CHAPTER 221: CHAPTER 220: RIDING SIDE BY SIDE

When Lumberling returned, he went straight to Liraeth’s office.

She looked up from her desk, a faint smile breaking through her tired expression. "These are your rewards," she said, sliding a pouch of gold across the table.

"And another thing, an official alliance with us. Also..." Her voice softened, pride slipping into her tone. "Your part in slaying that Knight Two Stage of Sengolio is no small matter. I’ve already sent word to the emperor. They grant rewards for such accomplishments."

Lumberling accepted the pouch with a nod. "Thank you."

Liraeth hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of her desk. Then, with a faint blush rising to her cheeks, she asked, "And... what is that special reward you wanted?"

"A kiss," Lumberling said, his tone even.

Her head snapped up. "Wh-what?" The blush on her cheeks deepened.

"On the lips."

Her breath caught.

Then Lumberling chuckled and shook his head. "I’m kidding."

Liraeth puffed her cheeks and gave him a small pout. "Don’t joke about things like that, Lord Lumberling. It’s not funny."

His grin widened. "Careful, Liraeth. Keep looking at me like that and I might just ask for a kiss as payment."

She rolled her eyes, a scoff on her lips, but her heart skipped, just for an instant. ’He’s joking... of course he’s joking’. Still, the thought slipped in before she could stop it, an unwelcome warmth curling low in her chest.

By the time she found her voice, her face was composed again. "In your dreams," she shot back, quick and sharp.

But she avoided his eyes a little longer than she meant to.

"Alright, alright," he said, still grinning. "What I actually want is for you to sell things for me."

She blinked. "Sell?"

"Yes. I’ll make the goods, and you use your channels to sell them."

"I could help you with that," she said slowly, though her voice carried a hint of disappointment. "But... is that really all you wanted to ask?"

"For now, yes," he replied with a nod. "And maybe you could also help advertise our services to the other nobles. Especially those troubled by the Sengolio army and the Vikings."

"Alright," Liraeth agreed.

"I plan on returning home soon," Lumberling added after a moment. "You should come with me to see the products for yourself."

Her eyes widened, a spark of surprise and something brighter flickering within them. "You... want me to return home with you?"

"Why not?" he said with an easy smile. "Come with me. Take a break from all this stress, it’s wearing down your beauty."

Liraeth froze, her heart skipping a beat. Then, slowly, she nodded, her cheeks glowing red.

...

Liraeth gathered her subordinates, her tone brisk but composed. "I’ll be heading out with Lord Lumberling for a while to secure the goods he would like me to sell as per our agreement."

Immediately, Gordon stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "My lady, let us accompany you. At least a few of us for protection."

Sorrin nodded in agreement. "It isn’t safe for you to..."

Liraeth raised a hand, cutting them off. "I appreciate your concern, but that won’t be necessary. Lord Lumberling and his men will be with me. That’s enough."

The two knights exchanged uneasy glances but said no more.

Not long after, Liraeth rode out beside Lumberling and his group, a handful of her own guards trailing behind. Their destination was the goblin village, though they would pass through Drosvain City along the way, checking in on Krivex and Baron Ronald.

Lumberling glanced at her as she adjusted her reins. "No carriage today? You’re actually riding a horse?" he teased, his lips curling into a faint grin.

Liraeth shot him a look, her cheeks puffing slightly. "That’s rude, Lord Lumberling. I do know how to ride a horse."

He chuckled. "I’ll believe it when I see it."

She swung into the saddle with a little more effort than grace, tugging the reins too sharply at first. The mare tossed its head, snorting in protest.

Liraeth stiffened, muttered something under her breath, then adjusted, this time smoother, her back straight, her posture almost regal once she found the rhythm.

From his mount, Lumberling watched, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. ’Clumsy start... but she recovers fast.’

He let out a low chuckle. "Oh yes, clearly a natural. I’m sure the horse is honored to be under your command."

Her cheeks colored as she shot him a glare, but the faintest smile betrayed her.

.....

The journey was long, but the silence between them wasn’t heavy. Before long, Liraeth tilted her head, breaking it.

"Tell me something about you, Lord Lumberling" she said lightly.

"Hmm?" He turned to look at her.

"For example... what’s your favorite food?"

Lumberling raised a brow at the sudden question but humored her. "Barbecue. Any kind of meat, really. If it’s roasted over fire, I’ll eat it with a smile."

Her eyes lit up, a small laugh slipping past her lips. "That’s such a simple answer. Then... I’ll have to cook it for you sometime. You’ll see that I’m not only good in the office."

"You? Cooking?" Lumberling smirked. "I’ll look forward to it."

The conversation drifted on, from meals to memories. At one point, Liraeth asked, "How old are you, Lord Lumberling? You look... younger than I first thought."

"Twenty-six," he answered without much thought.

Her eyes widened slightly. "The same as me," she murmured.

He turned his head toward her, and for a moment, their gazes lingered. Neither spoke, but the silence carried a different weight now, warmer and more personal.

She quickly cleared her throat and looked ahead. "Well, then, we are peers. No need to act like an old uncle around me anymore."

Lumberling chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Fair enough."

The road stretched on, the sun climbing higher, but the distance between them felt smaller than it had ever been.

When Lumberling and his group finally arrived at Drosvain City, the gates opened with cheers. The people poured out to greet them, farmers, merchants, even weary refugees. Children waved sticks like toy spears, while old women clasped their hands in prayer.