Chapter 73 - VERONICA'S CONFUSION

All of a sudden, Veronica started to notice that people were giving her extra attention. At first, she ignored it but their gazes started to burn holes in her body.

'What is happening?' she wondered. When she turned toward the people who were looking at her, they averted their gazes. 'This is getting weird. Did I do anything wrong?' she pondered hard but couldn't think of anything.

Things got even more complicated after the Synetians won the battle against Riverhill. After signing the treaty, Synetians held a dessert banquet. The soldiers were drinking to their fullest. Healers were having fun as well. Everyone was enjoying the feast that was prepared by Adam, the healers, and the unharmed soldiers.

"Cheers everyone!" Adam shouted as he held his mug full of beer.

"Cheers!" Everyone replied with a shout.

Veronica grinned looking at all those happy people around her. She felt accomplished after helping them by finding the missing healers. With everybody, she was enjoying the feast. She took a big grilled piece of turkey meat on her plate and sliced it gently. The smell of the grilled turkey made her mouth water.

She took a piece of meat in her mouth and chewed it slowly. "Mmm," she shut her eyes and let out a sound. It was absolutely delicious. She felt like she could go to meat land just tasting the food.

"Veronica, do you like meat?" Major General Orion asked her. He was sitting right beside her.

"Yes!" Veronica didn't hesitate to reply. She considered herself lucky to be able to come here for her secret mission. If not, she would be stuck in the Rosemary Temple and who knew when she could have meat there. Moreover, it was hard to get vegetables and fruits in the desert. Here she could eat different types of meals made with meat. She felt like she was in heaven.

"Here, you can have my portion." Major General Orion placed his piece of meat on her plate.

His piece of meat was bigger than hers. She couldn't help but get happier. But seeing only a few pieces of small meat on his plate, she said, "But you need to eat too." Although she said that, she wished he would deny taking the meat piece.

As though Major General Orion could read her mind. He assured her by saying, "Don't worry. I eat this kind of meal all the time."

"I see. Thank you." Afterward, Veronica had no reason to hesitate. She thanked him and dug in without giving it a second thought.

While eating, Major General Orion suddenly asked her, "Veronica, are you seeing someone?"

"What?" Veronica turned to look at him. The topic was so random that she thought she heard it wrong.

Major General Orion gulped down a glass of water and said, "I mean are you are going out with anyone?"

Veronica casually answered, "I go out with anyone as long as they are the people I like."

"…With… anyone?" Major General Orion didn't think she was so advanced. He dumbfoundedly gazed at her.

Veronica chewed another piece of meat and then answered, "Yes, I like going out a lot. And it's more fun if I could go out with my friends. You see, the more the merrier."

"Pfft!"

"Hehe…"

The people around them covered their mouths to control their laughter.

Major General Orion realized that she misunderstood his words. He clarified as much as he could, "No, I don't mean that way. I wanted to know if you like someone."

Veronica went into deep thoughts, "Like someone… Yes, I like everyone in this place. You are all too kind to me. I can never forget your kindness. You have started taking care of me. You even gave me your delicious meal too.  One day I will surely repay your kindness."

Major General Orion coughed. "Oh, not that. I mean if you have a lover."

"Why would I have that?" Veronica couldn't find a reason why she needed a lover. After talking to Leticia and Violet, she decided not to fall in love ever.

"Don't you want one?" Major General Orion inched closer toward her. "A person who you will live together with, who will support you in need. Isn't that great to have a person like that?"

Veronica gave his words a good thought. "Is that so? But why would I let only one person carry such a huge burden? As long as more people are together, they can share burdens and happiness. This way, it will be less burdensome. Don't you think so?"

"Ahh… you are right about that." Major General Orion subconsciously agreed to her logic.

The people around them whispered themselves excitedly –

"I can't believe this is happening."

"I know. This is so hilarious."

"Veronica is really something. I can't believe she doesn't have a clue."

"Major General Orion only thinks of the battlefield. How can he pursue a girl? If he really wants to pursue someone, he needs to learn a thing or two from Arthur."

"Why is the lady killer so quiet today?"

"Beats me."

Major General Orion didn't want to lose to her just like that. He pestered, "Veronica, what kind of a man do you want to marry in the future?"

"What kind of a man?" Veronica frowned. She had never thought about that. "Hmm… let's see."

The room suddenly became silent. Everyone's ears were paying attention to Veronica's every move, every breath, every small sound she was making.

Even a person who didn't want to hear could hear whatever noises she made.

Veronica didn't have a long list. She said whatever came to her mind, "I don't have much to ask. He has to be good to me and care for me. He has to be an amazing cook."

Everyone's eyes darted toward Arthur. In the camo, they got to taste the delicious stew he cooked.

Even Arthur who tried not to pay any attention paused eating and looked at Veronica. His golden orbs flickered with something unknown.

Afterward, she added, "…He has to be loyal to me. I don't want a man who chases skirts every time he sees a beautiful lady."

"Cough! Cough!"

"Ahem."

Everyone began to clear their throats and coughed lightly. They realized that Arthur had no chance.

Someone's expression started to get clouded.

A female soldier whispered, "Damn! I was thinking of introducing her to my younger brother. I see my hopeless brother has no hope. Veronica won't like him. He cannot cook, let alone make something delicious."

"I was thinking of proposing to her." A male soldier sighed.

"She will run in a different direction if you stand a bit closer to her," another soldier stated.

That male soldier asked his comrade, "Why will she do that?"

His fellow soldier told him, "Smell your body. Which woman can stand your sweaty body?"

"Our goddess of beauty has such a simple preference but why does it seem that it will be hard to find a guy she likes?"

The Goddess of Beauty was none other than Veronica. Because of her bravery, beautiful shiny silver hair, and unique emerald eyes, the soldiers gave her this title.

"Just find a good chef for her. That's all it will take to find her a groom. Maybe I should stop being a soldier and become a chef."

"You can do that and then end up in prison in two hours."

"Why will that happen?"

"Because the customers will die after eating your poisonous cooked meal."

"What did you say? You bastard!"

The soldiers were drunk and saying whatever they wanted. Since their heads were all muddled, they had no clue what they were doing. They easily got manipulated and started fighting. Others began to cheer for them. Immediately, the people were divided into two groups.

While they were having all the fun they could, Major General Orion poured beer into Veronica's glass. "Have some drinks," he said.

Veronica hesitated, "But I cannot drink. I'm not into this kind of thing."

Major General Orion tried to relax her upon seeing that she was nervous, "No one is good at this kind of thing since birth. There is always a first time for everything. Take small sips. Let your stomach adjust to this new drink."

"But…" to ask for help, Veronica looked at Arthur. When she saw that he was giving her a cold glare, she instantly furrowed her eyebrows. She recalled that she was having an argument with him and he was being insincere. Just thinking about that made her mad.

She also remembered that he was a pervert who would go after any woman. It meant that he wasn't her type. She looked away expressionlessly. Since it came to this, she didn't want to have anything to do with him.

Veronica raised the glass of beer close to her mouth and took a sip. It had an odd smell. The taste of the drink was bitter. She squinted her nose and followed Major General Orion's lead as he encouraged her.

Five minutes later –

"Burp!"

Veronica's eyelids had become heavy. Her pale face was completely flushed. Even her ears and neck were red. She stayed quiet like a dozing off yellow chick as she grabbed the mug full of beer with her both hands.

She looked like she could die at any moment but she would not let go of the mug. She would keep the beer mug safe even if her life was on the line.

"Is she drunk?" someone from the side asked. It was Remus. After they brought him here, they didn't let him go. He was forced to stay with them.

"Already? She just took two sips, right?" another healer said.

"Nope. She took three small sips," Major General Orion corrected the healer. He was keeping a close eye on her. He didn't imagine her to be so lightweight. 

"Burp!"

Veronica wiped her wet mouth with the back of her hand and then glared at Arthur. She wanted to unleash all her anger.