Chapter 79
Before returning, we stayed in Lord’s castle for another two days.
Caleb was able to do so because he sent the paperwork to the Royal Knights who accompanied him and had them transported to the capital first.
Others who were in relatively good condition, like myself, traveled in a carriage, while those who were not stayed at Lord’s Castle for a few days and then chose to return to the capital after receiving treatment when the holy waters arrived.
Natalie was one of the first group, and Herschel was the latter.
Just as I went to Natalie’s visit, I went to visit Herschel and found out that he was in a serious condition.
When I saw his situation, I couldn’t even say anything.
When Herschel realized my hesitation, he apologized, stating he was OK and sorry for not being able to kill the beast, which made me feel even worse.
That’s why, when he said we’d see each other in the capital, I merely nodded.
Our trip back to the capital under the leadership of Caleb was smooth.
But it was difficult for me to relax and enjoy the trip.
Because I was afraid I’d run into another demonic beast.
Even if the carriage shook slightly, I flinched and stretched out, checking out the window for no apparent reason.
Natalie, who was seated next to me, inquired about my odd behavior.
“Could you tell me if there’s anything interesting to see outside?”
“Oh, no. It’s not the case. I was concerned about something, so I checked it out.”
“I’m sure you’re afraid of encountering a demonic beast.”
Ouch, that was straight.
“How did you know?”
“Given what has occurred previously, anyone who watches you behaving in this way will be aware.”
I-is that so?
“Don’t worry too much. To begin with, the number of beasts is small. The number of high-ranking beasts is particularly small.”
Natalie then stated that the chances of seeing a demonic beast again were exceedingly low.
“And even if we were to run into one……”
Natalie shifted her gaze to the window. As I inadvertently followed her gaze, I saw Caleb.
I was sure I knew what Natalie was going to say.
‘She wants to say that I can rest assured because Caleb is there.’
I would have been safe as long as Caleb was with me.
Even if Rykel pops out again, Caleb will kill it at once just like when he saved me.
‘I’m aware of that as well, however……’
I kept looking out of the window.
I was comforted after checking that there was nothing there and seeing Caleb there.
How many times did I repeat that?
The carriage began to slow down.
We appeared to be resting while watering the horse for a bit.
Natalie inquired as I reached for the handle to open the carriage door.
“Are you going out?”
“I’m becoming a little frustrated.”
“That could happen when you’re in a carriage. I’ll be here, so go ahead.”
“Dame Seria, aren’t you also going out? A breath of fresh air would be nice.”
“It’s still difficult for me to move.”
She spoke lightly, but my heart never did.
She would not have been so badly harmed if it hadn’t been for me.
‘She’ll say it’s her fault even if I apologize.’
Like she stated previously.
So, rather than apologizing, I just instructed her to rest and exit the carriage.
Oh, my entire body is tense… I’d like to stretch, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to. Because the wound could reopen.
I was massaging my arms in remorse when I noticed Caleb close instructing the knights on something.
There would be no members of the Royal Knights remaining but Natalie, yet it was incredible that everyone followed Caleb’s orders.
I peered at the scene for a moment before shifting my gaze to Caleb’s horse.
The gleaming black horse, which had an overwhelming presence.
How could a horse look like that?
“Cool……”
Wouldn’t it be great if I could have a closer look at it? I’m not going to touch it.
It happened while I was approaching Caleb’s horse gently.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and placed his other solid arm behind my back.
I drew a long breath, surprised by his arms, and a familiar voice sunk into my ear at the same time.
“It’s dangerous.”
“L-lord Egon……?”
When I turned my head slightly and checked, it was really Caleb.
He carefully removed the hand that was holding me after taking a few steps back with me.
“When did you get here? I thought you were conversing with someone else over there.”
“I saw you approaching my horse.”
” Sorry for the inconvenience. I didn’t mean to carelessly touch your horse. Simply because your horse is beautiful and I’d like to see it up close……”
“I’m not attempting to hold you responsible. It was just because you were almost in danger.”
Danger? What kind of danger?
Caleb’s horse drew my attention.
The horse is rather large, yet it does not appear to be dangerous.
“He may look gentle, yet he has a ferocious temper. You would have been kicked by its front legs if you had gotten any closer.”
I took a step back and looked at the horse’s front legs.
And I was persuaded when I noticed the horse’s enormous, broad hooves.
“Thank you for your concern. I believe I would have a fracture if I was kicked by its front leg. Unfortunately, I should stop getting closer.”
“It’ll be fine if you approach Black a few times. He’s not only gentle with me, but also with the stable keeper.”
“Is the horse named Black?”
“That’s right.”
“…… Lord, were you the one who named it?”
Caleb nodded in response to my query.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the answer.
It would have been a great name, but it’s Black.
Caleb is a perfect person who excels in everything, yet who could expect him to be bad at giving names?
“However, if the horse is only gentle with its master and stable keeper, then I, too, must stay in the horse’s master residence to become close to it.”
I finally burst out laughing, flinging my hair, which fell down to my face, over my earlobe.
Caleb took a step back when he saw me like this and excused himself.
* * * * *
Caleb boosted the power of his quivering hands.
The trembling, though, continued.
Elena’s lingering rose aroma pricked the tip of Caleb’s nose to the point of agony after he broke up with her, like an afterimage.
It didn’t smell bad. It was quite pleasant.
It’s only that his thoughts and urges are distressing and scary everytime he smells that scent and touches Elena.
Caleb began to feel strange when Elena was around him.
He couldn’t stop staring at Elena’s whereabouts.
There was also a request from Count Van Der, but Caleb was well aware that, even after the event in the Knights Templar, he had a propensity to look after Elena personally.
He believed it was natural for him to look after others around him. He believed it was his responsibility.
In the same context, Caleb thought it was appropriate if he checked Elena’s safety over and over again.
After all, Elena was still his deputy, so Caleb had a duty to protect her.
However, Caleb could no longer regard himself as simply ‘taking care’ of Elena.
Because his eyes started to follow Elena with thoughts of embracing her, doing something that simply couldn’t be done for him.
‘Since when?’ he wondered, but there was no need for him to contemplate the question.
That was the night he removed Rykel’s poison from Elena’s body.
After seeing the wound seen through Elena’s torn clothes, Caleb has recognized Elena as a woman, not a patient.
No, perhaps it began a long time ago.
Caleb has had an unspoken feeling towards Elena since he first met her a long time ago.
But it soon subsided, so Caleb didn’t even bother to recognize the feeling, nor did he care.
‘It was definitely like that.’
These days, those feelings have become difficult to bear no matter how much Caleb suppressed it, let alone subsided easily.
It was the same just now.
Caleb’s brain was filled with unpleasant thoughts and desires as Elena smiled and pushed her hair back, displaying her neckline, joking that she should go to his mansion if she wanted to be close to his horse.
It would have been better if Caleb didn’t imagine anything.
However, the softness and warmth he felt when he took Elena in his arms to take her away from his horse lingered.
Caleb just lowered his head slightly, but the scent on the tip of his nose was still strong.
Caleb had no idea that a single touch would set his imagination ablaze.
Caleb longed to reach out and grab Elena’s body into his arms, ignoring her surprised expression and sinking his kisses on the delicate neck of Elena…… His imagination was truly uncontrolled.
It was the first time in his life that he had experienced lust for another person.
He was unable to control himself, just as he was unable to control his imagination.
This wonderful sensation, however, was not welcomed.
Caleb detested himself for having an urge whenever he saw Elena while pretending not to have this thought to the other person, who was not in any kind of relationship with him.
Caleb felt uncontrollable rage as he realized that saying he would accept responsibility for it was not a true “responsibility,” but rather a result of his own lust.
He had the sensation of eating gravel in his mouth.
‘Are you really calling yourself a knight?’
Over the contaminated emotions, contempt and rage were added.
Nevertheless……
Caleb’s gaze was still moving in the direction of Elena.
It didn’t take him long to track her down.
She was still there, after all.
Elena appeared to have heeded his warning, as she was staring at the horse when she came to a halt where Caleb had left her.
Caleb returned Elena’s gaze for a moment before proceeding to the knight who had been waiting for him.
A secret box.
“You’re still alive. You’re safe.”
Those were Lord Vessel’s first words to me when I arrived in the capital and entered the Royal Knights office.
“Yes, I returned safely.”
“Lady, I thought you were dead.”
No, this guy really?
It was at this time that I began to wonder if Lord Vessel had gone insane after returning to Capital.
Unexpectedly, I heard a word.
“How could you rush to an area where Rykel appeared? Do you have any idea how surprised I was?”
Despite the fact that he was complaining, his tone was filled with worry.
“Were you worried about me?”
“What is the point of asking such a question?”
“I’m sorry to make you worry.”
“It’s all right. In any case, you’re safe.”
I was taken aback by the unexpected answer.
What exactly is this? His response is really gentle.
“And thank the letter bird. You would have been in tremendous danger, Lady, if the letter bird hadn’t made it safely to the Commander.”
“Letter bird?”
“Didn’t you hear about that?”
“Not at all.”
When Lord Vessel heard my response, he explained the problem.
“As soon as I found out that you had left, I sent a letter bird. The Commander went around looking for you, Lady, as soon as he received my letter.”
“Did you get word from Lord Egon that he was on the search for me?”
“No, I haven’t met the Commander since he returned. And because today is the Imperial Council meeting, the commander must have attending it by now. For the first time, I’ll only be able to see the commander in the afternoon.”
That is true. Me and Caleb arrived in the capital city last night.
“Then who……”
“It was Lord Madin who told me.”
Lord Madin was a member of the Royal Knights that Caleb sent to the capital city first to send paperworks.
I had no idea there was such a story.
I thought Caleb was just chasing the traces of a demonic beast and found me in danger and saved me……
—————
Chapter 79
Before returning, we stayed in Lord’s castle for another two days.
Caleb was able to do so because he sent the paperwork to the Royal Knights who accompanied him and had them transported to the capital first.
Others who were in relatively good condition, like myself, traveled in a carriage, while those who were not stayed at Lord’s Castle for a few days and then chose to return to the capital after receiving treatment when the holy waters arrived.
Natalie was one of the first group, and Herschel was the latter.
Just as I went to Natalie’s visit, I went to visit Herschel and found out that he was in a serious condition.
When I saw his situation, I couldn’t even say anything.
When Herschel realized my hesitation, he apologized, stating he was OK and sorry for not being able to kill the beast, which made me feel even worse.
That’s why, when he said we’d see each other in the capital, I merely nodded.
Our trip back to the capital under the leadership of Caleb was smooth.
But it was difficult for me to relax and enjoy the trip.
Because I was afraid I’d run into another demonic beast.
Even if the carriage shook slightly, I flinched and stretched out, checking out the window for no apparent reason.
Natalie, who was seated next to me, inquired about my odd behavior.
“Could you tell me if there’s anything interesting to see outside?”
“Oh, no. It’s not the case. I was concerned about something, so I checked it out.”
“I’m sure you’re afraid of encountering a demonic beast.”
Ouch, that was straight.
“How did you know?”
“Given what has occurred previously, anyone who watches you behaving in this way will be aware.”
I-is that so?
“Don’t worry too much. To begin with, the number of beasts is small. The number of high-ranking beasts is particularly small.”
Natalie then stated that the chances of seeing a demonic beast again were exceedingly low.
“And even if we were to run into one……”
Natalie shifted her gaze to the window. As I inadvertently followed her gaze, I saw Caleb.
I was sure I knew what Natalie was going to say.
‘She wants to say that I can rest assured because Caleb is there.’
I would have been safe as long as Caleb was with me.
Even if Rykel pops out again, Caleb will kill it at once just like when he saved me.
‘I’m aware of that as well, however……’
I kept looking out of the window.
I was comforted after checking that there was nothing there and seeing Caleb there.
How many times did I repeat that?
The carriage began to slow down.
We appeared to be resting while watering the horse for a bit.
Natalie inquired as I reached for the handle to open the carriage door.
“Are you going out?”
“I’m becoming a little frustrated.”
“That could happen when you’re in a carriage. I’ll be here, so go ahead.”
“Dame Seria, aren’t you also going out? A breath of fresh air would be nice.”
“It’s still difficult for me to move.”
She spoke lightly, but my heart never did.
She would not have been so badly harmed if it hadn’t been for me.
‘She’ll say it’s her fault even if I apologize.’
Like she stated previously.
So, rather than apologizing, I just instructed her to rest and exit the carriage.
Oh, my entire body is tense… I’d like to stretch, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to. Because the wound could reopen.
I was massaging my arms in remorse when I noticed Caleb close instructing the knights on something.
There would be no members of the Royal Knights remaining but Natalie, yet it was incredible that everyone followed Caleb’s orders.
I peered at the scene for a moment before shifting my gaze to Caleb’s horse.
The gleaming black horse, which had an overwhelming presence.
How could a horse look like that?
“Cool……”
Wouldn’t it be great if I could have a closer look at it? I’m not going to touch it.
It happened while I was approaching Caleb’s horse gently.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and placed his other solid arm behind my back.
I drew a long breath, surprised by his arms, and a familiar voice sunk into my ear at the same time.
“It’s dangerous.”
“L-lord Egon……?”
When I turned my head slightly and checked, it was really Caleb.
He carefully removed the hand that was holding me after taking a few steps back with me.
“When did you get here? I thought you were conversing with someone else over there.”
“I saw you approaching my horse.”
” Sorry for the inconvenience. I didn’t mean to carelessly touch your horse. Simply because your horse is beautiful and I’d like to see it up close……”
“I’m not attempting to hold you responsible. It was just because you were almost in danger.”
Danger? What kind of danger?
Caleb’s horse drew my attention.
The horse is rather large, yet it does not appear to be dangerous.
“He may look gentle, yet he has a ferocious temper. You would have been kicked by its front legs if you had gotten any closer.”
I took a step back and looked at the horse’s front legs.
And I was persuaded when I noticed the horse’s enormous, broad hooves.
“Thank you for your concern. I believe I would have a fracture if I was kicked by its front leg. Unfortunately, I should stop getting closer.”
“It’ll be fine if you approach Black a few times. He’s not only gentle with me, but also with the stable keeper.”
“Is the horse named Black?”
“That’s right.”
“…… Lord, were you the one who named it?”
Caleb nodded in response to my query.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the answer.
It would have been a great name, but it’s Black.
Caleb is a perfect person who excels in everything, yet who could expect him to be bad at giving names?
“However, if the horse is only gentle with its master and stable keeper, then I, too, must stay in the horse’s master residence to become close to it.”
I finally burst out laughing, flinging my hair, which fell down to my face, over my earlobe.
Caleb took a step back when he saw me like this and excused himself.
* * * * *
Caleb boosted the power of his quivering hands.
The trembling, though, continued.
Elena’s lingering rose aroma pricked the tip of Caleb’s nose to the point of agony after he broke up with her, like an afterimage.
It didn’t smell bad. It was quite pleasant.
It’s only that his thoughts and urges are distressing and scary everytime he smells that scent and touches Elena.
Caleb began to feel strange when Elena was around him.
He couldn’t stop staring at Elena’s whereabouts.
There was also a request from Count Van Der, but Caleb was well aware that, even after the event in the Knights Templar, he had a propensity to look after Elena personally.
He believed it was natural for him to look after others around him. He believed it was his responsibility.
In the same context, Caleb thought it was appropriate if he checked Elena’s safety over and over again.
After all, Elena was still his deputy, so Caleb had a duty to protect her.
However, Caleb could no longer regard himself as simply ‘taking care’ of Elena.
Because his eyes started to follow Elena with thoughts of embracing her, doing something that simply couldn’t be done for him.
‘Since when?’ he wondered, but there was no need for him to contemplate the question.
That was the night he removed Rykel’s poison from Elena’s body.
After seeing the wound seen through Elena’s torn clothes, Caleb has recognized Elena as a woman, not a patient.
No, perhaps it began a long time ago.
Caleb has had an unspoken feeling towards Elena since he first met her a long time ago.
But it soon subsided, so Caleb didn’t even bother to recognize the feeling, nor did he care.
‘It was definitely like that.’
These days, those feelings have become difficult to bear no matter how much Caleb suppressed it, let alone subsided easily.
It was the same just now.
Caleb’s brain was filled with unpleasant thoughts and desires as Elena smiled and pushed her hair back, displaying her neckline, joking that she should go to his mansion if she wanted to be close to his horse.
It would have been better if Caleb didn’t imagine anything.
However, the softness and warmth he felt when he took Elena in his arms to take her away from his horse lingered.
Caleb just lowered his head slightly, but the scent on the tip of his nose was still strong.
Caleb had no idea that a single touch would set his imagination ablaze.
Caleb longed to reach out and grab Elena’s body into his arms, ignoring her surprised expression and sinking his kisses on the delicate neck of Elena…… His imagination was truly uncontrolled.
It was the first time in his life that he had experienced lust for another person.
He was unable to control himself, just as he was unable to control his imagination.
This wonderful sensation, however, was not welcomed.
Caleb detested himself for having an urge whenever he saw Elena while pretending not to have this thought to the other person, who was not in any kind of relationship with him.
Caleb felt uncontrollable rage as he realized that saying he would accept responsibility for it was not a true “responsibility,” but rather a result of his own lust.
He had the sensation of eating gravel in his mouth.
‘Are you really calling yourself a knight?’
Over the contaminated emotions, contempt and rage were added.
Nevertheless……
Caleb’s gaze was still moving in the direction of Elena.
It didn’t take him long to track her down.
She was still there, after all.
Elena appeared to have heeded his warning, as she was staring at the horse when she came to a halt where Caleb had left her.
Caleb returned Elena’s gaze for a moment before proceeding to the knight who had been waiting for him.
A secret box.
“You’re still alive. You’re safe.”
Those were Lord Vessel’s first words to me when I arrived in the capital and entered the Royal Knights office.
“Yes, I returned safely.”
“Lady, I thought you were dead.”
No, this guy really?
It was at this time that I began to wonder if Lord Vessel had gone insane after returning to Capital.
Unexpectedly, I heard a word.
“How could you rush to an area where Rykel appeared? Do you have any idea how surprised I was?”
Despite the fact that he was complaining, his tone was filled with worry.
“Were you worried about me?”
“What is the point of asking such a question?”
“I’m sorry to make you worry.”
“It’s all right. In any case, you’re safe.”
I was taken aback by the unexpected answer.
What exactly is this? His response is really gentle.
“And thank the letter bird. You would have been in tremendous danger, Lady, if the letter bird hadn’t made it safely to the Commander.”
“Letter bird?”
“Didn’t you hear about that?”
“Not at all.”
When Lord Vessel heard my response, he explained the problem.
“As soon as I found out that you had left, I sent a letter bird. The Commander went around looking for you, Lady, as soon as he received my letter.”
“Did you get word from Lord Egon that he was on the search for me?”
“No, I haven’t met the Commander since he returned. And because today is the Imperial Council meeting, the commander must have attending it by now. For the first time, I’ll only be able to see the commander in the afternoon.”
That is true. Me and Caleb arrived in the capital city last night.
“Then who……”
“It was Lord Madin who told me.”
Lord Madin was a member of the Royal Knights that Caleb sent to the capital city first to send paperworks.
I had no idea there was such a story.
I thought Caleb was just chasing the traces of a demonic beast and found me in danger and saved me……
—————
