The sun was high, making it even more difficult to stay inside a stale carriage.
Celine set a portable desk outside and was going over her documents under the shade of a tree.
Lucian, who was not used to being idle, was looking through his maps and notes on the Marindale Coast and the areas around it. The lack of order in the region was his main concern. He glanced up at Celine's group. They were more organized than his just by looking at them.
His group was composed of former soldiers, ex-convicts, and bandits. It was a diverse group, but it was a chaotic one, too. Their loyalty was questionable, and their only common ground was a common goal: a desire for riches and wealth.
Lucian used to copy Rochefort's guard's training routine in the past. Later on, he began to believe it was just a farce. With no real-life experience, without being in a real battlefield, they weren't a real army, and no matter how much they trained, they wouldn't be a real fighting force. And yet, the way they were spread out and positioned was also more tactical and efficient. It wasn't just an act to intimidate or seem stronger. They were ready to obliterate his group at a moment's notice.
It was subtle, but he was used to picking up details and reading people. They've killed. A lot.
He couldn't smell blood on their weapons, or in their clothes, and yet, the aura that surrounded them was similar to his most seasoned and experienced fighters back at the shore. It no longer looked like they were here to escort and protect their lady to the safety of her home. It was more like a hunting party.
He stole a glimpse at the young lady, looking harmless, and yet, so deadly. This was the same girl who would hug him to sleep, who would cling to him and beg him to never leave her side, never to abandon her, and to always love her.
"..." Lucian looked back at the map, thinking of burning down the whole coast and building everything from scratch. Yes. That sounded like a plan. Simple. Effective. And a lot cheaper.
He took out a paper, and started writing. The King needed someone to do the dirty work and shoulder the blame for being a ruthless tyrant, or why else could he not take control of his own territory? Rainy days were not rare in these parts, so the simple and effective plan Lucian had come up with was thrown down the drain as quickly as he came up with it.
"You're wasting sunlight," her voice echoed, making him pause.
"Excuse me?" he asked, not looking up. She seemed to be taking a break, and it wouldn't be her if she didn't use the opportunity to taunt him.
"I said, you're wasting the sunlight," Celine repeated.
Lucian raised his head, giving her a blank stare, "..."
She pointed at the map, "Sunlight," she repeated, then at the sky, "Sun."
"..." Lucian's gaze became colder, "Do I look like a fool to you, Lady Rochefort?"
Her mood seemed better now that she had his attention, and she didn't care that he didn't look happy, "What I meant was," she gestured at the sun again, "Best thing to do during these hours is to go out and explore. Look at me," she twirled around, making her skirt dance with her, "I'm ready and dressed for a nice walk."
"...You want me to follow you into the woods like a lost puppy, is that it?" Lucian asked.
She blinked at him, completely forgetting how she treated him in the morning, "Is there a problem?"
"..."
"You can bring a guard if you are afraid," she said, her tone not mocking, but rather reassuring.
Lucian put his papers down and stood up, "I guess the least I can do is humor you, since my presence has been a bother."
"Good, you can be taught!" she grinned.
"..." Lucian felt an urge to pinch her, and he looked to the side to avoid the temptation.