Chapter 11: Even if he’s handsome

TL: Liz PR: May

“It’s very hard to see you these days.”

“I’m busy.”

Late at night, someone popped in front of Ritelni’s face while he was drinking beer in a remote pub outside the town.

No one was interested in the increase in the number of people in the crowded space of travelers.

Except for the pub owner, who left a wooden cup full of beer in front of the new guest.

“You look happy. You seem to enjoy your guild life.”

“…More than I thought?”

Iska smiled. Although he enjoyed it because of Lavella, to be exact.

“Then shall we listen to the client?”

“Ha, do I have to see you like this every time?”

Ritelni grumbled discontent at Iska’s joke.

The way for a safe meeting was to put a request in Kirah that was specifically for Iska.

The amount of money spent in less than a month was quite large. It would have been at least a four months’ budget for a small estate.

“It’s to avoid suspicion. And most of the money comes back to me.”

He couldn’t help having to pay the guild fee and the money that Lavella took. Iska stretched the corners of his mouth.

“Yes, I didn’t expect you to brag about your money like this. Anyway, it’s the same here. There’s no problem.”

“Okay.”

Iska calmly nodded as he understood Ritelni’s report even though it was vague.

“How about you?”

“We’ve got solid evidence.”

“Really! …Are you sure?” Ritelni, who was about to jump up and shout, hurriedly put his butt on the chair and lowered his voice.

“Yes, I’ve checked the magic.”

“Then it’s true, the Captain of Kirah was the one.”

“It was an unexpected harvest. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Curious, Ritelni agreed with Iska with his fingertips tapping his beer.

“Anyway, I’m glad you found it. The imperial palace is in a serious state these days, so you’d better hurry.”

“…Let’s go slowly. To be honest, you couldn’t tell how many years it would take just to look for it.”

“My lord.”

Ritelni opened his eyes round as if he heard something absurd.

“Ritelni.”

Iska’s eyes sank coldly.

“I’m…going to end the curse that runs through this blood somehow.”

“…….”

Ritelni bit his lips and dropped his head.

He knew it well. What his master had been through, and what heart he came all the way here with.

“If I don’t succeed, Imperia will gradually become devastated by the blood. It’s still rotten inside.”

“That’s true, but….”

They traveled all across Imperia, saw with their own eyes the great pain and tears of his people hidden in a peaceful and beautiful setting.

“Don’t be impatient. Now focus on being thoroughly prepared so that you can succeed when the opportunity comes.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

With only the tip of his mouth raised and giving serious instructions, he was the figure of Rubitz Krov Bismert, the second prince of the Imperia Empire, rather than the light and smug Iska.

Ritelni swallowed the saliva in his dry mouth and looked at the man he had sworn loyalty to for the rest of his life since he first met him.

“Let’s think of the millions who put their lives in our hands.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“I’ll be watching her for a while. We need to see why Chamer sent her to us and how she will affect the future of Imperia.”

“He… No. Does he know anything?”

“I think. But we can’t play our cards first.”

It was not as if she was a normal person. One of two things that would happen when he told Lavella everything: She would either bite off the back of his neck or she would understand his situation and give a helping hand.

“What kind of person is she?”

Ritelni looked a little worried.

“Cute. Strong.”

“…….”

“She is willing to die to save a child.”

“What?”

“It means she’s lovely. I feel sorry for her.”

Ritelni used his arrogance to try to understand Iska’s words.

“So what do you know? I know how to nag for a long time.”

Iska looked down at Ritelni and clicked tongue. He shrugged his shoulders and soon went from Prince Rubitz to the vagabond Iska.

“Yes, well. I’m rather glad she’s a woman.” Ritelni, who had loosened his expression at the change of his master, murmured.

“…Why?”

As Iska lifted his glass he opened his eyes wondering what he was talking about.

“You’re Iska. Women always hang onto you even if you stay still.”

If you want to get a beautiful woman you should use your handsome looks. Ritelni smiled slyly.

“…….”

Sorry, she’s not moving, let alone hanging on. And I’m actually falling in love with her. Of course, I don’t have to say this. Iska replaced the answer with a smile.

“By the way, where is Dabel?”

“Oh, he just got back. He’s happy because he got a lot of rare herbs.”

“Great. I’m going to take him to the Guild. I need a doctor.”

“Is that true?”

Ritelni’s expression brightened up noticeably.

“Yes, get him ready. I’m going to make him join as naturally as possible.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Then let’s not see each other for a while.”

“Huh? Don’t be ridiculous.”

Ritelni laughed as he watched Iska raise his body.

“…I’m going to die of boredom.”

“I can hear you.”

“Well, good luck.” Iska, who patted Ritelni’s shoulder, curled his mouth and left the pub.

*   *   *

‘What are you doing?’

The following afternoon, Iska’s pace up the stairs to his room had accelerated unwittingly.

As he passed his room and reached the front of Lavella’s room, the door was wide open without having to knock.

“…Can you move like that?”

Leaning on the open door frame, Iska raised one of his eyebrows sharply.

“Welcome.”

Lavella, who saw the guest, stopped moving as she fixed the dagger that was swinging lightly.

“You’re not forgetting that you’re still recovering, are you?”

“Don’t do that to me, too. I feel stuffy trying to stay still.”

‘Cute.’

When Lavella whined, Iska burst into a small smile as if he understood.

Lavella was stuck in the room because it was annoying to have Pessini make a fuss whenever she moved a little.

“Where have you been?”

Lavella’s eyes skimmed over the lightly armed Iska. There seemed to be a little envy in her eyes.

“I had a request.”

“Huh.”

“Oh, I have a message for you.”

“?”

Iska, who was looking at the cute Lavella playing with the dagger between her fingers, finally came to his senses and remembered the purpose of his visit.

“Tora asked how you were. Leah was especially curious.”

“Aha.”

She had not seen Leah’s face since then because she came straight down the mountain to the guild. It was understandable that the young child was anxious after seeing such a scary scene in front of her.

“Was the doctor supposed to be here today?” Lavella tilted her head, rubbing her hand near the wound. It was the stubbornness of the guild members that led to her receiving medical treatment in the end.

Iska, who understood the meaning behind Lavella’s muttered question, agonized about what to do then asked, “…Do you wanna get out?”

“Alright, I’ll go.” Lavella, who was leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed, nodded gladly.

It sometimes burns, but the wound has healed, so I don’t think it would be bad to go out and get some fresh air.

“Just be sure to do the escort properly.”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

Iska shook his head and straightened himself.

Lavella walked out the door, seeing his eyes gleaming smoothly.

“What?”

Lavella, who escaped from the entrance without encountering the guild members, wondered as she looked around. There was only Iska’s horse in front of them.

“Were you going to let Pessini know you’re going out?”

“Oh.”

Iska pointed out as he swept the bridge of the horse’s nose, and Lavella immediately agreed and frowned.

“Come on.”

“?”

Lavella didn’t drop her frown as she looked at Iska reaching out his hand.

“Didn’t you tell me to escort you?”

“…….”

“If the wound were to reopen again, don’t you think I’d be torn apart by your followers?”

Because I brought you.

At Iska’s persuasion, Lavella gently held out her hand to reach him.

To prevent her wound from opening, Iska carefully picked up Lavella, climbed up behind her, and grabbed the reins.

“Please bear with this speed today.”

“I know.”

I can’t go fast because I care about her wound.

Lavella, who he expected to grumble, briefly accepted and relaxed.

Iska swallowed a laugh at Lavella as she leaned comfortably against his chest.

After the short time on the cliff, Lavella seemed to have completely accepted him as a colleague.

He felt as if he had tamed a wild cat as he watched her relax and become comfortable.

“How does it feel to be out after a long time?”

“Ahh, I think I’m going to live.”

When Lavella took a big breath, exhaled, and swept her hair with a white finger, the shiny golden thread of her hair flowed down and sparkled.

Iska suddenly felt the urge to brush his fingers through her hair and enjoy the soft touch to the fullest.

‘I must be crazy.’

There was a fragrant smell of lilac in his arms. The instinct to kiss the round head right in front of him was fluttering.

It was strange why he couldn’t leave this woman alone.

A warning signal sounded in Iska’s head, brooding over the unfamiliar feelings he had never felt before.

The speed of falling was faster than he thought.

It was like a herd of buffaloes running off a cliff, galloping out of control.

He didn’t know why.

No, he knew why. When he looked at her.

‘Ritelni would laugh if he found out.’

Iska clicked his tongue.

*   *   *

“Why’s there a commotion in the village?”

“There’s a festival today.”

“…….”

Lavella turned her head back and looked at Iska, asking with her eyes whether the outing was intended from the beginning.

“That’s good. And I thought I was just getting some fresh air.”

Iska, who arrived at Tora’s house, replied by jumping off the horse.

“We have a lot to talk about, right?”

Of course, it was a joint mission. When Lavella got hurt, Iska didn’t have the opportunity to ask about her magic and background, but he also had the desire to entertain Lavella, who was frustrated.

“Miss Lavella!”

Leah ran out of the house before Lavella got off the horse.

“Lavella!”

After that, Luna and Tora ran out. Tears were already falling in the eyes of the two of them.

“If you’re going to cry, I’m leaving.”

“Come on. I’ve been waiting.”

Luna snuck out tears and held Lavella’s hand.

“A village festival?” With the help of Iska, Lavella got off the horse, turned, and asked Tora.

“Yes, it’s the festival to honor the first emperor. It’s held all over Imperia.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s going to be fun, Miss Lavella! There’s a lot of delicious food!”

“There will be a lot of different specialties coming from other regions.”

Specialties? The last thing Tora said moved Lavella’s mind.

“Well, shall we take a look around?”

“Wait, Lavella.”

“?”

Luna held her hand back when Lavella tried to get out of the house, judging that it was nothing bad to know.

“You have to wear traditional clothes before you go to the festival. I’m glad I prepared it.”

“It’s a bother.”

“Oh, the Imperia tradition? Come on, it won’t take long.”

Luna led Lavella into the house.

And in a moment.

“Wow, you’re like a princess!”

Leah’s mouth was wide open as she gazed at Lavella who walked out after Luna.

“!”

The eyes of Iska and Tora, who were talking, also grew bigger.

“Lavella, you’re so beautiful!”

Listening to Tora’s admiration right next to him, Iska raised his hand without realizing it and covered his mouth.

It was quite refreshing to see Lavella wearing a white dress and a piece of dark blue velvet fabric with her dazzling platinum blonde hair pulled into a thick braid.

If it wasn’t for the disapproving look on her face, he would have wanted to kneel before her.

Iska thought it was fortunate that he could monopolize this figure alone. She was so lovely that he didn’t want to show her to anyone as much as possible.

“Well, would you two like to look around first? I also have to look back at the merchant association.”

Tora, who was glancing at Iska staring at Lavella without a word, pushed the two out.

There was an awkward silence between the two who were pushed out of the door.

“Beautiful.”

Lavella’s gold eyes creased up at the compliment.

She must have been the only one who didn’t like the word “beautiful.” Iska swallowed a laugh and politely reached out to Lavella.

“Well, Lavella. Do you want to go out with me?”