulberries.
"Oh, me?"
After making sure, and before Flora could interject to stop her, Hilde plucked a single clary berry from the basket.
"My, how delicious."
"Aren't they? Clary ripened right on the branch is a real treat this time of year. How about the young miss over there, too?"
This time, the offer was directed at Flora.
"...Thank you kindly."
Since Empress Emerita Hilde had already eaten one, Flora followed her lead and placed a clary berry into her mouth.
"It is truly delicious."
At her praise, the peasant woman beamed happily.
"Well then, take your time and enjoy yourselves. See you around, Jin."
"Thank you, Aunt Susan."
Jin offered his thanks to the peasant woman—Susan—as well.
"Aunt Susan is very skilled at foraging in the mountains," Jin explained. "During this season, she goes up into the hills to gather all sorts of berries."
The berries she harvested—essentially wild raspberries and mulberries—were eaten fresh, dried into fruit snacks, or simmered down into rich jams.
"...What wonderful people."
Addressed as a young miss, Empress Emerita Hilde was in wonderfully high spirits.
At Empress Emerita Hilde's earnest request, that evening's dinner was prepared entirely in Kaina Village style.
"So this is how the village prepares and enjoys its local ingredients."
The spread featured barley porridge, salt-grilled omasou (yamame trout), a hearty vegetable stew, steamed lily bulbs, and wild greens dressed with seasoning. The beverage served was Kaina tea.
As an aperitif, plum wine—plumes steeped in distilled liquor—was offered diluted with water.
While it was genuinely the everyday fare of the village, the sheer number of dishes had been increased by about forty percent, a natural courtesy extended to honored guests.
Furthermore, ever since Jin's arrival, the stocks and seasonings had been vastly refined, elevating the depth of flavor by several tiers.
Even the salt used for the grilled fish was genuine seaweed salt from Hourai Island.
"I expected something simple and rustic, but this is extraordinary. It easily rivals court cuisine."
While that might have been a slight exaggeration, the meal had been crafted by the capable hands of Jin Castle's staff—the Butlers and Golem Maids—so its sophistication was beyond question.
"It truly is magnificent," Flora added, praising the meal with equal enthusiasm.
After dinner, following their earlier plan, they gathered in the lounge for tea.
Jin served hojicha, wanting to avoid high-caffeine teas that might disrupt their sleep.
Even so, it was a deeply fragrant brew, prepared from top-grade tea leaves roasted immediately before steeping.
Assorted dried fruits were served alongside it.
With their gentle, understated sweetness, they paired perfectly with the post-dinner tea.
"Ah, this is truly so peaceful."
It was a summer twilight. Gazing out at the sky as the deep madder red faded into dusk, Empress Emerita Hilde let out a soft, contented sigh and smiled.
"Your Maj—Lady Hilde, you have had so few moments to rest over the years."
"Yes, that is true. But to be able to spend the latter half of my life in such tranquil comfort... I believe I can truly call myself fortunate."
The expression on her face as she murmured those words in a quiet voice was radiant with absolute contentment.
Once the sun slipped beneath the horizon, a refreshing breeze drifted in from the direction of the Erme River.
"Ah, that feels wonderful."
The current temperature hovered around twenty-two degrees Celsius.
Empress Emerita Hilde and Flora were currently dressed in yukata and tanzen, prepared especially for them as comfortable summer nightwear.
Having worn them many times at the Five Constant Virtues on Kunlun Island, they had no trouble dressing themselves, and their robes remained perfectly neat.
"Lady Hilde, it tends to grow much cooler toward dawn, so please take care not to catch a chill."
"Yes, of course. Thank you."
As she answered, Empress Emerita Hilde let out a tiny, delicate yawn.
"If you are feeling fatigued, it might be best to retire for the night," Jin suggested.
Empress Emerita Hilde gave an agreeable nod. "Yes, I believe I shall do just that."
It was only eight in the evening, but after such a rich and eventful day, feeling drowsy was only natural.
Empress Emerita Hilde rose from her seat and made her way toward the guest quarters, with Flora following faithfully behind her.
Ruby 101 and Amez 101 were assigned to attend to them, waiting attentively outside their room to provide immediate assistance whenever needed.
Jin returned to his own living quarters.
"Welcome back. Thank you for your hard work."
Elsa, who had been watching over the twins, greeted him warmly.
"How are Yuu and Mio?"
"They were awake until just a little while ago, but..."
Glancing over, he saw the two children fast asleep beneath their futon, their breathing slow and steady.
Jin felt an overwhelming urge to poke their soft, chubby cheeks, but knowing it would be a shame to wake them, he firmly held back.
Instead, he reached out and poked Elsa's cheek.
"...Honestly, Jin."
Elsa puffed out her cheeks in mild protest at his childish teasing. Jin extended his finger once more, aiming to poke her again.
"No."
"Ah."
Before he could pull away, Elsa playfully caught his index finger between her lips.
"Whoa!"
Startled, Jin tried to pull his hand back, but Elsa swiftly caught his wrist.
"No more mischief," she whispered, pulling him gently toward her.
Outside, the night deepened quietly over Jin Castle.