Chapter 38
The Baberania army arrived at the harbor. Since their arrival had been sent in advance via courier, someone was there to greet them.
“Thank you for coming such a long way.”
But the person who had come out looked extremely shabby. No matter how you looked at it, he appeared to be just a young servant working in the castle.
Mark objected.
“Even if the lord himself can’t come out, it would be normal for at least a family member to greet us.”
As far as Mark knew, Baslui had a daughter of marriageable age.
“The young lady is unable to leave the castle at the moment. She… caught a cold. She has a very high fever.”
The servant stammered, giving off an air of making excuses.
Mark closed his eyes tightly.
It would have been the unmarried daughter. One could understand that this might be to prevent any unforeseen incident.
But did it really need to be assigned to a teenage boy who clearly had no experience handling such matters?
“It seems our message wasn’t communicated properly.”
Mark said this while watching Baberi carefully. He knew that she had been expecting a grand welcome since yesterday, making the situation even more difficult.
Baberi crossed her arms and glared at the boy.
“You didn’t know we were coming?”
“Oh, we did.”
“Then why are you alone?”
The boy, intimidated by Baberi, slowly backed away, only to trip over the cane he was holding.
Thwack!
The cane flew and struck Wid on the back of the head.
“Who’s there?!”
Thinking it was his comrades playing a prank, Wid sharply turned around, scanning for the culprit.
“I-I’m sorry!”
The boy apologized while sobbing.
Mark’s temple throbbed at the total chaos unfolding.
Then Baberi burst out laughing.
“Idiot!”
She held her stomach, laughing at how flustered Wid looked.
At that moment, a woman came running across the harbor, clutching the hem of her skirt.
“I’m sorry I’m late!”
It was Lavender, Baslui’s daughter, who was supposedly too ill with a high fever to leave the castle.
Dressed in a yellow gown, she looked young and tall. Behind her, an old maid huffed and slowly followed.
“You are from Baberania, the king, right?”
Lavender looked around at the group, then addressed Baberi.
“Welcome to Martu. It must have been tiring to travel such a long way.”
Lavender’s chest rose and fell heavily as she panted.
Baberi, who had been laughing at Wid, glanced at Lavender.
“You look even more exhausted.”
Her whole body looked flushed—whether from the cold or running, it was hard to tell.
Embarrassed, Lavender chuckled softly and bowed. Once she caught her breath, she smiled at Baberi.
“I will guide Your Majesty to the castle.”
Lavender, ready to lead the way, glanced at Medo and waved slightly.
“Sir Medo, it’s been a while.”
Her voice could not hide her delight. Medo gave a strained smile in response.
“I’m glad to see you healthy.”
“Yes. I’m always very healthy. Although I caught a cold today, I got too excited when I heard you were coming, Sir Medo. I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk in light clothing and caught a cold. Actually, ever since I heard you were departing from Londar…”
“Lady Lavender.”
Medo interrupted her, noticing the people around observing them.
“I’m delighted as well, but could we first head to the castle?”
“Mind your manners! Sorry!”
Lavender quickly covered her mouth and led the way.
Baberi glared at Medo with displeasure as he followed with a sigh.
“Why are you staring like that?”
“You two seem awfully close.”
Baberi had expected that Medo would be treated coldly upon arriving in Martu, at the very least. A warm welcome was the last thing she anticipated. Yet here he was, being treated so kindly.
Something seemed off, so Baberi pressed further.
“What is your relationship?”
“We have no relationship.”
Medo denied it. But as Lavender chattered away the entire way, Baberi found his words less than convincing.
“You have no idea how happy I am that Sir Medo is here.”
Lavender shyly said, “I’m really, really glad you came back.”
Baberi thought she saw a special feeling in Lavender’s gaze directed at Medo.
“Hey.”
Baberi leaned close to Kur, lowering her voice.
“It looks like that girl has feelings for Medo. Am I imagining it?”
Kur glanced indifferently at the two.
“I thought she had no sense of these things. But apparently, she isn’t completely oblivious.”
Kur offered an almost sarcastic congratulations. Baberi narrowed her eyes and glared at Medo.
“Lady Lavender, watch where you’re walking, or you’ll fall.”
Medo warned, and Baberi let out a hollow laugh.
“Doesn’t Medo have feelings too? He’s being awfully kind.”
“Correction: Your Majesty’s eyes are just doing their job.”
It was obvious Medo was embarrassed, so how was this being “kind”?
Kur gestured for him to pay closer attention.
“I don’t trip like I used to…!”
Before she could finish, Lavender stumbled over a stone. Medo quickly grabbed her arm.
Lavender blinked her wide eyes and looked up at Medo, then smiled brightly.
Her smile strangely reminded Baberi of Sharon, which unsettled her.
“Is this what it feels like to see your brother-in-law… or son-in-law, acting foolish?”
Before Kur could respond, Baberi strode over to Medo and kicked his backside.
“Where do you think you’re flirting with another woman while Sharon is around?”
“Your Majesty, what have I done…!”
Medo knelt, looking wronged. Lavender, alarmed, grabbed his hand to help him up, then noticed the ring on his ring finger.
“Sir Medo, are you… married?”
Baberi’s anger intensified at the shocked tone.
“You didn’t even tell us you were married?”
She clenched her fists and repeatedly struck Medo’s back.
“You were Sharon’s man, and you dared to act boldly!”
“Your Majesty, please listen to me… Ahh!”
Medo groaned as the punches increased. Kur intervened, unable to watch further.
“How can she know Medo is married when this is the first time you’ve met since being exiled?”
“Oh.”
Baberi finally stopped, realizing her mistake, scratching her head awkwardly.
“You could have said so.”
“You didn’t give me the chance.”
“That’s true. Sorry.”
Baberi helped Medo up by the collar, apologizing. Medo sniffled, looking at his king with mock grievance.
“You only care about Sharon.”
Although his nose was fine, he kept sniffing to appear pitiful.
‘Make Your Majesty pity me as much as possible. He’s surprisingly weak when it comes to feeling sorry for someone.’
Kur had instructed Medo on this.
It seemed as though Baberi’s favor could be influenced by such pitiful behavior, but Medo doubted it. Her expression while looking at him pretending to cry was far from kind.
“Let’s hurry.”
Baberi ignored Medo and gestured to Lavender.
Lavender nodded with a serious expression. Once cheerful and talkative, she now didn’t speak a word until they reached the castle.
Eventually, she realized her mistake and stomped her feet.
She had meant to explain that her father was not currently in Martu and ask for understanding, but meeting Medo and the shocking news had made her forget.
“Your lord father is away?”
Lavender repeatedly bowed, apologizing for not explaining sooner.
“My father went to Yasco in the royal capital. On his way back, the river overflowed, so he’s stuck.”
It was unexpected, but Baberi let it pass.
Even though accommodations for them weren’t fully prepared, she didn’t get angry.
“Then we can station half the troops at Kok Mountain to keep the rebels in check.”
Since the welcome dinner she had expected was well-prepared, Baberi was generous.
“Becoming a king has made me too kind.”
She enjoyed the small mercy she had shown. Kur, incredulous, naturally tried to sit next to her.
But he was refused.
“You go there. Today, Medo, you sit next to me.”
Baberi commanded. It wasn’t to make up for earlier events with alcohol.
“You two certainly gave off a strange vibe together.”
Medo’s aim was to ensure nothing happened with Lavender.
“Your Majesty, I love Sharon and Margaret.”
He had no intention of harboring feelings for anyone else. Medo sweatily pleaded.
Kur, whose seat was taken, glared fiercely. Medo feared that if he made a wrong move, his face might get hurt.
‘Kur, I swear I had no such thoughts.’
Medo tried to communicate with his eyes. Kur silently moved his lips.
‘I’ll fold you in half.’
Reading his lips sent shivers down Medo’s spine. He wanted to escape, but Baberi didn’t allow it.
“You won’t do. Stay by my side until we return to Londar.”
“Your Majesty, that’s a bit…”
It felt life-threatening. Medo glanced at Kur, sweating.
“When the king gives an order, you obey. Why argue?”
Baberi jabbed her fist into Medo’s side.
“Ugh!”
Medo groaned, apologizing, caught between Baberi’s wrath and Kur’s silent threat.
And then Mark caused trouble.
“I heard an interesting story from the locals.”
Mark gave Medo a suspicious look.
“What story?”
Baberi, draping an arm over Medo’s shoulder, asked. Medo felt Kur’s gaze sharpen.
“They say that when Sir Medo served as a knight in Martu, he was considered a strong candidate as a husband.”
No one needed to ask whose husband—it was clear in everyone’s mind.
“They were just gossiping…!”
Medo couldn’t continue as Baberi tightened her hold on his head.
Mark added, as if encouraging Baberi to tighten her grip further:
“They say Sir Medo was her first love.”
Medo desperately wanted Mark to stop.
