Episode 46

From Elisha's words, she must have noticed something unclear.

“Why is that? There are people like Lapis. At 14, he is already the second-ranked wizard in the Empire.”

“…….”

“I mean……. I can play the role of a wife well. If the reward is clear, I will work harder.”

“Impressive.”

Lucerne turned her head. Elisha was relieved when his expressionless expression was released.

“I'll call the jeweler. Buy everything you want.”

Lucerne said nonchalantly. Elisha intuited that it was the 'prize' he said.

“Jewels……. It's okay. I don't even have to go out right now.”

I also needed some jewels. Thinking of the future, the more money the better. However, since it was a contract that Elisha's ownership of her property would be recognized only after her divorce, she had to get her money because it was a jewel, so it was like a casino chip.

There is no point in carrying chips out of a casino without exchanging them for money. Chips are just toys.

The only way to exchange the chips for money was to make Lucerne the head of the household and divorce her according to the contract.

'Besides, there are things I need more than jewels right now, so I'll have to ask them to take that one.'

Elisha thought about visiting Yurif, the hot spring town. There is a key that will be the key to the future Gaju War.

“Then is there anything else you want?”

“I want to travel. I've never been there.”

Elisha carefully brought her words out.

“Are you going on a honeymoon?”

“Yes?”

Elisha doubted her ears. It's a honeymoon……. It was a word that did not suit Lucerne and himself at all. Besides, the honeymoon among nobles was only for young newlyweds who had married for love.

'I can go alone.'

Elisha's words rose to her throat. She honestly wanted to go alone. If she said that, it seemed that she would go against Lucerne's displeasure.

'Well, there are good things about him going with him. Arrange the situation well, and with Lucerne's help, you might get what you want easier than you think. Maybe we can get a little closer.'

Elisha thought her closeness to Lucerne was the same as the possibility that she would not die at the hands of Lucerne even if things went wrong with her.

“You're busy. It won't be easy.”

“How long do you want to go? Do you want to go around the world for half a year?”

“Around the world?”

Elisha wondered what this meant. A trip around the world would cost a lot of money.

“No. A short trip to the nearby area is enough. I heard her when she was at Jacob's mansion. Noble ladies have their favorite hotels in resorts near the city, and they often visit and rest. I heard there is a hot spring nearby……. I heard she is good for skin care. I always longed for that.”

Lucerne seemed to recall something of him.

“When it comes to hot springs, there must be Yurif. Are you talking about that?”

Elisha nodded her head. She tried to keep her aloofness so as not to appear suspicious.

“Carola also had a villa there. Collaterals like me who worked at Jacob's mansion……. Everyone envied Carola.”

Elisha said calmly. I hoped that Lucerne would not doubt Elisha's words.

“It will take a few days. Of course, the general is always busy, so if that's not possible…….”

“Branch.”

Lucerne said nonchalantly. Elisha's eyes brightened instantly.

“Happy?”

Elisha honestly nodded her head.

“Yes. I really wanted to go.”

The corners of Lucerne's mouth went up slightly. He said nothing more.

*​ *​ *​

General since morning I have been busy. It was because of the owner's sudden whim.

“Yurif? The general goes to such a place?”

Yurif was a hot spring town very close to the capital, and was a popular resort for nobles these days. Lucerne wasn't interested in such a break at all, so Yurif didn't even have a regular hotel, let alone a villa.

The butler had to urgently search for Yurif's hotel via telegram. Fortunately, it was not the peak season, so I was able to get a reply right away.

Wherever Lucerne went, he took Ian, who was a close confidant, with him. Other than that, he agreed to take Nora with him as an escort. Since it was obvious that Nora had been chosen as Elisha's escort, Nora was secretly jealous of the knights.

*​ *​ *​

Sophie hastily packed her things for the hostess's sudden trip. It usually took at least half a day to pack for a hostess' trip.

This is because noble ladies did not simply play and eat when they went to resorts, but also went to parties at resorts and went around nice places wearing beautiful clothes in the morning and evening. But Sophie's job was over too soon.

“Packing……. I'm done.”

That's also true, Elisha didn't have too many things. I went and packed all the cosmetics and accessories that were packed in one casual outfit and two or three dresses, and the job was done.

Sophie was a little upset. It was the rule of society that the prestige of a hostess was determined by jewels or fancy dresses. Her old house, where she worked, wasn't even wealthy, but it had a lot of small stuff. If her master's prestige was shabby, those under her would be hurt.

“You worked hard, Sophie.”

Elisha, perhaps not knowing how Sophie felt, spoke leisurely as she looked at her books and planned her diet until right before she left.

“Why was it so difficult to pack?”

“Oh, no.”

Sophie hid a little melancholy. Then there was a knock on the door. Sophie opened the door instead. Unexpected people were standing at the door. It was Lapis and Lazuli.

“Welcome. Night Lapis. By the way, did the Night Lazuli come too?”

Elisha got up from her seat. Lazri bowed politely.

“Hello. I stopped by because my brother, Lapis, was in a lot of debt. It must be difficult for you to listen to Lapis, but thank you. It must have bothered you a lot.”

Elisha lightly bowed her head and greeted her.

'Exactly……. Lapis knows Miju and has a lot to say.'

But Elisha had a natural talent for listening to her. Besides, although Lapis came to visit often, there were times when what she said was amusing. However, Lapis was firmly into making magic tools these days. The field was so difficult that it was difficult for Elisha to understand even half of what she was saying.

Lapis licked his lips.

“Nope……. I didn't bother you.”

Lapis glanced at Elisha, expecting Elisha to tell her that she wasn't a nuisance. However, there was also anxiety about what she would do if she said it was annoying.

“Rather, I don't know the field of Lapis, so I'm not a good friend. Are you having a hard time I'm glad you visit often. Thanks to that, I'm not even hostile.”

Elisha said calmly. Lapis's face turned red.

“You give it.”

“No, you give it to me!”

Raphas was annoyed at Lazri's words, as if he was embarrassed for no reason. Elisha tilted her head. Lazuri eventually grabbed Lapis by the scruff of her neck and pulled her forward.

“This……. It is a gift.”

Lapis held out something. Elisha accidentally received the item. She was a beautiful silver bracelet. Looking closely, there was a very small bell attached to it, and it was designed to be wrapped around the wrist two or three times, and the pattern was very luxurious.

“Looks like real silver. It's very pretty. Why did I suddenly find such a precious thing…….”

“It is a magic tool that Lapis made because she wanted to give her a present. I've been talking about it all these days. I was better at making magic tools than Raphas, so we waited until I returned from the war to finish it together.”

“…….”

Elisha fiddled with it in her hand.

'They've been talking about magic tools lately…….'

Elisha didn't understand what Lapis was saying, so she thought it was a bit boring. However, that magic tool was made for Elisha.

She wasn't used to unexpected kindness. Elisha couldn't manage her expression for her unexpected emotions. The more she was happy, the harder her face became, and her cheeks turned red.

“But it was almost made with the power of Lapis. I only helped at the end and only helped the silversmith.”

“What are you saying, noisy!”

Lapis grumbled for nothing. Elisha fiddled with her bracelet for a while.

“Thanks.”

“…….”

“This is the first time I have received such a nice gift.”

This time Lapis' face turned red, and she turned and walked away. Elisha tried to catch him.

“You should listen to the explanation. This is a magic tool, and it is a bracelet that makes a sound when there is bad magic or energy equivalent to it. It detects very strong, tainted magic. For example, something like a monster from the upper predator class.”

“Okay.”

Elisha nodded her head. She knew very well that magic tools like this were incredibly expensive. It was probably a price that could not be compared with gold of the same weight.

“Please tell Lapis that you will use it well.”

Lazri nodded. Elisha wrapped it in her handkerchief and placed it in her arms. With that, the final packing for her trip was over.

*​ *​ *​

Yurif was very close, and there was a direct gate from the capital. They left in the morning and arrived at the hotel before lunch.

Usually, hotels in hot spring areas had several guest rooms with private baths. Elisha unpacked her things in the room and turned around.

“Like it?”

Lucerne asked.

“It's a nice room. It's the first time I've been to a place like this.”

Elisha spoke in a calm but honest tone.

Sophie hurriedly unpacked. As Elisha changed her clothes, she wondered how she would move freely.

She said, 'I have to get out somehow. My purpose is nothing like tourism. I came to find it.'

Lucerne, unaware of Elisha's intentions, beckoned her.

“Then, let's start with the hot springs as you wish.”

He spoke languidly like a carnivore.

'This……. Will it be over soon?'

Elisha had goosebumps. What do couples usually do on their honeymoon?