Regardless of one's background, those who made a contract with the demons would be banished without exception. Most contracts, -except for some few-, were made when both parties reached an agreement between them. And because of this, I have to be careful whenever I talk so that I won't make a slip of tongue, before I could meet with the High Priest.
"Does the church know about this fact?"
"The High Priest know about it. The demons who took me as sacrifices had been killed and so they came to accept me."
"So it's like that."
If he had killed the demon culprit, then it's nothing strange that the church accept him. I sighed for the second time then reached up my hand towards Captain Jullius head. I even have to stand on my toes so that I could caress his still wet hair.
"You did a great job. Captain Jullius had done your best to survive."
Captain Jullius' misery was also the result of Holy Knight Squad negligence. Not to say becoming a part of the Holy Knight Squad, I haven't been born at that time, but no matter what, I still felt guilty. While at the same time, I felt proud of him even though I have no right to felt that way. He could returned safely to the mainlands and that's truly impressive. If only I was still in my orginal body, I would have given him a warm hug and patting his back. Too bad I can't do it now.
***
The room was quite dark with only a bit of dim light came from the outside as I was waking up. Judging by how bright the light came inside the room at this current season, it's most likely still around five in the morning. I was initially planned to return home around dinner time after I got a quick sleep, but a day passed just like that. I turned my head to the other side and I saw the face of a man with jet-black hair who was still sleeping peacefully without any concern about what happened to the world outside. Seems like he's indeed very tired. I stared at him in this peaceful silence.
He looked like an innocent child when he's sleeping.
Although he wasn't my match in term of handsomeness, but Captain Jullius still could be considered as good looking. To be honest, my face was unparalleled, but his face was still above those of average people. Hmm, it should be right though I'm not that sure myself. After I stared for quite a while, I reached out my hand to play with his hair. The sound that appeared when my fingers went through his already dry hair and the warm feeling on my fingertips from touching his scalp, made me happy.
How about I sleep for a bit more, before I get up for real?
Looks like Captain Jullius would still sleep for quite long time. After contemplating on what I should do, I decided to sleep again while my hand was still on Captain Jullius head.
I'd already had enough sleep, but after I've slept for the second time, the morning sunlight started to brighten up the room. Around the time when the sun has completely arisen, someone came knocking on the door.
"Come in!"
As I gave reply to person who was knocking on the door, Captain Jullius opened his eyes right away. He straightened up his upper body while his face didn't look like he just woke up. At the same time, the door opened. The person who came inside was no other but Clauen. He looked at me who was still lying down and then at Captain Jullius who was sitting on the bed. After that he just sighed.
"… I want to ask whether you guys want to have your breakfast now."
"Oh, I'm hungry."
I quickly sat up. Coincidentally I also felt hungry right now. Captain Jullius also nodded in agreement. After Clauen saw our response, Clauen sighed again for the second time. Did something bad happen to him last night? Why does he look like he's about to cry?
"I'll prepare the breakfast immediately. And also, there's a message from the headquarters of Special Task Squad. Assistant Ortzen asked me to relay the message to you. You need to return to the headquarters after you've waken up. Both of you."
…, me too? Even if I don't want to comply, I can't refuse either, can I? After Clauen left the room, we stared blankly at each other while we're sitting on the bed. Hmm, so…
"Did you have a good sleep, Captain Jullius?"
…, I have to greet him by saying that. But, usually I heard the others asked me, the complete opposite of current situation. It's strange when I have to say it first. After I became the Captain of Holy Knight Squad, I rarely met anyone with higher position than me since in the morning.
Captain Jullius also looked awkward when he answered, "I slept well. How about you, Miss?"
"I also slept well. Moreover this bed is very comfortable."
The guest room here was many times better than my own bedroom in Count's residence. Well, I bet it's just my bedroom that was too shabby inside that residence. The Count's and Countess' rooms must be very extravagant though.
"I feel like I haven't had such a good sleep for a long time."
"Mhmm. That's what I feel too."
He had a good sleep and I also the same. A few moments later, Clauen came and brought a tray filled with foods for breakfast. He didn't come alone, there're a few servants followed behind him. Very quickly, the table inside the room was covered with a lot of foods.
"Have a good meal. Later we have to return to the headquarters as soon as possible. I'll prepare clean clothes for both of you to change into."
"You also prepare my clothes too?"
Clauen frowned upon hearing my question.
"Does Miss think I'll let Captain's fiancee to be left unattended?"
Hoo… seems like I could always get a new dress whenever I came to the Special Task Squad. Although that silly brat often had an extreme mood swings, but he prepared delicious foods for us and gave me a pretty dress. Besides, he also gave me horse saddle used for women. I need to secretly took it away with me when I went back later.
"Assistant Ortzen!"
As soon as we arrived at the Special Task Squad's headquarters, that silly brat just kept shouting as he pleased. Why did this brat always shouting non-stop since yesterday? Assistant Ortzen who was skimming through the documents in his hands, ignored Clauen's shouts and glanced at us.
"You've returned, Captain? Welcome back, Miss Epheria."
"Sir! Please listen to what I want to say, don't ignore me!"
Once again that brat Clauen screamed out loud and finally Assistant Ortzen's gaze shifted to him.
"What is it?"
"Captain and that woman… they have made a big problem!"
Captain Jullius and I tilted our heads, looked confused. What did we do? I think I was much calmer than before though. Perhaps it's related to a problem that followed because Captain Jullius barged in to the Count's residence, but he did it himself. It's not my fault! Assistant Ortzen indifferently stared at Clauen and sticking out his head to look at me.
"Please forgive Clauen's rude behaviors."
"Oh, it's okay. I already knew he's somewhat weird."
If his nature was just as it seems to be, what could be done? As the normal sane person, I was obliged to be magnanimous.
My words made Clauen sulked. He glared at me and then he continued to pestering Ortzen with his complains.
"Yesterday, I stopped them when they were about entering a hotel together for not to create unnecessary gossips, but… it's all in vain! Moreover, they slept in a same bed together when they came to my house!"
What nonsense was he spouting? He was the one who retracted one of the two rooms that he initially gave to me and just shoved us to use one room together! He has been stingy and now he wants to slander us? I made up my mind not to stay silent anymore and let him do as he pleased, but assistant Ortzen was one step ahead of me. Ortzen clicked his tongue and said, "Have you thoroughly investigated it?"
"…, I have already asked Captain whether if he has ever hugged that woman!"
T/N: actually the literal translation for what Silla called Clauen is 'circus perfomer' because he's really loud, really agile and has exaggerated actions like a circus performer haha xD. But I think it will be strange to use it so I adjust it into 'that brat/that silly brat'. If you guys also read the manhwa version, you will know what I mean ^^