SALP Chapter 24

"I'll bring the Lord's meal again later."

The servant who set down the food on the table looked at the two of them, averted his eyes as if apologetic, and hurriedly turned away.

"Thank you."

After the servant left, Lanthe hesitated for a moment before moving alone to the table to eat. When she lightly removed his hand saying 'I'm going to eat,' he obediently released her.

On the table sat soup filled with meat and vegetables, grain bread with dried fruit and nuts, and fragrant honey. These were luxurious foods for a morning menu in a season when rivers froze and forests stood bare.

Of course, at Newbella's palace, every meal had brought a full spread of delicacies whose names she didn't even know. But for Lanthe, who hadn't found the greasy, spice-laden dishes to her taste, this menu—similar to Roas meals but more abundant—was simply appreciated.

"I'll eat well."

She ate, while occasionally turning her eyes to the bed to check on Vigo's condition.

'He must have harmed someone in the Northern Sea. Just as he'd said, he must have harmed people who were someone's parents. And in the process, he himself was seriously injured.'

What were they called? Baikans? She'd heard they were criminals who roamed between the barren land of northern Oden and the Northern Sea committing robbery. But she didn't know whether they were the kind of humans who should be killed without a proper trial.

What about the kid who'd been captured by soldiers a few days ago? His crime seemed to be theft. Vigo's words that he'd committed a "very bad wrong" seemed to imply something more, but she couldn't guess at all what crime a child that young could have committed that warranted having his leg cut off.

All she could know was that Vigo no longer belonged to Raphlishian law and morality.

For instance, by her standards, Derek was undoubtedly a villain.

Then what about Vigo, who not only didn't criticize Derek's behavior but evaluated him as 'quite a decent husband candidate'?

Vigo might have lived as a villain in places she didn't know. The scars on his body might not be marks of pity, but symbols of victory, a light punishment compared to his karmic sins of killing.

"Lanthe."

As she finished her meal and stared blankly at him, Rix called her out.

"A guest has come to see you."

"What guest?"

'Who came to see whom? Me? Or Vigo?'

Was there anyone here who would deliberately come to see her?

"Lanthe!"

When she came outside, a woman with bright orange hair wearing a pale orange dress grabbed her hands.

"Are you all right? I heard Lord Vigo was injured."

It was Princess Ana.

"How did you come to find me, Princess?"

"I came because I was worried about you, Lanthe. I'm worried about our Lord Vigo too, but I heard you took on the nursing duties and haven't been sleeping? Just look at how your beautiful face has become haggard already."

"I'm fine. I wasn't really in a position to take on nursing duties, but the Lord's consciousness isn't very clear right now, so he seems to have mistaken me for someone else. Still, considering I owe him the grace of saving my life, I should think of watching over the patient's condition beside him for one night as repaying that debt."

Lanthe laughed awkwardly while making excuses. Since she'd missed the timing to say she and Vigo knew each other at the last philosophy gathering, she had no choice but to string together appropriate words.

"Anyway, what a man who makes things difficult for women!"

Princess Ana led Lanthe to the opposite side of the corridor as she spoke.

"I'll take care of him now, so please don't worry. Actually, I came because I have something to discuss with you, Lanthe, but I feel bad that Lord Vigo is in such a state."

"Did you have something particular to say to me?"

When she glanced back, Rix had an anxious expression, moving his lips as if wanting to say something. His pleading eyes seemed to cling to Lanthe's skirt hem. Perhaps he meant not to go far.

Lanthe slowed her steps gradually, indicating she understood, and stopped in the middle of the corridor.

"It's something I mentioned lightly once before."

Princess Ana smiled brightly, seemingly oblivious to anything, and continued.

"Nina told me that it seems you're looking for a place to stay, Lanthe. She said you even asked what it's like to live in Floretta."

"Ah."

Lanthe's eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.

"You're in a difficult situation that makes it hard to return home, right? Then I'll lend you my house. Remember I mentioned we have a building in Hermea? I only use it when I stay in Hermea, and when I return to Logen, I hire a manager and leave it to them."

"Your house, Princess...?"

"You don't need to worry about Lord Vigo's reaction either. It's too much to work you like a servant. Taking advantage of someone who deserves protection and tormenting them isn't knightly behavior."

Her heart was greatly swayed by the unexpectedly proactive offer.

There was no room in this castle where Lanthe could stay alone comfortably. She wasn't in a position to stay that way either. The thought that Vigo calling her a prisoner might just be temporary spite, the hopeful thinking she was still clinging to—it might be arrogance stemming from her own 'old affection.'

Even though she was the only one who recalled their shared past fondly, she had nothing to say. What had she been like to Vigo a decade ago? Hadn't she always just teased and played pranks on him?

'Why did you appear before me...'

The words Vigo had said when he'd lost his reason came back to her. Her insides felt like they were being stabbed.

Perhaps he hadn't remembered her as a close friend. Perhaps they'd hung out together simply because they were neighbors, because she was the only peer his age who'd spoken to him without hesitation when other children avoided him.

'I can't even stand to look at you, so get lost, please...'

So they were just that level of relationship—where he had to agonize over whether to send her to Derek or not.

"Could I possibly... stay at your residence, Princess Ana, without the Lord knowing? Even if just for a little while?"

Lanthe asked, gathering her courage.

If she could buy time outside the castle and make contact with that place called the 'Order.'

"Oh my, did Lord Vigo torment you that much?"

And if she could use it as a passage to escape to Floretta.

"No, it's not that. But I don't want to impose any longer either. And there's a place I really want to visit sometime."

At Lanthe's cautious words, Princess Ana's expression also became more serious.

"Is the place you want to visit Floretta?"

It wasn't a story to hide anymore. She'd already told Vigo, and now Nina and Princess Ana knew about it too.

"Yes. I heard that even outsiders can make an independent living there."

"Who told you that?"

But suddenly a threatening tone came from behind.

"Did some con artist sweet-talk you, saying Floretta is a place where even a woman who's powerless and looks clueless like you can live comfortably eating and living well?"

"Skaeli!"

Princess Ana's eyes shot up sharply at the unwelcome intruder who appeared behind Lanthe.

"That's too much. Did you need to mock her that harshly?"

"Did I say anything wrong?"

"Does being right make everything okay?"

Swish. The knight named Skaeli brushed past Lanthe's shoulder. Even though it was just a light brush, Lanthe staggered and was pushed to the side as if shoved by great force.

"Be kind, Skaeli. Lanthe fell into the Northern Sea and was in a life-threatening situation before barely being rescued. It was definitely the work of Baikans, right? She seems to have lost her family too, yet you can't be gentle with someone who's already struggling. Skaeli, you're only pretty on the outside—you're mean inside."

"Are you saying I need to understand and accommodate every single person's personal history in the world?"

"That's why I'm saying to be kind for now."

Princess Ana glared relentlessly and rattled off reproaches. Skaeli only frowned and muttered bluntly in informal speech, not showing any sign of seriously getting angry.

It was an atmosphere where you could tell at a glance they were close without formality.

"So. Do you want to visit Floretta, miss?"

Skaeli asked, roughly brushing back red hair that seemed disheveled by wind.

"......"

Lanthe hesitated and swallowed dry saliva.

Based on the attitude she'd seen last time and this time, she wanted to snap back "What's it to you?" but something beyond simple meddling was clearly evident in the nuance of the question.

"Yes. If possible."

'It might be a chance to escape.'

"Really? I happen to be planning to finish my business here and return home next week or so."

'If surveillance is weakened now while Vigo is injured.'

"Did I mention that's where I live?"

'If only I could leave Vigo behind...'

"Floretta."

Skaeli rolled up the corners of his mouth and deliberately made a kind expression.

"Will you follow me?"

Adding, 'Since our princess is squawking so much.'

"Then..."

Words saying she'd follow immediately surged to Lanthe's throat.

But they got caught on something and wouldn't come out. It must be because she needed to be cautious. Right, wouldn't it be okay to say she'd think about it a bit more before deciding?

Just then, thunk—the sound of something hitting the wall was heard.

"My lord!"

Rix was seen frantically supporting Vigo, who was leaning against the entrance of the room. The quietly spat curse must have come from Vigo's mouth.

"What bullshit are you spouting, redhead?"

He glared this way with bloodshot eyes and growled.

"Who's telling her to follow you? Have you lost your mind?"

'Ah, it didn't need to be found out this quickly.'

Lanthe gasped in shock.