Chapter 6

At night, Lord Lance was entertained with dinner by the mayor of this town, while I quietly had my meal alone at the inn.

The pork served for dinner was seasoned with a crispy salt and spices, which made me angry about how much bland health food I had been forced to eat by the royal family. And it wasn’t just me; my whole family had to endure it, which was no small feat. I understood why Keith never returned from the boarding school. My father and mother would surely want to eat as much salty food as they pleased from now on.

As I was raving about how delicious it was, the inn’s cook gave me a bottle of perfectly balanced spice salt. It must have been thanks to Lord Lance. I bowed deeply and gratefully accepted it. I’ll report to the boss properly!

After eating my fill, I said goodnight to Lord Douglas and returned to my room to prepare for the next day, quickly getting into the bed by the window. I thought I might not be able to sleep since I had slept a lot on the horse during the day, but it wasn’t a problem. I fell asleep in three seconds.

In the morning, following the habit of being forced to live healthily, I woke up just after five o'clock to find Lord Lance already sitting on the adjacent bed. Earlier than me!

“Lord Lance, welcome back. Good morning.”

Lord Lance’s eyes, which are already red, were even more bloodshot. A bit scary!

“Um, was it late last night? Did the meeting go well?”

“Ah...”

“You don’t look like you’ve slept much. Should we delay our departure a bit?”

For some reason, Lord Lance glared at me!

“...I couldn’t sleep because... you were too defenseless! You, you acted as if last night was our first night together...”

“Defenseless! Was there an enemy attack? That’s why Lord Lance is so tired... I, I slept soundly without knowing, I’m sorry!”

I knelt on the bed in my pajamas, put my hands together, and bowed my head.

After a moment of silence, a big sigh was heard, and my shoulder was patted. I looked up.

“It’s fine. Let’s have breakfast and then leave. Ah... yes, a first night on a trip like this... we’ll do it properly when we enter the territory.”

I put on the boy’s clothes I bought yesterday. The pants were too long, and I had to fold up the cuffs. I was a bit disappointed. I tied my black hair into a neat braid and made a bun at the nape of my neck. Then, Lord Lance frowned, took out a piece of cloth from his luggage, and wrapped it around my neck. I messed up!

“You’re leaving your vital points completely exposed! Ah, I’m causing you so much trouble, I’m sorry!”

“No, your neck was too defenseless...”

“Defenseless!!!”

“It’s fine... I didn’t get through to you... pure cultivation is formidable...”

I don’t understand Lord Lance’s military terms. I should study them since I’m a bride now.

After greeting everyone at the inn, I headed to Ring, who had been brushed clean.

“Good morning, Ring. Let’s have a good day today.”

I gently stroked Ring’s nose, and he rumbled and licked my face.

Lord Wyatt, who was leading Ring, panicked.

“Madam! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine! I’m happy he’s being friendly.”

It was a bit horse-y, so I wiped my face with a handkerchief. Then, as I was about to put my foot in the stirrup to mount the horse...

“Ah!”

“Em, what’s wrong?!”

Lord Lance hurried over.

“I forgot to buy shoes...”

How careless... I can’t ride in these high heels. The store yesterday had a lot of shoes that looked like sneakers.

“I heard about yesterday’s shopping. Let me buy you shoes next time.”

“But, they’re just cheap, flat ones, I can buy them myself...”

“Whether they’re flat or pointed, buying Em’s shoes is my job from now on! Got it?”

I nodded vigorously at his intense determination.

Lord Lance, satisfied, picked me up with one hand and nimbly jumped onto Ring. As I fidgeted and got on, he pulled me closer to his best position. Like yesterday, he wrapped me in his cloak and held me by the waist.

My feet dangled in front of Ring’s thick body. Lord Lance’s muscular legs encircled me. I couldn’t help but stroke Lord Lance’s left thigh and asked,

“Did it hurt yesterday?”

Lord Lance gasped!

For some reason, all his subordinates flinched.

“Does a man... feel pain?”

I heard Lord Ronnie mutter.

Lord Lance glared at Lord Ronnie, gritted his teeth, and said,

“Don’t... worry about it...”

He was being considerate in front of his subordinates, but it must have been heavy. I’m sorry.

We galloped out of the city walls and onto the road. Lord Lance let me hold the reins with him and taught me how to ride. Ring was well-behaved and didn’t get angry even when I pulled too hard. But I couldn’t ride Ring alone. At least I needed a horse where my feet could reach the stirrups.

The vibrations from Ring resonated directly in my buttocks. Lord Lance skillfully handled the reins, choosing a path that wouldn’t tire Ring.

After enjoying the ride for two hours, I finally gave up.

“Lord Lance, my buttocks hurt...”

Lord Lance raised an eyebrow, pulled the reins to stop the horse, and picked me up in his arms, then started running as if nothing had happened. I was so embarrassed!

“You did well for the first day.”

Lord Lance patted my head.

“This way, there’s no point in buying the clothes.”

“When Em is in pants, I don’t have to worry about others seeing her legs when I carry her. So, it was a good purchase. It had a purpose.”

I didn’t quite understand, but it felt like a consolation. Right! Speaking of yesterday’s shopping! I fumbled in my chest pocket and took out a candy bag, picking one out.

“Lord Lance, open your mouth?”

Lord Lance looked down at my hand, understood, and opened his mouth. I tossed it in. I took another one and put it in my own mouth. The gentle honey flavor spread.

“Sweet...”

“Yes... it’s sweet...”

Lord Lance’s arm around my waist tightened, and my body naturally leaned into his.

“You must be tired from the tension. Sleep for a while.”

“Yes.”

I thought that sleeping with a candy in my mouth might cause cavities, but I didn’t resist and fell asleep.

“Em is too sweet to me...”