Chapter 79

10-day consecutive update project: I feel like it's not too much to call it a late-night posting project, sorry, it's the 8th day!

“I can see it.”

Taking a break, the group continued to run tirelessly.

Just like before, they ran, ran, and ran on a deserted path covered with trees.

Even if they changed their appearance, the closer they were to the capital, the higher the risk of Erich and Eleonora being exposed. Therefore, they chose a route that would allow them to avoid people as much as possible and travel the shortest distance.

Incidentally, this route was the same one Eleonora took when she left the country to visit Erich.

Erich, having inherited the throne, had become a popular young man with many people trying to take his life. Eleonora became his fiancée to help him during this dangerous period.

Knowing that they would be targeted by unscrupulous men on the way, and wanting to reach the endangered Erich as quickly as possible, Eleonora and Marisia quietly rode their horses along the shortest route.

When Sophie was surprised by "Marisia?!", Eleonora smiled proudly, and Sophie thought she was cute, but that's a side note.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in a town.”

The view from the open area was beautiful.

The sky gradually turned to night, and the lively town, lit by soft lights, exuded a gentle and soothing beauty that made Sophie’s shoulders relax, and her face broke into a smile.

“We’ll look for an inn in this town today.”

“Sounds good.”

“This size should be fine.”

As the three talked while looking down at the town, Sophie secretly bent down on Azwele’s back.

“Azwele.”

“Hmm?”

When she called his name softly by his ear, Azwele’s blue eyes looked up at her.

“You must be tired. Thank you for running so much.”

“It wasn’t a great distance.”

This always arrogant god had run silently without a single complaint, carrying Sophie. Thanks to him, Sophie was able to keep up with the group comfortably without slowing them down.

When she thanked him again, Azwele yawned.

“But I am hungry.”

“Please eat as much as you like.”

“Indeed.”

Sophie smiled back at his delighted voice, saying, “Me too.”

As expected, they found an inn quickly.

There were a few rooms available, but just in case, they decided to split into two groups: the boys and the girls. After placing their luggage, everyone went out into the town.

Of course, it wasn’t to have a big celebration, but to eat.

While Sophie loved the exquisite soup Livio served for lunch, she was also looking forward to eating in a new town.

She felt a bit embarrassed and happy about how much her appetite had increased since the days when she found no joy in food, and she sat down at the restaurant with mixed feelings.

Am I being too unladylike?

Such internal conflict lasted only until the food arrived.

The main dish was fish.

Sophie’s homeland had no sea, so they didn’t have a habit of eating fish.

The sight of unfamiliar dishes excited her, and they were all incredibly delicious, filling her mouth and heart with happiness.

Especially, the dish with grilled fish and vegetables was her favorite. The sweetness of the vegetables and the rich flavor of the fish were irresistible. Finding it so delicious, Sophie’s exclamations of delight amused or pitied Livio, who promised to make the same dish for her. How kind of him. Sophie couldn’t wait for that day.

She never knew that getting a promise could be so exciting.

After the meal, they returned to the inn early.

“Be on your guard. Let’s get back to our rooms early today.”

Livio’s words, though true, were also a sign of his concern, as both Sophie and Erich were clearly exhausted.

Sophie was struggling to stifle yawns, and Erich was unusually quiet. With only human endurance, they had no energy left to stroll around the town.

They just wanted to sleep. Quickly. In a bed.

With her stomach full and her brain filled with sleepiness, Sophie somehow managed to lie down on the bed.

Although Azwele had done all the running, Sophie felt sore all over. It was strange. What was going on?

“Are you still alive, Master?”

“I’m fine… Why am I so sore even though I didn’t do anything…?”

“Traveling by carriage is different. It’s natural.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

Sophie blinked lazily, and Eleonora, sitting on the bed next to her, laughed.

“Good job, Sophie.”

“I’m sorry for lying down like this…”

It was extremely impolite to lie in bed while speaking to a princess. If her head were to roll for such rudeness, she couldn’t complain. The Sophie from this morning would never have done such a thing. But now, she couldn’t move a finger.

Moving only her head, Sophie lowered her eyebrows, and Eleonora laughed brightly.

“Where else would you lie down if not in the room? You’re not planning to sit while sleeping, are you?”

Of course not.

If she said it was because of her position, they couldn’t share the same room.

“I prefer the bed.”

Sophie giggled, and Eleonora, narrowing her eyes softly, took out her hairpin.

Her golden hair, like wheat swaying in the wind, shimmered as it fell over her shoulders and chest. Sophie gazed at it absentmindedly.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Huh?”

“Your golden hair.”

Ah, Eleonora lifted a strand of her hair.

“It’s strange. I see it as golden too.”

“Considering the broad category of those who see you, you are included as well.”

“I see. That’s interesting.”

Sophie nodded, half-buried in her pillow, and Eleonora’s cheeks turned a light pink. Oh? Oh, oh?

What is she thinking about? Maybe it’s mischievous.

“…Rick had beautiful hair too.”

“!”

Eleonora’s eyes widened as she lifted her head.

They wandered, and she bit her plump lips, saying, “Ah,” softly.

Oh dear, oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear!

Despite her regal and dignified appearance on a black horse, she looked so adorable now!

Sophie felt a field of flowers bloom in her chest, and she wanted to run through it. She really had no ill intent, and she could swear she had no playful heart. Really. It’s true. She had no ill intentions.

“Arlen really likes Rick…”

The words that rolled out were just a slip of the tongue from a completely relaxed Sophie.

Despite her past of deceiving and being deceived in the chaotic royal castle, she had been making more slips lately.

It wasn’t until Eleonora fell off the bed, her face red, that Sophie realized what she had said.

“E-Ele, A-Arlen!”

Forgetting her sore body, Sophie jumped up, but Azwele had already landed on the floor and changed his size with a “pon!”

“What’s going on?”

Azwele, who had been sleeping in a small ball next to Sophie’s head, opened his blue eyes wide when he saw Eleonora on the floor.

“S-Sorry, Lord Azwele… I just… fell off the bed…”

“? Did you thrash around in bed?”

“Sort of… My heart is thrashing right now…”

“S-Sorry, Arlen.”

When Sophie sat next to Eleonora, Eleonora looked down at her with a red face and lowered eyebrows.

The bed creaked as Eleonora leaned against it.

“It’s not your fault, Sophie.”

Sophie could tell that Erich and Eleonora were maintaining a somewhat awkward, indescribable distance, even if she didn’t know the details.

So, it was impossible not to feel guilty for intruding on her feelings.

“Sophie, am I… that obvious?”

“Eh, well…”

Even if she wanted to nod vigorously and say, “Yes! You turn red so easily!!” she hesitated.

“…I see.”

But the silence itself was the answer.

Eleonora covered her red face with her hands and looked down. Sophie could only stare at her awkwardly.

What should she do? What should she say? What should she do?

After much hesitation, Sophie blurted out:

“I like Livio too!”

No one was there to interject, “No one asked you!”

After a moment, Eleonora looked up with a puzzled face, and Sophie realized her mistake again. Why? Why did it come out like that? Well, there was a reason.

She hadn’t articulated it clearly, but the feeling that talking about love was embarrassing, and being pointed out about it was even more embarrassing, overwhelmed her, and the words just slipped out.

Once out, words are like a runaway son; they never come back, no matter how much you call them.

The more you try to cover up, the deeper the hole you dig. It’s like digging your own grave and lying in it, then covering yourself with soil and asking for a blueberry candy.

So, it would have been better to stay silent.

“A, eh, and, I like Arlen too.”

Sophie, who had blurted out something nonsensical, had no title like “ex-fiancée of the crown prince.”

“I like you too, Sophie.”

Blushing, Eleonora smiled, and Sophie felt like jumping out of the window.

She felt like she could fly now.

Thank you for reading today! I hope you enjoy tomorrow as well!