Chapter 94
Since Sia wasn’t particularly active or roaming about, Cedric generally gave similar answers to the questions Nox asked roughly every hour.
“The roses you sent seem to have pleased her, so she went for a walk in the greenhouse.”
“She is having cake with Miss Anna, the younger sister of Miss Marie.”
“She is looking over the account books.”
Even though he had been hearing nothing but these reports about her ordinary daily routine for several days, Nox’s unease strangely refused to fade. He knew exactly when he had started feeling this way.
Ever since meeting the God’s messenger, Nox had been so anxious he could barely endure it. If God tried to take her away, I wouldn’t be able to stop it.
“Haah… let’s end it here for today.”
“Understood.”
Even at their lord’s words, finishing his work faster than usual, the aides accepted it without surprise. Just by looking at the Duke’s recent behavior, they could tell why.
The aides actually felt a strong sense of familiarity toward Nox’s attitude. Even someone so high-ranking was no different from them when it came to romance. Now, meeting Nox’s eyes and speaking to him was no longer an issue for them.
Even though he knew the aides were whispering among themselves, Nox ignored it and left the office. He felt that he wouldn’t be at ease unless he saw Sia right away. He immediately searched for her by presence and scent.
Having slept together almost every day, even the faintest trace of her scent was enough for him to know where she was.
“…She’s in the rear garden.”
Thinking she was probably playing with Anna, he hurried down the stairs. Servants passed by and greeted him, but he didn’t spare anyone a glance.
Just as he was about to open the door leading to the rear garden, he turned his head sharply at the urgent sound of someone rushing into the lobby.
“Y-Your Grace! The wolf tribe has invaded!”
“…What?”
“They say that man appeared with them this time as well!”
“You mean a unit led by Duke Becker?”
“Yes! A carrier pigeon just arrived from the border guard.”
If the guard unit had already spotted them, they must have more than crossed into the Blois territory. The excitement he had felt about going to see Sia sank heavily. He had no choice but to turn away from the path to the rear garden.
Hearing the commotion, Cedric approached with a worried expression. Nox issued orders swiftly.
“Cedric, bring Sia here.”
“Understood.”
“You, deliver the deployment order to the knightage immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
After the two dispersed in perfect coordination, Nox hurried up to his own room. Having lived almost entirely in Sia’s room lately, his own room felt unfamiliar, and he let out a hollow laugh.
He changed into his uniform himself, then fastened his sword at his waist. When he rushed back down to the first floor, he ran into Sia, who had returned to the estate in the meantime.
“Sia.”
“…Did something happen?”
Sia looked at Nox, dressed differently than usual, with a startled expression. She realized that the outfit he was wearing was the same one he had worn on the day they first met.
Holding her shoulders so she wouldn’t be frightened, he explained.
“The wolf tribe has invaded my territory. It happens often enough, so there’s no need to be alarmed. It won’t take long.”
“…Isn’t it dangerous?”
The sudden news left Sia quite shaken. She recalled what she had heard from Karin. The wolf tribe and the serpent tribe, whose territories lay too close together, were said to not be on good terms.
If one of them had invaded, that meant Nox was heading somewhere dangerous. Her heart felt like it dropped straight down. An anxiety she couldn’t fully put into words crept up from deep in her chest.
Of course, even knowing he was strong, the thought of him going to the battlefield made it impossible not to worry.
“I told you honestly so you wouldn’t misunderstand if you heard it from someone else after I left… but if you make that face, how am I supposed to go?”
Seeing at a glance how deeply Sia was worried about him, his heart instead felt full. The wolf tribe felt like nothing more than a bite-sized snack. A surge of unknown strength welled up inside him, and the corners of his mouth lifted high.
He cupped Sia’s face and pressed his lips to hers. He didn’t sense the gazes of the servants or his subordinates around them. Rather, it gave him a strange thrill, as if he were boldly showing them that Sia was his.
Smack— A soft, wet sound escaped as their lips parted. Sia covered her mouth, her face flushed red.
“I’ll show you how strong your male is, this time.”
After whispering that she didn’t need to make a face like she was about to cry, Nox hurried off to depart.
* * *
At that same time, the Crown Prince boarded a carriage with a darkened expression. Dylan was by his side.
“Once was more than enough for going to the Blois territory…”
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