3. The First Commission
The first commission... Thankfully, the carriage departed from the city without any major issues and proceeded smoothly. And with good fortune, just as the sun dipped below the horizon in a fading sunset, they found the perfect spot to set up camp.
"We'll handle all the preparations, of course. So please, Lady Aria, don't worry about a thing—just rest with your escort."
"I'll help too."
"It's fine, Lady Sierra. Stay by Lady Aria's side and rest."
"B-but how could I..."
"Heh, good."
"Lady Aria?"
Aria let out a satisfied laugh at my words, subtly curling the corners of her mouth beneath her robe before asking, "Ian. You're sure this is okay? Even if Sierra doesn't help?"
"Yes, I'm used to this kind of thing. Besides, as an escort knight, she should stay by your side."
"Excellent. I like that."
"Then please wait just a moment, both of you. I'll get it ready quickly."
With that to Aria and Sierra, I hopped down from the carriage and started setting up camp. As I moved things around to pitch the tents, Cheong-ah approached.
"Darling, should I help?"
"Nah, I can handle it myself. This is nothing."
"All by yourself?"
"Yeah, it's no big deal. I've done it plenty."
In truth, back in my military days... I was in a unit with constant training drills. Yesterday camping, today a quick nap in bed, tomorrow camping again—that was the routine. And thanks to a royally screwed-up dog tag number, I ended up pitching tents nonstop. Hell, I was probably pitching tents in my dreams. My skills got so good I could set up a D-type tent for five or six people solo in under ten minutes... Wonder if that bastard sergeant who worked me like a dog is still kicking it back home.
Lost in those memories for a moment, I'd already finished one tent. Then came the sound of applause from beside me. Cheong-ah stared with wide eyes.
"Wow, Darling..."
"What, you were watching?"
I rubbed under my nose sheepishly and grinned awkwardly. What was so impressive about this...? Heh.
"Seeing this makes me think you're a natural-born adventurer after all."
"Aw, come on. Flattery won't get you anywhere."
I waved her off and started on the next tent.
"Then, Darling, I'll go gather some twigs for firewood."
"Sure, thanks."
Cheong-ah headed off to collect branches, and by the time she returned with enough for firewood, I'd finished all the camp setup.
§
"Whoa, a jack-of-all-trades..."
"This is impressive."
"Remarkable. I was uneasy about an Iron Badge, but to think you had such skills."
Those were the words from Cheong-ah, then Sierra, and finally Princess Aria. My shoulders squared up, my nose a little higher. This was after wrapping up camp, lighting the campfire, and quickly prepping dinner—the praise poured in as I worked.
"It's nothing special."
The stew bubbling in the pot, salted fish grilling around it, chunks of meat and assorted veggies. Luxuries most low-rank adventurers rarely saw while camping. With the commission fee being what it was, I'd gotten a decent advance, so I didn't skimp. After all, traveling with a princess? Feed her cheap crap and who knows what trouble it'd cause.
That judgment proved prescient from Aria's capricious slap to Sierra's cheek over the "unsatisfactory" carriage before departure.
"Here you go... Not much, but dig in."
First, Princess Aria. A ladleful heavy on the meat chunks.
"Thanks."
Next, Sierra. She'd tried to diss me as an Iron Badge earlier, so light on meat. Heavy on carrots, which I hate.
"Thank you."
Finally, Cheong-ah's portion. She scooped a bit more, including some of mine.
"Oh my..."
She knew my heart, covering her mouth with a sly smile. I winked at her and served my own, settling into the remaining spot.
A spoonful of stew was decently tasty. Not just me—Aria smiled after her first bite too.
"Hm, not bad at all. What do you think, Sierra?"
"Yes, it's delicious. Especially with so many carrots—right up my alley. How did you know...? Thank you, Mr. Ian."
"Ah, uh... Just luck. Glad you like it."
Sigh. Carrots, huh? Guess I'll dump all my share on her heading to the capital.
"Tch... Carrots. You've always loved those weird red things, Sierra."
"But carrots are tasty."
"Quiet. Hold out your bowl. Eat some meat."
"Pardon? B-but as your escort..."
"Take it!"
"...Yes."
Aria forced meat into Sierra's bowl. Sierra's brow furrowed slightly as she accepted it.
"Eat."
"...Yes."
Sierra stuffed the meat in and chewed dutifully. Unlike the pre-departure slap, they seemed to care for each other more than expected.
As I watched them eat, Aria's gaze flicked to me and Cheong-ah.
"By the way... What's your relationship? An Iron Badge adventurer and one with Gold Badge skills... Odd pair for just 'party members,' no?"
"Ah, well..."
I started to answer but hesitated. I'd said "party member" earlier and pissed off Cheong-ah... What now? Before I could decide, she spoke up.
"We're husband and wife."
"Wh-what...?"
I stared at her in shock. Cheong-ah and me, married...? I knew what calling me "Darling" meant, what vowing to serve me as husband implied. But us as a couple? Felt like I was punching above my weight.
"Ch-Cheong-ah?"
"What's wrong, Darling?"
Aria eyed me with intrigue, Sierra too. The "married" bit hooked them.
"Ho? Married, eh? Interesting."
"Ooh..."
Questions flew like bullets after. Where'd we meet? Who proposed? Cheong-ah said she did—why me? And on.
"So newlyweds, three months hitched?"
"Yes, that's right."
Cheong-ah answered flatly, casually. The dinner atmosphere warmed up nicely.
After grilling us, Aria said, "Hm. Now it's your turn. Anything you're curious about me?"
"Not really."
"I-is that so?"
Cheong-ah tilted her head; Aria turned to me.
"Then you, Ian?"
"Hm... One thing."
"What?"
"Night watch. Assuming you sleep soundly, Lady Aria... It's tough for just us two."
"Pardon? Night watch? I deign to allow questions, and that's it?"
...What’s the problem?
"Night watch is important, right?"
"Not what I meant, heh." Aria chuckled, muttering amusedly, then stopped, satisfied. "Fine, fine. It is important."
"Right? So with Sierra making three shifts..."
"No. I'll stand watch too. Four shifts."
"...Pardon?"
Why would a princess volunteer? Sierra beat my bewilderment.
"L-Lady Aria, what do you mean? Night watch?"
"Listen, Sierra. I'm traveling to the capital with you all, no? Like how Ian rented this shabby cart to avoid suspicion at the start, me joining watch makes us look less suspicious, right?"
"Well..."
"It's decided. No arguments. Now, order..."
Aria scanned us, grinned, and declared, "I'll take the last shift."
Shifts set quick: Me first, Cheong-ah second, Sierra third, Aria last. Recalling army days, I knew middle shifts sucked—asked Sierra, "You okay with third? It's rough."
"Fine. I've just ridden in the cart, done nothing tiring."
"...Really?"
"Yes. You've driven, set up camp solo—you deserve the easy sleep."
"Well..."
She insisted, so no need to play the martyr.
"I'll take first watch then."
"Yes. I'll turn in. Good luck."
"Sure."
Sierra left; I sat by the fire, staring blankly. Two hours till Cheong-ah's shift... Set a subtle vibration alarm on my clock magic tool.
"Now, what to do with the time..."
As I muttered, Cheong-ah—still awake—parted the tent curtain and approached.
"Darling. I..."
"Hm? Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Well..."
She fidgeted, twisting. Then, face flushed, she whispered close, "I haven't had today's dose yet..."