Chapter 105
Chapter 105
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Welcome
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kaide was frozen, as if in disbelief at the sudden turn of events.
I quickly slipped into the carriage and raised my voice.
"Well, I'm off! You'll have to bear it even if you miss me, Dad."
"..."
"Got it?"
The astonished atmosphere showed no signs of letting up.
Even Rosaria, who stood in the front row to see me off, couldn't seem to compose herself.
Hestia, who had been watching from inside the carriage, finally spoke up.
"...Shall we depart then, Young Lady?"
"Yes. Let's go now."
I've done everything I needed to.
Without any lingering thoughts, I leaned back against the plush cushion.
Hestia was to accompany me during my stay in the North.
She was the one who knew my current condition best.
At the word of our departure, Kaide let out a soft breath and covered his eyes. Then, his shoulders shook as he burst into loud laughter.
He looked much more relaxed than before.
After his laughter subsided, Kaide peered at me through the window with an expression that said he'd been bested.
"I never know what you'll do next. It'll be troublesome if you act like this in the North."
"You think I'd do this with just anyone? I remember everything you warned me about, you know."
"That's a relief, then."
Kaide had said that my current condition must never be revealed to the people of the North.
The reason was that even if they welcomed me with goodwill now, there was no telling when their attitude might change the moment they learned my secret.
Although he said Muhella, the head of the Kiraas family, wasn't the type of person to do so...
there was no harm in being cautious.
That was why I was taking all my escorts with me.
It was a journey undertaken with many risks.
"We'll be on our way then, My Lord."
"I will expect good news."
Hestia was planning to infuse pheromone stones with the energy flowing from the northern lands to help stabilize my body.
And she said she would continue her research there to see if there would be any improvement.
I prayed in my heart for good results to come from the North.
Kaide turned his gaze to me and said.
"I was told the Kiraas family will come to meet you at the northern border."
"Really?!"
"..."
"It's not because I'm happy."
Really.
I furtively averted my gaze. The corner of Kaide's eye twitched.
But he didn't press further. Instead, he took a step back from the carriage.
It seemed it was finally time to depart. I scanned the people who had come to see me off.
"So I'm leaving without seeing Uncle Dante after all? What if he's upset he didn't get to see me?"
"It's his own fault for waking up late."
"Tell Uncle I'll see him again soon!"
"Alright."
Hestia locked the carriage door. At the same time, the wheels began to move slowly.
"Have a safe trip, Lady Aileen."
"Okay! Rosaria, you don't worry about me and take care!"
"And be careful of beasts. Understood?"
"Huh? Beasts?"
"Well then, have a pleasant journey."
Rosaria waved with a bright smile.
Beasts? I wanted to ask what she meant, but I couldn't.
I leaned against the window to watch the people quickly receding into the distance.
Even Baon, who had acted indifferent about my departure, couldn't bring himself to turn away from the front of the mansion.
I waved until everyone was out of sight.
"Hestia."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"I miss everyone already."
My heart felt empty. The thought that I wouldn't see them for a while made my chest feel heavy.
Hestia smiled warmly.
"Those who remained at the mansion feel the same way, I'm sure."
"You think so?"
"Of course."
I pulled my gaze away from the window.
If there was one consolation, it was that the North and the South were close.
I'd been told it was only a few hours by carriage to the northern border.
"Are you feeling any discomfort?"
"None."
"I'll prepare the pheromone stones for you when we arrive in the North. From now on, you'll only take the medicine when it's absolutely urgent."
"Okay. I'll do that."
I was told the pheromone stones infused with the North's energy would show excellent results.
However, she also said that a great number of high-purity pheromone stones would be needed to sustain the effect.
Though it was still unknown how many would be consumed each day.
The inside of the moving carriage was quiet.
*Nod, nod.*
My head drooped forward. I hadn't slept well last night.
"You look tired, Young Lady. It would be best if you got some sleep."
"I suppose I should."
"I'll wake you when we're about to arrive."
"Thank you."
I leaned back into a comfortable position and closed my eyes.
Sleepiness soon washed over me.
* * *
"Young Lady."
"...Mmm."
"Young Lady Aileen."
"Mmmgh... are we there already?"
I rubbed my eyes and stretched. Hestia nodded.
"Yes, we're approaching the northern border."
"Did I sleep that long?"
It seems I slept soundly.
The carriage interior was dim, and when I looked at the window, I saw the curtains were drawn.
It seemed Hestia had been considerate, making sure I wouldn't be woken up.
I gently pulled back the curtain to see how far we'd come.
A vast, pure white world unfolded before me. I gasped in awe.
"Wow! It's snow, Hestia!"
"Yes, isn't it fascinating to see the snow piled up?"
"Yeah! It's so pretty. Everything is white."
The season was the complete opposite of the South.
The once-verdant ground was now covered in a thick blanket of glittering white snow.
I wanted a closer look, so I opened the window.
*Click.*
At the same time, a cold, frosty wind swept into the carriage.
My shoulders hunched instinctively. My hair whipped about mercilessly.
"Ah, it's cold!"
"The North is very cold. You must be careful not to catch a cold."
"So this is why you told me to prepare winter clothes."
I knew it snowed, but this was beyond my imagination.
Experiencing such cold for the first time, I quickly shut the window. My body shivered. Could I even go outside in this?
"Will I be able to live in the North?"
As I muttered worriedly, Hestia replied with a hint of laughter in her voice.
"The Kiraas mansion will be warm."
"You think so?"
"Yes. They aren't impervious to the cold at every moment, after all."
That was a relief. If it was this cold all the way to the mansion, I would have seriously considered turning back.
*Screech.*
The moving carriage came to a halt.
My eyes widened.
"Why did we stop all of a sudden?"
"I believe it's because we've arrived at the border. You were told the Kiraas family would come to meet us."
"Meet us...? Oh, right. They did say that."
I'd forgotten while being absorbed in the scenery outside. It seemed we'd already reached the northern border.
"But why have the escorts gone out?"
I asked, pointing to the escorts who were beginning to emerge one by one.
Starting with Karma, he was followed by Basad, Paymon, and Mesis, who appeared in quick succession.
"They need to exchange formal greetings. And get acquainted with each other. Otherwise, problems could arise later."
"Then shouldn't we go out and greet them too?"
"There's no need for you to go that far, Young Lady. You will formally greet their lord once you arrive at the Kiraas mansion."
"I see. I thought they'd come out in person..."
"The head or heir of a family doesn't personally attend to such matters."
I couldn't hide my disappointment.
I had been secretly hoping Sage would come to meet me.
To be honest, I was of two minds.
I hoped Sage would come to meet me, but at the same time, I hoped he wouldn't.
...What if it's awkward when we meet!
Nothing seemed more daunting than that.
"Haaah."
"Why the sudden sigh, Young Lady?"
"I'm worried it'll be awkward when I meet Sage. It's been so long."
"...Hmm. That's possible. His appearance has probably changed a lot by now."
"Sage has changed?"
I was deeply shocked.
Right, that's it. Sage was a tiger. Of course, his growth rate would be fast.
How could I have not thought of that?!
He was much taller than me even when we first met; he must have grown even more by now.
He might even be an adult!
I covered my eyes completely.
"What do I do? It's going to feel so strange."
"Don't worry too much. You haven't even met him yet, right?"
"...But Hestia."
"Yes."
"Why are you so happy?"
"W-What do you mean?"
Peeking through my fingers, Hestia's expression looked incredibly bright.
I narrowed my eyes.
Her denial, complete with a stutter, was highly unconvincing.
"Dad, my brothers, Rosaria, and even Baon... they all get this sour look whenever Sage is mentioned."
"...I-Is that so?"
"But Dad said it's okay for Sage and me to be 'lifelong friends'."
So I'm telling you, it's time to accept that we're friends.
I looked at Hestia with a pout.
But for some reason, the corners of Hestia's mouth lifted to the heavens.
"Oh my, lifelong friends?"
"Yeah."
"That's wonderful!"
"...Huh?"
Hestia clapped her hands together.
It was the most delighted I'd seen her look recently.
"Young Lady Aileen. You must not change your mind."
"..."
"As expected of the Lord, he's so meticulous."
What on earth... was so meticulous? I tilted my head in confusion.
It was just that Kaide's misunderstanding had been cleared up. And I could finally be acknowledged as a friend.
I gave Hestia a puzzled look before turning my gaze back out the window.
The carriage was still stopped.
"When are we leaving, Hestia?"
"I wonder. A simple greeting should have been enough."
Karma seemed to be in a continuous conversation with someone.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see who he was talking to.
Just as I was contemplating opening the window, Karma suddenly approached my side.
His expression was quite stiff.
I unlocked the handle and opened the carriage door a crack.
"Young Lady."
"What is it?"
"It seems you will have to exchange greetings."
At that, Hestia's brow furrowed in displeasure.
"What is the meaning of this, Karma? That the Young Lady must go out to greet them? How dare they demand such a thing of a lady from the Astrofel family. How rude."
"...That is not the case."
"Then what is it?"
Karma looked somewhat perplexed.
What in the world was going on?
"What's wrong, Karma?"
"Well..."
He began reluctantly.
"The heir of the Kiraas family has come to greet you himself."