He spoke in a plain tone, as if he were going on an evening outing.
I raised the corners of my eyes.
"A light subjugation war?"
Barcas, who was handing a leather pouch containing gold coins to the man who appeared to be an administrator, looked down at me. As if sensing that my heart was twisted, a faint sigh flowed through his tightly closed lips.
"There have been reports of looters encamping in this area. The scale of the base is not very large, so we will be able to return by the time the sun rises."
Do you have to go all the way to them?
As I was about to spit it out, I noticed dozens of pairs of eyes staring at me and kept my mouth shut.
My stomach was filled with anxiety, but I didn't want to find out what was going on because of this careless man.
I slapped my hand on his shoulder and shot it coldly.
"Whenever you come back, what does it have to do with me? I want to rest, so I'll show you to the inn."
I heard the administrator who was watching them on the other side gasping and breathing.
However, Barcas did not show any inspiration. He turned his head back to the administrator and asked.
"Where is the accommodation?"
"Oh... Please come this way."
The man hurriedly took the lead and started walking.
As I followed him, a small stone building appeared.
The administrator who stepped into it continued to explain.
"It was originally used as an official residence, but when I heard that Your Excellency was going to visit, I left it empty. Now, you can use this room."
He carefully opened the large door at the innermost part.
I looked around the dark bedroom with gloomy eyes.
Contrary to the shabby exterior, the interior was quite cozy. It was probably deliberately decorated to welcome guests.
The administrator looked at me and added cautiously.
"If you have any shortcomings, please tell us right away. We will correct it immediately."
"No, that's all you have to do, so step back."
I, who was looking at the bed with thick sheets, said arrogantly, raising my chin.
The administrator who had been paying attention to Barcas soon left.
I took off my loose robe, threw it casually, and lay down on the bed. Barcas, who had been watching me silently, approached me.
I deliberately ignored his presence and turned to the other side. Looking at his face, I felt like I was going to make another slapping sound.
I fumbled and tugged at the quilt and spat out bluntly.
"I'm just going to sleep today, so tell the nanny that I don't need dinner."
"Thalia."
I, feeling a thick shadow over my head, raised my eyes. Barcas was leaning against my pillow, looking down at me.
The sunset light that came through the window dyed one side of his face red. I was fascinated by that enigmatic face, and a cold finger landed on my forehead.
"Don't skip meals even if you're tired."
"It doesn't matter if I starve or not."
I twisted my head and shook off his hand in a daze.
"You go kill the marauder quickly."
A shallow wrinkle was formed on his eyebrows. I couldn't even guess why he was offended.
I pulled the blanket up to the top of my head.
Eventually, I heard him get up from the bed. Anxiety suddenly soared at the sound of footsteps moving away.
He was a man who easily killed even a giant who was twice his size. I once saw a wyvern knocked over by chaining it. A group of marauders would be nothing.
However, there was nothing absolute in this world.
I jumped up and grabbed the tip of his cloak.
He paused and looked back at me. I muttered in a creeping voice.
"Your body... Be careful."
His eyes widened a little.
Seeing him react like that to a trivial word made me feel warm.
I added cunningly.
"If you do something wrong, my position will be in jeopardy. So... It's about taking care of yourself in moderation."
A subtle expression appeared and disappeared on his face, as if he was smiling and frowning.
I hid under the blanket again. Soon after, heavy footsteps were heard.
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
Barcas leaned back onto the bed and carefully stroked my hair.
My heart sank at the unexpected contact.
For some reason, the gentle touch made my heart tingle even more than the passionate kiss.
After a while, he left the room.
I quietly lifted my head like a snail sticking its head out of its shell.
As I approached the window, I saw hundreds of soldiers waiting and standing in front of the mansion.
Soon after, Barcas joined them. I watched for a long time as he led his army to the outskirts of town.
Even after his image disappeared over the hill, I couldn't leave the window, but I heard a familiar voice outside the door.
"Your Highness, I'm here to apply medicine."
"...Come In."
Fearing that permission would be granted, the healer of the Taren family stepped inside.
I limped and sat down on a chair in front of the fireplace. The woman sitting on her knees in front of me carefully rolled up the hem of my clothes and asked.
"How are you?"
"It's always the same, huh."
She skillfully untied the bandages that had been rolled up in both of them and carefully examined my messy skin.
"Eventually, your skin started to get crushed. I'd better unbandage it tonight."
I glared at her with a piercing gaze.
"No, wrap it properly."
"Today, His Excellency will also be away? Do you really need to cover up the scars..."
"I know who is doing this because of Barcas!"
I raised my voice. The healer's face hardened.
I, who was staring at her nervous face, muttered in a subdued volce.
"It's because I don't want to see it. So wrap it up properly."
After letting out a short sigh, the healer took out a new bandage as if she couldn't help it. Then, she carefully applied a sticky plaster over the scar and bandaged it as neatly as possible.
"Do you think you drink the medicine made by the magician of the East?"
The woman who was taking out a towel and wiping the plaster off her hands suddenly asked a question.
I replied sullenly.
"I don't think it's effective at all. The medicine is so strong that it hurts my stomach a little, but after taking it, I feel fine the next day."
"Do you know what kind of herb they used?"
"I only heard that it is a mixture of various herbs that replenish energy."
I looked down at the healer with suspicious eyes.
"Why are you skewering like that? Are you afraid that they gave me poison?"
"...I have been instructed by the Empress to take good care of Your Highness's body."
The healer carefully rhymes.
"And there are many people here who don't like Your Highness's existence. There is nothing wrong with being careful."
I, who was staring at her with a firm expression, coldly retorted.
"If they were going to feed him something like poison, they would have been burned in food or a drinking glass. They're going to get caught soon, but do you want to mix it with drugs?"
The woman closed her mouth with a thoughtful expression.
Is there something that is caught?
I, who had a sullen expression, added conscientiously.
"If you suspect that, I'll leave some medicine, so take it and check it out."
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