Chapter: 630
I continued our little tea time with Pine sitting on my lap.
I took a piece of bread provided by Count Yudher and fed it directly to Pine, then cooled off some hot tea with my breath before handing it over to her, making sure to provide “services” that would make her tremble with excitement.
Of course, I never let her go. We’re soon to be married, after all, and we should be sharing a deep and passionate love. If a little expression of affection makes her flustered, then we’ll never reach paradise.
“Y-your Grace, I can eat by myself! You can let me go now!”
As soon as Count Yudher vanished, Pine accidentally called me Master instead of Minister.
That’s our Pine for you. Always careful to observe her surroundings for the sake of my honor and face.
But I can no longer accept her calling me Master. Privately, Pine will soon be my wife, not just my subordinate.
“Master? You’re also a titled noble now; you should call me differently.”
She’s no longer just a commoner or a knight, she’s officially in the ranks of the nobility.
Pine has made countless contributions as the chief of the 4th division of the Inspection Department and the Mukgwangdae of the Special Operations Ministry. Recently, she was even promoted to a high-ranking position as the Special Operations Manager, making her rise quite legendary.
Thanks to that, the Emperor granted her the inherited title of Baron last summer. I had given her the seal and territory of the Baron as a gift, specifically a territory adjacent to the County of Wuridia.
“Penelia Yus of Sirdi Baron. Now you are a baroness, equal in title to me!”
I poked her cheeks with a smile.
Of course, claiming equality between the first baron and the Imperial Count of 300 years is a complete lack of conscience. No matter if all counts, dukes, and barons are considered noble, there are still clear ranks among them.
But who cares about ranks? The important thing is that our relationship has moved from noble and knight to noble and noble.
“Equal…!”
However, Pine’s eyes began to tremble violently upon hearing my words, as if she had heard an unspoken name.
“How can I be equal to you, your Grace?”
“Pine is my wife, and the mother of my child. If that’s not enough to be on equal footing, is she not considered beneath me?”
As I continued with my words, which felt like I was pulling a fast one, her trembles ceased as if they were a lie.
This is always the pattern. Whenever Pine humbles herself with my affection, I remind her of our connection. Pine is my wife, the mother of my child, so she deserves my love.
Moreover, it’s a pretty effective card, though not a very pleasant one.
‘She doesn’t have pride in herself.’
Pine can’t deny being my wife, so she accepts my praise. Yet, she doesn’t show any regard for herself in that process.
She’s going to be the mother of my child, so of course she accepts expressions of love. Yet, there is no love for herself in that process.
She loves me, but she thoroughly adjusts to me. She sees herself as my accessory or a trophy for honor.
‘She should take pride in being Pine, not just my wife.’
I’m the one who fed, sheltered, and raised this war orphan Pine. If I were to use a metaphor, I’m like the owner who supported and helped a caterpillar transform into a butterfly.
Yet, this butterfly that has finally metamorphosed isn’t soaring in the sky; it’s just hovering around me. Though I won’t lie by saying that I don’t feel proud of her, if she truly wants to repay her owner’s kindness, she should show me her fluttering flight in the sky.
For us to have a wedding as equals, it’s essential.
“Pine.”
“Y-yes…?”
“I’ve told the Mukgwangdae kids ahead of time. Pine, you’ll stay here with me, so they’ll take care of the dungeon hunts on their own.”
Hearing this, Pine tried to get up in a hurry, but I held her waist more firmly.
Let’s hear everything out first.
“It’s just the dungeon hunts. The Chief and Baron don’t need to dive in personally. In fact, a superior should be resting elsewhere for their subordinates to feel comfortable.”
“But if everyone is working hard, I can’t just rest alone!”
“I’m on leave even while the entire Inspection Department is working hard, you know?”
Pine’s mouth, which had just opened in protest, promptly shut again.
At the same time, I gently released the arm that restrained her.
“Of course, leading the Special Operations is your job, and you are the on-site commander. So, even if I’m a Minister, I don’t have a justification to stop you from exerting your authority.”
Saying that, I patted Pine on the shoulder.
“You can do whatever you want. You can join the hunt or stay here. You deserve it.”
I meant for her to decide based on her own choice, not swayed by my jokes or suggestions.
To be honest, even if I tell her to do as she wishes, Pine will probably choose to stay by my side. I’m here in the north because of my position, and it’s clear I want to be together.
But what matters is that even such a straightforward choice is made by Pine herself, and that first step will be the start of a significant journey.
“…Then.”
After hesitating for quite a while, Pine cautiously held onto my sleeve.
“I’ll stay with you, Master.”
“Thank you.”
Satisfied with her answer, I kissed her forehead.
Right now, it felt like I was receiving a bow, but someday I will genuinely be revered by her. Pine will show her desires and act for what she wants.
‘A stray dog cannot stay in the shelter forever.’
Once a butterfly has completed its metamorphosis, it will soar through the sky, while a stray dog in a shelter deserves a good owner to take it in. Pine must follow that same route.
Though saying “adoption” sounds a bit weird, it’s still true.
I’m both the one running the shelter and the one adopting her.
*
The first division of the Special Operations Department.
A newly acquired name that we, who briefly left our Master’s side, returned to serve and follow in our rightful place.
That’s the Special Operations Department 1. It boasts the strongest combat power among all divisions.
‘Division 1 didn’t come together overnight.’
We’re stronger than anyone else because we share the same dreams, have trained together, and have raced toward the same goals. Now, following the Chief who has become the Division Manager, we’re thicker than ever.
This pride and brilliance are what Division 1 is about. Perhaps because of our past in the Inspection Department, the term “1st division” instinctively reminds us of a dim underground, but now the 1st division in our heads symbolizes light.
That’s why we must dedicate ourselves to the entire Division 1, for the Chief.
“Let’s advance as slowly as possible with the dungeon hunt.”
Even if that method is somewhat awkward and confounding.
“Of course, if we just drag out the pace, other territories will express concern, and the Minister’s secretary will doubt the capabilities of the Special Operations Department. We need to extend our stay in Count Yudher’s territory without disrupting the overall picture.”
I explained the operation to the 1st division, all listening with serious expressions.
Our Master, the Minister, has come all the way up north himself. It’s a rare golden opportunity for the Minister and the Chief to be in the same space. We can’t waste this opportunity on some dungeon hunts.
And perhaps our earnestness touched the heavens, as the Minister graciously instructed us to go on a dungeon hunt among ourselves. The longer we stay out, the more time the Minister and Commander will have together.
In that case, it’s only right to control the timing with determination. If we’re family and comrades, that’s only logical.
“I have a question.”
Upon finishing the great process, the chief team leader, who had been quietly listening, suddenly raised his hand.
“Speak.”
“I was thinking, given the Minister’s character, wouldn’t he move with us even if we head to the next territory? Rather, if we clear the dungeon quickly, we could showcase our capabilities to the Minister—”
“Do we have any certainty about the Minister’s actions?”
Cutting off his words sharply made the chief team leader flinch.
His point wasn’t wrong. Everyone knows that the Minister has given us excessive grace and attention. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to show how much stronger we’ve become with the Commander.
However, what’s important right now is making the Commander’s wedding smooth and perfect. We need to focus on having a flawless marriage rather than proving our worth, which can always be showcased later.
“What if the Minister doesn’t travel with us? Are we going to dare to stop the Minister on his way back? In that case, we’re better off staying here in Yudher to support the Minister and the Commander.”
“I was short-sighted. I’m sorry.”
I nodded to the chief team leader, who quickly apologized. As long as he understood, that was all that mattered.
“Alright. Then, since it seems everyone is convinced, let’s move. Mind the natural delays.”
“Yes, Commander!”
“We’ll keep this in mind!”
Seeing the 1st division burning with determination, my heart also heated up.
*
Count Yudher, leading his retainers, must have gone out hunting, as I hadn’t crossed paths with him even once while wandering around the castle. Only the servants quietly serving the castle remained.
It’s clear that an outsider has chased the owner away. The amount of goods flowing into Count Yudher’s territory needs to be increased not by 10%, but by about 20%.
“I’ve received overwhelming attention. It really pays to have good friends.”
“Indeed.”
Pine, who held my hand while walking around the garden, nodded blankly at my words.
Yet, I know she must be picking up on the atmosphere and unsure what to do inside. Servants don’t typically speak to guests without orders from their master. And with the master of this castle, Count Yudher, having left for an extended period, it’s almost safe to say that it’s just Pine and me in this castle.
Just a few hours ago, we were out hunting dungeons, now suddenly using the Count’s castle as our dating spot? Joy and embarrassment can’t help but coexist.
“Wow.”
As we were admiring the garden, something unusual caught my eye.
“I’ve never seen a stable in a garden before.”
There was a small stable tucked in the corner of the garden.
The great lords of the northern region may be steadily progressing in civilization, but it seems the habits and hobbies from the nomadic days are still alive and well. For nomads, horses are like lifelong companions.
…Hmm.
‘A horseback riding date wouldn’t be so bad.’
Just then, I locked eyes with a black horse munching on some carrots inside the stable.
Come on, let us carry two of us on your back.
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