Chapter 22

Unaware of such habits, Asterope was upset at the idea of eating unappetizing food. Kallieon barely managed to stifle the laughter threatening to escape.  

“Instead of doing this, why don’t we hold a grand banquet once the diplomatic mission returns? We can prepare it while His Grace is away.”  

“Tama, you keep saying no to everything! You won’t let me pack decent clothes, or even proper gifts for the people of Babel! At least let me pack this one wheel of cheese!”

Asterope pointed to a wheel of cheese as large as a wagon wheel. Tama hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding in agreement. Pleased, Asterope quickly instructed the attendant to load the cheese onto the knights’ luggage before Tama could change his mind.  

Kallieon, unable to hold back any longer, revealed himself.  

“Rope, what are you doing here?”  

All the anger and anxiety he had felt over her disappearance vanished entirely. Now, all he wanted was to embrace his beloved. Asterope turned to him, startled, her mouth agape.  

“How do you always appear without making a sound?”  

“Is that what you’re curious about? I believe I asked a question first.”  

As Kallieon approached Asterope, a smile lingered on his lips. Asterope, still poking at a large piece of reindeer leg meat that hadn’t yet been packed, continued speaking.  

“I was packing with Tama. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving early? Tama tried to pack some strange clothes.”  

“Ahem, ahem. They are clothes that His Grace is particularly fond of.”  

Tama, unusually, seemed to be watching Kallieon’s reaction carefully. It had been a long time since Tama, who usually maintained his composure, appeared uncertain and hesitant. Like Kallieon, he had no interest in extravagance.  

“Next time, I should order a bunch of clothes for you instead of my dresses, Your Grace. You wouldn’t believe how shocked I was when I saw your wardrobe—”  

Before she could finish, Kallieon couldn’t hold back anymore and pulled her into his arms. Then, he captured her lips. Asterope, who had been excitedly rambling, appeared utterly adorable to him. Kallieon voraciously explored her lips, unable to resist. Tama, letting out a small “Oh dear,” turned away.  

Even after the deep kiss ended, Kallieon, still overwhelmed with excitement, struggled to calm himself. Asterope found it puzzling what could have stirred him so much. To make matters worse, her thin clothing nearly led to an embarrassing situation in front of Tama and the attendants.  

Asterope tried to send Kallieon away, saying she needed to check the luggage one last time. However, he refused to leave alone, insisting on staying with her, and they eventually returned to the Grand Duchess’s chambers together. Tama, thinking it would speed up the process, encouraged them to leave quickly.  

Asterope, cradling in Kallieon’s arms as he closed his eyes, watched him quietly. Sleep had long eluded her.  

“Do you really eat monster meat raw?”  

Kallieon, still with his eyes closed, chuckled softly before replying.  

“When it’s really urgent, yes, but it’s too gamey to eat that way. Most of the time, we roast it. If the monsters are inedible, we hunt wild animals nearby. On the way to Babel, such things are abundant.”  

“You must only eat safe things. What if it’s poisonous? Did Tama pack antidotes?”  

Asterope began to rise from her seat, but Kallieon gently laid her back down.  

“It’s not my first expedition. Don’t worry. Just like before, I’ll return at the appointed time, perfectly healthy.”  

Kallieon’s words were meant to reassure her, but Asterope’s expression darkened. She struck his chest with a sharp motion and turned her back to him.  

“Ro, Rope? What’s wrong?”  

“I don’t know.”  

“If you don’t tell me, I really won’t know. Is it because of something? Should I ask the attendant to confirm whether Tama packed the antidotes?”  

“That’s not it!”  

Asterope turned back toward Kallieon, who looked utterly baffled. Pouting her lips, she continued speaking.  

“Do you think things are the same now as they were back then?”  

“Huh?” 

“I’m saying it’s different now than when I didn’t care where you went, Your Grace.”  

“……”  

“Don’t you understand?”  

“Hm……”  

Kallieon wore an expression that suggested he wanted to say the right thing. However, this clueless man couldn’t seem to grasp the situation. In frustration, Asterope bit his lower lip with a teasing motion.  

“Ouch.”  

It didn’t hurt him at all, but he smiled as if indulging her mischief.  

“I hate you.”  

“You hate me? I don’t like that.”  

“How can you not know? After all the nights we’ve spent together……”  

Asterope’s face flushed red. Kallieon didn’t know much else, but he thought one thing was clear: the woman in front of him was utterly adorable. Asterope, still showing a hint of disappointment, gently touched his cheek.  

“Everything about the way I feel about you has changed, Your Grace. That’s why I can’t help but worry. I worry about what you’ll eat for ten days, who you’ll fight, whether the negotiations will go well—I worry about everything.”  

“……”  

“Of course, it’s not like I’m particularly good at anything….”  

“Just by existing, you accomplish everything.”

“Tch.”  

Asterope burrowed into his arms, as if to say she wouldn’t be swayed by his sweet words. The way she acted so affectionately made her even more lovable, as if she could do no wrong. Kallieon gently brushed her hair aside and kissed the nape of her neck in a series of soft, tender motions.  

“With such a lovely wife waiting for me, how can I not dread leaving for Babel?”  

“Is it really something you must handle in person?”  

Kallieon nodded. Asterope, without pressing him further, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

“Since you’re going all the way there, make sure to catch the culprit. Teach them a lesson. Show them that leaving magical artifacts in the Serpiewood territory is absolutely unacceptable. That way, this kind of thing won’t happen again.”  

Asterope spoke firmly, like a warrior. It seemed she had heard something from Tama. Kallieon kissed Asterope’s round forehead.  

“If the people of the territory find out, do you think they’ll assume this has something to do with me?”  

“That won’t happen. It’s being kept top secret, and once the culprit is caught and dealt with, there won’t be any talk about it even among the retainers.”  

Asterope nodded. Still nestled in Kallieon’s arms, she continued speaking.  

“I decided to write a reply to Crown Prince Villish. I’ll tell him that since you found the letter and are suspicious, it’ll be difficult to exchange correspondence.”  

“That was Tama’s idea, wasn’t it?”  

“Yes. Honestly, I don’t want to send it, but Tama seems curious about what the Crown Prince will do next.”  

Her expression showed clear disgust at the mere thought. Kallieon gently smoothed the furrow between her brows with his fingers before continuing.  

“I’d also prefer if you had no further involvement with the Crown Prince.”  

“Still, if we don’t settle things, he’ll keep sending spies and polluting Serpiewood. Don’t worry too much. I’ll even show you how I write the letter. I’m going to work on it with Tama.”  

“Alright, get plenty of help from Tama. Don’t struggle with it alone. He’s someone you can trust.”  

Asterope nodded vigorously. Then, as if seeking reassurance, she lightly draped her leg over his and kissed his chin.  

“To be honest, I’m scared. I don’t know if I’ll be okay in Serpiewood without you, Your Grace.”  

“You have Chester and Tama, don’t you?”  

“Sir Chester doesn’t really like me, though.”  

“Even so, he’s simple and loyal. He wouldn’t dare mistreat my beloved Rope.”  

Rope thought of the key figures in the knight order. Compared to the deceitful and enigmatic ones, transparent Chester seemed like a better choice. Nevertheless, the thought of losing her most dependable ally was frightening. In Serpiewood, Asterope had almost no one on her side.

“Ten days feels far too long.”  

Asterope spoke in a voice tinged with a sigh. To Kallieon, that voice sounded nothing but sweet. The happiness and fulfillment he had never dared to hope for swelled magnificently in his chest. 

* * *  

The diplomatic delegation found themselves puzzled by the unusually heavy luggage. Particularly, the Grand Duke’s belongings seemed endless. This was the same man who usually only packed himself and a single large bag. The Grand Duchess meticulously checked the bags to ensure nothing was missing.  

Duke Appen spoke to Sommer.  

“The Grand Duchess has truly changed a lot.”  

“It seems you view it positively, Your Grace. I, however, see it as somewhat dangerous.”  

“Well, I’m not particularly interested in the difficult political struggles within the palace. As a diplomat, I simply see it as a good thing. After all, whether or not the Grand Duchess’s touch is present becomes immediately apparent in foreign lands. Especially when it comes to the Grand Duke.”  

Kallieon paid little attention to the external aspects of diplomacy. He only focused on negotiating terms that satisfied mutual interests. His overwhelming appearance seemed to obscure the fact that he didn’t care about his attire, but it was clear he thought that merely maintaining proper etiquette was sufficient.  

Today, however, Kallieon was a little different. While he was heading to Babel to discuss an important matter, his navy-colored attire—likely chosen by the Grand Duchess—stood out in stark contrast to his red hair. Even though he wore his usual sturdy military gear over it, the fine fabric and accessories beneath it hinted at something special.  

“I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be so grateful for the Grand Duchess’s sense of style.” 

Remarked Duke Appen, clearly impressed by Kallieon’s appearance.  

Sommer remained reserved in his comments. In truth, he would have preferred if Asterope had maintained her old habit of merely showing off to the Grand Duke. At the moment, the Grand Duke was busy inspecting the knights’ luggage and wasn’t with the Grand Duchess. He had no idea what she was doing.  

Asterope, however, was hard at work.