Chapter 329
This atmosphere…
There was a palpable tension in the air, like a quarrel was about to break out at any moment. Sebelia discreetly glanced between the two men seated at the round table. On the surface, they looked perfectly cordial, but sparks flew in every glance they exchanged.
Clap!
Just as one of them was about to make the first move, Sebelia clapped her hands. Both sets of eyes—one sky blue, the other golden—snapped to her.
“That’s enough.”
“…”
“…”
“You wouldn’t want to see me skip another meal, would you?”
She wondered if she really had to go this far, but threatening them with her health always worked. Both men pressed their lips together, frowning, but said nothing more.
“No raising your voices during meals. Let’s eat quietly, alright?”
Like obedient children, they nodded and straightened in their seats. Peace was finally restored.
Almost as if on cue, the server began bringing in the food.
“Hm?”
When the main course arrived, Sebelia’s eyes widened. Even before it was set down, a spicy, tingling aroma wafted through the air, making her eyes sparkle. The scent was coming from a bright red sauce poured over tender, steamed fish.
She instinctively reached for her knife, but Balak stopped her with a gentle hand on her wrist.
“Wait, Bella. I forgot to check—this dish is made with the region’s specialty spices. It’ll be quite hot. Are you alright with spicy food? If not, I can ask them to make something else.”
Surprised, Sebelia’s eyes widened, but then she broke into laughter and shook her head. Somewhere across the table, a sly voice chimed in.
“What have you been watching all month?”
“Excuse me?”
If cursing with a smile was a business, Balak would be the best. He turned to Dehart with a sweet smile, but his eyes were sharp as knives.
Dehart paid no mind. Deftly deboning the fish, he swapped his plate with Sebelia’s and said matter-of-factly.
“Enjoy, Bella. If you like the spices, I’ll speak to the lord about starting a trade between Inverness and this region on our way back.”
“It’s like he can’t even hear me.”
Balak grumbled, but Sebelia just patted his hand.
“Don’t worry, brother. If there’s one thing I can do, it’s handle spicy food.”
“Really?”
Balak looked genuinely surprised. Sebelia nodded. Meanwhile, Dehart absentmindedly broke his fish into chunks with little care.
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
Balak murmured, looking oddly pleased. Sebelia wasn’t sure why her ability to eat spicy food made him so happy, but she let it go. After all, Balak was the type to get emotional just because she greeted him in the morning.
“Well, if you’re fine, there’s no need to remake the dish.”
Looking very pleased with himself, Balak muttered under his breath. Dehart shuddered at the odd display but Balak ignored him.
“When I meet with the local lord, you’ll come with me. There’s something we need to discuss anyway.”
Balak added, even offering Dehart the invitation himself. Dehart was dumbfounded, but since it was for Sebelia’s sake, he simply nodded.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about, right?”
Sebelia said brightly, and the meal resumed without further incident.
After a short walk to help digest their meal, Sebelia was led by Balak up onto the city walls. Dehart was busy with departure preparations, so there was no one to stop them.
“Why are we up here all of a sudden?”
“Look over there.”
He pointed out to the vast, empty plains. For a moment, Sebelia blinked, unsure what she was supposed to see—until she noticed something at the edge of the horizon.
A band of pale blue trees encircled the land like swelling waves.
“Oh…”
A soft exclamation escaped her lips as a gentle voice murmured by her ear.
“That’s the Frostwood. And beyond it lies Lockwood.”
Sebelia leaned forward, clutching the edge of the wall. The trees rippled in the wind, alive and moving like waves.
Caught up in the view, she unconsciously leaned out a bit farther—until a voice called up from below.
“Bella!”
Clear and sharp, Dehart’s voice cut through the dry air. She looked down to find him gazing up at her.
“If you lean out any farther, it’s dangerous. Come down here, now.”
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