Chapter 33
Behind him was an enormous suitcase.
“From the capital to Zeronia, it’s a full week by carriage. I prepared all sorts of things so Kae wouldn’t be uncomfortable. There’s no way this trip will be unpleasant.”
Lloyd looked at me as if asking for praise. Watching that, Davien tried to hold back a laugh and looked at me.
He used a teleportation scroll when bringing me here, but now he wants to go by carriage?
I spoke firmly to Lloyd.
“Lloyd, you used a teleportation scroll to come here, so why are we taking a carriage back? I’ll use a scroll. If you really want to go by carriage, I won’t stop you.”
“Teleportation scroll…?”
I was confused by Lloyd’s dumbfounded expression.
Isn’t it common sense? If you used a scroll to come, you’d use it to go too.
Davien, who had been forcing a smile at Lloyd’s despair, finally burst out laughing.
“Pahaha! Are you seriously that dumb?”
“Davien, you knew all along? And didn’t tell me while I was packing?”
“Pff, heh heh…! Lloyd, you’re packing all this because you want to travel with Kae, why would I interfere?”
“You… Davien.”
“You looked so excited packing, I didn’t want to disappoint you. Heh. Sorry, Lloyd.”
Davien stuck out her tongue and scratched her head apologetically, making Lloyd visibly annoyed. A faint red aura swirled around him.
They’re not going to fight here, right?
I wasn’t the only one feeling uneasy; the duke stepped forward.
“Then let’s prepare to leave. Kae.”
No sooner had the duke finished speaking than Davien lightly lifted me in her arms. She held a scroll she had pulled out from who knows where and shouted:
“I’ll go first! Zeronia Clocktower Square!”
As she spoke the activation word, a magic circle appeared and began to glow under her feet. Inside the shining circle, I saw Lloyd glaring at Davien with eyes full of rage.
“Go ride your carriage then.”
Davien quickly stuck her tongue out at Lloyd. I just hoped they wouldn’t fight in Zeronia.
The huge scenery of the Helderios Mansion blurred and changed, soon replaced by the familiar cityscape with the clocktower.
The large fountain in front of the clocktower, the neat stone paths, the bustling merchants, and even the salty air typical of a port city…!
“We’re back!”
I shouted, drawing strange looks from passersby.
Ah, calm down, Kae.
It really was Zeronia.
After being kidnapped by the protagonist and finding my way back a month later, Zeronia looked just the same. I had been so worried that I couldn’t return while being held by the Helderios family.
I bowed to Davien.
“Davien, thank you for coming this far.”
Now you can go. I’ll send you a letter sometimes.
Davien smiled brightly at my greeting.
“You expect me to leave just like that? I’m here to have fun!”
Ah, I see.
After all, she even used an expensive scroll to come. It wouldn’t feel right to just send her away.
“Alright. I’ll make sure you see all of Zeronia.”
“Davien!”
Next to me, a magic circle appeared, and Lloyd showed up.
He stomped over toward Davien.
“Ah, Lloyd! You came early? Weren’t you taking the carriage?”
Davien teased him mercilessly.
No, you two. Fighting is forbidden here.
I quickly spoke to divert their attention.
“Davien, Lloyd, there’s a famous restaurant nearby in Zeronia! How about we go there?”
“Oh, nice! Let’s go then.”
Davien, who had been teasing Lloyd, looped her arm through mine. Lloyd’s expression darkened even more.
“Lloyd, come on. You can take the carriage if you want.”
With Davien endlessly teasing and Lloyd holding back his anger, I led them to a popular Zeronia street stall where people were lined up.
Standing behind the crowd, I hesitated for a moment.
Ah, I wonder if these noble kids will even eat street food…
My worry faded as Davien shouted happily.
“Wow! This is Zeronia’s famous juniper fritters! I heard they’re amazing!”
Juniper fritters, a local delicacy only found in Zeronia, were known for their incredible taste. They were made with tender fish, thick shrimp, and giant octopus only caught here, shaped into round fritters, and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.
Dipping the hot fritters in sauce made them irresistibly delicious.
“Since we’re in Zeronia, I’ll pay!”
It felt like giving street food to noble kids who usually spend money freely, but well, finally, it was our turn.
Finally, my turn! Excited to eat something after a long time, I smiled at the stall owner.
“Long time no see, sir. Three servings of juniper fritters to go, please!”
This stall was known for generous portions, so I often came here.
“Healer, long time no see.”
The stall owner smiled brightly upon recognizing me.
“I thought something happened since I haven’t seen you for a while. Since you’re back, you must eat plenty. Seeing you here lifts my spirits.”
Chattering, he started filling the bag with hot, freshly fried fritters. Soon, he handed me a bag piled high like a small mountain.
“You don’t have to pay. Come often.”
The owner said, blushing. Just as I reached for my coins to refuse, Lloyd stepped forward with a fierce expression and handed the money to him. Surprised, the owner hesitated, then accepted it. Lloyd then placed his hand on my shoulder and said:
“Let’s go to another place now.”
His eyes still glowed with intensity. I moved quickly, hoping the kind owner wouldn’t get hurt.
“This is Zeronia Port, a famous spot in Zeronia!”
“Wow! Seeing the sea after so long is great!”
The bustling people, huge ships, seagulls crying, and the salty sea air made this place perfect for people used to the land. Even I thought it was the best sightseeing spot for land dwellers.
Look at Davien—she was excited at the wide, open horizon.
But compared to her, Lloyd’s expression had been sour ever since he received the fried fish cake from the street vendor.
“Lloyd, don’t you like the sea?”
He didn’t answer my question. Instead, he asked:
“Kae, that man just now… do you see him often?”
“Ah, who? The stall owner? Well, I come here often, so yes, I see him a lot.”
I ate there so frequently that I was practically a VIP.
“Don’t see him too often.”
“Excuse me?”
“His gaze is dangerous.”
What? The kind stall owner who gave us generous food is dangerous? I tried to argue, but Lloyd left, saying he needed a drink, and went into a nearby shop.
“Why is Lloyd like that?”
Davien asked, puzzled.
Jealousy, maybe? I decided to keep it to myself.
“Hmm, I’ll check on him. Kae, stay here.”
Davien ran into the shop to follow Lloyd.
Alone, I thought quietly.
I had noticed for some time that Lloyd liked me. The rare necklaces, small gifts he brought despite being busy, his gaze sometimes lingering, and his reddening face when our eyes met—how could I not know?
I didn’t dislike Lloyd. His overprotectiveness was sometimes too much, but it felt nice.
Living alone in this world for ten years, without any family, having someone care for me was sweet.
But as someone who had lived as an ordinary citizen before being possessed, his background felt overwhelming—grand mansion, many servants, high status, and the mental strength to handle all of it.
As the saying goes:
He who wears the crown must bear its weight.
Thinking of all the duties nobles carried—from managing estates to attending social events—gave me a headache. I wasn’t the type to handle it all. A noble lady with worldly wisdom suited his side better than a simple commoner like me.
Now that we’re back in Zeronia, his jealousy is only temporary. Once we return to the capital, he’ll forget it quickly. Distance from the body brings distance from the heart.
I might even miss the clumsy affection he sometimes gave me.
When would I ever receive affection from such a handsome young lord?
But once I was loved, it was enough. I had many connections in Zeronia now. Love could always be filled with other love.
I quietly prepared to let him go.
At that moment, someone spoke to me.
“Uh? Kae-senpai, isn’t it?”
Startled, I looked up. In front of me stood a very thin man in the empire’s healer uniform.
His beige hair and eyes shining with admiration looked familiar.
‘Wow! He looked amazing earlier!’
‘Why are you in Zeronia? With your skills, you could easily get a promotion in the capital.’
He was a new healer who had joined with Mika earlier this year. He often followed us, praising everything I did.
What was his name again?
“Jard?”
