Episode 174

The air inside the tent grew colder as Lloydin and I faced off, each of us standing firm on ground we couldn’t yield.

I was resolute for Lloydin’s sake.

He was equally unyielding, for mine.

Neither of us could surrender, not when it was for the other’s well-being. For a long time, we remained locked in silence, staring ahead without either of us backing down, unwilling to break the tense quiet that had settled between us.

It wasn’t Lloydin or me who finally broke the silence, but Noah, who had been watching us all along.

“So… let me get this straight. You’re both arguing because you’re trying to protect each other?” he asked, his tone mildly exasperated.

Lloydin and I both turned to look at him simultaneously.

“May I share my thoughts on this? Ayla, would you mind?”

We both nodded in unison, giving him our silent consent.

“Go ahead.”

“Of course.”

Noah glanced between us before speaking.

“As the Duke mentioned, this plan is indeed extremely dangerous, not only for Ayla but for you as well, Duke. That’s why I tried to stop her.”

“Noah…”

His words, seemingly leaning toward Lloydin’s stance, made me frown as I called out to him in disappointment.

“Hold on. I haven’t finished. Can you let me say everything first?”

“Oh… yes, of course…”

“Thank you.”

Noah gave me a serious look, then turned back to Lloydin, continuing with his explanation.

“Like I said, if there’s a safer way to achieve this, I’d gladly choose it. But, Duke, no matter how much I think about it, I can’t come up with a better plan than Ayla’s.”

Hearing Noah’s words, I chose to remain silent. It seemed he was actually supporting my idea, despite my earlier doubts.

“If you can think of a better approach, Duke, I’ll follow it. But if not, then I suggest we end this exhausting debate here and work together on how we’re going to proceed. We don’t have much time left.”

Noah was right. With the Crown Prince arriving in two days, we had only a single day to prepare. We couldn’t afford to waste precious time.

“I agree. If you can find a better way, I’ll follow it, Duke. But I won’t let you face this alone.”

“My lady… sigh.”

Lloydin let out a long, frustrated sigh, running a hand over his face. He was deep in thought, his expression tense. Finally, after a long pause, he looked up with a determined look.

“…Very well. I’ll go along with your plan.”

“Really?” I asked, my face lighting up at his words.

“Yes. Let’s proceed as you’ve suggested.”

“Thank you! Now, let’s figure out each of our roles to ensure this plan goes smoothly and that no one is put in harm’s way.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s do it.”

With Lloydin agreeing to join us, we spent hours discussing every detail, not stopping until the sky outside started to lighten with the first hints of dawn.

“It’s done then. Let’s proceed as we planned,” I said, stifling a yawn as I stretched, feeling the stiffness from sitting all night.

“My lady, you must be exhausted from the long journey and staying up all night. Perhaps you should rest a bit?”

“Right now…?” I glanced at Noah, silently asking for his input.

“Since dawn’s almost here, we can’t both leave this tent unnoticed. Even with a cloak, it’ll be obvious you’re a woman if we leave together. So… Ayla, I think it’s best for you to stay here.”

“Just me? And what about you, Noah?”

“I’ll go and scout the vicinity of the Black Forest before His Highness arrives.”

“You’re going to the Black Forest alone?”

“There are a few things I need to check. Duke, do you think it’s safe for Ayla to stay here?”

“Yes, it’s safe. Few people come near my tent, so it’s actually the most secure place for her.”

“Then I’ll trust you, Duke, and take my leave for a while.”

“But the Black Forest is dangerous, especially with the creatures there running wild,” Lloydin warned.

“Yes, Noah, it’s too dangerous. Stay here with us. There are priests and holy knights around who could recognize you.”

“I’ll be careful. Besides, I have quite strong divine power, even by the temple’s standards. I can take care of myself.”

“But…”

“There’s a place I need to go. I have to check it myself.”

“Where exactly is this place?”

“I’ll tell you once I’m back. It may take longer than expected.”

“Longer? Aren’t you coming back by tonight?”

“I might be delayed, but I’ll return before His Highness arrives. So don’t worry too much and just wait for me.”

“…Even if I ask you not to go, you’re still going, aren’t you?”

Noah gave a quiet nod.

Honestly, Lloydin and I were both stubborn, but Noah had his own unyielding streak as well.

“All right. But please, be careful!” I finally relented, giving up on convincing him otherwise, and instead warned him fervently.

“I will. Duke, I’m leaving Ayla in your care.”

“Understood. Take care.”

“Thank you. I should go before the light grows stronger. I’ll be on my way.”

“Stay safe!”

Before I even finished my words, Noah was already out the tent. I watched his retreating figure with a mixture of worry and apprehension, then let out a weary sigh and sank back into my chair.

“Will he really be all right?”

“He should be fine. With his divine power, as he mentioned, he can handle even a horde of monsters. Though it would be best if he avoids them entirely.”

“Yes, I really hope so…” I sighed again, unable to shake the worry gnawing at me the moment he left.

I tried to remind myself that this was beyond my control and attempted to clear my mind.

“He’ll be fine, just as the Duke said.”

“Yes. So why not try to rest a bit?”

“That’s probably a good idea. I’m utterly exhausted. We rode nonstop for days, trying to arrive before His Highness.”

“Wasn’t it dangerous, riding like that?”

“Oh, not at all. I’ve become quite good at riding. I’ll show you sometime,” I replied with a confident smile.

“I’d very much like to see that. Please, do show me.”

“…I will.” There was something reassuring about our casual promise of a future meeting, and for a moment, conversation flowed naturally, unlike the tense exchanges we’d had since our reunion.

A brief silence settled between us.

“So, where should I sleep?” I asked, glancing around as I rose from the chair, trying to act nonchalant.

The bed was clearly meant for Lloydin, so I assumed I’d be sleeping… somewhere else.

“Please, come this way,” Lloydin said, steering me toward the bed as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“But, Duke, you should take the bed. There’s still some time until dawn… You should rest there, and I can… somewhere else…”

Realistically, there was nowhere else but the floor. Embarrassed by the thought, I averted my gaze, focusing on the ground. Suddenly, I felt Lloydin draw close.

“My lady.”

“Yes?” I looked up, meeting his dark eyes.

“Please, take the bed. I will sleep on the floor.”

“But the floor is terribly uncomfortable. You’ll wake up stiff and sore, and it’ll affect your duties. I don’t have anything particular to do tomorrow, so it’s fine if I take the floor…”

“Ayla.”

His firm tone interrupted my rambling, and he shook his head resolutely.

“No. That won’t do.”

Stunned by his unwavering stance, I stared at him, eventually conceding with a slight nod.

“Thank you. Then… I’ll take the bed…”

I moved toward the bed, but on a sudden impulse, I reached back and caught his hand, speaking softly.

“In that case, Duke… please sleep on the bed as well…”

Lloydin’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at me.