Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 2.17

Over a dozen knights had accompanied them as Melfi’s escort.

For a royal visit to a foreign nation, this number was far too small, but since the purpose of this trip was to build new friendly relations—and furthermore, to formalize the engagement with Leonidas—they had opted for a small, elite force. They had deliberately kept the numbers low to show they had no hostile or confrontational intentions.

Those knights now came streaming out in a crowd to see Jerf off.

Perhaps they were growing bored with their unchanging daily routine, or maybe they intended to use the usually stern drill sergeant’s uncharacteristically soft expression as fodder for gossip.

Jerf only glanced at them briefly before addressing the captain of the guard.

“Well then, I’ll be away for about two days for an inspection.”

“Yes. Please leave Princess Melfi’s protection to us.”

“I’ve entrusted it to you, the captain of the guard, from the start, so I’m not worried. More importantly, I didn’t ask for a send-off.”

“It just happened. More importantly, where is Lady Mariadoll?”

As the captain glanced toward the detached palace door, Mariadoll happened to emerge. In her hands, she carried not only a basket but also a sketchbook, so she probably intended to draw once the feeling in her hands returned.

Panting, she came running over with quick, fluttering steps, and when she reached Jerf’s side, she took a moment to catch her breath, huffing and puffing.

“My apologies for being late. The preparations took longer than expected.”

“That’s fine, but you still have a fever, don’t you?”

“I’m fine now…!!”

Tap. When he pressed his forehead against hers, Mariadoll froze.

This wasn’t a private room. There were plenty of escort knights around for no good reason.

Yet, Jerf maintained that position for several seconds before slowly pulling away.

“Hmm, you do seem fine now.”

“G-Jerf-sama!”

While Jerf remained nonchalant, Mariadoll’s cheeks flushed bright red as she glanced around. The knights who met her gaze all averted their eyes in unison.

The awkwardness was beyond compare—far worse than the attention she’d drawn during the dance.

“Hahaha, I’d heard the rumors, but Jerf-sama’s doting is enough to make me blush. Please, take your time and enjoy the inspection together.”

The captain laughed heartily as he looked back and forth between the two.

Only Mariadoll shook her head at his gaze, which seemed to imply the inspection was just an excuse for the two of them to go out together. It was a small act of resistance.

But if she said anything, it would either be ignored or taken as her trying to hide her embarrassment.

Resigning herself to whatever would happen, Mariadoll turned toward the carriage step, only for a large hand to be offered to her. She squinted at the handsome man smiling cheerfully at her.

“…Jerf-sama, please save such things for when we’re alone.”

“So if we’re alone, it’s okay then?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I have enough sense not to kiss you. That would be in the carriage… Ouch!”

When Mariadoll pinched his arm sharply, Jerf exaggerated his pain. For a battle-hardened hero, this shouldn’t have fazed him at all.

From behind, she could hear the knights whispering, “Jerf-sama is being sweet,” and “No way, where did the drill sergeant go?” Realizing that anything more would only make things worse, Mariadoll climbed into the carriage.

Once the door closed, the carriage began to move. In parallel, one knight also accompanied them.

Officially, he was both a guard and a guide, but in reality, he was a watchdog to ensure they didn’t do anything reckless in the Cortaus Kingdom.

Mariadoll opened the window and called out to the knight.

“Sir Halmen, thank you for guiding us.”

“Yes. We’ll take breaks along the way, but right after leaving the capital, it’s just barren wasteland. Do you have drinks and food?”

“Yes, I’ve prepared some for you too, so please let me know if you get hungry.”

She had woken up early to make sandwiches and bagels, sneaking into the kitchen while the servants were still asleep. They were now packed in the basket. She’d also brought smoked meat, salad, and three flasks of water.

“Did you make all of this, Mariadoll? You could have had someone else do it.”

“I couldn’t. The detached palace only has Princess Melfi’s attendants and maids. They all have their own duties.”

Mariadoll believed that as the one with the most free time, it was only natural for her to do it. Even though she held a baronetcy, she only had two servants and had always taken care of her own affairs.

In fact, she had even actively learned household chores, thinking she might one day become a commoner.

It would take a full two days to travel from the capital to the next town. In between lay land unsuitable for growing crops, with only patches of short grass growing here and there.

Nomads lived there with their sheep and goats, which was why the capital had an abundance of fresh dairy products and processed goods.

The problem was that it took two days to travel from the capital to the next town. In other words, they would have to camp out for one night along the way.

On the long journey from south to north, camping was sometimes unavoidable, but having to do so from the very first day was a bit of a problem.

If merchants started worrying that things would only get more inconvenient from here, they might hesitate to travel.

“Jerf-sama, you want an inn town between here and the next town, right?”

“Yeah. If merchants start moving, someone will eventually build an inn on their own, but I’d prefer to have one as soon as possible. The main purpose of this inspection is to see if there’s a good spot around the midpoint.”

They could leave it to the Cortaus Kingdom, but Prince Frederick wanted the land route prepared before winter made sea routes unusable.

It was a task tossed his way, probably thinking he’d be bored just talking with Dennis, but it was actually quite important.

It seemed they judged that only Jerf, who also managed the vast Stanley duchy, could handle it.

“Is there really no inn at all right now?”

“There’s a simple hut by the river, and people seem to use it freely. I’ve heard it only has a few beds and a fireplace inside. The unwritten rule is that those who use it clean up the fire and trash before leaving.”

“Like the shelters built in snowy mountains for people who get stranded? Is that the right image?”

“Whoa, exactly. With water and fire, you could manage a night, but for a major trade route, it’s far too shabby.”

When the Dunbargas Kingdom, as the victorious nation, ordered the road built, they had naively assumed inn towns would naturally follow. But when they looked into it, there was really nothing but the road.

The Cortaus Kingdom’s financial situation probably meant they had no funds to build inn towns.

Beyond that, they seemed to have no intention of doing more as a state project, expecting that if traffic increased, commoners would build inns based on market principles.

“By any chance, are you considering providing funds to build that inn?”

“Sharp. I am considering that. Since it would be built in wasteland, the initial investment would be substantial, but in other words, that means only a limited number of people can do it. Not to boast, but the Stanley duchy has quite a bit of money to spare.”

Though Jerf was widely known for his heroics, he was also an excellent manager.

With the help of his butler, he not only managed his vast territory but also dabbled in various businesses. Since all of them were successful, “having money to spare” was neither a joke nor an exaggeration.

Shortly after passing through the capital’s north gate, a vast, desolate wasteland spread outside the window, and dust began to swirl.

Closing the window would make it a bit hot, but leaving it open would fill the carriage with sand.

Reluctantly, after calling out to Halmen, she shut the window firmly. Jerf then lifted Mariadoll and sat her on his lap.

“…Jerf-sama?”

“You said it was okay when we’re alone, right?”

“What exactly? Please don’t take it out of context.”

“The wedding is just around the corner. I can’t wait.”

Jerf smiled faintly, but contrary to his words, he seemed to possess a mature composure.

(And that smile only makes him more alluring. It’s bad for my heart!)

In the end, no matter what she did, she was just dancing in the palm of Jerf’s hand. Mariadoll blushed and averted her gaze. The stifled chuckles she heard from beside her, she decided to ignore, pretending they were drowned out by the sound of the wheels.