Chapter 110 Room Assignment
Dag-dag, dag-dag-!
A dozen wagons carrying soldiers, including Veronia and Killion, sped through the forests of Athur, followed by wagons carrying priests and priestesses, including Evangelina.
“Is the ride uncomfortable?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Veronia smiled at Killion’s concerned question. This was a military carriage, not the luxury carriage she rode every day, so it wasn’t exactly comfortable, but she didn’t feel like complaining.
It would have taken them a week to reach the south by horseback, but the situation in the south was so dire that they decided to use the teleportation tunnels to shorten the journey.
The carriages they rode in were all magical wagons drawn by wizards, to safely transport a large group of nearly a hundred people.
The teleportation tunnel in the Athur Forest led directly to the Cotin Forest to the south, but it would take another three hours to reach Count Eidenbenz’s castle.
Having left the Imperial Palace in the early hours of the morning, it was nearly midnight when the party arrived at Count Eidenbenz.
It was pitch black around them, but the count had left the lights on from the ground floor to the top floor and welcomed his guests from the capital.
“You have traveled a long way, My Lady, and Your Excellency.”
“Thank you for not forgetting us in the south and for extending this saving hand.”
Count and Countess Eidenbenz bowed politely to greet everyone. Killion opened his mouth to shake their hands.
“Thank you for your generosity in allowing all of us to stay at your castle. We will be in good hands.”
“You have come to help us in the south, and rightly so. We will do our best to make your stay as comfortable as possible, Your Excellency.”
The entire castle bustled with activity. Clerics, ladies, and soldiers were all assigned to rooms in groups, and a late dinner was delivered to each room.
Killion and his superiors were led to a table set aside in the parlour.
The table was set with an assortment of food, all of which was lavish and sumptuous. It was like the scene of a small banquet. Count Eidenbenz shrugged his shoulders, looking quite satisfied.
“Our chef has done some hard work for you, as you have travelled a long way. I hope it is to your taste.”
“But, Count.”
Killion spoke up, his color rising.
“I’ve heard that the situation in the south is taking a turn for the worst. I’m told the food situation is just as bad.”
“Ah…”
“It’s very kind of the Count to welcome us, but I don’t want to waste food. I’m sure everyone here feels the same way.”
Killion looked at everyone assembled and they nodded. It was a sign of agreement. Count Eidenbenz blushed and bowed his head.
“… I was short of thought, Your Excellency, and I realized that this is an important guest, and I should treat them properly….”
“I understand. I know the feeling all too well, but perhaps this is a time for caution and self-restraint.”
“You’re right.”
“Then here’s what we’ll do. You take half of the food here and send it back. Then why don’t you bring it all back tomorrow morning?”
“…Yes, I’ll do that.”
A flicker of embarrassment crossed the Count’s face, but it quickly vanished. With a wave of his hand, the maids who had been standing by quickly approached and began removing the plates of food.
“There, that’s all, please sit down.”
“Thank you.”
When the table was half empty, everyone finally sat down and picked up their forks and knives.
Everyone was hungry, having been on the road all day, with only a few snacks to satisfy their hunger, and everyone was silent and focused on the food. The table was half full, but there was enough to fill everyone’s bellies.
Evangelina smiled brightly at the Count and his wife.
“Southern food has a distinctive flavor that I notice every time I eat it.”
“I’m so glad it suits your taste. Lady Nia is new to southern food, isn’t she?”
The Countess asked, and Veronia nodded slowly.
“Yes, it is my first time, but it suits my palate just fine. I knew the South was famous for its distinctive recipes, but now that I’ve tasted it myself, I can see why.”
“I know it can be a little awkward for first-timers, but I’m glad you liked it.”
The atmosphere was friendly for the first meal. Everyone seemed to be cautious and considerate of each other, as the atmosphere would not be as relaxed tomorrow.
When the meal was over, the Count and Countess personally escorted them to their rooms. As they entered the hallway on the third floor, the Countess pointed to the room they were in.
“His Excellency and Lady Nia, you may use this room.”
“What?”
Veronia asked, surprised to hear that they would have to share a room together. The Countess seemed even more surprised by her reaction.
“Oh, it’s because… the two of you are getting married, and Les, Lady Nia has already taken up residence at the Duchess of Drea…”
It was Killion who came to the Countess’s aid as she stammered in embarrassment, and he put an arm around Veronia’s shoulders and spoke quickly.
“Very well, of course. If you’re going to allocate rooms to a large number of people, it’s more efficient in many ways to have the two of us in one room. Don’t you think so, Nia?”
“…”
Killion’s kind eyes turned to Veronia. They were desperate for an affirmative answer, but she couldn’t bring herself to nod immediately.
To say the least. My first thought was that this was ridiculous, that we were not yet officially married, and that we would have to share a room on such a formal occasion.
But on reflection, neither the Countess nor Killion were wrong.
‘I suppose that’s what people have been seeing between Killion and me since the day I entered the ducal residence. I hadn’t thought of that. Besides, it must have been difficult to organize a room for over a hundred people.’
Veronia nodded slightly and smiled.
“Of course, thank you, Countess.”
“… Are you sure, Lady Nia, that you don’t want to find another… now?”
The Countess seemed to be a very sweet person, and she was worried that Veronica might be pushing herself too hard, so Veronica deliberately smiled wider.
“Really, I think it’s a good thing. It’s hard for me to sleep in a strange place, and having him here will make it easier.”
Veronia glanced at Killion, and the Countess looked relieved.
“Well, we’ll leave you to it, then, and you can make yourself comfortable.”
Embarrassed, Veronia was so busy going straight into the bedroom that she didn’t notice Evangelina and a few others smirking at the pair.
They each covered their mouths with their hands, giggling at the amusement of catching a glimpse of the newlyweds’ innocence and cuteness.
***
Veronia had just finished her bath and was sitting in front of the mirror brushing her hair when the bedroom door opened and Killion walked in.
“Is the meeting over?”
“Yes, sir. I heard a brief debriefing.”
“What was it?”
“Not much different than what I heard from Onyx yesterday.”
Killion, who had come to stand beside her, snatched the comb from her hand and began to brush her hair instead.
Veronia dropped her stray hand and smiled up at Killion in the mirror. His expression was so serious as he slowly continued to brush, it was almost funny.
“You’re quite skillful, I take it you’ve had a lot of practice?”
“I’ve practiced a lot, in my head.”
“In your head?”
“I’ve practiced… a lot, imagining the moment I see you again.”
“…”
And again. It was like he was about to make another ticklish confession. If she kept listening, either her face or her heart would explode. “Come on,” she said, snatching the hairbrush from Killion’s hand.
“Go and wash up, I’ll leave your hair to dry in the wind for a while.”
“It’s cold outside.”
Killion nagged worriedly as he watched Veronia head for the balcony. But she didn’t listen.
“It’s fine to cool off for a while, so go ahead.”
“… Yes. I’ll be right back.”
The worried look was still there, but instead of nagging her again, Killion nodded and headed straight for the bathroom.
‘You’re a good listener.’
He was always sweet, but he was getting sweeter and sweeter, which was probably why she liked him more and more every day.
‘Too much sweetness… is bad for the heart…’
Taking a seat on the couch on the balcony, Veronia stared at Killion’s back as the breeze blew past her.
The inverted triangle of his upper body was magnificent, falling from broad shoulders to a lean waist. So were the strong legs that stretched out in front of him.
‘He’s about to be my husband…’
The corners of my mouth curled up in a smile. A tingle tickled pleasantly near her heart.
“Haam…”
She yawned, trying to stay still in the breeze. She had every right to be sleepy. It was already well past her usual bedtime, and she was exhausted from enduring the swaying carriage all day.
Veronia’s sitting position became more and more disorientated, and before she knew it, she was sprawled out on the long sofa.
‘Just a moment… just a moment, and Killion will come and wake me up, won’t he?’
The flickering movement of his eyelids over his pupils slowed, and soon they were firmly closed and no longer moved. When Killion returned from his bath a few moments later, she was already fast asleep.
“Nia?”
Killion paused as he found Veronia still asleep on the sofa on the balcony.
“Oh… I’m so late.”
He slowly made his way over to her.
