STM 111

If the box had contained the most precious gold and jewels in the world, she would have thrown it away. But the reality was the exact opposite.

Inside was a single insignificant tree leaf. Its shape, however, was unusual. It was split into five lobes like a maple leaf, but the tips were blunt like human fingers, and the splits were deep.

This plant grew only in one remote region at the far end of the Tubain Continent, the homeland of Black Bear. But she had last seen that tree several decades ago. Her homeland no longer existed.

On the day she fled for her life and looked back, her homeland was burning red from the enemy’s attack. That was not enough for them. The attackers used magic to turn the land into dead ground so that no one could ever return.

She was the only one who survived. A long period of revenge followed. But throughout that long struggle, defeat always belonged to Black Bear.

No matter how much damage she dealt to the enemy, they remained solid and immense. Then, 3 years ago, she met her at a moment close to death. Adeye Lantuya.

Strangely enough, Lantuya knew exactly who Black Bear’s enemies were and still did not care. She only asked something odd about her homeland.

‘You said there were a lot of native plants there?’

It turned out she was searching for a certain plant. It was not something that existed in Black Bear’s homeland. Only then did she realize that Lantuya had saved her life just to confirm something that simple.

‘You went that far just to find that out?’

‘Yes.’

‘……What a waste of effort. Even if you saved me, there’s nothing to gain.’

‘There is. You said there was a tree with finger shaped leaves. That’s really interesting.’

‘It’s gone now. Everything there is dead.’

‘That’s only how it looks to people. If it’s restored properly, something might sprout.’

She was really going to do that? Why? Just because it was interesting? It made no sense. Lantuya had no connection to that land. But Lantuya spoke as if it were nothing.

‘I’ll try bringing it back.’

‘Why?’

Lantuya quietly looked out the window before answering. Black Bear had never expected the response.

‘Because Tubain’s nature did nothing wrong.’

It felt like there might have been another meaning behind it, but she did not ask further. She assumed it was just a bored rich person’s whim. Besides, there was no chance it would succeed.

Then she received the box. It contained a leaf from her homeland. Only then did Black Bear recall the last time she engaged her in a conversation.

‘If I succeed in growing the tree?’

‘Then I’ll repay the debt to my homeland.’

It was a debt no bigger than a single leaf, but to Black Bear, it became heavier than anything else. And after a very long time, she returned to her homeland.

Enemies were still waiting around the area, watching for her movements in case she appeared. Even knowing that, she wanted to see it with her own eyes.

There truly was land owned and managed by Adeye. Several saplings, each about chest high, were growing there. Every one of them bore leaves shaped like fingers.

So Black Bear decided to repay the debt. It did not matter that the person she had to guard was the subject of countless unsavory rumors.

However, Adeye Lu, whom she met at the Crystal Lake, was completely different from what she had heard. Despite having a frail body and was at his limits, he tried to hide Grand Duke Kun and his mage.

Black Bear watched him nearly drop his heavy companion several times and still refuse to give up, moving him to safety. At first she was startled. Then she became curious about how far he would go.

Then she witnessed something unbelievable. After dealing with his companion, he stepped forward to face the monster. That was not all.

Even after suffering a serious wound to his leg from a monster that emerged from underground, he did not run. He tightly held the club in his hand. Then, after hearing the name of the person who had come to help him, his reaction was,

‘No! Ugh, the monster is about to come out…… the bear is in danger.’

How many people could worry about the safety of a mere animal instead of themselves in that moment? She could see in his eyes that his concern for the bear was genuine.

‘It’s precious.’

The Lu from that moment overlapped with the Lantuya who had looked out the window back then. Black Bear slowly sat down on a rock and muttered in disbelief.

“They really are alike. Like people from another world.”

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Bang.

The office door slammed behind me, but my mind was frozen, unlike my legs that had moved on their own. I was still stuck in the state I had been in after hearing Tairok’s nonsense inside the office.

Part of it was because it was such bullshit that it was hard to interpret, and part of it was because it took time to accept reality.

Why? Why would I even need to sleep with someone? And what was that crude sexual harassment even supposed to be? Was this some new provocation?

I was too shocked and it took me a long time to regain my senses, so I belatedly noticed that Rick had been calling me from beside me several times.

“……Lord Lu, Lord Lu!”

When I slowly turned my head, Rick looked at me with an expression that said, “What’s wrong with him?” I stared at him for a moment.

He was about the same height as Lu, with glasses and an ordinary face. His skin was pale, but he was thin and had heavy dark circles, so he always looked tired. Even setting that aside, he was not the type people found appealing. One look was enough to tell he was unpopular.

But this was Tubain, so maybe he really had rolled around with all kinds of people. Wait. Right. This was Tubain, that obscene hellhole.

“If you’re finished with your business, you should return to your room and…… huh? Huh?!”

I grabbed his collar and dragged him off to a far corner.

“Why are you doing this? I need to urgently report to the Grand Duke…….”

“Rick.”

I called his name and abruptly asked,

“Are you a virgin?”

“Pardon? A virgin? What does that mean?”

“Have you ever dated anyone?”

Rick’s expression immediately stiffened.

“Even if you’re the Grand Duke’s fiancé, I don’t wish to answer such personal questions.”

Oh. So he’ll say all kinds of obscene things, but he draws the line at privacy. Maybe I had been too narrow minded about Tubain. I reflected for a moment, then apologized.

“I’m sorry. It’s hard to believe you’ve never dated even once.”

Rick didn’t answer and quietly turned his head away. Anyone could tell he had never dated.

Well, it wasn’t that surprising. But what I wanted to ask next really crossed into personal territory, so I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth. Rick must have noticed my expression because he leaned back warily.

“What are you curious about?”

“I was just wondering if you live like other people in Tubain. You know, meeting people and all.”

A look of shock immediately appeared on his face.

“Why on earth are you curious about my dating life? You might as well ask what positions I like!”

“…Ask what?”

“Positions. Or my sexual preferences. I could understand that. But as asking about d-dating, that crosses a line.”

I barely managed to stop myself from wanting to smack him for crossing a line with an Earthling in the first place.

“My favorite position is missionary, but even then, one leg…….”

“That’s enough! Don’t answer!”

When I panicked and stopped him, Rick looked at me with wounded eyes, as if to say I was the one who brought it up.

Rick was Tairok’s first aide, so I needed to stay on decent terms with him. I forcibly dragged my social skills out of hiding.

“Well, Rick, you probably don’t need to be told. You must be good at it.”

“…….”

He turned his head away again. Was he not? No. I didn’t want to know. Don’t imagine it. As I was scolding myself internally, I heard him clear his throat.

“Ahem. But as long as it’s missionary……”

“Enough. Then you sleep together before dating, right?”

“Why are you asking something so obvious? You have to see if your bodies match before you date.”

He looked at me strangely again. Right. Why did I ask? I thought I understood Tubain, but maybe I only understood it in my head and not in my heart.

Hearing Tairok’s nonsense and then realizing it involved me must have finally shaken me awake. While I was reflecting, Rick misinterpreted my silence and tested the waters.

“Are you perhaps curious about the Grand Duke’s dating history?”

Before I could answer, Rick stated firmly,

“I absolutely cannot tell you about the Grand Duke’s past private life.”

“I don’t want to know.”

I replied curtly. He looked at me suspiciously. I shrugged as if to say I meant it.

“Who he dated in the past doesn’t matter.”

“Well, I suppose you wouldn’t care, since Tubain men meet everyone.”

“…Not all of them.”

“Then what are you curious about?”

“Just, um. I figured that sleeping with someone probably isn’t a big deal for the Grand Duke. Even if it’s with someone he has no feelings for.”

As soon as I said it, I paused. Why was I even asking this? Of course it wouldn’t be a big deal. Why was I trying to confirm it? It wasn’t like he had fallen for me and asked me to sleep with him…….

“Yes. Of course.”

Rick’s firm answer pierced my thoughts. I suddenly felt embarrassed about grabbing him and interrogating him like this.

Right. Of course it is.

Then a cold warning followed.

“So even if you had an incredible night with the Grand Duke, you shouldn’t misunderstand it as feelings.”

“I won’t misunderstand it. I haven’t even had a night like that.”

Tap. Rick suddenly stepped back, his entire body radiating shock.

“What’s wrong?”

“You proceeded with the engagement without even testing physical compatibility?!!!!”

That startled me. Why was that so shocking?

“This is unbelievable!!!!”