Episode 71: How a Mercenary Joins a Court Banquet (1)
They said he led mercenaries into battle at only twelve years old. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but what I heard made that fact clear.
“Then, more precisely, it’s a bribe.”
Those who have been betrayed get worried too quickly. That goes for them and for their masters. Fear eats at even the strongest people.
Honestly, I felt guilty later for doubting her—she who saved her kin and tried her best to protect her lord.
“A bribe?”
“Actually, my people—my clan—have served the duke for a long time. That’s why we moved to Valmen.”
Weil recalled the first meeting with his master like a painful memory. A corpse of a cold mother, a starving ten-year-old boy who almost died of hunger.
A half-royal child hiding in a cold, shabby warehouse—the last place he could hide from the palace’s wards.
He refused food and begged only for a match, saying he would survive even in the flames.
Valentin, who returned after burning everything down.
A master filled with blind revenge and a shadow clan bonded to that hatred.
A lonely person who, before going truly mad, learned to act mad to fill the gaps inside.
“Honestly, you could say this trade guild was made for him.”
Regina frowned and tried to understand Weil’s confession.
Valentin was a prince who only knew the palace. Weil’s manner had the shadow-clan loyalty that picks a master, so the question of how they met was still puzzling.
“If you ask for details, I’ll have to keep my mouth shut.”
I know the shadow clan’s loyalty. Just telling something that breaks their master’s rule would make cold sweat run down their backs.
He laughed as if asking her to stop making him awkward, and pushed the box closer.
“Please use this at the court banquet. Gold dye is rare, but there’s some trade in it. It will help.”
Like light follows shadow, my lord clung to this remarkable woman like a young animal.
If a boat is tossed in a storm, throw it into a calm lake.
A proverb from the shadow clan that I’d never really understood until now.
“Or give it to the tailor you use and dye the clothes. It will make the fabric strong so it won’t tear and keep a beautiful color.”
“Won’t it tear easily?”
Regina showed interest at last. It would be perfect for the hunting outfit. But he called it a bribe. If he called it that, he must want something, and the flow of the talk made the purpose clear.
“…You think something will happen to Valentin. You want strong clothes to protect him.”
“Sorry for asking such a thing.”
Because of the protection magic at the palace, hiding in shadows isn’t easy. Hiding in Valentin’s shadow would be trouble because of me, and Kablen was a beast-like man with a sharp nose for danger.
Still, my master planned to hide a fire-bomb spell in his ruined palace. No matter how strong and harsh he was, two is better than one.
“You don’t need to ask. I will protect the duke. I accepted the job.”
Regina picked up the box with a confident voice.
Instead of hiding in a shabby cart like before, this time the Duke Julius and his wife rode in a grand, expensive carriage.
The seats were soft and velvet cushions lined the edges. Regina couldn’t lean comfortably against the carriage wall because of all the decorations in her hair.
She hugged a cushion and yawned repeatedly.
“Tired?”
Valentin, sitting opposite, asked.
“A little.”
Makeup hid some fatigue and made her look lively. She knew how hard Eiren and Jane had worked since dawn to make her look so. But the long trip to the capital had piled more and more fatigue on her.
She couldn’t sit still holding the cushion. She wanted to rest and let the hidden tiredness ease a little.
“Move a little to the side.”
He rose, used his cane, and gently nudged her. Regina gave him a questioning look as she slid over.
Valentin lifted his hand, cupped her cheek, and gently pressed her against his shoulder.
“I thought this might be more comfortable.”
From his strong shoulder came a faint warm heat. Regina, surprised, felt that the new position was quite comfortable.
She hesitated. Was it inconvenient? Was it a bother?
Before being a mercenary, she was human and liked comfort. So she reasoned that this close position might actually help with guarding him.
As she calmed, a soft laugh slipped out of her. Of course, the carriage held only the two of them.
“People really do suit some clothes more than others.”
Feeling a little embarrassed, Regina tried to steer the conversation. The carriage wheels clicked on stones, filling the quiet.
Reaching for the small window, she found Valentin had already raised his arm, so she leaned against him at an angle.
“You look good like this.”
“Still, this heavy dress is uncomfortable. I can pretend to be a noble, but I won’t be very refined.”
Regina laughed, and Valentin’s shoulder gave a small shake.
“After all, I’m the wife of a mad duke—why bother being refined?”
Her eyes drifted to Valentin’s crossed legs and then to his hand. His palm faced up.
‘Calluses.’
He had removed his gloves when boarding, exposing calluses hardened by years of use.
Regina wondered if calluses formed so young. Her own calluses had lasted a lifetime. Maybe from holding a staff?
“Just in case.”
A voice fell over them like rain. Regina peeked up. Valentin looked down at her.
Close up, his eyes held calm waves, like a small sea. She was drawn in like someone caught in its current.
And she, who felt like an intruder in that small sea, found herself helplessly caught by his gaze.
“If someone starts trouble, act like that. Violent, fearless—like a mercenary. You are a mercenary, right?”
“The after-effects would be troublesome.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
She could cause a scene at the banquet and make them forget everything. A single outburst might mean they never invite her again.
Valentin, thinking seriously for a moment, paid attention to her small laugh.
“Now you’re a proper noble. I’ll try to hold back.”
“You don’t have to.”
His voice was low and like a lullaby. It tickled. Regina blinked slowly. His violet eyes still leaned in.
Valentin bent his head a little closer. Their gazes intertwined, deeper and more private. She didn’t notice him coming nearer.
“Now I can see.”
Just then hoofbeats sounded and Thomas’s voice drew near the small window. Regina turned quickly and moved closer to the window.
Valentin scooted back so she could look outside.
“It’s always such a luxurious building.”
Following Thomas’s words, Regina tipped her head back.
A large white building carved into a mountainside stood proudly. Its rounded roof looked costly to build and maintain.
Regina nodded in agreement.
“Sir Thomas.”
Valentin came closer. The big figure in the small window made the space feel cramped even without closeness. Regina edged back.
“Yes?”
The low sound of her master’s voice made a chill crawl up her spine. Valentin smiled at her reply, which made Thomas feel a bit cold and lean away from the carriage.
‘…Did he not like me getting close to the carriage?’
No matter how many times she thought about it, she couldn’t understand.
