Then, Endymion immediately stared at him with a fierce gaze. Even though he didn't exert much force, his gaze was so strangling that Boris quickly moved away again.
"Go out and ride a horse."
"No, why do you keep ordering me around? And I can't ride a horse! How can you say such cruel things!"
Boris was furious at having his pride as a wizard ignored. He also claimed that it was unfair, saying that this was his first time outside the magic tower, and how could he possibly know how to ride a horse?
Then, Endymion sneered expressionlessly.
"How much longer must I tolerate this thug who not only boarded the King's carriage without permission but also behaved rudely toward the Queen?"
"That, that..."
Boris opened his mouth and grinned.
In fact, after the coming-of-age ceremony, he stayed in the palace for three days and unknowingly committed many rude acts. This was because it was his first time experiencing the outside world in almost 25 years. Even though Boriw had memorized the etiquette, there was no way a wizard who had been studying in seclusion could remember all of it.
But Julia was considerate of his somewhat rude and informal attitude. Instead, she told him several times not to feel burdened by etiquette and to make himself comfortable.
She would often call him and talk to him without feeling awkward, and she would laugh and say that she thought of him as a friend. Thanks to that, Boris began to feel affection for Julia as a human being. As a wizard and as a beginner in the secular world.
But paradoxically, because of that, Endymion became resentful.
"If you don't know, learn it this time."
"Oh, please save me. I'm a total idiot at exercising!"
"I don't care what your circumstances are."
"Mion."
The cold lips closed tightly like c ams. Julia sighed lightly, folded the map, and raised her head. Boris, who had been almost crushed in a corner, brushed his chest with an expression that showed that he was alive.
"It'll be off in a few hours anyway. Even if it's uncomfortable, please bear with it."
Julia spoke as if to say, and a faint disappointment appeared on Endymion's normally cool face.
"I said that because I was worried you might be uncomfortable."
"I don't care. The carriage is spacious, so why are you like that? It's supposed to seat five people."
Julia knew that Endymion was not fond of Boris, so she just pretended not to notice.
Anyway, Boris doesn't have a very strong personality, and Endymion only collides with him at levels where it won't be a problem.
"So stop it. It's distracting me from looking at the map."
But now, strangely, it was bothering her, and she scolded Endymion.
As she pointed out the point and spread out the map again, the two men's joys and sorrows were mixed. Endymion stared at Julia silently and then sank into his seat.
Boris coughed loudly, hiding his excited expression.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best to escort you safely to the Magic Tower."
"Thank you. Um, you said you were going to Shavel's Rumar right now, right?"
Julia took out the bundle of documents she had brought and looked through them. It contained detailed information about Semele's allies.
Shavel, and in particular, the Rumar region.
"Yes. It's the fifth largest city in Shavel. Well, it's a border area, and everything is concentrated in the capital, so it's more like a large rural area. Anyway, there's a Magic Tower transfer gate set up in Rumar, so you can arrive today and pass through tomorrow. You can probably have lunch tomorrow at the Magic Tower Grand Hall!"
Boris explained with a slightly smug tone.
The Magic Tower was located at the northernmost point of the continent and was surrounded by vast ice canyons, making it difficult to enter and exit. That's why wizards in stalled mobile gates travel to and from the outside world.
However, only authorized wizards could use it, and it was only for official use. Since access was strictly controlled in the Magic Tower, all information, such as the location of the gate and how it worked, was kept under wraps.
"The communication port suddenly broke down, so I couldn't contact the Lord of the Tower... Well, I'm sure you two will be okay!"
Boris confidently declared. Then he hummed and began to look out the window of the spacious carriage.
After accepting the negotiation offer, Boris told them where the gate was. It was strictly confidential, but since they were going to go anyway, wouldn't it be better to go there faster and more comfortably?
Thanks to this, it was a wise decision as they were able to arrive in one breath in the King's carriage instead of having to use a teleportation scroll and stay in an inn for several days.
'It's a good thing the wizard who was dispatched was Boris.'
It was possible because he was young and had a pure nature like a child. If he had been a meticulous and conservative wizard, they would not have even dreamed of it. Rather than going to the magic tower together to negotiate, war would have been declared right away.
'Things seem to be going well.'
Julia smiled faintly as she heard Boris's exclamation. She had been feeling depressed when Endymion and Boris were arguing a little while ago, but she was quickly lifted up.
"Oh, I see the mountain peak over there. We'll be arriving at Rumar in a little while!"
Boris shouted happily, having returned sooner than expected. Endymion, not missing the opportunity, scolded him, saying that if he was going to jump out the window like that, he should have gotten out in the first place.
After a while, the carriage entered Shavel's Rumar smoothly.
***
"Your Majesty, it is dangerous to move without close escort!"
The Royal Knight Commander was in deep thought and tried to dissuade him. However, Endymion dismissed his request out of hand.
To hide his identity, he had removed all the carriage decorations and changed it into an ordinary carriage. However, he was concerned that he would be noticed if there was a grand escort.
"Do you think I can't properly protect my Queen and myself?"
"Oh, no!"
It was a skill that all swordsmanship teachers had praised since his days as Crown Prince. In the end, the small group of elite knights he had brought decided to remain in hiding and provide covert protection from afar.
"Your Majesty, then who will be my escort?"
Boris, who had been watching the disappearing knights with interest, asked. Endymion passed him by coldly and answered.
"Just take care of it."
"Huh?! I don't know how to use a weapon!"
"Use a scroll."
"It's not something I can use as I please. I have to report my intention and get permission beforehand!"
"It's noisy."
Endymion passed Boris and came to Julia.
"Are you feeling okay? You've been on the carriage for a long time."
The cold voice quickly became affectionate. Julia nodded as she put her foreigner identification card into her handbag.
"Yeah, it's okay."
"You look tired."
Even though she answered nonchalantly, his blue eyes examined her carefully. Julia tilted her head, wondering if something was worrying him in his eyes, and added.
"Is it because it's my first time on a long distance? My back is a little sore, but I think it'll get better soon."
Julia thought it was probably due to lack of exercise, but she didn't think much of it. Endymion said as he put the hood of her robe on her.
"It's almost evening, so let's find a place to stay first."
Since Shavel was from a foreign country, they needed to disguise his identity to travel quietly. Endymion assumed the status of Baron, the lowest of his many concurrent titles. So, instead of staying in the accommodations reserved for foreign royalty, he planned to stay overnight in a regular hotel.
"Yeah, okay."
Julia answered readily and absentmindedly tried to link arms, a posture they often did when walking together in public.
Endymion waited, extending his arm naturally. It was a familiar action, like breathing, but for some reason, Julia flinched.
Today, her eyes were drawn to Endymion's sturdy arms. Her Instincts uselessly began to recall how strong his arms were and, at the same time, how flexible they felt under his clothes.
Thump thump.
Ah...
My heart was beating irregularly.
Julia paused, folding her arms, then quickly crossed her arms before Endymion could notice anything strange. Fortunately, Endymion didn't react much and just started walking away, arm in arm.
"Boris, have you ever stayed in a hotel?"
"No, this is my first time! When I was dispatched to Semele, I stayed at an inn!"
Boris, who had been gloomy and had become a screen, answered cheerfully. Julia started talking to him and glanced at Endymion. For some reason, she felt reassured by his usual side profile.
I'm going crazy....
At the same time, Julia felt her right arm, which was crossed, becoming stiff and complicated.
Before, she only trembled when they were physically intimate, but now, she felt nervous even with normal contact. It feels like static electricity is running down her body, and she doesn't know what to do.
'Mion probably doesn't have any thoughts.'
Julia was confused because she seemed to be the only one overreacting. Why on earth was she suddenly so sensitive to everyday contact?
Even the handsome faces that she used to find pleasing to the eye were difficult to stare at for more than five seconds. Her heart pounded as if she had a disease. If this continued, her heart might race even when they were eating together face to face.
It's a feeling that something comfortable for 12 years suddenly feels awkward.
She thought that she would soon become accustomed to the skinship that she had just started, but instead, even her familiar daily life began to shake up.
'Mion might think that I'm uncomfortable with him again.'
Oh, that won't work.
Thinking about it that way, Julia became a little depressed. She thought that she could just tell the truth, but today, her mood was going up and down and going to extremes.
"Look over there, the market is wide open!"
Boris excitedly pointed at the crowd, oblivious to Julia's complicated feelings. Julia suddenly snapped out of her reverie.
"That's right. Would you like to come out and take a look around after you've found a place to stay? It's my first time at the market, too."
"Are you sure?"
Boris was excited and pleased. Julia nodded with a small smile. Endymion followed her gaze and looked around the crowd.
"That sounds fun."
"Yeah, right?"
Julia smiled brightly, pretending not to notice her pounding heart.
At a single word of affectionate voice, her mood quickly improved again.
***
"Does it make sense that a hotel doesn't have double rooms?"
When Endymion asked, the manager looked embarrassed and asked for understanding.
"I'm sorry, Sir. All the rooms are full due to the ball at the Duke of Moffat's house tomorrow. The three single rooms have just been cancelled."
There was only one hotel in the rural town of Rumar. So, when there was a big event, it was usually packed with guests from other places.
"It's only one night, so what? Anyway, ma, ahem. When you get to your destination, you'll have to use separate rooms. Think of it as practicing in advance."
Boris took the key and sided with the manager, as if he wanted to rest quickly. However, Endymion frowned as if asking what was going on.
"Why do you use separate rooms?"
"That's because mixed-gender living is prohibited! The rule is that people of the opposite sex sleep in separate rooms. It's to maintain peace within the tower."
Boris lowered his voice so that the manager couldn't hear him and whispered. Endymion furrowed his brows as if he had a lot to say. The manager blinked nervously.
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