TDNT 33

Chapter : 33

Jeez, how bothersome.

Sophie even went all the way to the port city of Valkyps to check out the herbs at the local apothecary.

Valkyps had frequent trade with the island of Zelandiphon, known for its abundance of rare herbs.

Zelandiphon was also home to many earth spirits. Of course, they wouldn’t even speak a word to ordinary people without affinity, but the spirits themselves had developed and maintained the island’s ecosystem on their own.

“That makes sense. So you’re saying you’re going to ask other apothecaries or spirits if they’ve encountered a similar case?”

“…Yes. I figured maybe other earth spirits or spirit users might’ve experienced something like this.”

“That’s reasonable. I’m also curious if other spirit users have this kind of ability.”

“I still need to look into it more… But seriously, why are you following me?”

They were on their way to Valkyps, and this time, Valentis had tagged along.

“Did you get permission from Lord Robin? Are you even allowed to be out like this?”

“I prefer using my body out in the field rather than sitting at a desk doing paperwork.”

He said it was part of his imperial training, trying to add credibility to his claim.

Sophie snorted. That was the lamest excuse she’d ever heard.

“And you were going to go to Valkyps alone?”

“I’m going with the spirits too…”

Sophie muttered under her breath.

“And… you really stand out. You’re just too big.”

Valentis was far more physically imposing than the average person. Not just his height—his sturdy frame and muscles gave him the aura of a warrior.

With such a dangerous-looking man walking close behind, concerned passersby even asked Sophie if she needed help.

‘And he’s too good-looking.’

Sophie shook her head. Even if she couldn’t hide his build, she at least wished she could cover his face.

But there was no way to break Valentis’s stubbornness—it was stronger than even Arthur’s.

‘And what did he mean about us having a different relationship than apothecary and patient? What’s that supposed to mean?’

Ever since Valentis had made that declaration, something about the atmosphere had changed.

There had always been a slight distance and a respectful boundary between them. Now, though, it felt like they’d grown much closer, and even his gaze had changed.

Whenever their eyes met, he gave her this strange look and even smiled lopsidedly. That smile had a weird effect on people—it stirred something.

“You stand out too much. People are going to get the wrong idea.”

“They won’t think it’s weird.”

“Why not?”

“They’ll assume we’re a couple. That’s the obvious conclusion.”

What is with this guy?

Sophie fumed at Valentis’s shameless response. It even looked like he was enjoying how flustered she was.

“I don’t want people thinking we’re like that.”

Finally, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a robe. It might be a bit small for Valentis, but at least it was big enough to cover his face.

“…”

“Why are you following me around like this? It’s annoying.”

Grumbling, she tugged the robe over his head. Her hand brushing his face felt oddly pleasant.

“You said before I wasn’t annoying.”

“Well, now you are. You’ve become annoying again.”

“Even though I said I’d protect you?”

“I don’t need protecting.”

Honestly, whether he followed her or not, she could just ignore him.

Still, the fact that he insisted on protecting her was… kind of sweet.

Valentis’s expression subtly changed—and Sophie didn’t like that.

‘He’s definitely looking at me like I’m his lover.’

That was the kind of look that could cross a line at any moment.

A man’s gaze.

Sophie had enjoyed her fair share of passionate romances, so she couldn’t pretend not to notice.

Valentis truly just stayed by Sophie’s side. He never asked for anything.

He didn’t try to touch her. He didn’t make stupid lewd jokes.

‘What the heck… really…’

Unlike Arthur and Rolf, Valentis didn’t bother hiding his feelings.

In fact, he openly flaunted his charm, gazing at Sophie with those captivating golden eyes, smiling faintly from time to time.

Sophie found herself flustered. More than that, she was unsettled by how affected she was by him.

She’d never met anyone so direct with their emotions.

Most of the men she dated—like Arthur and Rolf—had been shy or secretive.

Sophie, who had always been bold and confident, now found herself matched by someone even bolder.

“This is my first time seeing it in person. Is this Keralamin? Did it come from Zelandiphon?”

At the apothecary in Valkyps, Sophie chatted comfortably with the shop owner, whom she already knew.

Valentis, trailing close behind her, looked around and enjoyed the bustling atmosphere.

The blaring bells signaling ship departures, the crowds of people…

Valentis basked in the peacefulness of it all.

“Sophie, I figured you’d know. Yeah, it’s Keralamin, and it did come from Zelandiphon.”

“Right? I think I’ll buy this.”

“With spirits around, you shouldn’t have any problems.”

The apothecary owner spoke with a tinge of envy.

“Have you ever heard of an earth spirit user with healing powers?”

“Nope. There aren’t any high-level earth spirit users in the first place.”

So far, no high-rank earth spirit users had appeared. Those that had existed died long ago.

Low-level ones like Sophie were around, but once you hit intermediate or higher, it became nearly impossible to find them.

A high-rank earth spirit user would be treated with immense respect.

“I see. Got it.”

“Who’s the guy behind you? Your boyfriend?”

Valentis turned his head and gave a sly smile. He seemed quite pleased with the ‘boyfriend’ comment.

“No. He’s my bodyguard knight.”

“…Whoa. He looks insanely strong.”

“He is. That’s why I’m thinking of firing him soon. He should go join the Imperial Palace Knights instead.”

Sophie giggled.

“Hah.”

Valentis scoffed.

“…You’re right. Maybe I should join the palace knights.”

The apothecary owner couldn’t meet Valentis’s eyes, which glowed faintly with dragon magic.

Though they picked up a few herbs, they didn’t find the information they wanted.

There was simply no explanation to be found.

Sophie handed her bags to Valentis. Here, you carry these.

He took them without complaint.

“Well, since we’re already in Valkyps, let’s at least eat something.”

“Food?”

“Valkyps has a lot of foreign cuisine.”

She couldn’t very well let the guy who followed her all the way here go back hungry.

So she led him to a familiar street lined with restaurants.

Sophie grabbed some skewers—her usual.

“What about you, Your Highness?”

“Let’s skip the title in public.”

“…Then what would you like, Valentis-nim?”

“Drop the ‘-nim’ too.”

“You’re gonna get your head chopped off.”

No matter what, calling a prince by name was dangerous.

This wasn’t like scolding Arabelle. If Sophie used his name too casually, people would come running with axes.

“No one’s going to cut your head off.”

Valentis said confidently.

“I’ll make sure that never happens.”

“Anyway! What do you want to eat?”

Slightly flustered, Sophie raised her voice.

“Hmm… Selhalar?”

She followed his gaze and saw he was looking at Selhalar, a noodle dish.

“It’s a traditional dish from the Groneren Kingdom.”

Valentis ordered it with the ease of someone who had eaten it at the palace before.

Curious about the unique smell, Sophie took a bite.

“Ugh… I don’t think it suits my taste.”

“Maybe it’s the spices.”

He ate without any trouble—it clearly suited his taste.

“If there’s Groneren food here, it must mean they trade a lot with them.”

“These kinds of dishes are pretty common now.”

Apparently, Valentis hadn’t forgotten his royal duties—he kept glancing around Valkyps, taking mental notes.

He knew a lot. From the latest Valkyps trade policies to pirate ship rumors from far away.

Having traveled across the empire’s battlefields, Valentis had countless stories—and Sophie enjoyed hearing them.

“You really do know everything.”

“I had to travel from one end of the Psylok Empire to the other. And I often shared stories over drinks with my troops.”

“That must’ve been rough…”

Even coming to Valkyps for a short trip was tiring. Sophie couldn’t imagine traveling across the entire Psylok Empire.

And Valentis had fought on the front lines, clashing swords with enemy troops.

Thanks to that, they were now enjoying peace.

“So you’ve fought in wars and worked in the palace?”

“I’ve been trained for it since childhood.”

“Then… someone that important, is it really okay for you to be following me around like this?”

She had been brushing him off as annoying or pesky, but Valentis was a key figure in the empire.

And yet here he was—carrying her bags, no less.

She began to wonder if this was really okay.

“You really don’t have to do all this.”

“Then think about it the other way, Sophie.”

Valentis spoke casually, like he would to Robin.

“Why do you think someone like me, who should be buried in war reports and documents, is following you around?”

“…!”

He didn’t even look at her—just kept facing forward.

“Why do you think I’m sticking by your side like this?”

“…”

“My guess is…”

He finally turned to meet her eyes.

“You already know the reason.”