@Introvert So
Spoiler!
Leo asks Varya why she looked so frightened when she saw Queen Usis at the tea party. Varya hesitates before explaining that Queen Usis' smile reminded her of someone from a terrible dream. In that dream, her sister's husband killed her by strangling her and stabbing her. His smile looked just like Queen Usis' smile, which made her panic. Leo knows this was not just a dream but Varya's real past life. She feels heartbroken because she cannot tell Varya the truth or properly comfort her. Varya asks Leo not to tell Phileo, and they make a pinky promise. However, Phileo has been standing nearby and overhears everything. He becomes furious and immediately wants to go after the Olore family. Varya quickly stops him before he does something reckless, joking that they should grill swan meat instead. Even Leo angrily says she would never eat swan meat because she hates the Olore family. The day finally comes for Leo, Phileo, and Varya to leave the capital and return north. Leo explains that people normally travel through the West before reaching the North because there is a magical gate there. She tells Varya that she felt very sick the first time she used a gate, but now she is used to it. Varya says she never experienced that problem. When Phileo calls for Leo to get ready, Leo teases him for only saying her name instead of calling Varya too. She keeps teasing them about how shy they are around each other. Phileo ignores her and simply offers his hand to Varya to help her into the carriage. Leo laughs and loudly tells them to just get married already. She then lies across several seats inside the carriage on purpose so that Phileo and Varya have no choice but to sit together. Secretly thankful, Phileo quietly gives Leo a piece of candy as thanks for helping him.
✕As the carriage leaves the capital, Leo feels sad saying goodbye to everyone. Phileo jokes that the mansion workers are probably happy because the house will finally be peaceful without her. This makes Leo stop feeling so emotional. Varya looks out the window, excited because she is finally traveling to the North for the first time. Leo begins talking about stopping in the West first, but Phileo suddenly says they are not going west. Instead, the carriage heads toward the South. Both Leo and Varya are surprised because it is very unusual for the Borreoti family to visit the South. People watching the famous Borreoti carriage enter the southern gate stare in shock. When they arrive, Leo is amazed by how different the South is. The weather is much hotter, and the ground is covered with sand instead of the rich soil found in the North. Phileo notices Leo touching the sand and immediately cleans her hands with his handkerchief. He also worries about the horses because they are not used to the heat. Varya struggles much more with the hot weather than everyone expected, even though she grew up in the South. Leo kindly places her magical cooling hat on Varya's head, making her feel much better. Phileo gently wipes the sweat from Varya's forehead with a wet cloth. Watching them act so sweetly around each other makes Leo feel embarrassed and joke that they are being too romantic.
Phileo explains that they will stay in a Borreoti cabin in the South for a little over a week before returning to the North. Varya worries because the Emperor will soon begin making moves against the North, but Phileo calmly tells her they still have time. He hints that Marquess Pardus is secretly helping delay the Emperor's plans. Varya understands and relaxes. The conversation turns to politics. Phileo says the Olore family is greedy and foolish for believing they can replace the powerful Pardus family. Leo jokes that if Grandpa Pardus were in the capital, the "red swans" would already be dead. Phileo agrees that the Olore family has no idea how dangerous Pardus truly is. Finally, Varya gently scolds Phileo for using bad language in front of Leo. Leo immediately acts cute, hugs Varya, and tells Phileo she loves him while secretly trying to make him jealous. Phileo realizes that his mischievous daughter is purposely showing affection to Varya just to tease him. Even though she drives him crazy, he cannot help but think she is impossible to beat when it comes to causing trouble.
I like to post spoilers for the stories I find interesting because I don't have much time to read novel due to busy schedule you will find me in most romantic historical manhwa comment sections