Book 7: Chapter 25


    I didnt directly ask Tarak what he spoke with Nara about after we left Karnashun. Its fair to say that its their secret. Lorana seemed to really enjoy teasing him though since shes carefree sort of character, so shes always really interested in Tarak whos straightced. Maybe I should say she found herself a really fun toy to mess with. Lorana dressed as she pleased in the desert. The most uneptable part though was her butt was exposed underneath her cloak. Shed deliberately bend forwards or face her back to Tarak causing the straightced guy to not know where to look.


    Lorana looked at Tarak who was next to her and asked with a smile: Man, Tarak, why dont you confess to Nara? You can clearly see her feelings for you, cant you? Youre handsome and shes beautiful. You two make a good couple. Why do you let yourself get hung up over this and that? Wouldnt all be well if you two just got together? Youre not young anymore either, so shouldnt you get married?


    Tarak pulled on the rope, blushed and replied: Its our private business!


    Lorana frowned. She looked at the straightced Tarak as though she was the voice of reason and said: But arent wepanions now? Werepanions who can trust each other with our lives, yet you wont even tell us about your feelings? That makes it difficult for us to trust you to help us when were in a pinch.


    Of course you can trust me! I took on this mission, so I will protect his majesty even if it costs me my life. Tarak looked at us anxiously. He was on the verge of going down on his knees to express his loyalty. I waved my hand with a smile to indicate that I wasnt going to get involved with their conversation and to not drag me into it.


    Are you going to tell me about your romance then? When we travel or when we camp, we all share our love stories to fight the loneliness. You didnt know that as a soldier? Cant you tell we all really care about your love? Shouldnt you share it with us? Were not going tough about you and Miss Nara. Its hard for us to view you as arade if youre not willing to share this sort of stuff when were in the same camp.


    Tarak froze up and looked at me a little fearfully. It appears he wants me to help him out. I smiled helplessly, tilted my head and asked Luna for the water, pretending I didnt see anything. Sorry Tarak. It wont be any fun if I help you out. To be honest, Im really interested in your love story too.


    Well well umm


    Tarak noticed I wasnt paying attention so he looked at Lorana and got a little flustered. The guards around went closer to him too, though I cant say for sure if that was deliberate or not. It looks like everyone is interested in the love story of the handsome young man and the beautiful lord. We were currently on a peaceful and steady road so we werent too concerned about a threat.


    We we are childhood friends I liked Nara since I was a young. Tarak had no way of shaking off the interested soldiers around him so he began to speak. Lorana listened in closely. Even Luna who was pouring me water hesitated for a moment.


    I looked at Luna and quietly asked: Wants wrong? You want to listen?


    Luna jolted her body because I scared her by suddenly talking to her. She quickly shook her head and replied: No It is just it is just


    I took the water in her hand, smiled and said to her: Go and listen if you want to. Im honestly very interested too since Im curious myself. Love stories always attract people no matter where you are after all, Luna.


    Luna giggled softly and grabbed my hand holding the water. She shook her head and replied: Not really, your majesty. I actually want to write my own love story more than listening to the love story of others, since listening to their stories makes me recall my past which makes me very sad.


    I stroked Lunas head. Those who have gone through unfortunate things always feel really sad when they listen to blissful and happy stories. I secretly touched her hand, then turned around and said: Let me go next to you then. Let us listen in together. Im really curious.


    Luna looked at me and revealed a blissful smile. She then gave me a gentle nod.


    I looked at Tarak behind me. Tarak looked at the people around him. It looks like he cant hold himself back after starting. With a shy smile he told us, Wemonly yed together when we were young. At that time, she said she liked the sort of prince that was skilled at martial arts and protected the princess, so I went to learn swordsmanship. I learnt swordy from countless people, did countless things for her, and put in so much blood, sweat and tears for her. I dont regret it. I got to watch her put one foot in front of the other over and over to walk the path she wanted to walk. She never was a lovey-dovey girl. She viewed the empress as her ideal, a strong woman who forged forth regardless of circumstances. She was as bright as the sun. She was the one I wanted to chase after. Ive always loved her, but I dont want to possess her. I just want to stay by her side. There is nothing more blissful than that to me. I try so hard because I want to have the right to stand by her.


    I see. Youre a brave one, kid.


    After listening to his story, Lorana patted him on his shoulder so hard he nearly fell off his horse. Tarak forced a smile and said: What does courage have to do with this?


    Of course its rted. To be able to love a woman and stay by her side knowing you wont end up together requires an extraordinary amount of courage. Nara loves you too, that we understand. But she chose to marry herself to Karnashun City. That makes her an outstanding lord.


    Thats right! Nara is very noble! I believe that she is already qualified to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the empress!


    You could say that, but Elizabeth isnt the type who would sever bonds to the degree Nara does since she has a husband after all.


    What?! Her majesty has a husband?! Who is he?


    Tarak reacted like he was scared by someone. He looked at Lorana and me with iparable astonishment. I looked at him hopelessly and asked: How would I exist if mom didnt get married? You dont know that?!


    So in other words, Elizabeth has a husband?! So the person Nara respects and admires most did get married! That means that Nara can get married as well then!


    Nobody ever stopped you two. Love and careers are two separate things. Wouldnt it be better if you two managed the nation together?


    I turned back to look forwards feeling hopeless. Just when everyone wasughing loudly, a group of carriages came over with a mighty aura from up ahead. I think its a merchant group.


    Their g standing upright indicated they were an escort, I mean, merchant group of Rosvenor Empire.


    Theres something really odd with that group. Theyre evidently a private merchant group yet they dared to use the royal familys g. Could they be Castells merchant group?


    The group didnt care about us though. They passed by us as quick as they could. I looked at the group. Every single one of them covered their faces with head-cloths and scarfs. Only their eyes were visible.


    Once they passed us, Lorana whispered in my ear: Your majesty, that group is very, very odd.


    I tugged my scarf and asked: Whats wrong? Its normal to be dressed like that in the desert, isnt it?


    No Theyre the royal familys merchant group, yet they didnt recognise you. That proves that theres a problem But Im not sure what the problem is. However mm they shouldnt be an issue for us for right now.