Chapter 156: Peace and Restlessness
Even when invited, he often refused or ignored the invitations.
From the palace gardens, one could enjoy a full view of the royal city and Lake Rosalith behind it.
The Rosaria Kingdom’s castle sat on a slightly elevated hill within the flat city of Rosalith.
Behind the castle stretched a vast lake, and its opposite shore was surrounded by forest.
The white royal castle reflected on the blue waters from its cliff-like perch, earning it the nickname "the Castle in the Lake Mirror."
Thanks to the lake, even the plateau with few rivers and gentle hills was rich in water, making the land fertile.
Farming and livestock thrived, supporting a growing population as well as knights and soldiers.
The trade with Nabradia was also active, bringing in large quantities of agricultural goods.
A stable life brought social peace and calm among the people.
The Rosaria Kingdom maintained its wealth and peace.
The army and knight order did not exist to invade but to protect the kingdom.
The neighboring countries constantly showed signs of unease, seeking the rich lands of Rosaria and Nabradia.
In addition, monsters and magical beasts sometimes emerged from border forests and mountains.
For this reason, both the army and knights trained diligently to defend their homeland.
A few streets away from the royal avenue lined with noble mansions led to a bustling commercial street filled with shops.
On weekends, a market would appear in the central fountain square, adding even more activity.
Today was not a market day, yet the streets were still crowded with people.
Large stores lined the roads, and in many places, people who seemed to have come from the countryside set up stalls or laid goods on the ground to sell.
"Such a crowd. As expected of the royal city. I don’t get to see places like this often," Shiao Yi said, still distracted by his surroundings.
The stares from men and women who paused to look at them as they passed were annoying.
He was used to being observed at the castle or in the city, whether on duty or not, so he usually ignored it—but today, it irritated him more than usual.
Glancing sharply at those people who are staring at them, Dominic’s glare made both men and women flinch and step back, giving them space.
Dominic kept his gaze sharp, glaring around to keep the crowd at a distance from Shiao Yi.
Watching the people observing from afar, he asked Shiao Yi quietly, "Is there anything you want? Since we’re here, why don’t we take a look inside the shops?"
"I don’t really need anything," Shiao Yi replied.
Shiao Yi had no desire for things.
He rarely wanted possessions.
He said that carrying things only added weight and limited mobility.
"I always had to be able to run away with nothing but myself," he said, his face bright as he spoke.
"All I needed was my life itself, and that was enough," he added.
At any moment, his life might have been taken.
That had been his reality.
Shiao Yi had lived in a world so harsh and unforgiving.
Now, Dominic felt gratitude for the sheer luck of having his life preserved.
It had been almost three months since Dominic had met him.
Only three months, and yet Dominic could already not imagine a world without Shiao Yi.
The sky suggested the season when snow might fall, yet today was calm and mild.
Dominic led Shiao Yi to a small snack shop in a corner of the plaza, a place recommended by Aaron.
Noticing the weather, they chose a table outside and ordered warm tea and baked sweets.
Shiao Yi loved sweet treats.
Watching Shiao Yi bite into the pastries with happiness, Dominic felt a smile come naturally.
Shiao Yi noticed and grinned.
"Dominic, you look happy. Does seeing me eat make you that happy?"
"You look so good eating. It makes me happy to watch," Dominic said, smiling.
Shiao Yi laughed and teasing him. "When you smile like that, Dominic, you look even more beautiful. Look, all the women are staring at you like you’ve bewitched them. You’re incredibly popular, you know."
"You’re the one I’m looking at. Shiao Yi, don’t glance anywhere else. You only need to look at me," Dominic replied firmly.
Shiao Yi seemed unbothered, whether by Dominic’s words or the women around them.
Taking the last piece of pastry on his fork, Shiao Yi bit it, a tiny fragment sticking to the corner of his mouth.
Dominic motioned with his finger for Shiao Yi to bring his face forward.
Shiao Yi leaned in obediently.
Dominic reached across the table, catching Shiao Yi’s chin, and licked the pastry fragment off his lips.
"Kyaa!" The women around them shrieked in surprise.
"Idiot!" Shiao Yi shouted, his face immediately turned red, swatting at Dominic.
But Dominic was used to this.
He leaned back just in time to dodge Shiao Yi’s hand.
Now everyone clearly understood whose Shiao Yi was.
"Shall we go?" Dominic asked while taking Shiao Yi’s hand and helping him to his feet.
The end of a date had its usual routine.
Shiao Yi who is realizing Dominic’s intention immediately turned crimson but he quietly tried to resist.
"We have work tomorrow. You understand that, right?" Shiao Yi murmured.
"Yeah. Tomorrow, the Second Division is off. The training has been too intense lately and you’ve been working too hard. You should take a proper rest for once," Dominic replied calmly.
"Eh? I didn’t hear about that!" Shiao Yi exclaimed.
As Dominic led him away, he thought apologetically in his heart that he probably couldn’t let Shiao Yi rest as much as he wanted.
...
The Second Division of the Knight Order was facing an unprecedented crisis.
It’s not that another country had attacked or the hordes of magical beasts were storming in.
With an agreement being negotiated with Dalmasca Kingdom, the Rosaria Kingdom was enjoying a level of peace it had never known before.
But!
For the people in the Second Division, that peace was far more terrifying than any battle.