IATAOTHKG | CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

Marriage?

That was a topic she never expected to come up in a conversation with Kalif.

“……”

Caught off guard, Mayna froze, her eyes darting nervously.

“What’s with that face? Did I say something wrong?”

Yes.

“I asked if I said something wrong.”

“It’s not that, it’s just that the kind of things we usually talk about are…”

Their conversations had always revolved around dungeons or monsters.

If not that, it was about the endless schedules Kalif had to endure as a “top-tier Holy Knight and imperial celebrity”—a title he despised.

And those talks were usually just Kalif ranting while Mayna listened.

For example—

Kalif:

Two guilds teamed up and mined thirty barrels of mana stones, but another guild slyly took eighteen.

I’m not mad about the money—it’s the underhanded crap that ticks me off. Those bastards. I’m going to make them regret it.

Mayna:

Stay strong.

Kalif:

I became a knight to fight monsters, not to babysit reporters.

Why do I have to sit around kissing their asses?

Screw them.

Let them write whatever garbage they want. I’ll tell them in my next interview that I’ve fallen in love with a monster and moved into a dungeon together.

Mayna:

Please calm down.

And so on.

“What about our past conversations?”

“Nothing, I just…”

“Why are you being vague today? You’re driving me crazy.”

“Marriage… why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“Just answer the question. Do you want to get married or not?”

Mayna lowered her eyes.

Marriage?

When she was young, she’d assumed she would, someday.

There wasn’t a fixed engagement or arranged match, but she had vaguely imagined marrying some rich heir from another noble family.

Back then, I even dreamed of a fancy wedding.

A dress studded with rare jewels. A flower-strewn aisle stretching toward a gleaming altar.

Walking down it like a fairytale princess, bathed in everyone’s admiration.

At the end of the aisle, the prince would be waiting, and they would share a magical kiss before leaving for a sweet honeymoon.

They’d enjoy their newlywed days, then have three adorable children and live happily ever after—a perfect, glittering picture.

Of course, that illusion vanished when her father died. Survival had become her only concern.

“What’s with that look?”

Kalif’s voice snapped her back to the present.

“I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

“Just…”

“Do you know what kind of face you just made?”

“My face?”

Kalif set down his teacup with a clack and clasped his hands dramatically over his chest.

He stared into space, eyes wide and shining, lips parted in awe.

A ridiculously exaggerated expression, clearly meant to tease her.

“I did not look like that!”

Mayna raised her voice, her cheeks burning.

“Were you picturing yourself in a wedding dress just now?”

“No!”

“Wearing a floral crown, holding a bouquet, walking down the aisle.”

“I said no!”

“Did you have your wedding night already?”

“Lord Lennox.”

Mayna’s tone turned sharp.

It was their usual rhythm—when Kalif crossed the line with a rude joke, Mayna would call him by his full name, and he’d stop.

But today, his expression only hardened.

“What’s wrong?”

she asked, genuinely confused.

Kalif didn’t reply right away. He picked up his fork instead, stabbing a halved tomato.

“No problem,” he said eventually. “You and I are both at that age. People keep bringing up marriage.”

“So?”

“So I was just curious what you thought.”

“I don’t plan on it anytime soon. I’m too busy working to meet anyone.”

Mayna’s voice was calm.

“But someday, sure. I can’t spend my life cleaning up after you, Lord Lennox.”

Kalif laughed, popping a whole mandarin—peel and all—into his mouth.

Mayna’s eyes widened in shock.

“You didn’t even peel it—!”

But he didn’t seem to notice.

“You’re right,” he said simply.

“……”

“You should find someone and get married too. You can’t spend your whole life looking after me.”

“…You should finish your meal and get ready for work. You’ve got that investigation today.”

Mayna stood up.

Kalif looked up at her, his expression unreadable.

“The gate that opened yesterday,” she said quietly.

“They probably sealed it temporarily, but you’ll be forming an investigation team to find out what caused it, right?”

“You know me well. Smart secretary.”

“……”

“Guess I’ll have to start looking for a new one,” he said suddenly.

“Why?”

“For when you get married and quit.”

He bent over his plate again and resumed eating noisily.

Chomp. Gulp. Chew.

“Even if I get married, I’m not quitting.”

“……”

Kalif’s fork paused midair.

“No one quits their job after marriage anymore,” Mayna said flatly. “I’ll still need to make money.”

He said nothing and went back to eating.

***

Kalif formed an investigation team with two guilds under the Ocean Agency and Sera’s Jaguar Guild. The expedition was set for four days and three nights.

Sunlight spilled over him as he stood before the city gate.

Gone was the scruffy man from the morning—what stood there now was a striking, dignified figure.

He wore his uniform underneath a dark navy jacket, a balance between formal appearance and combat readiness.

“Hold still a moment,” Mayna said, reaching out her hands.

But Kalif didn’t lower his head for her. Whether he was teasing her or just in a mood, she couldn’t tell.

Sighing, she stood on her tiptoes.

“……”

Kalif’s gaze swept over her face, arrogant yet unreadable.

Mayna ignored him and straightened the crooked handkerchief in his pocket.

It was the same deep blue as his eyes—silk, expensive, and perfectly matched with his jacket.

“Take care,” she said, stepping back.

“……”

He looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t.

“The world’s dangerous these days. Don’t go wandering around,” he muttered.

“Yes.”

You could at least sound like you mean it, she thought, but decided not to comment.

A flick of his hand, and Kalif disappeared into the portal.

“Shall we get going too?”

Chef Bavrad clapped his thick hands together.

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

Magia and Mayna answered in unison and laughed.

The Iidium coast was famous for its beauty. Merchants from every nation gathered there, selling food, spices, and exotic goods.

If Gillingham Square was the heart of luxury and indulgence, the Iidium shore was the soul of peace and romance.

The emerald sea stretched endlessly. Waves glittered silver under the sun.

Children ran under the shade of tall palm trees. Pink dolphins leapt from the water.

“Spring’s right around the corner!” Magia said, pointing to the wildflowers along the road.

Their arms were full of groceries—fresh fish, shellfish, coconut jam, fine musk honey from across the sea.

“All that’s left is to buy a nice dress,” Magia said.

“A dress?”

“For my daughter.

The Season of Blessings is coming soon, and I want to send her something special. But I have no idea what girls like these days.”

Her eyes sparkled, and Mayna smiled.

“Let’s pick one together.”

They stopped at a boutique with ivory walls and a bright blue sign.

“Oh my, it’s like something out of a fairy tale!”

Magia exclaimed, pointing at a pale-yellow chiffon dress in the display window.

They were about to step inside when—

“Really?

Lord Lennox?”

“I’m telling you, I just heard it from a reporter friend!”

The chatter of two passersby made them stop in their tracks.

“Was he badly hurt?”

“They said it’s critical. He’s in surgery right now at Bonsell Knights Hospital.”