Nox, confused by the sudden turn of events, opened his eyes wide.
“No, no, wait. Wasn’t this something decided by our parents? Nana, aren’t you the type who detests this kind of thing the most?”
“No, I was involved in the discussion and agreed to it. In fact, I just informed Lord Edwin about it. This decision is mine as well.”
After four years together, Nox knew Nana’s personality well.
If she truly didn’t want to marry him, she would have made it clear and returned home promptly. In other words…
“I am very attached to you, Nox-sama,” Nana stated directly without blushing.
Nox, who had never received direct displays of affection from a woman his age or someone he could communicate with before, was already so flustered that his ears turned red.
“Nox-sama, do you have any objections to me as your wife?”
“What?! No, definitely not!”
To be honest, over these four years, Nox had fallen in love with Nana.
Not only as a human being but also as someone with romantic appeal. Nox admired how Nana treated him without prejudice, her dedication to care, her diligence in work, her firmness in decisions, her calm and polite voice, the fleeting yet charming expression she showed when tasting something delicious or being surprised, her lovely appearance, and her impeccable figure that stood out despite always wearing modest maid clothes.
There was no end to the things he liked about her.
“But… it feels like I’m not good enough for you…”
Saarlosso was distant from Galaxia, in a region where the culture of Zepia, the neighboring country, was predominant.
Although considered a noble of Akor, if Nox were to marry, the label of “the stigma of Galaxia” would haunt him. He didn’t want to cause Nana any trouble, he was sure of that, so Nox sighed resignedly.
So, Nana, after observing Nox’s defeated posture, silently nodded.
“I’m not asking you to get married right away. Even if you plan on making a living as an adventurer, you’ll need a place to settle down. If you come with me, I can prepare a residence in Saarlosso for you.”
“That would be helpful…”
Many adventurers travel the world without a fixed home, but having a place to return to would be convenient. Moreover, due to the unstable nature of their work, establishing a new home can be challenging.
“While we travel to Saarlosso, I will work on boosting your self-esteem.”
“What?”
“For now, could you take care of this bag? We need to leave immediately.”
“Uh, sure…”
Following the instructions, Nox got up from the bed, collected Nana’s luggage, and stored it in his magical storage space. He then proceeded to store the bed in the same manner.
“It’s amazing, lifting that heavy bag so effortlessly and also having such a large magical storage space…”
“Eh?”
“My mother used to say that even for an experienced mage, the magical storage space is at most equivalent to a room. Nox-sama, at sixteen, you are beyond experienced, aren’t you?”
“Um…”
“I don’t have much strength and I’m not familiar with battles either. Your companionship is greatly appreciated by me.”
“Wait…”
“I also appreciate that you don’t boast too much about your abilities. It’s already enough, please…”
Even though Nana’s words maintained her usual calm tone and unruffled expression, Nox’s lack of experience in the current situation was starting to overload his mental capacity.
“Well… I guess we must find a place to stay outside today, why don’t we head out now?”
“You must be enjoying this…”
When Nana arrived at the mansion four years ago, she was fourteen years old. In other words, she is now eighteen, two years older than Nox. The future of being dominated was already looming at that time.
***
Nox, known as “Astra the adventurer,” had spent nights in various inns before as an adventurer. He had interacted with more experienced adventurers and knew how to distinguish between good and bad inns.
“Nox-sama, what’s that?”
Before entering the inn, Nox pulled out a small card from his magical storage space.
“It’s the adventurer identification issued by the Adventurer’s Association. If it’s an inn affiliated with the association, you can get discounts. Also, since it’s under the name ‘Astra,’ ask for it that way at the inn, you no longer need to add ‘sama’.”
“Astra, alright, got it.”
The name “Astra” pronounced by Nana sounded fresh, making Nox smile.
“I like the sound of Astra as well…”
“Thank you…”
Seeing her future husband blushing every time he received a compliment, Nana felt quietly satisfied.
“What kind of room would you like?”
The hostel receptionist, perceiving the pair as “a mixed duo,” asked as indicated in the manual. Nox, with familiarity, raised two fingers and said:
“A single room for two…”
“A double room, please.”
Nana interrupted.
The receptionist chuckled softly as she took out a key and handed it to the young woman with red hair.
“The room farthest back on the second-floor.”
“Thank you.”
Nana, with a slight expression of gratitude on her unexpressive face, politely received the key with both hands.
“Nana, don’t cross your arms. It’s uncomfortable to walk.”
“Well, if I let go now, won’t you return to the reception to rent another room?”
“It seems they are not just simple party companions…”
While listening to the lively voices going up to the second floor, the receptionist, still amazed by her lack of observation, opened the evening newspaper.
