Chapter 22
The knights could not hide their amazement as they watched her prowess with the sword.
It was completely different from the Imperial Sword Spirit because it was only focused on killing.
Even the women, whose agility and speed were their life, were able to slit the throats of the goblins.
After her demonstration and a series of questions, they ate sweet refreshments provided by those present.
“As expected, you are unbelievable, ma’am.”
Leonard, who emptied his glass in one gulp, said frankly. His tone was flat, so she couldn't tell if it was a compliment. She walked away with a dry cough.
“Are you happy, His Highness?”
“That's right, Your Highness. You didn't answer when I came before
The knights, who had become quite familiar with her, spoke frankly.
She quickly lowered her eyes. Thinking of Victor, the tips of her ears burned red.
“Victor is very kind and caring. He is really like a knight; Elegant, always nice to everyone...
“Even thick wool will seem thin to you because of your blind love.”
At Carl's poignant remarks, her cheeks flushed.
“But it's true!”
“I told you to be careful around him, but... it's too late. That's okay, though. As long as you're happy."
She shook her head in embarrassment. Strangely enough, the other knights also had very sour expressions on their faces.
“That’s right. The Grand Duke seems to be very kind to the lady.”
“We are in a situation where we have no choice but to follow our master.”
“Even if it's a little disgusting, I can't help it.”
“Suddenly I don't want to go on the trip.”
She closed her eyes in astonishment. She could not understand why the knights, who were so loyal, were so angry with the Grand Duke, their master.
A few peaceful days passed, and the day of departure arrived.
Coming home to a perfect summer.
The hot sun lit up the sky of the capital. The roses in the garden were in full bloom, the perfect backdrop for the servants busy loading luggage onto carts.
Sweating from the heat for the first time in her life, Omarion finished writing her letter to Catalina.
I'm leaving for Morty's estate today. Thank you very much for everything. I will be waiting for your response.
“Maybe her answer will come to the monarchy.”
She closed the envelope and looked in the mirror.
She looked like a normal woman going on a summer trip, with a thin shirt and black shoes that highlighted her slender legs.
When she was wearing these clothes, she felt more embarrassed than when she was wearing a dress.
She has not been wearing a shirt and pants regularly for the past few months.
At first, she used to think that she would trip and fall when wearing dresses worn by women. But now she felt uncomfortable without it.
Her door opened after a short knock.
“Marion, are you ready?”
Victor, who peeked his head inside, looked perfect today as well.
He smiled as he looked at her.
“You look like a tomboy when you dress like that.”
She felt embarrassed and wrapped her arms around her chest.
“Is this inappropriate for a grand duchess?”
What are you talking about, Marion? Everything she does is the work of the Grand Duchess.”
She quickly delivered the letter to her maids. Victor seemed to be in a good mood this morning, and now he was smiling.
Would it really be okay to leave the capital?
He said they were leaving because something bad happened regarding their property.
He was leaning towards her.
“Whatever you wear, you are beautiful.”
He kissed her cheek gently.
“You don't know how happy I am to take you to the property.”
She opened her mouth like an idiot, then came back. She could hear the maids behind their laughter.”
“There were so many people who saw... now it's become a habit!!”
As she stared at him, he smiled gently.
“I like it when you're shy.”
“Victor!”
“Come out when you are ready. We have to say goodbye to the servants.”
She followed him, cooling her red cheeks with the back of her hands.
As they entered the garden, I could see the entire exterior of their beautiful mansion.
The Palace of the Black Lion, belongs to the Grand Duke of Morte. In just two months, this ridiculously gorgeous mansion had become her home.
The hostess's office, to which she had hardly become accustomed, the kitchen which always smelled so good, the study which she frequented, and the parasols in the garden which had been installed just for her. Her favorite places come to mind one after another.
All the people who fed her, clothed her, and treated her so kindly.
She had felt strange when they held her hand, but now she regretted feeling that way.
On the first day, she was a stranger to them, and felt uncomfortable around them.
But as time passed, everyone in the palace became her friend.
Unlike the maids who were in tears, Sumona was frank.
“I look forward to your return.”
“Yes. Sumona should stay healthy.”
“Ma’am, please take care of yourself.”
She hugged the little old maid tightly before turning around.
The North was the only world she had ever known. It was beautiful and shiny, but it was also scary and difficult.
But now, she had a new home.
And that was enough.
(Victor) called her from inside the car
“Come on, my wife.”
She took his hand and climbed into the carriage, leaving behind her new home.
It was the beginning of a long journey.
***
“Ma’am! Get up!”
I suddenly woke up to sharp screams.
It was dark outside.
Torches illuminated the chaos outside her carriage window.
She drew her sword and jumped out of the carriage.
“Is it another monster?”
“Yes! Damn, this area was supposed to be safe...”
Sir Carls spat out angry words as he struck the Fire Wolf with his sword.
She frowned and analyzed the wolf pack.
Fire wolves were not difficult to deal with, but because they breathed fire, they were a nuisance to travelers with carriages or horses.
She counted the days that passed in her reeling mind.
It was the fourth day since they started… They were traveling north, but they weren't far enough for the monsters to be this aggressive.
In addition, fire wolves only lived in the south, was there a mistake in monitoring them?
She pulled Sir Carls back and cut down three wolves in quick succession.
When she turned her head, she saw that the knights were struggling to defeat the wolves.
Her forehead twitched.
Only then did I realize that when Karls said they were weak, he wasn't lying.
She couldn't believe they were struggling against wolves.
She thought she had to go help until she heard a booming voice from the front lines.
“Get out of my way. You're annoying me.”
A ferocious sword cut through the wolf pack like a storm.
Victor's sword deflected from the attacking wolf and decapitated it without hesitation.
The monsters cut down by his heavy sword screamed painfully, as if they had been severely beaten.
Bodies piled up around him like fallen leaves.
Before long, more than 30 wolves died.
She killed the last wolf before turning to him
“Victor.”
Holding a sword dripping with blood, Victor slowly raised his head. His dark amber eyes shone in the darkness.
The light made her shiver.
In fact, the biggest problem on their journey was neither the monsters nor the unexpectedly weak knights.
As they said, “The Walking Death” was scary.
***
She sighed briefly.
“She wasn't in the car.”
“It's okay. I was awake.”
With a gloomy face, he wiped his sword.
It was an act she had never seen before in the capital.
Wink couldn't sleep at the inn, so she slept in her carriage instead.
Victor's insomnia returned.
It was something no one expected.
The reason they decided to go to Morty's estate in the first place was because his illness had improved a lot.
He slept without difficulty every night, and when he woke up, he showed no violent behavior. I thought it wouldn't be a problem since they would be sleeping in the hostel.
On the first day, she didn't notice it because she was so excited about the trip.
She leaned on Victor's shoulder and listened to stories all night.
What kind of place was the Murti estate, and how beautiful was the Murti castle.
Excited for their long-awaited trip, she was having a fun night, just listening to his beautiful voice.
However, as his sleepless nights continued, their situation worsened. Originally, he would only be able to sleep with a sword in an enclosed space, but strangely enough, he was no longer able to sleep indoors.
Deedrick, who accompanied them on their journey, said it was because his environment had changed. He said that he had become so accustomed to the Grand Duchess's bedroom that it would be difficult to sleep in other places.
She and the rest of the knights took turns guarding his bedroom, but Victor never slept properly. He slept for a while, but then woke up and stayed awake.
After three nights, Victor was completely exhausted.
“It's very strange. I'm tired, but I can't sleep.”
"Victor"...
He was as exhausted as he had been when they first met.
His face was dry with a tinge of unknown anger.
His intimidation dyed everything black.
But in her eyes, he looked tired and weak. She gently placed her hand on his cheek.
“Take medicine to help you sleep at your next place of residence.”
“It will be of no use.”
“But still”…
Everyone in the palace had already confirmed that the sleeping herbs had no effect on him.
But she really wanted to do something.
She wished she was a herbalist, so she could develop a medicine that would make him fall asleep quickly...
Viktor sheathed his sword and buried his face in her shoulder.
“I want to ride with you.”
“Victor, this is not”…
"Can I? Please."
It was a desperate sound.
After hearing this voice, she suddenly wondered what imperial etiquette had to do with it.
She nodded and he rubbed his face against the back of her neck like a happy dog.
A low laugh tickled her ears.
“Let us go, my lord.”
“Leave us alone. Do couples not sleep together? ".
Victor slowly raised his head and stared at the knights.
The embarrassed knights mounted their horses and galloped away as quickly as they could.
How tired is he of being angry at his knights?
He was usually such a gentleman.
She quickly led Victor to her carriage, blushing with embarrassment the whole way.
***
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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