#027

Due to Kiyen’s mention of the day after tomorrow, the Imperial Palace was bustling for two days. No one worried about Cullen. It seemed everyone was in a hurry to drive out the uninvited guest who had briefly appeared. And indeed, that was the case.

The ministers prepared ten knights to escort him, a golden carriage, and a cook and provisions to assist him, all within a day. There seemed to have been friction in the selection of knights, but by the second day, everything was ready.

And one more thing was added.

“I am overjoyed to be embarking on another journey with Your Highness.”

Lasano, with his smiling face, joined the group.

Since ancient times, whenever great calamities like famine and plague occurred, the High Priest would always visit. The High Priest was responsible when matters became too difficult for the small shrines located within provincial noble territories or estates.

“The great being is also accompanying us.”

Kiyen, without acknowledging Lasano’s words, was looking at the bag of gold allocated for Cullen’s travel expenses. There were often tales about Kiyen in fairy tales, saying dragons liked shiny things, and it seemed to be true. It was certainly a fairy tale written by someone who had observed Kiyen at least once.

“You don’t seem to be lacking in money.”

Cullen, too, ignored Lasano’s words and sat in front of Kiyen.

The value of the gold coins and promissory notes filling the leather bag was approximately 1000 Luna. One Luna was equivalent to ten silver coins, Siluna, and a commoner could live for a month on one Siluna.

For a journey of only 300 days, this amount was more than enough.

“It’s nice to look at.”

Lasano, unbothered by being ignored, began to offer prayers for the goddess’s grace and blessings.

Kiyen picked up a gold coin and bit it with his teeth. His sharp fangs instantly left a mark on the coin. If he wanted to leave a trace with those teeth, it would be entirely possible.

Cullen’s lips tightened at the thought, which came out of nowhere.

Come to think of it, Kiyen had checked something on Cullen’s neck two days ago. Since he mentioned there was a mark, it was clearly something related to Rodiak.

That would also explain the strange feelings and thoughts Cullen experienced after intimacy.

It would be best to ask about sorcery when they were alone. He was sick of his mind wandering to useless things. He had even started dreaming of Kiyen.

Because of that, Cullen had acquired something unnecessary. He had been contemplating whether to give it to Kiyen until now. He had almost thrown it into the stove several times, but ultimately hadn’t discarded it.

Cullen pondered one last time. The carriage and knights were waiting at the Imperial Palace entrance, so if he were to give it, now was the time.

“It is ready.”

Duke Refellon knocked on the door. Cullen made his decision. He would leave the gift behind.

He packed the luggage he had prepared the night before. There wasn’t much to take. Only the simple clothes he had brought, his weapon, and a decent longsword from the Imperial Palace’s armory.

Out of habit, he also put dried rations and jerky into a leather bag. Even with a cook, Cullen was always prepared for the unexpected.

On the other hand, Kiyen had brought nothing.

“Are you sure you don’t need to pack anything?”

“Yes.”

Kiyen said as if it were obvious. Cullen nodded. As he moved towards the door, he stopped upon seeing a silk bundle placed next to the bookshelf. Despite having made a decision, conflict flickered.

It was an unnecessary act. Moreover, Kiyen wouldn’t need something like that.

Nevertheless, temptation ultimately won over Cullen. Kiyen, looking at Cullen who had stopped, walked past him towards the door. Cullen said softly to his back,

“Kiyen, please wait a moment.”

He picked up the bundle. Kiyen turned around. Lasano, who had been following him, also stopped. Lasano’s red gaze bothered him, but Cullen decided to proceed as he had resolved.

“I have something to give you.”

“To me?”

“Yes.”

Cullen knelt before Kiyen. Lasano, who had opened his mouth as if to ask something, watched with interest.

Cullen let out a small sigh. He had tried to ignore it, but it kept bothering him.

A repayment, yes, let’s call it a repayment for that night.

Since they were bound by a contract, he should repay any favors outside of it. It was a gift to avoid owing a debt.

“I will touch your hand for a moment.”

Cullen placed the bundle at Kiyen’s feet and untied it. A pair of shoes was revealed. White ankle boots, matching Kiyen’s white robe, embroidered with golden and purple lilies.

They didn’t completely cover the instep and weren’t suitable for travel, but they seemed better than bare feet. He had instructed them to make the soles sturdy, so walking should be fine.

Cullen carefully reached out. As his fingers touched Kiyen’s left foot, as white and soft as his hand, Kiyen looked down at him. His long hair cascaded down, casting a slender shadow.

When he cautiously raised his gaze, Kiyen offered his foot. He wondered what Kiyen, with his unsmiling face, was thinking.

He doesn’t dislike it. A sense of relief washed over him.

Cullen gently supported Kiyen’s sole with one hand and, with the other, slipped the ankle boot onto his foot, starting from the toes. It fit perfectly, thankfully, as he had only estimated the size. A fleeting joy flashed in Cullen’s eyes. His expression didn’t change, a subtle shift only noticeable upon very close observation.

“Would you offer your other foot as well?”

Kiyen gazed at the shoe on his foot. He didn’t dislike it, but he didn’t seem pleased either. Rather, he looked complicated, as if thinking about something.

“Shoes are inconvenient. They are unnecessary for a dragon like me.”

“Is that so.”

Cullen said calmly. Nevertheless, when he extended his hand to ask for the other foot, Kiyen paused for a few seconds before offering his right foot. Lasano spoke.

“Seeing you kneel like that would surely shock Duke Refellon.”

“Aren’t we leaving soon anyway?”

“Then why not have me put them on you outside? It would make for an interesting spectacle.”

Cullen ignored Lasano’s last remark and finished putting on the shoes. The pink toenails were covered. Kiyen looked down at his two feet, then bent at the waist.

“You are difficult to understand.”

“To me, Kiyen is even more so.”

“Why are you giving me this?”

Kiyen asked, genuinely perplexed. Cullen blinked. That was something he hadn’t even considered. It had been bothering him, but there was no need to prepare shoes. Cullen’s reason quickly found an answer.

“It’s repayment for what happened last time.”

“You were indebted, it’s true. But I said it was fine.”

Kiyen seemed to agree, yet still unconvinced.

“You helped me with something outside of our contract, so I wanted to repay the debt.”

Cullen confirmed again. Then Lasano interjected.

“Did you say contract?”

And then he was ignored again.

“Is that so.”

Kiyen made a sound and lowered himself to Cullen’s eye level. Raising his eyebrows slightly, he whispered in Cullen’s ear. He seemed bothered by Lasano.

“Then you will have to give me a gift next time as well.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I looked into the curse on Rodiak in detail. It seems the curse’s influence didn’t end then. When I examined you last time, there was a mark left on you.”

Cullen’s body stiffened. Goosebumps prickled down his spine. It was a strange sensation, bordering on a thrill, rather than dislike.

“I will tell you the details when we are alone. For now, I don’t particularly like that fellow.”

Kiyen finished speaking and grabbed Cullen by the waist. Before Cullen could refuse, he was pulled up by his waist. Lasano watched them with a meaningful smile. Cullen’s dark eyebrows furrowed involuntarily as he quickly turned his head. His heart ached.

More people than when he first arrived at the Imperial Palace came out to see them off.

Silfir Exion stood firmly beside Kihelene. He would remain at the palace in place of his father, Marquess Exion, while Marquess Exion, the lord of the territory, would accompany Cullen with his knights.

Given the circumstances, Marquess Exion had already departed early that morning.

“Travel safely, Your Majesty. I am sorry once again.”

Kihelene said earnestly as Cullen boarded the carriage. She was clearly someone who formed attachments easily. Recalling Kiyen’s words that she didn’t understand the ways of the world, Cullen nodded silently.

“When you return, we will have a grand banquet and your enthronement ceremony. Understood?”

“Please take good care of the palace during my absence.”

He spoke words he didn’t mean, merely out of formality. Just as his intuition had vaguely suggested, Cullen couldn’t imagine a scenario where he would return here. It was only natural, as he held no attachment.

“You must return safely. I will pray to the goddess every day.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing Kihelene’s tearful face, Cullen quickly boarded the carriage. He had intended to ride a horse, but Duke Refellon’s earnest plea made him give up. Kiyen was also boarding the carriage, so it would be bearable, at least.

“You will surely succeed.”

Duke Refellon said this before closing the carriage door. He wore the face of a father worried about his child. No matter how he looked at it, he was a good actor. Though he hadn’t found proof, if he pursued it, the truth would eventually surface. Once everything was certain, he would not be safe.

“I will.”

Despite spending nearly a month together, no one looked reluctant to part. Cullen was satisfied with his own state.

Soon, the horses began to move. The sound of trumpets echoed, and knights, escorting the carriage Cullen was in, moved ahead.

Once they set off, Lasano was the first to break the silence within the now quiet carriage. Cullen sat beside Kiyen, while Lasano sat alone with his luggage beside him. Every time the carriage jolted, the gold coins jingled.

“Have either of you visited the Marquess Exion’s territory before?”

Marquess Exion’s territory, located northwest of the capital, was about a six-day journey if one traveled at a reasonable pace. In terms of sheer size, it was vast enough that most other territories couldn’t compare, but in reality, the actual inhabited area was the smallest among those of high-ranking nobles. This was because rugged mountain ranges, difficult to cultivate, made up half of the territory.

However, the red salt found only in the vast caves of the marquessate had elevated the Exion family to the ranks of the wealthy, making them impossible to ignore. Despite the narrow mountain paths making it difficult for cargo carriages to enter, making trade challenging, merchants consistently visited thanks to the salt.

Legend had it that the site of the cave mine was once a sea inhabited by mystical creatures. This was a story Cullen had heard while escorting a merchant caravan to the marquessate, a tale passed down like a fairy tale among those who had lived in the mountains for a long time.

“I visited a long time ago. It must have changed a lot now.”

“I wonder how long ‘a long time ago’ for a Guardian Dragon truly is,” Kiyen said.

“You may call me Kiyen.”

“May I? It is an honor to be allowed to speak your great name directly.”

“Cullen gave it to me.”

Kiyen said, not hiding his pleased expression. Even though the feeling wasn’t directed at him, Cullen felt an inexplicable tickle in his neck upon sensing it. Lasano’s eyes narrowed.

“Come to think of it, you two seem very affectionate. A lot must have happened while we weren’t looking.”

Cullen’s mind flashed with explicit scenes. Skillfully concealing his agitation, he changed the subject.

“Cullen is enough. If everyone calls me that outside, they’ll notice.”

“Given that you travel in a carriage like this, that’s true.”

Lasano, as if letting it slide, returned to the topic.

“Then, have you, Cullen, also been there?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good. Since we’ve all been there, it will be a smooth journey.”

Lasano said, his red eyes curving into a sly smile.

And a few days later, the exact opposite of what Lasano had described greeted them.