Chapter 87: Restless Warden
The golden rays of the early morning sun filtered gently through the large bay windows of the private suite casting a warm glow over the tangled velvet sheets.
Leon stood near the foot of the massive feather bed adjusting the heavy leather straps of his tailored black combat armor.
He rolled his broad muscular shoulders and felt a deep satisfying pop in his joints as the Endless Vigor skill actively flushed the lingering lethargy from his powerful limbs.
He possessed a staggering one hundred and ninety five points of Strength making the dark leather armor feel as light as fine silk against his scarred skin.
He turned his dark magnetic gaze toward the mattress where the two highest ranking women in the servant hierarchy lay sleeping peacefully side by side.
Beatrice was curled softly against Elara utilizing the voluptuous Head Cook for warmth while their usually strict aristocratic rivalry remained completely dissolved by the intense intimacy of the previous night.
Leon stepped closer to the bed and gently brushed a stray lock of silver hair from Beatrice’s cheek before trailing his fingers lightly down Elara’s bare shoulder.
The fierce cook stirred and fluttered her amber eyes open letting out a soft content sigh as she recognized his handsome face.
"You are leaving already," Elara whispered softly pushing herself up onto her elbows while the silk sheets pooled around her waist.
She did not bother hiding the dark purple bruise marking her neck.
"The capital is a very long and dangerous journey Leon. Please promise me you will not do anything too dangerous out there."
"I only do exactly what is required to secure our future," Leon replied in a deep resonant tone that vibrated with heavy magnetic authority.
He leaned down and pressed a firm lingering kiss against her plush lips tasting the sweet morning warmth of her mouth.
"Keep the estate from ruins while I am gone. I expect a proper feast waiting for me upon my return."
Beatrice shifted beside them blinking her icy blue eyes open and frantically reaching for her wire rimmed glasses resting on the nightstand.
She flushed a brilliant shade of crimson as the memories of her shameless vocal praises and her desperate submission flooded her disciplined mind.
She quickly pulled the velvet sheets up to cover her chest but she offered Leon a look of profound unbreakable devotion.
"Guard Lady Seraphina with your life Leon," Beatrice instructed softly her voice lacking any trace of her usual freezing reprimands. "The Solarian Empire is a treacherous place filled with vipers wearing silk robes. Do not trust the imperial courtiers."
Leon offered both women a charming wicked smirk before strapping the colossal star iron greatsword to his broad back.
He picked up his packed leather satchel and slipped quietly out of the private suite leaving his loyal conquests safely tucked away in his territory.
The sprawling main courtyard of the Sterling estate was a hive of chaotic military activity.
Heavily armored Vanguard knights were loading enchanted supply crates onto a line of sturdy cargo wagons while a magnificent black carriage stood waiting near the shattered iron gates.
The carriage was a masterpiece of aristocratic engineering built from reinforced ironwood and lined with glowing blue defensive runes designed to repel low tier magical attacks.
A team of six massive armored warhorses snorted aggressively in the cool morning air eager to begin the grueling journey.
The Patriarch of House Sterling stood near the carriage door radiating a warm majestic golden aura that kept the surrounding soldiers highly motivated. Standing beside the elderly warlord was Lady Seraphina.
The Silver Goddess looked breathtakingly lethal wearing a sleek dark crimson traveling tunic crafted from basilisk leather paired with fitted dark trousers and knee high reinforced boots.
Her silver hair was tied up in a strict battle braid and her beautiful face carried an expression of fierce uncompromising resolve.
"You are precisely on time warden," the Patriarch noted smoothly as Leon approached the gathering.
The glowing golden eyes of the nobleman meticulously evaluated the massive star iron weapon strapped to Leon’s back.
"The diplomatic missives are secured in a lockbox inside the carriage. You are to present them directly to the Imperial Chancellor upon your arrival in the capital. Do whatever is necessary to ensure my daughter reaches the Emperor."
"She will arrive without a single scratch on her Lord Sterling," Leon promised projecting a heavy unyielding confidence that made the surrounding Vanguard knights nod in silent respect.
Seraphina did not offer a formal goodbye to the estate. She gracefully hoisted herself into the luxurious interior of the enchanted carriage taking a seat on the plush red velvet benches.
Leon tossed his leather satchel up to the driver and climbed into the carriage right behind her pulling the heavy wooden door shut with a solid definitive thud.
The interior of the royal transport was remarkably spacious but the sheer suffocating gravity of their combined presence instantly made the cabin feel incredibly small.
The carriage lurched forward as the driver cracked the whip sending the massive armored warhorses charging out of the estate gates and onto the treacherous dirt roads leading toward the heart of the Solarian Empire.
Over an hour passed unremarkably.
Seraphina sat near the window staring out at the passing landscape with her arms crossed tightly under her generous chest.
Her aura flickered into his vision revealing a highly volatile storm of deep anxiety and lingering physical exhaustion.
Her internal magical pathways were still actively healing from the dark poison she suffered in the Whisper Woods meaning she was forced to rely entirely on his monstrous physical stats for their protection.
The crystal bell chimed beautifully in his skull cutting through the rhythmic rumbling of the carriage wheels to project a glowing pink text box right above the velvet cushions.
[Quest Issued: The Confined Carriage]
[Context: The fierce noble daughter is highly stressed about the diplomatic mission and her own weakened state. A true conqueror knows how to assert his dominance while providing the exact physical comfort his woman secretly desires.]
[Objective: Do not sit across from her. Sit directly beside her on the velvet bench, casually lift her booted legs across your muscular lap, and massage her calves while telling her the Emperor will undoubtedly bow to her beauty.]