The General's Wife Wants to Leave-Chapter 275: A chanted spell

Joanna watched Canillas disappear inside the building of the quarter. Her gaze then fell on four gentlemen that she had last seen when they were in the Powel Orphanage.

Before they followed Canillas to go inside the building, as they were now seeming to end their sword practicing and had already put on their shirts, Joanna walked across the yard toward where they were now standing, about to head inside the quarter.

"Hello," Joanna greeted.

As hesitation tinged her voice, the first person to respond to her was Luca, who turned his body to face her.

"Good afternoon, Madam," Luca returned the greeting, offering a polite bow. "Is there something we can help you with?" He asked politely, though he slightly staggered, as he never thought that the cold young Madam von Rodega would come to approach them in person.

A small, kind smile appeared on Joanna’s face. "I just want to say thank you for what Sir Luca..." Joanna paused, sweeping her gaze toward the three gentlemen that stood behind Luca, whose faces she recognized except for the two people whose names she did not know yet. "Sir Fabio and all of you had done back in the Powel Orphanage. I apologize for causing a danger."

It had been long ago since she had intended to convey her gratitude for what Canillas’ men-at-arms had done for her and Lucy back in the deep forest in West Lane Mountain. Before time stretched more, she used the chance to personally reach out to those who had put their lives in danger in order to protect her and Lucy, particularly to her, who had treated them with a lack of respect back then.

She hoped that all of them did not keep that unpleasant impression in their hearts, as it would be hard for her to face them in the future, based on the fact that there would be more time for them to encounter one another once she followed Canillas back to his homeland.

"No, Madam." Luca hastily waved his hands. "What we had done back then was part of our duty. Please rest assured. There is no need to thank us for that," Luca replied, feeling surprised to find the cold young madam approaching them to convey her gratitude with a sincere gesture.

It had never come to his mind that General von Rodega’s wife, who was a noble lady that he had thought to be a snob and arrogant, as it was the impression that he had recorded in his mind based on what he had witnessed with his own eyes, would respect a lowly person like them.

He was well experienced being disrespected by the upper, elite class in his homeland until he had never demanded or expected them to show even the slightest respect for people like him who were born as peasants in Archess. Thus, he put no concern into it when the noble lady that his master married turned out to have the same temper as them.

Nonetheless, he seemed to be wrong. His young Madam was an exception.

"We are all fine! It is what matters, Madam!" Luca added in a loud voice with a wide smile that caused crinkles to form on the corners of his moist, reddened eyes. He was extremely touched by such a rare occurrence.

Joanna smiled despite being startled when Luca’s loud voice broke the mundane atmosphere. Yet she felt relieved, as the response that was given to her was overly positive.

Her shoulders felt lighter now, following the fact that one burden had been lifted up. She nodded her head and said thank you once again. But afterwards, what came was awkwardness.

It had always become her problem as a quiet person who rarely interacted with people, especially those that she was not well acquainted with. Initiating conversation was hard to do.

She had never been bothered with that before, as she was content with her own little yet comforting circle. But now she felt that she needed to improve her socializing skills, particularly to engage in her husband’s circles, which she believed to be larger than hers, remembering the important position he held in his homeland.

She was aware that, although Canillas was not born as an aristocrat, there was a fact that could not be overlooked. He now belonged to the upper-class society.

It would be embarrassing if she could not support him with the privilege that she had as the daughter of the Duke of Barasca. She could not trample the reputation of de Lara and also von Rodega. Hence, she should learn how to broaden her social circle, and she would use this opportunity to practice.

Joanna tried to bring up a topic to converse about, but she felt blank about what topic she should choose when all eyes were on her. Her brain refused to cooperate, choosing to freeze instead. Besides, her stomach was still upsetting her, making it harder for her to do something that was initially hard to do.

Fortunately, she did not need to feel the awkwardness hover in the air for too long, and she instantly felt that she could breathe in relief when she caught Canillas’ figure emerge from the back door of the knight’s quarter, adorned in proper attire.

Subconsciously, a smile spread across her face, feeling sure that he made whatever he needed to do faster than five minutes, as he did not want her to wait too long.

In Joanna’s mind, Canillas was like her savior at the moment, and she would surely practice to broaden her circle next time, as sometimes something that was done too hastily would be a disaster. It would end up with a not good result. Thus, she would take it step by step in accordance with her own tempo. Joanna decided and was determined. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

On the other side, finding Joanna was not in the place where they were together a few minutes ago but seeming to talk with his men-at-arms, Canillas felt so surprised. He wondered what important matter she talked about with them that made her put away her shy nature.

But when he saw his shy, quiet wife smiling brightly at him with a sparkle in her eyes, as if being charmed by a chanted spell, Canillas immediately returned it with a joyful smile while he increased his pace to make his way toward his wife, Joanna.