Home/The Ice Age Came? And I Just Got Married?!/ch 94

Chapter 94.

I didn't know what had happened.

I used the absorbed Pinkstone to treat the Crown Prince's wounds, and Pipi came out of my pocket to examine the rest.

Squeak—

Pipi circled Aiden, tilting his head—strangely hesitant instead of healing him.

I watched Pipi's odd behavior, then turned to Brian.

"Senior Connor—what happened?"

"His Highness was injured saving survivors in Norton."

"Saving survivors?"

"You must have seen it on the way—Norton is full of guilds now."

Brian, who had come with Aiden, began explaining what he'd observed.

"The requests vary—food for cloth, herb gathering, snow monster extermination, missing person searches. Survivors form teams to take on requests."

He paused, glancing at the fallen Aiden.

"Usually, trade is busiest when the sun's up and temperatures rise—but popular requests get fierce, sometimes leading to fights."

"Ah—you got caught in one?"

"Right. There was a request we were interested in, so we were there."

He sighed and continued.

"Word that His Highness is injured can't get out."

"Why?"

"The moment it does, even his followers will waver."

"If they'd waver over someone injured while saving others, are they worth keeping?"

Brian smiled bitterly.

"His Highness is in a tight spot—he's trying to move forward while holding onto anxious advisors."

I noticed Vincent wasn't around.

"...Where's Sir Rayburn?"

"He went alone to the lord's manor—to reassure the advisors that His Highness is still standing and will return soon."

Hmm—Vincent would have a tough time. Brian, as a newcomer, couldn't speak for the Crown Prince.

"Then shouldn't you hide better? This place is too open..."

"The darkest place is under the lamp—no one's suspected us in two days."

As I talked with Brian—

"I'm fine."

"Ah—you startled me!"

A voice from behind made me jump—turning, I saw Logan's back.

He stood between me and Aiden, looking at the bloodied Crown Prince.

Aiden slowly sat up—unfazed, as if just waking. He brushed off his collar.

Logan studied Aiden in silence for a moment.

"I was just resting my eyes—nothing serious. No need to worry."

Only then did I understand why Pipi hadn't treated him—it wasn't his blood.

I'd worried for nothing—he looked perfectly fine.

I turned to Brian.

"Then why all the drama about keeping it secret? You made me worry."

Brian raised his hands in protest.

"He was injured—you just can't see it."

"Fine—it's just bruises. Not a concern."

Aiden waved dismissively and looked at us.

"So what brings you here... Ah."

He tapped his fist into his palm as if recalling something.

"Did you come to meet Graham Oswald Everhart?"

"Yes—he said he'd stop by Norton to see you."

"He asked for advice on finding Silvermere Lake—his destination is Avrid."

Brian added.

"The request I mentioned was posted by Everhart himself."

"Really? Why would he post a request?"

Aiden explained.

"Norton gathers the most explorers in the kingdom—if you need something desperately, hiring professionals is often faster."

Ah—I recalled this from the novel—there were several episodes about taking or posting requests in Norton.

Years of explorers and survivors regularly passed through the north—someone might know about the legendary Silvermere Lake.

Logically, I should leave Julian to Graham and search for our parents myself.

If only Logan hadn't lost his memory...

"Are you looking for Everhart?"

"No—right now..."

I glanced at Logan.

"It's complicated."

He didn't press further.

Aiden, intrigued, looked between us—Logan frowned at his gaze.

"What are you staring at?"

"You seem a bit different."

Whether as Crown Prince or protagonist, his observation was sharp.

Logan scoffed.

"Do you think my nature would change overnight?"

"I'm glad our Duke is still as rude as ever."

Logan was generally disliked by everyone—so being on bad terms with the Crown Prince wasn't unusual. They'd never had any connection outside politics anyway.

Since Logan's lost memory only erased me, it didn't affect how he treated others.

"Living with such a husband must be hard, Duchess. Norton is always open—you'd be welcome here."

"Ah—so you're openly trying to poach someone else's wife?"

I smacked Logan's back.

"Still the same."

Aiden shook his head.

"You misunderstand—I want her on my side, not as a romantic interest."

Then he turned to me, his expression softening.

"Anyone with your grace and talent would be wanted."

Logan's eyes sharpened.

As the two men bickered, Brian asked me,

"Did you two come here because of Winterstones?"

That much I could answer.

"Yes."

Brian continued eagerly.

"Everhart and I are looking for the Heart of Frost—we found evidence it's somewhere in this city. Would that help?"

"What? The Heart of Frost—really?"

Impossible—it was supposed to be at Silvermere Lake, not Norton.

Did that mean Julian was here too?

"Want to come with us?"

I nodded vigorously.

---

Logan and I followed Brian and Aiden.

We were on our way to meet Graham.

With the heavy winter gear, Aiden's disguise didn't look strange at all.

Logan pulled me away from Aiden—creating some distance.

I glanced up at him.

"Is this jealousy too?"

I asked out of curiosity—then regretted the pointless question.

"Yes."

His answer surprised me.

"Doesn't that feeling require you to like me?"

Even without memories, he showed interest and jealousy. Could feelings remain without memory?

"I don't know—but I want you."

Cough. I hadn't expected such blunt words.

Fortunately, I couldn't dwell on it.

"We're here!"

Brian called from ahead.

Graham was there, watching Logan carefully.

This was bad—Graham was perceptive.

If he realized Logan had only lost memories of me, I couldn't predict his reaction.

It probably wouldn't be good.

I must not let him find out.

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