It was another day for the people of the South as well as the visitors that were staying at the inn at the town of Silphy. For Mike, It was the third town that he visited as he went on a mission as per request of their commander, Hugh.
Mike had been staying from inn to another inn for his mission to gather information as they sniffed that something was off with the nobles that accommodated them as well as the bandits that acted differently after they arrived at the border of the South.
Furthermore, two days after he left the camp he received an urgent letter concerning that the Duke went missing and was said to have been ambushed by assassins.
"Seriously… what happened when I was away? What did Austin do for him to let this happen? Where the hell am I supposed to find the commander?' he mumbled as he put a piece of the bread that he tore from his breakfast.
For almost two weeks, Mike had been askling the townspeople in each town he visited if they happened to learn about a mercenary that arrived at their town but because of his scary face most of the people would run before he finished asking.
And when he happened to found a small merchant guild, the only useful information that he got was the story about one merchant and three mercenaries arriving at the South and going to the border.
"Tch!"
Obviously, Mike knew who they were talking about because it was them with disguise on.
"How rural could this town be…" He was so frustrated that the bread in his mouth seemed to have no taste.
Mike will leave the town of Silphy and will move to the next after he finished munching on his food as he still needs to look for the other towns.
"Those bastards! I'll definitely kill them when I go back." Mike promised himself as he realized that there must be a spy within the unit for them to ambush the Duke when he and the others had an outside mission.
"But really… how the hell did they deal with that monster?" He was quite intrigued as he knew that Commander Hugh is a person with unfathomable strength as well as talent.
Monster was an understatement as the knights of the Black Stallion knew how powerful their commander was as he single handedly killed a thousand soldiers at the war at North.
Mike shivered when he remembered that epic battle at North. Si, he was not surprised with the assassination attemp as it was a daily occurence for their commander and they knew that he could quickly deal the assassins but when he read that their commander went missing without trace he knew that this time something was different.
When Mike was preoccupied with the matters at hand, he heard a few guards that were next to his table and was also having their breakfast, chatting amongst themselves that piqued his interest.
"Did you know about the woman with the chocolate hair from the next town?"
"You mean the one that was working at the orphanage?"
"Yes! Her name was… what is it again? Let-Letty? Lucy? Ah! Leticia!"
Mike thought that the conversation amongst guards would be helpful but when he learned that they were only gossiping he clicked his tongue as if in disapproval.
So, Mike decided to just finish his food and get the hell out of there. And the discussion between the guards at the next table continued.
"Well there were some rumors that she's already found a partner."
"What?! That woman was conquered? By whom? SInce when?!"
The loud voice and the reaction of the guard made Mike turn his head to them. He was getting interested as to how beautiful was the woman they're talking about if the rumors would spread from here.
"I don't know… but the people there said that she only found the man recently and now they're living on the same roof."
"What? It's just recently? I was supposed to go there to look at her beauty and asked for her hand!"
"You wished... It was said that the meeting between Miss Leticia and her partner was like destiny because she saved him as she found him injured in her garden."
Mike, who was paying attention to their conversation, heard something that he thought would be the clue, so he opened his ears wide and listened intently to the gossip of the guards.
***
"You don't know what this is?"
Leticia tilted her head when she heard his question. It was dark outside and the lit living room showed how his face had a genuine confusion showing.
"Why?" Leticia asked Hugh later to straighten his wrinkled forehead and explain what it is.
"You know how this Kingdom is built, right?" Hugh asked with real perplexity in his tone.
"Umm… wait!" Leticia paused, which caused him to think if the history of the Kingdom was not taught anymore. 'But that can't be as children also learn it the moment they turn four.' Hugh's thoughts were cut off when Leticia exclaimed in excitement as she recalled what he was talking about.
"Oh, I remembered!" Leticia exclaimed as she recalled the story that she heard from one of the classes that the nuns taught in the orphanage.
"Otis Kingdom was built by the four knights that had the powers given by the first Saintess, Maia, who was also called as the the Goddess of Spring. It was said that the four knights had been bestowed powers that could summon familiars from the spirit world which also indicated their connection with the first Saintess… is that correct?"
"That's right…"
"Then? What's that got to do with the mark in your wrist?"
Hugh looked at her again. He was doubtful if she really didn't know what it meant.
"It's proof that you're a descendant of the four knights… it also means that you're a noble."
"Oh… is that so? But I thought it was just four knights? How come it became a proof of noble blood?"
"Well, it was because the four knights also bestowed their powers to their subordinates."
Leticia was getting confused with the story and origin of the Kingdom that she just agreed to it.
"Is that so… I see."
The conversation died down and the only thing that connected them was their hand. Leticia slowly removed her hand while Hugh only looked at it.
He missed the warmth that brushed his palm. He wanted to reach out again and catch her hand midair and hold it tight but he stopped.
"We should go to sleep…"
Leticia leaves the scene as if she's flying from the awkwardness but when she's about to open the door to her bedroom, Hugh calls her.
"Leticia… can you teach me household chores?"
"What?"
She can't help but turn around as the abrupt question that he said gets her confused.
'Does he want to help around here? Well, I'm not opposed to it, that would save me some time to have a break.'
"Okay, I'll teach you how tomorrow. Good night."
"Alright… Good night."
***
The next morning, Leticia who just got up from her bed and went to the kitchen while stretching her hands and body stopped as she saw a broad back.
And Hugh, who already went ahead and brewed tea, turned around with two cups on both of his hands. "Good morning, Leticia," he said.
"I tried making hot tea but I don't know if it's to your taste."
Leticia was mesmerized to see a handsome man at her kitchen handing her a cup of tea. For her, it was like watching an epiphany manifested in front of her eyes as the early sun shines brightly and gives an effect like a halo.
"Leticia…?"
She didn't hear him call her name, instead she just stood there and watched him approach her.
"Leticia…? Are you alright? I apologize, I must have done something-"
It was only when she heard him apologize and looked sullen that Leticia woke up in her reverie.
"Oh no no! You didn't do something… it was just…"
'You're too hot…'
Is what Leticia would like to say but of course as she knew that saying such inappropriate words was not something she could bluntly say to him so, she just smiled.
"It's nothing… I was just surprised to find someone doing this for me, it made me happy."
What she said was true though, as Leticia was living in this world for the past three years, even though she adjusted to the life with no friends she grew up with, the family she had back in earth or the internet that she passes her time with and gained people here that cares enough for her, she still feel lonely sometimes especially in her home.
So, she was quite happy whenever she arrived home and saw Hugh greeting her at the front door.
"I see… I shall do this everyday then..."
Leticia chuckled at his words. It was odd to hear 'everyday' from someone who would leave when it's time, however for now, she thought it would be best to go with the flow.
"Then I look forward to it."
What she didn't know was that her words would hunt her back someday.