Chapter 145. Engagement – Danger
“Snore… Phew… Snore… Phew…”
Inside the returning carriage, Elson’s snoring regularly tickled the ears of Lena and Leo. Other than that, the carriage was quiet. Lena didn’t open her mouth, and Leo maintained his silence.
Mother.
Because he had no memories of the past, Leo didn’t feel any particular emotions even when seeing her grave. However, from the reactions of his uncle and Lena, it seemed they knew something.
Ever since Lena paid respects at her mother’s grave, she hadn’t said a word, and Elson patted my his and…
Awkwardly smiled. It was a forced smile, mixed with bitterness and regret, as if trying to hide something.
“Phew…”
Leo propped his arm on the windowsill of the carriage and sighed. But the sigh, in sync with Elson’s snoring, made Lena even more silent, and Leo’s feelings grew more complex.
Why did Uncle bring me to Mother’s grave?
Despite being extremely tired, he led me to that abandoned house as if he had to.
Thinking back, even though I’ve repeated this scenario multiple times, no one ever mentioned Mother.
Minseo was the first to notice in the initial round that “Mother passed away early,” and since then, no one paid attention to it.
Mother didn’t seem to have any use in clearing the scenario.
Leo, looking out the window, thought it was fortunate he had no memories. Since there were no longings.
Leo loosened the chin he had propped up. When he turned his head, he met Lena’s anxious eyes and gave her a faint smile.
As long as Lena is happy. That’s all I want.
Leo cautiously felt Lena’s hand grasp his own. Briefly holding that rough but warm hand, the carriage arrived at Danica Avenue.
“Yawwn. Ah… We’ve arrived. Since I won’t be able to work today, I should go in and sleep more.”
“What about the fleeing mercenaries?”
“Oh, right. I forgot about them. I should order to bring them back.”
Elson stretched his stiff body and entered the first alleyway. Soon, a wall etched with all sorts of curses and resentments came into view, and Lena spoke.
“Why do you leave this wall as it is? It’s been a while since the civil war ended.”
“Hmm? This? Haha, in Bernoulli, removing such inscriptions is forbidden. It’s not specifically by law, but… There’s just that kind of atmosphere. And,”
– Thud, thud.
As Elson knocked on a door with five hinges, he continued talking.
“People actually know deep down. That they are blaming the wrong people. They just need someone to curse, and they can’t dare curse the king, so they do this. There’s a reason I named the mercenary group Dexter. It’s okay because I’ve changed it anyway. I won’t lie, I had no intention of riding on my brother’s fame…”
The door suddenly opened. Yuan asked as soon as it did.
“How did it go? Did you solve everything well?”
“Yeah. Thanks to Leo, I even got more work. I need to hire more mercenaries. Oh, and son. Can you go to the office and tell them to capture the ones who fled yesterday?”
“Got it. Should I just deliver that?”
“Um… And bring some alcohol on the way back. It would be a shame not to have a drink with my nephew. You can drink, right? Good. Get the expensive one since you can drink.”
“Yes. You must be tired, so get some rest. I’ll be back soon.”
After sending his father inside, Yuan came out. Lena was about to wish him a good trip as he passed by, but Leo lightly blocked her.
As if to say he would greet him instead, Leo put his hand on his chest and gave a slight bow.
What’s this?
Lena looked at Leo and Yuan alternately in confusion. It must have been her imagination, but for a moment, it seemed as if the two were glaring at each other.
* * *
“Haap!”
Lena’s sword struck down quickly. Leo’s swordsmanship, which she had observed while hunting a snow-clad deer, was being clumsily demonstrated by her hands.
One more time.
“Haap!”
Lena slowly raised her sword and, focusing intently, struck it down again. She never swung her sword carelessly.
After hundreds of swings over several months, Lena felt she understood the meaning embedded in this sword strike.
A compulsive mindset to avoid leaning in any direction. A pure stubbornness, focusing solely on the path of the sword.
‘Was Leo like this?’
Upon realizing this, Lena was somewhat bewildered. The Leo she knew was sensible, but also pragmatic, someone who took care of everything he needed.
But the swordsmanship Leo had recently shown had a completely different humanity laced within it, making Lena Einarr find him even more interesting.
To think Leo had such a side.
It felt like she had glimpsed a hidden side of her lover, making her happy.
Lena turned her head. Six steps away, Leo was in the midst of training.
His training was significantly different from before. He was mostly repeating physical techniques that were good for building his body, rather than wielding a sword.
‘That’s basic, but… Does he think his swordsmanship is enough as it is?’
Curious, Lena sat down for a moment to cool off her sweat. She briefly observed Leo performing the traditional martial arts moves of the Achaean Empire called ‘Hiberuna’, then suddenly stood up and lunged at him.
“Yap! Die!”
Lena’s fist flew toward him, aiming at his ribs below the left armpit, but it was blocked by Leo’s elbow guard, and she saw Leo’s smiling face.
“Hah!”
Leo’s fist came straight towards Lena’s face.
A slow attack.
Lena figured out his trick. That was just to distract her, and soon he would attack with the guarding arm.
Lena spun around on her recently planted right foot. She twisted and tried to elbow his head, but Leo wouldn’t just stay put and take it.
He took a right step, placing Lena, who was coming around from the left, back in front of him. He dodged the incoming elbow by lowering his head and pushed off from the ground.
Leo grabbed her waist and lifted her up. If this were real combat, he would have kneed her in the face, but Lena lightly patted his back.
“Hey! What are you trying to do by lifting me? It’s no fun.”
“Hahaha. Right? Should we just run around the yard like this?”
“What? Hey! Hey!”
Leo began to run.
Hung over his shoulder, Lena shouted, “Put me down! Are you serious?” flailing around, but Leo didn’t stop.
“Ouch, Lena. That hurts.”
“Then put me down if it hurts.”
Lena groped to find Leo’s ear and pulled it. He soon lowered her and Lena tried to scold him, but Leo enveloped her in a hug.
Leo’s chest, that held me and patted my back, was broad and warm. However,
“Ahem … um …”
“Kyaa!”
A servant was watching us from a distance. He said, “The master has asked for Lena and the young master,” and quickly left, but Lena had already pushed Leo away.
“…such a perv.”
“Haha. Sorry.”
Leo approached. He cupped her burning cheeks and sought a kiss, which Lena didn’t refuse.
* * *
“So you’ve come. Have a drink.”
Lena and Leo washed up at the well and came inside the house. Various snacks and drinks awaited them on the dining table.
Elson filled their glasses, and Lena and Leo politely accepted the expensive crystal glasses.
Sitting next to Elson was Yuan, who stared intently at his glass without saying a word.
“To think I’d have a day drinking with my nephew and niece-in-law. Time flies and it’s a joy. So, when do you plan to get married? It’s been about a year since you got engaged, right?”
“Yes. But marriage…”
“We’re planning to wait until both of us become knights. We’ll postpone it until then.”
At Leo’s words, Lena quickly turned to look at him. She stared at him intently, but Elson continued the conversation.
“After becoming knights… Haha, you’re quite confident. Well, I haven’t seen your skills yet, but if you can take down a baron’s knight, Leo, you’re already at the level to join the knighthood. So, do you plan to take the entrance exam?”
Leo took a sip of his drink and replied.
“No, I’m planning to enter the ‘Maunin Tournament’.”
In the Asin Kingdom, there were two ways to become a knight apart from becoming a knight of a noble house.
One was by taking the kingdom’s knighthood entrance exam, like in other kingdoms, and the other was to place in the ‘Maunin Tournament,’ held every early summer in the Asin Kingdom every year.
Originally, this Maunin Tournament was called ‘Maunin-Retii Tournament’.
It was held to commemorate the achievements of King Maunin and Queen Retii, who liberated the north from the Empire, on the founding day of the Asran Kingdom. However, after the end of the Nine Days War, when the Aslan Kingdom split into the Asin & Aster Kingdoms, some changes were made to the tournament.
Hosting the same tournament in both kingdoms was out of the question, so the Asin Kingdom held the Maunin Tournament, while the Aster Kingdom began to host the Retii Tournament.
“The tournament… it doesn’t seem like a very good choice. As you both know, entering the knighthood through the tournament can be quite challenging. Especially for Lena.”
Elson glanced at Lena with a worried look.
This was because those who became knights by placing in the tournament often faced discrimination.
Despite overcoming fierce competition, they were often considered lacking in skills to become knights and were branded from the start.
This was particularly damaging as the knighthood was organized into teams with a primary knight and a secondary knight.
Amongst this, someone like Lena, a warrior from a barbarian tribe, would be looked down upon even more. They’d sneer, “What do you plan to do with a sword when you should be wielding an axe?”
“I’m okay!”
Lena shouted boldly, thinking, ‘Did Leo know I was planning to delay the marriage?’ — and spoke spiritedly.
“Unless I lack skill, it’s mean and petty to discriminate. I don’t think avoiding it out of fear is right. If I prove my skills, things will gradually improve.”
“Well…”
Though those words were right, the world wasn’t that simple. Having lived a tough life as a knight’s squire, Elson couldn’t help but worry.
“Alright. Well, if you’re ready, I have nothing more to say. There’s no rule that says you have to win a prize at the competition, haha. But wait a minute…”
Elson mischievously pointed out the facts and then stroked his chin.
“I’m not sure if the Maunin competition will be held this year. Because of the war, it might not even take place. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen any announcements for it. There’s only about a month left until Maunin’s birthday… I’ll look into it.”
After that, the drinking session continued without much event. Talkative Elson jovially went on about trivial matters, while his son, Yuan, occasionally nodded.
Eventually, Elson, who couldn’t drink as much as he appeared to, got up first. Lena, who was quite tipsy, seemed to be about to go to her room to sleep.
“Leo, want to sleep together? The room feels a bit too big to use alone…”
Lena subtly held onto Leo’s hand. After a moment of hesitation, Leo
– Smack!
“Ouch! Why did you hit me!”
Flicked Lena’s forehead.
“For no reason. Haha. Wait a bit, I’m just going to wash up at the well.”
“Get lost. Don’t come in. What was I thinking. If you even try, you’ll see.”
Lena grumbled and went into the room. Leo placed his hand on the closed door and stayed there for a moment. Listening to her murmuring from inside, he steeled himself in the darkness.
Lena, this time, no matter what, I’ll make you happy.
With a wry smile, Leo turned and walked away.
But he did not head to the well outside. He returned to the dining room and collapsed into a chair, addressing Yuan, who was still absentmindedly turning a crystal glass in front of him.
“Who are you?”
It was in order to preemptively remove a danger greater than Barony Bryna.
