Chapter 6 – What you need before you make a deal (2)

Laney took a deep breath.

Her nerves relaxed as she was now at a safe location. However, she still had some nervousness lingering due to the most recent attack.

“Sister.”

“Can you at least knock before you come in?”

“We don’t need to knock with our relationship. You come into my room without warning too, you know.”

“This isn’t the royal place though.”

“……That’s true.”

Lloyd’s face darkened.

He once again felt his own misfortune. However, unlike before, he didn’t feel ashamed.

He knew he didn’t have the time to do so anymore.

‘I won’t have anything else taken from me, because I won’t be sharing.’

They say people get stronger through trials and tribulation, and just as the saying went, Lloyd had changed.

His naivety wasn’t completely gone, but his state of mind had completely changed.

A fighting spirit had formed within him that wasn’t there before.

“So, why did you come here?”

“Because I had something to say.”

“To me?”

Laney’s eyes grew wide.

She was confused as to what he wanted to say to her.

“Yeah, I guess it’s more of an advice than anything.”

“Is it something you’ve been thinking about recently?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Hmm.”

Laney stared at her younger brother with a peculiar expression.

Unknown if its due to the experiences they’ve recently endured, but her brother seemed to have a deeper look to his eyes.

It felt as if he was in the process of changing from a boy to a man.

“Don’t try to shoulder the burden by yourself.”

“……What are you talking about?”

“I think you know exactly what I’m talking about sis, so don’t overdo it. I’ll do my best as well. And, I’m the legitimate successor, not you.”

“However, you’re my younger brother.”

“It was like that in the past, but not anymore.”

Lloyd spoke firmly.

His eyes did not have the look of a boy anymore.

Laney smiled as she saw the determination in her brother’s eyes.

“I already feel much more reassured?”

“Don’t make fun of me, because I’m not joking. Anyways, I just came here to tell you that. Don’t overdo it.”

“Thank you for worrying about me, Lloyd.”

“I, I didn’t come here because I was worried, okay?! I just didn’t want to give my burden to you! I’m a man!”

Lloyd’s face became red with Laney’s gentle words.

However, his reaction was unexpected.

And, as if to run away, Lloyd quickly left his sister’s room.

“Huhuhu.”

Laney smiled as she thought of the transition her brother was going through, and the merits that it also brought.

Knock knock knock.

The confusion in her head completely faded away thanks to Lloyd.

However, at that moment, someone knocked on her room door.

“It’s me.”

“Please come in.”

Laney straightened her dress as she heard Jade’s voice through the other side of the door.

After a brief moment, Jade opened the door and walked into the room.

Ggyuu!!

Hwid was in Jade’s arms like a baby, staring at the inside of Laney’s room. Its eyes sparkled with curiosity as Laney’s room was big and spacious.

Everything seemed interesting to it.

‘So cute.’

Hwid was adorable, flying while flapping its tiny wings.

Although she knew its actual appearance was that of a three-meter-long beast, her heart still momentarily fluttered.

That’s how cute Hwid was.

‘I, I want to touch it.’

Watching Hwid fly around everywhere, Laney almost extended her arm out.

However, she held herself back as she knew Hwid was on guard with people it didn’t know.

Laney bitterly smiled as she remembered that Hwid did not allow everyone to touch it.

‘I wish I could hold it once.’

Whether it was a fluffy stomach or fluffy butt, Hwid looked like a cute baby Drake.

Even its scales were yellow and not of golden color yet, so to Laney, everything was adorable.

Plop.

As if losing interest in Laney’s room, Hwid plopped back into Jade’s arms.

And, out of habit, Jade naturally began to rub Hwid’s head.

Gororong. Gorong.

“Your guys’ relationship seems to be good today as well.”

“It’s only because it’s still a baby.”

“Please sit here.”

“Okay.”

Laney politely recommended Jade to take a seat.

Even as a princess, she stood up and personally suggested a seat to Jade, a commoner.

However, neither of them felt that this behavior was weird.

“Were you able to finish your business?”

Even though there was a comparison in their social status, Laney personally poured tea for Jade.

Not only that but she had even called him for a private meeting.

Heinze wanted to join them in their meeting, but Laney quickly refused.

She wanted to do this alone.

“Yes, but it didn’t go as planned. I thought there would be plenty of magical goods here but there wasn’t as much as I’d expected.”

“Magical goods?”

Laney’s eyes grew wide.

She felt doubtful that a summoner was looking for magical goods.

“I need a subspace bag. I have a lot of items to store, so I think it would be much more convenient to have one. Food management will also become easier.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Laney nodded her head as she quickly agreed.

Life became much easier with a subspace bag.

She felt this even more as she was currently on the run.

“That’s why I decided to visit the capital, since I heard there was a magic store that was managed by the kingdom there.”

“That’s right. It’s quite big too. There are many nobles that go to the capital just for that reason.”

Laney’s eyes sparkled.

They were also planning on heading to the capital tomorrow through the teleport gate.

However, since Jade said he was also planning on going to the capital, she felt they would be able to get to the capital safely.

“I’m looking forward to it. If possible, I want to buy a subspace bag with the biggest storage space available.”

“This should be helpful to you then.”

Laney smiled as she brought out a small bag she had prepared.

It was the bag that contained Jade’s reward since the Great Forest.

However, because the weight was heavy, Laney barely placed the bag in front of Jade.

“Is this the reward?”

“Yes, I’m a bit late huh? I’m sorry.”

“No problem. I didn’t do this for money.”

“Of course. But still, a promise is a promise. Although you were just helping us out of good faith, it was a big help to us. If it wasn’t for you, Lloyd and I may not have made it all the way here. So, thank you.”

Laney stood from her seat and politely bowed.

And, as she did, Jade waved his hand.

He didn’t help them to receive a bow, nor was it out of pure good intentions.

“It’s nothing. A precious person like you shouldn’t bow your head so easily.”

“But I think you did plenty for us to at least deserve this much. Through this experience, I’ve realized how equal everyone is in front of death. And, I’m sure you know this by now, but I’ll give you a proper introduction. I am the first princess of the Kingdom of Paulstein, Laney Leu Paulstein.”

Laney gave a graceful greeting.

It was a greeting that could only be seen in the royal court.

However, watching this scene, Jade had a calm complexion.

He wasn’t taken aback even though a princess was standing before him.

‘As expected.’

Although a commoner, Jade did not care for status because of his skills.

He was a person who could be considered a Master and was even recognized as a strong person by Heinze, the sword of the kingdom. That’s why Laney didn’t show much of a reaction to his behavior.

He was more than qualified to act the way he did in front of her.