Just as darkness was settling outside the window, the lamp was very useful.

“By the way, is there anywhere to wash around here? I feel grimy from riding the horse.”

“Ah! There’s a stream right next to us, Miss.”

“Then I should wash now.”

I put down the tasteless soup and went outside the carriage to wash.

In the open space, there was a bonfire in the center, my carriage on one side, and large tents and blankets spread out on the opposite side. I could see Sion and Lionel sitting on blankets laid out near the carriage.

“Are you not setting up a tent because of the night watch? Will you be okay sleeping like this?”

“Yes. We’ve agreed to take one-hour shifts.”

“But with more people, the watch time has been reduced, so don’t worry too much.”

Though they looked tired, they smiled to reassure me. I sighed, feeling sorry for their harsh conditions.

We couldn’t bring another carriage either. This was all because of Kalschmitz.

“Really, what kind of hardship is this?”

“It’s truly fine. Are you going to wash?”

“Yes. Just going to wash up quickly.”

Then Sion put down the blanket he was holding.

“I’ll escort you.”

“It’s right there, though?”

“It’s dark and Tangerous.”

Although it was just a few steps away from the bonfire and open space, since I needed to wash anyway, I agreed to go together. Lionel also put down his blanket and stood up. I became like a mother duck with baby ducks following as I headed toward the stream.

Splash-

“Ah, it’s cold.”

This was the final hardship of the day. In the early spring weather, the stream water was ice-cold. After quickly washing my face like a cat and stepping back, Sion laughed softly. I said with a pouty face.

“I’m still dirty, but can’t help it. It’s too cold.”

“You’re not dirty.”

“Really? If it were Demian, he would have mercilessly said I was dirty.”

As I laughed, suddenly all of Sion’s movements stopped. When I turned around at the pause in the sound of footsteps on the grass, Sion was looking at me with a serious face.

“You seem to have many memories with Demian.”

That look of burning jealousy in his eyes! Did I just say I kissed Demian or something? I tilted my head in confusion. Behind Sion, Lionel, whose eyes met mine, shook his head.

“Well, yes. He’s been by my side almost since the moment I can remember in this place.”

Truly, Irena and Demian had been reliable allies since the moment I crossed over to the Asmodea Empire.

As I nodded to myself, Sion made another indirect confession with a serious face.

“I also want to be someone who makes Lady Lora smile when you think of me.”

“I wasn’t just smiling though?”

“Haha. If you’re done washing, shall we go back?”

Lionel intervened with a sigh, breaking the atmosphere of our confrontation. His eyes held an empty look, as though he had reached enlightenment despite knowing everything.

“Hahaha. Let’s do that. Sion, let’s go.”

I wondered how long Lionel had known. I laughed awkwardly.

***

“Miss. If we’re leaving at dawn tomorrow, you should go to sleep early.”

“Yes.”

When I returned to the carriage, Irena had already prepared the bed. As soon as I lay down, Irena turned off the lamp, and pitch-black darkness descended.

She must have been tired, as she quickly fell into a deep sleep, breathing heavily, but I couldn’t fall asleep easily.

Swish-

After trying to fall asleep for about ten minutes, I carefully got up. Opening the door silently and stepping outside, I could see those not on watch duty sleeping in corners on laid-out bedding.

I approached the crackling bonfire with muffled footsteps. Indeed, a bonfire was the best thing when sleep wouldn’t come. But there was already someone there.

“Lionel?”

At my voice, the silver silhouette turned to look at me. And he gave his characteristic habitual eyesmile.

“Lady Lora. Why are you out here?”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I came to look at the bonfire.”

After finishing my sentence, I plopped down on the ground, drew my legs together, and rested my face on my knees.

“Is it your watch shift?”

“Yes. I just started.”

“I see.”

Then we both fell into silence. In the quiet, only the sound of the bonfire burning could be heard. As I was enjoying the peacefulness, Lionel got up and approached me.

“Your hair is dragging on the ground. Let me tie it up for you.”

“Okay.”

He went behind me and gently stroked my silky hair. As I felt his gentle touch untangling any knots his fingers encountered, I suddenly spoke.

“I have something I’m curious about. Can I ask you?”

“Of course, Lady Lora.”

His answering voice was as ticklish as his touch stroking my hair.

This made me even more curious.

“Why did you ask me to buy you back then?”

Someone like him could live in luxury no matter who he served.

It was also strange that he had been resold.

At my question, his hands paused momentarily. Soon, he resumed gently stroking my hair, then tied it up high with a ribbon, but his touch was more hurried than before.

Feeling his discomfort through his fingertips, I lowered my eyes and said.

“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to.”

“It’s done.”

After tying up my hair, he removed his hands and sat beside me. When I turned my head, I saw Lionel with his lips smiling but without his characteristic eye-smile, an unfamiliar expression. In that state, he opened his mouth.

“I thought you would be a good master.”

It was an empty answer.

Well, there was no need to hear an answer that would reopen painful wounds he didn’t want to talk about, so I decided to let it go.

“I see. How has it been, experiencing it?”

Looking at him playfully with a smile, his eyes once again curved prettily as usual when he faced me.

“You’re a master I want to serve for life.”

At his words, I smiled slightly.

I straightened my hunched body and said.

“Lionel. If there’s something you don’t want to talk about, you really don’t have to.”

He looked up at me, still wearing a smile on his lips.

Looking down at him, I added.

“And you don’t need to fake a smile in front of me either.”

Sometimes, when I look at him, he hides his emotions and expressions to a pitiful degree.

Seeing his pupils tremble, I turned around.

“I’m going to sleep now. You tied my hair nicely so it won’t be uncomfortable. Thank you.”

His gaze followed my back for a long time as I walked away.

***

Kweeeeek-

Clang-

“Behind us! Watch your head!”

Another tedious battle with magical beasts had begun today.

I was observing the bloody scene from a distance while being guarded. My companions were holding their swords, remaining vigilant while escorting me.

“You know, I wonder if nobles from other territories can safely arrive at the social gathering through this hell.”

“I doubt it.”

Demian answered skeptically.

What if we arrive at the Grand Duke’s residence and we’re the only nobles there? All the others die horrible deaths fighting magical beasts, leading to disputes over noble titles.

Wheeee-

“Wyverns!”

“Ha, wyverns moving in groups like this? That’s absurd!”

It wasn’t just one. Exaggerating a bit, there were enough to cover the sky.

No matter how strong they were, there was no way this small group could defeat wyverns flying in flocks like migratory birds.