Without Coral noticing the feelings of Shinji and the knight protector at all, the group arrived at the lord’s mansion.
Since they had sent a heads-up before leaving the village, the mansion’s staff welcod them.
After handing over the horses to the staff, the first to rush to Coral and the others inside the mansion was Roz, her spouse and the lord’s deputy.
”Coral-sama! I’m relieved to see you back safely. More than anything, your swift resolution of the situation… I’m truly impressed.”
”Thank you, Roz. But the quick resolution was thanks to Shinji──the Wolf family’s cooperation. I believe I had a very valuable experience as well.”
”I hear you borrowed the power of the goddess… I wish I could have been there.”
The atmosphere between the two was more suited to business partners than a married couple, revealing their mutual trust.
Until the matter of the ‘valley’ arose, Roz had been fulfilling his duties as the lord’s deputy perfectly, adhering to the contract made during their engagent.
It was thanks to his support that she could imrse herself in the port town of Teremoro.
For Roz, Coral was a good contractual partner, and the fact that he could keep the person he loved, whom he should have had to give up for the prosperity of the house, motivated him to strive as the lord’s deputy.
As long as the contract is upheld, there should be no cracks in their cooperative relationship──unless sothing extraordinary happens.
”I apologize, but there’s still so ti until dinner. Once the preparations are complete, I will send soone to fetch you, so please wait in your room.” ṟἈɴȮΒĚS̩
”Sure, I’ll leave the arrangents to you. …By the way, do you know what the main dish is today?”
Coral has no likes or dislikes, and usually, she would eat the dishes served with the grace befitting a princess without asking about the nu.
While feeling that it was rare, Roz thought of the nu.
”I’ve heard that we have so good chicken today, so the main dish is chicken.”
”Oh… If possible, I’d like to change it to beef. Is that doable?”
”I’ll let the chef know. You’ll get a response shortly.”
”Please do. Also, ask him to guide . Make sure the room is top-notch.”
”! Understood.”
The lord’s mansion had several guest rooms, and the destination varied depending on the invited guest.
Being a royal territory, this mansion welcod a wide range of people, from commoners to royalty.
Normally, a commoner like Shinji would be shown to a standard guest room, but Coral had instructed that he be taken to the highest class room.
That room was reserved for royalty and close relatives, furnished with extrely expensive decor.
Naturally, Roz had his doubts.
However, knowing through letters about Shinji’s efforts, he considered that Coral must want to host him and agreed.
Trusting that Shinji, accompanied by 3 high-ranking spirits serving the goddess, would not behave in a way that would damage the furnishings.
If viewed as part of a reward, the request for such a high standard was not entirely unreasonable, and also supported it.
However, if this continued for a second or third ti, the situation would change.
When Coral stayed at the lord’s mansion, she usually wore a simple dress prioritizing ease of movent over style, but today she was dressed up as if attending a party.
Not only her clothes but her skin also glowed, making it clear that she wanted to be seen as beautiful.
Asking her husband (Roz) for his opinion and then, in that flow, asking Shinji for his thoughts could not be said to be against etiquette.
Even a standard complint like “You look great!” could convey a hint of joy, and there was no reason to openly reprimand her for it.
And the staff at the lord’s mansion were not so dull as to miss the affection that Coral was trying to hide but couldn’t completely conceal.
(((That Coral-sama has feelings!?)))
While a calm dinner party continued on the surface, the knight guarding Coral was called to the back.
During the short ti of their stay in the village, she found herself being questioned about whether there was ‘sothing’ that led Coral to develop feelings.
”Hmm. So you have no idea, then.”
”No, they were never alone together. I can’t think of any special circumstances that would lead to a close relationship…”
”You are not lying with those words, are you?”
”No. I swear on our king and my sword.”
From the guard knight’s perspective, there’s no way to know that she slipped out of the room with the goddess’s power and shared intimate monts.
She confidently holds her head high because she is doing her job without sha.
However, it’s clear that Coral’s attitude could only be explained by so sort of affection.
If it were love at first sight, it would be odd not to see any hints when they crossed paths at the lord’s mansion.
Roz’s trusted steward and the guard knight let out deep sighs.
”The human heart is tricky. It’s fortunate that he was a servant of another house.”
”You’re absolutely right. Once we finish reporting to the king, the territory is far away, and the chances of getting involved are slim… I feel sorry for Roz-sama…”
”Roz-sama would probably be fine with it. After all, there’s a contract involved… But for those who are unaware, it won’t be amusing. We should head to the royal capital early in the morning.”
The steward is aware of the contracted marriage, so even if Coral were to fall in love, he knows Roz wouldn’t be bothered by it.
He was well aware of the affection Roz had for his second wife.
However, for those who don’t know the circumstances, they might feel pity for Roz.
He supports a wife who has been away from the lord’s mansion for a long ti, only for her to return with a man she has fallen for.
The territory belongs to his wife, and even though Roz is a bridegroom, from the outside, his behavior doesn’t earn much praise.
The employer will be Coral, but it’s Roz who has worked alongside the staff at the lord’s mansion for a long ti.
It’s only natural to want to side with him emotionally.
”If possible, it would be great if Roz-sama could give Coral-sama so advice…”
”…That’s true. It wouldn’t be good for the people of the lord’s mansion to harbor ill feelings towards Coral-sama.”
”Please, I ask for your help…!”
Speaking to Coral should fall to her husband, Roz, since he is the most suitable.
The guard knight let out a sigh of relief in front of the steward, who nodded in agreent.
Everything will go smoothly from here.
She thought so and felt relieved.
After the questioning ended, with a light heart, the guard knight saw Coral and Roz back to their marital room, feeling at ease as he drifted off to sleep.
Shinji felt the sa way.
Even during the al, he could sense that Coral’s feelings were becoming apparent to those around her.
Fortunately, the people working at the lord’s mansion are exceptional and would not do anything to disadvantage Shinji.
However, a cold presence emanates from deep within her eyes.
As expected.
Thinking this, Shinji pretends not to notice and decides to quietly seclude himself in the lavish guest room.
Common sense dictates that Roz should confront Coral.
(By tomorrow, her attitude will probably change… The goddess likely desires a child with the princess, but it’s just too risky.)
It might be a strategic move for the future, but Shinji doesn’t intend to respond that way.
He will obey formal orders as an apostle, but honestly, he can’t bring himself to want to impregnate Coral as an individual.
To conceive a child is the pinnacle of infidelity, and if he were to do it, he believes it should be out of his own will.
He intends to recognize the child born, watch over the mother and child from the shadows, and support them until they can stand on their own, so he wants to limit impregnation to those he truly desires.
(When I get ho, I’ll see Renka’s face… and then, I’ll check my work…)
The extrely high-quality bed is incredibly comfortable, and as Shinji thinks of Renka waiting for his return, he drifts off to sleep.
Shinji: “I can’t taste the food (white eyes)”
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