Chapter 77

It couldn’t be called a comfortable spot, but it was better than the seat in the carriage. Most of all, the night air was refreshing, and it seemed to wash away some of her fatigue.

Ellen scooped up soup from the round wooden bowl with a spoon and took a bite. As she began her meal in silence, Lennox stood by the carriage door with his arms folded. Ellen was aware of him, but forced herself to focus on her meal. Maybe because she had emptied her stomach once, or maybe the medicine Lennox had given her was effective, Ellen finished her meal much more easily than during the day and stood up, holding her bowl.

“Give it to me.”

Lennox took the empty bowl almost snatching it, handed it to the soldier in charge of washing up, and returned. Standing awkwardly and receiving the curious gazes of the men, Ellen felt inward relief when Lennox returned.

“Lennox.”

“Yes.”

“I want to wash.”

“…….”

At Ellen’s request, Lennox walked away wordlessly. Ellen understood it as a sign to follow and trailed behind him. Under Lennox’s watch, Ellen rolled up her sleeves and pants and slowly washed the uncomfortable places with cold water. Sitting on a low rock and soaking her feet, Ellen sensed his presence nearby.

“Lennox.”

Splash. With a small sound of water, he knelt on one knee and bent toward Ellen. Carefully, he washed Ellen’s feet with his hands. As his rough hands brushed and cleaned her calves and feet, Ellen’s body trembled slightly. She caught her breath, tense, and spoke.

“I thought you’d hurt me more.”

She truly wanted him to.

“…….”

“If you’re like this, I’ll never admit I lost the bet to you.”

After a short silence, Lennox replied coldly.

“I wonder if you’ll say that once we arrive in Leodell.”

“…….”

“Go back in and sleep.”

Ellen stared at Lennox, who spoke in a commanding tone, and nodded obediently. Returning from the river, she was met again by the stares of the men. Avoiding their eyes, Ellen slipped inside the tent. Inside was a thin blanket, a low pillow, and a small blanket.

“…….”

Ellen felt the ground with her palm. Under the thin blanket, she could feel the bumpy small stones, making her reluctant to lie down. She picked up the pillow and sniffed it—perhaps because it had been packed with the luggage, it smelled musty. The blanket looked dirty too, so she was hesitant to use it. She considered telling Lennox she’d rather sleep in the carriage, but gave up. After suffering all day in the carriage, she didn’t want to go back.

‘It can’t be helped.’

She considered asking to change places, but recalling her current situation, she slowly lay down. She could feel every small stone against her back. The pillow wasn’t comfortable. She tried to ignore the musty smell and closed her eyes. She thought she wouldn’t fall asleep easily, but exhaustion overtook her and she soon slept deeply.

“Captain.”

Roy cautiously spoke as he saw Lennox lying with only a blanket outside Ellen’s tent. Lennox didn’t even glance at Roy, closing his eyes indifferently. Roy sighed lightly and spoke.

“Captain, we’ve prepared a tent for you. We’ll take turns on watch, so please go inside.”

“I’m fine here.”

“Captain.”

“Go do your job.”

At Lennox’s firm words, Roy gave up and turned away. Roy’s gaze lingered on the small tent.

On the day they left Baron Dermann’s estate for Aryan, Lennox had warned them.

From now on, no one was to be curious about, talk to, or mess with the woman traveling with them.

The knights knew she was Baroness Dermann, but didn’t understand why Lennox said such things. Even to a woman with a child. Roy was the same. After Lennox became a Pamphilenet knight, Roy had watched him for a long time. A commoner from another country, knighted by Crown Prince Richel’s special recommendation. At first, the Pamphilenet knights were displeased, but Richel’s recommendation kept them quiet. Only Roy was curious about Lennox, who had defeated Karan at the autumn tournament. But Lennox was indifferent to everything. He often stared endlessly in one direction and stayed alone.

As a Pamphilenet knight, Lennox naturally became captain after the previous captain died in an accident, thanks to Richel’s recommendation. No one opposed him becoming captain. He was sent on countless dangerous missions, risking his life. The Pamphilenet Order, Richel’s direct unit, was always sent into danger, but Lennox took on even more perilous tasks. Richel seemed to push him into deadly missions as if he bore a grudge, but Lennox always obeyed. Lennox grew to surpass the skills of the previous captain, who died that year. Not long after, the Aryan Empire made Kursh Kingdom its vassal. After the treaty, Lennox quickly gathered a small team and headed to a remote estate. Lennox struck Baron Dermann so hard he could never use his jaw again, and secretly eliminated him without Baroness Dermann knowing. Roy played a key role in that.

‘What is their relationship?’

Baroness Dermann spoke casually to Lennox without caring about anyone’s gaze. Lennox, who rarely showed emotion, cared about her. Roy was very curious about them. But Lennox’s warning kept him from asking. As captain, Lennox led the knights and never left the carriage carrying Baroness Dermann, even when speaking harshly to her.

He didn’t leave her side even at bedtime, deepening Roy’s curiosity. But knowing Lennox wouldn’t answer, Roy kept his questions to himself.

“…….”

As Roy’s footsteps faded, Lennox opened his eyes. In his sensitive ears, he could hear her soft breathing. After all the hardship, she seemed to sleep deeply despite the uncomfortable bed. Lennox rested his head on his arm and turned to the side. With only a tent between them, he stroked the rough tent fabric as if caressing her cheek. Then, a small cough came from inside the tent. Lennox sat up. He lifted the tent flap and saw Ellen, shivering and pulling the blanket up to her shoulders, coughing softly.

“…….”

Lennox wrapped Ellen in the blanket and lifted her into his arms. He strode to his own tent.

“Captain.”

Roy, on watch, was startled and called out quietly. Lennox ignored him and went into the cozy tent. Inside, it was warm from a small campfire and a vent hole. He laid Ellen on the thick mat and massaged her body, which had suffered all day in the carriage. Otherwise, she would surely fall ill.

Lennox’s shadow stretched long as he massaged Ellen inside the tent. He didn’t stop until the shadow grew short. The chilly autumn wind swept the riverside. It was a night so quiet that even the sound of autumn insects was absent.

* * *

The next morning, preparations to leave began early. Ellen woke inside the small tent. Despite sleeping in discomfort, she felt strangely refreshed.

‘No way……?’

Ellen’s gaze turned to Lennox, who was giving orders to Roy. Their eyes met for a moment, but Ellen turned away. She guessed what had happened, but didn’t want to ask. After tidying up and eating breakfast, Ellen washed quickly and got back in the carriage. After riding all day yesterday, she still couldn’t get used to it.

It was the same road from Leodell to Baron Dermann’s estate, but it felt completely different and rough. Lennox didn’t care that Ellen wasn’t used to the rough road, and Ellen didn’t expect him to. Lennox spoke.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“Okay.”

They traveled for days, stopping in a village only once, and camped out the rest of the time. Ellen grew tired. That day, before entering Leodell, since there was no village nearby, they camped in a field. After dinner, exhausted and ready for bed, Ellen nodded at Lennox’s words. She went into the carriage and sat across from him. Lennox didn’t speak, and neither did Ellen. In the comfortable, heavy silence, Lennox finally spoke.