"In fact, it doesn't matter. Now that I think about it, it's better if you stay the way you are, Gale. After all, I'm the queen. If I keep fixing your hair and wiping your eyes like this, isn't that also something a proper fiancée should do?" Historia thought she could even do these things every day.
Of course, Gale, now slightly overwhelmed, considered changing his training schedule. "From now on, I'll be more mindful."
"Hehe, that's a good decision. Even if you claim you don't regularly meet anyone outside of work, you still have me, don't you? Even if I don't overdo it, I try to dress elegantly just to show myself to you."
With that, Historia took half a step back, spread her arms again, and spun in place, as if to show off her appearance.
Gale couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Meanwhile, Historia, now even more confident, continued with a bold and cheeky expression. "Anyway, now that that's settled, you'll have to accompany me today."
"So it's no longer a request, but a demand from the queen, huh? But are you even allowed to go out?"
"Excuse me? What do you mean by that? Unlike you, Gale, I'm a little queen who can do whatever she wants within the inner walls."
"Weren't you almost killed the first time you went out for a formal dinner? I doubt your advisors would allow it so easily," Gale said with a slightly mischievous smile.
The high-ranking officials who were unaware of Gale's plans were still investigating whether there were other parties involved or if there was a mastermind behind the incident.
Once the investigation was concluded, they planned to make an example out of it to prevent something like that from happening again.
But unlike everyone else, Gale knew that all the enemies within the walls were already under his control.
The church no longer had any voice or influence over public opinion. He had all the intelligent Titans under his control and could do whatever he wanted now.
In any case, from the Crown's perspective, the situation regarding the enemies who had attempted to assassinate Historia—and had caused the deaths of all the high nobles—was still not completely resolved.
If she tried to go out at a time like this, even Gale would say it was a bad idea.
After hearing what Gale said, Historia tilted her head and soon made a face as if she had realized something.
"Oh! Of course, I didn't mean we'd go very far. I was talking about taking a walk through the market."
"The inner wall market isn't exactly a small village."
Even before the new government was established, the market had been the largest place they had no interest in controlling, because they realized it was impossible.
No matter how influential the Crown was, treating the entire city as its backyard was practically asking for danger.
Gale had learned that from Napoleon—he said that any place could become a potential site for an attempt on one's life.
"Oh, it's fine. You'll be in charge of my protection, right? Your family has businesses all over the city, so we could treat the place as your backyard. Everyone said that as long as you agree, they won't refuse."
"So you also think my family's influence has taken control of everything?" Gale smiled upon hearing her say that.
"Well, actually… I think you'd find a way to make it happen."
Gale smiled and nodded slightly. "Alright. You said around lunchtime, but when exactly should I come get you?"
"Hmm… I'll come find you when I'm ready. Take it easy until then."
"No. This time, I'll go to you."
"Excuse me? But it might take me a while to get ready. You might end up waiting for quite some time," Historia said, surprised by Gale's words.
"Then I'll wait. Until now, you've always come to find me. This time, I'll go to you." This time, Gale was being considerate.
"Oh my…" Historia smiled brightly and nodded.
"Alright! Then I'll be happily waiting for you, Gale."
After making that promise, she walked away with light steps. Only after she left the training ground did Gale resume swinging his sword.