Chapter 52: How a Mercenary Brings Her Husband Home (1)
Gellen Lofman, one of the fewer than ten platinum-ranked mercenaries on the continent.
Regina Lofman, who became a gold-ranked mercenary at the young age of 18.
Because Regina was so strong, even bronze-ranked mercenaries were sometimes allowed to join missions.
She was the only one who carefully looked after them too. But Rozie didn’t seem to realize that at all.
“Then talk to her properly when she visits this time.”
The mercenary who replied to Rozie was starting to sound tired of her complaints.
As he read the letter tied to Joo’s leg, he secretly hoped Rozie would stop talking soon.
“…No, I won’t say anything. She’ll just say the same thing again anyway.”
“Ugh, I wish I were a bronze-ranked mercenary too. Then Regina would care about me. It’d be nice to just sit back and relax. She’s so cold to silver-ranked mercs.”
“…That’s exactly what’s annoying.”
“What did you say?”
Rozie had mumbled so quietly it sounded like an ant crawling. The mercenary asked again, but Rozie just smiled awkwardly and shook her head.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Regina—the leader and princess of Persona. The one who found Rozie starving on the streets and gave her a name. She was kind, no doubt about that.
‘But how little must she think of me? I could do great too…’
Rozie had dreamed of her first rescue mission—especially a night mission—being the moment she proved herself.
She wanted to save her teammates in a cool way, be praised, and be recognized.
She wanted to show the other mercenaries—who always treated her like a child—that she could do just as well as Regina.
And most of all…
She wanted Gyle to notice her.
She wanted the eyes that always looked at Regina to finally turn to her.
‘It’s only natural I feel this way. The chance was taken from me.’
There were only two female mercenaries in Persona: Regina and Rozie.
But the difference in how they were treated was like heaven and earth.
Even at meals when Regina wasn’t there, people would still praise her.
They would talk about how she defeated adult mercenaries and killed monsters at thirteen, even reflecting magical attacks.
Now, knowing that Regina herself had excluded her from the night mission… it made Rozie feel crushed.
It made her feel like she was being treated as weak—and it hurt what little confidence she had left.
‘I just lack field experience. But I know so much—I’ve watched and learned for years. Honestly, I could lead a mission on my own!’
She had been helping with missions and supporting the team for a long time.
Sure, she wasn’t strong enough to pass the physically intense rank exams, but she thought she could make up for it through real combat experience.
‘If only I had been born with talent, like Regina… then maybe even Gyle…’
Her desire for recognition was growing each day.
And her frustration at never getting a chance kept turning toward Regina.
‘I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but… I’m starting to really hate Regina…’
As planned by Valentin, their trip to the capital became a secret mission.
Publicly, they were just a duke and duchess going on a very late honeymoon.
Since they traveled without attendants, it gave the impression that they were still passionately in love.
“By now, people probably think the Lady and the Duke have completely left,”
Konfe said, speaking to Regina as he finished checking the carriage.
Their secret travel began in a small, simple carriage—something nobles wouldn’t normally ride.
The fancy and eye-catching carriage had already left hours earlier as a decoy.
“People seem surprised by the late honeymoon. Hehe.”
“Haha, honeymoon…”
Regina had only heard about this “official excuse” recently. But it was the best cover story they could use.
“By the way, My Lady, why are you going to the capital?”
Konfe asked respectfully as he finished preparing everything.
Allen, Thomas, Eileen, and Konfe all knew the real destination. They just didn’t know the exact reason.
“Oh, it’s just personal business.”
There was a flicker of curiosity in Konfe’s large eyes, but Regina didn’t want to say any more.
“I see. Still, please be careful. You’re going without guards, and that worries me.”
Luckily, Konfe let the matter go there. Regina thought he was quite sharp—he knew exactly when to stop talking.
“You sound like Lady Menlo.”
“We servants always worry about our masters’ well-being.
To be honest, I’d like to accompany you myself, but…”
His voice trailed off, and Regina could tell that Konfe didn’t really mean what he was saying.
In her judgment, Konfe was a decent butler.
He did his work well enough and knew how to flatter politely—like now.
But maybe that’s why he bothered her—because he seemed too normal.
Something about him didn’t sit right.
‘He wasn’t recommended by Count Renzier, and he doesn’t seem suspicious, but…’
They had exchanged small talk here and there around the estate.
But there was always a clear distance.
For some reason, Regina couldn’t bring herself to trust him the way she trusted Eileen.
“Well then, I’ll do what I need to while you’re gone.”
Regina smiled lightly and climbed into the carriage.
Konfe stared at the closing door with wide eyes—without blinking once.
“Yes… I’ll do what I must.”
He muttered, and then… smiled.
His smile was strange. His large eyes didn’t move at all—only the muscles in his cheeks pulled tight.
It looked like a badly made clay statue. Something no one would want to see.
“Departure!”
The hired coachman called out and started the journey.
He didn’t know he was transporting a duke and duchess—he just thought they were estate workers with a lot of luggage.
The coachman who’d take them back from the capital would be someone different.
“Is there anything you want to do in the capital?”
Regina asked, bored inside the carriage.
Because they were traveling secretly, she didn’t have to wear a dress—despite Eileen’s complaints.
Worn-out mercenary clothes were still more comfortable.
“Hm… I’ll just follow your schedule. That’s enough for me.”
Valentin said he wanted to come along, yet he didn’t seem to want anything for himself.
Still, since they were already traveling together, Regina didn’t bother pointing it out.
The carriage kept climbing the narrow mountain roads.
Since the usual path Regina used alone was too steep for a carriage, they had to take a slower route.
Inside the boring carriage, they talked about small things.
Mostly, Regina ended up telling stories from her mercenary life—it was almost like reading from her own memoir.
By the end, they were even playing word games and reading books aloud to pass the time.
They had left at dawn, and after a full day’s journey, they arrived at the capital just before evening.
Regina stretched, her body stiff from sitting so long.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“We’ve been waiting for you!”
Before leaving, Regina had sent word through Joo to Persona.
Now, the guild members who had been waiting for her cheered as she stepped out of the carriage.
The coachman—his first time visiting Persona—was startled by the welcome.
But after being told that his job was done and he didn’t even need to move the luggage, he quickly left.
“Regina! You look thinner than before!”
Maut, who had been waiting at the front, rushed over to greet her.
Regina gave him a small gesture, signaling him to look behind her.
“The Duke.”
Only then did the members bow to Valentin.
He briefly looked them over, glanced at Regina, and smiled softly.
“Please, you can relax. These are Regina’s people, after all.”
Even though their marriage was a cover, that didn’t mean the guild members were happy about this man by Regina’s side.
Maut especially didn’t look pleased.
Valentin scanned the group, looking for Gyle.
“Uncle Maut, where are Gyle and Shanro?”
“They’re on their way. They should be here tonight.
Sounds like something went wrong with the job.”
Because a civilian was present, no one mentioned the word “mission,” but Valentin immediately understood they were talking about the night operation.
Still, Regina didn’t want to keep the conversation going—not in front of Persona’s entrance, and not before even unpacking.
“Let’s go inside. Valentin, I’ll show you to a room.”
“Hm… is it next to yours?”
That question wasn’t flirtatious—but it felt like a bomb.
His voice wasn’t teasing, but to the guild members, it sounded like an insult.
Regina quickly stepped in front of Maut.
He had clearly been about to say something, and whatever was about to come out of his mouth…
It wouldn’t have been polite, even to a royal.
