Chapter 186: Let's Not Part Again

The night in Bodricks was still bustling with people. As maids and ladies-in-waiting, Sylvia and Amelia didn't qualify for the Duke's banquet, so they decided to go shopping instead.

Bordelaux, being wealthy, had its main streets lit with magic lamps. Thanks to the continuous patrols by the city guards, the two girls could shop at ease.

"So you mean, Sir Ryan gives you a salary of five gold kroner every month?" Sylvia and Amelia moved through the crowd, both donning long swords and noble attire, clearly not to be trifled with.

Indeed, while some drunks and ruffians liked to pester young women, they were not foolish enough to bother women of such appearance.

"Yeah, Sir Ryan... I mean, Lord Ryan, he gives me five gold kroner every month. I originally didn't want it, especially since I've been studying at Sulia's and hardly serve Lord Ryan anymore." Amelia spoke softly, her cheeks blushing mostly from the cold. "But Lord Ryan insists, saying a young lady should buy things for herself. I feel... a bit embarrassed about it."

"There's nothing embarrassing about it, Amelia," Sylvia said, somewhat seriously but with a hint of teasing. "Consider it a down payment from Lord Ryan."

"Ah! Sister Sylvia, what are you talking about?" Amelia's face turned even redder.

"I'm serious, Amelia. If you really want to continue serving by Lord Ryan's side, be prepared for this," Sylvia spoke softly. "The Duke's intentions are clear. If Lord Ryan and the lady continue to develop their relationship..."

"I know, I understand." Amelia looked somewhat dejected, making Sylvia wonder. Ryan was the Lady's chosen champion, a Grail Knight, and a nobleman. Could it be that Amelia really thought she could become Lady Ryan?

As the girls turned a corner, a witch in a waist-cinching red coat and white wolfskin robe, along with her apprentice, was hiding in the corner. The witch gestured for Catherine not to make a sound as they watched the two girls pass by.

The cold sea breeze couldn't leap the high city walls, but the stones used for building were bone-chilling. Veronica's sweet face looked cautious.

She didn't want to meet Amelia just like that, pulling her apprentice by the hand. "Amelia's here, so Ryan is probably in town too, likely attending Duke Bordelaux's banquet."

"Councilor, why don't you greet Amelia? She probably knows where Lord Ryan is," Catherine wondered why Veronica didn't want to meet Amelia.

"I don't dislike Amelia, nor do I not want to see her. It's just that everything will be decided after I meet Ryan." Veronica shook her head, her long brunette hair cascading down. "I want to know what Ryan really thinks."

"Isn't Lord Ryan inviting you to help him build his domain? Promising to establish a wizard's tower for you?" Catherine was puzzled but, as an apprentice, followed her mentor's lead and remained silent.

Although Veronica said that, she was hesitant in her heart.

She knew Amelia but didn't recognize the girl with her.

So who was she? Ryan's new maid? Or Amelia's friend? Or some other relation?

Having been away from Ryan for so long, Veronica was now close to his domain and could reach it by the next afternoon. She suddenly felt nervous.

Was she still not confident about herself? Veronica self-mockingly thought: Miss Veronica Bernadotte, this isn't like you.

"Catherine, go find lodging. If I'm not back by evening, don't worry about me," Veronica decided resolutely.

"Councilor, where are you going?" Catherine curiously asked, being led by Veronica.

"To find Ryan."

"Eh?"

...

As the night deepened and although the banquet showed no signs of ending, Ryan felt it was time to leave.

"Sulia?" He found the duchess's daughter resting in a corner and extended his hand to her. "Let's go."

"Okay!" Sulia, too, was tired of the lengthy banquet. She took Ryan's hand, and they left the castle courtyard together. "Ryan..."

"What's wrong, Sulia?" Under the moonlight, the knight's skin glowed enticingly.

"Did Duke Bodrick want something from you?" Sulia hesitated before asking.

"He's planning a counterattack against the Dark Elves who repeatedly harass his territory. He might need my strength," Ryan explained Bodrick's plan. "The Duke wants to deal with the pirates so he can freely seek the Grail."

"Duke Bodrick is over eighty years old. Even for a legendary figure, he's advanced in age. Time is indeed precious for him," Sulia nodded understandingly.

"But I think he's a bit too hasty. The Dark Elf pirate problem isn't the main issue. If he can ignore the war between Estalia and the Duke of Bretonnia, that's one thing, but the Red Duke in the north..." Ryan expressed his concerns, seeing Bodrick's indifferent attitude towards the vampire threat.

Humans and undead can't coexist peacefully. A dead vampire is a good vampire.

As a baron, his power was still too limited; he needed to accumulate more resources.

Talking about this, they reached their destination.

"Hm?" At his room's door, Ryan encountered an unexpected woman.

Dressed in a red coat and white wolfskin cloak, Veronica stood at Ryan's door, her gaze sharp and dangerous. She first scrutinized Ryan, then Sulia, before speaking with a teasing tone, "Darling? Surprised?"

"Oh, this is... quite a surprise, Veronica, you..." Ryan feigned surprise, patting Sulia's hand to let go of him, then opened his arms to welcome Veronica. "I thought it would be days before you arrived!"

Veronica ran into Ryan's arms, embracing in front of Sulia: "But I missed you, so here I am."

After a quick kiss on Ryan's face, Veronica deliberately looked at Sulia.

Sulia raised her golden eyebrows. Was this witch challenging her?

She's one of the Garland witches Ryan wrote about in his letters, named Veronica?

It didn't seem like they were just a lord and a witch advisor.

"Pleased to meet you, you must be Sulia-Kumani-Antari-de-Winfurt, mentioned in Ryan's letters. I am Garland Councilor Veronica Bernadotte, Ryan's partner and, incidentally, his lover." Veronica wrapped her arms around Ryan's neck and winked at Sulia.

"...Ah!" Before Veronica could gloat, she felt Ryan pinch her softly. She glanced at him, and he silently signaled her not to provoke Sulia.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Bernadotte." Sulia extended her hand graciously to Veronica, her smile radiant: "I'm honored to meet you."

"Likewise, Miss Antari," Veronica said, reluctantly stepping away from Ryan's embrace and shaking Sulia's hand. "Ryan mentioned you in his letters. Thank you for caring for him."

Their handshake revealed each other's strength.

Sulia was now certain.

Clearly, this witch's relationship with Ryan was not that of lovers, as she overexaggerated. If they were, they wouldn't have displayed their confidence and intimacy so ostentatiously.

She was at most someone Ryan had some relations with.

Exaggerated hugs and kisses, and assertively declaring her status, Sulia, raised in court, saw through these acts.

Besides, what noble doesn't have a few court ladies and lovers? Even her father had relations with two Lake God prophets in court. It was normal for Ryan to have an intimately close witch.

With this realization, Sulia became even more composed. She ignored Veronica's aggressive gaze, calmly extended her hand to Ryan, and smiled, "I won't disturb you tonight. Good night, Ryan."

"Good night, Sulia." Ryan kissed her hand, and the two exchanged smiles.

As soon as the heavy wooden door closed, Veronica jumped into Ryan's arms again, complaining: "Darling? You're quite capable, quickly hooking up with a duchess's daughter... Mm!"

Ryan didn't say anything but kissed her sweet lips. Veronica, angry at his lack of explanation, tried to push him away, but he caught her wrists.

After ten seconds, Veronica's arms lost strength.

Twenty seconds later, her body weakened, supported only by Ryan's embrace.

Three minutes later, Ryan finally released her. The witch, feeling lightheaded, clung to Ryan's neck, leaning on his chest. "Ryan~"

"Hmm?" In the room, the fireplace roared, sparks flying. The screen and tapestries made the guest room look luxurious, and the magic lamp illuminated Veronica's sweet face. Ryan gently held her in his lap, helping her off her cloak and boots.

"I missed you, my brave knight. It's been a year; how have you been?" Veronica leaned on Ryan's shoulder, whispering.

"I missed you too, my powerful witch." Ryan embraced her and her long, silky legs, sighing softly. "You must've had a tough year?"

"Yeah, Elder Aurora targeted me, and your Garland princess too." Veronica dropped her tough facade in front of Ryan. "Most of the time, Margarita was locked in her central tower researching. I was isolated and alone outside, so I rushed here as soon as I received your letter."

"Don't you have friends?" Ryan embraced her sympathetically, kissing her lips.

"Witches don't have the close friends you imagine, my brave knight. We mostly have colleague relationships; being able to occasionally go out or dine together is already good." Veronica shook her head, snuggling closer.

"Now that you're here, don't leave." Ryan ran his fingers through her fragrant hair. "You can build your wizard's tower here. Once the magic circle is ready, you can travel between the Sky Fort and here anytime."

The cozy atmosphere lasted long, their fingers intertwined, cuddled by the headboard.

Until Veronica uncomfortably shifted. "Ryan?"

The silver sigil on her lower abdomen glowed faintly, resonating with Ryan's psychic energy.

"What's wrong?" Ryan feigned ignorance.

"Aren't we going to... you know?" Veronica said, struggling.

"What's that, exactly?" Ryan kept playing dumb.

"You jerk!" Then, a thud and heavier sounds followed in the quiet room.

"Ouch, my powerful witch, this is the second time you've kicked me down. Last time was three years ago when we..." Ryan pleaded: "Ah! Don't step on me; I surrender! I surrender!"

After that, the room went quiet...

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