Chapter 61: At the Inn
  Eld and Marie, through Al’s mediation, entered into a provisional contract for the request. Provisional contracts are more common than regular contracts because they can be easily terminated if unforeseen circumstances arise and the request cannot be fulfilled.
 
  And the two returned to the inn that Al had arranged for them.
 
  “Haa, that was quite an intense time.”
 
  As soon as Eld entered the room, he collapsed onto the bed without even changing his clothes.
 
  “Eld, if you don’t take it off properly, it will wrinkle.”
 
  Marie placed her luggage on the sofa and tried to take off her dress, reaching for the clasp on her back, but she couldn’t reach it.
 
  “Eld, could you undo this for me?”
 
  She called out to Eld while facing away from him. Eld stood up with a look of annoyance and undid the clasp of her dress.
 
  “Thank you.”
 
  “Don’t mention it……Hey, you were staring at the Saintess the whole time, weren’t you? Do you know her?”
 
  Eld asked while taking off his jacket.
 
  “Huh? Was I? Was I staring that much?”
 
  “I wondered why you weren’t participating in the conversation, but you were just staring at her.”
 
  Marie pondered for a moment.
 
  “You know, before, I told you about how I almost died when I was about five years old? I said there was a person with white hair who saved me.”
 
  Eld recalled Marie telling her half-siblings, Millenia and Jaylot, about it.
 
  “That was her?”
 
  “I couldn’t see her face because of the backlight, and I couldn’t tell if she was a man or a woman, so I can’t say for sure. But there aren’t that many people with white hair.”
 
  “Then you should have asked her.”
 
  Marie shook her head.
 
  “If she remembered, she would have noticed right away because red hair and red eyes are rare. So I thought I might be mistaken and couldn’t ask.”
 
  “I see. Well, we’ll see her again, so ask her then. Maybe you were so dirty back then that your red hair didn’t even look red.”
 
  “Ahaha, maybe so.”
 
  Marie responded to Eld’s harsh words with a smile. She hung the dress she had taken off on a hanger and smoothed out the wrinkles.
 
  “What are we going to do from tomorrow? It’s been a while since we’ve been in the central capital, so why don’t we take it easy and do some sightseeing?”
 
  Eld also hung his suit on a hanger and smoothed it out to prevent wrinkles.
 
  “That’s a good idea, but this inn is quite expensive, isn’t it? Do we have enough money?”
 
  The inn Al had arranged for them was one of the most luxurious in the central capital. However, Eld didn’t seem to be concerned.
 
  “I checked while I was waiting for you before we went out, and it looks like the royal family is paying. So it shouldn’t be a problem if we stay a little longer. I haven’t forgiven that prince for his insults.”
 
  Eld’s expression turned cold.
 
  “You don’t have to worry about that either. I don’t mind being told that much.”
 
  Marie said with a troubled expression.
 
  “You should be a little more concerned. You’ve always been like that. You brush off insults directed at you, and then you almost get attacked by the guys who think it’s not funny.”
 
  “Well, I’m used to it. Even after my grandmother took me in, I was sometimes gossiped about for being raised in a lower-class family. After I entered the academy, Eld and Al stepped in and protected me.”
 
  Marie shook her head in exasperation.
 
  “So don’t get angry about something like that. Today, you were about to freeze yourself because you poured too much magic power into it.”
 
  Eld said, remembering how he had lost control to the point that his own arm was freezing when he tried to take out Tempera.
 
  “Haa……in the end, I’m the one being lectured. I’m a little envious of Marie’s strength.”
 
  Eld lay down on the bed in his underwear.
 
  “What, are you sulking?”
 
  “Not really.”
 
  Marie also lay down next to Eld in her underwear. Eld turned his back to Marie.
 
  “Really, you’re so childish about that.”
 
  Marie snuggled up to Eld and hugged him.
 
  “I was happy. Today, and in the past. I’m truly grateful that you’ve always protected me since we met.”
 
  “I know. But it’s okay to show me your weaker side a little more.”
 
  Marie didn’t answer Eld’s words. Instead of answering, Marie’s hand reached for Eld’s lower body.
 
  “Marie-san, do you not have the ability to feel sentimental? Or did you drink in secret?”
 
  “Ehehe. I get stressed out by what people say too, so let me relieve some of it.”
 
  Saying that, Marie climbed on top of Eld.