How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love

Sophia’s eyes widened at Gray’s words. 

 

“What? how? Didn’t we have to stay here for at least fifteen days?”

 

“There must be a problem with Cloud Castle. The owner of the place is urgently looking for mercenaries. He let me cross the Anild gate as soon as I signed the contract once it was confirmed that I had no criminal record.”

 

“What problem?”

 

“I don’t know, but someone must be missing. Anyway, we’re done here, so pack your things. I was in a hurry, so I decided to leave right away in an hour.”

 

“really? In an hour?”

 

“why? I have something to do….It seems good to be able to leave right away.” 

 

“Surely good!”

 

Once you cross the Anild Bridge, it’s just a short walk from there to the Ajas. In other words, the land of cold.

 

‘If it was to the Anild Gate, I wouldn’t know, but to cross the Anild Bridge and track someone, you have to give them an extra allowance. From the clothes they wear to the shoes they wear.’

 

She doesn’t know how much wealth Baron Vincent will have left, but he probably won’t be able to hire a long-time tracker.

 

‘If I hold on. When he has no money, he will give up someday. ‘

 

‘Yes, for the time being, I will continue to stay in Ajas.’ 

 

Five years, no, eight years would be good. Then she will be thirty years old.

 

In their 30s, if they are single, women lose their value in the marriage market. Baron Vincent will give up on her by then.

 

‘From then on, I have to live my own life…’

 

‘I’m going to save up my money and buy my own house. I wanted to raise a cute pet and, if possible, to have disciples who would pass on her magic.’

 

Sophia had a lot of things she wanted to do. But it didn’t include anything like dating or marriage.

 

She was sick and tired of men, ever since Baron Vincent had ruined her life at an early age. She wanted to live her own life without a man.

 

* * * 

 

Ethan immediately sent someone to the Anild Gate to take care of the matter, so I was able to hire seven mercenaries. It wasn’t that I lacked money, but that was all the mercenaries I could hire.

 

Due to the close distance between Anild Gate and Cloud Castle, it was only the next day that I heard the news.

 

Even the mercenaries, whose contract was completed last night, said that as soon as they crossed the Anild Bridge, they immediately heard the request and were scattered and moving.

 

“Among them, there is a mercenary group specializing in search work.” 

 

“Searching?”

 

“Yes. Usually, they are commissioned by a wizard to find monsters or precious herbs they want. Maybe they’ll come with some good news.”

 

“That would be nice…”

 

It’s been three days since Marquis Cloud’s daughter disappeared.

 

Objectively, it wasn’t that long, it wasn’t that long, but it was too long for a noble young lady to survive being kidnapped by a monster.

 

A dark shadow was also cast on the faces of the knights and soldiers who left early in the morning and returned from searching the surroundings all day long.

 

Leonhard’s face was the same, his face was filled with pensiveness when he entered the bedroom late at night.

 

“Are you here now?”

 

“Nell, don’t wait, go to bed early.” 

 

“How can I go to bed early alone when my husband is having a hard time outside?” 

 

“Wouldn’t it be worth my hard work if my wife is staying comfortably in a safe and warm place?”

 

“Hmm, how can I be comfortable with a situation like this?”

 

Anyway, I should be glad that Leonhard returned safely, so I hugged him with open arms.

 

Is it because he had been wandering in the snow all day, even though he washed up with warm water? His body smelled of cold winter wind and snow.

 

Somehow I felt his body was cold too, so I grabbed his hand and pulled it under the blanket.

 

“Your hands are so cold.”

 

“Your hands are warm.”

 

“Because I was always under the blanket. My body will be warm too.”

 

Wouldn’t my body feel like a human stove to him who has been out in the winter winds nonstop?

 

I slipped into his arms and hugged his waist, hoping that he would have a good rest after working hard all day.

 

He always stiffened when I hugged him like this.…Same goes for today. I mischievously touched his waist, wondering when he would get used to his wife’s hugs.

 

“Are you eating properly? Your waist seems a little thinner than before.”

 

“Of course…, and with that being said, did you make sure you had dessert?”

 

“Yes. I was invited to dinner tonight by the Marquis, and we were treated to a traditional northern meal, and it was delicious…” 

 

“Just the two of you?”

 

“No, because there were a lot of people being served… I guess he was grateful that I hired mercenaries at my own expense. He said he hadn’t even thought of that.”

 

Oh, I’m sleepy. I keep yawning.

 

“Ah, I got a copy of the contract from Ethan. Since this request is for the Cloud family, we will pay the request from the budget of Ajas Castle.”

 

“Hmm, no. I did it on my own money…” 

 

“Whatever the Marquis decides, it is right that it be decided by the Marquis alone. And as lord, I have a duty to protect my vassals. Of course, Ajas should take responsibility.”

 

“If you put it that way…Since I’m the Marquess, I have that duty too, right?”

 

“Yes. You did a good job of that. You have no idea how proud I am of you.”

 

“Ah, nothing comes out even if you say that…”

 

“What?”

 

“Nothing. Hoamm…..Then, at least pay it with my own money. I want to do this.”

 

“If it is your will, I will do so…But Nell.”

 

“Yes…?”

 

Suddenly, a small laugh came from the bedside. what? Why are you laughing all of a sudden?

 

The moment I forcibly lifted my eyelids, which kept closing because they were heavy, and looked up, I met eyes with blue eyes looking down at me. Those softly curved eyes filled with warm warmth had a very friendly light. To the point where I lost my mind without realizing it.

 

“If you’re sleepy, you can go to sleep now. You don’t have to force your eyes open.” 

 

“No, I’m not sleepy.…hoamm.” 

 

Once again, laughter was heard above my head.

 

I stared up at him not to laugh, but the laughter didn’t stop and only got louder. 

 

What? Did I just open my eyes in a funny way?

 

“Nell, can you do me one favor?” 

 

“What is it…?”

 

“Close your eyes and count to ten.” 

 

“Ten?”

 

That’s easy, but why should I close my eyes? Do you want to give me a surprise? I closed my eyes and started counting to ten. one, two, three, three, four…five…

 

Then something warm and soft touched my forehead. At the same time, a low voice landed in my ear softly, like a touch that had just touched my forehead. 

 

“Sweet dreams, Nell.”

 

I soon fell into a deep sleep.

 

* * *

 

The morning of the fourth day. Once again, Leonhard left the castle before dawn with the other knights.

 

I hope there’s a result today. There’s nothing else I can do, so is it worth visiting the prayer center inside the Cloud Castle?

 

That evening. A torch-bearer rushed through the gates of Cloud Castle. 

 

“I’ve found her! I’ve found her!”

 

“What? Is that true?!”

 

“Because of the mercenaries, the hideout of the unknown was found, and Marquis Ajas and the knights of Heilang immediately raided the place and rescued the young lady. The young lady is all right!”

 

In an instant, the entire castle became festive. 

 

“The young lady is alright! She’s coming back to the castle now!” 

 

Not only the butler and the servants but even the maids, it was clear that everyone was excited. So I could guess at least. The young lady seems to be a really good person.

 

‘That’s why the people below can be so sincerely happy, isn’t it?’

 

I returned to my room to avoid the bustle of people trying to greet the young lady.

 

Whether it’s greetings or visiting the hospital room, I think it’s better to do it after some time has passed.

 

“Come to think of it, how long will we stay in this castle?”

 

“I’ll have to discuss it with the captain, but we probably won’t stay long. It’s because The schedule is delayed more than we thought.”

 

Originally, the time we planned to stay at Cloud Castle was two days. 

 

We were supposed to replenish our supplies and greet the lord of Cloud Castle, but we didn’t do any of that.

While the Marquis was off searching for his daughter, they exchanged greetings for a while.

 

“Is everything okay at Castle Aias? I hear the barbarians have an unusual move.” 

 

“I don’t know the details either. You don’t have to worry too much. The Hiyela Gate has never been breached since the barbarians lost their chieftain and scattered.”

 

“Chieftain?”

 

Leona nodded and explained that it was hundreds of years ago. 

 

“Currently, all barbarians have lost their roots and are just called barbarians, but in the distant past, it is said that dozens of tribes with distinct identities, like the Siracum Desert, constantly invaded each other and were repeatedly invaded. 

It was the Chieftain who conquered them all and unified northern Hiyela.”

 

“North Hiyela? Where is it? Beyond the Mountains?”

 

“No. That was before the border was established.” 

 

‘Oh, then it must have been a story before the establishment of the Estroa Empire.’

 

Since the establishment of the empire and the protection of the northern part of the Ajas frontier, the barbarians had never been allowed to cross the border.

 

“There are few records left of the chieftain, but it is said that the chieftain taught the barbarians how to manipulate monsters.”

 

“Really?”

 

“yes. They say that conquering other tribes in the first place was possible because they borrowed the power of monsters. After attacking other tribes, they expanded their forces to the south.”

 

“In the end, he was defeated by the Marquis of Ajas. who was conquering the continent with the emperor at the time.”

 

“Still, uniting dozens of tribes was an incredible feat. As a result, all barbarians lost their roots.”

 

Just then, a knock on the door was heard. Sage put down the sweet potato he was peeling and shouted loudly.

 

“yes! Who are you!”

 

“Excuse me, I came here because I want to ask a favor from the Marquess.…”

 

* * *