Chapter 46: How a Mercenary Corners a Rat (1)

“Healer Roten, you’re originally from the eastern mountain range, right?”

“…How did you know that?”

“A few days ago, I happened to overhear you and Miss Joy talking. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but your accent changed—more like the deep eastern mountain dialect. And you also used a word that people in the capital don’t use.”

Allan wasn’t the most affectionate person with his family, so even when he ran into Joy at the estate, they didn’t talk for long. The difference in dialect was subtle too.

The fact that Regina had picked up on such a minor detail and figured out he was from the Roten family gave Allan chills.

“Why are you asking that… now of all times?”

“Because I’d like to bare my belly to you, Healer Roten.”

“What…? You even know about that…?”

Baring the belly was a blunt form of oath-making used in the east. Two people hold swords, expose their bellies, and if either breaks the oath, the other is allowed to stab them. It was rough, direct, and often considered primitive.

Allan wasn’t even surprised anymore. Not only did she know the custom, but she was willing to use it.

‘Actually, this might be good. Even if it started with suspicion, I’ve been wanting to make a clear vow anyway.’

In fact, Allan welcomed it. If this helped clear up the doubts she had about him, it was worth it.

Besides, how useful is it to keep suspecting someone who just laid themselves bare?

Allan adjusted his glasses and stood. Regina stood with him and met his gaze directly.

They didn’t have swords on them right now, but from this moment, breaking the oath meant they had the right to stab each other.

“To those of us who protect Valentin—betrayal does not exist. Not in the past, not in the future.”

“Yes. I swear.”

Allan responded immediately.

“And since we’ve made an oath to each other, this will be my first and last warning.”

Allan accepted her words with a nod.

“Never make a mistake with my tea again. Be careful not to give me any reason to doubt you.”

The word doubt had never sounded so terrifying.

Allan felt another wave of cold sweat soak his back.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then I think we’re done here. I’ll be going now.”

Click.

As soon as Regina left the room, Allan slumped into a chair and let out a long breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. For a second, he even saw a flash of Thomas getting scolded in his head.

“Whew… I somehow made it through.”

Even if the duke himself ordered it, Allan no longer had the guts to mess with Regina’s tea.

He took off his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. That short conversation had drained him completely.

And yet… somehow, his shoulders felt lighter.

He now realized just how foolish he had been to even think about looking for a different lady of the house.

The next day, as planned, Regina put on the dress Joy had made for her and stepped into a fancy carriage for the first time in a long while. This was her official appearance as duchess.

As expected, the dress Joy prepared was quite flashy. It was a soft sky blue, with a white flower-shaped decoration tied at the waist. Because of the flower, Regina couldn’t lean back fully in the carriage.

Her knees stuck out a bit, occasionally brushing against Valentin’s long legs seated across from her. She thought about moving her legs to the side but gave up.

She looked over at Valentin, who was also dressed nicely for once.

He had actually buttoned his shirt all the way up, and seeing him like that made it hit her again—he was royalty. Unlike herself, who barely managed to act like a noblewoman, he had a natural elegance.

Clearly, Aileen had told him to dress up. As she studied his face, she could practically hear the maids’ admiring sighs.

When Valentin had one of his episodes, they ran from him. But otherwise, they blushed and giggled just from seeing him.

Honestly, Regina understood why. He’d still stand out even dressed in rags.

“…Why are you staring at me like that?”

Valentin, who had been gazing out the window, noticed her stare.

“I’m just glad your episodes have gotten better lately.”

“Oh, that’s all thanks to you, Regina.”

Regina tilted her head. She wasn’t a healer like Allan.

“Me?”

“Yeah. I feel safer when you’re around.”

Regina turned her head slightly to hide the blush on her cheeks.

She liked being seen as dependable. It made her feel like her past efforts were finally paying off. Valentin, who’d been sneaking glances at her from the side, didn’t miss her soft smile.

“You’re not good with compliments, huh?”

“…”

For some reason, she didn’t want to answer. She didn’t know exactly why—but she just didn’t. Regina wiped the smile off her face and turned away, avoiding his eyes.

Which, of course, was an answer in itself.

“Then I’ll just say it often. When I’m with you, I feel like the safest man in the world.”

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s voice overlapped with Valentin’s words.

As soon as the carriage door opened, Regina stood up quickly.

“They said we’re here. Let’s get out.”

Then she stepped out first—clearly dodging the moment. She ignored the quiet chuckle that followed behind her.

It was just a light joke she could’ve laughed off. But for some reason, Valentin’s calm and gentle teasing made her feel more awkward than the rowdy jokes of mercenaries. Her neck even felt a little tingly.

“Let’s go together.”

Valentin came up beside her after getting out of the carriage. Seeing the growing crowd around them, Regina instinctively stepped a bit closer to him.

Apparently, word had gotten out. Everyone had come to see the ducal couple’s first public appearance.

“There are a lot of people. Just in case, stay close to me.”

She grabbed his arm and pulled him beside her. In crowded places like this, close protection was a must.

“But if we walk like this, it just looks like I’m your guard.”

Valentin chuckled and slid her arm through his instead.

Startled by the unexpected move, Regina looked up at him. He smiled, nose crinkling slightly.

“This way, we look more like a couple.”

“…I guess you’re right.”

A public appearance as duke and duchess—linking arms was the natural choice.

Still, this kind of physical contact felt very strange to Regina. Part of her wanted to treat him like a fellow mercenary and put her arm around his neck just to end the awkwardness.

“Why are you fidgeting so much?”

Without realizing it, her fingers had started twitching.

“S-sorry.”

She stopped moving her hand at his comment and stared straight ahead.

Now that they were arm-in-arm, she could hear his quiet breaths mixed into his voice. The sound brushed against her ear like a tickling whisper.

‘This feels weird. My ears feel hot…’

She wasn’t some teenage girl hearing a compliment for the first time.

As soon as they entered the building, Regina quickly pulled her arm free.

“What a beautiful building. Look at those big windows.”

She forced herself to admire the tall ceiling and large windows.

Balmen’s buildings had high ceilings due to the local climate, and the big windows were made to let in as much sunlight as possible. Regina liked the bright, warm feel of the city.

Even if some of the buildings were old, the city had once been popular sixty years ago. There were still plenty of tall, wide buildings.

Meaning—it was perfect for large businesses or public facilities.

“Although… our Shadow Tribe sleeps during the day, so we’ll need blackout curtains.”

Whale, who had been waiting for them, said as he stepped away from the sunlight pouring through the windows.

“If you need curtains, I can recommend a merchant that sells quality ones.”

“Thank you. But it’s still a bit messy inside right now.”

Whale glanced over at the two of them as they stood side by side.

Just as he said, the interior was chaotic. Boxes were everywhere, and furniture hadn’t been placed yet. Merchants bustled around trying to move everything.

Most of them wore robes that made them look like they were also from the Shadow Tribe.

“It’s okay. This is how it always is at the start.”

“Still, we don’t really have a good place to serve tea…”

“Guildmaster! Where should I put this!?”

“Ah, that goes over there!”

Someone shouted in a panic from the other side of the room. Whale glanced at them, then Regina waved for him to go ahead.

‘If he’s opening a business with just dye, he must be doing pretty well.’

Regina had never seen Harne’s dyes in person before. Her curiosity sparked, and she carefully walked over to get a closer look without getting in the way.

“Ahh!”

“Watch out!”

It was too hectic. Two merchants collided.

One of them—a smaller man—fell backward. Regina quickly moved to catch him.

She ended up on the floor, cushioning his fall. If she hadn’t, his head would’ve hit the marble and cracked open.

Thud!

A box slipped from his hands and landed loudly right in front of her feet—just a hand’s width away from crushing her toes.

Whale ran over, clearly alarmed.

“Ma’am!”