Chapter 39: The Stars on The Road
His subordinate bowed deeply to Adeline once more. “Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Lieutenant Zakarian.”
“I’m Adeline.” Adeline stood up and extended her hand to him. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Zakarian, who had his white hair neatly combed back, awkwardly smiled and took her hand.
“Zakarian.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Adeline asked Zakarian if he had eaten and if there was anyone else outside.
He was a gentleman and responded to her questions sincerely.
“Just call me Adeline.”
“I can’t do that.”
“What’s the big deal? I’ll call you Zakarian.”
“No matter what…”
“Just call me by my name. You can even speak informally. As you know, I’m not particularly fussy.”
After hesitating for a while, Zakarian finally gave in and called her name. He had a refreshing smile.
Were all men of the desert like this? Even his rough, husky voice was charming. If she took him to the palace, the maids might silently scream again.
Adeline and Zakarian continued their warm conversation for a few more words. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Then, the Lion King, who had been silently watching the two, suddenly interrupted their conversation. “Why don’t you call my name?”
“What?”
“Adeline, you have never once called me by my name.”
The Lion King was looking directly at Adeline. His gaze was persistent as if determined to find out the reason.
This guy, really? Adeline smiled, curling up the corner of her lips. “What’s your name?”
“What?”
“For that matter, have you ever told me your name?”
An awkward silence followed. The Lion King looked as if he had been struck on the back of the head, while Adeline wore a mischievous smile.
Zakarian, rubbing his forehead with one hand, questioned the Lion King. “Baltica, is that true?”
“Well, that’s…”
“It is basic courtesy to tell someone your name. Have you really never told Adeline your name?”
No matter how hard the Lion King tried to recall, it would be useless. Because it was true.
Adeline shifted her gaze from the seriously pondering Lion King to Zakarian.
“It’s alright. It’s just that we’re both royals with not a shred of courtesy.”
As the lieutenant’s sighs grew deeper, the Lion King’s brows furrowed more.
Zakarian straightened his posture and neatly adjusted his clothes, and spoke to Adeline. “May I introduce our king, even if it’s late?”
“You?”
“I’ve heard that the high-ranking people of Marma sometimes exchange names indirectly through their aide.”
“That’s an ancient custom that has long gone.” Adeline sat down again. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Then, Zakarian’s solemn voice began to fill the room. “Razie El Baltica. King of the warriors who rule the desert of Odium. Two years ago, he defeated all twelve tribal chiefs who lived scattered and established the desert’s borders in the disputed areas. Odium’s rise as a single nation and its entry into the alliance are all due to Baltica’s protection…”
As Zakarian continued, the Lion King’s face hardened.
He looked as if he was getting angry, and Adeline watched the two men with growing interest.
“Zakarian.”
“Yes, Baltica.”
“That’s enough. Get out.”
Now she understood.
He was embarrassed.
Realizing this, Adeline had to bite her lips to keep from laughing. When someone is embarrassed, shouldn’t they blush or look away? Yet, this man stood before his praising subordinate, not accepting the compliments but looking ready to throw a punch.
Lady Adeline.”
“Hm?”
“If you have any questions about our Baltica, I will answer them to the best of my knowledge.”
Zakarian ignored the Lion King’s command and smiled at her. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Questions, huh? Adeline rested her chin on her hand and pondered. One of her minor hobbies was reading newspapers, so for years, her room was filled with Nova Union newspapers, Marma’s noble newspapers, and even the most famous gossip magazines from the capital. Naturally, she was well aware of what the nobles of both countries politically said about the Lion King. She might even know more than they did.
“Razie El Baltica.”
The Lion King’s gaze shot towards Adeline’s face.
“I knew your name from the beginning, so I didn’t really care.”
“Just call me Razie.”
“What about the rest?”
“It’s a name you don’t need to know.”
“El Baltica?”
‘El’ means warrior, ‘Baltica’ symbolizes the sacred cliffs of Odium. It was his origin and status, something she should never be unaware of.
Of course, the Lion King yawned long, as if such titles meant nothing to him.
“Do you have no questions?” Zakarian looked at her with an expectant face.
Questions? Of course, she had some. Adeline felt like she might burst into laughter, so she intentionally pressed her nostrils and bit her lips. Then she elegantly placed her clasped hands on the table.
“Zakarian.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How old is your king?”
Cough! Zakarian inhaled sharply and began to cough. His face, which was quite fair for a warrior from the desert, turned red as he coughed violently. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Adeline smiled mischievously with an innocent face. “Why? won’t you tell me? Should I guess?”
“Lady Adeline.”
“I’m twenty-eight.”
Zakarian, who had been coughing, stopped his breathing. He seemed genuinely unaware, staring at her in disbelief.
The Lion King was the same.
“How can a man come to propose without knowing a woman’s age?” Adeline spoke with the tone of a mischievous, sly middle-aged man. “You’re twenty-four, aren’t you?”
Flinched. Both the Lion King and Lieutenant Zakarian’s shoulders hunched slightly.
***
It didn’t take long to set off.
The emperor was greatly pleased when Adeline said she would show the Lion King the splendid heritage of Marma. He even sent an enormous amount of gold and luxury items for her to use as needed.
Richard, with a face that showed he was reluctant, said he would accompany Adeline on her journey, but she flatly rejected his offer.
[“If you’re a stronger warrior than the Lion King, I might consider it.”]
Richard turned away with a sullen face, likely heading straight to Cesare.
Colin could only look at her face, unable to do anything, while Nabi was engrossed in her tasks without any disturbance.
“Uhuhu… Well, let me tell you about this Ringo! I ride horses well, drive carriages well, and I’m good at fighting. Plus, I have the storytelling skills essential for a long, boring carriage journey! Ah, just having me along would make you laugh until your belly aches… right? Think about it, Princess. With that stern Lion King…, ugh! What fun would it be to travel such a long distance with only him? If I stay right beside you, pouring out all sorts of interesting and funny stories…” Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Get lost.”
“Ah, that’s really too much!”
“I said, get lost.”
“You’re cold, so cold. How can you not appreciate a man’s earnest devotion?”
“You have other tasks to do.”
At Adeline’s words, Ringo, who was insisting on following them secretly, stopped whining and his eyes sparkled. “Princess, do you have something for me to do?”
“Cesare’s silence is suspicious. Find out what he’s been up to lately, what he’s interested in, and what he’s planning.”
“Hmm… Since he became the crown prince from the prince, isn’t he probably enjoying parties every night?”
“He’s different from his father. He wouldn’t care whether Marma is an empire or a kingdom.”
Adeline was filling a chest that was going into the carriage with pouches of gold coins. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
The jingling sound echoed heavily on the bottom chest.
Ringo slyly grabbed two pouches from inside and smiled broadly.
“Got it. As you command, Princess.”
***
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