I couldn't find the words to make an excuse and just moved my lips. I wanted to pretend to be as shameless as usual, but I was physically and mentally at my limit, and my mind wasn't working well.
I quickly pulled my hood up to hide my face, which was disheveled from the excitement. Then, as I was about to pass by my brother, who was blocking the entrance, Gareth quickly grabbed my wrist.
"I asked why you were searching Barcas' barracks."
"Let go of this!"
I waved my arms wildly, but Gareth's hand was stuck to me like glue and wouldn't come off.
He grabbed my body and yanked it hard, growling like an angry wolf.
"Tell me what kind of trick you were trying to pull!"
I bit my lip as the hands squeezed me to the bone.
He seems like a person who is strong but ignorant.
I kicked my brother's shin mercilessly. Gareth, still unarmed, jumped up, muttering curses.
I quickly pulled my arm out without missing the gap. Then I ran out of Barcas's barracks and started running furiously.
I heard the sound of things being smashed behind me as if Gareth was chasing me. But I didn't look back and just ran wildly between tents.
Before long, my carriage came into view. I jumped into it, locked the door tightly, and crouched down in the corner of the carriage.
I was worried that Gareth, whose fever had reached the top of his head, might try to destroy the carriage. However, even after a long time, there was no sign of a commotion. It seemed that he had stopped chasing me because of the eyes of those around him.
I sighed in relief and buried my face in my knees. Then, suddenly, disillusionment overtook me, and my face twisted. I felt disgusted at myself for acting like the biggest idiot in the world.
Why did I lose my sense of reason and look after his well-being? It was also uncomfortable to see Gareth in such an emotional state.
Didn't that guy notice something?
I bit my lips and looked out the window cautiously.
I saw the knights tearing down the barracks. They didn't seem to notice the commotion I had caused.
I, who had been rolling my eyes here and there with my face pressed against the glass window, drew the curtains again.
As the sky began to brighten, the knights mounted their horses and began to form a line. Among them was Barcas. I, who had been watching him inspect the ranks as usual through the curtains, hurriedly hid myself as he approached the carriage I was riding.
I wonder if Gareth has told him something and is trying to interrogate me.
While I was racking my brain over excuses, Barcas stopped near the carriage, gave some instructions to the knights, and then moved back to the front.
I slumped my shoulders in relief. Then, the loud voice of the guard knight was heard.
"We're about to set off now."
I didn't say anything. Perhaps he hadn't expected an answer in the first place, but the knight rode on without saying anything. Soon after, the carriage I was riding in also began to move.
I buried my back in my seat and looked up at the sky turning white through the curtains. It seemed like another boring day was about to begin without anything happening.
The march, which began at dawn, was halted before the sun had even set.
Gareth, whose patience had reached its limit, unilaterally declared that he would not move any further today.
Strictly speaking, the itinerary for this trip was under the decision of the commander in chief, Barcas. However, not many would dare to disobey the orders of the next Emperor.
Eventually, with Barcas's consent, they were forced to set up camp in the middle of nowhere, just before the second holy site, the Ulgram Hill.
It seemed like an unpleasant situation for the soldiers who wanted to get out of the plains as soon as possible, but it was a good thing for me. I had been stuck in the shaking carriage all day without eating or sleeping properly, so my stamina was at an all-time low.
I lay on the carriage seat, blinking my dizzy eyes.
At that moment, a nagging voice was heard from outside.
"Your Highness, I have brought you some fruit."
I frowned. It seemed strange that the knight, who had been so scolded yesterday, was meddling again.
Unless you have some ulterior motive, why would you be so kind to me?
I snapped back harshly.
"Go away."
"You can't eat food because you don't know what's in it? As long as it's fresh, unprocessed fruit, it should be fine."
I couldn't be bothered to respond, so I kept my mouth shut. Then the knight rudely opened the carriage door and thrust a tray of fruit in front of me.
"I'm worried that this will turn into a real funeral procession. Please stop being so stubborn and eat this."
I glared at him with a look of astonishment, then lowered my gaze to a silver tray. There were ripe red apples, plums, and green grapes.
I, who had been staring blankly at it, muttered in a calm voice as if I had no intention of getting angry.
"How would I know if the shell was poisoned?"
At this point, it would have been easy to give up, but the knight didn't budge. He let out a heavy sigh and picked up an apple from the tray. He took a big bite and held the apple with its bite marks out in front of me.
"Is it okay now?"
"Are you telling me to eat what you were eating? It's dirty, so get out of my way!"
The knight looked as if he wanted to strangle me. Regardless, I turned away. In fact, I was very hungry, but I didn't want to eat food that had been handled by someone else. Even if I forced it into my stomach, it was obvious that I would just throw it all up.
"Yes, stop bothering me and just get out of here."
"Your Highness, is it that you only know how to tell me to get out?"
I was getting increasingly annoyed by the words and actions of the knight who was increasingly crossing the line.
I jumped up from my seat. I felt dizzy for a moment, but I braced myself and held on, not wanting to appear weak.
As soon as my vision became clearer, I stepped out of the carriage, leaving the knight watching me closely.
The sky was already changing from a deep blue to a pale orange. I looked at it for a moment, then moved to the end of the campsite to avoid the glances at me.
I wanted to go somewhere where there was no one and rest quietly. But if I left the group, the knights would immediately catch up.
After thinking for a moment, I headed towards the thick forest located a little distance from where the wagon was parked.
At this distance, hr should be able to confirm my location with the naked eye, so I don't think he'll hang around pretending to be my escort.
I sat with my back against the zelkova tree, breathing deeply into the cool evening air. I must have been doing this for a long time when I heard faint laughter nearby.
I opened my closed eyes. I was not the only one who had gone out to find a quiet place to rest, as I saw Ayla walking leisurely between the sprawling spruce trees.
My face was distorted.
I was so exhausted both physically and mentally. I didn't think I could bear that happy face any longer.
I jumped up from my seat. As I was about to leave, the figure of another person hidden behind a tree came into view.
Until this morning, he was the man who had made me beg for him to just stay alive.
I stared at him with wide eyes. Barcas, who followed Ayla quietly, holding Torque's reins with one hand, looked calmer than ever.
I was so used to seeing him with a cold expression or furrowed brows that I felt unfamiliar with his calm face.
Is that the kind of expression he always makes in front of Ayla?
As he stared blankly at her, Ayla grabbed Barcas' arm and lifted her head up on tiptoe. I held my breath as I realized what she was asking.
I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to take in a scene that I would chew on and chew on again for the rest of my life, unable to erase it from my mind.
Even as I screamed inwardly, I couldn't take my eyes off the two of them. Perhaps, I wanted to see him coldly reject her. But like a loyal hunting dog, Barcas responded to Ayla's wish.
Seeing him bow his head towards her, I turned and started running, but was soon caught by someone.
I raised my eyes in surprise. Gareth, his cheeks flushed as if he had been drinking, was staring down at me, holding my arm.
I hurriedly lowered my head as if observing him. However, tears had already formed in my eyes.
"You really..."
Gareth muttered, laughing hysterically.
I struggled violently to get away from him, but the Crown Prince did not budge.
Gareth, who had been looking down at my face, which had not yet completely cleared away its emotional turmoil, as if it were a rare sight, eventually burst into laughter.
"Was it like that?"
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