TLVGAJ 10

Chapter 10

Albert stood with his arms crossed, gazing out the window.

Through the wide glass window of his cabin, he could see the landscape outside—the Ramier Express speeding away from Risman Station and leaving the Randa Sea behind.

“…What is going on?”

He suddenly remembered Irene’s figure from earlier in the day, rolling on the ground as she embraced a ragged-looking child.

He had assumed she was simply caught up in the incident, but had she actually been serious about solving it?

Irene Hartmann.

Albert had observed her for a long time.

She was, without a doubt, the worst among all the women he knew.

Especially after her magic had manifested, she was constantly hysterical and irritable, and her self-esteem had only plummeted further.

She treated her servants like objects and would explode in rage at the slightest provocation.

She had long since lost all the dignity befitting a noble lady.

There was even a time when he had heard her boasting about their past engagement discussions, and in a fit of anger, he had said some sharp words to her.

And above all…

“She’s absolutely not the type to get involved in other people’s affairs.”

She was certainly not the kind of person who would roll on the ground clutching a commoner child she normally would have treated like an insect.

Yes, Irene had changed.

Both in how she treated him and how she treated others.

“It’s true. I just felt stifled and wanted to travel.”
“I truly had no idea I’d meet Your Highness here.”
“Doesn’t Your Highness hate me?”

Recalling the Irene he’d seen over breakfast, Albert let out a quiet sigh.

“What has gotten into her…?”

How could someone change so completely in such a short time?

She was a truly baffling woman.

Albert shook his head, still unsure, and resumed reading his book.

Still… he admitted to himself that the direction of her change was not a bad one.

“Wow, what’s this?”

Finn was peeking curiously around the first-class cabin.

I had decided to let him stay one night in the first-class cabin, just in case, to observe his health a bit more closely.

Yesterday he’d looked a little drained, but by morning, his energy had completely returned.

Normally, Finn would have to go back to third class with Harry, but…

I thought it would be nice to give him a chance to tour the first-class cabin while he was here.

Besides, today there were no planned stops, and I figured I’d be bored as well.

“Since you’re already here in first class, why not experience what it’s like to be a noble? If you’d like, you can stay a bit longer before going back.”
“Really, Princess?”

Finn’s eyes had sparkled at my suggestion, and he had looked pleadingly at Harry for permission.

And so, Finn and Harry were spending the day with me in my cabin.

“Wow, this looks fun! Is this a toy, Princess?”

“That’s not a toy, that’s an artwork. It’s a piece by Estalt, a master of sculpture.”

“Oh… I see. I thought it was a toy because it looked fun…”

Finn glanced sheepishly at me after realizing his mistake, and I couldn’t help but smile at how cute he was.

Harry, too, seemed impressed by the first-class cabin, discreetly glancing around as if fascinated.

“I’d love to show you the other carriages that only first-class passengers can enter, but it might bother the other guests, so that’s not allowed.”

“That’s fine. This is already an experience we would never have in our lives,” Harry said, studying the paintings on the walls.

“These also look authentic… It’s amazing to see such works of art on a train.”

“You know this painter?”

Ah, that’s right.

In the novel, Harry’s occupation was a wandering street painter.

“My brother knows every painter, Princess! He’s a painter too, and he’s really good at it!” Finn said proudly.

Knock knock. There was a knock at the door, and a staff member entered.

“Excuse me, passengers. The meals you ordered have arrived.”

The staff member bowed politely and rolled a round table into the room.

Normally, meals were eaten in the dining car, but you could also order room service if you wished.

I had ordered enough for Harry and Finn as well.

“Please enjoy your meal, and if you need anything, just call for us.”

“Wow…”

As soon as the staff member left, Finn’s eyes widened at the lavish feast laid out before him.

Soups, salads, steak, and even the turkey I had ordered separately!

As Finn stared at it all with his mouth wide open, his expression quickly turned awkward as he noticed the many forks and knives set in front of him.

“I’ll teach you, Finn. You start with the fork and knife on the outside and work your way in as you eat.”

I explained the basic etiquette nobles used.

Though my soul was Yoon Se-hee’s, my body carried Irene’s memories, and the rules of etiquette were clear in my mind.

Finn clumsily but carefully followed my instructions, cutting his steak with his small hands.

As soon as he put a piece into his mouth, his eyes went round as if he had tasted heaven.

“Wow, I’ve never eaten anything this good before! Do nobles always get to eat like this?”

“Well, not always, but generally yes.”

“Wow… that must be amazing.”

Yes, it must be.

Honestly, I myself had never eaten such a feast until I came to this world…

I understood why Finn looked at me with such envy, and I felt a pang of pity for him.

At any rate, Finn seemed to enjoy his “noble for a day” experience very much.

I was quietly pleased as we talked about various things, and before I knew it, late afternoon had arrived.

“…Finn, we should go now,” Harry said quietly, gazing at the sunset outside the window.

“Princess, I think it’s best we start preparing to leave.”

“Aw, already?”

Finn pouted but nodded bravely.

“You could stay a little longer if you want.”

“We can’t just stay here forever. And I’m worried about leaving our seats empty for so long,” Harry replied.

“…I see. Alright,” I said, nodding reluctantly.

I had truly enjoyed spending time with Finn, so I was just as reluctant to part ways.

“And… I thought long and hard about how I could thank you. I don’t really have much to give, but… I drew you a picture,” Harry said.

He had been quietly working in the corner on something, and I hadn’t interrupted him.

As it turned out, he had been drawing.

I accepted the papers he held out, and a gasp escaped me.

“…Wow.”

On the sheets of paper were charcoal sketches of me.

Me staring out the window, lost in thought.

Me smiling as I chatted with Finn.

And even me glancing at Harry and meeting his gaze with a smile.

I knew he was good, but I hadn’t realized his skills were this impressive.

The drawings, filled with warmth, made me look as if I were truly enjoying the journey.

I looked happy. Content.

And they made the viewer feel warm as well…

That must be because Harry’s unique, gentle perspective shone through his work.

“It’s a gift. If you want it to last longer, spray it with fixative to preserve it. And, if you look in the corner…”

I followed Harry’s words and looked at the corner of the drawing.

“I realized I never told you my name,” he said.

At the corner of the portrait was his signature:

<Harry Jackson>

“My name is Harry. Harry Jackson.”

“….”

“I’m sure we won’t see each other often, but if we meet again on this journey, I hope you’ll greet me warmly.”

Hearing his warm voice, I looked up from the drawings.

“…Yes, I’ll treasure it. Thank you so much, Harry.”

The sunset streamed in through the window as Harry and I smiled at each other.

The golden light of late afternoon bathed us, and for a while, we simply sat there smiling, sharing a warm moment.