EIYTMA Chapter 4

Iris Querluxia and Shanka had been standing to the side the entire time.

 

“Is your younger brother following his sister to her wedding? How sweet.”

 

After the marquis’s tent was fully set up, he had asked for someone to check with his future wife whether she would like to share the same tent with him.

 

Shanka found this utterly ridiculous. However, as an outsider, he couldn’t very well ask, “Aren’t you still unmarried?”—that would be improper.

 

As soon as he stepped out of the marquis’s tent, he spotted Iris Querluxia and sauntered toward her. Of course, he had no intention of relaying the marquis’s absurd request.

 

He planned to make it look like they were having a conversation and then simply dismiss the matter with a vague, “She refused.” Naturally, the silver-haired boy assisting Ezekiel was just an excuse for Shanka to strike up a conversation with Iris.

 

“You mean Henri? That kid… is a good boy.”

 

Fortunately, Lady Querluxia was a kind young woman. She lifted the hem of her dress slightly and bent her knees in a polite curtsy.

 

“Iris Querluxia. My apologies for the late introduction.”

 

“Oh, well now, that makes me the rude one. But you are correct. I am Shanka, and I wield the sword of Udahl.”

 

“Not Udahl’s toothpick?”

 

A passing knight carrying firewood snickered and threw in a comment. “Damn bastard.” Shanka simply raised a fist in response. Then, realizing belatedly that the emperor’s soon-to-be foster daughter was beside him, he awkwardly apologized.

 

“Pardon me. There are just too many swords in Udahl that deserve to be struck by lightning.”

 

However, Lady Querluxia merely smiled gently and brushed off his apology.

 

“It’s quite alright. I am well aware that Udahl’s knights are known for their free-spirited and tempestuous nature.”

 

“Oh my, to hear you put it that way—Lady Querluxia, you are remarkably generous.”

 

Despite his words, Shanka inwardly marveled.

 

The knights of Udahl were infamous for their wild, untamed ways, except when it came to matters of chastity. That was due to Udahl’s nature as a deity of storms and thunder—a god of truth, yet also one prone to jealousy, disliking when his followers harbored feelings of love for others.

 

However, as long as his devotees remained loyal to Udahl alone, he cared little if their actions were as fierce as a storm or as violent as thunder. As a result, Udahl’s knights had a reputation for their rough speech and behavior.

 

Yet, the world at large was unaware of this. People tended to associate knights with sanctity and nobility.

 

So Shanka found Lady Iris Querluxia’s words both refreshing and amusing—she seemed to understand Udahl’s knights quite well.

 

“You were the one riding beside our carriage earlier, weren’t you?”

 

At her remark, Shanka grinned.

 

“That’s right. I have been working tirelessly to ensure your journey remains peaceful and pleasant.”

 

“Thank you. But… pleasant?”

 

Though her question was trivial, Shanka seemed to have been waiting for it. He bent down, plucked a daisy from the roadside, and presented it to Iris in an elegant gesture.

 

Surprised, she exclaimed, “Oh my.” and accepted it.

 

“Just like this.”

 

“Ahaha…”

 

At his playful remark, Iris Querluxia finally let out a small laugh. It seemed her long-held tension had eased somewhat, and seeing that pleased Shanka.

 

“It seemed like you were quite warm earlier—are you alright?”

 

Though he wore only light armor, enduring the early summer heat was naturally difficult. He must have noticed him fanning his dress occasionally from inside the carriage.

 

Instead of looking embarrassed, Shanka simply bared his teeth in a grin and gave her a thumbs-up.

 

“Ah, I’m fine! A true warrior always burns with fiery passion!”

 

His exaggerated gesture made Iris Querluxia’s eyes crinkle with laughter again.

 

Perfect.

 

Shanka clenched his fist in triumph. The marquis was an irritable man, so he had been worried, but at least the young lady traveling with them seemed to have a pleasant personality.

 

Though he had been roped into this escort duty due to some charity donation, they would be traveling together for nearly two months.

 

Having at least one good-natured person in the group is a relief.

 

Just as he was thinking that—

 

“Um, that person over there… he’s the Knight Commander, isn’t he?”

 

Iris asked hesitantly, glancing sideways. Following her gaze, Shanka suddenly felt like sighing loudly, as if his earlier relief had been a lie.

 

The person she was looking at—busily setting up tents with her younger brother—was none other than Ezekiel.

 

Again?

 

The current Knight Commander of Udahl had drawn a great many noblewomen to the temple with his excessively handsome appearance.

 

Seeing that she was now asking about him, it seemed this young lady was also interested in that man.

 

“Indeed. He is the Knight Commander whom our jealous Lord Udahl holds especially dear.”

 

But knights were sworn to both physical and spiritual purity. So Shanka deliberately emphasized every single syllable.

 

However, Iris Querluxia seemed barely to hear him. She simply continued gazing in that direction.

 

Shanka wanted to bury his face in his hands.

 

Honestly, why did they send the Knight Commander to escort a soon-to-be-married lady?

 

It looked like yet another noblewoman was about to suffer from lovesickness.

 

Still, it wasn’t Shanka’s place to warn her against coveting the Knight Commander. That would be the height of rudeness.

 

If anything, maybe it’s a good thing the marquis is here too.

 

Thinking that, Shanka glanced toward the marquis’s tent. As Milena, who was carrying a box of food ingredients, passed by, she placed a cabbage leaf on Shanka’s head.

 

Shanka picked up the cabbage leaf and asked, “What’s this?”

 

Milena snorted. “You kept complaining about the heat earlier, so I’m giving you something.”

 

“What does being hot have to do with cabbage?”

 

“Just put it on your head and see. It’ll cool you down.”

 

“Tonight’s dinner is cabbage stew~!”

 

Right on cue, a squire shouted. Shanka rolled his eyes while placing the round cabbage leaf on his head, then grinned.

 

“Oh, it really is cool.”

 

Iris Querluxia, who had turned her head belatedly, gave an embarrassed smile. It was a peaceful evening.

 

***

 

Even after the stew had finished cooking, the marquis remained holed up in his tent. Seeing this, Milena was naturally displeased.

 

“Is he eating separately?”

 

“He won’t be dining with us.”

 

When the marquis had first joined the escort procession, he had pompously declared, ‘I shall not inconvenience the holy knights. I will take care of my future wife myself.’

 

However, the people he brought along were limited: his bodyguard, two servants, and a single maid to attend to Iris Querluxia.

 

The holy knights were all doubtful as to how he intended to care for her with such a small retinue.

 

And as expected—

 

The maid was not attending to Iris Querluxia but was instead busy building a hearth and stoking a fire in front of the tent. Shanka, who had just received a bowl of freshly prepared stew, scoffed.

 

“Did he bring a cook or a lady’s maid? Pick one.”

 

“The latter, I’d guess. Look at how clumsy she is.”

 

Though the maid was flitting around in a fluster, she seemed to be struggling with lighting the fire.

 

“How does he expect to get a proper meal like that?”

 

Watching the fire repeatedly go out, Milena, unable to bear it anymore, was just about to instruct a squire to hand over some flint.

 

At that moment, Iris Querluxia stepped out of the carriage. She took the flint from the maid’s hands and skillfully struck a fire. The maid clapped her hands in delight. Shanka chuckled again.

 

“She must have lived in a rural estate; she’s quite good at that.”

 

His tone was not mocking but rather amused, as if he found a child’s play endearing. Milena shrugged her shoulders. The squire, quick on his feet, discreetly shoved the flint back into their supplies.

 

“Commander.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

Ezekiel, who had been busy checking various things, had just sat down and accepted his bowl of stew.

 

The holy knights, accustomed to traveling all over the empire for their sacred duties, were used to camping outdoors. Eating stew from wooden bowls in the open air was something to be grateful for.

 

“O Udahl, we thank you for today as well.”

 

Just as Shanka finished leading the simple prayer before their meal, the marquis’s maid approached in a hurried shuffle.

 

Milena was quick to ask loudly, “What is the matter?”

 

“Well, my lords, I apologize, but I have a request…”

 

The maid clasped her hands together, looking extremely troubled.

 

“The marquis is quite famished, but I am unfamiliar with camp life…”

 

In other words, the marquis, who had boasted earlier, was now left starving. And rather than admit his mistake, he had taken it out on the wrong person. The maid’s hands were red and raw, clearly from struggling with unfamiliar work.

 

The holy knights bit their lips to suppress their laughter while exchanging uncertain glances.

 

Everything in the temple was funded by donations, so holy knights were accustomed to frugality. Since the marquis had stated he would take care of his own meals, they had only prepared enough food for themselves.

 

Sharing food was not an issue, but the knights were just as hungry. If they gave away some of their portions, a few of them would have to wait for another batch to be cooked.

 

However, Ezekiel made a quick decision.

 

“If this is acceptable, please take it.”

 

The maid hesitated upon seeing the bowl, which was undoubtedly the commander’s own meal.