IWMHWD 27

<Chapter 27> Rophael Mage Association
2023.11.27.

“Why do you ask that?”

“If you pay an extra fee, you can use the couple’s private bath.”

“No. We don’t need it.”

“Sure, we do.”

Acceptance and rejection came at the same time. Cordelia whipped her head around and glared sharply at Leonard.

“Ma—No, dear. I don’t think we need such a big bath, do we?”

“I need it.”

“My opinion is… right. When did you ever ask for my opinion anyway. Do whatever you want.”

“Shall I prepare the bath then?”

Leonard gave a small nod. The attendant beamed and led the two of them to the last available room.

Since it was an inn on a well-traveled merchant route, the room’s condition wasn’t too bad, thankfully.

“Here is the bathroom key. Have a pleasant stay.”

He gave a polite bow and left the room. After scanning the room, Cordelia cautiously glanced at Leonard.

She had followed him here without much thought just because she didn’t want to sleep in the carriage, but… would he really give up the bed for her?

‘If it comes down to it, I’ll just sleep on the bench. Better than being crumpled up in the carriage again.’

Lower your expectations and you’ll avoid disappointment. Cordelia set down her bag in a corner and hovered around the bench. Leonard had just started unbuttoning his shirt when he looked up.

“Why are you standing there?”

“Uh? Nothing, I just… I thought I should sleep over here…”

“What for? Sleep on the bed.”

“Really? I can?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna wash up first.”

“O-Okay!”

Cordelia’s face brightened. No one treated her like a woman, but her teacher at least acknowledged(?) that she was one.

Worried he might change his mind, she quickly grabbed her bag and jumped onto the bed.

Then she started undressing. Since she was traveling without a maid, she had prepared clothes that were easy to change into instead of fancy dresses. She stripped down to her chemise without much trouble.

As she was taking off her stockings, steam poured into the room with a loud clatter of the door opening. Without turning around, Cordelia asked,

“Are you done washing up?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll go—KYAH!”

“What? A rat or something?”

“Why are you… why are you lying there?!”

Leonard had naturally lain down right next to Cordelia. When she jumped up and yelled, he responded as if she were the strange one.

“What do you mean? Where else would I sleep?”

“Over there! There’s a bench!”

“How can anyone sleep on that thing?”

He clearly thought she was joking. He casually patted the pillow and slid under the blanket, closing his eyes.

Cordelia stood frozen, unsure of what to do, her eyes darting around. Her brain was already overheating.

‘What is going on? Does he want me to sleep in the bed or not? Wait—is he saying we should sleep together?’

“Then what about me?”

“Sleep in the bed, don’t, whatever. Do as you want.”

Even if he had her husband’s body, inside he was still a completely different man. Sharing a bed felt… unsettling.

Hesitating, Cordelia eventually snuck off to the bathroom. She quickly washed up, but when she returned, the man who’d claimed the bed showed no signs of moving.

She walked over and sat on the bench. The flickering candle dimly lit the room. Cordelia tried lying down but soon realized there were neither pillows nor a proper blanket.

After about five minutes, her back started to hurt, and the wind seeping in through the wooden wall made her shiver.

She couldn’t last even ten minutes. She got up and walked back to the bed.

“Master.”

“What.”

“Are you really going to sleep there?”

“I’m really sleeping here, so stop talking.”

“Really, really?”

“…”

No reply this time. Leonard had already closed his eyes and looked like he was about to fall asleep. There was no trace of gentlemanly manners offering her the bed.

She had two options now:

Sleep next to him, pretending not to notice—or sleep on that horrible bench.

Cordelia glared at the bench. Then she turned to Leonard and said,

“Master. If you even think of laying a hand on me—”

“If you spout one more word of nonsense, I’ll throw you out.”

He spoke with his eyes closed, a trace of annoyance in his voice. She instinctively knew—this was the final warning.

‘Well… it’s still my husband’s body.’

A convenient way to justify this situation. Legally and physically(?) speaking, he was her husband.

Embarrassment was secondary. She’d been stuck in that hard carriage seat all day—it was impossible to sleep on that stiff bench.

Cordelia cautiously slid under the covers. The soft sheets instantly melted her fatigue.

As her heavy eyelids began to close, she told herself:

‘Stay sharp, Cordelia. Even if he doesn’t treat me like a woman, the Master is a man! Better wait till he falls asleep… then sleep.’

She closed her eyes for a second.

Then someone shook her roughly.

“The sun’s up. Get up.”

“Huh?”

“It’s morning. Time to wake up.”

She was about to ask what he meant. Rubbing her eyes, she barely sat up. Sunlight poured through the window.

Oh no. Despite all that tension, she’d fallen asleep instantly.

Looking around, she saw Leonard already fully dressed.

“Morning? Already? I just blinked!”

“How long are you gonna keep babbling? Veluche and Baron are waiting downstairs. Hurry and get dressed.”

Leonard threw out the words bluntly and left the room. Cordelia blinked, then climbed out of bed.

Unbelievably, it really was morning.

She quickly changed and washed her face, then headed downstairs.

Veluche, Baron, and Leonard were already eating.

“You’re here. Please, sit. I ordered oat porridge. Is that all right?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Baron handed her a bowl of oat porridge in a rough wooden dish. Cordelia quietly accepted and began eating.

Veluche glanced at her with a smirk.

“You served the master well during the night, I assume?”

“Who, me?”

“Yes, you. Our master graciously allowed you to share a room—surely you didn’t just fall asleep immediately, did you?”

She flinched a little but raised her voice.

“Sounds like you don’t know—I’m Countess Abrams. I’m the one who should be served.”

“And what’s so great about being a countess from some backwoods county? Our master is—”

“Shoo! Out with you!”

Suddenly, a loud voice shouted from the entrance. It seemed someone was being kicked out like a beggar. Cordelia looked over casually—and jumped to her feet in shock.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“That’s Roti—Isn’t that Roti?!”

A scruffy, scrawny gray dog. It was definitely the Roti Cordelia knew.

She dropped her spoon and ran to the entrance. A closer look confirmed it. Cordelia called its name in delight. Roti gave a faint wag of its tail.

“Roti!”

“Is that your dog, miss?”

Seeing someone so noble-looking call the mutt by name, the attendant stepped back awkwardly.

“Yes, he’s mine. Can I bring him in?”

“Oh, of course! I thought he was a stray. I’m so sorry.”

“Can you bring some extra meat for him?”

“Yes, right away.”

The attendant scurried off without protest. Cordelia brought Roti to their table. Leonard scowled as soon as he saw the dog.

“How on earth did it find us?”

“Isn’t Roti super smart? He must’ve known where we were!”

“Even if it’s low-tier, a magic beast is still a magic beast. To follow us this far…”

Baron stroked his gray beard and eyed Roti closely. Just then, the attendant returned with meat. Cordelia gave the whole chunk to Roti. He seemed very hungry and devoured it quickly.

“Eat up. You worked hard getting here, Roti.”

“Great. Now people will think we dragged it here on purpose.”

“About that, Master…”

“No.”

“Why won’t you even listen?”

“Because I already know. He can’t come. You know exactly where we’re going.”

“I know, but… he came all this way. How can I just send him back?”

“No.”

“You’re so mean…”

“If you’re done eating, get up. We’ve got a long road ahead.”

Leonard stood up firmly. The other two men followed without a word.

Cordelia looked between Roti and the departing group, then sighed.

“I’m sorry, Roti. Master says you can’t come.”

The dish she’d given Roti was already clean. Cordelia reached out and gently patted his head. This time, Roti didn’t avoid her touch.

“It’s not too late to go back to the estate. I’ll really be back soon. Okay? Got it?”

“A magical beast, huh.”

A voice spoke from behind her.

It was so clear and refined that she turned around instinctively.

A tall man stood there, wrapped in a dark cloak. His face was covered with a hood—she could only see his chin.

“Who are you?”

“Just a passing traveler. But that magical beast—is it yours, miss? Which Nasteng did you get it from?”

“Why should I tell you that?”

Cordelia narrowed her eyes and moved Roti behind her, filled with suspicion and wariness. Even Baron hadn’t recognized Roti as a magical beast right away—but this man had, at a glance. Not a normal person.

A magician more skilled than Baron, suddenly appearing in a rural village? Clearly suspicious.