Chương 157: Chapter 140. Ruby's Guard Duty

Ruby Flameskin's Point of View Had you told me I'd be so concerned about the actions of a Human man, I would've told you to wake up since you were clearly still half asleep. I've lived my past 34 years working solely to keep Paradise afloat and make my Family proud. That meant training, standing guard and hunting in the swamps.

My life went like that for so long, that I'd practically forgotten the talks that had occurred when I had first reached my teenage years, and suitors appeared from all around the Rose Swamps. I grew bored of having to pretend I was listening to the words of these fragile men, they hadn't the first idea how to properly hold a sword or hunt effectively.

Finally, after growing more and more frustrated at the amount of time that was being wasted in my eyes, I asked my Father to give a condition to the men who wished to marry me. He allowed it and like that, I began to fight my suitors with the idea that if they defeated me once, I'd marry them. Some were more spirited than others, but by the age of 20, I no longer had to deal with annoying men and marriage interviews.

I lived my life simply, until that bastard had been caught syphoning funds from Paradise to his own personal funds. Since then, the world became harsher." Ughhh..." I couldn't help but let my sigh escape. My Father and Rodrick had to bow their heads to the neighboring lords and beg for aid as the grains that the government had given us couldn't substitute the fruits and vegetables that were needed to sustain ourselves. When asked why the government didn't ship it..." Not cost effective."

That was the 3-word response Paradise received from the top logistics secretary. We couldn't help but feel slighted. The lords laughed behind our backs and more people left Paradise for greener pastures after the news. Eventually, we were left with around 30 people to manage a town. The stress of that for over a decade started to mount. Then news came our way finally." Big Sis! We're getting a new Lord!" Flare informed me of the news with a happy tone to her voice.

She was my Little Sister, 15 years younger than me. She's grown up to be a great woman. We tried our best to hide the suffering of the adults from the children, but Flare was never spoiled. She's always been a smart girl, so I wonder why she was so happy about this? I asked for more information." He's a Marquess and he's backed by the King!"" Oh? I feel like I heard about a new Marquess that was recently given his Title..."" Yes, it's that one! He Married Princess Sarah as well!"" Wait!

That Marquess is a Human isn't he!?"" Yeah! Isn't it great?"" What could be good about a Human coming to rule our Land? The lords will just look down on us even more." I questioned what Flare thought was so great about a Human coming to rule us. I mean... What could be good? What if he tries to make us more like Promethia instead of following the ways of Diablos? While I thought about this, Flare answered my question." But, Big Sis, think about it!

A Human and a Demon Princess, through a bond of Mutual Love, were able to Marry! Isn't it so Romantic!?" Here she goes again... Flare is.... how can I put this... Rather girly... She's been obsessed with "romance" since she was a little girl. In particular, she likes a story about a Human Prince and a commoner girl falling in love. We had the book in our Family Library and she's more or less claimed ownership of the book since she was around 7 years old."

Just because he was married to a Princess, that doesn't mean it was for love. Didn't they fight off Promethia's Hero? Maybe they only married as compensation for his help dealing with the Hero." Flare looked at me like I just took her food away from her." You're always being so negative. That's why you're not married yet, you always look at the bad! Try looking at the good every now and again! You'll never know what you'll find!" With that as the end of our conversation, life continued as normal.

The only difference is now, everyone began to wait for this new Lord to arrive. After a few months, our waiting was finally finished. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement." Big Sis! There's a Human man and 2 Demon women at the Western Gate!"" Ugh!? Oh, Dale. Alright, let's go." I was awakened after my graveyard shift of watching the stables that day. I wasn't in the best of moods.

How badly I regret not trying to wake myself up a bit before going over to meet them. When I arrived, I was quickly met by Rodrick, who was also on his way to the Western Gate. When I finally met him for the first time.... I wasn't in the best frame of mind. I was quite rude to him. I thought that he was a weak and scrawny young man. While I spoke to him, I saw Lady Sarah and Lady Anna begin to look at me with anger in their eyes for disrespecting him.

Even after they showed King Warrick's Royal Decree, I was still uncooperative. It wasn't until we heard the scream of Claire that I realized how wrong I was to judge him so harshly. He jumped into action immediately. I was stunned at how fast he acted. He even scolded me for not moving quickly enough for My Home. I couldn't help but stare at his back as we ran to save Claire. /CRASH! / As I was thinking about the past, I heard something fall. I ran to the door I was walking towards." Lord Matthew!"

He was on the floor! Why? I ran to him and held him in my arms. I've been guarding him for the past week as he's tested the methods of cooking the raw milk we've received from the Ashura Cattle. But... Why did he collapse? Wait... His eyes! They're opening!" Ruby? Sorry, I think I gave myself Mana Exhaustion. But... I'm close, the effects are getting lesser and lesser. A little bit more and...." He tried to stand back up and continue working. I felt an anger boiling up inside of me!" Wait just 1 minute!" Lift!

Light! I picked him up and proceeded to carry him towards the couch in the room that I was sitting on as I watched him work." Ruby.. I appreciate the help, but... You don't need to princess carry me."" No complaining!" How he infuriates me, yet the fact I always follow his figure with my eyes when I see him, is something that causes me no small amount of grief! bend... release... I placed him on the couch gently." Ruby, thank you, but I'm so close!

A little bit more and then I can really start to turn everything around."" Not at the cost of your health! Do I have to find and bring Lady Sarah and Lady Anna here!?" To my words, his face shifted into the look of a child who was just scolded by his mother. I'd think it was cute, if not for the fact that he didn't listen to my words before I brought up his wives.

Lady Sarah has mentioned how she's noticed how close we've gotten, but instead of jealousy, it's almost like she was looking forward to Lord Matthew and I spending time together. Speaking of whom! I could see he was already scheming how to consume more of the bottles of milk. He's had the workers cook them at different temperatures and times. He's gone from projectile vomiting to only discomfort in his stomach.

He's changed his method from long and hot cook times to high temperatures for a set time and rapid cooling. I know he's close and he can't wait to find the answer, but he's been working himself to the bone these past 2 weeks. Well... If I was being truthful, I don't think he's taken a break since arriving here. Janet tells me that when the Staff of his House wanted to work every day, which is common sense for Servants of Nobles, he refused them and said something about wanting them to have 2 days off.

The Servants, who have seen up close and personal just how hard he works.... Well, Janet was fuming that day. As she told me it, I could see hints that she was still angry about it, but she's seemed to realize just how stubborn he is as well, so she must be holding her tongue for now... I've also had my suspicions, but after this 1 week, there's no doubt our Lord is a workaholic. I decided to voice my concerns to him." Lord Matthew.

I understand how badly you want to improve the lives of your People, here in Paradise, but what use would any improvement be, if you're not here to Govern us? You need rest right now!" / KNOCK! KNOCK! / Before he could reply, I heard a knock at the door." I swear on the Gods, if you try to take any more milk from one of those bottles, I'm immediately going to bring Lady Sarah and Lady Anna here!" I stared at him for a moment before moving towards the door. I answered it to find Flare entering the room.

I turned to see Lord Matthew still sitting on the couch. I then turned to Flare and asked what she wanted. In the end, she was only dropping off lunch for Lord Matthew and me. I accepted it from her, and Flare took off. When I turned back around, I found Lord Matthew drinking another bottle of milk." What did I just say!?"" No wait! Ruby! Look! I'm fine so far! I usually have instant reactions!" He began to look at the bottle in his hand. He started to mumble to himself." 151... 15 seconds... Rapid cooling.."

/ clink. / He placed the bottle on the table and turned to me with a smile on his face. His smile has always been eye catching to me, but this one was exceptionally radiant. Almost like a Sun God had descended in my view. Why does something that draws my attention so much, cause me such stress?" I found it, Ruby! Finally! We can move onto phase 2! I can't wait for you guys to try out ice cream!" Wrap! Tighten! He jumped towards me and hugged me. I was embarrassed, but I was also glad.

He finally felt close enough to me, to actually touch me. I've noticed he's always been a little closed off to me. But now... Well, I'd wrap my arms around him, if I wasn't angry at his refusal to follow my instructions!" Lord Matthew. I seem to recall my saying that if you didn't listen to me, I'd be informing Lady Sarah and Lady Anna!?"" Bu... But I found it!"" And you could've found it in an hour after you were properly rested!"

My scolding lasted 30 minutes, Lady Sarah and Anna's apparently lasted into the middle of the night. Hopefully he learns his lesson! Despite my anger, I did find the memory of him hugging me as something I made a habit of remembering every night before I fell asleep... But why does it keep popping into my head!?