Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Welcoming (2)
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"Pardon? You're leaving today?"
Mathias's voice echoed through the narrow barracks.
"Yes."
I ignored him and draped my armor over my shoulders.
"Don't you have more business here?"
"Th-the mining output and distribution reports are on the desk... You should review them..."
"I handled them all yesterday. And signed off on everything."
"What about the mine inspection? Didn't you need to check for repairs...?"
"Finished that this morning. Took care of some monster extermination while I was at it. I'll leave the corpse cleanup to you later."
"Yes..."
Mathias's face fell gloomily as he replied.
'He must hate that I'm heading back early.'
He probably thought I was rushing because I wanted to see Rose. Well, truth be told, it was more about all the urgent matters piling up back in the territory.
'At least I've handled the immediate priorities.'
There was still time before 'that incident' happened at the mine. I'd given orders to prepare everything to minimize the damage.
One month felt painfully short. So much would happen in that time—would I really be able to handle it all?
'No, I have to.'
It was the only way to survive. This wasn't the time to doubt if I could do it; I simply had to.
"...Then I'll prepare your things for departure."
I could feel Mathias trying to speak as he usually did.
'I was going to smack him with the scabbard if he crossed the line one more time.'
Seeing him struggle like that was a bit pitiful.
After all our years together, I tended to go easy on him. I knew full well how much he admired and followed me.
"I'm counting on you."
I tossed the words out casually, keeping a straight face.
"-!"
Mathias's expression brightened instantly,
"...Ahem. Yes, Your Excellency. Don't worry about a thing."
then he hurriedly reined in his smile. But his nostrils were already twitching.
"Then, let's go."
I turned away calmly, ignoring those twitching nostrils.
The door swung open with a creak.
The knights who should have been waiting weren't there.
Instead, they were clustered in small groups far off, whispering among themselves. They hadn't even noticed us coming out.
"Your Excellency?"
"Shh."
I motioned to Mathias, and he caught on immediately. We approached the knights quietly together.
"He's leaving faster than ever before."
"Is something going on at the castle?"
"I heard from the last escort team that he really likes the new madam who just arrived."
"His Excellency? No way. You must've heard wrong."
"She's a beauty, they say?"
The knights huddled close, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"This is the seventh or eighth one, right?"
"As expected of His Excellency. High standards. He's gone through seven women already."
"You know that's not how it is, you idiot."
"And yet he likes this madam... That means she must be..."
"A stunning beauty?"
"Even His Excellency's a man after all."
The knights exchanged glances and snickered.
"I wanna see her in person!"
"Maybe if we escort him this time?"
"..."
After one knight's persuasive words...
"I'll go!"
"No, me!"
"Isn't it C Team's turn this time?"
"Ugh, damn it. I'm dying to know."
"Nils, you're on C Team, right? Switch with me!"
"No way! I wanna go too!"
An absurd argument broke out.
"..."
Mathias's face started turning red and purple. He glanced at me, his eyes pleading for permission.
'Can I handle this?'
I nodded silently. Discipline among the knights was always welcome.
"Gasp."
"Heavens!"
The knights finally spotted us and jumped in shock.
"Attention, all of you!"
Mathias's booming voice rang across the training grounds. With the knights now standing rigidly at attention, hands clasped politely, and Mathias fuming behind me, I turned away.
And soon enough...
"Hyah!"
We were able to depart the mine with the somewhat deflated knights. It was earlier than usual.
'I want to get there fast.'
For some reason, my feet were itching to hurry today. Even knowing that riding hard nonstop would leave us all exhausted by arrival.
Thud thud thud thud.
The ground trembled under the horses' fierce gallop. The cold air stung my face as it whipped by, but the breath from my nose and mouth came out hot.
Thud thud thud thud!
The gray sky and barren earth blurred past like arrows. We rode and rode until, despite the chill, the horses were soaked in sweat.
"Your Excellency, huff! I'll go ahead, huff. And announce your arrival!"
"Do that!"
The knight spurred ahead at my command, and the rest of us eased our pace slightly.
Bwooo—
Thanks to the advance knight, the outer wall's horn blared, and the gates swung wide open.
"Your Excellency."
The outer wall guards bowed in unison.
They weren't formally knighted, but I'd trained them for potential invasions. Their disciplined bearing and skills were nothing to scoff at.
...Except for the excessively shiny armor.
"Ow, that's bright."
"What's with this glare?"
The knights blinked and grimaced.
"..."
I dismounted.
Turning my eyes from the armor oil wasters, I headed for the inner castle.
Normally, Bill, Selma, and the other servants came out to greet me. Today was no different—crowds of people gathered before the inner gates.
And in the center, a small red dot stood out.
'...Rose.'
Rose Vicander, my eighth wife, was there. Her red hair whipped in the wind, a thick fur coat draped over her shoulders, hands clasped tightly against the cold.
"..."
It was a strange feeling.
Just knowing my waiting wife stood there ahead made this sturdy, cold castle feel warm.
Clop, clop.
The closer I got, the clearer Rose's face became. Her sprout-green eyes blinked, and white breath puffed from her slightly parted lips.
Her cheeks were flushed red from standing outside too long. I could tell they were icy cold without touching.
Clop.
Finally, the horse halted,
and whoosh!
I leaped down. The moment our eyes met, Rose's face lit up.
"Your Excellency."
Her eyes sparkled as they fixed on me.
Emotions swirled within them like leaves caught in the wind—confusion, worry, relief—and then
"You've arrived."
settled into simple joy.
It felt like a wary wild animal, fur bristled in caution, had suddenly tamed and was nuzzling at my feet.
"Madam."
I approached with steady steps, neither too fast nor too slow.
Step.
The other servants stepped back discreetly as I stopped before Rose. Now only she stood facing me.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No. I just came out."
"Your cheeks are awfully red for that."
I added, studying her closely.
"Catch a cold or something?"
At those words, the people around us started panicking.
"---!"
"-!"
They gestured wildly, but in the chaos, I couldn't make out what they were saying.
"Madam."
"Madam, please."
Eventually, they turned their desperate eyes to Rose. She gave an awkward smile under their pleading gazes.
"It's not a cold. The wind outside is just chilly."
"You're sure?"
"Of course. Everyone's been so worried about my health. The chief physician checked me thoroughly."
"Joel?"
"Yes. He was really kind."
Rose looked like she had more to say. But mindful of the onlookers, she stopped there.
"I see. It's cold out here—let's go inside and talk more."
"Yes."
As our conversation ended and I stepped back,
"Welcome home, Your Excellency."
"I hope your journey was safe."
Bill and Selma led the servants in greetings.
"Yes."
I replied offhandedly, then realized something.
'Didn't I just naturally address Rose first?'
Thinking back, my eyes had been fixed on that red dot since the inner castle came into view. Upon arrival, I'd checked on her well-being right away, leaving the others for later.
'...Hmm.'
So this was... the perfect picture of a devoted husband. Yes, that's it.
Yet I'd done it effortlessly, without any calculation—something I'd never done with any previous wife.
'Because of the contract?'
The contract seemed to influence my mindset as well.
But even so, my body had moved on pure instinct. Drawn to Rose.
"..."
The feeling was odd. Dazed, a bit ticklish. I couldn't explain why.
"Let's go."
I forced down the stirring in my heart and spoke as usual.
But the next moment,
"Madam, your hand."
I naturally extended my hand to her again. Not out of contractual duty, but an urge to escort her.
'...This isn't like me.'
The unfamiliar sensation made me hesitate briefly. But I didn't withdraw my hand.
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Rose gently placed her small hand in my palm.
There was a slight hesitation, but not the wariness from our first day. Just the natural caution of touching another person.
Step, step.
As I escorted Rose, the servants followed behind. They said nothing, but I could feel their eyes etching every moment into memory.
'Their attitudes have shifted dramatically.'
Before we shared the marital bedchamber, it felt like they gauged my intentions before deciding how to treat Rose. Now, they were openly fawning over her.
In truth, it took quite some time afterward for me to realize this was all because I'd publicly cornered the chief physician, Joel, in front of everyone.