Chapter 306 - A DEAL

"So, you were with a group? You didn't tell me about that story. Tell me more!"

At her friend's urge, Veronica became quiet. She still didn't think it was the right time to tell them about the elves. "It's when I was with a group of people. They were going in the same direction. Traveling alone on that road wasn't safe. So, I tagged along with them."

"But, was it safe for you though?" Catherine looked concerned. You are such a beauty."

"I charmed them with my beauty." Veronica winked at her friend. 

"You sure did. Did you take one of those handsome dudes to your bed?" Catherine teasingly elbowed her friend.

"Ahem!" Someone cleared their throat while two girlfriends were busy gossiping.

They both turned around and found Ovior and Arthur standing there. They were in the dining hall. Magicians were coming in and going out. Everyone was busy eating. 

While Ovior coughed to let the bizarre pair know about their presence, Arthur stared at his wife with a glum expression.

"!!!" Catherine choked down the remaining words she wanted to utter. 'Oh dammit! Did I just ruin their relationship? Oh no, Goddess, please no!'

Ovior elegantly kept his stoic expression and sat down beside her. Arthur took the seat beside Veronica's.

Veronica's body already stiffened. She couldn't look at her husband. 'I didn't do anything wrong. But why do I feel guilty?' she pondered.

Arthur and Ovior's meals were served. They started eating. Veronica and Catherine exchanged glances but stayed quiet. 

"So, did you?" Arthur finally opened his mouth.

However, his words confused Veronica. "Huh?" 

"Did you take other men to your bed?" Arthur inquired.

"Pffttt!" Catherine was drinking water. She sprayed the water in front of her. Veronica's food was supposed to be showered by her mouth water, but Arthur used wind magic as a shield to protect her meal.

Veronica's face paled. "There is no such thing. Why would I take any man in my bed? They need to be qualified to get that opportunity."

"Who has the qualification then?"

"Of course the one who I married." Veronica wasn't planning to suck up to him. She was just being improved.

Nonetheless, Arthur's expression improved. "Then, let's do this. Since I have the qualification, you have to kiss me every day," he suddenly proposed this plan.

"What?" Veronica was speechless. She pressed her lips, trying to hide her embarrassment. "What are you trying to say?" No matter how serious she looked, she wanted to dig a hole and hide there. 'Why did you have to talk about something like that in front of others? Can't you talk about 'couple things' when we are alone?'

"Kiss." Arthur seemed enthusiastic about it. "From now on, you will give me at least one kiss every day. Ever since you set out some rules, I'm doing whatever it takes to follow them. I deserve a reward."

"And what if I don't kiss you a day?" Veronica asked him.

"I'll seduce you at night," Arthur confidently replied. 

Catherine's jaw dropped after listening to their conversation. 'Did my question add fuel to the fire? I never thought Arthur was this clingy. Ver, I'm sorry you have to go through this because of my stupid mouth.'

While she was busy apologizing, her friend was busy trying to understand if she turned deaf. A few days ago, she gave him some rules of what he could do or not. One of the rules was, they weren't allowed to have intimate time without each other's permission. If one of them said 'no', another one couldn't lay a finger on the body.

Thus, Arthur and Veronica slept in the same bed but didn't have any intimate moments. He kept his promise.

Veronica thought deeply about the situation. 'So, what if we don't have sex? If he tries to seduce me without even touching me and I get seduced, won't it be even worse? I know about his charm but I'm not sure how he will try to seduce me. I can't take chances. Or else, I'll lose my face.'

"Fine, one kiss," she agreed. "Nothing more than that."

Arthur's eyes glittered. "You agreed. You cannot take it back. If you forget one day, I'll seduce you."

"That's never going to happen. I'll remember every day," Veronica swore.

"I don't care what you two do when you are alone but please be considerate to us. We are here to eat luncheon, not your PDA." Ovior was slightly offended but couldn't express himself well due to Veronica's presence.

"Get married if you are jealous," Arthur bluntly provoked him.

Ovior's pupils shrank. "I will marry the moment you hand over your authority to me."

"Heh, you can't even win against me. What a loser!"

Ovior gritted his teeth. "You!"

"All right, ver. I'm done with my meal. Didn't you say you wanted to go out? Let's go out together." Catherine stood up. Sitting with an angry Ovior was like sitting beside a mine. She didn't want to deal with him when she was worshiping her stomach. 

"Yes… yes…" Veronica inwardly thanked her friend. Collecting her bowl and tray, she stood up.

"Where are you going?" Arthur raised her head and looked at her.

"I'm going to the capital." Veronica didn't hide it. "It's been a while since I visited there."

"Are you taking Sebastian with you?"

"No, I asked Ironin to escort me." 

Only then Arthur seemed assured.

Veronica went back to her room and changed her clothes. She met Ironin downstairs. He was wearing his usual black cloak and hiding his black shirt, pants, and boots. He only took his long sword with him. He was leaning against a pillar and waiting for him.

He spotted Veronica and straightened his body. "Ready to leave?"

Veronica took long strides to approach him. "Yes, just one request. I need you not to ask too many questions and you cannot tell Arthur anything about what you see."

"All right." Ironin slightly nodded. He wasn't a person who liked to talk much. He didn't care about gossips either.

Veronica was satisfied with his attitude. "The reason I'm taking you and not Sebastian is that I trust that you can keep it a secret. I can't tell Arthur about what I'm about to do right now. I'm not sure how to disclose this information to them."

Ironin nodded. He walked beside her and reached out his hand to help her to get in the carriage. Veronica placed a hand on his hand and got inside. After Ironin entered the carriage, the coachman signaled the horses to start walking.

The carriage took them to the central point of the capital city. The city was bustling like before. Covering her head with the hood, Veronica walked into a quiet alley with Ironin. They stopped when a wall blocked their path. 

Veronica scanned the area to check if anyone followed them or not and then knocked on the last door. It was a round wooden door. 

Someone opened the door and saw Veronica and Ironin. The person was covering his head with a black hood. His face was barely open. As if the guy knew they were coming. "We were expecting you, Veronica."

"Good to see you too," Veronica greeted him back. She didn't address him by his name because of Ironin's presence. 

"Is this guy coming?" The guy looked behind her. His eyes were suspiciously scanning Ironin.

"…" Ironin's sharp eyes stared at him without wavering.

"No, he won't," Veronica answered negatively. "He will stay outside and guard the door for us."

"Sounds good."

Veronica nodded at Ironin and went inside. The man closed the door. Inside the room was dark but it had a refreshing smell. Elves liked clean places. Wherever they stayed, they kept the place spotless.

"It looks like you guys are enjoying living here," Veronica commented.

She got a reply, "This is the best place to keep ourselves hidden."

Veronica looked around. Looking at the empty living room, she asked, "Where are others? I don't see anyone."

"They are working part-time. Urulas is in the kitchen."

"Let's go to the kitchen." Veronica strode to the kitchen and found Urulas there. He was making tea.

Urulas greeted her politely, "Veronica, I was waiting for you. Have a seat. The tea will be done shortly." Although he got used to calling her name, he couldn't drop the act of politeness.

"Thank you. Sorry, it took so long," Veronica apologized. "It was hard to communicate where I'm living now."

"You suddenly vanished in the hills. We were worried," Urulas mentioned.

"I was kidnapped by my friends. They were worried sick about it. They were scared that I would run away again."

"Veronica, are they mistreating you?" Urulas slightly knitted his eyebrows.

"No, that's not the case. They are simply concerned about my wellbeing. Right now, we are investigating my new enemy. Have you heard the term "Science" anywhere?" Veronica came here today for two reasons.. One, to find out how the elves she brought here were doing; and two, to find out more about science.