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Chapter 67
“Right now, the river we’re passing is the River Ephron, the River of Abundance that flows through the heart of the capital, Grinden.”
“Wow…! It’s so wide!”
Maybel pressed her face against the carriage window, marveling at the view.
The massive Tower Bridge spanning the River Ephron looked magnificent.
Ella smiled softly, watching Maybel’s eyes light up at a sight she couldn’t see from the Grand Ducal estate.
“You can even ride a sightseeing boat on the river~”
“A sightseeing boat?”
“Yes~ Wouldn’t you like to ride one later with His Highness the Grand Duke?”
At that moment, a sightseeing boat passed by, an orchestra playing on its deck.
Maybel was tempted but shook her head.
“I want to try something that exciting with my brothers later.”
In truth, Maybel hadn’t planned on leaving the townhouse today.
She didn’t want to enjoy herself without Aselt and Kellic.
But Zigmunt had a different thought.
—They’re probably wondering what you’ll see in the capital.
It was admirable that he cared about Aselt and Kellic, but he didn’t want that to limit Maybel’s view.
So Maybel had compromised to see just a small part of the sights.
Ella smiled warmly and suggested something else.
“Then~ how about finishing your sightseeing and having a lovely dinner at a restaurant near the River Ephron?”
“That… that sounds good!”
Food was impossible to resist!
Maybel quickly nodded.
‘If I refuse too much, there won’t be anything to tell my brothers, so… yes!’
Justifying it to herself like that, Ella’s smile deepened as she saw exactly what Maybel was thinking.
“Here we are~ This is the center of Grinden, Mohen Square~”
Today, Maybel would be sightseeing in one of the busiest parts of the capital.
With Ella’s help, she stepped down from the carriage, her mouth forming a small ‘o’.
The square was as spacious as the Grand Ducal estate’s gardens, and a huge crowd moved about.
Flap-flap!
White doves took off toward the clock tower fountain at the center.
Against the backdrop of the blue sky dotted with fluffy clouds, the white birds created a picture-perfect scene.
“So pretty…”
Maybel held Ella’s hand tightly, looking up at the sky.
“I’ll assist with your tour today.”
Hishin, who had been sitting beside the coachman, came over to speak.
Just like when Maybel had her first outing outside the estate, Hishin would serve as her escort today.
“Yes!”
Maybel smiled brightly, feeling a familiar and comforting warmth.
Yet Hishin hesitated to move.
“Not going?”
Maybel tilted her head in confusion. Hishin snapped back to attention.
“Ah, um, no. Yes, let’s go.”
Turning, Hishin creaked as he walked forward.
Maybel was puzzled by his behavior, but Ella had a guess.
‘Honestly, if you want to hold her hand, just say so.’
Of course, she had no intention of helping him do that.
Hishin had once been ungrateful enough to say he would never serve as her escort again.
If not for Maybel’s request, he wouldn’t have even accompanied her to the capital this time.
‘Let him regret it a little.’
Knowing this, Ella silently pretended nothing was amiss and walked alongside Maybel.
Zigmunt’s warning about the heat had been accurate.
It was nearly summer-like weather, and even standing still made sweat stream down.
On top of that, the capital was celebrating the Crown Prince’s birthday, so the streets were packed.
There were so many people that simply staying with the group safely was a challenge, leaving little time for sightseeing.
Thus, their tour was slow, spending more time navigating the streets than seeing sights.
Maybel seemed to enjoy it, but eventually, she reached her limit.
“Sis… I… feel sick…”
Her flushed face turned pale, and cold sweat began to form.
Soon, it would be time to meet Zigmunt.
She needed to get to the meeting place, but first, she might collapse if something wasn’t done.
Spotting empty seats at a nearby cafeteria, they quickly entered.
“Miss~ Are you alright~?”
Ella wiped Maybel’s neck and underarms with a cold towel to cool her down.
Hishin, his face full of concern, fanned her vigorously.
A bucket full of ice sat nearby, sending cool air toward her.
“Ugh… I’m sorry…”
But Maybel couldn’t regain her energy quickly.
In truth, she had never felt heat like this in Ashilonia.
The Grand Ducal estate was farther north, so it had been cooler.
In contrast, the capital was to the south, with a massive river nearby—hot, humid, and exhausting.
Still, she wanted to see as much as possible and guide Aselt and Kellic personally later.
Had she been too greedy?
She was completely drained.
“When I come with my brothers next time, we should avoid summer… Kellic is weak in the heat…”
Even now, she thought about when she’d return with her brothers.
It was admirable, but Ella and Hishin hoped she would focus on taking care of herself for now.
“Your dessert is here.”
Just then, a cold peach sorbet arrived.
With plenty of lemon juice, it was refreshing and restorative.
“Miss, please have a bite first~ Ah~”
Ella quickly scooped some and brought it to her lips.
“Ahh…”
Maybel, slumping in her chair, opened her mouth weakly to eat.
The sweet peach and tangy lemon flavor spread in her mouth.
Her almost-liquid form brightened instantly, her eyes lighting up.
“Ahhh… It’s so delicious!”
Finally feeling some life return, she opened her mouth again.
Ella quickly scooped out pieces of peach and fed her.
“Mmm! It’s really tasty!”
Maybel, eating eagerly like a baby bird, cupped her cheeks with both hands in delight.
Though it wasn’t much different from what Jacques had made at the Grand Ducal estate, why did it taste so good here?
“There’s also cool cherry aid, so take your time~”
Ella handed her a spoon. Maybel nodded and took a big bite of the sorbet.
But instead of eating it herself, she held it out to Ella.
“Huh~? For you~?”
“Yes! You must be hot too, right?”
Maybel laughed, sweat dripping down her face.
“Oh my~”
Ella wasn’t that hot, and she had ordered her own drink separately.
But seeing Maybel’s thoughtfulness, she gladly accepted the bite.
“Thank you so much, Miss~”
She had never realized how throat-drying sorbet could be.
As Ella wiped away tears of emotion, Maybel scooped up a new spoonful.
This time, it was for Hishin.
“For you too, Hishin!”
“Ah… Miss…”
Even before tasting it, Hishin’s throat tightened, making words difficult.
“Th-thank you!”
He swallowed his emotions and took the sorbet.
Hishin, who usually disliked sweets, would never forget the taste of this one.
“Now you, Miss. Here you go~”
“Yes!”
Maybel smiled, scooping up another bite.
“Oh my, it’s real, isn’t it?”
“Good heavens, how shameless. They destroyed the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, and here they are, out enjoying themselves?”
A sharp gaze and loud gossip reached her ears.
Startled, Maybel looked around and saw some women sitting a little distance away on the terrace, fanning themselves and hiding their faces.
‘Did I hear that right?’
Maybel tilted her head, then opened her mouth wide for another spoonful.
“Oh my, they’re so shameless. How can they act so calm?”
“Well, who wouldn’t? No one said a word yesterday, but I thought it was strange.”
The women whispered again.
Ella, holding her glass of cold tea, made a subtle clinking sound with her wrist bone.
The same went for Hishin, who was fanning her.
“It’s okay,” Maybel reassured them, scooping another bite.
She didn’t know who they were, but she understood that no one had the courage to speak so openly in front of her.
So she tried not to pay attention—but the women went too far.
They giggled, saying,
“Was she really abused? They didn’t make her say that at the Grand Ducal house, right?”
“Seems like Ashilonia just wanted to extort money from her.”
