TL: Leila

Editor: QianMin

Proofread: Karen

Mistress of the castle (1)

In preparation to leave Arde swiftly arrived, quickly picked a dress, dressed Chizuru, and styled her hair. Everything happened so quickly as if planned.

Although Lukrov did not wear armor, he wore a chain mail around his upper body, carried a long sword on his back, and a dagger around his waist. As a courtesy, Lukrov, as the lord of the castle, had to accompany the group until they left the castle town.

“Will you come with me?”

Lukrov asked, but she refused.

It would take less than 20 minutes to get to the town’s gate, a little longer if the horses stopped. It was ridiculous to prepare a horse and a harness ready for Chizuru for such a short distance and delay the travelling group. Besides, she was not a good horse rider in the first place, and riding a horse while on her period was quite uncomfortable.

“I will be waiting for your return to the castle as a proper wife would do. It seems that there are various preparations for the ceremony as well.”

They were only going to meet Lady Exia briefly. Lukrov would ride with them to the gates and escort her out of the castle town, so everything should go well.

As it was supposed to.

Chizuru wore a dress to match the flag of Lukrov castle. The flag was black, and it had a red pattern embroidered using a red thread. She tied her hair up neatly and headed out.

The travelling group was gathered in the square in front of the castle.

Lady Exia was wearing a thick coat made from expensive animal fur. While sitting on top of the horse, she looked down at Chizuru and spoke in a proud tone.

“Well then, I shall be leaving for the time being. I hope we can meet again.”

It was as if she wanted to say that she was the winner. Her pale blue eyes even had a cunning smile floating inside them.

Chizuru took a breath and straightened her back. “Yes, that’s right. Please come to our wedding if you like. I will welcome you.”

“Oh, your wedding..”

Lady Exia laughed bitterly, “I don’t know about that.”

“That’s alright,” Chizuru reassured.

“I’ll remember. Good day to you, young lady.”

Lady Exia did not call Chizuru by her name until the end. She did not say it clearly, but it was crystal clear that she was trying to make a fool out of her. Chizuru kept her discomfort hidden and maintained a poised expression. She looked back at Lukrov, who was standing behind her, with a smile.

“Have a nice day Lukrov. Please come back soon.”

“Of course love.”

Lukrov wrapped Chizuru’s face with both hands, gently held it up and kissed her deeply. The sweet and slow kiss made her legs tremble and caused her to be unable to stand without grabbing his arms. This appearance made the attendants and knights around them blush.

Only Lady Exia had a sharp, cold gaze.

Lukrov’s lips separated from Chizuru’s with a regretful gaze, and the two silently stared at each other.

With the cold morning air, their breath was white, and before she knew it, the expression on Lukrov’s face became softer, as if he was a different person than the one she met when she came to this world the second time.

The stubbornness and the despair he had on his face disappeared, and the only thing left was the expression of a youthful man full of hope.

Chizuru suddenly felt something strong inside her. It was a desire to protect.

I have to protect this man.

The promise I made with him.

The love we have.

That was why she should not lose to this overly self-conscious blonde-haired, blue-eyed Countess.

Straightening her back, she stood with a face full of confidence.

Chizuru stood on her tiptoes, grabbed Lukrov’s tunic with one hand and gave him a brief kiss on his cheek.

To be honest, it took a lot of courage for the Japanese Chizuru to do this in public.

But..

As expected, when her hands slipped off his face, Lukrov looked down at Chizuru with a happy smile. That alone made her feel rewarded.

“I will be waiting for you.”

When she said this, Lukrov straddled his horse dashingly, as if he was given a signal.

“First group, proceed!”

Lukrov’s command echoed through the clear sky, and the group formed to send Lady Exia back quickly left the gate briskly.

Lukrov was in front, Lady Exia was in the center surrounded by young knights, and at the end of the group, the castle flag was raised high.

Arde stood next to Chizuru, who was seeing them off.

“Let’s go inside. Now that it’s quiet, we have to prepare for the marriage ceremony as soon as possible, right?”

The maid’s eyes narrowed as if satisfied, and she looked at Chizuru with admiration.

Chizuru nodded.

Finally, after seeing Lukrov disappearing into the forest surrounding the castle, she returned to the castle with Arde.