Chapter 44
Zeno let out a loud sigh and spoke bluntly.
“Sigh… I don’t know anymore. Before I get so tired that I spill the truth, please just hold a wedding or kidnap her—anything—to bring her to your lair. If you keep living like this, even you will break down.”
“Won’t you go rest?”
“I’m going. Yes, sir!”
He meant he didn’t want to hear more. Zeno shifted into his true form and fluttered away.
For divine beasts, it’s hard to keep a human shape. It constantly uses magic power, so they must regularly return to their original form to rest and recover.
So from Zeno’s view, it made sense to worry that Killian was wasting his magic because of one human woman.
But Killian, as always, didn’t listen. Zeno returned to Killian’s lair and sighed again.
Nothing had changed between Killian and Lydia, yet the lair looked bright and sunny every day. It was ridiculous.
“…Maybe that’s a good thing.”
Zeno decided not to think too hard—for his mental health. One of them was way too passive, the other too slow to pick up hints; their ending still felt far away.
In the morning, I got a letter from the Duke: because of chemical smells in the mansion, it would be hard to stay there, so I should live elsewhere for a few more days.
Even with a hangover, I felt annoyed. What was he playing at?
“Wait. This might be the perfect time to visit Tulin.”
I’d planned to go anyway. I didn’t know when I’d be free to leave after finishing things here. Seeing what the Duke and Felix were doing now… I had a bad feeling the timing would keep getting delayed.
Trusting only the “original story” and relying on Tulin would be reckless. A lot of details I knew were missing. I needed to see it myself and decide.
But first, I should apologize to Killian. I didn’t remember clearly, but from the moment I finished the first glass, my memory was blurry. I must have caused a big scene.
Did I even beg for more drinks…?
Knock, knock.
Killian knocked at perfect timing.
I crumpled the Duke’s letter and told him to come in.
“Are you awake?”
“Yes. Just now.”
“I saw a letter arrived from the Duke’s house.”
“It’s nothing much. The repairs will take longer.”
“Then… will you stay here a few more days?”
“No. I said I’d only trouble you for one night. And I have somewhere to go.”
“Somewhere to go?”
“Ah, before that—let me say this first. I’m sorry about yesterday!”
“Mm, rather than an apology, I want to hear more about what you just said. You don’t need to be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
I doubted that, but I knew he’d just say “No need to apologize,” so I dropped it.
“You said nothing bad happened, so I’ll just believe you.”
At my shameless reply, Killian gave a small laugh.
“So, where are you going?”
“Do you remember the land I was gifted at the birthday celebration? I’m going to visit it.”
“Why so suddenly…?”
“I plan to live there later. I want to look around first—it’s a place I’ve never seen.”
“You’re leaving right now?”
“I want to, but just in case… First I’ll hire a mercenary.”
“…Why do you need a mercenary? Is it something I can’t do for you?”
It wasn’t absolutely necessary, but I wanted a guard to protect me—just in case.
Normally, a noble lady has two or three guards. I had none.
I wondered if the ducal house lacked knights, but they gave Daphne a guard as soon as she arrived—so that wasn’t it.
Even if they gave me a guard, I couldn’t trust anyone sent by the Duke. I would have needed a mercenary anyway.
Still, I couldn’t ask Killian to handle this kind of errand.
“I just want to hire a bodyguard to watch over me for a while. Some people really hate that I got that land, so… just in case.”
“In that case, we definitely can’t leave it to some random mercenary.”
“Nothing will happen. It’s only a precaution…”
“I’m here. Going with a mercenary instead of me would be strange.”
“…”
“And I can protect you better. Also, visiting your property with your fiancé is more proper.”
“…Is that true?”
Listening to Killian, it did sound right. His logic was perfect; I had no argument.
It’s not like I didn’t think of asking him. I just avoided it because it felt hard to ask.
“I can’t let these favors become too comfortable…”
While I hesitated, Killian added one more line.
“If you don’t want me there, take Jeff instead.”
“What? No, there’s no need to go that far… And why would I dislike you?”
“If that won’t work, then—”
“Wait! Okay. Let’s go together.”
“Really?”
He looked ready to offer even more outrageous options, so I cut him off. His face brightened right away.
I didn’t know why he was so happy when he gained nothing from this.
“But just so you know—it won’t be fun. It’s like a field survey. I’m going to gather information.”
“That sounds very fun to me.”
Maybe because he’s a mage, he likes searching and researching. Perfect—we can help each other.
“Then can we leave today? I’ll stop by the mansion to grab some clothes.”
“You don’t need to bring clothes. There are plenty prepared.”
“Prepared clothes?”
Killian disappeared and quickly returned, holding three or four dresses. They were similar to what I usually wore, just a bit nicer.
“Wear whichever you like. Ah—there’s no attendant… I didn’t think this through.”
“I can dress myself. I’ll wear the purple one.”
It looked the most comfortable. I wasn’t going to do heavy work, but something could happen, so comfortable was best. I pointed at the purple dress, and Killian handed it to me.
“I’ll send the rest to your house.”
“To me? I can keep these?”
“Of course. I can’t wear them.”
Then why did he buy them? If he bought them to give me later when needed… I was probably overthinking.
Anyway, since they were for me, I accepted gratefully.
“Thank you. I’ll go change—please wait a moment.”
“Won’t you eat first?”
“After yesterday’s drinks, eating sounds dangerous.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare a tea to settle your stomach.”
Killian stepped out. I changed quickly so he wouldn’t have to wait. Since they weren’t tailored, the waist was a little loose. Better that than a perfect fit—that would be creepy.
I stuffed my old clothes into Xavier’s magic pouch that I always carry and went down to the lobby, where Killian was waiting.
“It’s a little big. My mistake.”
“It’s fine. Actually more comfortable.”
“What a pity. If you allow it, I’d like to have something better made for you next time.”
He looked ready to call a tailor right now. I smoothed it over with a smile. He still looked regretful, but when I said I liked the dress, his face lit up again.
“Drink slowly, then we’ll go. I prepared a carriage.”
“A carriage? Why…?”
I almost asked why we weren’t teleporting, then closed my mouth. It’s his power—he can use it or not. I’d gotten used to it after a few uses.
Feeling awkward, I just sipped my tea and kept quiet.
