After being delayed by talking with King Majagada and Iris's mother, we were invited to bathe first. From inside the house, we went to the bathing room. We took turns washing and cleaning ourselves.
"It feels refreshing to bathe after a long night," Iris said.
"Hey darling, when you accompany me to lead this kingdom later, be a different man from now. When you're with me, you can show your weaknesses."
"Yes," I replied.
"Just so you know, the situation in the Ilm Empire is due to a dispute over the succession to the throne. There, keep your mouth shut and remain neutral. Avoid talking to parties who seem mysterious and steer the conversation towards overthrowing the empire." Iris said this in a serious tone.
"May I know the details?" I asked.
"I don't know the details myself. But what I do know is that it all started when Prince Rovaldi's younger brother was chosen by God to be his envoy. The throne, which should not have fallen to the lineage of the Ilm Emperor's second wife, ended up falling to her lineage." Iris replied.
"Until now, there are two factions in that empire, and it will surely break into civil war. Plus, a rebellion movement has also emerged from their lower class." Iris continued.
"Do they still use the caste system?" I asked.
"Yes, and also slavery." Iris replied.
"M-mmm, isn't it true that our kingdom no longer has caste and slavery? How can we make peace?" I asked.
"Yes, that's a very old history." Iris replied. "There was a time when the Ilm Empire accused us of spreading anti-caste system ideas there and accused us of wanting to create instability there."
"Because our kingdom was still very weak and just a small kingdom back then, we complied with the Ilm Empire's request." She added. "Hey, you're taking a long time to wash yourself. Come on, get in the bath."
"Yes." I walked slowly and sat soaking beside her.
"Mmmmmm, so refreshing."
"Wh-where are your hands going?" I felt something caressing my thigh.
Iris kissed my mouth, and I accepted it. "Open your thighs, I want to touch them."
"Enough, let me rest," I replied.
One punch from Iris hit my stomach. She then choked my neck, "Ugh, just do it, I was just kidding."
We had intercourse once more, cleaned ourselves again, and finished our bathing activities, changed into formal clothes, and then went to our living room. The servants had already prepared our luggage near the main door. King Majagada was talking to the guard commander from the empire who was about to escort us.
While we were bathing, it turned out that the imperial entourage had already arrived to pick us up here. The commander of the guard entourage finished his conversation with King Majagada and approached me.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Commander Racobians. Assigned by Prince Rovaldi to escort and ensure your safety until you reach the capital of the Ilm Empire, Brocaristi."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Thomas," I replied and nodded.
After the servants put our belongings into the baggage carriage, we said goodbye to everyone. We got into our special carriage, Racobians opened the door for us. Kuti and Romanova were already inside.
"You took so long," Kuti grumbled impatiently.
"Heh, it was intentional." Iris replied and sat next to Kuti. "Hey, you know, because I feel sorry for you, you can sit next to Thomas."
Kuti swapped seats with Romanova and sat next to me. The carriage wasn't very spacious, only fitting 4 people because it was already filled with equipment that would likely make us comfortable on the long journey.
"Aren't you going to say thank you?" Iris said.
"Thank you." Kuti replied quickly.
"Oh, by the way, do you know the route we'll be taking? It turns out to be the northern route, because there's a rebellion on the southern border of the Ilm Empire." Iris changed the subject.
"Through the Principalities of Kogurs and Naulm? No wonder King Majagada added a contingent of cavalry for us," Romanova added.
"How dangerous is that area?" Kuti joined in.
"Mostly just robbers, bandits, slave traders," Iris replied. "The dangerous part is the path through the forest, where the weather changes drastically. You can be there for an hour, it's bright, then after it rains, it suddenly snows, that's how it is."
"How can that be? Is it a cursed area?" I asked.
"It has something to do with crazy sorcerers. But I think we can handle it. Besides, we have strong people here," Iris answered.
The journey had just begun, and I already felt sleepy. It was understandable, as I had been sleep-deprived all week because of Iris. Kuti, seeing me sleepy, offered her lap for me to sleep on.
Their conversation became faint as I started to fall asleep. When I woke up, it was already night, and Kuti woke me up. Romanova and Iris had already gotten out of the carriage.
"Are we there yet?" I asked.
"No, we're staying overnight at the border fort between Majagada and Naulm. Don't you want to get out and get some fresh air?" Kuti said.
"No, it's warm in here. Especially with the person I truly love," I replied.
"Take a bath first, or wash your face, come on!" Kuti woke me up. We both got out of our carriage and headed to the nearest water source. We would be staying in the fort's courtyard. Our tent was already set up there. The soldiers at this fort seemed very happy to see me and Iris.
Perhaps for them, this was the first time in their lives they had seen their future king and queen. A soldier approached me, "You are a messenger of the gods, aren't you? Could you please stop by our medical room for a moment? Could you help heal our severely wounded citizens and comrades?"
"I think so, if the gods allow them to heal," I said and followed him. Kuti trailed behind me.
We were led into a building that served as a medical room. The beds there were full of wounded citizens and injured soldiers.
"Doc, I brought you a gift," the soldier said, patting the back of a doctor who was trying to sleep.
"Ah! Who is it?" The doctor took off his glasses. "Oh. What do you need?"
From his tone, I felt that the doctor was tired and perhaps annoyed. I went straight to the point and healed the wounded. Then I left the medical room. I already knew what was on the doctor's mind. Perhaps he was annoyed because the supply of medicine to the border post was slightly delayed.
The doctor breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me finish healing them. The soldiers rejoiced, as did the citizens. I joined Iris and the others after washing my face in the fort's water pool.
"What happened?" Iris asked.
"I was asked to heal them," I replied.
"Oh, you're so kind," Iris replied.
"Of course, what wouldn't I do for my own people? Isn't it our duty to answer their calls for help?"