episode_0060

“The meal was satisfying. Stew that tastes this clean… I’d like to try it again.”

“You’ll have another chance to try it soon. By then, you might even get to taste something even more delicious than this.”

“…Is that really true?”

“Have you ever seen me lie?”

The promise made with Kotas was naturally fulfilled successfully.

Honestly, even though the ingredients were just ingredients, and having the greatest chef in the world as an assistant made failure seem odd.

Still, seeing many people enjoy the masterpiece of my life, the ‘Dragon Bone Beef Stew,’ brought a smile to my face.

“Phew.”

It was heartwarming to have crossed a big hurdle, but after a busy day from morning till night, both body and mind were truly exhausted.

Having worked hard for two days straight, maybe I could take it a bit easier with the schedule starting tomorrow?

Checking meticulously for tasks to be done, there didn’t seem to be anything as hectic as today, so I let out a relieved sigh, trying to soothe my tired body.

“You look tired.”

The guy with the sword I saw earlier handed me a refreshing glass of water with a puzzled expression.

“If you don’t hug the princess today, you’re dead in my hands.”

“I never said I would.”

“It’s written all over your face. Do you think I’m going to spend time with you for a day or two?”

“That’s why I don’t like witches who catch on quickly.”

He jokingly remarked while gulping down the cool water he held in his other hand.

“Ahh… refreshing. It’s the best to have something hot and then cool off.”

“The food was alright?”

“Of course, someone special made it. If only things could stay like this forever.”

“Hah, nonsense… I’m not planning on getting married, you know?!”

With a loud exclamation, another awkward atmosphere settled in.

…Oh, it was a good atmosphere before. It was a perfect opportunity to smooth things over from this morning.

Feeling like I made a mistake, I avoided eye contact, and the guy with the sword wiped away his awkward smile and shook his head.

Then, with a soft voice that seemed almost inaudible, he apologized to me.

“That thing from this morning, you remember?”

“…Yeah.”

“That was a real blunder. I should have been more careful. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, no… It was my fault for not knocking and barging into your room. And releasing desires is natural, right? I don’t find it weird.”

“It feels even more pathetic now.”

“I think I know what you mean.”

Have you ever been caught by your parents enjoying happy times?

Have you ever seen your mother quietly leaving tissues behind with a bitter smile?

I’ve experienced that. I wanted to jump out the window for real back then.

But the guy with the sword got caught by a colleague, not his parents.

Moreover, that colleague was looking understanding, how embarrassed and awkward must he have felt?

Displaying a stern attitude was expected, and since I had no intention of blaming him, I patted his back and asked a question.

“I have one question.”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m not teasing you, but… do you usually act like that? Is today just an exception…”

“You got it right. I couldn’t hold back and did it for just one day, but it ended up terribly.”

“Oh.”

“Now I’m doomed to never marry anyone else. You’ll take responsibility, right, Witch Lady?”

“Not at all.”

“You’re too much.”

The guy with the sword stood up, tongue-in-cheek, and extended his hand to escort me.

“Let’s go back; you look very tired.”

“I am tired, but there’s one more thing I need to take care of.”

“Is it something urgent? If it’s about cleaning up, you can ask Kotas for help.”

“I need to speak with the landowner. Go back to the inn first, Sword.”

It was different from what I had expected; otherwise, I would have probed and returned to the lodging, but the other person was the master of this land.

Since there was no point in causing friction, I sent the sharp fellow back to the lodging and made my way towards the Northern Duke.

Upon arriving in front of her, the first thing I heard, as expected, was praise for the meal.

Seemingly pleased, she didn’t hold back her compliments about the food.

“You’re here? Thanks to you, I could enjoy a delicious meal after a long time. It’s amazing that the delightful taste still lingers in my mouth.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was worried that the Duke’s taste would be picky.”

“Hmm, there’s no one as picky among the nobles as me. Eating only jerky or combat rations every day, how could my palate be sophisticated?”

“That makes sense. Unlike those softened by peace, I’ve been close to winter since I was young.”

As I nodded, the Duke chuckled joyfully and handed me a rather elegant bottle of liquor, offering me a glass.

“Care for a drink? Seems like our conversation might get lengthy.”

“Sure, can’t miss out on drinks in this atmosphere.”

I gladly accepted the glass she offered.

Under the cold moonlight, a breathtaking mental battle between the two women began.

—–

“Sigh… It’s really been a while since I’ve had alcohol. Feels like the first time since my coming-of-age ceremony.”

“It must have been because of winter. But now you can drink without any worries, right? Spring has arrived.”

“Hehe, I’m truly grateful for that. Finally able to make a name for myself in my own right, ‘Springfield,’ it feels refreshing.”

Clank clank clank –

Refilling the glass with more alcohol, the Northern Duke laughed brightly.

Seeing her radiant smile slightly eased my tension, but I gathered my thoughts again and spoke to her.

“To the point.”

“…Aren’t you being too hasty? The night is young.”

“Haven’t you seen someone work intensely? Let’s go in quickly and rest. So, get to the point.”

“Tsk… You’re like a romanceless witch.”

Looking disappointed, the Northern Duke downed the drink in her glass.

Then, with a slightly tipsy voice, she asked me.

“I have a serious question to ask.”

“What is it?”

“About Karl Possible, what do you think of him?”

…”

It was the question I anticipated.

There was no reason for that pompous Northern Duke to engage in a one-on-one conversation with me other than this.

Having to marry the man I fell for at first sight, who loves another woman.

I could understand wanting to change his mind somehow, but I felt repulsed.

I didn’t want to give the Duke the answer she desired.

So, like her, I began to lie, pretending to be drunk.

“Well… I used to despise his arrogance at first.”

“…Used to?”

“Yeah, at first. But as challenges that I couldn’t handle alone kept coming… I had no choice but to rely on him.”

Gulp –

Emptying the glass, I cautiously imagined a scenario where he wasn’t with me.

Could I have overcome the trials that came my way alone?

It would probably have been impossible.

Perhaps I would have been torn apart by the humans and turned into a lump of flesh before escaping the Great Forest.

…Come to think of it, was it not a lie?

The fact that I relied heavily on him was true?

Surprised by the realization that my subconscious words weren’t lies, I refilled the glass to hide my emotions.

“We’ve been through a lot. Chased by elves in the Southern Forest, fought followers of demons and zealots in the West, and drove away winter in the North.”

“In extreme situations together, even feelings that weren’t there before emerged. Slowly but surely, nerves were strained.”

“As a result… Hmm.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say “I love you.”

If I were to say that, I felt like I would truly lose my mind.

So, I quietly took a sip of my drink without saying those words.

“You’re not saying ‘I love you’ till the end.”

The Duke lightly exposed what he thought was a hidden flaw and smirked sardonically.

“Even if you talk a lot, in the end, it means you don’t think of that man as more than a comrade, right?”

“…Well.”

“‘Well’? Come on, if the words ‘I love you’ don’t come out readily when asked, then he’s just a comrade, isn’t he?”

“Perhaps.”

Quietly nodding at the Duke’s words that felt like a stab to the heart, I admitted silently.

It’s not a wrong statement.

I’ve never looked at him and thought, ‘I love you.’

Even if my heart raced a few times by chance, it was just this body reacting, not me.

Me, falling for that guy? Not likely.

“It makes sense.”

However.

“I don’t want to let go.”

I raised the corner of my mouth slightly and glanced at the Northern Duke.

“I know what you’re trying to say. We won’t become lovers anyway; you’re asking for help, right?”

“…”

“Your face shows you’re struck dumb. Well then, can I ask you a question this time?”

With a puzzled expression, the Northern Duke nodded as I threw the question at him.

“Why should I let that bastard go?”

“What?”

“Even if I say I dislike him and run away, he’ll chase after me to the ends of the earth. He’ll whisper love until I accept him with that pitiful face. But, even if I help, will he go to you?”

“Well…”

“You already know the answer, right? Face reality, Duke. Oh, just in case you start blabbering again, let me tell you beforehand.”

Was it the rising intoxication?

Or perhaps the haze of fatigue?

Unable to contain the surging excitement, I began to speak words that I would never have said under normal circumstances.

“While others may not know, but Kal, he won’t let himself be snatched away by another woman. How did I raise him?”

“The moment you start blabbering, I’ll confess immediately. Duke, I’ll fill that guy’s heart with me so tightly that there won’t be room for you.”

“If you’re curious, why not try it once? Do you think I can’t do it?”

As I poured out my words like a rapid-fire, the Duke shook his head with a disappointed smile.

“Is it too precious to give up to another man?”

“Of course. It’s better for me to have it than to give it to someone else.”

“Hmm, you’re a much stronger opponent than I thought.”

With a face that seemed fed up, the Duke sighed and then started chuckling as if amused by something.

“Hehe, I really didn’t expect this.”

“What?”

“To think there’d be an uninvited guest lurking in the women’s conversation spot. Could you take a look behind us?”

…What’s that sound of someone knocking on a window in the middle of the night?

Turning my head in confusion, I followed the Duke’s gaze, only to freeze in place.

In the direction our eyes met.

“If it’s too precious to give to another man, is this a new way of confession?”

Standing still where he should have gone back to the lodging, Kal was staring blankly.