The emissaries of the Principality were busy packing their belongings, having finished their preparations to leave the following morning. It took quite some time to get ready.
After tonight, they would have to ride their horses for several days again.
Their destination was the border city of Heden. There, they were scheduled to meet with the Second Knight Order, led by Julia and Victor.
Even as the sweet respite was coming to an end, the faces of the emissary delegation brimmed with vitality.
Right after the national marriage was decided, everyone from the Principality was worried about the emissaries. They wanted to tell them as soon as possible that this journey was a blessing.
Today, Dietrian and Leticia seemed especially happy, which added to their excitement.
Their excitement reached its peak due to a small incident that occurred during their walk.
Leticia, who had been embracing Dietrian, released her arms only to wrap them around his cheeks soon after. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.
All they could see was Leticia’s back, but it was enough to cause a stir.
Dietrian’s face turned red as he awkwardly accepted her kiss. Then, he tightly closed his eyes.
As soon as the kiss ended, he pulled Leticia in close and glared at the emissaries, signaling them to disappear.
With a mix of joy and torment on the lord’s face, the emissaries left the scene with broad smiles.
“This is the good life.”
“I had my time too.”
“Ah, I miss my wife.”
Some of them suffered from mild side effects.
“Alas, I’m envious!”
“I want to be in love too!”
“Are you happy, Anne?”
Even after the walk filled with excitement had ended, the two did not let go of each other’s hands.
Dietrian introduced Leticia to each member of the emissary delegation. It was as if a king was formally introducing his subordinates to the queen. The emissaries straightened up.
“Yulken is the captain of the First Knight Order. He has been protecting me since I was young. He has been with me the longest.”
“Martin was originally my brother’s knight. He has been with me for seven years now. He’s so strong that he uses a bastard sword.”
“Enoch might be the youngest, but his skill with dual swords is extraordinary. His sister, Julia, is the captain of the Second Knight Order.”
“Ben excels with the bow. The term ‘never misses his mark’ fits him perfectly, especially when fighting against demonic beasts.”
From his detailed explanations filled with sincerity, it was clear how much he cherished his subordinates. Leticia responded with a gentle smile.
“It’s an honor to be in the company of such distinguished individuals. I look forward to working with you all.”
“The honor is ours.”
“We’re looking forward to it too.”
The corners of the emissaries’ mouths wouldn’t stop turning up at Leticia’s kind smile.
It was even better than at the party since they didn’t have to worry about her being sad.
They were all too excited, chatting away with Leticia about this and that.
Unfortunately for the emissaries, Leticia couldn’t talk with them for long.
It wasn’t long after the greetings that Leticia became visibly tired.
“You seem tired. Wouldn’t it be better to return to your room and rest?”
“No, I’m fine.”
In truth, she was tired, but she didn’t want to go back. She didn’t want to disappoint those who cared for her.
Dietrian, noticing how Leticia felt, comforted her.
“We can slowly continue with the greetings in the future. There’s plenty of time.”
“But.”
“We have to camp out until we reach Heden. It would be better to conserve your strength.”
“Alright, then.”
She thought that insisting further might inconvenience the emissaries.
With his support, Leticia returned to her room.
As soon as Leticia sat on the bed, Dietrian brought a wet towel.
He tenderly wiped her hands and face. In fact, there was no need to act so affectionately when no one else was watching.
However, neither of them voiced this thought.
They had been longing for this moment for too long, too eagerly.
‘After all, a husband wiping his wife’s face and hands is something that can be done without any excuse.’
Both of them had the same thought. Thus, they enjoyed their happiness without any burden on their hearts.
Leticia giggled while feeling his touch, her eyes closed.
“It tickles.”
“Is it not too cold for you?”
“It’s just right.”
“Then, that’s good.”
Dietrian smiled gently. Leticia, quite fatigued, started nodding off as soon as she lay down on the bed.
Feeling her eyelids flutter, she grasped his hand and whispered.
“Your Highness…”
“Speak. I’m listening.”
“Going forward, we can continue like today, right?”
She was asking about the ‘act.’ Dietrian’s smile deepened.
“Of course. How was it for you?”
“I wish it could always be like today…”
With those words, Leticia fell asleep. She looked so lovely that a smile naturally formed on Dietrian’s lips.
He felt happiness swelling up like cotton candy.
“I wish for the same, Leticia.”
After pressing a kiss to Leticia’s forehead, he stepped outside.
* * *
While Leticia slept, Dietrian headed to the market with his subordinates to replenish their damaged camping gear.
The other members of the emissary were organizing their belongings in the lobby.
It was then that Banessa returned.
Enoch, who was arranging his sleeping bag, looked up in surprise at Banessa.
“Brother! Where have you been all this time?”
Banessa had gone out to gather some branches yesterday and hadn’t returned for the whole day.
Given his nature to dart about here and there, everyone assumed he was just somewhere around and would return on his own. Banessa waved his hands dismissively.
“I had a near-death experience.”
“What?”
“Don’t ask for details, it’s exhausting.”
Enoch, who had been looking at Banessa with a puzzled expression, widened his eyes upon noticing a dark bruise below Banessa’s neck.
“Brother! What happened there? Are you hurt?”
“Huh?”
“You have a bruise!”
“Ah… Hasn’t healed completely yet?”
Banessa briefly checked the bruise under his collar in the mirror and shuddered.
“Damn, if you’re going to treat it, at least do it properly. What is this? All that bragging about being good the second time.”
Banessa grumbled as he adjusted his collar. Enoch, dumbfounded, asked,
“What were you doing to get hurt? Did you fight with someone all night?”
“What fight. How was the party? Did it end well?”
“It did.”
As Banessa clearly tried to change the subject, Enoch nodded reluctantly.
“But why didn’t you come?”
“Well, me. It wouldn’t have mattered if I was there or not.”
“Well, that’s true but…”
“Did Her Highness enjoy it?”
“It’s complicated. Should I say she enjoyed it, or not?”
“Why, what happened?”
“That’s the thing.”
Enoch recounted the events that took place during the party. As Enoch’s story unfolded, Banessa’s expression turned stern. He asked in a slightly lowered voice,
“Her Highness cried?”
“It wasn’t just tears. Her Highness thought we would be unhappy because of her.”
“Ha.”
“Despite not being good with alcohol, she drank two bottles of wine. Imagine how troubled she must have been.”
Banessa irritably ran his fingers through his hair.
“I seriously want to kill someone.”
“Who?”
“Should I ask to be taken along when returning to the Empire?”
“Why the Empire? Who’s going back to the Empire?”
“So, is she better now?”
Eventually, Enoch burst out.
“Why do you keep not answering my questions?”
Banessa smirked and ruffled Enoch’s hair.
“Is she better now? You care more about Her Highness than me.”
“That’s true, but.”
Enoch narrowed his eyes.
‘Look at this guy dodging the question. Something feels off.’
Deciding to dig deeper later, he spoke up.
“She’s better today. Her Highness was with us all day.”
Enoch shared the day’s happy events with the emissary, focusing on the delightful date between the two.
Listening intently to the story, Banessa’s expression quickly brightened.
“Ah, so there’s no need to worry anymore?”
“Yes. She’s completely better now.”
“Then, that’s good.”
Banessa grinned and then headed up the stairs.
“Take care. I’m off to sleep.”
“Brother! Aren’t you working?”
“I didn’t sleep a wink all night. Cut me some slack.”
“What were you doing at night?”
Banessa let out a deep sigh.
“Getting stronger isn’t an easy task.”
“Huh?”
As soon as he entered the room, Banessa hunched over. Pain throbbed throughout his body.
“Damn, it still hurts.”
He walked slowly to avoid aggravating his injuries, sweating profusely even over the short distance. He grumbled as he curled up on the bed.
“If I hadn’t received treatment, I wouldn’t have been able to get up tomorrow.”
Then, he squinted his eyes, murmuring while looking at the ceiling.
“Power that requires readiness to face death…”
The person who had put him in this condition was the third wing of the saint, Ahwin, who had said those words.
* * *
Last night, when Banessa went out to gather branches, he encountered an unexpected figure.
Josephina’s third wing, Ahwin, was kneeling in front of Leticia.
‘Why is he here?’
Before he could understand why, Ahwin turned around. Banessa reflexively hid in the bushes.
‘Is he here to see Her Highness?’
He frowned. Although Ahwin had saved him, he still felt uncomfortable around the saint’s wing.
‘Well, that guy was favorable towards Her Highness.’
Ahwin was different from the other wings. Banessa had seen with his own eyes how Ahwin cared for her and, crucially, Ahwin had treated Banessa at her request.
‘He even said he’d help me gain the strength to protect her.’
Banessa slightly furrowed his brows.
‘Should I ask for his help while I’m here?’
Knowing he should ask for help, Banessa strangely found himself unable to speak.
After some thought, Banessa quickly realized why.
‘It’s because that guy had a private meeting with Her Highness.’
Banessa wasn’t sure how close Ahwin was to Leticia, but one thing was clear.
Banessa couldn’t even dare to request a private audience, yet Ahwin had.
This meant, in essence, that Ahwin was closer to Leticia than Banessa was.
Frustration twisted his face.
‘That guy will return to the Empire in a few days anyway. Why is he still clinging to Her Highness?’
Leticia is now rightfully a person of the Principality. She was to be loved by everyone as the queen of the Principality.
Therefore, it was the people of the Principality’s responsibility to protect her.
Ahwin’s involvement was nothing but annoying.
While internally cursing Ahwin, a chill went down his spine. Startled, he turned around to find Ahwin looking down at him coldly.
“When exactly were you planning to crawl out?”
“What, what the!”
Ahwin snapped at him coldly.
“Do you even intend to be of help to her?”
“Her? Who?”
“Lady Leticia.”
At that name, Banessa snapped to attention and retorted loudly.
“Of course! I would lay down my life for Her Highness!”
“And yet you’ve been hiding among the emissary for ten whole days?”
Banessa flinched.
“I waited ten days. Why haven’t you sought me out during this time? Don’t tell me, you disregarded me because I’m one of the saint’s wings? Ignored my words about gaining strength because I am a wing of the saint?”
Caught in the act, Banessa was speechless. Ahwin spoke with a tone of disbelief.
“Knowing you need to become stronger to protect Lady Leticia. You ignored me because of your pride? Are your feelings more important than her safety? This is the worst.”
“Watch your mouth! What do you know about…”
Banessa couldn’t finish his sentence. The wind wrapped around his body. His eyes widened in shock.
“What is this… huh!”
“Be quiet. There’s no time. Follow me.”
When Banessa regained his senses, he was lying on a desert bathed in white moonlight.
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