A few more months have passed.

It's slowly approaching a year since I began my journey around the Kingdom as a Mercenary, and life has taken quite a surprising turn—the pleasant kind.

For one, our team of nine has gotten semi-official after we've completed many missions together.

We've become too well-known among our peers, and even though not all of us are available for missions, most of us have begun to make collaborations our main occupation. We simply work together due to the ease of completing missions.

And… well, also due to the company that our cooperation provides.

The thing is, being a Mercenary can be lonely at times.

Mercenaries complete all kinds of tasks, but they do not have the stability of private retainers or stewards. They are usually vagabonds who use their skills to earn a living—whether it is as sellswords, handymen, investigators, etc.

Those who specialize in hunting and killing Magivores are known as Hunters.

Such jobs can be very strenuous and arduous, not to mention dangerous, and completing them alone can lead to severe loneliness and depression.

However, in a party of multiple people, such a problem disappears.

Undertaking missions suddenly becomes more enjoyable. One can even experience far greater things and overcome them with the power of the collective.

Humans were never meant to solve problems by themselves.

The same applies to Mercenaries.

I can see that now.

After completing dozens of assignments together, I've formed a bond with the team—we still don't have an official name—and I've also made personal connections with each and every member of it.

For example, the understanding I have with Brad is different from the relationship I have with Ruthina, who was more than pleased with me for helping those stray Fae'lkyns a while back.

We've gotten especially close to the point of being labelled as best friends.

Some even speculate we're a couple.

These outsiders don't realize that Ruthina actually likes women, and I don't see her in that light, but trying to correct their assumptions would be too much work.

What's the point, really?

Although… there's something else I've observed, and for that reason alone, I am tempted to clear up the misunderstanding already.

It has to do with another member of our team—Dahlia.

I think she might be into me.

Hold on… I know what it looks like, but I wouldn't make such a baseless remark if I didn't have proof. It is exactly so! I'm a very observant person, and on several occasions, I have noticed how she looks at me… how she talks to me.

It's clearly different from the way she interacts with the others.

After rumors about Ruthina and me reached an all-time high, I have noticed her attitude shift a little, becoming more aggressive.

I will admit that, at first, I found Dahlia to be an annoying prude.

But, I was mistaken.

She's not a bad person at all.

She's just very cautious and well-guarded, and for good reason. In this line of work, where selfishness and individual interest thrive, it pays to always be out for yourself. Since she has been a Mercenary for over ten years now, I can understand why she displays skepticism and is constantly cynical about the world.

The more you get to know her, though, the more you realize Dahlia is actually a very sweet woman. She's very considerate, kind, and most importantly… protective.

Over these past few months… I've enjoyed her company quite a lot.

Especially on nights like this one—where it's just me and her seated close to each other.

We've just returned from a week-long assignment, and the others got themselves dead drunk and ended up passing out in the inn. Only Dahlia and I drink in moderation, or hardly drink at all, so we're both fine.

I feel a little tipsy, and Dahlia also seems to have taken a little more alcohol than she usually does, but we're both fine.

Maybe it's the alcohol, but Dahlia sure looks a little different tonight.

Her purple hair seems brighter, and it shimmers like gemstones. Her orange eyes glisten like amber, and her skin—so fair and smooth—feels like polished white stones.

No, they're far too soft for that.

Then, there's her chest—they're voluptuous!

I don't know why I never noticed until now, but they're quite a lot to fit into one hand. I can't manage it at all—hold on, something's not right.

"J-Javier, what are you doing…?"

My eyes bulge as I realize I'm actually fondling them—Dahlia's breasts!

They're in my hands.

Well, barely, actually. They're spilling out… so soft and smooth, and…

'No! Focus, Javier!' My mind snaps back to reality, and the moment I recognize the gravity of my actions, I feel a sense of dread approach me.

What did I just do?

What am I still doing? Looks like I was more drunk than I expected.

'Stop making excuses, Javier…' I sigh and shake my head slowly. 'I should just apologize to her and hope she doesn't get the wrong idea and make a big deal out of this.'

With that thought resonating in my mind, I slowly raise my head to see Dahlia's blushing face.

Then, even before I speak—

"Not here. If you want… we can go upstairs…"

Her voice is so small and soft, and her eyes glisten with the flames of desire. They burn like fireworks, with sparks that light me up almost immediately.

I quickly swallow the words I was about to utter and smile instead.

Then, I nod.

Without wasting any time, I lift her with my big, strong arms and carry her upstairs.

The pub owner sees us leave, and he nods at me with a look of understanding as well as pride.

I knew he would get it.

I'm a regular in this pub, so there's a room usually reserved for me whenever I come around. As such, the moment we move upstairs, I head there and swiftly kick the door open.

While all of this is happening, Dahlia wraps her arms around my neck and keeps her gaze on me.

A look of surprise… and then of anticipation.

I can sense them falling on me.

Once we enter the room, I shut the door and proceed to the bed.

After, well… hehe…

… You know the rest, don't you?

I will try not to be too graphic, but we ended up having hot, passionate sex.

It was the best I've ever had in both my lifetimes.

Dahlia, oh Dahlia… I didn't know she was so skilled in the art of pleasure. I almost felt like a novice in the bedroom, even with my several decades of experience.

I'm like twice her age, yet she worked me like a doll.

Well, only in the first round.

After that, I took charge and had my vengeance—much to her own surprise.

Even though I ended up being a scholar, a part of me is still a Knight.

I had to maintain my honor.

For the second, third, fourth, and fifth rounds… let's just say that I was able to finally scratch that itch and satisfactorily pay her back for the first round.

By the time the two of us are done, the alcohol has long worn off.

All that's left are two sober adults panting like dogs.

"Haaa… haaaa…" Misty breath leaves my lips as I lie right next to her, and I stare at her sensual, naked body.

"Haa… haaa…"

She does the same and looks at me with a broad smile.

Both of us ended up discovering new versions of ourselves this night, and I have to say… this is another benefit of working in a Party.

You get to enjoy perks like this, rather than suffering alone.

Now I see why Fernand and Nathania ended up getting married after only a year working together as Mercenaries. They, too, must have experienced the same thing I had with Dahlia, a spark so unquenchable that it had to be consummated.

Earlier, I mentioned how Dahlia has been exhibiting interest in me, right? Well, I wouldn't have noticed it so much if I also didn't have the same feelings.

Out of everyone I've met thus far in my Mercenary adventures, she's the one best suited for me.

She's smart, fearless, cautious, and has a boldness about her that makes her stick to her path regardless of whatever anyone else thinks.

I also suspect she must have received some kind of formal education, just from her mannerisms and the way she speaks—especially when it's just the two of us. Her beautiful, clear skin also tells me she once experienced the luxuries of nobility.

Her ten years as a Mercenary have certainly roughened her a bit, but I can tell that she wasn't born a commoner.

Too bad her past is shrouded in a mystery even I have been unable to uncover.

… For now.

"That was amazing, Javier…" Dahlia moans slightly, giggling as she watches me stare at her with the same passionate vigor. "You surprised me. I guess a sword isn't the only thing you know how to swing."

"Yeah…" I mumble softly. "I surprised myself, too."

We talk for a while, and—per usual—the conversation eventually turns serious once Dahlia's cautious nature kicks in.

"So what are we now? Some kind of secret couple?" She asks me with a raised brow.

"Secret couple?"

She sighs, her eyes displaying mild concern. "Look, I like you, Javier. Like… a lot. But I just want to keep things casual. I don't think I want to be committed to anything fully… like a full-blown relationship, you know?"

"Oh? So I shouldn't bring you flowers or anything like that?"

"Yes, exactly!" She laughs aloud.

I laugh too.

After all, this works perfectly for me too.

I also don't think I'm in a position where I should make a decision like selecting someone I'm officially seeing. Not only would it affect the Aditi Household, but it could also put unnecessary pressure on me and even Dahlia.

I seek freedom, and I will always do what it is that I want.

But I also recognize that I live in a society, with the Kingdom's laws and the code of chivalry guiding Knights and their actions.

As someone who will lead the Aditi Household one day, I can't afford scandals.

However, if things do blossom between Dahlia and me beyond mere attraction, then all those other considerations be damned.

I don't care about the shackles of society if it means pursuing what I truly want.

"I've never told this to anyone, Javier… but I'm actually a runaway Noble." Dahlia suddenly breaks through my thoughts and reveals the truth.

"E-eh? Really?!"

I make sure to exaggerate my shock, which lets Dahlia know that I already had my suspicions.

"Haha! What gave it away?" She giggles even louder.

"Everything, pretty much."

"Oh? So I resemble a noble lady that much?" Dahlia smirks. "Thanks for the compliment."

"All Nobles are bratty, so maybe that's why I… ow… ow, sorry!"

Dahlia stops pinching my cheeks the moment I apologize, and she laughs even louder than before. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen her this happy and free.

"It's been like twelve years since I ran away from home, and my family still hasn't given up on me. They still keep tabs on me and make my life difficult, hoping that would prompt me to return to them. Before I met you, I had a teammate who was their plant, and he made my life hell… just so I would go back."

"Oh, wow…" I mutter with a more serious demeanor. "I didn't see that one coming."

I guess I can now understand Dahlia and her personality more.

Her family is yet to respect her decision, and that has caused her to always look over her shoulder to spot and disrupt their schemes. She's been fighting all this time, just to pave her own path.

I can't help but find that impressive.

She goes on to tell me about the incident that led to her leaving her house.

Apparently, she fell in love with one of the servants, and he ended up being fired from their manor. She got so worried that she ran away from the house and traced his whereabouts, just to find out how he was doing.

But—

"Apparently, he was mauled by a wild animal before he returned to his hometown. He died before even seeing his family again." Dahlia sighs, her eyes glistening with sadness. "For a long time, I blamed myself. If I didn't push… if I just ignored him… he would have had his job, and maybe he wouldn't have died like that. But, I eventually realized that this was all most likely a setup by my parents disguised as an accident. They intentionally killed him, yet they made it seem like a whole coincidence."

I remain silent while listening to Dahlia speak.

"But, I couldn't even get too mad at my parents, because after further investigation, I found out that the jerk actually had a wife and a child at home, yet he pretended to love my naive younger self… just to secure benefits. I was so dumb… argh! To think I even gave him my first time."

I smile wryly.

This is the truth about life.

People are hardly ever fully innocent.

There is no real dichotomy when it comes to the morality of individuals.

Her parents killed that servant, but in their eyes… the man had seduced their daughter, feeding her lies just to take advantage of her.

He even stole her 'purity.'

By the logic of the Nobles, he deserved death.

If it were my sister who this happened to, I can only imagine what I would do to the perpetrator.

"Sorry for spoiling the mood… haha!" Dahlia laughs and quickly wipes off the tears that leak from her eyes.

"No… It's fine."

"My point is, as much as I like you… my parents could end up doing unspeakable things to you if they ever find out, or if rumors circulate about the two of us."

"Hmph! I can take them!" I puff out my chest.

"No, you can't…" She pokes my stomach, causing my flex to deflate in an instant. "So, just be a good boy and keep things casual, okay?"

I nod.

Then, I smile to hide the dark thoughts that swirl within my heart.

'Her parents must be High Nobles… probably the upper tier… if she's this concerned about me.'

Dahlia already knows about my status as a First Rate Scholar with three Royal Seals of Excellence.

She also knows about my Aditi Household background. If she's this worried, it must mean that her family is a very big deal.

I would be a fool to ignore her counsel.

The truth is… I know the lengths to which a family can go to preserve their seed.

Dahlia told her story, but I have yet to share mine.

When I was younger—just a dumb little teenager—I also had feelings for a maid of the Aditi Household. I desired her, so I seduced her into having relations with me.

Of course, my parents found out and fired her.

Just like Dahlia, I did everything in my power to investigate her whereabouts. That's when I found out the ugly truth. She did return to her settlement, but she was raped and killed by bandits at some point.

To date, I don't know if my parents are responsible for this or not.

I'm too scared to ask.

On one hand, the Code of Chivalry prevents them from doing something like that, but on the other hand, I can imagine how they would go about setting this up. The reason she was able to arrive at her home destination could also be tied to the fact that my parents wanted to eliminate her outside their territory so they wouldn't be blamed for it.

Regardless of those details, I blame myself for most of what happened to the poor girl.

I bore no risk, yet she suffered immensely for it.

Such is the ugliness of this world… and the weight of my regrets.

But I can no longer change it.

So I can only move forward with a smile on my face as I experience more of the world and pursue a life of freedom.

"I want to be free, Javier. Free from all of it." Dahlia's whispers suddenly reach my ears. "That's why I ran away from home. It's why I became a Mercenary. It's also why… I refused to marry all this time. I… just want to be free."

My heart starts to race at this point as I stare at her, dumbfounded.

This woman and I… why are we so similar?

I initially thought we were two very different people, but the more we talk, the more I recognize how identical our pasts are, how similar our goals are, and how alike we are.

We are far more alike than I imagined.

That realization stirs something within me—a feeling I never expected to have at such a point in my life: pure, genuine love.

I think I might have just fallen for this forbidden flower—Dahlia.

[A/N: Thus begins Javier's romantic journey. To those turned off by this chapter, let me just say that it's not what the novel is about. However, romance is a part of life, and sex is a part of romance… so this is simply normal.]

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