Time passed quickly. Before they knew it, the sun was setting, and day was turning into night.
Even so, the streets of Droswen were far from quiet. People came and went—some simply relaxing and enjoying the evening breeze, while others were out on dates with their loved ones.
The peace that filled Droswen was proof that the Clay family had done a good job managing the city.
The city lights on either side of the road shone brightly, adding to Droswen's charm. Read full story at novęlfire.net
"So, where else do you want to go, Master?" Merlin asked, glancing at Linda beside him.
Linda licked the ice cream in her hand and paused thoughtfully before answering, "There's one last place I want to visit. It's quite far, but not so far that we'd need a horse-drawn carriage. Do you mind?"
"Of course not," Merlin said, shaking his head. "Let's go."
Unable to contain her excitement, Linda smiled and led Merlin toward the eastern side of Droswen.
Unlike the southern, western, and northern districts, which were relatively crowded, the eastern side was quieter, as most people preferred to live in the other three areas.
In addition, the terrain on the eastern side was quite elevated and not very suitable for settlements.
However, that didn't mean the area was completely empty. A few shops and small houses dotted the streets for those who couldn't find a place to live in the other three districts.
The land there was also relatively cheap, making it a convenient spot for low-income residents.
At that moment, Merlin and Linda walked down a street in the eastern part of the city. Unlike the bustling city center, this area was quiet and sparsely populated.
Even so, several guards patrolled the streets to maintain security and order.
Merlin was curious about where Linda was taking him, but he chose to remain silent until they reached their destination.
After about fifteen minutes of walking, they entered an artificial forest near the city wall. The trees weren't too dense, but the place still felt slightly eerie at night.
With Linda by his side, however, Merlin felt no fear. They moved through the forest, passing wooden stairs embedded in the ground.
Finally, they arrived at a plateau that offered a panoramic view of Droswen.
"This…" Merlin's eyes widened in awe. "Is that the city of Droswen? It's… beautiful!"
He had never imagined a place existed within the city. Seeing Droswen up close was impressive, but seeing it from above gave him an entirely different feeling.
From where he stood, the tops of tall buildings were visible, and the city's lights cast a warm glow over most of Droswen.
Although the details were hazy, Merlin could still make out people moving in the distance.
Linda smiled, stepping forward slightly and resting her arms on the wooden railings that marked the edge of the plateau.
"Surprised?" she asked, teasingly.
Merlin stepped closer and stopped beside her. "Yes, very surprised! Honestly, I had no idea a place existed in the city. If I had known, I would have come here often just to relax or unwind."
In his previous world—or rather, the city he had once lived in—there had been a similar place.
It was on the outskirts of the city and often visited by couples or anyone wanting to enjoy a quiet evening breeze.
He had once visited it after a long night of overtime work and had truly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, many couples had interrupted his moment of calm, leaving him somewhat annoyed.
"I discovered this place about fifteen years ago when I first visited Droswen," Linda said softly. "I asked Ardhis to clear the surrounding trees and put up railings and stairs so that when I returned, I could relax here."
A trace of nostalgia crossed her face, impossible to hide. Merlin glanced at her, captivated by her beauty.
'That's right—she really is the most beautiful heroine in the novel. No wonder Abel was crazy about her, even if he failed in the end,' he whispered softly.
The two of them fell silent, each absorbed in the beautiful scenery stretching out before them.
After a quiet moment, Merlin slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small gold box, holding it out to Linda.
"Master, thank you for teaching me over the past thirty days," Merlin said gently. He opened the box to reveal its contents—a necklace of pale blue-white hue.
"I don't know how to properly repay you. Whether with money or anything else, I know you already have more than I do. So, I bought this necklace as a token of my gratitude. I hope you'll accept it."
As he spoke, Merlin's usually calm expression flushed slightly. He had never given a gift to a woman before.
Even if it was only a token of appreciation, it was still a gift to someone of the opposite sex—especially someone so important to him.
Linda studied Merlin for a moment before lowering her gaze to the necklace. She didn't respond immediately—not because she wanted to refuse, but because she was genuinely surprised.
Throughout her life, men her age—or even older—had always approached her. But for Linda, who could see people's true intentions clearly, it felt repulsive.
They were interested in her only because of her beauty or her status. That was why she had always kept her distance from men, except for her friend Ardhis.
It was also why she had remained single until now.
Yet, for the first time, the usual feelings of hatred and disgust toward the opposite sex were completely absent. She gazed into those hopeful violet eyes, feeling her heart race.
'This feeling again… What is happening?' She wondered, a twinge of fear in her chest.
Since meeting Merlin, she realized she was slowly changing. If she used to be indifferent and uncaring toward him, now she found she couldn't act that way.
It was as if Merlin had reached the deepest part of her heart. But he was just a child!
Meanwhile, Merlin looked at Linda, puzzled by her silence.
"Master? Why are you… silent? Don't you want to accept my gift?"