Hershey stared at him with anticipation, wondering what he'd say.

Looking at her face, Alaric suddenly thought about something and said. "Like I said last night, I hope that you can paint a portrait of me."

"O-Oh! So it's about that…" Hershey was inwardly disappointed, but she didn't show it to her face.

"It's fine if you don't want to. I know that you are a busy woman." Alaric didn't make things difficult for her.

"It won't be an issue at all, my lord." Hershey waved her hand as she shook her head.

She looked at his handsome face and smiled softly.

Besides, I have already started painting your portrait.

When she met him at the entrance of Ryvaad, she already had this desire to make a portrait of him. She wanted to paint his image on a canvas and admire his looks forever.

"I'm glad to hear that…"

The two began their tour together.

They visited the most famous places and landmarks in Ryvaad. It was something that they had never done in his past life.

Hershey acted as the tour guide, telling him about the history of each place they visited.

At this moment, they were heading towards a famous tourist spot for lovers- the bridge of eternity.

"My lord, that is the bridge of eternity. It connects the district of Yorvan and Meneva." Hershey pointed at the wooden bridge that connected two districts that were separated by a river.

"It is said that the bridge was built by a farmer who was searching for his wife. It became a symbol of his love and longing for his wife." Her voice carried a trace of sadness when she told him this story.

"Did he manage to find his wife?" Alaric asked while looking at the sturdy bridge.

Hershey sighed while shaking her head. "He went to the other side, but he found no traces of his wife. He would always visit this bridge to wait for her return, but years had passed and she still hadn't returned. The man had become old, but he never gave up on searching for her. In the end, he died on this bridge while waiting for her."

Alaric was moved by the man in the story.

"What was his name?"

Hershey shook her head. "No one knows his name, but people call him Old Man Cross because he would always cross this bridge."

"I see… He was a great man." Alaric remarked.

Hershey nodded in agreement. She then pointed at the people kneeling and praying at the bridge. "Look over there. Do you see those people?"

Alaric followed her gaze.

As he observed those people, her voice drifted to his ears.

"People say that if you throw a coin at the river while you're on the bridge and sincerely pray, your wish will be granted. Do you want to try it?"

She looked at him with a smile.

"There's such a thing?" Alaric raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Mn. It is said that the benevolent god Aru was moved by Old Man Cross's longing for his wife so 'He' baptized the bridge he created which turned it into a place of miracle." Hershey explained.

The benevolent god, Aru…

The people of Astania were devout believers of Aru who was known as the benevolent god. It was largely because of this sacred religion that the empire was able to conquer a big piece of land on this vast continent.

The members of House Silversword were also devout believers of Aru, including Alaric himself.

As they walked towards the bridge of eternity, Alaric began to question himself.

Did Aru send me back to the past to stop the destruction of his believers?

"My lord, are you alright?" Hershey's voice broke him from his stupor.

Alaric smiled lightly and nodded.

"I'm alright. What do I need to do again? Just throw a coin and pray sincerely, right?"

"That's right. I'll show you."

Hershey took out a coin from her leather purse and tossed it into the river.

She then brought her palms together and closed her eyes with her head lowered.

Seeing this, Alaric followed what she did. He took out a coin and tossed it into the river.

He then closed his eyes as he sincerely prayed to Aru.

Aru, I don't know if you were the one who sent me back to the past, but please help me change the cruel future that I've seen. I don't wish to see that hell again.

While he was offering his prayers, Hershey opened her eyes and looked at him.

She smiled and patiently waited for him to complete his prayers.

Not far from them, Elena also decided to give it a try. She took out a coin from her little pouch and threw it into the river.

Aru, please give my lord your protection.

It was the sincere wish of a servant who had fallen for her lord.

A few minutes later, Alaric opened his eyes.

"If you're done, we should go. There are still more places that you have to visit."

Hearing this, Alaric calmly nodded his head.

He took one last look at the bridge of eternity before he left with Hershey.

Elena and the rest of their subordinates followed quietly behind them.

Upon entering the carriage, Hershey noticed the change in Alaric's mood.

"My lord, are you still thinking about Old Man Cross's story?" Hershey smiled.

Alaric lifted his head to look at her. "Are you by any chance worried about me?" He asked with a teasing voice.

Hershey was stunned by his words. "W-What are you saying, my lord?" She tried to cover up her embarrassment, but Alaric had already seen through her right from the start.

He would be an idiot if he couldn't notice the special gaze she had when looking at him.

So you have always liked me. Just when did it start, Hershey?

The smile on his face deepened as he thought of this.

"Haha! I'm just joking, my lady." Alaric chuckled.