The Farewell and the Encounter with Carlos (3)
Anger was mixed into Cloud’s voice. “I’ve given up on rebuilding the guild. Since my virginity’s been broken, no central noble will even look at me. If I marry one of them just like this, I’ll get caught on the very first night and everything will blow up, and in the end our families will wage war against each other.” Cloud nodded silently, then asked, “You love me?”
“That’s….” Sylvia answered carefully. “At first I resented you a lot, but through this adventure I’ve learned something.”
“What?”
“Do you remember the time I fought the giant and you sacrificed yourself for me?”
“Of course. It’s still fresh in my mind.”
“Looking at that moment when you saved me, I thought you weren’t so bad after all. And I decided I’d spend the rest of my life with you.”
“So basically you’ve fallen for me.” Cloud felt like he’d been hit with a once-in-a-lifetime proposal from a woman, but he didn’t show it. He figured this was an unusual fate that started off unusual, and he’d rather she curse him than thank him. That would have been more comfortable for his heart.
A long silence followed. Cloud was deep in thought. “Tch. My head hurts. I’ll just skip it. After all, I’ve already been cut from the shepherd’s post. Might as well apply to the Valua army.”
Cloud’s words broke the silence, and color flooded Sylvia’s face. “For real? You’re applying for me?”
“Exactly. If you want it, then I’ll make it happen.”
“Is it just because of me? Are you sick of being with me?”
“Of course not.” Cloud grinned wickedly and wiggled his eyebrows playfully. “I can do all kinds of filthy things with you.”
“Idiot.” Sylvia smiled shyly and looked away. “Speaking of it, what’s wrong with your brother? Is he really sick?”
“It’s not that serious, just a little loose in the joints. He hates getting tied down, hates formalities, wants to live freely, and his thinking is so four-dimensional that it’s hard to deal with him normally. Honestly, Cloud, you have a weird way of thinking too—people probably think you’re weird—but facing my brother is a whole other level. If the two of you ever got into a four-dimensional fight, you’d win without even trying.”
Hearing that, Cloud felt a faint rival spirit stir in his chest. “If the chance comes, I’d love to meet him sometime. I’m getting curious about exactly who the guy is.”
“Once things settle down and we can live together at my family’s place, we can see each other every day.”
Cloud gave a chill when Sylvia casually said they’d live together. “By the way, why do you want to sign me up as a soldier? You could just get married without being a soldier.”
“Your father would definitely oppose the marriage if he saw you right now.”
“That’s true. Right now I’m just a pathetic commoner with nothing.”
“That’s why I thought… what if you become a soldier of the Valua family, accomplish great deeds, and rise to the top? As a vassal, the highest position would make Father accept you naturally and eventually approve our marriage easily.”
“It makes sense. I don’t know if it’ll actually happen, but it’s probably the most promising plan among the ones I can think of right now. But I don’t have talent for martial arts.”
“Don’t worry about that. You can learn martial arts if you want, and if you don’t, I’ll help you appropriately. I’ll fake it like you’ve accomplished great deeds even if you haven’t.”
“…” Cloud was at a loss for words. A noble’s daughter was openly committing corruption right in front of him. “Oh man, that was reassuring. I feel like I’m guaranteed fast-track promotion from now on. I’m happy.”
“Then what, should I apply as a parachuter?”
Cloud had rejected Elena’s proposal and was now accepting Sylvia’s without hesitation. First, there was just the lingering affection. He knew Sylvia well from sharing life-and-death with her—and a few other encounters—but he’d only met Elena twice so far, making her feel relatively distant. And most importantly, Sylvia had stellar grades and plenty of money in her family. They didn’t even need to marry right away. Who knew how long it would take for her to become the best vassal, but at least until then she’d be legally a virgin. That meant he had no choice but to take Sylvia’s hand. The fact that Elena was pestering him to marry today was the only problem.
“By the way, Cloud.”
After the conversation wound down and he’d closed his eyes to sleep, Sylvia spoke again. “That tattoo on your back… it looks a lot like the witch’s. What happened?”
“You saw it?”
“Yes. When you complained about thirst, I took off your shirt by accident and found it.”
Cloud chuckled and told her everything that happened afterward. He even explained why he hadn’t died from Borden’s fist. Of course he left out the part about Elena and the Moyuchung. “It might be good to suddenly gain strength, but it also comes with huge danger….”
After listening to the full story, Sylvia looked serious. “It’s better if no one else ever sees it. You have to keep it hidden. Especially the citizens of Valua really hate witches.”
“Got it, got it….” Cloud answered in a tired voice, then moved to her side and pulled her waist close. “W-what are you doing? This is a carriage.”
“Yeah, it’s a carriage. Our love carriage just for the two of us.”
“Y-you idiot.” Sylvia blushed from the sweet whisper and Cloud buried his face in her ample chest. She twitched. “C-Cloud!”
“We’re getting married. What’s the problem? Isn’t it only natural for lovers?”
“B-but not here… not here…!”
“We won’t be able to do it in the city anyway. Who knows when we’ll see each other again.”
“T-that’s true but….” Sylvia lowered her gaze with regret. Then she relaxed her body and allowed him to take her full breasts. “Since we probably won’t see each other for a while, I’m letting you do it.”
“When will we see each other again?”
“I’ll contact you separately when the opportunity comes. You’re staying at the Tyronde Inn, right?”
“Yeah, if you come there we can meet.” Cloud rubbed his face happily in the soft flesh of her bosom. “Ahhh, this breast… from now on it’s mine forever… kuhl.”
Cloud’s voice trailed off as he immediately fell asleep. “A-are you sleeping?”
Sylvia had been hoping for something while he slept, but when she realized he was out she let out a disappointed sigh. She let go of the affectionate Cloud and gazed down at him. With a sweet look she gently stroked his hair. “Idiot….”
Soon Sylvia, too, leaned on Cloud’s shoulder and fell into deep sleep. Even while the two slept, the carriage kept rolling. The sun shone brightly ahead.
When he opened his eyes, it was morning. Sunlight streaming through the windows was blinding, and the interior was quiet and empty. Cloud slowly sat up. He sat on the bed for a moment in a daze. All the events of yesterday felt like a dream. Now he was in a comfortable room, but yesterday he had fought a giant—how was that believable? Cecil had been saved thanks to luck. When they arrived at the Tyronde Inn, Cloud changed her clothes right away, fed her, and her fever quickly went down and her complexion cleared. He was grateful he’d been able to sleep so deeply with a relaxed heart.
With a refreshed mind, he got out of bed and stretched his arms wide. Tock. A knock sounded. “Cloud! Are you up?” It was Sophia’s voice.
“Yeah~” He answered cheerfully and hurriedly put on his pants. The door clicked open to reveal Sophia holding two neatly folded sheets with both hands. She smiled brightly. “How are you feeling? Any sore spots?”
Cloud showed off his calisthenics with a big grin. “Sleeping well, both body and mind are refreshed.”
“Oh my.” Sophia covered her mouth and let out a slightly surprised voice. Her eyes were drawn downward. Following her gaze, Cloud realized that because he’d just woken up, his thing was stiffly erect and tenting his pants. Sophia blushed faintly and said shyly, “The body really is refreshed….”
Cloud, feeling awkward, coughed and turned away. He walked over to the window as if looking outside. “What’s up in the morning? Breakfast?”
“Um, this.” He only turned his head back. Sophia was offering the sheets she’d been holding with both hands. “I think they need changing.”
“Already?”
“I couldn’t do anything all day yesterday because Cecil was sick and I had to take care of her. Now I’m sorting out the backlog one by one.”
“Put them on the bed. I’ll do it.”
“Mr. Cloud is a guest at our inn. I can’t ask you to do such work.”
After Sophia finished speaking, she immediately took the blanket from the bed. She neatly folded it on the table in one corner of the room and began removing the old sheet. “Isn’t this breakfast time?”
“It’s already past ten.”
“Ah, really? You slept that long….”
“Go downstairs and eat. I’ve saved yours separately. Cecil’s probably in the kitchen, so go ask her.”
“You saved mine?”
“Yes. From now on, Mr. Cloud is a VVIP guest of our inn.”
“Benefits?”
“Free meals for a year.”
“Whoa, really?” A bright smile formed on his face. “If I stay here for a year, long-term customer benefits might turn a year into ten.”
“Wow.” Cloud was grinning the whole time. Sophia, after removing the old sheet, spread the new one on the bed. Then she climbed onto the bed to pull the sheet tight and bent over, lying down. Huh…! Cloud’s eyes widened in admiration at the sight of her back. The round curve of her hips she’d thrust toward him was sexy. The skirt was stretched tight, showing the panties clearly. At the same time he realized she was wearing clothes she’d never worn before. Usually her outfits were loose, bell-bottom dresses. But today she wore a white blouse with a collar and a purple skirt with a narrow waist and tight sleeves, making her figure stand out. Moreover, the white blouse was semi-transparent, and when the bright sunlight shone through, the outline of her skin and bra was clearly visible. Is there something good happening today? Cloud couldn’t tear his eyes away from her hips. Her floating hips on the bed swayed left and right as she shifted her knees. In addition, the sunlight made the color of the panties she wore visible faintly through the skirt. Black? Sophia with her pure image is being so proactive today? Who’s coming? Watching that beautiful sight left him entranced. And as if to say he wanted to get out the already enlarged item, it twitched as if begging to be taken out right away. What kind of trial is this from the morning onward!