Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Mine (1)
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Gulp, gulp.
The water sliding down her throat was so sweet, she wondered if it could really taste this good.
'Ah, finally.'
As the burning thirst finally eased, Rose found herself smiling without realizing it.
"More, more..."
"I got it."
Dane scooped up more water with that same something and fed it to her.
A warm, moist something gently stroked the inside of her lips, guiding the water so it wouldn't spill out.
"Haa..."
After gulping down the cool water to her heart's content, she felt alive again.
A refreshing chill spread through her insides, while a cozy warmth enveloped her from the outside.
The contrast felt wonderful.
"Hehe..."
Rose giggled softly, burrowing deeper into the warmth.
"Feels good..."
"Heh, really."
A bemused sigh rained down from above her head.
"Whining one moment, then loving it the next."
Even as he said it, he gently brushed her hair back. His touch was soft and tender.
"Do you even know what you drank from?"
A low murmur carried a hint of amusement.
"If you did, you wouldn't be nestling in so obediently. Guess that's something only I need to know."
Squeeze.
A large, hot embrace fully enveloped Rose.
She let go of all tension and surrendered herself completely. Then she nuzzled into the firm flesh, sniffing lightly.
'Nice... scent...'
A unique fragrance, like cold, crisp winter air mixed with hot body heat.
Whenever she caught this scent, an inexplicable sense of peace washed over her. It was the same now.
"Enough. That tickles."
Suddenly, her body was pushed back, and the scent pulled away from her nose.
"Hng."
Rose whined and pushed back with her arms. The force shoving her away weakened.
"Don't tease me too much. It's hard to hold back."
A troubled voice reached her, but Rose ignored it and inhaled the scent deeply into her nostrils.
She breathed in long and deep—whoosh—savoring it, then exhaled slowly—fuuu—letting her lungs fill with it fully.
"...No sleeping after that, huh."
The resigned voice faded into the distance as sleepiness overtook her.
This time, she felt like she could sleep deeply without any dreams.
**
At the Calmar Mine outpost.
A debate erupted among the knights gathered in the mess hall.
"Hey, make some sense."
"Unless you're the type to lose his mind over a woman—which Your Excellency sure isn't."
The knights all turned on Nils, the one who'd brought up the topic.
"For the record, I'm not obsessed with women. Keep that in mind."
Nils calmly began his rebuttal.
Boo—
Ignoring the jeers, he continued.
"You didn't see Your Excellency's face when those guys climbed into the carriage."
"Of course he was startled. Enemies pulling a stunt like that."
"That's not it...!"
Nils sighed and ruffled his hair in frustration.
"Back then, I really thought he could kill someone with just a look."
The knights just snorted at Nils's serious tone.
"Happens to me all the time. Facing monsters, one glance at Your Excellency and I chill right out."
"He had that look last time the cook steamed griffon meat too."
"I'd have done the same. Steaming? Fry it proper."
"No!"
Nils pounded his chest in exasperation.
"Listen, you idiots! I'm telling you, Your Excellency really, really cherishes Madam! Acts like a total fool in love!"
"Fool? Reporting that."
"Wait, that was a slip. Anyway, when it comes to Madam, he doesn't care about anything! Eyes all glazed over!"
"Did this guy eat something bad? Check his plate."
"It's delicious manticore tenderloin sausage. If you won't eat it, I'll take it."
"Agh, seriously!"
Nils scratched the back of his head and glanced sideways. He asked another knight from the carriage escort team.
"Am I wrong? What do you think?"
"Same here. Your Excellency's completely smitten with Madam right now."
The knight inhaling manticore sausage nodded.
"Bet half my pay he brings Madam when he comes to the mine today."
He upped the ante with a wager.
The knights, who'd been chuckling at the sum, now looked intrigued.
"Oh? Fine, I'm in. On Your Excellency coming alone like always."
"Me too. Your Excellency bringing some woman...? Pfft."
Most knights bet on Dane Schmichael arriving alone, as usual.
It made sense.
All he ever did here was spill monster blood or ensure miners didn't.
Bringing Madam to a place like this? Even if he cherished her, that seemed unlikely.
"I'm betting my whole salary."
Nils declared resolutely at last.
"On Your Excellency coming with Madam."
"Sir Nils, gambling's the shortcut to ruin, as they say."
"Gulp. Say thanks for the meal in advance. Gotta think what to do with my winnings."
As most knights grinned, certain of victory—
"Those damn idiots..."
Knight Captain Mathias overheard from the mess hall entrance.
His dignity kept him from joining the bet, but he shared their thoughts.
"Thinks my brother's some horny pup."
He'd heard the escort team's report.
Panting as he rushed to save Madam, then seeking a divine oracle after—nonsense like that.
Ridiculous. They must've misseen in the chaos.
"What's Brother lacking that he'd...?"
The Dane Schmichael Mathias knew wouldn't do that.
He ignored countless noble ladies at the Academy. No way he'd glance at a grubby kid like Rose Vicander.
Mathias's memory of her was stuck at her first arrival at the ducal seat.
"About time his interest wanes."
Thinking that, Mathias left and waited at the gate.
"Running a bit late today."
Tapping the wall impatiently, something caught Mathias's eye.
"...?"
He frowned.
The procession seemed... oddly long? More people than usual?
And...
"A carriage?"
In the center was something he'd never seen before.
A bad feeling hit him.
"No way...?"
Mathias bit his lip, watching the approaching carriage and escort knights.
As it drew near, the family crest gleamed clearly. Guards checked it and let the carriage through.
Screech.
The carriage stopped, door opening.
Hop.
The first to step out was a woman with vibrant golden hair.
"A woman!"
"Pretty one too."
The knights atop the gate buzzed.
It wasn't just surprise. She was a stunning rare beauty.
"No way she's...?"
"Your Excellency does have high standards..."
"No. Madam has red hair."
An escort knight corrected the hasty assumption.
"Hmph."
The blonde woman brushed off the stares lightly and fixed her gaze straight on Mathias atop the gate.
"-!"
Locking eyes, Mathias flinched... but tried not to show it.
He muttered unwittingly.
'She is pretty.'
Her slyly upturned blue eyes and delicate features stood out. Unlike the refined Academy noble ladies, she exuded a dangerous allure.
Step.
Soon Dane emerged from the carriage. But not alone.
"Take it slow."
He stood right at the door, extending a hand inside. Someone else remained.
Thud.
A small gloved hand rested on Dane's palm,
"That's it."
Dane's gentle voice overlaid it.
"-!"
Mathias's head reeled from the shock.
'Brother can say things like that?'
He'd heard, but seeing it hit hard.
Dazed, he stared at the scene below.
Clack.
Rose descended slowly, holding Dane's hand.
Dane adjusted his grip delicately to keep her steady.
"Phew."
Once fully down, Rose caught her breath.
"You alright?"
"Of course. The chief physician said I can walk now."
"Still, maybe I should carry you..."
"Your Excellency!"
Rose grabbed his forearm quick. She shook her head vigorously, pleading earnestly.
"There are other knights here too. You have to maintain decorum."
"This won't ruin my dignity."
"Please."
Rose's teary eyes implored, and Dane chuckled.
His usual icy winter demeanor was gone, replaced by a soft, warm spring breeze.
Whoosh.
He leaned to her ear, whispering something.
Boom!
Rose's face flushed bright red.
"......"
The gate area fell deathly silent.
No one dared make a sound.
Couldn't.
Crack—
Snap—
Jaws dropped slack in shock.
One man moved amid them.
Smack.
Nils shut a fellow knight's gaping mouth and flashed a victory grin.
"Hand over the money, boys."
The knights flailed in shock.
"Something wrong with my eyes..."
"Must've eaten something bad, seeing things..."
"Ah, shut up and pay up quick!"
As Nils tussled with the knights—
"......"
Mathias staggered, grabbing the wall to steady himself.
'How?'
Was that really Dane Schmichael before him?
Sweet as cotton candy smile, meltingly tender voice. Delicate touch like handling glass.
An attitude straight out of a seduction playbook.
'Brother? Seducing her? That woman?'
Mathias shuddered at his own thought.
How pathetic! Brother wouldn't!
He didn't know.
That Dane was genuinely acting on those intentions. Truly doting on Rose.