Chapter 4

In just one year, so many things have changed.

Barry and I had our uncertainties, so we got married after living in Marca for half a year. Since the proof of our marriage is handled by the Duke's family, it's less likely for others to interfere.

Thinking about the future, we bought the house next door, doubling the size of our inn.

The owner of the neighboring general store, who was elderly, decided to close down and offered to sell it to us.

The number of guests at our inn had increased, and we also had a decent income from other sources. Anticipating an increase in our family, we expanded the living space.

I also had a workspace made for me. I started making not only basic potions but also antidotes and potions to cure paralysis and numbness. They are all basic, but there is a demand. For example, when someone gets bitten by a snake while farming or stung by a bee.

"Even if it doesn't completely heal, just easing the symptoms can save lives. If you can walk, you can call for help and go to the healing clinic."

That was what the head of the Apothecary Guild said.

I had resigned myself to the fact that they were basic... but here, they say, "Even basic ones are fine. They are needed."

Thinking back, Barry had been praising me from the very beginning.

Maybe everyone in Marca is like that, as there are many people who praise others.

They are all good people, but there are always some who just don't get along.

On a day off, I was about to go shopping with Barry, dressed up, when a large carriage stopped in front of the inn.

Barry's face twisted in disgust.

"Sir Barry!"

A young woman got out of the carriage... or rather, she didn't get out. She was extending her hand, beckoning us from the door.

Barry shook his head and started walking, pulling my hand. "Let's pretend we didn't see her."

"Is it okay?"

"Of course it is. She's the reason I almost got killed."

"Why isn't she getting out of the carriage?"

"I think she wants me to escort her."

"Ah, I see?"

I didn't understand at all. As we walked briskly, we were called out.

"Sonia!"

I recognized the voice without turning around.

"Barry, let's run."

We started running.

"Hey, a really flashy guy is chasing us."

"That's the First Prince of Brodnitsana Kingdom."

"Yeah... but, even if we run, won't he chase us again?"

Indeed.

"What should we do... I don't want to go back to my country..."

"I have no intention of sending you back. But, dealing with a person of power... Let's just ask for help honestly."

We whispered and decided on a plan.

We would go to the magistrate's house in Marca and ask the Duke of Filitsam's family to mediate.

"Will the Duke come?"

"Marca is overseen by the Duke's younger brother, Sir Atu Tainita. He's a friendly old man, and I've already asked him. Sonia, you've met him before."

"Really? When?"

"Remember that handsome but slightly frivolous guy you visited intensively for about three months?"

"Is that the one with the back pain?"

"He was so happy that his back pain was completely cured, so he will definitely help us."

As we talked, we headed to the magistrate's house and called out to the gatekeeper.

"Are you the adventurer Barry and the healer Sonia? I have been informed by Sir Tainita. Please come inside the gate."

The prince, with his attendants and guards, was chasing us, and the carriage of the noble family was following.

The gatekeeper and other knights and attendants gathered to delay them, contact Sir Tainita, and ensure our safety.

Normally, commoners wouldn't be protected so easily.

But Barry is a former top adventurer, and I am a recently renowned miraculous healer. I didn't say it myself, but many people have given me such evaluations, and Sir Atu Tainita, the Duke's younger brother, is one of them.

"Thanks to Sonia's healing magic, my long-standing back pain, which was like a time bomb, has completely healed. A skilled healer is a treasure to the town. Of course, I will do everything I can."

Seeing his smiling face, I somehow felt... somehow, it would be okay.

"However... I had heard from Barry about 'just in case,' but I didn't think it would really happen. Shameless people are really amazing. I'm very excited, but it's a disaster for you, isn't it?"

"If you are ordered, it will be difficult to refuse, so please help us."

"Haha, I don't know how much I can do against a prince from another country, but I won't hand you over easily."

He said this and headed to the reception room where the prince and his entourage and the noble lady were waiting.

"Sonia, I've missed you so much!"

As soon as he entered the room, he shouted. As always... his narrow-mindedness.

Barry, who was standing next to me, wasn't in his line of sight.

"Your Highness, the First Prince of Brodnitsana Kingdom, I am Atu Tainita, the magistrate of Marca."

"Thank you for protecting Sonia. I'm relieved to see her safe."

He smiled and looked at me.

"Everyone was very worried. It was worth continuing the search. Your records are still in Brodnitsana Kingdom, so if you return, everything will be back to normal. You can live as you did before. Come back with me."

I wanted to say, "No, I don't want to, it's impossible, I refuse," but Sir Tainita had told me to leave the negotiation to him.

I just shook my head silently.

"Your Highness, commoners are not restricted from moving. Sonia is currently in Marca by her own will."

"Sonia is a commoner, but she is a necessary person for our country. Please return her to us."

"Even if you say that... She is married and is now Barry's wife."

"Lies!!"

The prince was about to say something, but it was drowned out by a hysterical voice.

That's right, the noble lady was also there.

"Barry will marry me!"

"Even if you shout and cry, it's impossible. Barry is one of the few top adventurers in Marca. I, and of course, the Duke of Filitsam's family, will protect Barry. He is essential to this town. Protecting Barry means protecting his family as well. Do you want to make the Duke's family your enemy?"

"That's... That's unfair... We love each other!"

Huh?

When I looked at Barry, he shook his head vigorously.

"Can you tell me the basis... the reason for saying you love each other?"

"Of course. Barry saved my life when I was attacked by a thief at night! He smiled kindly and promised to protect me."

That's because it was a guard duty and you were a guest, Barry muttered quietly.

"I heard that he took on a difficult quest at Lake Irene to show his strength because my father opposed our marriage. It must have been tough. I'm sorry for your trouble."

Oh, it's like watching a play. She might even be better than a street performer.

"When I heard he had died, I thought it was a lie. I believed he was living for me. When I learned he had returned to Marca, I couldn't stay away and came to see him."

The noble lady was cute. She had the blonde hair and blue eyes typical of nobility, and her face was well-featured. She was delicate. She must be aware of it. That's why she believes she will be liked.

Next to her, the prince said, "Sonia, your husband seems to be an unfaithful man."

This guy doesn't listen to others...

"Let's go back together."

And his signature 'Prince Smile.' Yeah, I was a bit fooled when we first met, but now I know his true nature.

I won't be fooled by such a fake smile.

Next to me, Sir Tainita tilted his head.

"Hmm, can I ask you something? Lady of the Margie family, can you look to the side?"

She looked at the prince with a puzzled face.

"I think this prince is more suitable for a noble lady than Barry. Look, his beautiful hair and well-featured face. His clothes are refined. He is a prince of a country. He is perfect. In comparison..."

His recent favorite unshaven face. His clothes are those of a commoner among commoners. Even today, he is dressed nicely, but compared to the prince, he is very ordinary. I think he is the most handsome, but in the world, the prince would probably be considered more handsome.

"Your Highness, please look carefully. Sonia is an orphan and a commoner among commoners. What will you do if you take her back to your country?"

"As a healer..."

"While she is trying to get married and have children and live happily? Do you think commoners don't have the right to be happy? Do you want them to work for the country until they die? That is the duty of the nobility, not the commoners. Commoners are not our pawns. They are to be protected."

The prince fell silent. The noble lady was staring at the prince's profile.

When Sir Tainita said, "Barry and Sonia are married. If you try to tear them apart, the Duke's family will take action," both of them fell silent and left.

The prince was glancing at me, but I ignored him. The noble lady, on the other hand, was staring at the prince.

She was staring so intently that the prince finally noticed... and gave his usual 'Prince Smile.' The lady blushed at his smile.

Sir Tainita had a very wicked smile on his face as he watched them.

I wanted to say, "Finally, the connection is cut," but then the hero came.

"Give me Sonia! If I win, I'll take Sonia!"

He shouted confidently, but he was defeated by Barry.

"Why, I'm the hero..."

"It's the difference in experience. No matter how talented you are, if you don't work hard, you won't become strong."

"Besides, even if you win, I won't return to my homeland. I am living happily with Barry here, so please leave us alone."

When I said this, he started grumbling.

"You used to be so devoted and kind..."

I snapped.

I didn't want to be devoted; it was a job. A commoner can't defy a prince or a hero. I actually hated it and wanted to quit.

"I don't even want to see your face. Please leave."

After saying that, he finally left. By the way, the Holy Maiden and the Mage came later, but I sent them both away.

"They are blaming me for Sonia's disappearance."

No, it's your fault, isn't it? There are other factors, but the decisive one is definitely you. Please accept it, it's a fact.

"I can't sleep without you..."

Do you know? Don't sleep so carefree after monster hunting. Sometimes you should take a watch.

Summarizing his argument, "It's a big problem without Sonia," and he seems to be planning to dump all the trouble on me again if I return.

I don't think there is any reason to return to such a place, but everyone seems to think, "Sonia likes me." Even some of the knights say so.

And the church says, "She must want to return to her country," or not.

I would like to hear that after paying three years' salary.

By the way, the prince was completely stuck to the noble lady.

That lady... I was glad she switched from Barry to the prince. Her initiative was impressive.

After sending everyone away.

"Working us to the bone and almost killing us, and still thinking we like you... I can't understand the psychology."

When I complained, Barry laughed.

"It's not Sonia's fault, but the atmosphere... She has a cute, sisterly charm. And the image of a healer?"

Healers are often thought to be kind-hearted women. Well, that's true.

"But in Marca, you're not misunderstood that much, right?"

"Well, I'm always around, and when I'm not, it's either my mother or my sister. I make sure no men misunderstand and come near my cute wife."

Thinking back, I spend time alone only when I'm making potions.

"Really, you're quite popular?"

"It's not surprising. You're cute and hardworking. Everyone likes you. I was really lucky."

When I said that, I also said,

I'm glad I met Barry. Really, really... glad.

I had no confidence, but Barry praised me a lot, and I had a good time.

"I feel much more at ease now that we're married, but... Sonia is popular everywhere."

I want to help more with the inn's work and participate in neighborhood activities. If I am needed, I want to work hard.

"It's hard to suddenly reduce my work, but... I'm thinking of reducing it in the future."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, now I'm Barry's wife... I want to support him as a wife."

Of course, everything didn't go smoothly. The hero came to Barry asking to be his disciple, and a gloomy mage had somehow settled in Marca, but I think it's mostly fine.

I'll leave that to Sir Tainita.

While dealing with the noisy outsiders, I want to enjoy my new married life even more.

"Sonia, it's an emergency, please come to the church! There was a cave-in at the mining site... many people are injured."

It's serious.

"Barry, go to the site. I'll go to the church."

"Okay."

We both rushed out of the inn.

Thank you for reading.