The days continued to pass peacefully in the lands I had received from the Kingdom of the Giants. After the purification carried out by Liriel and the many administrative meetings, the region was finally beginning to follow a more stable path.
That morning, I woke up with the feeling that I would have a lighter day.
For the first time in several days, there were no important meetings scheduled early in the morning.
No urgent reports.
No problems that needed immediate solutions.
After breakfast, I took the opportunity to walk around the estate.
The weather was pleasant.
The sky was clear.
A gentle breeze swept across the fields.
In the distance, farmers worked as usual.
It was a peaceful scene.
As I walked, I heard footsteps approaching.
When I turned around, I saw a familiar figure.
It was the Giant Princess.
She was in her reduced form, about the same size as an ordinary human.
A smile appeared on her face as soon as she saw me.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
I replied.
She stopped beside me.
"Are you busy?"
"Not very today."
She seemed pleased with the answer.
"Then would you accompany me?"
I smiled faintly.
"Of course."
We began walking leisurely through the area.
It had been quite some time since our last long conversation.
Since I had arrived in the kingdom, most of my time had been consumed by the responsibilities of managing the lands.
Now there was finally an opportunity to talk more calmly.
During the first few minutes, we talked about simple things.
The condition of the villages.
The harvests.
The residents.
The improvements that were being made.
She seemed genuinely happy to hear that the lands were prospering.
"My father will be pleased."
"He cares a great deal about this region."
She nodded.
"More than he lets on."
That didn't surprise me.
The King of the Giants had always seemed like a straightforward and simple man.
But it was obvious that he cared deeply about his people.
We continued walking.
The dirt road stretched between fields and small wooded areas.
Several times, the local residents greeted us.
Many already knew the princess.
Others recognized me as the lord of the lands.
The interactions were simple.
Natural.
And they helped create a sense of closeness with the region.
After some time, we reached a small hill.
From there, it was possible to see much of the territory.
The princess sat down on a large rock.
I did the same.
For a few moments, we simply admired the scenery.
Then she broke the silence.
"You've changed quite a bit."
I looked at her.
"I have?"
"Yes."
Her expression was calm.
"When we first met, you seemed like nothing more than a very strong adventurer."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Nothing more?"
She smiled as well.
"Maybe not just that."
We sat in silence for a few seconds.
Then she continued.
"Now you seem like a different person."
Her words made me reflect.
Maybe she was right.
When I first arrived in this world, everything revolved around surviving.
Becoming stronger.
Completing missions.
Defeating enemies.
Things were simpler.
Now there were far more responsibilities.
People who depended on me.
Territories to govern.
Allies to protect.
Greater goals.
"Maybe I've changed a little."
She nodded.
"But you're still you."
I smiled.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"A good thing."
The answer came immediately.
The conversation continued naturally.
We talked about many different things.
She told me stories from her childhood.
She described what it was like growing up in the Giants' castle.
She talked about training.
About ceremonies.
About the responsibilities she had carried since she was young.
In return, I shared stories from my own adventures.
Funny moments.
Dangerous situations.
Missions that had gone wrong.
Some of the stories made the princess laugh quite a bit.
Especially the ones involving Scarlett and Rai'kanna.
"Do they really argue that much?"
"More than you can imagine."
"I can imagine quite a lot."
I laughed.
The conversation went on for hours.
And at no point did it feel forced.
There was a natural ease whenever we were together.
Something that made me feel comfortable.
When the sun had climbed higher into the sky, we decided to continue our walk.
We visited several smaller villages.
Talked with the residents.
Observed construction projects that were underway.
The princess knew practically every place in the region.
It was obvious that she had visited those areas many times.
At one point, we arrived at a small square that had been built recently.
Several children were playing there.
As soon as they saw us, they ran toward us.
Most of them were more interested in the princess than in me.
Which was understandable.
She was greatly loved by the residents.
We spent some time talking with them.
Answering questions.
Listening to their stories.
When we finally resumed our walk, the princess seemed happy.
"I like it here."
"The lands?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
She looked toward the horizon.
"They're more peaceful than the capital."
I understood perfectly.
The region had a different rhythm.
Less hurried.
Less formal.
Closer to the people.
As the afternoon went on, we headed toward an area near a lake.
It was a beautiful place.
The calm waters reflected the sky.
Several trees surrounded the shore.
The atmosphere conveyed a pleasant sense of peace.
We sat near the water.
For several minutes, we simply watched the lake.
Then she spoke again.
"Do you think much about the future?"
The question came unexpectedly.
"I do."
I replied.
"Especially lately."
She nodded.
"Because of the Demon King?"
"That too."
There was no point in denying it.
Even during those peaceful moments, the threat still existed.
The war was not over yet.
The final confrontation still lay in the future.
And I knew that.
She watched the surface of the water.
"I believe you'll win."
I looked at her.
The conviction in her voice was remarkable.
"You sound very confident."
"Because I am."
I smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
She looked away for a moment.
She seemed a little embarrassed.
Which was something rare to see.
The conversation then shifted to lighter topics.
We talked about traveling.
About different cultures.
About places we would like to visit.
About food.
About books.
Simple subjects.
But enjoyable ones.
When we finally began heading back to the estate, the sun was already beginning to descend toward the horizon.
The shadows grew longer.
Golden light covered the fields.
It was a beautiful landscape.
For much of the journey, we walked in silence.
But it wasn't an uncomfortable silence.
It was peaceful.
Natural.
As we approached the main residence, the princess slowed her pace.
She seemed to want to prolong the moment.
Then she stopped for a few seconds.
I stopped as well.
She looked into my eyes.
Her eyes reflected a sincerity that was difficult to ignore.
"I'm glad you came."
I smiled.
"So am I."
It was the truth.
If I had refused the lands.
If I had ignored the king's invitation.
I probably never would have come to know that side of the kingdom.
Nor experienced those moments.
The princess smiled again.
A gentler smile.
A more sincere one.
For some reason, I felt that our relationship had changed a little that day.
Not abruptly.
Nor suddenly.
But there was a greater closeness between us.
A stronger sense of trust.
Something that hadn't existed before.
When we finally said our goodbyes and went our separate ways, I kept thinking about the conversation we had shared.
The stories.
The laughter.
The simple moments.
Sometimes it was easy to forget that life wasn't made up only of battles.
Nor wars.
Nor challenges.
Sometimes all it took was a peaceful conversation.
A walk.
Or a few hours beside someone important.
As I entered the main residence, I realized that it had been one of the most pleasant days since my arrival in the Kingdom of the Giants.
And, for some reason, I had the feeling that it would not be the last special moment I would share with the princess.