No More Regrets, Just K*ll Me

 

After a series of twists and turns, we finally arrived at Anrize. I jumped out of the carriage with a hop. Carlothian frowned.

“You’ll hurt yourself like that.”

“Come on, I used to be quite good at long jumping back in the day!”

“Long jumps?”

Oops.

“Yeah, it’s a thing.”

“So you were doing strange things without me knowing.”

“Well, that was when you didn’t even care about me.”

At that, Carlothian’s mouth magically shut. I chuckled and looked around the town.

The road was made of white stones, and the houses of a similar color looked like tiny temples.

I could see a small mountain in the distance.

“Is that the mountain over there?”

“Yeah.”

I shielded my eyes from the sun and gazed at it quietly. The massive temple visible from the village entrance looked so mysterious, as if a deity might actually descend there.

“Wow, how many steps are there?”

The white stairs leading up to the temple continued all the way to the mountaintop. It seemed designed for easy access, but just looking at the number of steps was a bit overwhelming.

“Wow, when are we going to climb that?”

“It doesn’t actually take as long as you might think.”

“That’s based on your standards, though.”

As I grumbled, Carlothian extended his hand. I stared at it for a moment, wondering what he wanted.

Carlothian noticed my confusion and spoke indifferently,

“Hold on.”

“Yes? Why?”

He pointed to the street, which was bustling with people. I couldn’t even see a path for the carriage to pass through.

“From here on, there are too many people, so we need to walk in.”

“Oh, I see.”

To avoid losing each other in the crowd, we’d need to hold hands. I scratched my cheek, feeling the familiar ticklish sensation return.

No, wait. Hey, you’ve already shared a kiss with him! Sure, it was an emergency, but still!

I grabbed his hand firmly and started moving forward energetically.

“Let’s go! Come on!”

Wearing an elegant dress, I could feel people subtly stepping aside for us.

Oh, I must look quite noble. But just so you all know, I’m just a sinner. Hahaha.

As I confidently walked ahead, Carlothian, still holding my hand, asked,

“Do you know where we’re going?”

“Aren’t we heading towards that mountain?”

“First, we need to drop off our things at the inn.”

“Oh.”

He sighed.

“Follow me.”

I grabbed his hand and began to follow him closely. Behind us, I could see the attendants and knights carrying our luggage.

Wow, shouldn’t I be carrying something from over there? I’m neither a young lady nor a mistress, nor am I a noble—just a sinner.

‘Hmm, I don’t know.’

I began walking while looking at Carlothian’s back.

He had a cold, imposing demeanor and stood a head taller than others. Despite his clothes, his aura made people quietly step aside.

I guess this is why being good-looking matters. I followed him, lost in thought, and soon arrived in front of a large white building.

With its rounded roof, the place was five times larger than the other houses, and extravagant golden decorations adorned the entrance.

‘Oh, it looks quite expensive.’

Tourist spots usually have inflated prices. This place certainly seemed like it. Though it probably wouldn’t feel that way to Carlothian.

“Welcome.”

A man, who appeared to be an inn staff member, bowed slightly to greet us. Carlothian passed by as if he were familiar with the place, and the attendant who followed checked the reservation.

“We have assigned rooms according to your request.”

This place felt like a modern hotel. Across from a long table that looked like a counter, the staff presented several keys.

Among them, the most ornate key was respectfully offered to Carlothian with both hands. He accepted it with one hand and began to head upstairs.

He was still holding my hand. Wasn’t it okay to let go here? I wiggled my fingers slightly. Still, he didn’t release his grip.

‘What’s this? It’s making my heart race.’

Is this how one ends up getting married? This is exactly why one might get married. The talent to unconsciously stir someone’s emotions.

Upon reaching the top floor, we faced a large door. Carlothian unlocked it with the key and opened it, signaling for me to enter.

I didn’t hesitate. I released his hand and rushed into the room.

“Wow…”

The room, with its perfect blend of white and gold, felt like an emperor’s chamber. Especially from the large terrace, I could see the white stairs leading to the temples on the sides.

“Wow, the view here is amazing!”

“View?”

“Oh, there’s something like that.”

I opened the terrace door. The white curtains fluttered in the wind. I enjoyed the majestic view of the temples as the wind brushed against me.

“Will it be okay for me tonight?”

“Sure. Although you might have some nightmares.”

“Wow, being suppressed to that extent. I really feel like I need to get the relic here.”

At that, he clicked his tongue.

“Honestly, I don’t think you’ll find it.”

“Hey, don’t you trust me? Do you even know who I am?”

“Troublemaker Ariadeline.”

“Well, uh, you’re not wrong.”

When I stumbled over my words in disbelief, he gave a fleeting smile. I widened my eyes at his face for a moment. What? This was the first time I’d seen this man smile.

“Am I funny?”

“Watching what you do from the side is a bit amusing.”

Today, he was quite honest. Too honest. When I made a dissatisfied face, he pretended not to notice, turning his head and pointing to the right.

“This place has two rooms.”

“Oh, really?”

To the left, there was a table, a sofa, a bookshelf, and a large desk for conducting business next to the terrace.

I wondered where the bed had gone, and then realized there was a separate room for it.

“If there are two rooms, you can finally sleep comfortably.”

“…Yes.”

I approached the left side and opened one of the doors. It had a large bed with a canopy, a nightstand, and a small tea table.

The window facing outside was also quite large, allowing me to see the street below. I walked over to the window and looked down at the people, asking,

“Can I use this room?”

“It’s just another identical room anyway.”

“Oh, I see.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was on vacation. Today, Carlothian would also rest comfortably. I would also be able to sleep well for the first time in a while without any madness. I might have nightmares, but that’s something I’m used to.

“Let’s rest today and go up to the temple tomorrow.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. So you should also rest well today.”

“Hmm.”

I glanced at the window and fidgeted a bit. He sighed and rubbed his head.

“If you’re going out, take a knight with you.”

“Thank you!”

I smiled brightly and then stepped closer to him.

“Don’t you want to go out together?”

He looked down at me with a contemplative expression. But then I saw the servants carrying something outside the open door.

“Ah….”

Documents. Piles of them. I made a disappointed face.

“Oh, right, you must be busy.”

“I’m not that busy.”

“Still. I can’t bother you…”

As I lightly kicked the floor with my foot, he wore a troubled look. It probably wouldn’t be right to bother someone busy out of my own desire.

“It’s okay! If you’re busy, then it can’t be helped!”

Carlothian said in a somewhat subdued voice.

“…Let’s have dinner together.”

“Sure.”

As I smiled broadly, he stared at my face for a moment, then nodded. I then extended my hands towards him.

Then Carlothian, with a puzzled expression, grabbed my hands tightly with one of his. He looked at me as if to ask what I wanted. I giggled and said to him,

“Please give me some money.”

“…”

“I need to pay back the money I owe to Sir Maicher.”

His eyebrows naturally furrowed.

“And it feels a bit awkward to go out empty-handed.”

“Is that why you wanted to go together?”

“No, that’s absolutely not it!”

Of course, that was part of the reason, but I wasn’t asking just for money. I looked at him with shining eyes, as if to prove my innocence.

Carlothian stared into my eyes for a while and then, as if resigned, nodded and called a servant to hand me a heavy pouch.

“Use it as you like.”

“Wow, I don’t need this much.”

“Don’t think of coming back until you’ve spent it all.”

“Oh my.”

I found my heart pounding. I clasped my hands together and looked at Carlothian affectionately. He seemed displeased by this and frowned.

“Haha, don’t make that face.”

As I reached out my hands, he bent slightly, and I smoothed his furrowed brow and patted his forehead.

“I’ll buy you a gift.”

“Using my money?”

“Of course. I’m also buying gifts for the other maids waiting at the mansion.”

“Hmm.”

“But I’ll get you the best one.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“I told you last time, but imagine how frustrated I would have been if I couldn’t even speak.”

I smiled as I accepted the pouch from him and tucked it into my side. Naturally, I was about to leave the room to go with Sir Pierne Maicher.

“Oh, since it’s crowded and dangerous, take two knights with you.”

“Do I really need two?”

“The more people there are, the more dangerous things tend to be.”

“Is there really a chance of a robbery in such a sacred place?”

“The brighter the place, the darker the shadows.”

“Hmm, I understand.”

I nodded at him and waved my hand.

“I’ll be back before dinner.”

“Don’t do anything dangerous.”

“Yes.”

I saluted Carlothian, who was treating me like a child, and when I stepped out into the hallway, I encountered the knight standing guard.

The knight greeted me with a somewhat reluctant nod. Of course, I didn’t mind and cheerfully said hello.

“Hello!”

He raised his eyebrows, as if surprised that I responded to his greeting.

“Yes, where are you going?”

“I’m just going to explore a bit outside. By the way, which floor do the knights stay on?”

“The third floor. Are you looking for a specific knight?”

“Yes, Sir Maicher!”

For some reason, he looked at me strangely. I suddenly felt that something was off.

“If you’re looking for Sir Maicher, he’s staying in room 308.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

As I subtly observed him, I decided to ask one more thing.

“Is something going on with Sir Maicher?”