Aden set down his tea cup and asked Ilyin, “Are you uncomfortable using the Biflten carriage?”
She lifted her head, recalling the carriage they had ridden when they journeyed to the warm region. They had used a carriage without Biflten’s crest to hide their affiliation and used Acid’s instead. However, it didn’t diminish their noble status, contrary to what other nobles may have thought. It only bore Acid’s crest, but in reality, was the opposite of their prejudice.
Although it lacked ostentatious decorations, the interior was thoughtfully designed for comfort and practicality. This was a hallmark of Delrose’s philosophy, which valued substance over superficial adornment.
But this one was strikingly different. The intricate gold carvings on the Venetian pattern were impossible to miss, and the beautiful gold and red decorations were tastefully done, though not as grandiose as Nos’s possessions. And just as one would expect, the interior was nothing short of magnificent.
“It’s not bad,” she said, trying to mask her uncertainty. “Just in case.” Aden, who had been waiting for her response, replied reassuringly, “Well, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
As she contemplated the luxurious carriage that revealed her northern origins, Ilyin couldn’t help but ask, “Did you plan this from the beginning?” Aden chuckled in response to her eye roll. “Would you rather be a timid wife under the sun here?”
Feeling emboldened, Ilyin took Aden’s hand, which had wielded a sword so fiercely, and held it close to her chest. “I’m not embarrassed,” she said, her heart beating loudly. Aden lifted her up and sat her on top of him, facing him. He asked, “Are you embarrassed to be escorted by me?”
Ilyin narrowed her eyes in response. “Of course not!”
“Then can I reveal myself more?” Aden’s question lingered in the air, leaving Ilyin to ponder its implications. Was it about standing proudly next to her, or was he worried about his own embarrassment? And in another sense, whether it was acceptable to reveal Biflten.
Ilyin saw through Aden’s teasing. If she hesitated to reveal Biflten, he would taunt her with a sly comment about being shy. He was such a cheeky man.
“As much as you like.”
In the end, Ilyin kissed him.
“You promised,” Aden whispered.
Ilyin nodded, and at that moment, Ilyin’s world flipped on its axis. She found herself sitting in a chair, Aden’s face buried in her shoulder. “You always teach me patience,” he murmured into her ear, his eyes lingering on her body.
A flush rose to Ilyin’s cheeks as she realized the double meaning behind Aden’s earlier question. The sweet moment between them came to a close as the sun began to rise overhead, casting a warm glow over the two lovers.
***
The banquet of Duke Leon was a grand affair, held at the family mansion to flaunt their elevated status.From the grandeur of the mansion to the distinguished guests, everything spoke to the family’s prestige. Although the duke’s sons had, on occasion, brought some shame to the family’s name, the Leon family was still held in high regard throughout the empire and central society.
“Welcome, please come in,” the duke’s servants greeted each guest with impeccable organization.
The majority of the carriages that arrived at the mansion belonged to well-known, high-status families, but there was one carriage parked amongst the others that caused a stir among the attending nobles. Their inquisitive eyes traced the carriage’s emblem, one that appeared unfamiliar and distant from the usual upper-class families’ marks.
The nobles’ murmurs of speculation spread like wildfire, wondering who could be inside. The knights stationed at the duke’s mansion couldn’t dismiss the carriage as it had received an invitation from the duke himself.
As they approached the carriage, the knights noticed its curious emblem of a sword and shield. It was concise, almost like that of a knightly family. Surrounding the carriage, the knights inquired politely, “May I ask which family this carriage belongs to? We lack the knowledge to recognize it.”
With a clatter, the carriage’s window opened to reveal a stranger, who introduced himself enigmatically, “I was invited through Acid.” Aden’s statement caused a momentary pause as it was unclear where he belonged, and his words were a peculiar play on words.
The knights soon realized that he was the rumored merchant from the North, and for a brief moment, a sense of authority crossed their faces. However, they quickly returned to their usual decorum and ushered the carriage into Duke Leon’s mansion, leaving behind the murmurs and gazes of the attending nobles.
Aden set down his tea cup and asked Ilyin, “Are you uncomfortable using the Biflten carriage?”
She lifted her head, recalling the carriage they had ridden when they journeyed to the warm region. They had used a carriage without Biflten’s crest to hide their affiliation and used Acid’s instead. However, it didn’t diminish their noble status, contrary to what other nobles may have thought. It only bore Acid’s crest, but in reality, was the opposite of their prejudice.
Although it lacked ostentatious decorations, the interior was thoughtfully designed for comfort and practicality. This was a hallmark of Delrose’s philosophy, which valued substance over superficial adornment.
But this one was strikingly different. The intricate gold carvings on the Venetian pattern were impossible to miss, and the beautiful gold and red decorations were tastefully done, though not as grandiose as Nos’s possessions. And just as one would expect, the interior was nothing short of magnificent.
“It’s not bad,” she said, trying to mask her uncertainty. “Just in case.” Aden, who had been waiting for her response, replied reassuringly, “Well, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
As she contemplated the luxurious carriage that revealed her northern origins, Ilyin couldn’t help but ask, “Did you plan this from the beginning?” Aden chuckled in response to her eye roll. “Would you rather be a timid wife under the sun here?”
Feeling emboldened, Ilyin took Aden’s hand, which had wielded a sword so fiercely, and held it close to her chest. “I’m not embarrassed,” she said, her heart beating loudly. Aden lifted her up and sat her on top of him, facing him. He asked, “Are you embarrassed to be escorted by me?”
Ilyin narrowed her eyes in response. “Of course not!”
“Then can I reveal myself more?” Aden’s question lingered in the air, leaving Ilyin to ponder its implications. Was it about standing proudly next to her, or was he worried about his own embarrassment? And in another sense, whether it was acceptable to reveal Biflten.
Ilyin saw through Aden’s teasing. If she hesitated to reveal Biflten, he would taunt her with a sly comment about being shy. He was such a cheeky man.
“As much as you like.”
In the end, Ilyin kissed him.
“You promised,” Aden whispered.
Ilyin nodded, and at that moment, Ilyin’s world flipped on its axis. She found herself sitting in a chair, Aden’s face buried in her shoulder. “You always teach me patience,” he murmured into her ear, his eyes lingering on her body.
A flush rose to Ilyin’s cheeks as she realized the double meaning behind Aden’s earlier question. The sweet moment between them came to a close as the sun began to rise overhead, casting a warm glow over the two lovers.
***
The banquet of Duke Leon was a grand affair, held at the family mansion to flaunt their elevated status.From the grandeur of the mansion to the distinguished guests, everything spoke to the family’s prestige. Although the duke’s sons had, on occasion, brought some shame to the family’s name, the Leon family was still held in high regard throughout the empire and central society.
“Welcome, please come in,” the duke’s servants greeted each guest with impeccable organization.
The majority of the carriages that arrived at the mansion belonged to well-known, high-status families, but there was one carriage parked amongst the others that caused a stir among the attending nobles. Their inquisitive eyes traced the carriage’s emblem, one that appeared unfamiliar and distant from the usual upper-class families’ marks.
The nobles’ murmurs of speculation spread like wildfire, wondering who could be inside. The knights stationed at the duke’s mansion couldn’t dismiss the carriage as it had received an invitation from the duke himself.
As they approached the carriage, the knights noticed its curious emblem of a sword and shield. It was concise, almost like that of a knightly family. Surrounding the carriage, the knights inquired politely, “May I ask which family this carriage belongs to? We lack the knowledge to recognize it.”
With a clatter, the carriage’s window opened to reveal a stranger, who introduced himself enigmatically, “I was invited through Acid.” Aden’s statement caused a momentary pause as it was unclear where he belonged, and his words were a peculiar play on words.
The knights soon realized that he was the rumored merchant from the North, and for a brief moment, a sense of authority crossed their faces. However, they quickly returned to their usual decorum and ushered the carriage into Duke Leon’s mansion, leaving behind the murmurs and gazes of the attending nobles.
