In Your Vulgar Paradise - Chapter 4
He asked with the drivers, but none had seen the Madam or the dedicated driver since the afternoon. The maids, guards, and other staff members also had no information about her return.
Leveraging the privileges of Baron Geshturn bestowed by royal favor, Klaus mobilized the law enforcement at the city guard’s office late at night, but still couldn’t find any trace of his wife. There was no meaningful information from the royal checkpoint or castle guards either.
It wasn’t until several days later that he discovered the fact that Azniel had clandestinely infiltrated the airship that had taken off.
* * *
“Madam, it’s porridge.”
Inside the airship heading towards the Sea of Ruins, a man with loosely tied silver-gray hair extended two soup bowls. The smoky aroma emanated from the oatmeal porridge. Azniel and the maid Annie received a bowl each.
“Due to limited ingredients, breakfast is just this. Although we installed a small refrigerator, the schedule is long, and there’s not much room for cooking…”
The man continued explaining, and an awkward expression was apparent on his face.
No matter how much she was now considered a member of the military, she was, after all, the wife of the director . Even if she was carrying out this clandestine voyage to give up being the wife, it wouldn’t be dignified to present commoner-like food to the distinguished Madam Geshturn, the wife of the Baron.
“Thank you for caring, Lyle. I suddenly imposed it on you, didn’t I?”
In response to Azniel’s smile as she looked up at him, Lyle, the person in charge of the overall flight, felt a twinge in his chest. Regardless, it was Lyle who accepted Azniel’s request. He looked around, managing his feelings, not feeling entirely refreshed.
Today’s rations, emergency energy supplements, portable emergency communicator, etc., were neatly arranged in their places. Amidst all this, the pristine bedding, seemingly unused, only emphasized Azniel’s personality.
Always there, yet not there, unobtrusive. But whenever it was needed, doing the best possible…
Such thoughts seemed futile in the face of the imminent end of their connection.
“If there’s anything uncomfortable, please let me know.”
“Yes.”
He said it, but Lyle knew well that the pure saint wouldn’t demand anything.
Click, after he left and closed the door.
“Madam… Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Annie, you didn’t have to follow me and go through all this trouble…”
“Why would you say that! I willingly followed. Besides…”
Annie looked up at the Madam sitting across from her and rounded her eyes.
“If I had lost you, wouldn’t the master have demanded an enormous compensation? Henderson wouldn’t have followed for nothing, right?”
Azniel responded with a faint smile to Annie’s banter.
Annie’s mistress, or rather, her husband Klaus Geshturn, was not that kind of person. He respected all the servants, and the severest punishment he issued was dismissal without a recommendation. He even took into account their normal lives.
Knowing that, and considering the master’s character, Annie and the dedicated driver Henderson following her were likely out of concern for Azniel undertaking this perilous journey.
“When the airship returns to Gilios, I should ask Lyle to take you back.”
Klaus wouldn’t reproach them. Knowing Lyle, Klaus would understand and carry out her request.
In reality, Klaus Geshturn’s kindness extended to everyone. He showered favors to his investors, small traders, the royal family, the servants serving the mansion, and even the orphanage served for the corporate image of Antagon. Klaus Geshturn’s businesslike kindness was spread everywhere.
Except for Azniel herself, only one person was excluded.
“Just live as you did when you were in the Holy Empire. I don’t ask for anything from you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
“It’s okay, even if you don’t consider me.”
Azniel’s heavy sigh echoed through her married life.
While she struggled to fulfill her duties as his wife, Azniel often felt like she was an inadequate presence. She believed there was nothing she could contribute to the perfect man he was.
Kissing, hugging, lovemaking—such virtues of lovers or marital duties—it didn’t have to be her.
“Did I really help you?”
“Oh, yes.”
Now that he had achieved the purpose of bringing her here, it was right to leave before things became more miserable. Despite repeating this to herself several times, Azniel’s golden eyes, moistened by her teary gaze, sank into her knees.
“Saint, I need you to marry me.”
There was a time when she thought he returned to the Holy Empire to save her…
