Ch.68Love and War #6

After two days by carriage.

I rubbed my eyes as soon as I arrived at the Servan Barony.

I could feel it was noticeably warmer than other regions, perhaps due to the faint wisps of steam rising here and there.

People don’t usually think of going to hot springs in summer.

Though the summer here is incomparably cooler than on the Fire Continent, it’s still undeniably summer for the locals.

It seemed only natural that people wouldn’t want to sweat profusely in hot springs during such weather.

Hot springs in winter make sense. But hot springs in summer? That’s quite inventive.

I recalled how I had mindlessly nodded along when Helena suggested it.

I’d occasionally wanted to do something reckless, but now that it was actually happening, I could only sigh.

“But… there are surprisingly quite a few people here. I see some who don’t look like locals scattered around.”

“This city is famous for its wellness facilities. Even if the season doesn’t seem right, some people come for long-term recuperation, and occasionally others like us come seeking tranquility. That’s probably why.”

Few people come just for the hot springs, but there are scattered visitors seeking mental and physical healing? That makes sense.

It would also be convenient for medical treatment, given the area’s advanced pharmaceutical and medical arts.

“It might be uncomfortable, but I’m planning to stay somewhere quite expensive. Such places tend to have fewer guests.”

“Ah. You want to stay somewhere quiet?”

“Yes. And I’d like to avoid awkward situations. We can’t return more exhausted than when we arrived on a trip meant for relaxation.”

After making her decision, Helena quickly scanned the lodging district visible through the window.

She seemed to be targeting places with higher prices that would naturally limit the number of guests.

She didn’t appear interested in spending our first and last honeymoon extravagantly.

Tranquility. And peace. I thought we were indulging in an unusual luxury for these two things.

“D-Duke Krauser! W-welcome!”

And so, we entered a lodging that resembled a nobleman’s mansion.

In modern terms, it would be considered a high-class hotel. Naturally, it wasn’t a high-rise building.

Such architectural techniques didn’t exist, and there wouldn’t be enough demand for it anyway.

“It’s nice to meet you. You must be surprised by our sudden visit, but we’d like to stay for a few days… Do you have any vacant rooms?”

Helena asked, leaning her upper body slightly out of the carriage window.

“Of course! We would create rooms out of thin air if necessary to accommodate the Sword of our Kingdom!”

A middle-aged man, who appeared to be the manager or a senior staff member of the lodging, exclaimed with sparkling eyes.

It was understandable that he would be moved by the rare appearance of the Duke, who was normally so difficult to see.

In a way, it might be similar to seeing a celebrity in person.

“Hehe. Thank you.”

Helena smiled gratefully at his enthusiasm, and the man quickly called several staff members to guide us with great care.

From parking the carriage to treating the Dark Elf without batting an eye, everything seemed meticulously handled.

“This is the best room we have here. It may not meet Your Grace’s standards, but…”

“No, I like it very much. Thank you for showing us around. By the way, have you prepared rooms for the other two as well?”

“Yes, as you instructed.”

I recalled that rooms had been reserved for both the coachman and Ellen.

While the quality of rooms might differ, securing accommodations at the same lodging for one’s entourage was common practice for nobles’ convenience.

The man guiding us seemed aware of this custom.

Of course, Dark Elves would normally be an exception… but since Helena had brought her along, it seemed to be overlooked without issue.

In any case, the room was splendid and clean, befitting its high price.

Though outwardly modest, the man had every right to be proud.

The facilities appeared to be of excellent quality.

“If you need anything besides meals, please don’t hesitate to ask. I hope you have a pleasant stay.”

The man bowed respectfully and withdrew only after completing the room tour.

In a modern hotel, one might call someone with a phone, but here one had to make the sound directly.

Nevertheless, the pipe in the corner through which one could send sound seemed quite convenient.

Even in this era, one could glimpse efforts to pursue convenience in their own way.

“Looking at it this way, it’s somewhat similar to the Krauser mansion.”

“Hmm… I suppose it could seem that way.”

I nodded while examining the bathroom and toilet again.

The magical items that dispensed water, the large temperature-controlled bathtub, the lighting… it was a perfectly comfortable environment.

If I hadn’t stayed at the Krauser mansion before, my eyes might have widened in surprise.

“The hot springs are located separately in the back, right?”

I’m not sure if it’s natural for any country to build facilities around hot springs, or if humans who want to use hot springs naturally think that way.

I just felt a strange sense of familiarity in how the various facilities in Servan Barony revolved around the hot springs.

I nodded at Helena’s words and put down the luggage I had been busily unpacking.

“Yes. They said all necessary items are provided there. Money really is wonderful. There aren’t many people, so we can enjoy it leisurely, and if we pay a bit more, we can even have it to ourselves.”

Helena emphasized the words “to ourselves” with sparkling eyes.

I could easily guess what she was thinking and could only shake my head.

Seeing her growing more lustful by the day reminded me of the graph of age-related sexual desire.

“Alright. Let’s go together tonight.”

However, I didn’t think it was a bad idea, so I nodded readily.

◎◎◎

Eating, sleeping, exercising, and sightseeing.

After spending such leisurely yet stimulating days recently, I felt somewhat detached from reality.

A life solely dedicated to resting and spending money felt quite unfamiliar.

There was also a sense of discomfort, like wearing ill-fitting clothes.

“Oh… so combining these ingredients is good for internal injuries?”

“Yes. It’s also beneficial when taken with meals for indigestion. In that case, reduce the proportion of this herb a little…”

Perhaps that’s why I felt so comfortable now, learning basic pharmaceutical knowledge for emergencies. Whether it was my constitution or not, I enjoyed the fragrant scent of herbs, and it was an incredibly peaceful time.

“Do you enjoy working that much?”

While enjoying a foot bath in a secluded open-air bath after leaving the pharmacy, Helena asked with a slightly prim expression.

Having heard this question several times before, my answer was already set.

“I don’t particularly enjoy it. But I end up doing it anyway.”

“Because you become lethargic otherwise?”

“Exactly.”

I don’t mean to say that a life of leisure is bad.

In fact, I could confidently say I would actively welcome it.

Nevertheless, the reason I still sought to work a little was, as mentioned earlier, because people become listless and sluggish when they have nothing to do.

Then they can’t even enjoy their leisure properly and end up looking half-dead, as I had learned from experience.

Since then, I’ve tried to work at least a little.

Even if it wasn’t something grand, even a simple part-time job lasting an hour or two was good.

Additionally, perhaps due to the influence of the time I’d spent growing up on this continent, I seemed to have become more diligent.

It might be an illusion, but that’s how it felt.

“I’m sorry. Were you very bored?”

“Huh? Not at all. I’m never bored just being with Jion. And I think it’s good to know pharmaceutical knowledge. It’s particularly useful knowledge for field operations. If we know it in advance, we can add supplies to prepare.”

It’s wise to prepare for war even in peaceful times.

I nodded, recalling the saying to prepare for war during peace.

It seemed much better than being caught off guard.

◎◎◎

Envious.

Watching from a distance as Jion and Helena leisurely sat shoulder to shoulder enjoying their foot bath, Ellen let out a deep, intense sigh.

Though it was for the future, seeing their relationship, which had been particularly sweet these past few days, was painful to watch.

However, today would be the last day of observing that scene from afar.

The four days of guarding them from a distance, careful not to disturb them, were coming to an end.

Though her body had been comfortable, her uncomfortable heart would soon feel lighter.

“Today’s the day. Are you ready?”

At their lodging in Servan Barony.

Helena, Ellen’s master, competitor, and also collaborator, casually asked.

Her beloved Jion was resting in the room, and Helena had taken this opportunity to visit Ellen’s room and pose the question.

Today. Ellen’s eyes revealed a joy bordering on madness.

She had been waiting desperately for this moment.

“Yes. I’ve prepared thoroughly.”

“…Thank you for your hard work. It must have been emotionally difficult just watching from afar.”

When words of appreciation came from Helena’s lips, Ellen widened her eyes in surprise.

It wasn’t something she expected to hear from a woman who, despite her generous character, had never compromised even an inch regarding one particular man.

Understandable. Helena smiled wryly at Ellen’s surprised expression.

She thought it was reasonable to be speechless with surprise.

“Is it that surprising for me to say such things?”

“To be honest… yes, it is.”

“Heh. I can see why. It surprises me too. But what can I do? I don’t want to ruin the moments I spend with my husband.”

Unless Ellen had been somehow lacking in ability, Helena had no other choice.

Although the situation had forced her hand, it was the path she had chosen, and she could no longer regret it.

So, she decided to shift her focus to how best to utilize the relationship that had formed.

She chose the path of maintaining stability through sharing, albeit uncomfortable, rather than risking losing a man’s affection by trying to satisfy her desire for exclusivity.

“It’s not my place to say, but… I agree with the Duchess’s words.”

“…I know. Anyway, let’s leave it at that. The real issue is how to spend the remaining three days.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Ellen walked to the dresser drawer as if she had been waiting for this moment, and brought back two vials.

An aphrodisiac that Helena had instructed her to prepare for a stimulating night, and another excitement enhancer.

Red and pink. Helena looked with satisfaction at the short, transparent vials in Ellen’s hands and spoke.

“Are those the items I asked for?”

“Yes. Their effectiveness is guaranteed. But… are you really sure about this? I’m worried you might be frightened if the Grand Duke becomes too rough…”

“It’s fine. I’ve seen Jion’s beast-like face…”

Ugh! Helena shuddered as she recalled the night in Barkan County.

The first night she had been with Jion, when she was overwhelmed by his bestial nature and had no choice but to follow his commands.

And the moment when the true hierarchy was established, beyond the facade of social status.

“I’ve seen it before, so I’ll be fine. Rather, you should be careful. Once you taste it, you might not be able to maintain boundaries.”

“Is… is he that different?”

The Jion that Ellen knew was a gentle and broad-minded man.

However, the version Helena proudly boasted about was a raging beast.

The discrepancy made it difficult to accept, but Helena, aware of this, simply said:

“You’ll find out tonight. But remember, don’t cross the line even after today.”

In other words, even after being in his arms, she should only engage in such acts where Helena could see them.