After passing through several inns along the way, they sometimes also camped outdoors. Although they called this camping, it meant resting in a dome made with earth magic and with beds pulled out from a magical compartment, providing them with comfortable rest.
Nox pulled out not one, but two small beds instead of the king size bed Nana expected, leaving her slightly dissatisfied.
Moreover,
“I can’t break the defensive barrier she puts up while sleeping,” Nana murmured as she stared at her future husband, who slept peacefully with his hand resting on the semisphere.
“It seems a bit more extended than usual…”
Seeing herself sleeping more relaxed and spread out instead of curled up, Nana noticed she was starting to feel more comfortable.
“Should I start studying magic too?”
She secretly hoped to surprise Nox by cuddling with him one night, believing he would react well.
***
After leaving Galaxia and about a month later, the couple finally arrived at the capital of the Kingdom of Akol, St. Akol.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here. The city is as lively as ever.”
Nana observed the hustle and bustle of the people as they followed the city’s busy pace.
“I see, since we arrived in Galaxia, we haven’t ventured out much, have we?”
“As I’m somewhat of a homebody, it doesn’t bother me much,” Nana responded firmly, before Nox could apologize.
“By the way, why have we come to the capital? If you wanted to go to Saerssol, there was a shorter route, wasn’t there?”
“I’m seeking new information about the curse,” Nox explained before setting off resolutely as Nana prepared to follow him,
“Oh!”
The flow of people abruptly halted her, losing sight of Nox in the midst of the crowd.
She suddenly felt helpless. Although Nox often said he was grateful to have Nana with him, she realized she had come to depend on him without realizing it.
“Nana…”
As if caught in a trap in the middle of a maze, she was unexpectedly taken by the arm and embraced.
“I’m so sorry… I’ll go back to the inn. I don’t want to be a burden.”
While her intention was to stay close to Nox, Nana didn’t want to limit his actions by being a nuisance. However.
“Instead of apologizing, do you know how much I appreciate your compliments?”
Nox smiled sheepishly. Nana’s heart raced like never before at this affectionate reaction, momentarily leaving her speechless.
“…”
“Nana?”
Although Nox made his remark in a joking manner, he paused and worried he had made such a direct request. He tried to gauge Nana’s mood.
“Thank you. It’s clear you know how to escort someone, Nox-sama.”
“I should have learned more about escorting Nana, knowing you would become my companion.”
Seeing Nana return to her usual spirit, Nox sighed in relief, holding her hand to make sure she wouldn’t get lost, and they began walking together.
Nana wondered what expression he might be wearing at that moment.
***
Nox’s destination was an old building in the city center.
“Is it the library?”
On an old plaque next to the entrance, “Royal Library of Akol” was engraved.
“Yes, although it may seem old, if you’re looking for updated information, this is the place.”
Nox entered with confidence. He presented his adventurer identification at the counter, while Nana declared herself as his companion, without further questions.
Even though they were looking for a particular book, Nox navigated through abundant shelves and headed to the central courtyard. There, he found a woman reading on a bench in the shade.
“Jenny.”
Seeing the woman with black hair reading on the bench, he greeted her joyfully.
“Oh, if it isn’t my dear Nox, with that dark hair!”
The woman with her hair braided in a winter blue shade, jumped up and embraced Nox enthusiastically.
As Nana watched in astonishment, the woman continued to affectionately touch his hair and back.
“Wow, you’ve grown a bit more, haven’t you? Next time we meet, you might surpass me! I think it’s time to learn how to use heels.”
“Ha ha!”
Laughing unusually loud for a library, the woman patted Nox on the back. She finally noticed Nana’s presence.
“Oh, and is she the girlfriend you talked so much about?”
“Well, she is…”
“A pleasure. My name is Nana Lica Zeppia Saerssol. I am Nox-sama’s fiancée.”
Without waiting for Nox’s introduction, she made an elegant bow, intimidating with her full name and title.
However,
“So, you’re the charming lady who accepted the amusing deal of ‘engagement to the non-heir of Galaxia,’ right? You are lovely and poised.”
The woman approached Nana without any reservation, scrutinizing her carefully from head to toe.
“You two seem like a lovely couple. Yes, quite suitable for each other.”
With excessive familiarity towards Nox, this mysterious woman who seemed to effortlessly control the situation left Nana with more questions than answers.
“Jenny, Nana is a bit confused…”
Finally, Nox intervened.
The woman with winter blue hair put a hand to her mouth dramatically.
“Nana, she is Jenny. The most knowledgeable person in Akol and the one who taught me magic.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Princess Nana Lica. You have that expression as if you’re wondering how I know about the contract between Galaxia and Saerssol. But it all comes down to me being an informed expert.”
Nana could only deduce one thing about Jenny; she seemed to know absolutely everything, including outlandish gossip.
