On the morning of the departure to the north, Second Prince Elius greeted Epherna in front of the carriage just before they set off.
“You’re leaving quite early.”
“We need to leave now to arrive at our lodging by evening.”
“Why not use teleportation instead?”
“Do you think teleportation is easy? Five times a day is the limit, so I need to conserve it. There’s also a distance restriction.”
“Isn’t five times quite a lot?”
“Do you think the mana used for teleportation is free? We have to save where we can, even if we’re pressed for time.”
Epherna clicked her tongue in disapproval, muttering about non-mages.
“Convincing Duke Lemea won’t be easy. He particularly favored me.”
Elius gave her one final piece of advice.
“Don’t try to threaten or propose offers to sway him. He’s not the type to yield easily.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After the sibling’s bickering ended, Epherna boarded the carriage.
With Ern’s command to the coachman, the carriage set off towards the north with the sound of hooves clattering on the road.
*****
Five hours into the journey, Epherna, bored, asked from within the carriage.
“The Triaina Special Forces aren’t visible. Where are they?”
“They’re following us, though at a bit of a distance.”
“…? Wouldn’t it be easier to protect us if they were closer?”
“I’m here, aren’t I? And the Triaina have their own ways.”
“…??”
“You’ll understand later.”
Ern Astra sympathized with Epherna’s confusion.
The Triaina Special Forces’ protective methods were indeed peculiar.
They preferred assassination-like techniques for protection, believing that eliminating threats to their charge was the best way to safeguard them.
Hence, they remained hidden, waiting in the shadows.
“You know the Triaina members well, right?”
“Of course.”
Having completed numerous missions together, Ern knew the names of almost all the members of the various special forces.
“Were there any women among them?”
“There were, though they weren’t exactly ordinary women.”
No one in the special forces was ordinary.
Even those who seemed normal had some unusual thought processes.
“Were there many?”
“Not many. Surviving and excelling in covert operations during wartime was incredibly difficult for women.”
It was a time when it was common for members who had been active for years to die overnight.
Women often died in those times, as their physical capabilities were typically inferior to men.
Ern valued every one of them dearly.
“By now, they’re likely living peacefully. Even if they haven’t retired, they should be able to sleep soundly.”
It had been a long time since he had seen them.
He wondered if he could at least greet them when they reached Duke Lemea’s territory.
If possible, he hoped to share a meal with them.
Well, if you take the time, something will work out.
*****
A small town on the road to the north.
Upon reaching the first inn, which they had reserved in advance, Ern called in the Triaina Special Forces.
The black-coated members appeared instantly, changing into plain clothes to blend in. Ern assigned them their accommodations.
“Take rest, leaving only the minimum personnel on duty.”
The Imperial Guard held the authority to command at least one unit for the protection of royalty.
Thus, giving orders to the Triaina leader and members wasn’t unusual.
“Princess, please alight.”
“Yes.”
“I heard there’s a performance nearby tonight. Would you like to attend?”
“Yes, I would.”
Ern guided Epherna to her room.
They had booked the best inn in the town, which, although not as grand as the Imperial Palace, was clean and spacious.
Chamberlain Merien unpacked their belongings and relayed a message to Ern.
“Lord Astra, the Princess needs to change her clothes. Could you step outside for a moment?”
“Understood.”
“While you’re out, why not catch up with your old comrades?”
“Excuse me…? But…”
“The Princess has given her permission.”
Ern looked at Epherna in surprise.
She avoided his gaze, seemingly embarrassed.
“She knows that you miss your old comrades.”
To think that the self-centered princess could be so considerate of others.
This thought made Ern smile warmly, realizing how much the once stubborn “Little One” had matured over the past three years.
Relieved, Ern called for his old comrades.
*****
Astrape, Kyne, and Triaina
The common trait among the three special forces is that they always maintain a stoic expression and silence during missions.
This was an inevitable part of being the Empire’s assassins, trained from the start this way.
Yet, Ern knew that behind those stoic expressions and silence, each of them had their own unique personalities.
“Well then.”
Clap, clap.
As Ern clapped his hands, the expressions of the gathered special forces members became more varied.
“Let’s have a meal together, it’s been a while.”
Simultaneously, a woman with wavy hair rushed toward Ern.
“Captain!!”
A woman with wavy hair jumped towards Ern.
Ern caught her light frame.
“It’s been so long! How long has it been?”
“Over three years.”
“It feels like over ten years!”
Triaina Task Force Commander Leia Ast.
The Commander of the Triaina Special Forces and the only female leader among the three groups, had previously been a member of the Astrape Special Forces.
After a cheerful greeting with Lea, Ern chatted with the other members.
“How have you been?”
“You look the same as ever!”
“It’s been so long!”
“Yes, it’s great to see you all.”
Among the Triaina members, including the First and Second Unit Commanders, were some familiar faces, but many were new to him.
Even so, Ern knew all their names.
“Take turns resting, leaving only a few on duty. The food here at the inn is good, and it’s on me.”
*****
Due to their large number, Ern and the Triaina members had to dine outside.
The weather was clear, so they started their meal cheerfully.
Lea, sitting next to Ern, suddenly asked.
“Captain, how’s life in the Imperial Guard?”
“Nothing special, just sticking by the Princess all day.”
“Doesn’t the Second Prince give you tasks? I can’t imagine Lord Schneider leaving you alone.”
She hit the mark.
Ern sighed at the memories of the last three years of being harassed by the Second Prince and Schneider but tried to hide it with a laugh.
“Haha… well, it’s kept me in shape.”
“It looks like it! You’re still in top physical condition!”
Leah’s eyes turned blue.
She also had abilities that were scouring for information about his body.
Ern’s expression changed as he scolded her.
“I told you to stop that habit of scanning others’ bodies without permission!”
Smack!
“Ouch…!”
He lightly knocked her on the head, causing her eyes to lose their glow.
“Even so, I can’t help it. Unlike you, my ability activates automatically when a relative is nearby.”
“I told you to be careful. It can lead to misunderstandings.”
“Okay… I’m sorry….”
“Be careful next time.”
Ern understood her situation.
Lea had inherited their family’s abilities more strongly.
While Ern, being of mixed blood, had fewer abilities and better control, Lea had numerous abilities that were hard to manage. But she still needed to be cautious.
Still, they had to be careful.
If their existence as the Dragon Clan is discovered, the mages from the Magic Tower and the Imperial Court Mage Society will undoubtedly try to eliminate them.
With the Second Prince around, they could fend them off, but it would certainly become a troublesome affair.
“Let’s eat. Open your mouth.”
“Hehe… Yes.”
Lea quickly relaxed her expression and opened her mouth wide.
She remains an easy-to-please younger cousin.
*****
From beyond the transparent glass of the lodging, Epherna watched Lea with a happy face being fed by Ern.
“…”
Her face was stiff.
It resembled a cracked glass.
‘…Why am I feeling this way.’
She had expected there to be connections with other women besides herself.
How could someone only form bonds with the same gender?
Epherna was not a woman who would forcibly control even the minimal connections that naturally occurred.
But the moment a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
And the moment he fed that woman, Lea.
An unfamiliar dark and sticky emotion arose in Epherna’s heart.
‘…He only did that for me.’
Should this be called jealousy?
Bergamot had mentioned it before.
The emotion of anger that inevitably arises when someone you like smiles at or shows affection towards someone else is called jealousy.
But what is this?
This feeling that consumes her heart instead of the obvious emotion of jealousy.
Is it anxiety and impatience?
The anxiety that she might lose him.
The impatience that she must make him hers quickly.
Just as logical thoughts began to form to alleviate those annoying emotions.
Epherna shook her head vigorously.
‘No… I gave permission.’
This is a bad thought.
If she truly likes him, she must respect him.
Because love is not about confining the one you like to your will.
Epherna shook off her thoughts and lay down on the bed.
