Chapter 149

Chapter 149

I was still curious about his apology from earlier, but decided to concentrate on the matter in front of me for the time being and shifted my gaze onto Commander Lieber’s hand .

The map under the commander’s rugged, masculine hand showed Nebel’s northeastern region . On it were quirky, upward-stroked letters, some scribbles, and three circles .

“Three villages fit your criteria . ”

When hearing that, I was secretly relieved .

I thought looking for ‘small towns with a decaying temple’ wouldn’t really narrow down the possibilities .

I was worried sick that the results would come back with dozens of places, so I was glad that it wasn’t the case .

“Two of them are relatively close to this fort . ”

His rigid, calloused finger slid across to the left of where we were and arrived at the circle northwest from here, where another one laid more towards southwest .

As Commander Lieber said, it wasn’t that far . While I wasn’t very confident in my map reading skills, I’d say it should take less than half a day to get there .

The other one was a fair bit further away, but it’d probably take two days, even with a rest in another village along the way .

“I am terribly sorry it took much longer than expected to unearth these sites . ”

“Not at all!”

When Commander Lieber bowed, I hurriedly shook my head in response .

I was the one who asked you to look into this during your patrols, after all . It would naturally take some time .

Not to mention the fact that I had to omit anything regarding the Demon King, so I couldn’t tell him what I was actually looking for . I’m already plenty grateful to you hearing out such a vague request .

“Thank you very much for your help . I am grateful for you lending a hand in the search despite your busy schedule . ”

“Your praises are wasted on me . ”

Commander Lieber said so as the corners of his eyes softly wrinkled in delight . Perhaps it was because of his deep-set facial features, but he could look both incredibly intimidating when serious and extremely approachable when laughing . His buck-teeth and pronounced dimples effortlessly dispel any difficulties for anyone approaching him .

I know this might not fit to describe an adult man, but I thought he had a cute smile .  I’d love to see how he is around his wife .

A tough, stubborn man and a sickly, fragile wife dynamic… Not to mention, they’re notorious for being so sweet on each other! Honestly, just thinking about it fuels me with life . I want to hear from the wife how she ever got used to a guy like him .

Is there any way for me to get along with his wife, I wonder?

I’m sure if I went up to her and told her I just came by to say hello, I’d definitely come off as a nuisance .

I had put the most important matter—searching for the Demon Lord—on the backburner, leaving nothing but impure thoughts on my mind, until a loud sound pulled me back to reality .

“Walter reporting, sir! I believe I was called for?”

A deep voice came from the other side of the door . His knocking from earlier had brought me back to my senses .

Commander Lieber turned my way, ready to introduce me .

“While I’m in the fort, I shall keep Her Royal Highness’s status a secret . I’ll explain to my men that I’m personally tending to a daughter of some noble family . However, if I’m the only one that knows of your real identity, it might inconvenience you in some ways, so I’ve prepared someone who you can rely upon . ”

In other words, someone else in this fort knows I’m a princess, and said person is on the other side of the door .

“Enter . ”

With Commander Lieber’s permission, a young man entered the room with an ‘Excuse me . ’

“This here is the excellent vice-commander of my unit that I’m so very proud of… Isaac, introduce yourself . ”

Commander Lieber shifted his gaze towards the young man who entered .

The man… the vice-commander who was urged on turned to face me .

He had straight black hair and sharp violet eyes . His thin brows, well-shaped nose, and thin lips arranged in a perfect triangle made him look intimidating . If there existed a pair of thin, silver-rimmed glasses in this world, it would fit him perfectly .

At first glance, he resembled a scholar more than a knight, but I could see his upper body had undergone regular training despite being on the lean side . There was no way a person in a country where each individual’s qualities were evaluated through merit would necessarily have a desk job, though .

“My name is Isaac Walter . ”

His mundane self-introduction ended in just three seconds flat .

…That’s it!? So short…

“…I am Rosemarie von Wervard . I will try my best not to interfere with your work, so please allow me to be in your care . ”

Although it was a bit cramped, I still managed a smile . Despite that, Vice-Commander Walter didn’t say anything .

Looks like he’s adamant on not returning my greeting .

An awkward silence filled the room, but the vice-commander seemed indifferent about it . In fact, he didn’t move a single muscle .  Quite the mental fortitude you have there!

“Isaac… You… that attitude is obviously no good…”

Commander Lieber looked troubled, but Vice-Commander Walter was not at all bothered .

“I’m sorry, Your Royal Highness . Please don’t take offence from this . ”

I told the commander, ‘I don’t mind it . ’

Honestly, I really didn’t .

I understand that a princess coming by to the Nebel-Raptor border could be a huge pain, but I’d rather him tell me that straight to my face, though .

At least in the vice-captain’s case, his eyes were saying so . I felt like he was telling me to ‘go home already’ and ‘what a pain’ through the attitude he gave, but I won’t yield .

I’m not here for fun and games either .

For the moment, let’s forget my recent desires to deviate from the main quest and meet with the captain’s wife .

What’s that? I’m shameless, you say? No idea what you’re talking about .

“This guy is just as prickly to everyone else around, but I guarantee that you can count on him . ”

“Yes . I’ll be in your care . ”

With a smile, I echoed the same line to Vice-Commander Walter . Then, his violet eyes fell on me, obviously sullen .

Yeah, he’s so easy to read .

He was someone with absolutely nothing to hide .

While I didn’t exactly think he was the type to rush in and help a girl in need, I could see why Commander Lieber recommended him .  People who can’t lie are valuable, aren’t they?

As I snickered in my heart, I heard a faint laugh from behind me .

When I turned around, I saw Sir Leonhard, his shoulders trembling . I didn’t understand why he was laughing and a question mark popped up over my head .

“…Sir Leon?”

“Pardon my rudeness . I was simply thinking of how you have become so much stronger . ”

“!”

When he told me that with a smile, my soul immediately escaped from my body .

AAAAHHHH…!!

I’d gone and done it now! I showed him my ugly side!!

I let out a scream in my heart .

It’s over! He’ll absolutely think of me as some sarcastic and unpleasant woman!

If it’s the heroine we’re talking about here, she would have crumbled into tears at Walter’s frosty attitude before consoling herself, ‘It’s fine,’ and then heartily laughed it off .

Sure, I might not be the heroine, but I would’ve expected my reaction to be a bit cuter than what it was at least .

That said, I don’t even have a scratch on me, so I can’t even look down and cry!

Besides, I am a princess . I can’t even do any of those things in the first place!

When I was a high school girl back in my previous life, I tried to cry on command, but no tears ever came out . Remembering a sad movie scene or repeating a sad song inside my head didn’t help at all . I just get distracted in the end . I once got distracted by the fact that I couldn’t think of the lyrics and just hummed in the middle, and again when I couldn’t remember the leading actress’s name who had also starred in other works .

I felt so bad for myself I started tearing up .

It’s too late already . And the way I’m making myself cry right now is completely wrong!

Unlike me, who was depressed to the bone, Sir Leonhard seemed to be enjoying himself .

Which should I be happy about: the fact that he doesn’t hate me for this, or the fact that he doesn’t even seem surprised in the first place?