Chapter 68: The General’s Other Life

After lunch with Rel and Leyra, I returned to my guest room with a single noble objective.

Sleep.

Not diplomacy.

Not politics.

Not preventing wars.

Not investigating ancient conquerors.

Not convincing fairy queens to save continents.

Sleep.

Beautiful, magnificent, horizontal sleep.

The moment I opened the door and saw the bed waiting for me, something emotional happened between us.

The mattress looked at me.

I looked at the mattress.

We understood each other.

I had spent the previous night with Treez, returned to the castle in the morning, been summoned by Firsa, discussed an approaching continental war, discovered I was apparently expected to help convince Azalea to participate, then gone into the capital for cake while Rel casually interrogated my romantic life and potential interest in becoming king.

All before I had managed a proper nap.

There should be laws against that.

I kicked the door shut behind me and walked toward the bed.

“Finally.”

My knees nearly touched the mattress.

Then something fluttered outside the window.

I stopped.

No.

Absolutely not.

I turned very slowly.

A white bird landed on the stone ledge.

I stared at it.

The bird stared back.

It looked enough like a pigeon from Earth that my brain immediately filed it under pigeon, but calling it an ordinary pigeon would have been unfair.

Its feathers were almost unnaturally white, with faint silver-blue patterns near the tips of its wings that shimmered when sunlight touched them. Its eyes were brighter too, alert in a way that made regular Earth pigeons seem like unemployed bread criminals.

A tiny message was tied to one leg.

I looked back at my bed.

Then at the bird.

“You couldn't arrive five minutes later?”

The pigeon-like creature tilted its head.

No sympathy.

Of course.

I walked over.

It allowed me to remove the message.

Small piece of paper.

Short note.

Treez's handwriting.

Meet me at the castle gate.

Treez.

I read it twice.

Then looked toward the bed again.

My choices were clear.

Option one: sleep.

Option two: go meet a beautiful red-haired woman who had spent last night demonstrating several excellent reasons why I enjoyed her company.

I sighed.

“Sleep never stood a chance.”

I put the note away.

The bird immediately spread its wings and took off.

Efficient.

No payment requested.

No dramatic farewell.

Just delivered the message and left.

Professional pigeon.

I changed nothing about my clothes because I had literally just changed earlier.

Then I walked out of the room.

Again.

At this point, I had spent more time entering and leaving Agran Castle than several guards stationed at the gate.

The route was becoming familiar.

Down the main corridor.

Past the broad staircase.

Through another hall.

Turn.

More guards.

Down.

Gate.

See?

Progress.

Inizio Castle would've somehow redirected me into a forgotten wine cellar and forced me to begin a new life there.

Agran respected geometry.

I reached the main gates.

They opened.

Sunlight met me outside.

And there she was.

Treez stood a short distance from the entrance.

I stopped.

Well.

That was new.

She wasn't wearing her usual Legion Magus clothing.

No formal military appearance.

No mage attire designed for battle.

Instead, she'd chosen something casual.

A soft blouse with subtle embroidery around the collar and sleeves, fitted enough to suit her without looking formal. A dark skirt fell below her knees, paired with comfortable-looking shoes rather than anything made for fighting.

Her red hair was arranged more loosely.

Not careless.

Just relaxed.

She looked less like one of Agran's most powerful generals and more like an attractive woman enjoying an afternoon off.

Cute.

Very cute.

Also fashionable.

Apparently Treez had secretly been hoarding multiple versions of herself.

Battle Treez.

Professional Treez.

Drunk Treez.

Bedroom Treez.

And now casual-date Treez.

I approved of the collection.

She saw me.

Her posture changed slightly.

Not much.

But enough.

A small smile appeared.

I walked closer.

“Well.”

Treez looked at me.

“What?”

“Missed me already?”

I expected denial.

Maybe a glare.

Perhaps a dignified explanation that this meeting served some entirely practical purpose.

Instead, Treez hesitated.

Then answered:

“Yes.”

I stopped.

She looked slightly embarrassed.

I stared.

“That isn't how you're supposed to do this.”

Her eyebrows drew together.

“Do what?”

“You're supposed to immediately deny it.”

“Why?”

“Then I tease you.”

Treez blinked.

“You want me to lie?”

“When you describe it like that, it sounds less charming.”

She crossed her arms.

“Would you prefer I said no?”

I thought about it.

“No.”

Treez's lips curved.

“Then what are you complaining about?”

“Nothing.”

I pointed at her.

“Actually, forget the whole thing. Acting cold while secretly caring doesn't really suit you.”

Treez looked confused.

“What does that even mean?”

“Earth concept.”

“Of course.”

“You're more of the calm, cool type.”

She stared.

“I don't know what that means either.”

“It means keep doing what you're doing.”

Treez shook her head.

“Fine.”

I laughed.

She turned and started walking.

No explanation.

I followed.

“So where are we going?”

“You'll see.”

“Suspicious.”

“It isn't.”

“That's what suspicious people say.”

Treez glanced sideways at me.

“You followed me into an inn last night without this many questions.”

“Different motivation.”

Her face immediately reddened.

Victory.

Treez looked forward again.

“You are unbearable.”

“Yet here I am.”

“Yes.”

“You invited me.”

“I know.”

“More evidence.”

She increased her pace.

I smiled and followed.

We traveled several streets into the capital.

Not toward the restaurant from yesterday.

Not toward a tavern.

Not toward another suspiciously expensive inn.

Eventually Treez stopped before a small shop.

A gift shop.

The front wasn't especially flashy.

Simple wooden sign.

Wide windows filled with displays.

Ceramic ornaments.

Cloth toys.

Decorative utensils.

Candles.

Mugs.

Little carved animals.

Jewelry.

Household decorations.

Enough random objects to guarantee someone could enter intending to spend five coins and leave financially wounded.

We went inside.

A bell chimed overhead.

Treez immediately began looking around.

Not aimlessly.

She inspected things.

Picked objects up.

Turned them over.

Studied the craftsmanship.

Put them back.

I followed behind.

“What are we shopping for?”

Treez stopped beside a shelf filled with colorful mugs.

“Gia's birthday is coming.”

I blinked.

“Gia has birthdays?”

Treez looked at me.

“No, Caled. She emerges from the shadows once every century already fully grown.”

I stared.

Then smiled.

“That was sarcasm.”

“I spend too much time around you.”

“I'm proud.”

Treez picked up a mug.

It was small and ridiculously cute, painted pale cream with a tiny smiling tiger wrapped around one side.

She studied it.

I stared at the mug.

Then imagined Gia.

Silent.

Black hair.

Black clothes.

Daggers.

Expression suggesting emotions were government secrets.

I pointed toward a darker section of the shop.

“Are we sure we're shopping for the right woman?”

Treez looked at me.

“I think Gia's gifts should be somewhere over there.”

“Where?”

“Black things.”

Treez waited.

I continued.

“Skulls.”

Nothing.

“Daggers.”

Still nothing.

“Maybe a decorative coffin.”

Treez laughed.

Actually laughed.

She put the mug back.

“You really don't know her.”

“That seems fair considering she has spoken approximately one sentence to me.”

Treez smiled.

“She loves cute things.”

I stared.

“Gia.”

“Yes.”

“The assassin.”

“Yes.”

“Shadow skills.”

“Yes.”

“Facial expression permanently set to ‘I wish everyone would stop existing near me.’”

Treez nodded.

“That Gia.”

“And she loves cute things.”

“Yes.”

I looked toward the mugs.

Then back at Treez.

“That is excellent information.”

“Why?”

“Because contradictions make people more interesting.”

Treez moved toward another shelf.

“And she loves cooking.”

I stopped again.

“Now that's even better.”

Treez glanced over.

“Better?”

“I can picture it.”

“What?”

“Gia standing silently in a kitchen making tiny pastries while anyone who interrupts disappears mysteriously.”

Treez laughed again.

“She is actually very good.”

“At cooking or making people disappear?”

“Both.”

“Wonderful.”

Treez found another item.

A cooking pan.

Not ordinary.

The handle was decorated with little rounded tiger ears near the base, and the center had a cute embossed tiger face.

Treez lifted it.

I stared.

“That thing has no business being that adorable.”

Treez smiled.

“I think she'll like it.”

“You're buying Gia a cute frying pan.”

“Yes.”

“I love this friendship.”

Treez inspected the pan carefully.

Then nodded as though she'd completed a military equipment assessment.

“This one.”

She started walking toward the counter.

Then stopped.

Looked back at me.

“You should choose something too.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“For Gia?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you're invited.”

I blinked.

“To her birthday?”

Treez nodded.

“When did that happen?”

“She told us to invite you.”

I stared.

“Gia personally agreed to my presence?”

“Yes.”

“Well.”

I placed a hand over my heart.

“I feel honored.”

Treez smiled.

“You should.”

“How many people are going?”

“Four.”

I counted.

“Gia.”

“Yes.”

“You.”

“Yes.”

“Remgar.”

“Yes.”

“And me.”

“Yes.”

That was it.

Small.

Private.

No giant celebration.

No military officials.

No nobles.

Just their little group.

Plus me.

Interesting.

“You three really do everything together.”

Treez's expression softened.

“Often.”

“You're close.”

“We've worked together for a long time.”

I nodded.

The relationship made sense.

Remgar, Treez, Gia.

Three generals with completely different personalities somehow fitting together.

Remgar was loud enough to compensate for Gia's silence.

Treez stood somewhere in the middle, probably stopping Remgar from doing something stupid while ensuring Gia occasionally interacted with civilization.

Treez pointed toward the displays.

“Choose carefully.”

“What does Gia like besides cute things and cooking?”

“Don't buy anything too flashy.”

“Good.”

“She dislikes being the center of attention.”

“I gathered that from the part where she walks six meters behind everyone.”

Treez nodded.

I looked around.

Cute cooking items.

Small ornaments.

Aprons.

Wait.

Aprons.

I approached a rack.

Several designs hung there.

Flowers.

Fruit.

Animals.

Patterns.

Then I saw one.

Pink.

Very pink.

With a cute tiger design across the front.

Tiny paws patterned around the pockets.

I pulled it free.

Treez stared.

I held it up.

“This.”

Treez covered her mouth.

“What?”

She was trying not to laugh.

“Nothing.”

“You think she'll hate it.”

“No.”

“Then?”

Treez touched one of the little tiger paws.

“She'll pretend she hates it.”

I smiled.

“Even better.”

“She might refuse to wear it in front of you.”

“That only makes me want to buy it more.”

Treez nodded.

“Then buy it.”

Decision made.

We brought everything to the counter.

The shopkeeper wrapped the pan carefully.

Then wrapped my apron in decorative paper.

Treez paid for hers.

I paid for mine.

Once we stepped outside, Treez opened Dimensional Storage and placed Gia's present inside.

I did the same.

Gift vanished safely into mine.

Very convenient.

Earth had failed horribly by not inventing pocket dimensions.

Imagine airports.

Shopping.

Moving apartments.

Crime.

Actually, maybe Earth was safer without them.

Treez started walking again.

I followed.

“Where now?”

“You ask many questions.”

“I'm spending my afternoon following a woman who refuses to explain anything.”

“You seem comfortable doing it.”

“Excellent observation.”

This time she led me away from the dense commercial streets.

Buildings became fewer.

Stone roads widened into quieter paths.

Then the city opened around us.

I saw green.

A lot of green.

A massive garden stretched across one elevated section of the capital.

Grass covered rolling ground.

Flowers grew in enormous beds organized by color.

White.

Purple.

Yellow.

Red.

Small trees lined the paths.

Larger ones stood farther inside, old enough that their branches spread wide and heavy, creating pools of shade.

A few couples walked along the distant paths.

Families.

Several people reading.

But compared with the city center, it was quiet.

Peaceful.

Treez led me farther in.

Eventually she stopped beneath a broad tree overlooking part of the garden.

Shade covered the grass beneath it.

Treez reached into Dimensional Storage.

A folded picnic blanket appeared.

I stared.

She spread it across the grass.

Then another item appeared.

Basket.

I crossed my arms.

“Treez.”

She opened the basket.

“Yes?”

“This is a date.”

She paused.

Then looked at me.

“Yes.”

No hesitation.

Again.

Apparently honest Treez had become dangerous.

I smiled.

“So this is your idea of an ideal date.”

Treez considered the question.

Then nodded.

“Yes.”

I looked around.

Flowers.

Shade.

Afternoon sunlight.

Quiet.

Food.

Treez.

“Not bad.”

She sat.

I joined her.

The blanket was thick enough that the ground beneath us felt comfortable.

Treez opened the basket.

Food came out.

Bread.

Small containers.

Fruit.

Cheese.

A few spreads.

Nothing excessive.

Simple picnic food.

The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves above us, creating shifting patches of light across the blanket.

A gentle breeze moved through the grass.

Distant voices barely reached us.

Treez looked more relaxed here than she did almost anywhere else.

No military posture.

No formal mask.

Just comfortable.

She handed me food.

Then studied my face.

“Did you sleep after returning to the castle?”

I stared.

“No.”

Her eyebrows rose.

“Not even briefly?”

“Nope.”

Treez laughed.

I pointed at her.

“You're partly responsible.”

“Only partly?”

“Firsa summoned me.”

“Ah.”

“Then Rel fed me cake and interrogated my future.”

Treez blinked.

“That sounds like Rel.”

“Exactly.”

She smiled.

“The responsibilities of a diplomat.”

I groaned.

“I negotiated peace. Nobody told me the reward was chronic sleep deprivation.”

Treez picked up a piece of bread.

Then held it toward my mouth.

I looked at her.

She waited.

I leaned forward and took a bite.

The bread was excellent.

Soft.

Still carrying a faint freshness despite being packed for the picnic.

Slightly sweet.

A mild buttery flavor.

I chewed.

Treez watched closely.

“Well?”

I swallowed.

“Very good.”

Her eyes brightened.

“Where did you buy it?”

Treez smiled.

Sweetly.

Suspiciously.

“I didn't.”

I stared.

“You made this.”

“Yes.”

I looked at the bread.

Then her.

“You baked it.”

“This morning.”

Pause.

I slowly lowered the food.

“You didn't sleep either.”

Treez immediately became interested in arranging the basket.

“Treez.”

“I tried.”

“But?”

She looked away.

Her cheeks reddened.

Oh.

This would be good.

“I couldn't.”

“Why?”

She remained silent.

I waited.

Her fingers adjusted a completely innocent piece of cloth that did not need adjusting.

Finally:

“Every time I closed my eyes…”

She glanced toward me.

“…I saw you.”

I froze.

Treez froze.

We both processed what she'd just said.

I slowly smiled.

“I cannot believe you actually said that.”

Treez covered her face with both hands.

“I cannot believe it either.”

“That may be the most romantic thing anyone has accidentally confessed while serving bread.”

“Please stop.”

“No.”

She groaned.

I laughed.

Eventually she lowered her hands.

Still red.

Treez pulled a bottle from the basket.

Wine.

She poured some into a glass.

Then placed it near me.

I picked it up.

Took a sip.

Excellent.

Rich.

Smooth.

A little fruity.

I stared at her.

Treez noticed.

“What?”

“Please don't tell me you made the wine too.”

She laughed.

“Don't be ridiculous.”

“Thank goodness.”

“It came from my cellar.”

I paused.

“Your cellar.”

“Yes.”

“Your personal wine cellar.”

“Yes.”

“You have many bottles?”

“Quite a few.”

I set the glass down.

“You just told me you're filthy rich without actually saying you're filthy rich.”

Treez raised an eyebrow.

“Have you forgotten my position?”

“Legion Magus.”

“And general.”

“Still.”

Treez picked up the bread again.

“I am paid well.”

“That is the polite version of what I said.”

She pushed the bread toward my mouth.

I took a much larger bite this time.

Treez laughed.

Apparently enthusiasm pleased her.

She ate too.

For a while, we just sat there.

No negotiations.

No armies.

No discussion of the Dragon Conqueror.

No fighting.

Treez occasionally gave me food.

I occasionally stole pieces from her side just to annoy her.

The garden moved gently around us.

Flowers shifting.

Leaves rustling.

Warm sun beyond the shade.

After some time, Treez looked across the grass.

Very few people were near our section now.

Most were far enough away that they appeared only as small figures moving between flower beds.

Treez spoke quietly.

“I like this.”

I looked at her.

“What?”

“Moments like this.”

Her gaze remained on the garden.

“Quiet ones.”

I smiled.

“I can tell.”

Treez's hand moved across the blanket.

Then found mine.

Her fingers slipped between mine.

Soft.

Warm.

I squeezed gently.

She looked down at our hands.

Then at me.

My eyes moved around the garden.

Sparse crowd.

Large tree.

Flower beds providing partial cover.

Interesting.

I smiled.

Treez immediately noticed.

“No.”

I blinked innocently.

“I didn't say anything.”

“That expression said enough.”

“What expression?”

“The same one you had last night before every bad idea.”

I looked around again.

“I'm merely observing that there aren't many people nearby.”

Treez narrowed her eyes.

“Caled.”

“And that this tree provides impressive visual cover.”

Her cheeks started turning red.

“Don't tell me you're in the mood again.”

I laughed.

“Don't be ridiculous.”

Treez relaxed slightly.

I leaned closer.

“I'm always in the mood.”

Her mouth fell open.

Then she smacked my arm lightly.

“You are unbelievable.”

“Consistent.”

“You didn't sleep.”

“Correct.”

“You've spent the morning walking around.”

“Correct.”

“You fought Rel yesterday.”

“Also correct.”

“And you're still thinking about this?”

I pointed toward myself.

“I am a monument to stamina and questionable priorities.”

Treez shook her head.

But she was smiling.

That was the important part.

She leaned closer.

For a moment, I thought she was going to kiss me properly.

Instead, her eyes shifted toward the corner of my mouth.

She moved in.

Her lips brushed against the side of mine.

Brief contact.

Then she pulled away with a tiny crumb of bread that had apparently been stuck there.

I stared.

Treez smiled.

Very pleased with herself.

“Oh.”

“What?”

“That was dirty.”

“I cleaned your face.”

“With your lips.”

“Yes.”

I smirked.

“Well, now I'm definitely in the mood.”

Treez's face instantly reddened.

She looked away.

“You are something else.”

“I've been told.”

Treez looked around.

Left.

Right.

Toward the distant paths.

Nobody nearby.

Her fingers tightened slightly around mine.

Then she hesitated.

Interesting.

“Treez?”

She looked back at me.

There was something different in her smile now.

Less embarrassed.

More mischievous.

A very dangerous development.

She glanced toward the nearest path again.

Then said quietly:

“I wouldn't necessarily mind.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Wouldn't mind what?”

Treez gave me a look.

“You know.”

“I enjoy hearing you say things.”

“You are terrible.”

“Still waiting.”

Her blush deepened.

She lowered her voice.

“Doing something here.”

I looked around again.

Open garden.

Tree.

Flowers.

A few distant people.

I looked back at her.

“In public.”

“Not exactly public.”

“It is literally a public garden.”

“You know what I mean.”

I laughed.

Treez shifted closer.

“As long as we don't get caught.”

There it was.

A shy smile.

But beneath it?

Mischief.

Apparently last night's Treez had unlocked new downloadable content.

I grinned.

“Trying not to get caught is the exciting part.”