As for Shiao Yi and Dominic, it went without saying that they were relieved the marriage proposal had disappeared.
The return from Rabanastre was the sa as their arrival.
Shiao Yi and the others traveled along the highway toward the Korisha Fortress in Aaron’s carriage.
But this ti, there was no need to pretend to be rchants, no need for disguises as butlers or page boys.
It was a much more relaxed journey.
At first, the Second Division of Knight Corps traveled together with them, making for a lively departure.
General Gabrant had already gone ahead, returning to the fortress through his personal teleportation circle, from where he would command the army’s march back to the capital.
Lord Quintus, too, returned to the capital first, traveling directly from the Great Cathedral through teleportation.
With the new diplomatic relations with Dalmasca, it was certain he would quickly summon ministers from the relevant departnts to hold a council.
Amal, together with Rex, chose to travel with Shiao Yi and Dominic in the carriage heading to Rosaria.
He said he intended to move permanently to Rosaria.
If relations with Dalmasca continued to improve, then surely people from both countries living together in the sa land would beco more common.
It was not a hurried journey.
Ten days of being together from morning until night would surely help Dominic’s unstable heart recover little by little.
Inside the carriage, Shiao Yi sat in his unchanging position—on Dominic’s lap.
He looked up at his man’s face.
Dominic t his eyes and smiled warmly, tightening his embrace slightly.
Whenever Shiao Yi looked up, he always t Dominic’s gaze.
Perhaps Dominic had been staring at his face the entire ti?
Shiao Yi thought his own face was nothing special, yet the thought made him happy.
He reached up to touch Dominic’s cheek and leaned closer to kiss him lightly.
Dominic answered with a deeper, hotter kiss.
"Ahem... cough."
A forced cough ca from across the carriage.
Startled, Shiao Yi pulled back, but Dominic only tightened his hold and kissed him even more deeply.
"I can’t compete with that," Aaron said with a wry smile.
Resting his elbow on the window fra and propping his cheek on his hand, he turned his gaze outward.
Surely, from the next lunch break onward, he would move to sit beside the coachman, Amal, instead of staying inside.
On one ear of both Shiao Yi and Dominic, they each wore a golden crafted ear cuff, a pair shared between them.
It had been a birthday present from Aaron to Shiao Yi.
Amid all the chaos of this affair, Shiao Yi had turned nineteen.
Embarrassed by Aaron’s thoughtful gift, Shiao Yi’s shoulders lifted in a small, shy movent.
From the ear cuff, the golden light spilled and overlapped into two shimring shadows that swayed together.
...
At last, Dominic could finally leave the hated castle of Dalmasca.
He was fastening his beloved horse, Marengo, to the carriage.
Normally, the carriage horses should have been used, but Dominic had considered that in case of ergency, they might have to abandon the carriage and either fight or race ahead in their journey.
Because of that, he had asked Marengo to join as one of the pulling horses, even though it was not his usual role.
Marengo was a strong black stallion, large-bodied and powerful, who never seed to tire.
Even with two grown n riding, he showed no strain.
Among the carriage horses, his size and presence made him stand out, and naturally, he took the role of leader.
"Sorry, Marengo. I’ll be relying on you again," Dominic said as he stroked the horse’s glossy back.
Marengo’s eyes seed to answer with, Leave it to .
He was an intelligent animal.
The other two horses obeyed him easily, and Marengo could accurately sense the driver’s intentions, which made Amal, who held the reins, very pleased.
"Marengo is full of energy again today. You ate plenty, didn’t you?" Shiao Yi said as he stroked Marengo’s nose.
Sotis, Dominic wondered if Shiao Yi was truly able to speak with Marengo.
Perhaps he could even communicate with him through telepathy.
Marengo licked Shiao Yi’s cheek with his large tongue, making Shiao Yi laugh aloud.
Then Marengo began to lick up toward Shiao Yi’s mouth, forcing Dominic to tug sharply on the bridle strap to pull him back.
Marengo’s affection was touching, but this was going too far.
"Marengo, now you’ve made Dominic jealous," Dominic said with a wry tone.
Shiao Yi smiled as he placed a hand on Marengo’s face and looked back at Dominic.
Marengo also looked over and showed his teeth in what almost seed like a grin.
Dominic frowned at the strange harmony between the man and the horse—until a voice ca from behind him.
"W-whoa! Why the grumpy face? I—I haven’t done anything yet, right?"
It was Aaron.
Dominic realized he might have turned toward him with a sour expression.
"What do you want?" Dominic asked flatly.
Aaron glanced at Shiao Yi, who stood near Marengo, then pulled a small box from his pocket.
"If I rember right, wasn’t it Shiao Yi’s birthday yesterday—or maybe today? It’s not much, considering the situation, but I thought this might do."
Dominic cursed himself inwardly.
Of course—yesterday had been Shiao Yi’s birthday.
He had forgotten such an important day.
While Dominic stood frozen in shock, Aaron slipped past him and approached Shiao Yi.
"It looks like the pair ear cuffs broke, right? Here, why don’t you wear this one with your captain?"
"Wow! Thank you!" Shiao Yi said with a bright smile. "I was so sad when the pair cuff broke. I missed having it."
It was only when Dominic was told that he realized the ear cuff that should have been on Shiao Yi’s right ear was gone.
Perhaps it had broken back then?
Biting down on his regret at his own carelessness, Dominic removed the cuff from his own left ear.
Shiao Yi, holding the small box with the cuff inside, ca happily trotting toward him.
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