🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 4
Erdene was dreaming.
In her dream, she was only nine years old.
At that age, she had already abandoned the wooden practice sword and taken up a real blade to spar with her master—a feat unmatched among the imperial family.
“Master! I can now fight while standing on a horse!”
As young Erdene faced her master in the duel, she suddenly found herself perched atop a galloping horse.
She lifted her legs lightly over its back and stood straight, as if performing a dangerous acrobatic stunt.
No… a part of her consciousness thought.
I couldn’t have done this at nine. I only managed it at twelve.
“Erdene!”
“Abamama!”
The little Erdene’s body soared through the air. By then, the sword in her hands had vanished.
Landing lightly in the broad arms of her father, she giggled as she toyed with the imperial regalia no one dared touch.
“Indeed, my daughter. At such a young age, you have this much spirit. There will be nothing you cannot accomplish in the future.”
“Abamama, I will become the Emperor of Hirschsten, just like you! I will be strong and wise, carrying Hirschsten’s glory into my later years.”
“Of course! That is exactly how it should be.”
The officials observing the father and daughter also beamed with delight.
Happiness…
Young Erdene in the dream felt it with absolute clarity. This was what true happiness was.
If she looked closely, she could even discern the color and shape of that happiness—it was vivid and tangible.
The clatter of wheels stirred Erdene from a light sleep, and she opened her eyes suddenly.
It took her a moment to realize she had been dreaming.
The unfamiliar maid accompanying her in the carriage leaned against the window, still asleep, oblivious to the world.
Under loose hair, her slightly tanned skin gave her a cute appearance, though she spoke very little. Whether it was fear or just her nature, Erdene didn’t ask, nor did she care.
She was in a carriage heading to Vettor.
Even taking the fastest route, it had taken a full four days by carriage.
Used to riding horses at full speed, the slow pace of the carriage felt absurdly sluggish, making it difficult for her to adjust.
Beyond the Empire’s borders, rough, untamed roads stretched endlessly, making travel uncomfortable.
Though the journey felt longer than a millennium to Erdene, the drivers and porters had a different perspective.
It was almost unbelievable to them that it took only four days to travel from the Empire’s border to here.
Erdene insisted on stopping the carriage for meals, tea every hour, washing, or to soothe motion sickness. She ate only small portions of the combat rations she had brought, as if engaging in a self-imposed fast.
Not that she was trying to protest through fasting.
If anything displeased her, she would not express it through such a cute gesture as refusing food.
“I won’t need to eat this much anymore anyway.”
She simply enjoyed her rationed dry food.
The carriage slowed as if caught on a stone, then jolted to a stop.
The young maid, startled awake, had drool at the corner of her mouth. Erdene considered pointing it out but decided against it.
An official managing the party and attending to Erdene opened the door.
“Your Highness, we have reached the border of Vettor. You may disembark and transfer to another carriage.”
“Why not continue in this carriage?”
The official hesitated, then answered seriously.
“This carriage is for travel. It would be far too shabby for Your Highness to enter the city in it.”
Erdene had little interest either way, but she responded with a brief, clipped sigh before stepping down.
Indeed, he wasn’t entirely wrong.
She had once been heir to the Empire’s throne. Not anymore, but she was still a princess arriving to marry a king. She would not be underestimated by improper attire.
A temporary pavilion had been set up in the middle of the forest. Outside, two women, appearing to be noblewomen, waited. Both were taller than Erdene.
Though skilled in combat, Erdene’s figure was not particularly imposing.
Those who had only heard rumors thought her enormous and fierce, taller than most men, but in reality she was of average height and appeared somewhat petite without her armor.
The two noblewomen were momentarily surprised upon seeing her, forgetting even to bow at first, but then finally bent their waists.
Entering the pavilion, Erdene noticed nothing had been prepared—it was clear they were merely there to greet her.
The older woman’s sharp features immediately suggested a strict personality, while the younger, plump-faced one gave a cute, friendly impression.
Erdene said nothing.
“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. You must be weary from the long journey. I am Moer Wickes, wife of Marquis Wickes. This is Lady Reissy Fiddlers, wife of the Marquis of Fiddlers.”
“An honor to meet you, Your Highness,” Lady Fiddlers said stiffly. Erdene quickly recognized her disapproval.
“Glad to meet you,” Erdene replied tersely, and the visibly relieved Moer Wickes seemed satisfied.
But Lady Fiddlers’ eyes scanned Erdene from head to toe, then she suddenly remarked:
“You are smaller than expected, Your Highness. How fortunate.”
Did that please Erdene? Far from it.
She met the woman’s gaze directly.
“Fortunate? What do you mean by that, Lady Fiddlers?”
Reissy Fiddlers tilted her pointed chin slightly, looking down at Erdene. Had someone in Hirschsten looked at her that way—especially in the barracks—their head might have been lost before they even finished bowing.
“Do you not hear me?”
Moer Wickes hurried between them.
“Lady Fiddlers, Your Highness is asking a question—you must answer. Oh dear, you said your hearing is poor these days?”
Lady Fiddlers’ hooked nose twitched.
“My hearing is fine, Moer. I just cannot understand the northern accent well. I merely did not grasp what Your Highness was saying.”
She then slowly inclined her body in a mock bow.
“Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Erdene snorted inwardly.
This old woman is struggling to assert herself against me.
She had anticipated such behavior. Likely, it was displeasing to admit a foreign-born woman into their royal family.
It wasn’t because Vettor was especially conservative—every country had similar prejudices.
Yet she had been heir to the Empire’s throne. Even now, she was still the sole princess of Hirschsten. Her pride in her homeland and position was immense.
Had Lady Fiddlers realized this sooner, her later years might have been very different.
Moer Wickes, flustered again, added:
“I have heard of Your Highness’s valor on the battlefield. Vettor nobles were amazed by your feats, keeping them awake through the night! They also said you were tall and robust, but seeing you in person, it seems all rumors were exaggerated. You are truly lovely! Your fair skin and blue eyes are exquisite.”
Yet Erdene’s gaze remained fixed solely on Reissy Fiddlers.
“Regardless, you still haven’t answered my question. Why did you say it was fortunate that I’m smaller than expected?”
Moer finally gave up and let the two women face off.
Reissy Fiddlers lowered her mouth further and said:
“I meant it considering your standing next to His Majesty. As Queen of Vettor, you will often attend official events with him. If Your Highness were too tall, it might diminish His Majesty’s presence. That was all I meant—no other intention.”
