Chapter 120
As if the heavens had heard Raylenne’s concerns, the opportunity to face the knight order came unexpectedly. It all began when Aiden had to leave the duchy temporarily.
“I need to visit the port in the south of the empire.”
“The southern port? That’s…”
It was a place located at the southernmost part of the empire, and even with the fastest travel, it would take a week for a round trip.
“I’ll have to be away for about a week.”
“Did the weapon deal fall through?”
When Aiden nodded, Raylenne sighed deeply.
Aiden’s trip to another region, just before the important task of eradicating the bandits, was because of those very bandits. They had planned to purchase new weapons for the upcoming battle, but the foreign arms dealer, who had a grudge against the late Duke Bedeusian, refused to sell to them. The previous duke had unilaterally slashed the remaining payment for the weapons.
Since the arms dealer was not an imperial citizen, he was not obliged to sell to the duchy. Nonetheless, Aiden was reluctant to buy weapons from anyone else because the quality of this dealer’s weapons was the best.
Thus, Aiden decided to personally meet the arms dealer to persuade him. Fortunately, the dealer agreed to meet him in the south.
Raylenne understood Aiden’s desperation. Unlike Aiden, who was an exceptionally strong individual, the knights heavily relied on quality weapons and armor. Yet, the thought of being apart from him for a week made her uneasy and worried.
“What if the bandits attack the village again while you’re away?”
“They’ve just raided the village, so it should be quiet for a while.”
Still, with a heavy heart, Raylenne fiddled with the hem of Aiden’s shirt.
“Be careful on your trip.”
“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Aiden kissed Raylenne on the lips. When their lips parted, a languid sigh escaped him.
“I don’t want to be away from you either.”
“Aiden…”
Raylenne caressed Aiden’s cheek. His gray eyes looked infinitely deep.
Though he wasn’t expressive with words, Aiden sometimes conveyed his emotions through his eyes. Understanding someone’s feelings through their eyes was truly a marvel, like understanding the language of plants.
Raylenne let out a quiet laugh.
“Why are you laughing?”
Aiden’s rare pouting voice showed he didn’t appreciate the sudden laughter during such a tender moment.
“It’s just, I felt happy all of a sudden.”
Seeing Raylenne’s eyes curve into a genuinely joyful expression, Aiden’s face gradually softened.
“If anything happens while I’m away, ask Cashwood for help.”
Cashwood was a retired knight who ran an agency in the back alleys but had been brought back by Aiden to serve as a swordsmanship instructor.
Raylenne smiled brightly to reassure Aiden so he wouldn’t worry while he was away.
“Yes, I will. I’ll do that.”
* * *
A day had passed since Aiden had left. Despite it being just one person gone from the large castle, it felt incredibly quiet.
“Anyone would think it’s been years since you last saw him,” Janie joked, but Raylenne couldn’t bring herself to smile. She truly missed Aiden as if she hadn’t seen him in years.
It would have been better if she had something to keep her busy, but after winning the power struggle with the maids, everything had been running smoothly in the household. There was nothing left for her to handle.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Janie asked on Raylenne’s behalf.
If it was a servant of the house, they would have identified themselves first, but the knock came without any announcement, making them wary. Soon, a deep, gravelly voice responded.
“It’s Cashwood.”
Janie blinked at the unfamiliar name.
“Cashwood…?”
On the other hand, Raylenne, who knew who Cashwood was, immediately walked toward the door.
“I’ll go see who it is.”
When she opened the door, it was indeed Cashwood standing there. Seeing a knight outside the training grounds and their quarters was quite unusual.
Cashwood bowed his head politely.
“Good day, ma’am.”
“…Cashwood. What brings you here to see me?”
Cashwood was likely one of the people most shocked by her marriage to Aiden. While most assumed their marriage was for political reasons, Cashwood knew the truth.
There had been a time when he suspected that she might be bullying or threatening Aiden. Because of this, Cashwood seemed to avoid her, despite sometimes visiting Aiden’s office; their paths rarely crossed.
“Ah… I have an urgent matter that needs approval, but with the duke away…”
“Can I approve it on his behalf?”
Cashwood nodded reluctantly, looking uncomfortable, which Raylenne interpreted as awkwardness rather than disregard.
As mentioned earlier, there had been various issues between them.
Cashwood handed over the documents. Raylenne read them standing up.
“100 kilograms of beef…?”
Approval for groceries?
When Raylenne looked at him with a questioning gaze, Cashwood rubbed his forehead and began to explain.
“You know the knights have their own mess hall, right?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“The secretary managing it forgot to order beef. The secretary said they would include it in the next order, but the knights were upset about not having meat this week, so I came to get approval myself.”
So, the urgent matter he came for was just beef. Reading her thoughts, Cashwood rubbed his neck and spoke.
“You might not understand the situation, but food is very important to the knights and soldiers. It’s essential for maintaining their strength. It’s also a small joy in their daily lives.”
Indeed, there’s no more fundamental desire than appetite. Understanding the situation, Raylenne adjusted her expression.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never really checked on how the knights are doing since I arrived here.”
To be precise, Aiden had forbidden her from going near the training grounds, but there was no need to tell Cashwood that.
“How are things? Is there anything else they need?”
“No. The duke makes every effort to take good care of us.”
Hmm…
Raylenne stood silently for a moment, looking at the documents, then raised her head.
“Still, it wouldn’t be right for me not to visit the training grounds once, considering the knights fight for the duchy.”
“…It’s fine.”
Cashwood was a type who showed his emotions openly on his face. This was one of those times. He clearly wasn’t pleased about her visiting the training grounds.
Raylenne wasn’t deterred. For her, getting to know the knights was a long-overdue task.
“Cashwood, I need to visit the training grounds today.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it…”
Cashwood finally muttered something ambiguous.
“Is it because the knights don’t like me?”
At her straightforward question, Cashwood looked as if he had been struck.
“N-no, that’s not it.”
“I know, so you don’t have to lie.”
“…”
“So, that’s it then.”
Raylenne asked Janie to prepare her coat and then looked back at Cashwood.
His forehead was deeply furrowed.
“It’s best not to go to the training grounds. As you said, the knights do not welcome you.”
Raylenne thanked Janie for the coat and put her arms through the sleeves, speaking as she did.
“But we can’t avoid each other forever, can we? Both I and the knights will continue to stay in this castle.”
“…I have nothing more to say, but now is not a good time with the duke away.”
He doesn’t understand. If Aiden were here, he would never let her go to the training grounds.
Keeping this thought to herself, Raylenne cheerfully said,
“Is there ever a good time? When the time and situation align, that’s a good time.”
She fastened the buttons of her cape carefully and looked at Cashwood with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Let’s go. The knights must be eagerly waiting for the beef approval.”
* * *
However, upon arriving at the training grounds, Raylenne realized that winning the knights’ favor with 100 kilograms of beef was far from sufficient.
Despite the rare appearance of a beautiful woman in the training grounds, the knights’ gazes were icy. Their expressions seemed to question why she was there.
Raylenne, trying not to be intimidated by the cold stares, spoke up.
“Hello. I apologize for the late introduction.”
She was indeed very late in greeting them. But both sides needed time to accept each other, so it couldn’t be helped.
“I am Raylenne Bedeusian. While my husband is away, if you need anything, please let me know.”
Despite her friendly demeanor, the knights didn’t react. Instead, mocking voices came from the back.
“Raylenne Bedeusian? Isn’t it Raylenne Ergen? Women sure have it easy. Just by marrying, they can switch their allegiance so easily.”
The knights snickered in agreement.
Although she had anticipated this, Raylenne still felt unpleasant.
At that moment, Cashwood, who had been silent, walked over to the knight who had jeered. He hit the knight’s head hard with the wooden sword he was holding. The knight, caught off guard, clutched his head and screamed.
“Ow!”
Though Cashwood had a prosthetic left hand, his right hand was strong with the sword.
“The person in front of you is the lady of this castle. Show some respect.”
