Some people insisted on teaching Seria how to use a sword, while others wanted to feed her. Even the children gathered snacks and offered them to Seria.

“Tsk tsk, how pitiful…”

“But if that’s the case, does that mean this woman will come with us to the capital?”

“Well, I suppose so. We can’t just take her back to the Empire.”

“Then shouldn’t we start with some basic training?”

“Let’s teach her slowly. She’s already exhausted.”

At first, Seria had wondered if they were trying to torment her, but now she could clearly feel that they meant her no harm.

“Ugh… I’m so tired…”

After being tormented by them for a while, Seria couldn’t stand the exhaustion any longer and collapsed on the floor. Just then, a cool cup of water was handed to her.

“Drink.”

Without hesitation, Seria took the water and drank. Not long ago, the women had seemed intimidating with their strong, muscular bodies… but now she began to wonder if she had misunderstood them. Maybe she had misjudged everything.

As she thought about it, in her time here she had never witnessed any of the cruel or brutal acts that the rumours spoke of. They looked different, but that was the only thing that distinguished them.

How long had she been with them?

The sun, once high in the sky, was now slowly sinking. The sky was turning orange and night was fast approaching.

But Kashan had still not returned.

He really might not come back… is that true?

Being alone without him made Seria feel strangely uneasy. She blinked as she stared blankly at the plains ahead.

“The sun will be setting soon.”

“Let’s get her to the barracks before it gets too dark.”

After a few words, the women approached Seria and gently led her towards the barracks.

Inside the barracks, a warm atmosphere filled the air, thanks to the fire burning brightly in the stove, fueled by quality firewood.

“Dinner will be here soon.”

One of the women said, patting Seria on the head before getting up. Seria, still feeling the lingering touch on her head, instinctively reached up to feel it, tilting her head in confusion.

Kashan too… Why does everyone keep patting my head?

‘Is this part of the Kuth tribe’s culture?’

It was a bit puzzling, but it didn’t matter. The feeling it gave her was nostalgic, almost as if she had returned to her childhood, when her parents used to spoil her.

Soon, the woman who had gone out returned with an armful of hearty food. It was far more than Seria was used to eating.

“So many…”

“In my opinion, you should concentrate on gaining some strength first. So don’t leave anything behind and eat everything.”

The woman spoke as she placed the food on the table, fully aware that Seria might not understand her words.

She watched Seria eat with determination for a moment, then quietly left the room.

It was an oddly peaceful and friendly day.

***

After a satisfying dinner and a warm shower, Seria got ready for bed. But Kashan still hadn’t returned.

Looks like he really will come tomorrow.

With that thought, Seria buried herself in the soft blankets. Maybe it was the exhaustion from the day’s work, but she felt more sleepy than usual.

After all, she had even swung a sword, something she had never done before. No wonder she felt so tired.

Her eyelashes fluttered gently in the air. With slow, butterfly-like blinks, Seria began to drift off to sleep.

Inside the barracks, only the occasional crackling of the fire filled the silence. How much later had the night become?

Suddenly, the door to the barracks opened and a dark figure appeared. Making no attempt to hide his presence, he walked confidently towards the bed where Seria was fast asleep.

“Ugh…”

Seria remained blissfully unaware, deep in sleep.

The firelight illuminated the face of the uninvited guest. It was Kashan. He had returned much earlier than Seria had expected, almost as if he had decided to return early.

“Seria.”

His expression, however, was anything but pleasant. Although he was usually reserved, today it seemed as if he had no intention of hiding his frustration.

“Do you know who I met today?”

Kashan’s large hand cupped Seria’s sleeping cheek. The soft, pale skin contrasted sharply with the rough, calloused hand that had spent a lifetime wielding weapons.

“Of course, you wouldn’t know.”

His golden eyes flashed in the dim light of the barracks, glittering with an eerie brilliance. The gem-like sparkle in his eyes fixed on Seria with an almost obsessive intensity. Despite his usual stoic expression, his face now wore a deep, troubled frown.

‘What if… what if the count hasn’t really abandoned Seria?’

He felt a whirlwind of confusion. He knew it was unlikely, but the thought of the Count shamelessly showing up with Imperial reinforcements and stirring up trouble in the north only increased the fear and unease within him.

‘No, even if the count really did leave her… What if Seria wants to go back there?’

Kashan bit down hard on his lower lip, his mouth twisting into a grimace.

‘What should I do then?’

He had an idea of how Seria must feel. He knew that this harsh environment, so different from her life as a noble, must be terrifying for her.

‘Yes, she probably wants to go back.’

She would return to that grand mansion, cinching her corset tight like a bird in a cage, wearing a beautiful dress… and following the proper etiquette for a lady, meeting other young nobles, exchanging talk of potential matches.

This had been Seria’s life.

He only reviewed the facts he already knew, but the thought filled him with unease. His face, already far from pleasant, grew even colder.

He sighed in irritation and brushed his hair back nervously.

“Damn it.”

Whether she knew it or not, it was frustrating to see Seria fall asleep peacefully with a calm face.

Because of this, Kashan instinctively reached out and grabbed her br*ast. His large hand grasped mercilessly at the soft, rounded flesh that rose like peaks to the sky.

“Ahh…”

Seria, as always, let out only a faint moan, deeply asleep. Kashan carefully positioned himself over her sleeping form, his movements deliberate and measured.

He gently slid the strap of her slip from her shoulder, the fabric falling away delicately. As the soft white material slid down, the full, supple curves of her br*asts were revealed, bouncing slightly with the movement.

Her br*asts were plump and full, their pale creamy skin contrasting with the deep pink of her prominent areolas. It was almost unbelievable that such voluptuous curves belonged to Seria’s delicate frame. Droplets of a milky liquid trickled faintly from the tips, as always.

As Kashan pinched the stiffened n*pple, more of the cloudy liquid trickled from the top, running down in thin streams.