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Chapter – 08
Lankea’s carriage, engraved with the detailed crest of the Fidellanus family, was so large it looked like a moving mansion.
Its exterior was painted in deep black, giving off a dark yet strangely captivating aura—almost as if it symbolized Lankea himself.
“Let’s depart.”
Inside, everything was equally luxurious. The seats were soft and perfect, but there was one problem.
‘Who would’ve thought I’d be riding in the same carriage as him…’
I secretly glanced at Lankea, who was giving instructions to the coachman outside the window, and swallowed nervously.
We would be traveling to his estate for two full days.
Alone.
And we were still awkward because of what happened this morning!
“Try to speak as little as possible.”
Ribed’s words echoed in my head as I got into the carriage.
Right. If I just don’t talk much, I’ll survive.
Unlike my nervousness, Lankea looked very relaxed.
He leaned back in his seat after speaking to the coachman, took out round glasses from his uniform pocket, and began reading a newspaper he must have gotten somewhere.
“Then we depart! Giddy up!”
At the coachman’s loud shout, the horses neighed and the carriage slowly began to move.
But just as it started—
“Wait!”
A desperate voice came from behind.
The carriage stopped immediately. A man quickly ran toward us.
His face was red, but his clothes were still neatly arranged.
“William?”
Lankea tilted his head, recognizing him.
With his name, I immediately knew who he was too.
William Lingerd. He was Crown Prince Cedric’s aide.
“Huff… sorry… for stopping you… huff…”
He caught his breath, then straightened himself and wiped his sweat.
“What is it? Did the Crown Prince call me?”
“No, not that. I have a message to deliver.”
“Go ahead.”
“To put it exactly as told: the Crown Prince apologizes for not giving proper gifts at Your Grace’s wedding yesterday, and says he will soon visit your territory with gifts.”
“Is that all?”
Lankea frowned, as if this was nothing important.
“Also…”
“?”
“He asked me to apologize to Her Highness for anything he might have said at the wedding. He said it was just a joke, and he’s sorry if it upset you.”
Apologize to me?
Suddenly being dragged into the conversation, I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Please tell him I understand.”
Since this was not important enough to delay the departure, I nodded.
But I couldn’t shake off the strange feeling in my chest.
After William left, the carriage started moving again. This time, the journey was smooth.
‘What’s the point if only the road is smooth?’
The atmosphere inside the carriage was still awkward.
Lankea went back to reading his newspaper without saying a word.
I alternated between looking at him and looking out the window.
Outside, winter scenery passed by endlessly.
It must have snowed recently. Everything was white.
Children were outside, smiling and building snowmen.
Watching them, I muttered to myself without thinking.
“I wonder if they know they’re living inside a novel…”
Still, unlike me who grew up as an orphan, they probably had loving parents. Maybe they were happy no matter where they were.
“Hmm?”
Lankea suddenly spoke.
“What did you just say?”
“…Pardon?”
It was too quiet. Did he really hear that?
“What did you say just now?”
“…Oh, nothing. I was just talking to myself.”
“…I see.”
His ears are annoyingly sharp.
Before he could ask anything else, I quickly changed the topic.
“Your wrist…”
Then he spoke again.
“Is your wrist alright?”
“Oh, yes. It’s fine.”
I nodded awkwardly.
But his expression remained stiff.
“Even so, it was my fault. If it hurts, tell me immediately.”
“Yes…”
“Did you eat breakfast?”
“Breakfast?”
The question came out of nowhere.
“No,” I shook my head.
“…I see.”
His expression darkened slightly again.
Why is he making that face? Don’t make it scarier.
I asked nervously.
“Why…?”
“I told you. It’s a long journey.”
“So?”
“…You will get motion sickness.”
Oh. That’s it?
I relaxed a little and shrugged.
“I don’t really get motion sickness. Actually, eating breakfast makes me feel worse.”
Honestly, I even hoped he might get sick instead.
But as always, reality hit me instead.
The road was rough and uneven, and the carriage kept shaking.
My stomach turned.
“Your Grace…”
“Yes?”
“Are we even close to your territory yet?”
“No. Not even a quarter of the way.”
“….”
I silently cursed my life again and decided to sleep.
I leaned back, closed my eyes, and started counting sheep.
One sheep, two sheep, three sheep…
But I couldn’t sleep.
Maybe it was because I had drunk too much alcohol the night before.
Then—
“Your Highness.”
Lankea’s steady voice filled the carriage.
“Are you asleep?”
“…No.”
“Would you like this?”
“?”
Something cold touched my hand.
I looked down.
A bottle.
“What is this?”
“It is jasmine tea kept warm with preservation magic. It should reduce your motion sickness.”
“…Thank you.”
“Just endure a little longer. We’ll stop for lunch soon.”
He pointed at the bottle.
I opened it and drank.
A soft fragrance spread through my mouth.
“Ah…!”
It was slightly sweet at the end.
I looked up to thank him again, but he was already reading his newspaper.
‘He’s not as bad as I thought…’
I drank again.
I felt a little better.
‘He’s basically a tsundere male lead… one point earned.’
Just then, the carriage stopped.
“We will rest here!”
I immediately stood up.
Food was my priority now.
But I forgot something.
My body was weak, and I had severe orthostatic hypotension.
The moment I stood up, my vision darkened.
“Ah!”
Lankea had already opened the door and was waiting outside.
My body tilted forward uncontrollably.
‘Crap—ground!’
I closed my eyes, preparing to fall.
Thud—
Something caught me.
Not the ground.
And then I smelled it.
That sweet, familiar fruit scent.
