Chapter 39

Viera woke up in the early afternoon the next day. She felt a slight fatigue and a headache, but her hunger was more serious.

She asked the caretaker for a light meal and waited eagerly on the bed.

The moment the door was knocked on, she replied cheerfully, "Come in!"

It turned out to be Clement, the leader of the expedition team.

Viera's shoulders slumped in disappointment when she realized it wasn't the light meal she had asked for.

"Senior Viera... I must admit, it's a bit sad to see such obvious disappointment."

"I'm sorry! I thought it might be the food I asked for."

As if in agreement, Viera's stomach growled, signaling her hunger. Even though she was aware that she wasn't the typical feminine type, she still felt embarrassed.

She quickly pressed her hands to her stomach and lowered her head, her face turning red.

Clement chuckled, shaking his shoulders.

"Haha, I see. I think it will be here soon. While you wait, I'll give you a brief explanation of what's to come."

"Please do."

He informed her that the barrier stone was functioning smoothly and that they would depart the next morning. Since all their missions were completed, the Divine Beast Knights and the Barrier Division would take separate routes back.

Viera would be returning with the Divine Beast Knights.

As a magic user from the Technical Division who was not accustomed to expeditions, it was decided that riding a griffin for two days would be less burdensome than traveling on horseback for five or six days.

"So, Senior Viera, you will be carried back by Lucash."

Her thoughts, dulled by her headache and hunger, were jolted when she heard her fiancé's name.

The memory of being carried by Lucash just before she lost consciousness, and how she had inadvertently leaned into him, resurfaced.

The light blue ribbon she had given him as a charm, his rich voice and gentle words, the strong arms that had touched her thighs, his handsome face drawing near, and the scene when he had leaned over her—these memories flooded her mind, making her head hot and her thoughts come to a halt.

(Why didn't I choose a stretcher!? And why is Lord Lucash, who must be tired, going out of his way to do this!?)

As she tried to think of a reason, she remembered the bet to kiss Lucash and uncover his true feelings, and Viera clutched her head.

She wasn't sure if she could act normally if she saw Lucash now.

"Senior Viera, mental stress can slow down the recovery of your magic power and physical condition. If you wish, we can arrange for you to return with our Barrier Division. If riding a horse alone is too difficult, you can share a ride with someone, or we can make space for you in a supply cart. Alternatively, we can rent a carriage in the next town."

Clement offered these attractive suggestions with a gentle smile.

While traveling separately from the Divine Beast Knights, she might be able to sort out her thoughts. Though she wasn't sure what she needed to sort out, the idea of buying some time appealed to her exhausted mind.

Just as she was about to take Clement's hand, there was another knock on the door.

Clement muttered, "Too bad, you were noticed," and chuckled. It seemed he had made a mistake.

Though curious, it would be rude to keep the visitor waiting. When Viera responded, Lucash appeared with a small basket.

"Lord Lucash!"

"Viera, how are you feeling?"

"I, I'm fine, just a bit hungry!"

Lucash looked so radiant that she couldn't bring herself to say her head was pounding. As if to emphasize her point, her stomach growled loudly again.

This was not the kind of support she wanted. She felt even more embarrassed than when Clement had heard it. Viera pressed her hands to her stomach and lowered her head, her face turning red again.

"You must have been very hungry. Here."

Lucash, without a smile, showed concern for Viera. His kindness was overwhelming.

He held out the small basket so it was in Viera's line of sight. When she removed the napkin, she saw scones, fruits, and a small bottle of juice inside.

"Why did you, Lord Lucash?"

"Well... Clement, why did you make the caretaker wait in the hallway with the light meal?"

It seemed he had received it from the caretaker.

If what Lucash said was true, Clement was to blame.

Viera was so hungry that her brain hadn't been functioning properly, leading her to lose control over her thoughts about Lucash.

"Haha, don't glare at me, Senior Viera. I just asked for some consideration to properly convey the plan for our future actions. I'll take my leave now. If you want to change your return method, please let me know by 5 PM. I'm happy to accommodate you."

Clement left the room without a hint of remorse.

Viera and Lucash were left alone in the room.

The atmosphere was awkward, and she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"Hehe, thank you," she said with a forced laugh and began to eat the light meal.

But Lucash wasn't fooled.

"Viera, about changing your return method... Do you not want me to carry you back?"

As he asked, Lucash didn't sit in the chair opposite but instead sat next to her on the bed. She could feel his intense gaze from above.

She didn't mind being carried.

She just didn't know how to prepare herself mentally.

"I don't want to burden you, Lord Lucash, since you're tired."

"That's no burden. If I couldn't carry someone as light as you, I wouldn't be a Divine Beast Knight."

"I'm from the Magic Bureau, and it might be better to travel with the Barrier Division from the same bureau."

"The Magic Bureau has already given their approval. They actually want you to return early to hear your thoughts on the problematic spell formula."

All her escape routes were blocked.

Her weak excuses only made Lucash's scrutinizing gaze more intense.

I plan to update again at 5 PM today.