4. Inside the Dark Carriage on the Way to the Royal Capital
In the dim interior of the carriage rumbling toward the royal capital, the clip-clop of hooves and the grinding scrape of wheels over the cobblestone road echoed relentlessly. Sierra, still unaccustomed to the jolting wagon even after days on the move, felt a fresh stab of pain in her lower back and kneaded the sore spot gingerly.
Oww... my back hurts so much.
Why on earth was she putting up with this misery? Yesterday, she'd slept in a reasonably soft bed under a tolerable roof and walls—nothing luxurious, but it had eased her body somewhat. Yet a single night's rest couldn't erase the accumulated torment of days crammed in the cargo hold.
When the hell are we getting to the capital?
It was over a month from Leventen to the royal capital. They'd been traveling for about a week and two days now, meaning at least three more weeks loomed ahead before arrival.
I just want to go home already.
She yearned to flop onto her plush bed at home, burrow under warm blankets, and roll around blissfully. Thinking of the delicious meals whipped up by the head chef at every sitting brought back memories of the sweet desserts that always followed. Ian's cooking wasn't bad, but it was just average civilian fare. No match for the professional chef serving House Hildenheim, Sierra's family home.
Sigh...
Sierra let out a quiet internal sigh but kept any overt complaints off her face. After all, her lady and the kingdom's princess, Aria, rode without fuss—how could a mere attendant like her whine? Too timid for that. All she could do was grumble inwardly.
Cheong-ah took care of the Assassins' Guild, even got their word they wouldn't attack again... So why can't we switch to a comfy regular carriage now?
What was the point of sticking with this uncomfortable wagon? The threat was gone—why not ditch it? But Sierra couldn't voice the thought. She just shot a resentful glance at Aria, who sat silently beside her today, eyes closed for some reason.
"Why are you staring like that, Sierra? My face might burn a hole through. I like your eyes, but that look is way too intense."
"N-no, it's nothing. Just..."
Sierra debated whining about changing carriages right then but shook her head. Yeah, right—finding a new one now would be a hassle. I'd just sound like a brat.
Best to change the subject. "Just wondering what you're thinking so deeply about."
"Hm. Well..."
Aria paused, glancing toward the driver's seat outside. "Sierra, what do you think of those two up front?"
"The two up front? Ian and Cheong-ah?"
"Yeah."
"Hm, well..."
Sierra pondered Aria's sudden question, considering the pair she'd barely thought about until now. Then, unbidden, that memory from the first night's watch flooded back.
Ian and Cheong-ah leaning shoulder to shoulder. Her face slowly lowering toward his, hands undoing his pants. Revealing something thick and enormous.
I-I'd finally forgotten about that!
In her mind's eye, Cheong-ah's small lips parted, her red tongue flicking out...
Her breath quickened. Cheeks flushed. Lips dried. A soft, aroused sigh escaped naturally.
"Haaah..."
"Sierra, what's wrong all of a sudden? You okay?"
"N-nothing! I'm fine!"
Sierra shook her head vigorously to banish the memory, forcing objectivity. First, Ian: remarkably capable for an Iron Badge adventurer. Camping setup, cooking, driving—he handled more than expected. Less like hiring an adventurer, more like bringing along a survival and camping expert.
"He's competent, yeah. Ian. Makes you wonder why he's stuck at Iron rank. He could've succeeded big time in something else by now."
"Mm, true. Ian's great at camping stuff. But that's it. Honestly, I'm more curious what you think of Cheong-ah."
"Cheong-ah? Uh, well..."
They'd been traveling together a while, but Sierra hadn't grown close to her. Couldn't, really. Cheong-ah was distant—not just to her, but even to Aria. Conversation was limited to brief evening chats, prompted only by Ian or Aria's questions.
Still, her skills seemed legit. Temporary Gold Badge from the guild, after all. But Aria wasn't asking about basics like that—she already knew them.
"She's no ordinary person, that's for sure."
"Same thought here?"
"Yeah. Assassin Guilds don't have outright monsters, but they're not weaklings either."
"Exactly. A branch leader might not match a Platinum adventurer, but stronger than Gold for sure. And they swarm in numbers for contract kills..."
"I'd say at least Platinum, maybe higher."
"Figured as much."
"You planning to recruit Cheong-ah?"
"If possible."
"What if she says no?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
"How? You're not gonna take Ian hostage or something, right?"
"...Sierra. Sometimes you see me as a total psycho. I'm not reckless without a plan."
"Fair point."
"Yeah. Simple—we just hire them as exclusive adventurers or something."
With that, Aria closed her eyes again, falling silent.
"A-Ah... Ah-CHOO!"
A sudden itch in his ear, a tingle in his nose—then a massive sneeze exploded out. Sniff—what the hell? Not coming down with a cold or anything... Someone badmouthing me?
As he rubbed his nose, Cheong-ah offered a neatly folded handkerchief from beside him.
"Here, dear. Wipe up."
"Oh? Uh, thanks."
He took it and dabbed his nose and mouth. Not much to wipe, really, but her scent— that fresh, feminine aroma—wafted from the cloth. He wanted to press it to his nose. Call him a perv; he was one.
After pocketing it, Cheong-ah asked, "Dear, why put it back in your pocket...?"
"Huh? Oh, well... Might need it later."
He shoved it deep into his inner pocket. Mine now.
"Man, it's so boring. Like, too boring. I'm dying here."
"Yeah?"
"Yep. Dawn spar with the sword was fun after so long."
Cheong-ah stretched lazily, her sleeve slipping down to reveal a flawless white arm and smooth, hairless underarm. Creamy skin like fresh milk, perfectly sleek and hidden away intimately.
Gulp.
Saliva pooled unbidden. That soft, supple flesh... Delicate curves between taut tendons. Faint creases from the fold, a subtle sheen of moisture below. Not actual sweat, of course—just how it struck him. And somehow, a scent stirring raw arousal drifted from it. Probably from her handkerchief earlier.
His groin throbbed. Eyes locked on that secret allure, mind drifting—until Cheong-ah noticed and murmured low, glancing sideways.
"...Dear. Eyes on the road."
"Uh—oh? S-sorry."
Her nudge snapped him back; he gripped the reins, facing forward. Right, no distractions while driving... big trouble if I mess up.
A bit regretfully, he smacked his lips. Fine, feast my eyes later when she asks for fluids after dinner tonight. Focusing on the drive—
Suddenly, a sly hand slipped toward his crotch.
"Huh...?"
Looking down: a pale hand. Its owner, Cheong-ah, stared straight ahead innocently, back straight as if oblivious. When he softly called her name, she pressed a finger to her lips—shh—and smiled seductively.
"...Cheong-ah?"
"You're already big enough to show, dear. Can't have those two in back spotting it."