Life as an Adventurer with the Banished Marquis' Daughter - Chapter 13: Reflecting on the First Time with the Banished Marquis' Daughter, Part 3

Chapter 13: Reflecting on the First Time with the Banished Marquis’ Daughter, Part 3

It was indeed the most luxurious inn in town. 

There were even separate baths for men and women. 

Moreover, to my surprise, the baths were filled with hot water.

Maybe it was because I usually relied on purification magic in my daily life, or perhaps due to my usual frugal habits, but while soaking in the bath, I couldn’t help but worry about dirtying the water.

…That’s a lie.

Rather than feeling uneasy, my mind was entirely preoccupied with the reality that after getting out of the bath, I would have to spend the night sharing a room with Erika Solnzari.

What should I do?

Should I try to talk about something interesting to keep her from getting bored?

I have to admit, I have no experience with topics that might please a woman.

I’ve heard that talking about flowers and plants could be well-received, but should I talk about medicinal herbs or something?

No, that’s impossible. I’m not confident I could keep the conversation going all night with just that. Maybe I should mix in some talk about the shapes of trees that could be used for traps.

No, that’s definitely a bad idea, I told myself.

I’m not boasting, but since I entered the academy at twelve, not only have I never been popular with girls, I haven’t even made a single “normal” female friend. It’s simply impossible.

I knew I was thinking about useless things to avoid facing reality. 

But I was also certain that if I didn’t do this, I wouldn’t be able to look at her properly.

It must have been because of this, I thought, as I opened the door to the room, considering whether talking about seasonal medicinal herbs would be enough to keep the conversation going. 

However, the scene that greeted me made me forget not just my words but my very thoughts.

She was simply beautiful.

Dressed in the nightwear provided by the inn, she stood on the balcony with her damp hair from the bath exposed to the night air. She was simply beautiful.

Since her back was to me, I couldn’t see her face, but I could tell she was relaxed, surrounded by her golden aura.

I found myself standing next to her, as if drawn. 

Since I couldn’t face her directly at the academy, I always positioned myself to see at least her profile.

Compared to those days, we were much closer now.

That’s why I realized she wasn’t actually relaxed.

She was staring intently at the darkening town, deep in thought.

Suddenly, I wanted to know what Erika Solnzari was thinking.

Was it about the academy? 

Her family? The people who exiled her?

Or perhaps her friend, the Maiden of light?

Whatever it was, I wanted to listen and respond.

Whether it was worries, complaints, future anxieties, or hopes and dreams for the future, I wanted to listen and respond.

I wanted to tell her that she had me.

“Shin Longdagger.”

Suddenly, hearing my name, I remembered to breathe.

You could say I came back to my senses. 

My heart started pounding crazily, and I felt breathless.

Thinking this was bad, I forced myself to look away from her profile, even though I still wanted to see it, and turned my gaze towards the city.

I calmed myself by looking at the cobblestone streets lit by scattered streetlights.

The room was on the fourth floor, giving a good view of the quiet town.

Count the cobblestones, I told myself. Counting calms a person down, as an experienced adventurer once told me.

As I desperately tried to calm myself, a hesitant voice and a faint gaze came from beside me.

“Is it your first time too?”

For what!?