Chapter 18: Monster Subjugation (XI).
Still at the inn…
It was absurd, really.
Lady Olivia Charlotte Alarie- an infamous countess, now building her image as a master strategist, and daughter of a powerful Duke had been so close that her perfume clung faintly to the pillows. And even though she still smelled faintly of cheap tavern ale, the scent had burned itself into Mariana's memory.
Even if she stank like alcohol for some reason, it's recently become one of her favorite things to smell.
It was strange, embarrassing even… yet somehow comforting.
But deep down, she knew the answer.
Even if Lady Alarie's reputation was cold and merciless, her touch last night had been warm. Her voice though sharp with command had softened when she'd told Mariana she was safe.
And now that warmth was gone, replaced by the quiet ache of absence.
…
At the inn's lobby-
"Hmm…" (Commander Lenof) sat on a worn leather sofa, staring absently at the wall. His silver pauldrons glinted faintly in the morning light as he waited, drumming a gloved finger against the armrest.
His thoughts stilled when he heard the sound of armored boots descending the stairs.
Lady Olivia Charlotte Alarie appeared at the landing, every trace of her exhaustion tucked neatly behind her poise. She was dressed in her iron field armor, silver hair tied back, eyes clear and sharp again. Sebastian followed a respectful step behind, carrying her cloak.
Commander Lenof stood quickly, straightening his posture before giving a sharp salute. "Lady Alarie."
Lady Olivia returned the gesture with precise discipline. "Commander Lenof, it is good to see you again. I hope your journey here is a safe one."
Still she grits her teeth and manages to stay conscious, alert. Afterall being drunk doesn't have many perks at the moment, so she kept her tone composed as if the night of being wasted had never happened at all.
The innkeeper seems to be away at this moment, leaving the three of them alone. The commander seems oddly happy.
"Yes milady, good morning to you as well. Where is the uh…" He looks around hoping to find the southern girl that they saved.
Olivia looks up towards the stairs where the room of the heroine was before responding, "She's resting. Her condition is stable and there is no need to worry."
Commander Lenof nodded.
"I hope you slept well because I mostly couldn't wait to show this to you so let's have a quick chat since there's no one here-" The commander's voice was brisk as he motions for Olivia to sit down and have a chat first. "[Inventorium]."
He takes out a map and spreads it out at the table.
"If I'm being honest we shouldn't be even laying military property out in the open." (Olivia) sat down as ordered, but she sat like a MAN. Cross legged and lazily leaning her chin onto her fist made hand.
She was worried that there would be other people listening.
"Sebastian, keep guard."
"Mm." (Sebastian) kept guard and made sure that no one dangerous would be eavesdropping on their talk.
Commander Lenof slides his hands on the map, setting it flat on the table. He smiles and feels proud of the progress they've had in only just a day. Usually this type of progress would take weeks or months mapping out areas.
But the young lady gave them a technique to easily do reconnaissance and scout for information better. "We've been impressed with how thoroughly your scouts mapped the area, milady. With your input from before, we've located the tunnel mouths leading to their nest."
Olivia traced one of the inked lines without looking away from the map.
"Good." Her voice was flat, efficient.
"With your strategy," He continued, voice low, "even if only a handful get through, we'll have the chokepoints covered. A few barrels of gunpower and miasmite gas- the toxic gas you requested were ordered."
Miasmite gas is a toxic vapor formed when corrupted minerals or decayed mana react underground. It has a faint greenish color and smells of rotten eggs and metal. Heavier than air, it gathers in caves, ruins, and tunnels- causing dizziness, paralysis, and death to anyone who inhales too much.
He looked up. "Your men are ready to fight. Even today, if you give the word they'll move."
Olivia's mouth twitched; there was a distance in her eyes Commander Lenof had come to recognize. She leaned back, the casual pose belying the calculation in her gaze.
'I want this finished as soon as possible,' she thought, but the truth tasted more complicated. 'But what if something happens to the heroine while I'm out patrolling?'
She inhaled, then shook her head once.
"Today will be for preparations." Her tone left no room for argument. "I told you I wanted this done today, I know-" She cut herself off, choosing her next words carefully.
"But I have another obligation I cannot postpone. The girl I brought back must stay under watch. I won't send men into battle and leave her unattended. I have to make sure her father picks her up safely with no disturbance."
Commander Lenof opened his mouth. "Lady Alarie… my apologies but this is not your duty to do so-"
Olivia's gaze did not waver. "I believe it falls upon my responsibility to see her safe. The Alaries are responsible for the town, to let the goblin problem spreading around the area is one of my father's mistakes that's been left unsolved for far too long."
Olivia set her palm flat on the table, fingers splayed over the inked tunnels. "We'll finalize positions, check supplies, and move at first light tomorrow. For now, ensure the gunpowder is secure, the men understand the chokepoints, and Sebastian will leave the innkeeper a note- Lady Borbon is not to be disturbed."
Commander Lenof looked at her for a long moment, understanding that the girl they have saved must be one important person for the young lady to postpone important plans. He bowed his head once and agreed to hang back a bit before attacking the nest. "Understood."
"For any ordinary adventurer- one or two goblins roaming around is fine but with these big numbers- and a nearby nest to worry about… I have to fix it soon for the sake of everyone." (Olivia) Olivia said, her gaze tracing the map's borders.
She allowed herself a single, small exhale duty settled into plan, and plan into motion. But in the quiet between orders, the thought of the sleeping girl upstairs lingered at the back of her mind like an ember she could not quite smother.
Commander Lenof nodded solemnly, happy that the next heir is taking good care of their people. "I am deeply moved by milady's words. Please do not worry! We'll do our best to follow the young lady Alarie's path to victory. It's been estimated that the nest should carry more than five hundred of them."
Olivia's brow furrowed slightly. "Five hundred? Hm. That won't be solved in one day. And if we exterminate them all at once, the ecosystem will collapse. Controlling their numbers is the smarter option."
Her tone softened, just barely. "But it can wait… one more day."
Commander Lenof blinked. "Milady?"
"I'm sure you'll use the time well, Commander," She continued smoothly. "A day's delay should help the knights prepare everything we'll need."
He hesitated, rubbing at his collar. "W-Well, we've already bought up all the gunpowder in town and the soldiers have the supplies ready… but perhaps we can do a perimeter sweep of the goblin nest today instead."
Olivia nodded, happy to hear that everything seems to be going to plan at least- exclude the fact that the universe just randomly gave her a random encounter with the heroine. "That will do."
The commander glanced up carefully, studying her face before asking. "You could escort the young lady back home, if you'd prefer. It should take about half a day's ride, you two seems to be good friends after all-"
"I'm not… her friend." (Olivia) hesitated, her teeth catching lightly on her bottom lip before she forced herself to continue. "That was basic human decency, Commander. Nothing more. I'm not going to waste daylight on someone like her. She's not my friend or anything else, our relationship is nothing more than two strangers."
The words came out steady, almost dismissive- but her hand, resting on the table's edge, curled just slightly. It was the logical solution, the proper choice for a noble commander with duties to fulfill.
And yet…
The thought of spending another half-day on the road with her made something twist uncomfortably in her chest- an irritation she couldn't quite define, a restlessness that felt far too much like longing. So she looked away first, straightening her gloves as though the motion could smooth over whatever had flickered across her face.
"There's work to be done," She added briskly, tone cool again.
"O-Oh… is that so… my apologies I thought how you cared for her well…" (Commander Lenof) pulls the edge of his collar feeling that he made a mistake. He thought of the two as close friends. 'I really thought they were good friends, with the way she handled her yesterday you would even think… no, no- that's impossible hah… I'll just have to be careful with my words next time.'
Through all of her calm facade that was the only time she felt…
"We've already sent a letter to her father about what happened. The Baron should be able to take care of his own daughter from here on out." She tells the commander who has decided to never comment on the two girl's relationship with one another ever again, it's likely to be a topic that you'd want to avoid mentioning. "She can wait for her father here and I can leave her here and do the perimeter check with you. I will leave Sebastian to guard the girl while I do my job."
"...?" (Sebastian) didn't realize that he was going to be stationed at the inn, he's upholding the highest order given by the Duke Alarie that his daughter should be protected and safe at all costs.
He has always been a guardian of the Alarie family.
Not whatever family that southern girl is from.
Olivia understands that this might've been an impulsive request but she has to keep the heroine safe while being away from her, she doesn't trust any of Commander Lenof's nor the ones that Mariana's father has hired. "I trust Sebastian the most, I know he'll keep her safe."
The sound of soft footsteps echoed down the stairs.
"But I doubt milady could resist not being with me."
Both heads turned at once.
Mariana stood halfway down the staircase, still wearing her thin nightgown, a blanket clutched tightly around her shoulders. Her brown hair, tangled from sleep, fell messily over her face as she blinked against the morning light.
"...!?"
Commander Lenof nearly jumped to his feet, color rushing to his cheeks as he spun around. "Ah! My apologies, my lady! I shall avert my eyes!"
Olivia's expression shifted instantly from calm authority to alarmed exasperation. She stood, tugged off her cloak in one quick motion, and strode toward the girl. Without a word, she swept it around Mariana's shoulders, covering her completely.
"Why are you awake?" Olivia's tone came out sharper than she meant, but the worry underneath it was clear. "You shouldn't have come down here. Do you not care? Other people here and you're still in your night gown."
"I wanted to see you," (Mariana) said softly, gripping the edges of the cloak around her shoulders. "I knew I heard your voice. You saved me."
Her words hung delicately in the air, hesitant but sincere.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," she continued, eyes flicking toward the map on the table. "Will you be with me while I wait for my father?"
Olivia exhaled quietly, steadying herself. "No. I'll be conducting perimeter checks once I've ensured the camp's preparations are complete. You'll remain here in the inn."
"...Oh." Her tone dropped, barely audible.
But enough to make the Countess glance up. "What?"
"It's just that…" (Mariana) hesitated, voice trembling with honesty. "Pardon me, I don't feel safe being alone in this place. I don't know anyone, and I might… feel a little lonely."
Olivia's jaw tightened, deep inside maybe she wanted to say yes- but to uphold the role she was given she must decline. "I have a job to do, Lady Borbon. I must finish this subjugation mission for my father. Do not tempt me into neglecting my duties."
The words were cold, clipped, but her tone faltered at the end. She wouldn't look at her.
Sebastian, feeling that the conversation seemed to be more private than it seemed moved to Commander Lenof's side where he breathes a sigh of relief, now that Lady Borbon is being covered properly, his ears manage to catch a few bits and pieces of their conversation.
"Sir Sebastian… are those two really not friends?" He couldn't help but ask.
Sebastian stares at the young lady who has changed over the course of six months, and at this point he barely knows her anymore. "I have not a clue as well."
They watched as the two bickered, it was clear that Mariana didn't want to part with the villainess.
"Please," (Mariana) said, stepping closer, eyes bright with quiet desperation. "I want to be with you today while I wait for my father. I don't have any of my knights with me, milady. They're gone…"
Olivia hesitated, then looked away.
"A few of your knights are in my camp resting," she said, her voice softening. "My men have been tending to them. But… not all made it."
Mariana's breath caught.
"Oh… oh dear. May the light guide their souls so they may rest." There was a long pause, heavy but not unkind. Then Mariana looked up, determined. "Perhaps we can go to the camp together? I need to see them."
She took another breath, as if gathering courage. "I have light magic. The person who can help them most right now is me. I can heal their injuries and ease their pain. I even used that spell on you before."
That made Olivia look up sharply.
Even if the heroine had said it in an innocent tone-
Her hand unciously moves to where the heroine had bit and healed it with her light magic before, a sign of possession and a mark that hurt her skin. The burning sensation and the pain of being bit…
The pain went away after she casted a healing spell but the burning sensation between them didn't.
"..."
Light magic could be useful for her own people, the request seemed logical and it is her right to see the surviving nights. So why is it that she's hesitating to say yes?
"Please, milady," (Mariana) said quietly, stepping closer. "I cannot face their families if they learn that those kind people risked and lost their lives protecting me."
The words were soft, but they struck deep.
Olivia's hand twitched at her side before she folded it neatly behind her back, forcing stillness into every motion. Even standing tall, the hesitation in her eyes betrayed the calm she tried to keep.
"Fine." The answer came out sharper than intended, more defensive than she liked.
"I suppose…" she added, turning her gaze away, "you'll tag along with me while we wait for your father."
Mariana's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, milady."
Olivia exhaled slowly, brushing a hand through her hair to hide the warmth creeping up her neck. "Y-You'll follow my every order, don't stray away from me and don't talk to strangers in the camp. I want you safe- but only because I would worry that my town's reputation will be ruined if word got out that a Baron's daughter got attacked in one of our territories."
She played every excuse in the book but still Mariana smiled.
"I will be with you always." The heroine was holding back everything in order not to kiss her right there in the spot for being so adorably cute, she speaks with her mouth but with her heart surely it tells a different story.
"Good, good. I am glad that you follow." The villainess groaned quietly and sat back down at the table where Commander Lenof was waiting. "Go… and get dressed. We'll wait for you."
'Another day with her…' she thought, a tired groan echoing in her mind. 'Whatever god is watching this unfold must be enjoying my misery.'
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