The dusk began setting in slowly and exhaustion even sooner. Seeing the sight of the wounded still in need of treatment, Max wondered if she could return to the castle today.
The thought of spending the night out here in the cold, the enervation seemed to sink all the way to her stomach. Her face was filled with worry when a wooden bowl was thrust into her line of sight.
“Please eat this, my lady.”
Max looked up at the man who had come in surprise. A young knight who had previously tried to send her back to the castle earlier stood holding a steaming bowl of soup.
“It’s rabbit stew, my lady. It can’t be compared to the food in the castle, but it’s a good meal”, he said with a smile.
Max who was blinking at him blankly, accepted the bowl. She suddenly realized she had skipped lunch in and was now extremely hungry.
“T-thank you.” She gratefully accepted the bowl.
“Please, say nothing of it. Before… “
Without caring about her surroundings, her quick fingers began to work. As soon as she scooped a spoonful of stew into her mouth, a hesitant voice reached out to her. Max’s nerves spiked. What else could he possibly have to say to her?
Unexpectedly, the knight came before her, who was frozen in surprise and bowed his head respectfully.
“I apologize for my actions earlier. As your Ladyship said, I was rude.”
Max stared blankly at the top of the knight’s head, with spoon still in her mouth. She couldn’t even imagine that someone would bow her head to her. She quickly put down the bowl and waved her hands.
“N-no, please. I-It was rather I… who…w-was… o-oversensitive… I-I’m sorry,” she said hastily.
She was embarrassed enough at being caught in that situation, and she also knew that she had to rein in her nerves hereon
“Please, my lady, don’t apologize. Was it not I who first showed disrespect towards your Ladyship? It was no overreaction for someone of your stature.”
Max’s cheeks turned red at the knight’s words. Her stiff shoulders drooped with relief.
“Th-Thank you… f-for saying t-this.” She was indeed thankful. The weight had been lifted off of her chest.
The knight’s face changed uncomfortably at her shyly spoken words, and he wasn’t sure what to say next. The two were saved from the awkward atmosphere by Ruth’s return to the barracks from the outside. He looked at the knight standing next to Max and opened his eyes.
“Sir Karon, is there a problem?”
“No, my Lord. That is… I am apologizing for my bad manners towards her ladyship.” He answered honestly.
The wizard looked like he wanted to ask more for a moment, but then decided against it. He approached the fire, held his hands out towards it, and sighed deeply.
“The knights who ventured beyond the castle walls to scout for dark creatures that may be hiding around just returned. Your Ladyship ought to return to the castle now.”
“Wha-what about you, Ruth?” She was surprised she could return.
“I think I will have to stay here today. Someone could still develop a fever later… When the magic recovers, I can also some of the men better.”
Max dithered for a moment. The part of her that was bone-tired was desperate to return to the castle, throw herself onto the bed and close her eyes, but her conscience was opposing return.
“Th-then I t-too… wi-will stay here today…”
“You have done everything you can. Even if you go back now, you have done more than enough.” Ruth interrupted, cutting her off sternly.
Max’s expression hardened as she wondered if he was trying to say that she was a bother. Recognizing her discomfort, Ruth gave her a soft smile.
“Lord Calypse will throw a fit when he learns that Your Ladyship spent the night in the barracks. I have asked the knights to escort you, so please go back to the castle and have some rest. Then we,too can be relieved.”
“I will escort Your Ladyship.” Sir Karon volunteered.
With two resolute men before her, Max could no longer dig her heels in anymore and finally nodded in consent. To be honest, she didn’t want to spend more nights outside surrounded by the smell of burning monster flesh.
Maintaining an act of reluctance, she climbed into the carriage, which was dragged over by two servants. The knight came over on horseback, stood next to the carriage, and finally proceeded slowly forward. She crouched in the bumpy seat and sighed in relief.
Her nerves were relaxed and her exhaustion was gone. Like a cat by the fireside, Max wrapped her arams around her knees and slowly dozed off.
It had been the most tiring day she has ever experienced in 22 years.
As soon as she reached the castle, she took off her blood and dirt-covered robe, washed it, and passed out in bed. When she opened her eyes the next day, her whole body ached as if she had been beaten all over with a club. Max rolled over her stomach and groaned.
When Rudis walked into the room with an armful of firewood, a face buried in a pillow and muffled moans greeted her.
“Is everything all right, my lady?” She asked anxiously.
Max got up from the bed, smiling painstakingly. Rudis immediately called the maids to prepare a hot bath. She soaked in the steaming water until her tightly knotted muscles relaxed, then got out and dressed in a soft underskirt and a thick woolen dress. Rudis paid close attention to diligently drying her hair with a towel and then took great care combing it through for her.
“How about just resting in the bedroom today, my lady? It’s very cold.” As if sensing her fatigue, she suggested.
“I-I was thinking about g-going to the li-library for a while. Th-There’s a book I want t-to r-read…”
“Then I will immediately send a message to light the fire in the library. Since the wizard is absent from yesterday, it will be very cold in there.”
Rudis immediately left the room. After filled up on soft barley porridge that another maid brought her, Max slipped on a heavy robe and headed to the library. The room was warm and cozy thanks to the servants who lit the lights beforehand.
