Chapter 10: Cuteness Overcomes Power

The rhythmic clink-clank of the horse-drawn carriage wheels, transitioning from a dusty path to a well-laid stone road, caught Edwin's attention inside the carriage. He leaned his head out of the window, peering curiously at the surroundings. 

On both sides of the road, paved with smooth stones, trees with dark red trunks grew on the reddish brown soil. The pure amazement in Edwin's gaze revealed a person completely mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of the scenery.

"Amazing, isn't it? These trees are called Flamewood and they only grow around Rosewyn City. My family name was inspired by these trees. Now that we have seen these flamewood trees, it means we are almost at our destination."

When Edwin heard that soothing voice, he pulled his head back from the window and looked at Amber sitting cross-legged before him.

Amber was wearing a red shirt and black pants, with no armor. She had stopped wearing dresses like the ones she had worn at the breakfast with Edwin and started putting on more comfortable clothes. 

Yet even in these simple clothes her remarkable beauty was still evident. With her vibrant red hair flowing down and captivating blue eyes that sparkle with depth she looked very ravishing. Her features were a delicate blend of grace and charm, complemented by a flawless complexion.

"How interesting... I've seen trees with red trunks like this in the Goddess Livian's realm, but I've never seen a forest of them. It looks really impressive."

Hearing this, Amber puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course, it's a sight you can only see on my family's land."

Edwin responded with a small smile. It had been two days since he and Amber had breakfast in her tent. For two days they had traveled together to Rosewyn City, keeping each other company.

During this period, their bond strengthened, and their interactions took on an air of informality. Amber, no longer confined by her initial aristocratic reserve, started revealing her true self to Edwin. Edwin seemed to appreciate this more and their relationship developed rapidly.

"Lady Amber, we are almost in the city, should we send someone ahead to announce our arrival?" Olivia spoke from Amber's side with a lively voice.

Olivia was wearing her conservative maid outfit, featuring a knee-length black A-line dress with a white high-neck collar. The dress is adorned with subtle lace or ribbon details, maintaining a sense of modesty. Her neatly arranged bun not only imparted a sense of tidiness but also added a charming and practical element to her cute appearance."

Amber nodded. "Hmm, good idea Olivia." After her words, she stuck her head through the carriage's window and shouted. "Chloe, come here!"

Hearing Amber's authoritative voice, a woman with short brown hair wearing fancy armor quickly approached the window of the carriage as she rode up with her horse.

"Yes, Lady Amber!"

"Send one of your soldiers ahead to the city. Let my mother know that we have returned from our mission." Amber ordered in a firm voice.

Hearing this, the brown-haired woman whose name was Chloe immediately nodded. "Yes, Lady Amber!" Just as she was about to ride away, she saw Edwin out of the corner of her eye and froze on her horse.

"Hmm?" 

Amber was surprised to realize that Chloe still hadn't moved. When she turned her head in Chloe's direction, Amber saw her subordinate staring at Edwin as if under a spell. Narrowing her eyes, Amber stared sharply at the short-haired woman.

"Chloe!"

"H-Huhh? Ahhh! L-Lady Amber, I-I'm leaving right now!" Hearing Amber's harsh voice, this grown woman trembled in fear and immediately started to lead her horse away.

Amber said with an unhappy expression. "Tch, she is looking at other men even though she just got married. How shameless!" 

At the end of her words, she turned her gaze to Edwin, who was staring at her, oblivious to what was happening.

"Edwin, you need to do something about this!"

"Huhh? About what?" Edwin tilted his head to the side with a puzzled expression as he looked at Amber's adorable pouting face.

Whether dressed casually or in more formal attire, Edwin's appearance had been a harmonious balance of style and natural charm. His captivating blue eyes and just past shoulder length slightly wavy blond hair had combined to create an image of timeless and irresistible handsomeness. 

His jawline was strong and perfectly chiseled, adding a touch of masculinity to his appearance. And his nose was elegantly sculpted, contributing to the overall harmony of his features

Blushing at his gesture, Amber averted her eyes. 

"O-Olivia, you explain."

Taking the opportunity to speak, Olivia immediately put on a serious expression.

"Edwin, I don't think you quite realize it, but you are very handsome." 

"... Thank you Olivia." Edwin was surprised by the sudden compliment.

Olivia's face turned bright red. "I-I didn't mean it as a compliment! I-I mean, of course I find you handsome! I-I just..." Feeling Amber's menacing aura at her side, Olivia shivered and quickly changed the subject.

"I-I mean, the fact that you're this handsome is a dangerous situation in so many ways!" 

Edwin raised his eyebrow and thought of his goddess when he heard Olivia's words. He had heard many similar words from Livian. Now, for the first time, he felt a little strange hearing it from someone else.

"What kind of danger?"

Amber frowned and turned her head to look at Edwin.

"Edwin, if you start walking around the city like that, people might riot."

Edwin frowned. "What? People will go crazy just because I walk around? So, should I hide my face with a mask? Come on, you two, don't make such a big deal out of it! I don't want to wear a suffocating mask wherever I go for such a reason."

Edwin was a bit triggered because he had already had many such arguments with Livian. He was fed up with these repetitive conversations.

When Amber saw Edwin's unhappy expression, she spoke in a softer voice.

"Edwin, I don't want to push you on this, but you really should at least wear a cloak"

"... Amber, are you sure you're not exaggerating a little?" 

Edwin spoke in a voice of disbelief. Even though Livian had warned him about these things all his life, he hadn't taken it seriously. He had thought his goddess was just being overly cautious. But now that he heard two beautiful women with serious expressions saying the same thing, doubt began to creep in.

Olivia jumped in. "Edwin, Lady Amber is telling the truth! Every time you get out of the carriage for a ride, the female soldiers in the vicinity give you longing looks." she sighed and continued. "There have even been breakups between some of the female soldiers and their lovers."

"R-Really!? I-I didn't realize that." Edwin was quite startled.

Olivia looked at Amber. "Because of Lady Amber's strict orders, none of the women here came near you. But if you go into the city like this, you could cause quite a ruckus as you attract too much attention."

Edwin frowned and considered their words. "Then..."

Amber took a red hooded cloak from the hook by the door and handed it to Edwin.

"Edwin, I'm not saying you should wear this all the time, but it would be better for you and others if you hid your face in crowded areas." 

Seeing Edwin frown, she leaned forward, opened her eyes wide and looked at him with a puppy like expression.

"Pleaaaase..." Amber said.

"..."

Seeing this, Edwin immediately turned his head to the side. There, he saw Olivia staring at him with the same adorable expression.

"Pleaaaase..." Olivia said.

"... Haaaaaa, okay. But I only wear it in crowded areas." Edwin sighed and took the hooded cloak from Amber's hand after some hesitation.

Amber and Olivia winked at each other with a mischievous smile. The two of them had come to realize during their time with Edwin that he had a weakness for cuteness and they weren't afraid to exploit it. Especially in situations like this.

Edwin looked at the two grown women smiling like little girls and chuckled a little. Even though he hadn't been with them for long, he enjoyed every moment he spent with them. He looked at the red cloak in his hand for a while and suddenly a realization came to him.

"Oh, damn it!"

Amber and Olivia stopped smiling at each other when they saw Edwin cursing and turned to look at him.

"Huhh? What happened Edwin?" Amber asked.

"... I forgot my own cloak in the forest."

Amber and Olivia looked at Edwin with astonished looks. The warrior who had defeated even the Wyverns without batting an eye turned his gaze to the car window, unable to withstand the disbelieving stares of these two women.

"...Hahahahahahaha."

When Amber and Olivia saw his funny behavior, first their cheeks twitched and then they started laughing out loud.

With an indifferent expression on his face, Edwin ignored their laughter and started look out of the carriage window as if nothing had happened. The sound of the carriage on the stone road was joined by two enchanting laughs while it slowly grew darker.