After fending off the surprise attack of the Igram, peace had come to Pervaz for a while.
However, Carlyle's mind was not at all peaceful.
'I want to fight with her.'
After hearing the news that Asha had completely slaughtered the Igrams crossing the Cruze Mountains, Carlyle began to imagine himself running the battlefield with her.
Whenever he had a spare moment, the image of her leading the Haven Knights would involuntarily come to mind.
The red cloak dashing across the Kicker Plains, and the white face and fluttering black hair.
'Was her face as indifferent as usual? Maybe she was smiling since she slaughtered the Igrams.'
While wandering through that imagination, Carlyle's expression softened.
In fact, she is a royal family who only does good things for Pervaz, so there is no way she can't be pretty.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Carlyle was not the only one who thought Asha was pretty.
"May the glory of God be with Your Highness. I greet Your Highness the Princess."
One day, Carlyle felt a twisting feeling in his stomach as he saw Sebastian Dupret, the son of Duke Dupret, who had suddenly appeared in Pervaz, kissing Asha's hand.
With sparkling blond hair and honey-colored eyes, flawless white skin and soft lips, and a well-balanced body that was not too bulky, he was the epitome of a handsome aristocratic man.
Even in the midst of being elegant and intelligent, he had a somewhat seductive side, so it was clear that the saying that he was the most popular man in the social world was no exaggeration.
'Dukr Dupret, that human.... He's not ordinary greedy.'
What could be the reason he sent Sebastian while saying he was helping Asha? Because he is the successor of the Dovetail of the Dupret family? Do you want your loyalty to be recognized even by sending your son as a hostage?
Never. Just looking at the smile Sebastian is giving Asha right now, his insides are clear.
However, Asha still had a very calm expression after listening to Sebastian's story.
"Even so, this place may not be comfortable for you to live in...."
"If it is by Your Highness' side, even the barracks of the battlefield would be an honor to me."
"You're being cheeky...."
Sebastian turned his head at the low voice that came from somewhere.
"Yes? What did you just say?"
"No, I just think you're amazing."
Carlyle smiled back with a smooth face.
Although not as aristocratic as Sebastian, Carlyle was also the owner of a considerably handsome appearance.
Disheveled red hair and amber eyes, a sharp nose and jawline, a large and sturdy body forged through long battles.
In fact, the sexual charm emanating from him was enough to make Sebastian look like a young master who didn't know the world, but he didn't know it at all.
And Sebastian, who instinctively recognized Carlyle as a rival, said with a smile.
"By the way, Your Highness, I want the highest power that a noble man can have when you reclaim the throne. I am ready to do anything for that position."
It was already an inappropriate remark to make in front of Asha's husband, Carlyle, but Carlyle was in no position to find fault with it.
His and Asha's marriage was just a contract, and it was a relationship that would eventually end.
It wasn't that he didn't know that, but seeing another man targeting Asha made his heart feel empty.
However, Asha's thoughts were completely unknown.
She was polite to Sebastian, but she didn't let him get too close.
'It's like torture. It would have been more comfortable if she had been affectionate to him.'
Carlyle, who had come to love Asha, could not help but swallow a bitter smile.
* * *
A few months after the start of joint training between the Pervaz warriors and the Haven Knights, ominous clouds began to gather over Pervaz, which had been peaceful for a while.
Strange structures began to appear in the abandoned land.
"They are incapable of building sophisticated structures. This is a bad omen."
As Carlyle had assured, it wasn't long before the 'warning bells' rang throughout Pervaz.
"The savages have attacked! It's the savages!"
The sound of the bell and the word 'savages' were annoying, but Carlyle and everyone in Pervaz quickly prepared to fight the enemy.
The structures they had built were 'catapults', which they had never used before.
"It's bigger than last time!"
"Can you identify which tribe it is?"
"It's the Igram tribe!"
"Those who were defeated so badly are attacking again?"
There was no time to be surprised by the Igram tribe's unusually quick recovery.
This time, Carlyle put aside his pride and immediately went to Asha to ask for help.
"Please help us. I will pay the price."
"Price?"
Asha's face was full of doubt as she looked at him.
"Pervaz is also imperial land. It is my duty as a royal to go out and destroy the enemies who have invaded the imperial land. Why should you pay the price for that?"
"If you put it that way, shouldn't the cost of rebuilding Pervaz also come out of your private funds? It's also damage that wouldn't have happened if you hadn't come to Pervaz."
"That's…!"
"And this is also my pride. I am the lord of this land."
At that, Asha stopped talking.
"…I didn't mean to ignore that."
"I know. If you had such feelings, I wouldn't have been so worried."
Giles interjected, 'Is there anything worth paying for in Pervaz?', but Carlyle ignored him, and Asha gave an unknown expression and ordered outside.
"Bring me my sword!"
It was the same as the order to go out to battle that Carlyle had been waiting for.
The battle was fierce.
The Igram tribe, in addition to their catapults, were well-equipped with horses and new infantry weapons, things they had never had before.
Facing off against enemies filled with unwavering morale, as if they couldn't remember their previous defeat, the Pervaz coalition did their best.
Of course, at the forefront were Carlyle and Asha.
"What kind of woman is this!"
An Igram warrior charged towards Asha. But she boldly drew her sword to face him.
"You've come to bestow Aguilles' grace upon this barbaric land, you bastards!"
Asha's cry, with gleaming eyes, was completely different from her usual indifferent and cool demeanor. She was like a fierce beast.
'You're tempting trouble, Your Highness!'
Feeling a burst of excitement as if his heart would burst, Carlyle swiftly cut the throats of those approaching her.
Unknowingly, laughter escaped him.
This was the first time in his life he had experienced such a joyful war. If only he could, he would keep battling these barbarians with Asha forever.
"Wow, you two are in perfect sync! Haha!"
Hector's words from behind somehow made Carlyle feel even more exhilarated.
His sword, fueled by excitement, danced alongside Asha's on the battlefield. When one stabbed, the other parried, when one slashed, the other cut.
Finally, when the swords ceased their sweeping on the battlefield and victory was assured, Carlyle unknowingly kissed Asha, who stood opposite him.
It was a kiss mingled with the scent of the wind on the Kicker Plains, the scent of sweat, and the scent of blood, a fiercely sweet kiss.
* * *
Long live the Princess! Long live our Lord!
The cheers of praise for Asha and Carlyle did not stop at the banquet after the victory.
As well as Carlyle, Asha was also satisfied with this situation.
'It must have been a warning to the Empress, and I also sorted out the savages, and the Pervaz army and the Haven Knights were also integrated… …'
Then her gaze turned to Carlyle. His lips were red, perhaps from the wine.
'It seems like my relationship with Count Pervaz has also improved.'
He was not a person she disliked from the beginning.
Wasn't he the one who felt more sorry for my situation than I did?
However, the kiss she shared with him still didn't make sense to her.
'What on earth was I thinking? Why did I do that with Count Pervaz there… …'
She didn't understand it now, but at the time, it felt perfectly natural to do so with him.
As natural as cheering and celebrating a victory.
'What was this man thinking? Could it be… that he likes me, or something… ?'
Just thinking about it made her face flush with heat.
Just then, Carlyle whispered to her.
"What would you like in return?"
"Huh?"
"As promised, I would like to offer you a reward, Your Highness. I don't want to get used to being indebted to you."
Asha's heart ached a little at those words.
She had been sincere with Pervaz all this time. So much so that she couldn't think of the money and supplies she had given to Pervaz as 'contract terms'.
However, the moment Carlyle mentioned the words 'reward' and 'debt', it felt like all of her sincerity was being denied.
With a sense of inexplicable resentment, she answered for the first time in a provocative manner.
"What kind of reward should I ask for from Pervaz, who can't receive anything in terms of money, honor, or power?"
She could feel Carlyle flinch, but Asha nonchalantly took a sip of her wine.
Asha's gaze slowly turned to Carlyle as she put down her glass.
"Well, since Pervaz has only one asset from the start...I guess I'll take that."
Carlyle narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brows, not understanding what Asha meant. Asha whispered in his ear, blowing hot breath on it.
"Come to my room at midnight."
Asha found the sight of Carlyle's eyes widening in surprise somewhat amusing, and she poured herself another drink.
It seemed like tonight would be quite interesting.