Chapter 19: Monster Subjugation (XII).
===
Tick... tock... tick... tock...
The steady rhythm of the clock filled the room. The silence stretched long enough for Olivia to start tapping her fingers against her arm. She had hoped that the heroine would still be asleep the moment she left because this is exactly what she feared.
She feared that she wasn't able to say no- to the only girl who can make her feel this way.
Powerless.
Being a daughter of a powerful Duke, these times that she's stayed in another world she experienced having a taste of it. Even if other noblewomen respected or even feared her but when it comes to the heroine...
How can she even bully her at this point?
"While we wait," she said at last, breaking it, "why don't we talk more about the- ahem- map."
Commander Lenof snapped back in place of the awkwardness and even Sebastian, the butler, was honestly confused of what to make of it but it's not his business to mind.
"Yes, milady."
She gestured toward the parchment. "We can handle the south after you clear the northern roads. Make sure no goblin stragglers are left causing trouble."
"Ah... yes."
Olivia glanced up briefly. Commander Lenof's voice had an odd strain to it- too polite, too careful. His eyes kept darting toward her, then away again.
"I was hoping to get an update on the other territories as well-" She paused, narrowing her gaze. "Commander... why are you staring at me like that?"
He stiffened instantly. "Ah, it's nothing, milady."
Her brows drew together knowing that it was bullshit, it was clear that he wanted to say something and she couldn't focus with the awkwardness roaming around the air. The Commander can't focus on their map, and she needed to know why.
"You've been fidgeting for the past five minutes. Out with it."
Commander Lenof coughed first into his glove then adjusted his collar, "It's just I was wondering- Does she... have a betrothed?"
Did the heroine have a betrothed?
Hah!
If the villainess was holding a pen, surely she would let go of it from the shock of that question, they hadn't even started the game that wasn't an option.
"...what. did. you. just. say?"
The air went still. Even Sebastian froze in place mid-movement. He observed his young lady and the things he saw in her eyes were the same as her own father when he was mad. Dark gloomy eyes and it looked like she was ready to snap the young man in half.
"I-I'm just asking... I thought she... well..." (Commander Lenof) raised his arms up, trying to explain calmly as he could. "I thought she looked beautiful and that I wanted to know if she's available."
Lady Olivia didn't smile, honestly, one of her antagonist roles would not care for something like this- after all they're not friends but she's the villainess who's supposed to bring her to her doom.
"Ask her." She crosses her arms, brows furrowing. "Not me."
The reincarnator was low-key bashing him for being like a flustered little high school boy when he's clearly a grown ass man. She clicks her tongue, 'The heroine won't be interested in someone like you anyways. The love interests... are much better compared to you.'
Olivia exhaled through her nose, slow and sharp, then crossed her arms, the metal of her gauntlets clinking together. "How old are you, commander?"
"I'm twenty-five." He answered too quickly, then tried to look steady.
Olivia responds seriously, "That girl is only seventeen."
Commander Lenof tilted his head, as if he genuinely couldn't see the problem. Olivia's lip twitched. 'Hmph, figures. I guess even if she's still seventeen... men like the commander who's from this world doesn't see any problem with the huge age gap."
"I suppose, even if you're a competent commander, I wouldn't want you crossing a line you'll regret," she said flatly. "I'll warn you once."
His smile faltered. "W-what do you mean-"
"Whatever you're thinking, don't." Her voice dropped, dangerously calm. "I'll cut any of your fingers if you dare touch her, plunge knives in your eyes if you dare look at her with hidden intent and I'll make sure no one will find your body after I do both of them."
Commander Lenof's face paled.
'I'm getting confused, I thought the two young ladies were not close with one another so... why is she being so possessive?' He swallowed audibly. "...gulp."
"Are we clear?" Her stare was iron, unblinking.
"C-Crystal clear," He stammered, voice small. He sighs packing up his things.
Sebastian, standing nearby, cleared his throat and shifted his weight as if to restore decorum. Olivia let the silence hang a beat longer, then moved her attention back to the map as if nothing had happened- though the heat in her chest lingered.
Step, step, step.
"Lady Alarie." (Olivia) looked up from the map just in time to see Mariana stepping out from the hallway. The heroine had changed into one of the innkeeper's borrowed garments- a simple yet well-fitted dress of soft beige fabric and a modest brown cloak.
"I've borrowed a few lovely garments from the innkeeper," (Mariana) said with a bright smile, twirling once before resting her hands shyly at her waist. "How do I look?"
Olivia blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Before she could respond, Sebastian nudged her discreetly. "Young lady, she is asking you."
"Oh..." (Olivia) cleared her throat, her voice coming out a touch too formal. "You look... decent."
Mariana chuckled softly, tilting her head. "Such a compliment. I am glad."
"I thought about wearing my academy uniform," she added teasingly, "however, it seems you'll have to wait a while before you can see me in it."
Olivia looked away, folding her arms. "If you have enough energy to talk this much, then we can go. Come now- time is wasting."
Sebastian hid a smile behind his gloved hand as he moved to open the door for them.
The four of them stepped out of the lobby, where a handful of armored knights stood stationed along the walls, vigilant and alert. Olivia's eyes flicked toward them briefly and she recognized their faces. These were the same soldiers who had accompanied her yesterday, Commander Lenof's finest men.
For a moment, she allowed herself a small nod of approval before turning back to the path ahead, cloak swaying lightly as she led the way.
For a moment, she gave them a small nod of acknowledgment before turning back to the path ahead, her cloak swaying lightly with each step.
Commander Lenof gestured toward the waiting soldiers. "You might find them familiar, milady. They're the same knights who escorted you yesterday."
"I remember," (Olivia) replied evenly. "It's good to see you all again."
The knights straightened, their expressions brightening at her words. One of them smiled faintly. "The same to you, my lady. We... heard certain rumors after yesterday. But seeing you now, I'd say it's true- you really have changed."
Olivia's expression softened just a touch.
"I've been doing my best to uphold my family's name and responsibilities," she said quietly. "It's time the villainess grew up a little."
A brief silence followed respectful, approving until another knight glanced toward the brown-haired girl standing just behind her. "She's the one we rescued yesterday, isn't she?"
"She'll be accompanying us to the camp," (Olivia) confirmed, tone professional. "She possesses light magic. It will be useful."
That caught their attention.
"L–Light magic?!" one of them exclaimed. "First time I've heard of it! So she's the blessed one from the south! I never imagined the Lord of the Borbon family had someone this valuable."
Mariana flushed, unsure how to respond, clutching Olivia's borrowed cloak a little tighter.
Another knight scratched his head. "S-So, who will she be riding with?"
The air went still for a moment.
Commander Lenof blinked. "...We didn't bring a carriage. All of us rode our own horses."
Several heads turned toward Olivia at once.
'Well shit.'
Her eyes twitched.
"I could ride with you, milady." The words slipped from Mariana before she could second-guess them. Her voice was soft but certain, and every knight within earshot seemed to freeze for a heartbeat.
"Oh- Milady, if you're not willing," One of them blurted out, straightening his armor, "perhaps I could be of service instead?"
"Lady Borbon, there's room on my horse too! I have the biggest horse amongst all of them." Another offered eagerly, nearly tripping over his own words.
"Milady should pick me," A third interrupted, grinning under his helmet. "I'm the most careful rider here compared to these bozos."
The group erupted into mild bickering, each one trying to outdo the other with heroic gestures and claims of reliability.
Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose, patience visibly thinning. 'It's clear that they all have their own intentions... I... don't know if I can trust any of them in protecting Mariana.'
"You're all too kind," (Mariana) oblivious to the rising tension, smiled shyly and looked up at Olivia, with that warm, unguarded expression. "But I did ask you first, milady. After all I did overhear that Lady Olivia Charlotte Alarie is responsible for me, I'm sorry but I will be with her along the way."
"...!"
Olivia's composure wavered. "You never think before you speak," she muttered, crossing her arms. "People will misunderstand. They'll think we're close."
Mariana tilted her head, the corners of her lips lifting. "But you did say you'd keep me safe, milady. How can you keep me safe if I'm not close to you?"
Olivia's eyes widened. 'She heard that?'
"Remember," She said sharply, straightening her posture, "we're not friends. I'm only helping you because circumstances demand it. If we had a carriage, I'd have shoved you in there myself."
Without another word, she swung herself onto her horse, movements sharp and practiced. Then she sighed and extended a gloved hand downward. 'She might as well be with me, if she rode with one of these knights I don't think I can turn around that often without breaking my neck.'
"Hop on."
Mariana's face brightened instantly, setting her plan into motion- hah all according to plan. "Hehe! Thank you, milady!"
"Don't get up to any funny business," (Olivia) warned, helping her up with visible reluctance. "The moment you do, I'll drop you off and leave you behind."
"I won't, Lady Alarie," (Mariana) replied softly, her voice lilting with amusement. She shifted closer as she settled behind her, the warmth of her breath brushing against the Countess's shoulder. "But... I'll have to hold you by the waist, won't I?"
Olivia froze.
Mariana's fingers hovered just shy of her armor, close enough for Olivia to feel the faintest ghost of touch.
"We... wouldn't want me falling, now would we?" she murmured, tone feather-light yet daring enough to make even the knights avert their eyes.
Olivia's breath caught, she gripped the reins a little too tightly.
"J-Just hold on and stay quiet," she managed, voice tight, as if every word cost her composure.
Behind her, Mariana smiled innocently. "As you wish, milady."
Olivia muttered under her breath as she adjusted the reins, trying to ignore the warmth pressed against her back. "Ugh, I swear, this is the most unfortunate day of my life. Stupid goblins... stupid day..."
Mariana laughed softly behind her, the sound warm and far too close to her ear. "Well... it's a lovely day for me," she said, her voice low, almost playful. "I get to spend it with you."
Olivia's hands froze mid-motion.
The reins creaked in her grip. She could feel Mariana's breath ghost against the back of her neck, steady, gentle, far too distracting.
"Sh-Shut up," She snapped, a little too fast, the tips of her ears betraying her with a flush of pink.
Mariana only giggled under her breath, equally flustered but pretending not to be. "Of course, milady."
The horse started forward, hooves clopping against the dirt road. Neither of them said a word after that- too busy pretending the silence didn't feel strangely electric.
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