144. Diplomatic Corps Escort (2)
Prince Urus first returned to Bakkal for state affairs.
Thanks to this, Leah and I were in charge of escorting Princess Tina and the elders who departed late.
“Ha….”
I sighed deeply.
I thought I would be resting comfortably in my hometown by now.
I felt hopeless as I was riding an uncomfortable horse and walking through a dense forest.
‘How did I manage to take a one-week vacation…? .’
Let alone a vacation, the thought of wandering through the forest for the next 10 days made me feel weak.
“….”
Leah, who was walking side by side on a white horse, glanced at me.
The white uniform tightly wrapped around her beautiful body.
She is wearing a ferret fur cloak.
When I saw her in the forest, she was noble and beautiful.
‘….’
However, I did not even show the princess a single smile.
She just walks along with her lips pouting.
“Veil.”
Leah raised her monocle.
Then, she glanced at me and asked.
“Are you really upset?”
I answered her question in a weak voice.
“No—.”
As I stared straight ahead, she raised the corners of her mouth.
“I’m sorry, I cut off your vacation unintentionally.”
“It’s okay. “It is an honor to be entrusted with such an important task.”
As I spoke with a still sullen expression, Leah covered her lips with her fist and laughed quietly.
“When this is over, I’ll give you some reward vacation time, so relax.”
Only then did I catch a glimpse of her and look at her.
And then, after finishing her calculations, she asked with her eyes.
“Can I tell you how much you will give me?”
Leah placed her hand on her chin.
Then, she recalled the military law book, which was as large as an encyclopedia, and answered.
“Hmm-. “Under my authority, I can give you up to three weeks.”
‘3, 3 Weeks… !!’
The two sullen eyes flashed round during this unprecedented period.
‘If you attach this to your existing vacation, you can go up to 4 weeks, right?’
“Are you sure?”
When I asked with bright black eyes, Leah chuckled.
And, she promised in a benevolent voice.
“Yes, it’s paid vacation, so you can rest comfortably.”
When I heard that they would provide me with a generous salary, I calmed my voice.
And again, he answered with sharp eyes like a cool-headed knight.
“Okay, hmm…” .”
The First Princess of the Empire narrowed her eyes as she saw her expression relax.
It seemed like he wanted to play a prank on me because I was serious about having fun.
“Is vacation really that good?”
In response to her question, I put on a serious expression, like a dead-ender determined to save the country.
Then, he placed his fist on her chest and spoke firmly.
“No. “I was excited to take on such an important task.”
I pulled the reins.
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“Then, like a knight, I will concentrate on guarding again.”
The corners of one’s mouth rise automatically after three weeks of paid vacation.
In order to hide this, he went ahead of Leah.
“A guy like a fox.”
Leah watched that scene from afar, a gentle smile on her lips.
Her eyes seemed to be looking at me like an excited wild animal.
‘Where should I look…? .’
I went ahead of the procession and checked to see if there was anything wrong with the escort.
There are a total of 6 elders.
Three of them were supporters of the Crown Prince and rode in different carriages.
Princess Tina did not board with them.
She leisurely enjoyed the fresh air of the forest alone, riding a black horse.
“Her Royal Highness, would you mind not getting in the carriage?”
I asked confidently, like a responsible knight.
Then, Tina smiled her eyes and shook her head.
“It’s okay, the carriage is stuffy.”
Before I knew it, she was calling me in a friendly tone.
‘It would be difficult to ride a horse every day.’
Fortunately, we only have to escort them for 5 days and take them to the border line of Bakal.
However, the princess will have to ride for 10 days to get to the imperial palace in Bakal.
“Vail, aren’t you having a hard time? “When I saw you earlier, you still had a dead expression on your face.”
“That can’t be right. “How can it be difficult to serve Her Highness the Princess?”
I raised the corners of my mouth wide as I thought about my vacation.
Then, Princess Tina smiled and said.
“Really? “Then, shall we go all the way to Bakal together?”
“If I feel like it, I want to do that.”
We rode horses side by side, flirting together.
“It will be refreshing if we take a good rest in the hot spring.”
“Honestly, I would like to go to a hot spring. “I heard it’s more developed than our Leon.”
A light conversation was continued to reassure the escort.
The moment when our faces become closer while talking to each other.
“… !”
I instantly sensed death in the back of my head.
‘What…? ? Could it be that they are bandits?’
Quickly turned her head to the source of living.
However, the only person there was Leah.
“….”
As I looked, she was just looking down at the map calmly.
As if nothing had happened.
‘Well, did I feel wrong…? ?’
“What’s wrong, Veil?”
When Tina asked, I slowly shook my head.
“No, I guess it’s because I’m tired these days…” .”
When I tilted my head, Tina looked at me with a worried expression.
“Would a man write something if he was weak?”
The princess put her hand into the bag hanging on her saddle.
Then, he took out a steaming slice of apple pie and handed it to me.
“Do you want to try this?”
“Oh….”
I accepted a nice apple pie.
“It smells really good, doesn’t it?”
“Because I made it myself-.”
Princess Tina placed her hands on her waist and spoke confidently.
“You’re a good cook and you’re really cool.”
“Of course, I always make desserts with my own hands.”
I put the delicious pie in my mouth.
And, the moment when you are about to take a big bite.
“… !”
An eerie energy was felt from behind again.
‘I’m sure this time. Clearly there is something behind it… !’
I quickly turned my head.
But.
In the back, there was only Leah holding a water bottle.
She leisurely sipped her tea.
‘It’s strange….’
Is there something bad about this forest?
I quenched my appetite and turned my head again.
I quietly put the apple pie in my mouth.
And let’s take a big bite….
Refreshing apples and sweet honey lingered in the air.
“How do you feel?”
Tina asked with a gentle smile like her mother.
Her white hair slightly fluttering in the wind was impressive.
“It’s really delicious.”
He is absorbed in government affairs during the day and even cooks at night.
She was a truly sincere woman.
“For the women of Bacal, cooking is basic.”
The princess said, elegantly flipping her bangs to the side.
Even her dark circles that had developed from studying tactics so far felt neat.
“The men there must be really happy.”
I subtly praised Bakal to lift her heart.
Thanks to this, the cold atmosphere in her camp became quite harmonious.
However, I couldn’t join in the lively atmosphere.
Because I heard a woman’s cold voice coming from behind.
“Veil.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I said hello to the princess and went back for a moment.
And then, I faced Leah, who had the expression of a cool-headed monarch.
“Did you call me?”
“Okay, there’s a luncheon in a little while, so help us get ready.”
Luncheon is the job of the chef and soldiers.
But you want me to do it too… ?
“All you have to do is help with the food.”
Leah said coldly as she downed the water bottle.
“Yes…. All right.”
‘What is it? My eyes seem to have become a little colder.’
The time was almost noon.
Then, the procession stopped for a moment in a quiet forest.
Purr―――.
The horses are fed fodder.
The princess and her elders also came down to the ground for a moment to eat.
However, their meals were prepared separately by the chefs who accompanied them.
Thanks to this, we were able to have a dinner on a simple table with a luxurious tablecloth.
However, Leah and Tina were different.
Leah was a soldier before she was a member of the royal family, and Tina lined up with her knights, curious about the food distribution system.
“Enjoy your meal.”
Everyone in charge of food distribution takes turns regardless of rank, so Damian, who was a lieutenant, also helped out.
If I was in charge of the side dishes, he cooked the soup.
“Lord Veil, isn’t it difficult?”
A tall man wearing glasses asked.
I responded with a fake smile, even if it was just for the sake of the reward vacation.
“No, this is also quite fun.”
“I will take everything away from tomorrow, so please be patient for today.”
Damian treated me well as an acquaintance.
“Thank you.”
Thanks to his comfort, we smiled at each other and started eating.
Damian was in charge of button mushroom soup.
What I was in charge of was cooking sausages stir-fried in tomato soup.
The smell of savory sausage and sweet ketchup fills my nose.
However, all drivers must be distributed only the ‘quantity’.
That way, there will be no shortage during the 5-day long procession.
With that in mind, we only served 4 sausages to everyone.
Then, the large knight who came next looked at me with a sad expression.
“Could you please give me a little more?”
As if he has just become an adult, his skin is covered with dense downy hair.
For him, who usually received a generous salary from Leah, the first meal was difficult.
“I’m sorry, other people have to eat too.”
I answered with a formal smile.
Then, the man glanced at Damian, her superior, and she left with a sullen expression.
‘I can clearly see that you are in charge of delicious side dishes…’ .’
I was thinking that while eating food.
Suddenly, a princess wearing a beautiful dress, not a white uniform, caught my eye.
“Bale was on duty?”
“Yes, that’s what happened.”
I gave her her sausage in her gentle voice.
“….”
However, even after the princess received the side dish, she did not pass straight away.
In fact, he just looked down at the sausage he received with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
‘As expected, it was an absurdly small amount….’
Well, even though Tina looked so pitiful on the outside, her hidden body was quite impressive.
I drink a lot….
I scratched the side of her head and looked around.
Then, the moment when everyone’s eyes turn somewhere else.
Tak―――!!
At lightning speed, I added sausage to her bowl once more.
“….”
Only then did Tina raise the corner of her mouth.
She smiled and whispered to me.
“Thank you, Veil.”
“I hope you enjoy it.”
I put on a heroic expression, as if I had completed an important mission.
And then, he looked vaguely at the Northern Princess passing by with a touched expression.
‘Yes, this is probably correct.’
No matter what, the comfort of the escort comes first.
I turned my head with joy.
And, the moment when you are about to give food to the next person.
“… !”
I faced the first princess of the empire holding a food plate.
“You look cute wearing an apron.”
Leah looked at me holding her ladle and raised the corners of her mouth softly.
The food tray was lightly touching her voluptuous breasts.
“Yes, thanks to you, I am having a pleasant experience.”
“Yes, I asked you to do this because I had my own intentions.”
I looked at her and maintained her calm expression.
And then, she served the side dishes bluntly.
“Thank you.”
The commander looked down at the food I served him.
But, at that moment.
“… ?”
Her expression, which had been relaxed, soon became cold and stiff.
Because….
Because the bowl I gave her was full of vegetables and soup instead of sausage.
“I gave a lot ‘specially’-.”
The princess slowly raised her head.
Then, she asked, trying hard to hide her embarrassment.
“That… “Have you forgotten something?”
“Well, I definitely ate ‘the right amount’, but….”
I smiled broadly at her, giving her a sly look.
“Hmm….”
As Leah hesitated, the eyes of those around her turned to her.
She only received her regular ration in front of all her knights.
Thanks to this, her dissatisfied subordinates all shut their mouths and turned their heads towards her.
The big, grumpy man I met earlier stuck his nose in her bowl and ate only the soup.
“No matter how much you were the princess, you had no choice but to do it for the greater good. I hope you understand….”
I politely bowed my head and apologized.
Then, Leah instinctively realized something.
Through her, I calmed down her knights’ complaints about food.
“Yes, everyone should receive it equally. Good job.”
The lioness seemed surprised by my intention and laughed.
And eventually, she returned to the small table with a plate full of vegetables.
“Hmm….”
As Leah sat down at her table, the staff who had been served swallowed deeply.
They looked at Leah’s bowl with only vegetables floating around and asked carefully.
“Your Highness, would you like to have more of my share?”
“That’s right, I’m less hungry today too.”
The princess shook her head resolutely.
I just quietly scoop up vegetables with a luxurious platinum spoon.
“No, I’m fine, so let’s focus on the food we each received.”
The princess held the crunchy vegetable in her mouth.
And then, like a vegetarian lion, she sighed.
“Ha….”
She also has a voluptuous body like Tina.
Of course she ate that much.
But, what can we do?
Thanks to you, we calmed down the knights’ complaints.
The princess took comfort in this and put the spoon deeper into her bowl.
“… ?”
I felt a round texture on the floor, which I thought was only filled with soup.
Leah, who felt strange about this, tilted her head and lifted the spoon.
That moment.
“This…” .”
A plump and thick sausage appeared.
Leah swallowed deeply at the delicious meat just by looking at it.
Then, as she flipped her brilliant golden hair, she took a graceful sip.
“….”
A delicious taste that will make your feet shake.
For the sake of her dignity, the princess held back and put the spoon in again.
As if responding to this, sausages hidden underneath her popped out one after another.
“Ha….”
The lioness looked at me intently, as if impressed by the skill.
And then, looking at me with a gentle smile, she shook her head.
“I really can’t stop you.”
In the end, the princess chuckled as if she had failed to keep her poker face.
The staff around her, who were tense at the sight of her, only then relaxed her face.
“Would you all like to have dessert?”
The princess was in a good mood and said as she unpacked the military clothing she had wrapped herself.
Then, the officers who had already tried her cooking several times nodded at her in unison.
“It’s so good.”
“If you give it to me, I will be grateful.”
The princess handed her subordinates a pie she had made herself.
Afterwards, she looked at them eating deliciously and looked as merciful as her mother.
“Your Majesty, don’t you eat it?”
Asked her vice-captain, who had a bad mustache.
Then, Leah shook her head with the calm expression of a monarch.
“I’m only going to eat one piece.”
The princess tried to pick up the large piece that was left behind after her subordinates shared it.
Then, suddenly, something seemed to occur to her and she turned her head.
“….”
The princess’s gaze was directed towards me, who had finished serving her food.
She silently watched the day when she ran out of sausages and only filled with vegetables.
“Hmm.”
The commander put down the pie he was about to eat.
And then, he cut it elegantly with a knife….
I wrote a message wrapped neatly in a handkerchief.
“Damian.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After finishing the meal, the staff responded to the princess’s order.
Then, she handed him a pie wrapped in her handkerchief.
“Take it to Bale.”
A man wearing glasses approached me while I was eating alone.
He looked at my bowl full of grasshoppers and smiled.
“Lord Veil? “Are you okay with your meal?”
“Yes, vegetarianism isn’t bad either.”
I answered while mumbling onions.
Then, Damian looked around and handed me a pie.
“What is this?”
“It’s given to you by the princess.”
He tilted his head and lifted the handkerchief wrapped around the pie.
Soon, a shiny, luxurious pie caught my eye.
“Ho….”
It’s as luxurious as the apple pie I got from Tina earlier.
A lot of saliva suddenly formed in my mouth.
I picked up the pie and took a big bite.
That moment.
“… !”
Fragrant and light walnuts and sweet honey.
The texture of perfectly baked bread danced in my mouth.
“Wow….”
I was amazed and picked up the handkerchief wrapped around the pie.
And then, suddenly, I found a phrase written on the cloth.
「Apple pie and walnut pie. “Please report which of the two tasted better.”
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The moment I read those words.
I blinked blankly.
A moment ago, when I was with Tina, I felt a violent energy.
Because I realized who the owner of that energy was.
I personally prefer walnut pie