Chapter 85

We were able to reach the kingdom after riding for two days.

 

“Wow.”

 

The castle walls came into view as we stood atop a low hill. A flag with a pale blue emblem on a white background fluttered atop the central spire. This was Pearching Kingdom.

 

Freyer’s claim that we would arrive in three days—something I had considered nearly impossible—had actually come true. To be precise, it took us two days and a half.

 

“Dino, you’re truly amazing.”

 

I couldn’t believe a horse could run at such a speed. We had covered a distance that would usually take ten days by carriage in such a short time. I stroked the horse’s mane; it felt like a discovery of the century.

 

Neigh!

 

Dino reared up on his hind legs in a good mood, causing the center of gravity to shift suddenly. I was pressed close against Freyer.

 

“Whoa, whoa.”

 

He tightened his grip on the reins with significant strength, and only then did Dino slowly lower his forelegs to the ground.

 

“Shouldn’t I be getting some of that praise too?”

 

“I am grateful to you, Your Highness.”

 

Whenever I felt motion sickness along the way, Freyer would take short breaks, and the herbal water he provided was quite effective at settling my stomach.

 

A proud, faint smile played on his lips for a moment before vanishing, and then Freyer spoke again.

 

“Shall we head in?”

 

Freyer lightly tugged the reins and turned the horse toward the kingdom. As we drew closer, there were more people lined up than I had expected.

 

‘?’

 

From merchant troupes to vegetable vendors and florists, a long line stretched out from the castle gates.

 

‘Why are there so many people?’

 

As we passed them and headed toward the entrance, their gazes followed us incessantly. The entrance for nobles was located elsewhere, but it presented a similar scene to the commoners’ line.

 

Freyer bypassed the carriages and approached the gatekeeper. The guard shouted loudly at us.

 

“I don’t know which house you are from, but please get in line! We are checking identities house by house before letting anyone in!”

 

However, Freyer ignored his words and moved forward. I pulled on Freyer’s sleeve and whispered.

 

“Your Highness, he told us to stop…”

 

“Tsk. This is why nobles are so…”

 

The lead gatekeeper approached Freyer with an annoyed expression.

 

“Didn’t I just tell you to get in line! I don’t care what family you’re from, His Majesty the King has ordered strict identity checks—”

 

Swish—

 

“Bribing me won’t work either!”

 

The gatekeeper, catching the dark brown pouch Freyer pulled from his cloak, reflexively tried to reject it. However, the sheer weight of the pouch in his hand made his eyes widen like saucers. His pupils shook violently.

 

“Will you let us through?”

 

“O-Of course!”

 

Without any further explanation, Freyer moved boldly forward. As we passed the gatekeeper, I heard his low murmur.

 

“I… I could retire now. Just how much is this…?”

 

I realized the reason and let out a sigh. Inside the gatekeeper’s hand sat ten gold coins.

 

‘Money truly talks…’

 

We were able to enter the kingdom much faster than the others.

 

 

***

 

 

I finally understood why it had been so chaotic in front of the gate. Inside the walls, the city was draped in various wind lanterns, buzzing with a festive atmosphere.

 

So, that’s why there were so many people at the gate.

 

“How fascinating.”

 

I couldn’t hide my curiosity at the dazzling scenery, turning my head left and right to take everything in. People on the streets wore what looked like traditional clothing—outfits with sleeves covering the backs of their hands and intricate embroidery. Everyone looked excited, and their steps seemed light.

 

“My Lady!”

 

From afar, I heard Winnie’s voice. Turning my head, I saw Winnie, who had been contacted by Freyer, coming out to meet us.

 

“Winnie!”

 

I waved both hands to greet her. Winnie approached with quick steps and spun me around, checking me from every angle.

 

“I’m so relieved to see you aren’t hurt anywhere.”

 

“It’s all thanks to His Highness.”

 

“He said he would shorten a ten-day journey to three, and I couldn’t believe it, but he really is incredible.”

 

Winnie glanced at Freyer for a moment before turning her attention back to me.

 

“First, let’s head to the merchant base I rented! You need some rest, My Lady.”

 

Winnie led the way, telling us to follow her, and Freyer and I followed.

 

 

***

 

 

The place we arrived at was a very small, temporary merchant base in a two-story building. Since the building didn’t have a stable, Freyer said he would leave the horse outside, while I headed inside first.

 

“My Lady, please take off your overcoat and give it to me.”

 

Since Pearching Kingdom was located in an area surrounded by mountain ridges, the autumn clothes felt quite warm.

 

“Thank you.”

 

I handed her the coat and looked around the first floor. As Winnie hung my coat on a rack, she spoke.

 

“I tried to find the best spot possible, but because of the festival, this was the best I could do.”

 

“It’s great for a temporary base. Good job, Winnie.”

 

Winnie, who had moved via a gate, had been tasked with renting a building in Pearching to serve as our base.

 

“We won’t be staying long, so it’s perfect.”

 

Our original goal was to acquire wool to create new products and to sell our remaining fabric stock, so a small shop like this was more than enough.

 

There was a display stand next to the entrance, and the large windows allowed a clear view inside. Though the location in a corner alley was a bit disappointing, I noticed people were moving all the way to the end of the alley because of the festival.

 

“But what kind of festival is it that there are so many people?”

 

“Oh! It seems the birthday of the Princess of Pearching and the Kingdom’s Foundation Day coincidentally overlapped.”

 

I had seen this in past documents. Every four years, the Foundation Day festival was held, where wind lanterns were hung to pray for the kingdom’s prosperity.

 

The royal family’s birthdays were calculated by the lunar calendar rather than the solar one, and this year, the date happened to coincide with the princess’s birthday.

 

“I’ve heard of it.”

 

“That’s why they say this wind lantern festival is being held even more grandly for the Princess.”

 

It was an unintended stroke of luck for the merchant group. The more foot traffic there was, the better the goods would sell. The fabric I developed was so popular that we couldn’t keep it in stock, so it was only a matter of selling the fabric quickly and returning to the Empire.

 

“Ugh…”

 

Now that my mind was at ease, my body felt as heavy as lead. As I tapped my shoulders, Winnie said to me: “I’ve prepared bathwater for you, My Lady, in case you were tired.”

 

“Really?”

 

The mention of a bath made my face light up instantly. There was nothing like a bath to melt away exhaustion. I hurried toward the bathroom, even faster than Winnie.

 

 

***

 

 

Stepping out after soaking in the warm water Winnie had prepared, I felt relaxed and wonderful.

 

‘It would be so perfect to just lie in bed and end the day like this!’

 

I was planning to call it a day, but…

 

“Are you finished washing?”

 

Freyer was sitting on the bed in the bedroom I was staying in, reading a book. He must have washed up recently as well, as his silver hair was still damp.

 

‘Did I come to the wrong room?’

 

I stepped back into the hallway and checked the location. It was definitely the room Winnie told me I’d be staying in.

 

“Your Highness, I think you’ve found the wrong room?”

 

I stepped back into the room cautiously and asked him.

 

“I found the right one, Lilithia.”

 

“No way… this is the room I’m supposed to use?”

 

“This bedroom is the one we are supposed to use.”

 

‘We?!’

 

“What do you mean by that…?”

 

Since I hadn’t heard the details from Winnie, I asked Freyer back, looking flustered. He answered as if it were no big deal.

 

“There are three rooms on the second floor, but one of them is a storage room, so only two can be used.”

 

“Then you could use the other room…”

 

“Your personal maid said it would be more comfortable for you and me to share the large room.”

 

‘But it’s uncomfortable for me!’

 

No matter how I thought about it, it made no sense for Freyer and me to stay in the same room.

 

There was also the option of Winnie and me staying in the large room while Freyer stayed in the small one. I hurried to call Winnie to tell her my plan, but her response left me feeling hopeless.

 

“That sounds like a good idea, but… really, it would be better for His Highness and My Lady to stay in the large room.”

 

Winnie led me and Freyer over and opened the door to the small room.

 

“He is an Imperial Prince; I can’t have him stay in a room like this…”

 

It was a tiny, cramped room with only a single bed.

 

Squeak!

 

To make matters worse, a gray mouse scurried across the narrow floor. My mind went blank as I watched Winnie catch the mouse with practiced ease.

 

“It seems there’s a mouse hole in this room. I don’t mind since mice popped up at home sometimes, but I’m sure it’s different for His Highness.”

 

She said it was no big deal and that she just needed to block the hole before sleeping. Winnie then left to deal with the mouse.

 

I couldn’t stay in a room with Freyer, but I couldn’t let him stay in a room like that either. As I was drowning in this dilemma…

 

“Lilithia.”

 

Freyer called out to me as I stared blankly into the room. As soon as I slowly raised my head to look at him, I made a decision.

 

‘I can’t let Freyer sleep here…’

 

I only wanted the best for my favorite character, and a room with mice? The very thought gave me goosebumps.

 

“Fine! Then Your Highness, please stay in the large room!”

 

I chose to give the large room to Freyer and sleep elsewhere.

 

‘Yes, that’s a great idea.’

 

I nodded to myself hundreds of times.

 

“And you?”

 

“I’ll sleep outside.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Wh-What do you mean ‘why’!”

 

It’s not exactly a normal situation for a man and a woman to sleep together, so how could he ask why? I was even more flustered by his genuinely puzzled expression and his steady gaze.

 

I should have just said it wasn’t proper for an unmarried man and woman to share a bedroom. But in my panic, a strange excuse tumbled out of my mouth.

 

“I have terrible sleeping habits! I snore! I kick the blankets and grind my teeth!”

 

At Freyer’s soft gaze and his subsequent sentence, I swallowed hard.

 

“It’s not like it’s our first time sleeping together.”