Chapter 31: FRIH - 31
Lord Marco chuckled, avoiding a direct response. Some things were best left unsaid.
The laughter, soft and composed, echoed gently in the high-ceilinged room, mingling with the faint rustle of the fire flickering in the ornate hearth. Marco's eyes, sharp and seasoned from years of navigating noble politics, twinkled briefly with subtle amusement before he leaned back in his cushioned chair. He seemed perfectly content to let the topic dissolve into comfortable silence. Some matters didn't need to be voiced to be understood. Both men knew the value of what was left implied.
Their conversation concluded, and they remained at the estate to attend to some unfinished business. The atmosphere shifted from formal discussion to quiet activity. Afternoon sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting golden beams onto the polished floor and expensive rugs. Outside, the estate's courtyard was peaceful, the distant hum of servants moving about blending into the background like a calming melody.
The grain could wait; it was still early; a delay of a couple of days wouldn't matter. The urgency that had once hovered over the logistics of supply and trade now seemed like a distant concern. Time, in that moment, felt pliable—unhurried, even indulgent.
However, to alleviate the village elder's concerns and avoid any misunderstandings about Frieren's whereabouts, Ronan took her back to the village that afternoon.
Their journey was quiet. The path through the countryside was lined with low, rolling fields and clusters of wildflowers swaying gently in the wind. Birds chirped lazily from distant trees, and the occasional clatter of a cart could be heard along intersecting roads. Frieren walked with her usual calm detachment, her staff lightly tapping the dirt path, while Ronan kept his gaze forward, thoughtful and measured.
The elder was delighted. His wrinkled face lit up as he saw them approach, the worry lines smoothing out in relief. While concerned about Frieren staying in the human town, he trusted Ronan, the Hero, to look after her.
That evening, they returned to Lord Marco's mansion.
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