Chapter 49
In His Territory
“There’s no need to worry—unless you betray me first.”
I wanted to ask what exactly the Commander meant by betrayal, but he didn’t give me the chance.
“Anyway, go back and get some proper rest today. In two days, you’ll have to march out with me.”
“Ah, I knew it. With Karolin gone, the schedule must’ve gotten tighter.”
“Can’t be helped. All we can do is pray someone reliable joins us soon.”
I lowered my head with a weary sigh. The Commander slipped a hand beneath my chin, lifting it gently until I met his eyes.
“Let me cast a spell to give you strength. I don’t know if it will help, but—”
“…?”
Before I could even ask what kind of spell he meant, his lips covered mine.
Heat and softness collided, and my mind went blank.
It was a kiss deep and fervent enough to melt away the fatigue of the entire day, a dangerously intoxicating happiness—as if walking on thin ice.
And in that fragile bliss, we indulged in each other.
How nice it would be if peaceful, lazy days could last forever. Unfortunately, rest could not continue endlessly.
Like honey slipping through the fingers, that brief holiday was gone in an instant, and once again I was setting out on a campaign.
This time, our party consisted of the Commander and me, Karl, Maxilian, and Oscar.
Before departure, the Commander lined us up in formation and gave his final instructions.
“As you all know, our objective this time isn’t to breach a rift. We’re not heading beyond it, but to a domain near its edge.”
Indeed, we weren’t going in to close the rift itself.
If a rift remained open too long, poison and monsters would seep out, corrupting the surrounding lands. Our mission was to subdue a powerful monster prowling one such corrupted territory.
“Don’t think you can slack off just because we’re not stepping inside the rift. Keep your wits sharp.”
As always, he was right.
The people living in that corroded domain were no doubt suffering horribly at the monsters’ hands.
But that wasn’t the only reason we couldn’t afford to falter.
Our destination this time was the Duchy of Habicht—special because it wasn’t just any land.
It was directly owned by the Commander himself, Duke Martin von Habicht.
That meant we had to be even more vigilant than usual.
While I steeled my resolve, the Commander glanced down the line.
“Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
Satisfied by our spirited response, he mounted his horse. We followed suit, and then he gave the word:
“Move out.”
The five horses struck the ground in unison, hooves thundering as we rode toward the Commander’s duchy.
The Duchy of Habicht lay at the empire’s northernmost edge, a land of sharp winds and chill air.
The people wore heavy clothes and carried sullen expressions.
After a long, grueling ride, we finally arrived. The Commander wasted no time leading us into his castle.
We couldn’t help but gasp softly.
“Wow…”
The Habicht fortress was far larger and grander than expected.
Though its design was somewhat austere, its scale rivaled the imperial palace. Its towering stone walls loomed thick and high, radiating an imposing strength.
As we halted before the gate, the soldiers recognized their lord at once and swung open the massive doors.
A woman who seemed to be the castle’s steward hurried out to greet him, bowing deeply.
“You’ve returned, Your Grace. As instructed by your letter, I’ve prepared everything to ensure the knights may rest in comfort. Please, follow me.”
Her gaze flicked briefly toward me before she turned and began to lead us inside.
It was late, so the plan was simple: spend the night in the fortress, then head out early in the morning to hunt the monster.
Thus, the Duke himself went directly to the lord’s chambers, while the rest of us were shown to separate guest rooms.
As I was about to enter mine, the steward suddenly addressed me.
“My lady?”
The unfamiliar title caught me off guard—I didn’t realize at first she was speaking to me.
My lady?
But I was the only young woman present. I turned to her.
“Were you calling me just now?”
“Yes, my lady, I—”
“Please, call me Sir Schuenestern. Being addressed as ‘my lady’ feels a bit strange.”
She must have been unused to proper titles, managing this remote castle on her own.
At my correction, her expression stiffened slightly. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and asked again:
“Sir Schuenestern, may I ask—what exactly is your relationship with His Grace?”
“…What do you mean?”
“He specifically wrote in his letter to me, requesting that your quarters be prepared with extra care.”
“The Commander… asked that?”
So he had ordered my room to be specially arranged.
A ticklish warmth bloomed in my chest.
But at the same time, I couldn’t help but bristle at her question. She was only a servant managing the castle—why pry into our relationship?
I let my irritation show in my tone.
“The relationship between the Commander of the order and his vice-commander. Why is that your concern?”
“Ah, so you are the Vice-Commander.”
“…”
“Forgive me. I was merely curious why you were to be welcomed with more attention than the others. Now I see—it was because you are second-in-command.”
All this just to satisfy her curiosity?
I found it absurd but too tiresome to pursue further.
“If that’s all, may I rest now? We’ve ridden hard, and I’m exhausted.”
“Of course. Please rest well. I’ll notify you when dinner is ready.”
I closed the door behind me and quickly shed my travel-worn clothes.
Thankfully, the room had a bath prepared with steaming water.
As I sank into the tub, fragrant lavender rose around me.
What was that woman’s deal?
Something about her seemed… off. Perhaps she was a relative of the Commander? Lords sometimes entrusted distant kin with management of their estates while away.
Her frankness suggested she wasn’t an ordinary servant.
Still, I was too tired to dwell on it. I let the lavender scent envelop me, body melting into the water.
I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d had such a bath—three years ago, maybe, when I’d been a guest in another domain?
Leaning back against the tub, I let drowsiness wash over me.
Until—
“Sir, dinner is ready.”
A polite knock, followed by that steward’s voice.
Reluctantly, I dried off and slipped into a fresh shirt and trousers.
Sure enough, she was waiting outside.
“You came yourself? Not a maid or servant?”
“My name is Berta. Since I was ordered to show you special care, I came personally.”
“I see.”
“Please, follow me. I’ll guide you to the dining hall.”
I followed her down.
The Commander and the others were already seated, waiting. I naturally took the place beside him, at his right hand.
He glanced at me, then murmured in a low voice:
“You smell pleasant.”
“They’d prepared a scented bath. Lavender. Do you like it?”
“In the past, I thought it too sharp. But now…”
He leaned closer, his whisper brushing my ear.
“…now it smells wonderful. Perhaps because it’s your scent.”
Startled, I glanced around anxiously, afraid someone might have overheard.
Luckily, he’d spoken so quietly that no one seemed to notice.
I whispered back, reproachful:
“You startled me. If anyone discovers our relationship—”
“Wouldn’t that be even better? Then no one else would dare set their sights on you.”
“….”
