Chapter 104
Why was Mark doing something she hadn’t even told him to?
Baberi’s mind was cluttered as she tried to think of the answer to that question.
“When exactly did I give Mark that kind of order?”
But Kur, squinting with his sharp eyes, pressed her from the side.
“You even tell him important things first and have him fetch the medicine?”
‘Ugh, noisy. Just shut up and let me think.’
Just as she was about to snap at the interruption, she noticed his gaze.
“Your Majesty… you really…”
Kur bit back what he wanted to say, but the emotions he couldn’t hide were evident in his face and voice.
‘Why is he feeling upset now?’
Baberi blinked, unable to understand his emotions. In the past, she wouldn’t have cared if he felt slighted. Recently, she might have made things worse by telling him not to feel that way.
Fortunately, Baberi had grown a little. Instead of snapping, she took Kur’s hand.
“….”
But she still hadn’t learned what to say in these moments to avoid conflict and resolve things peacefully.
“Wait a moment. Let me… think a little.”
It seemed to work, as Kur’s sharp gaze softened. Baberi, relieved that things seemed resolved, fell back into her thoughts.
She had never explicitly ordered Mark to fetch the medicine. Yet according to Medo, Mark had received her instructions.
One of them was lying. Since she wasn’t lying, the answer was obvious.
A strange sense of unease spread through her. Baberi unconsciously tightened her grip on Kur’s hand.
When doubt arose about someone she had never questioned, her thoughts began to spiral uncontrollably.
‘Before I was sent to Korea, who was the last person I met?’
After Baberi had defeated Kur in Madni, she immediately became a hero.
“Our hero! Dragon Slayer!”
No one criticized her for drinking. Everyone seemed eager to pour her a drink.
“It feels so good to finally get rid of that brute!”
People laughed and cheered, exaggerating their excitement, as if killing Kur were something to celebrate. But Baberi’s heart wasn’t at ease.
The more she drank, the more she remembered a friend—someone who had silently listened to her and yet betrayed her.
The joy she should have felt was tainted, making the wine taste awful.
“Hahaha! Drink! More!”
Still, she pretended to enjoy herself. After all, it was natural for the bloodline of a Dragon Slayer to slay dragons.
Yet it felt odd to sulk after killing a dragon.
Fortunately, as she retraced her march, she gradually calmed down. She forgot Kur and focused on the people around her.
Then, she began to genuinely enjoy herself. Everyone praised her.
She was the little girl who had dug small potatoes from frozen ground, disappointed at every turn, who stole to survive and was beaten for it.
“I really have become a hero of the continent, just like Kyung said.”
Upon arriving at Tatara, she escaped the busy maids’ attempts to involve her in ceremonies and sought out her master’s grave.
Despite scattering so many flower seeds, only one flower bloomed on his grave.
“The Princess of Lancaster said to come to their country. They said they’d treat me very well.”
Baberi couldn’t stop thinking about Sisle.
Most people looked upon her kindly after she became a Dragon Slayer. But even before slaying the evil dragon, Sisle had reached out to Baberi.
“She was the one who recognized my abilities after Kyung.”
Perhaps that’s why, despite having nothing in common, Sisle occasionally reminded Baberi of her old teacher.
“And she kept trying to get me to drink. Kyung loved drinking too, you know.”
Eventually, she had stopped.
Baberi lightly tapped the small yellow flower with her hand. It seemed fragile but surprisingly resilient—it leaned, but returned upright once released.
What would have happened if she had gone to Lancaster with her? Perhaps she might have lived well—better than here.
But Baberi had refused Sisle’s offer and returned to her master’s side. There were things she couldn’t do if she exiled herself to Lancaster.
“When I become a noble, I’ll make Kyung a knight first, just like I promised. Then Atiya.”
She wasn’t sure if one could grant knighthood to the dead or even to a dead dog. But who cares? That’s up to the giver.
Baberi then began to plan what kind of shiny tomb she would build for the two of them.
She would stack stones like a castle and build walls. She would place marble engraved with their names in front.
“I’ll also plant seeds every day so the flowers can bloom fully.”
As she imagined this, a shadow approached behind her.
“You were here.”
It was Mark. He scolded Baberi gently.
“There’s chaos in the castle because the Dragon Slayer has disappeared.”
“Can’t I just step out for a moment?”
“You could have done that after finishing your tasks.”
Mark grabbed Baberi, who was sitting on the dirt floor. He tried to lift her immediately, but when she resisted, he struggled.
“Don’t do this. Just because some people can’t say anything to you doesn’t mean they can scold me.”
“That only makes it difficult for you, not me.”
“Baberi.”
Mark pleaded. Baberi shrugged but then suddenly smiled as a thought struck her.
“If you drink tonight, I’ll go along with whatever you say.”
Even after the mission was successful and everyone else had drunk, Mark had never touched a drop. Baberi remembered this and set her condition.
Mark sighed softly and reluctantly nodded. Baberi took his hand, and finally, they stood.
The banquet was delightful. Nobles who had ignored her now fawned, the meat was the most tender she had ever eaten, and the wine was exquisite.
One drink. Two drinks. As Baberi began to feel a slight buzz, Mark approached.
“It’s a promise.”
Mark handed her a glass of wine.
“Wine?”
Baberi complained, surprised that he brought actual alcohol. Mark insisted it was indeed wine and lightly offered it to her.
They clinked glasses with a light clink, which sounded pleasant.
Baberi drank quickly, and Mark drank halfway. When she urged him to finish, he reluctantly took a sip, looking tired…
Her memory ended there.
She was already somewhat drunk. The last person she thought she had met might not have been the one. That possibility was very real.
Still, a lingering unease remained.
“Your Majesty.”
Kur, looking serious, called the silent Baberi. He quietly held her hand and looked at her face.
“What are you thinking about to make that expression?”
“…Just thinking the medicine tastes bitter and I don’t want to take it.”
Baberi glanced at the medicine bottle on the table and made her excuse. It wasn’t a lie.
The insignia of the missing Ballista hadn’t returned yet. She had to try something, but she didn’t want to take the medicine.
“That’s such childish talk. Margaret probably takes medicine better than you.”
“Well… Margaret exaggerates so much that taking medicine is practically a war…”
Medo tried to intervene to correct him about his daughter, but noticing Kur’s sharp gaze, he quickly fell silent.
Kur averted his gaze only when Medo bit his lips inward, showing he wouldn’t speak further.
“Your Majesty.”
“I’m not in the mood today. More importantly, you.”
Baberi released his hand and leaned against the chair. Her slouched posture and glare made her look quite rebellious.
“Did you know Mark conducted that research?”
And he hadn’t said a single word to her.
Baberi pressed Kur sharply. He said he didn’t know.
“You collaborated with him, so why not?”
“My collaboration with him was about ensuring a dragon would appear if Glock wanted to call you again.”
Baberi scrutinized Kur. He didn’t seem to be lying.
Besides, when they reunited, he had clearly mentioned that he knew she was exiled elsewhere. She herself had said not to explain how he knew.
So perhaps Mark had casually mentioned it, and she had refused to listen.
She wasn’t sure.
“This is frustrating.”
“Isn’t it because you haven’t taken the medicine?”
“What does that have to do with anything…”
Baberi glared at his back as he turned to fetch the medicine, then suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist.
Kur froze, unable to move a finger.
“…Have I done something seriously wrong to you?”
Kur, finally able to speak, sounded awkward. Baberi replied as if nothing had happened.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“When I hug you when I’m in a bad mood, I feel better.”
Kur’s ears turned red. His heart raced painfully.
If she was going to act cute, couldn’t it have been just the two of them? Now it was awkward to touch him more.
Kur glanced at Medo. He had his hand over his mouth and gave a teasing smile, just like Sharon.
Kur felt as if the two of them were mocking him.
She tried to gesture for him to leave, but Baberi released her arms and stood, a determined look on her face.
“I’m going to see Mark for a moment.”
She realized there was no need to overthink—she could just ask him directly. Opening the box would probably reveal nothing, like with Medo.
“Don’t follow me.”
Kur protested at being refused, but Baberi detached herself and headed toward Mark.
She needed to talk to him separately to check if everything matched up.
Trust or doubt?
Baberi was unsure of her own feelings.
Mark was in his room at the inn. Despite her sudden visit, he didn’t seem surprised, as if he had expected her.
“Would you like some tea?”
Baberi thought for a moment and declined. Mark looked puzzled as he moved to prepare tea.
“I just had tea Sharon gave me.”
She offered an unsolicited explanation.
Mark sat down, and they faced each other across a small, worn table.
A strange tension lingered. Baberi felt awkward bringing up the topic.
Before she could speak, Mark said to her:
“If not now, I might never have the chance… may I say this?”
Baberi nodded.
Mark took a deep breath, looked her directly in the eyes, and spoke:
“I want to propose to Your Majesty.”
