Chapter 89

The town below was surprisingly peaceful, considering the commotion from yesterday.

The bustling market streets, children running and playing, and merchants walking through the town—looking at this, it was hard to imagine the life of fear from monsters in the borderlands as described in stories.

The commotion at the royal castle was a known situation only to a select few, as a gag order had been imposed. Merchants who knew the details would likely observe the situation quietly and use it to decide their future business relationships. They would determine who to get closer to and who to distance themselves from to benefit their business...

But I wonder when I will get the detailed story... The information network and foresight of the great merchants are truly remarkable. I should try to learn from them.

However, walking beside Lord Aldar Saul makes me feel shy. I felt shy before too, but now the situation is different... Upon thinking about it, maybe I was subconsciously in love even then, without realizing it.

...

...Yeah, well, let's not think too deeply about it! Digging my own grave won't produce anything!

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just thought it was a nice day today."

"Yes, it's a very pleasant day, isn't it?"

"Yes, really."

The Wild Strawberry Inn was quite busy at lunchtime, and as expected, there were many couples.

This time, we are a couple too! When we were seated and opened the menu... Hmm, it doesn't seem to have changed much from last time.

Is it because I'm simple? Or because I lack sophistication? I wonder how I should act to be more like a lover. Should I try to mimic the other women at the tables? No, no, if I keep glancing around, it will look suspicious. That won't do!

"Lord Yuria... You've had a troubled look on your face since a while ago."

"Ah?! No, um... What would you like to order, Lord Aldar Saul?"

"Me? Well... Hmm, I think I'll go with the recommended gratin. It comes with an apple pie for dessert, too."

"Oh, that sounds delicious. I think I'll have that too."

"Then it's settled."

A gratin with plenty of mushrooms, a salad, and an apple pie set sounds delicious.

Calories? Well, I don't think about them much.

To be honest, I'm living a much healthier life than in my previous life. It's okay to indulge once in a while!

...Oh, this is a date!

A colleague once said that women who get easily swayed by delicious food aren't popular... But it's too late to try to impress Lord Aldar Saul now.

We've had meals together before, and he knows I enjoy making delicious desserts.

That's it. It's all about perspective.

He is a kind person who appreciates me for who I am...

I feel like my femininity has dropped out of me. I didn't have much to begin with.

"...Lord Aldar Saul, there's something I want to say first."

"What is it?"

"Um... We are, um, lovers now, right? But as I said before, I have no experience with such things and don't know how to act. I don't have the skills to entertain you with conversation, and I don't have many topics to talk about... No, I do know some topics to entertain customers, but I understand that's different..."

I realized I was speaking quickly and making excuses, but it was too late.

By the time I noticed, my brain was scolding me, and I was starting to sweat. Lord Aldar Saul was looking at me with wide eyes.

I opened my mouth to make more excuses, but couldn't find the right words. After repeating this, he started to chuckle.

"Really... Lord Yuria, you are such a cute person."

"Ah?"

"It's okay. I enjoy just being with you. Spending time together is very peaceful, and even silence is not uncomfortable. Of course, talking with you is also enjoyable. That's enough, isn't it?"

"...Y-Yes... Thank you."

Is this... Is this what adult tolerance is like?!

What should I do? My chest hurts so much, I thought I could hear it squeezing.

No, I've had similar experiences in my previous life, but not in a two-dimensional world, in a three-dimensional one!

But the excitement in my previous life didn't end well.

It was... a senior colleague.

I thought it would be like a game when a cool adult man was kind to me, but it turned out to be a disappointing one-sided love. I later heard that he often charmed many women, and I felt embarrassed by my naivety and carelessness.

At that time, I felt depressed, thinking, "Love is fine as long as I have games..." How embarrassing.

Well, I should forget such sad memories now. After all, they are from my previous life.

Even when we are just having a meal or chatting, I do enjoy being with Lord Aldar Saul, as he said. Isn't that important?

I get nervous and can't look him straight in the eye, and calling his name feels like a big hurdle...

...What should I do? My romantic quotient is so low that I feel like crying!

In such situations, changing the topic is a good strategy. Let's do that.

"By the way, there's something I wanted to ask."

"What is it?"

"What does it mean to be a candidate for the Sword Saint?"

That's right, I wanted to ask about this!

In the game, there were battles, but no Sword Saint appeared. I didn't think much of it, as it didn't relate to my life as a maid.

Or maybe I just wasn't interested and didn't know. I vaguely remember hearing about it somewhere...

"Oh... No, that's something Guildlock says on his own. Our master, who is currently known as the Sword Saint, is originally a mercenary from Shagran. He is a first-class swordsman but loves women, alcohol, and gambling..."

"Oh!"

"He finds court life too rigid and prefers to wander. I was taken in by him when my father invited him to teach, as he thought I had potential. To Guildlock, it seems like I am the only disciple the Sword Saint has taken on his own..."

"Is it rare for him to take on disciples?"

"Yes, he has a wandering habit. He makes a living by teaching sword skills for a fee and wanders around... When it came to Guildlock, he wrote in a letter that he was teaching the son of a Shagran noble who had paid off his debts."

"...He sounds like a strong personality."

"I can't deny that. But Guildlock seems to have potential, and he was happy enough to write a letter about it."

Lord Aldar Saul smiled wistfully as he spoke about his master. Although his master was very free-spirited and caused trouble, he had also saved him during his childhood. ...Was that before Lady Baum joined the household?

I didn't feel it was right to ask about that.

His master is still wandering around and occasionally sends letters. He even wrote that he would like a meal, drink, and a place to stay when he visits Kuraum next time. Wow, he sounds like a strong personality!

"Well