Namgung Se-ga, the warrior, was reincarnated in Romance

On the first day of arriving at the villa, the people of the Ernhardt family gathered for a pleasant meal, and I spent some time practicing martial arts and footwork alone to stretch out my stiff body.

Both Michael and Asdel were given separate rooms, which were lavishly decorated with toys that suited their age, and the children were delighted.

On the second day, there was a luncheon for both families.

During the meal, we discussed the various recreational activities available around the villa.

There was a large lake, perfect for swimming, fishing, or boating. The high ground was home to blooming summer roses, and it would be lovely to visit that area, or one could even enjoy a hunt in the nearby forest…

The list of things to do was endless.

Everyone seemed excited and energized by the conversation, and I couldn’t help but feel caught up in the enthusiasm.

When asked what I wanted to do first, I responded that I’d like to go boating, as I had noticed that my parents had developed an interest in water activities since we began planning the trip.

My mother gave me an embarrassed glance, but with a smile on her face, I wasn’t worried at all.

After the meal, we decided to ride horses to our destination.

Donkeys were prepared for the children. I was surprised by the thoughtful arrangements.

The saddles had soft cushions and backrests, making it easy for even the inexperienced children to ride without worrying about falling, and even if they did, they wouldn’t be seriously hurt.

While I had planned to carry the children and ride, I was amazed by how considerate they had been in preparing the donkeys.

Count Serbel, laughing gently, placed his hand on my shoulder.

He was Logan Serbel’s father, with hair darker than Logan’s, and a more affable personality that made him easy to approach.

“Are you worried about your younger siblings?”

“No, it’s just surprising. I didn’t expect the children to each have their own ride.”

“In our family, we try to give the children whatever they want. They learn how to use what they hold, both by having a lot and by losing a lot.”

“I see.”

“Also, riding a horse alone at such a young age will be a special source of pride for them. It was for me, after all.”

To be honest, they were donkeys, not horses, but the children likely wouldn’t notice the difference.

With a gentle pat on my shoulder as if to reassure me, Count Serbel turned to retrieve his own horse, and I observed his back.

It was clear that Logan took after him. Even though he was shorter, he had a solid and dependable presence, and it was evident he had already decided how to lead the family in his heart.

I also thought that during this trip, I should ask about the Ernhardt family’s views on the imperial succession.

I mounted the white horse assigned to me.

The beautiful white horse, with its soft appearance like a cloud, was equipped with a dark blue bridle and saddle, a fitting image for today’s leisurely outing.

“Let’s go.”

With a light touch of the reins, the white horse began to walk slowly.

The donkeys, having been fed carrots, followed the larger horses closely, seemingly unbothered by the children’s clumsy handling.

The knights followed at a distance, allowing us to enjoy the serene atmosphere.

We walked for a while at a leisurely pace.

Since we weren’t running but rather strolling, there was no strain on my body. Though I felt an urge to ride faster and stretch my legs after a long time without riding, I restrained myself for fear that the donkeys carrying the children might get excited, and I quietly followed the group.

At some point, an exclamation came from ahead.

I looked up and saw something shimmering through the bushes, briefly visible before disappearing.

As I urged my horse forward and crossed a low hill, the breathtakingly beautiful lake unfolded before my eyes.

The lake, reflecting the clear sky, had a blue hue, while the sunlight turned its surface to silver.

Ahead of the lake was a wide stretch of dry sandy beach, perfect for play, and behind it, dense greenery surrounded the area, adding a touch of mystery.

The sound of hooves on the ground was soft and gentle.

After walking a few more steps, the Serbel family members dismounted, and I followed suit.

The knights helped the children off their donkeys, and I walked forward, holding the reins.

“Since the water is clear, let’s release the horses here so they can drink and rest. The boats are tied up over there.”

“This side has shallow water, which is good for swimming, but it’s uncomfortable to row because the boat bottom keeps hitting the sand, so we’ve tied the boats farther out. There are both transparent and white boats. Which would you prefer?”

Count Serbel and his wife asked with excited voices.

It seemed they were used to hosting guests at this villa and were quite skilled at offering options that people would enjoy.

My siblings and I chose the transparent boat because the idea of a clear boat was so intriguing, while our parents chose the white boat, as my mother felt the transparent boat looked a bit scary.

The Serbel family members, who were skilled at boating, offered to assist us.

My parents would ride in the same boat as Count Serbel and his wife, while I would join Logan in the transparent boat, where he would teach me how to row.

Logan’s younger siblings, along with the knights, decided to ride in a boat of their own, gracefully giving up their place to the adults. They even sent me a playful wink, showing they weren’t disappointed at all.

The boats were long and narrow, with four rounded seats inside, which served as the seats for passengers. There were some stones embedded in one corner of the boat, and when I asked, they explained that they had inscribed a transparency magic formula on them. I couldn’t help but be impressed.

It was customary for the two people in the middle to face each other, so Michael and Asdel, sitting opposite each other, giggled as they whispered to each other.

Logan and I each received a large oar, much taller than our heights.

The boat had a simple system: the oars were placed in supports on either side of the boat, and you just rowed in rhythm.

Although it was a small boat, it was perfect for leisurely play on the calm lake.

Logan boarded first, and when I handed the children over to him, he carefully seated them.

When I boarded last, the boat wobbled slightly, but with the help of a servant, I was able to sit securely.

“Now, when I say one, pull, and when I say two, push.”

“Alright.”

“One, two. One, two…”

Thanks to Logan demonstrating how to row from the shore, I was able to row smoothly. The boat moved forward unexpectedly quickly, which was more fun than I had imagined.

“Wow!” The children, holding onto the side handles with their small hands, exclaimed in admiration, looking adorable.

“Wait a minute! Michael! It’s too fast!”

“Hm?”

“Slow down, slow down! We’re not racing, you know…”

“Ah.”

I must have been moving my arms too enthusiastically. I gave a light apology with a nod and gathered my thoughts. Asdel, who had been alternating between looking at the clear bottom of the boat and the calm ripples of the water, suddenly exclaimed in a cute voice.

“Brother, there are fish here! They’re swimming right past!”

“Where? Where are the fish?”

“Here!”

I stopped rowing for a moment to look where Asdel and Michael were leaning over, curious to see what they had spotted.

It was fascinating to see the creatures clearly beneath the water. I too found myself captivated, watching the red and yellow fish swim by.

“Did they release ornamental fish here?”

“That’s unlikely. These are the fish that originally lived here. If we brought in ornamental fish carelessly, the ones already here might be harmed, so we just feed them from time to time.”

“What kind of food do you give them?”

“Just earthworms… or fish food made from crushed grains.”

I quickly grabbed the shoulders of the children, who were almost lying flat on the boat’s floor, and made them sit up straight before looking around.

We were now in the middle of the lake. My parents and Count Serbel and his wife were leisurely cruising along the shore in their boat. I felt a little embarrassed realizing that I had been speeding the boat up.

“Let’s slow down and enjoy ourselves now. We can just tie the oars here.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, that’s it. Don’t stand up in the boat, though, or it could tip over. Understand?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

The repeated instructions from the shore were clearly meant for the children.

Michael and Asdel responded cheerfully, smiling brightly as they lowered their heads again to peer into the water. I felt a sense of pride watching them finger-point and giggle among themselves.

Sitting across from Logan with the children between us, I felt awkward asking the questions I wanted to ask, and it also felt a little strange to remain silent. After a moment of searching for something to say, I finally kept quiet, and Logan brought up a good topic.

“I never expected we’d be boating like this. It seems like you’re enjoying it more than I thought, and I’m glad.”

“Hm, me too. I didn’t know I’d like something like this…”

I had always liked water. Looking at a vast lake would fill me with a sense of freedom and vigor.

That’s why I liked Dongjeong Lake back in Central Plains. Watching all of life’s emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—gathering in the huge lake made even sorrowful things feel less heavy, and sadness seemed to fade.

When I lost a friend and felt lonely, I would spend hours by the riverside, wasting time. I’d fish for three or four days, casting my line and when I caught a fish, I would throw it back into the river, over and over.

Watching the water flow endlessly and freely made me feel like the time of those I had lost continued to flow on, and that was comforting.

But when had I ever thought to look deeper into the water?

I had only ever skimmed the surface, never bothering to observe how the plants grew beneath the surface or how the fish swam in schools.

Today, I decided to take the opportunity to indulge my curiosity and enjoy the view.