I answered Anne's question with a light smile.
"I really don't feel like eating anything. If I force myself to eat, it'll just make things harder for me."
"But you should eat at least a piece of bread. Your complexion looks so bad."
"Don't worry, we'll have a proper meal when we get to the Grand Palace."
Actually, I didn't tell them, but there was another reason why I was refusing food.
"You can't just eat anything. You have to know what's in it."
Kishian, who wanted to torment me for a long time, may not try to kill me right away, but I didn't know. He may act like he won't kill me and then kill me, inflicting the worst despair on me...
That's why I'm only consuming liquid foods like stew, water, and wine that I can test for poison by inserting a silver rod into.
To detect poison in solid food, you have to ask your subordinates to taste it, but how could I, the daughter of a sinner, dare ask the Grand Duke's people to do that?
It was obvious what Kishian would say if I asked for something like that.
"Ha, I guess you're afraid of being poisoned? When I was dying from an assassin's arrow, you happily had an engagement ceremony with another man..."
...I guess he'll be sarcastic like this again.
Moreover, even the subordinates who were showing some sympathy at the moment could turn their backs on me the moment I brought up the subject of the assassination.
In that situation, I had no choice but to be careful.
No matter what, I wanted to live more.
Even if I am treated as a criminal and end up being killed, or even if I commit suicide because I cannot bear the pain, wouldn't it be less unfair if I at least struggled before I die?
I know it's ridiculous to have such hopes when you're stuck in the mud, but I still want to survive and be happy.
'It's definitely a bit weak...'
Still, it is better to starve than to eat food that may be poisoned.
With that in mind, I tried my best to restrain myself from thinking about food.
I kept feeling dizzy so I kept my mouth shut and the preparations were done.
Clank.
The carriage that had been moving slowly suddenly stopped.
From here to the Grand Duke's residence, I had to ride with Kishian.
"Why is your face like that? Are you afraid that people passing by will hit you with some rotten food?"
As soon as I got out of the carriage, Kishian came up to me and slyly taunted me. How sincere.
Although I hated him for that, I came to admire his appearance separately.
'You've grown up so well. You'd be perfect if you just kept your mouth shut.'
He was worthy of being admired by the people of the Grand Duchy, who dressed up in uniform to show off their good looks.
Among the splendid knights surrounding me, he stood out as the most noble.
I looked away from the glittering gold tassels and cloak on his shoulders and met his eyes.
"If my complexion looks bad, should I put on some more makeup?"
"No, rather than that."
"More than that?"
"Yes. Hurry up and get on your horse. The sun will set if you keep doing this."
It's bland. I got on the horse, complaining to myself as I heard him finish his sentence half-heartedly.
No, to be exact, I tried to climb it...
I'm hungry... My legs feel weak...
Because I wasn't eating properly, I kept losing strength.
Eventually, after trying several times, I gave up and stood leaning weakly on the saddle.
Kishian, who had been silently watching the scene, suddenly started walking towards me with brisk strides.
Then a firm, powerful hand grabbed my shoulder.
He grabbed me and immediately turned my frail body towards him.
"Wife...?"
For some reason, Kishian's gaze as he called out to me was slightly wavering.
Kishian, who was looking at me with such wavering eyes, soon grabbed my face and started looking around.
At that point, I was curious. What was my face like right now that made him look at me with such a stern expression.
Should I put on some more make-up?
Just as I was about to ask, Kishian gave instructions to his aide and Madame Bianca who were waiting behind him.
"The parade will be canceled. We will return to the Grand Duke's residence by the fastest route possible, not the planned route. The Grand Duchess will be put on the carriage."
The aide and Madame Bianca both looked startled upon hearing Kishian's words.
The aide was the first to speak.
"Your Highness, hundreds of people are waiting on the roadside to celebrate your safe return..."
"What kind of march are you going to do with a patient?"
Before the aide could finish speaking, Kishian spoke in a cold voice.
He continued, nodding to me as I stood there leaning against the horse, still unable to get on.
"My wife doesn't look good, so we should hurry back. As soon as we arrive at the mansion, call the doctor. Madame Bianca, help the Grand Duchess to the carriage."
I wondered why the march was suddenly canceled, but it seemed to be because of me.
I really wanted to refuse the idea of canceling the already prepared schedule just because of me and causing inconvenience to many people, so I quickly grabbed onto the hem of Kishian's clothes.
"Don't be like that. I'm fine. I just feel a little bit dizzy."
"Are you okay? Huh..."
He let out a sigh full of annoyance and grabbed my shoulder.
"Do you know what your face looks like right now and are you saying such things? You look so dead that it wouldn't be strange if you died right now, so what's the big deal? Are you doing this to make me clean up the corpse?"
"No. I just feel motion sickness..."
"Stop talking nonsense and go into the carriage and lie down. Madame Bianca, what are you doing? Why aren't you taking the Grand Duchess to the carriage right away?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Madame Bianca, who answered with a start, came closer to support me.
I had no intention of surrendering myself to those hands.
Instead of grabbing the hand that was helping me up, I jumped up with all my might and climbed onto the saddle.
I told Kishian in a firm voice, who was looking at me with eyes that seemed to find it absurd.
"I'm really okay."
"..."
"It's the first day I'll show my face to the people of the Grand Duchy, so I don't want to ruin it."
Currently, the people of Grand Duke Lennon's territory would be anxiously waiting to see the faces of the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess he brought back safely from the subjugation.
But I couldn't let their wait be in vain just because of me.
Not only would I feel guilty, but there was also the possibility that public opinion among the people of the Grand Duchy would criticize me.
So I wanted to proceed with the march as is, but it seemed like Kishian didn't like my choice.
"Don't you know that if you insist on being useless and then collapse during the march, it will be an even bigger embarrassment?"
"There's no need to collapse. As a Princess, I've attended countless events. There have been many times when I've been sick, but I've always kept my place. It's one of the duties of a royal to always look healthy and perfect."
"..."
"Please let me do my duty."
Finally, I added, "Please."
I don't know if it will work though.
Kishian stared at me with a gaze that I couldn't tell whether he was looking at me or glaring at me, and then he let out a deep sigh...
"Yes, I understand. But I don't think I can let you ride alone on a horse, so I'm a bit worried."
Before I could ask what he meant, Kishian leaped up and came up behind me.
He was riding the same horse I was riding.
He took the reins from me and held them in his hands as he sat in front of me.
"I should sit in the back because I don't know when you might collapse. If the Grand Duchess suddenly collapses and falls from her horse, there would be no greater embarrassment."
"Yes, I think it would be more comfortable if you could support me from behind. Then, can we leave quickly? I think it would be difficult if we delay any longer...'
I pretended to rush because I was tired, but in reality, I wanted to rush because I was 'awkward'.
Because he sat behind me, our bodies were too close together.
Through the climb, the man's unique, firm chest feeling could be felt.
Kishian, who did not know my feelings, immediately gave orders to his soldiers.
"Get in line! The parade is about to begin!"
***
It wasn't something grand because it was a march.
All that happened was that the victorious soldiers lined up and marched down the main road of their territory, receiving cheers and a shower of flowers.
However, since they had to go through several villages, it would inevitably take quite some time, and Kishian seemed worried about that. To be exact, it seemed like he was worried that I would collapse during the march.
As I passed by the street where the people of the Grand Duchy were cheering and scattering flowers, he whispered to me.
"Have you passed out already?"
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