Chapter 31: Human Village (4)

 

As the sun descended, darkness enveloped the surroundings.

 

And as if the darkness swallows the sound, silence comes along.

 

Only the chirping of crickets, the snorting of horses, and the soft footsteps could be heard.

 

The laughter and commotion that once filled the air now felt like distant memories.

 

“...Let’s head inside.”

 

I gazed blankly at the lit fire and spoke to Ner.

 

I also put down the empty wine glass on the floor.

 

-Thud

 

Since the earlier incident, a warmer atmosphere had formed among us.

 

Ner, who had been looking at the moon, nodded at me.

 

We put out the fire we had set up and moved away.

 

-Swish

 

Soon, we entered the makeshift tent prepared by the others.

 

The interior wasn’t exactly small, but it wasn’t particularly spacious either.

 

It was comfortable enough not to complain.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

...Instead, the bed was narrow.

 

Well, what could I complain about at a campsite... at the same time, I could sense the intentions of the members.

 

A bed made by spreading animal fur over straw laid on the ground.

 

They could have made it slightly wider if they wanted.

 

The makeshift bed was slightly larger than half the size of the bed we used to sleep in at the Blackwood Manor.

 

“...Uh...”

 

Ner opened her mouth, looking puzzled.

 

I already knew what her concern was.

 

It felt like we would inevitably end up sleeping with our bodies touching on that bed.

 

To avoid touching, both of us would have to be extremely uncomfortable.

 

I let out a soft laughter.

 

We had been pranked.

 

Of course, their intention must have been to strengthen the bond between a couple, but I couldn’t help but imagine the members laughing to themselves.

 

Realizing this a little too late, I felt a bit embarrassed.

 

I took a deep breath.

 

In the end, there was nothing I could do.

 

Asking the members to fix the bed again would be strange, and no one could sleep on this cold floor comfortably.

 

“Let’s go to sleep.”

 

I said.

 

“Yes?”

 

Ner asked back in surprise.

 

I casually took off my outerwear as usual.

 

Ner glanced alternately between me and the bed.

 

“Over... there?”

 

“It can’t be helped.”

 

I spread my clothes over some nearby luggage and lowered my voice as I looked at her.

 

“...I won’t do anything, so don’t worry.”

 

“No... it’s not like that...”

 

“You’ve been riding on a horse all day, so you must be tired. Both of us will fall asleep quickly anyway.”

 

I assured her, settling on the bed illuminated by the flickering lantern in the tent.

 

The soft feel of the fur beneath me was quite comfortable.

 

Looking at the tense Ner, I spoke again.

 

“Come quickly. We have to leave early again tomorrow.”

 

I knew this was an unwelcome situation for her, but it seemed like I had to lead her to this situation to resolve it quickly.

 

I was not completely comfortable with the current situation either, but since we were a married couple, I didn’t feel any discomfort because of the favor I received from Ner earlier.

 

If it were another woman, I wouldn’t have gone this far.

 

Perhaps the vows I repeated to myself after marriage helped in this situation.

 

Ner hesitated, took a step, then stopped.

 

Her yellow-glowing eyes scanned my body.

 

She kept staring at me like that for a while.

 

“...Are you just going to keep looking at my body?”

 

I teased her lightly.

 

Ner covered her mouth and nose with her hand, feeling embarrassed, and shrank back.

 

While taking a step back, she accidentally bumped into the luggage that was lying there.

 

She looked at the clothes I spread over the luggage, then glances between me and the clothes, and picked up the clothes that were neatly laid out.

 

“Uh... please wear these.”

 

“...”

 

“Please...”

 

Upon hearing her words, I reconsidered my thoughts.

 

Surely, it would indeed be unpleasant to have a skinship with someone I didn’t like

 

I nodded and reached out for the clothes she offered.

 

“Give me.”

 

As she handed me the clothes... at the same time, I grabbed her wrist.

 

“Ah...!”

 

I gently pulled her and led her to the bed.

 

Ner lost her balance and softly sat on the bed.

 

Meanwhile, I put on the clothes again, bit by bit.

 

Once she sat on the bed, she didn’t get up again.

 

Wearing the uncomfortable clothes, I used my thumb and index finger to put out the lantern.

 

-Swish

 

Now only Ner’s yellow eyes shone faintly in the tent.

 

“I’m wearing clothes now, so it’s fine, right?”

 

I assured her, lying down at the edge of the bed to give her ample space to rest comfortably.

 

I created enough space between the tent’s wall and myself to accommodate her.

 

Ner, despite sitting on the bed, remained stiff, still deep in thought.

 

I told her, “If there were mischievous ones, they would come to spy on us.”

 

“What?”

 

“If we were lying on the floor then, it would look strange. So let’s not think too much about it and rest.”

 

Ner looked toward the entrance of the tent at my words.

 

Dim moonlight seeped through the gaps in the swaying fabric.

 

“...”

 

I looked at the entrance and turned my back to Ner.

 

I thought this way would be more comfortable for her as well.

 

I even closed my eyes.

 

Perhaps falling asleep first might be in her best interest too.

 

****

 

Ner looked at Berg, who fell asleep right away.

 

He had fallen asleep comfortably, breathing softly.

 

Perhaps the alcohol he drank helped him doze off easily.

 

As a result, Ner’s heart also felt lighter.

 

Sharing a bed with someone who was conscious seemed psychologically more uncomfortable than with someone already asleep.

 

Even though she knew Berg wouldn’t do anything untoward, seeing him sleeping so peacefully dispelled any worries.

 

Slowly and cautiously, she began to lie down on the bed.

 

She entered the small space between Berg and the tent wall.

 

“...”

 

Ner felt uncomfortable adjusting her posture.

 

If she slept with him on her back, her tail might touch him.

 

But if she looked at him while lying down, it felt strange.

 

If only the bed was more spacious, she wouldn’t have such concerns.

 

She knew that it wouldn’t be of any use if Berg had ill intentions... But just for her psychology, having a pillow was reassuring.

 

It was like covering oneself with a blanket to protect from monsters. It wouldn’t be of any help, but it was done anyway.

 

Ner finally made her decision.

 

She wanted to prevent her tail from touching him.

 

Her tail was something she valued, as it was something that connected her to a truly precious person.

 

Looking at Berg, she relaxed her body.

 

It had been a really exhausting day.

 

She said goodbye to her family and rode a horse all day, covering the longest distance she had ever traveled.

 

And then, she saved a life.

 

Ner recalled that moment, and her heart still pounded.

 

Was the knowledge she had acquired so long ago really helpful in this situation?

 

...And if she had to choose one of the happiest moments.

 

“...”

 

Honestly, it was the moment when Berg was happy.

 

At the time of treating Shawn, there was no time to think.

 

When Shawn, a member of the mercenary group, found peace, she felt only relief.

 

So, the happiest moment could only be when Berg was happy.

 

For some reason, she found that sight pleasing.

 

She liked seeing the stoic Berg showing gratitude and being happy.

 

It was Berg who was constantly caring for her. It was Berg who protected her and stood by her side even against her own siblings.

 

Being able to make such a good person happy, it felt like she had reciprocated.

 

Ner opened her eyes slightly and looked at Berg’s back.

 

She recalled that moment.

 

It had been such a long time since she had experienced someone’s favor, let alone a hug.

 

No, she couldn’t even remember when the last she was hugged.

 

Perhaps she had forgotten that such a warm gesture existed.

 

The feeling of ease in her heart made her contemplate that she might actually be the type who likes hugs.

 

Of course, it didn’t mean she wanted to do it every day.

 

Only in those special moments, sharing a hug once or twice would be nice.

 

It was a hug not as an expression of affection, but as a way to share joy.

 

Such hugs were free of burden.

 

Ner did not want to fully reveal to Berg that she was delighted.

 

The other day she waggled her tail and he knew it all, but she had no intention of expressing it with her mouth.

 

She could just make him misunderstand her.

 

She didn’t like the hug because she liked him.

 

Just as a friend, as a person who received help, and it was been a long time, she really liked that hug.

 

Ner tossed and turned her body.

 

“Ah...!”

 

And then, she narrowly avoided falling off the bed. She almost hit the tent.

 

“...”

 

She propped herself up sideways, lifting her upper body.

 

Then she looked at the bed where they both lay.

 

It was definitely narrow.

 

With a pillow in between, even more so.

 

Both Berg and Ner were already using the space minimally.

 

Because of her own greed, the space used by the pillow was being wasted.

 

“...”

 

Berg was still in a deep sleep.

 

She hesitated for a moment.

 

She looked at the sleeping Berg again.

 

Swallowing her saliva...

 

...She moved the pillow.

 

Her heart raced at this insignificant action.

 

At the same time, more space was created.

 

She stretched her body into that space.

 

Berg’s back lightly touched her forehead.

 

His scent filled her nose.

 

“...Ah.”

 

For some reason, the act of sniffing someone else’s scent felt shady, so Ner quietly began to breathe through her mouth.

 

In this way, the distance between them became much closer, but she felt more comfortable.

 

Now, she felt like she could fall asleep without worrying about falling.

 

Ner tried to calm her pounding heart and tried to sleep.

 

After all, it was just a pillow.

 

She tried to think that way.

 

****

 

“Ner?”

 

I called out to Ner again, who was dozing off.

 

“...Yes?”

 

She was startled, raising her head.

 

Water splashed from the cup she was holding in her left hand.

 

The members nearby giggled as they watched her.

 

I could understand their laughter.

 

There was something that just made people smile about her actions.

 

…But I wonder if she had trouble sleeping.

 

“Eat your food quickly.”

 

“...Ah...yes.”

 

Ner put the bread, held in her right hand again, into her mouth.

 

With her eyes closed, she chewed the bread slowly. It seemed like she was trying to open her eyes, but she couldn’t.

 

She was fighting a battle of her own that everyone else knew about.

 

Then her expression suddenly furrowed.

 

“...Sore...ah...”

 

And then she let out a groan.

 

“What?”

 

When I asked, Ner opened her eyes with difficulty and shook her head again.

 

“Ah... It’s nothing.”

 

“Why, what is it?”

 

With my continuous questioning, Ner hesitated before speaking.

 

“My... thighs hurt. The muscle pain has gotten a bit... worse...”

 

I felt concerned at her words.

 

Today’s journey was still long.

 

At this rate, she would be struggling all day.

 

I glanced at Baran for a moment.

 

He shook his head as if to say it was unfortunate.

 

It seemed like there were no empty seats in the carriage.

 

“...”

 

Indeed, it might be a challenging journey for a noble lady to endure.

 

I should think it was incredible that she had come this far.

 

A person who couldn’t even ride a horse had made it here—it was almost like a miracle.

 

I needed to find another solution.

 

“By the way, Baran. How is Shawn?”

 

Continuing my thoughts, I asked about Shawn’s condition.

 

Baran smiled.

 

“Shawn is fine. He woke up early yesterday. Now he’s resting.”

 

I let out a sigh of relief as well.

 

Even though I went to check on Shawn right after dawn, seeing him fast asleep made me unsure if he was okay.

 

“It’s all thanks to your wife.”

 

Baran said with a smile.

 

I thought about what to do with Ner again.

 

Looking at her, I called out to her, but...

 

“…Ner…”

 

...burst into laughter.

 

Once again, she had fallen asleep.

 

.

.

.

.

 

We organized the camping site. After Ner finished washing up, she appeared more refreshed.

 

She didn’t look as tired as before.

 

However, it seemed like her muscle pain had worsened, and her walking was awkward.

 

Her expression was also more furrowed.

 

I finally made a decision.

 

“It won’t work.”

 

“What?”

 

“Ner, let’s ride together today.”

 

Ner’s eyes widened.

 

I explained the reason to her.

 

“Since you have muscle pain, you might not have enough strength. It’s dangerous to ride a horse without using your legs properly.”

 

Baran nodded beside her.

 

“If you can’t grip the horse’s sides with your thighs, it could be risky.”

 

“Besides, you’re dozing off.”

 

“...”

 

Ner blushed.

 

She showed such a blatant dozing off, and yet she seemed embarrassed about it.

 

Her dilemma didn’t last long this time.

 

“…Then may I ask you a favor?”

 

She had already ridden with me once... and it seemed like her muscle pain was severe.

 

Using muscles that weren’t normally used could make one’s whole body ache.

 

I whistled, and my horse came to me.

 

“Let me give you a hand for a moment.”

 

Ner nodded in response to my words.

 

I held her waist and lifted her up.

 

As before, I made her sit sideways.

 

Then, I mounted the horse as well.

 

Surprisingly, this position was quite stable.

 

With her body between my arms, I could respond directly to any direction.

 

Seeing us like this, admiration and praise erupted from all around.

 

“You two look great together already.”

 

“It’s like a painting, vice-captain.”

 

I shook my head and remained silent.

 

I asked Ner, who sat in front.

 

“Does it hurt?”

 

She shook her head.

 

“Doing it like this, I can endure it. Thanks, Berg.”

 

I replied as if it were natural.

 

“We’re a married couple after all.”

 

.

.

.

.

 

I rode the horse in the forefront.

 

Adam Hyung also approached from the side.

 

“There you are. Berg, where did you leave your precious wife? Oh.”

 

I looked at approaching Adam Hyung.

 

His eyes were now fixated on Ner, who had leaned into my embrace and fallen asleep.

 

She was breathing peacefully in her sleep.

 

Out of all the looks I had seen from her over the past few days, this one looked the most comfortable.

 

Adam Hyung smiled at us.

 

Then he swallowed the words he was about to say.

 

– – – End of Chapter – – –