The carriage left the palace.
It was a road I knew to some extent, but once I passed the outer wall, it became a completely unfamiliar road.
As I kept looking out the window, Callius asked.
“Is there anything you’re looking for?”
"Ah."
Was it because I was too shy? I felt embarrassed and smiled awkwardly.
“Well, it’s my first time outside of the city, so it’s exciting.”
Callius' eyebrows rose slightly.
“Have you never been here before? Not even for a vacation or a convalescence?”
“It’s my first time.”
Because I lived as if I were imprisoned in the palace.
Callius, who couldn't have known about such circumstances, seemed a little embarrassed, but didn't ask me for details.
I didn't intend to explain everything in detail, so I looked out the window again.
But then Callius suddenly gave directions.
"If you continue down this road, you'll come to a wide, open field of farmland. We'll pass through it and head to the river. Following the river, you'll come across a small fortress."
When I heard the word "fortress," I got a little excited and asked.
“Are we riding a moving magic circle?”
Although the moving magic circle has the advantage of being convenient, it also has the disadvantage of being able to become a passage for enemies to invade in times of emergency.
So I read in a book that they would install it on the outskirts of the city, in a reasonable location that would provide both convenience and safety, and build a wall around it to provide military defense.
As expected, Callius nodded.
"Yes. I plan to travel to Abene in the north by using the teleportation magic circle. Even if I travel by land from the capital without stopping, it'll take at least two months."
“Two months...”
It was a distance that couldn't be readily estimated.
Seeing my blank expression, Callius chuckled, took a piece of parchment from his bosom, and spread it across my lap. It was the Arrental Map.
He explained, running his hand over the map.
"This is our current location. Once we reach the fortress along this path, we'll soon be transported by a magic circle..."
His hand moved to the very top of the map in one motion.
“It goes this far.”
My mouth fell open at the vast world spread out on my lap.
The imperial palace and capital where I lived my entire life were just small dots on the map.
Seeing that, I could really feel that I was going to a very faraway place.
“Where is Ronheim?”
Callius's finger poked my knee somewhere outside the map. It seemed the Arrental map didn't show Ronheim.
“Around here?”
“It seems like it’s quite far from Abene.”
“You must be determined. The road ahead will not be easy.”
He looked straight at me with his golden eyes shining ecstatically.
"Once you enter, you may never return. The journey there and the return will be a life-threatening one."
It was a gruesome story.
But it didn't seem like he was trying to scare me.
I clenched my fists and answered forcefully to show my resolve.
“Yes, I will try my best.”
Then I burst out laughing. I was relieved that this was a place where the mischievous Andrea would never come.
"Thank you."
Take me to a safe place.
The way Callius looked at me like that was somehow strange.
We soon arrived at a fortress with a moving magic circle.
Inside the small fort, which was a military fortress and not a place for people to live, surprisingly, a huge market was spread out.
There were stalls everywhere, along the walls and even on the narrow stairs, where there was room to step.
Merchants eagerly solicited travelers entering the fortress, keeping them busy.
“I have dried food!”
“We have all kinds of shoes: leather shoes, wooden shoes, and flower shoes!”
"Selling leather protectors! We also have a lot of leather units!"
Some people found such merchants annoying, while others followed them as if they happened to need something.
I just enjoyed watching the crazy spectacle.
It was amazing to see all these people quickly mingling, chatting, and haggling.
I even secretly hoped that since our group had more people than the others, merchants would flock to us.
But the merchants only glanced at our group and did not approach us. Instead, they made way for us to pass quickly.
“Why don’t they come to us?”
When I asked Callius with a little regret, Callius calmly told me the reason.
“I bet they’re doing that because of our behavior.”
“Why are you acting like this?”
“They found out that we were from the North.”
“...Why if you’re from the North?”
"Because there's nothing to sell. There aren't many merchants here who have items that suit the tastes of northerners. The snow-covered terrain limits the availability of goods."
“Is that so?”
I think I know, but I don't.
Still, I just nodded and pretended to understand.
Because I had already asked enough questions, I thought Callius would get annoyed if I asked more.
I was used to receiving that kind of rejection.
Because no one ever answered my questions sincerely, and everyone found me annoying.
But Callius observed my expression and began to explain in detail, just as he had explained the route earlier.
"For example, in the North, we rarely use leather water bottles. The water freezes, which is a problem, and more importantly, fresh, clean snow falls every day, so there's no need to carry water. If we need water, it's better to bring flint. We get it by melting snow."
“Oh, I see...!”
"You can't wear shoes made of ordinary cloth or leather. Walking through the snow quickly gets them wet. Wet shoes pose a risk of frostbite. In the north, you only wear shoes made of special leather that's waterproof and cold-resistant."
After hearing a few examples, I definitely understood.
I stared at him blankly, listening intently to Callius's passionate explanations.
The eyes looking at me, the lips trembling, the throat moving with every word, the upper body slightly tilted toward me, the hand gestures waving in the air - all of these caught my eye.
He didn't seem the least bit annoyed, even though he was explaining at such length.
If there was something I was interested in, he would tell me more about it.
When I asked him something or showed curiosity, his voice got a little louder, as if he was enjoying it.
'I can't believe there's someone besides Karl who talks to me so passionately.'
My heart was pounding, just like on my engagement day.
I liked that he listened to my questions, so I asked him everything, even the smallest details, even if I was just a little curious.
We were talking without realizing how much time had passed, and at some point, he opened the carriage door.
"I'll be sure to answer any further questions you have as we go. I think we should move on for now."
I opened my eyes wide in surprise. I had been so engrossed in the conversation that I hadn't even realized the carriage had stopped.
“Are we going to ride the moving magic circle now?”
“Before that, there’s a place we need to stop by.”
As I got off the carriage following Callius, a merchant was waiting and greeted us.
“It’s been a while, Marquis.”
She was a woman in her mid-to-late twenties and seemed to know Callius.
“You look healthy, Rhonda. Where’s Polletto?”
"My husband went hunting in Abene with his companions. They ran out of Nyack's hide. By the way, I heard from Brentian that you were looking for women's clothing?"
“Is there anything worth using about?”
"Of course! I just happened to have a few sets made. Who would wear them?"
“My wife is going to wear it.”
Callius turned around and showed her me, who was practically hiding behind him.
Then, not only Rhonda but also the group's gaze instantly turned to me.
'Wife...'
Even though we haven't had a wedding, we are officially a couple, so I'm his wife, but why does that word sound so shy?
My face turned red and I lowered my head slightly so that no one could see.
Callius gave me a little tip.
"You won't last a minute in the North in the clothes you're wearing now. Rhonda is the only merchant here who sells Northern goods. You can trust that everything she sells is top-notch."
I looked down at the dress I was wearing.
'I dressed up in my thickest clothes.'
But it looked incredibly thin compared to the clothes Callius was wearing.
The blue-haired man next to Callius spoke to me cautiously, as if he thought I was worried.
"I am Viscount Brentian Kripp, your aide. Your Highness, I know this may be rude, but I was forced to bring you here because no place in the capital of Arrental makes clothes suitable for the snowy fields. She's a merchant we've trusted and done business with for a long time."
But his expression was stiff, as if he was tense.
I blinked and looked at the others.
Besides Brentian, all the knights of Callius, even Callius himself, were looking at me with stern faces.
'What, why...?'
It was a road I knew to some extent, but once I passed the outer wall, it became a completely unfamiliar road.
As I kept looking out the window, Callius asked.
“Is there anything you’re looking for?”
"Ah."
Was it because I was too shy? I felt embarrassed and smiled awkwardly.
“Well, it’s my first time outside of the city, so it’s exciting.”
Callius' eyebrows rose slightly.
“Have you never been here before? Not even for a vacation or a convalescence?”
“It’s my first time.”
Because I lived as if I were imprisoned in the palace.
Callius, who couldn't have known about such circumstances, seemed a little embarrassed, but didn't ask me for details.
I didn't intend to explain everything in detail, so I looked out the window again.
But then Callius suddenly gave directions.
"If you continue down this road, you'll come to a wide, open field of farmland. We'll pass through it and head to the river. Following the river, you'll come across a small fortress."
When I heard the word "fortress," I got a little excited and asked.
“Are we riding a moving magic circle?”
Although the moving magic circle has the advantage of being convenient, it also has the disadvantage of being able to become a passage for enemies to invade in times of emergency.
So I read in a book that they would install it on the outskirts of the city, in a reasonable location that would provide both convenience and safety, and build a wall around it to provide military defense.
As expected, Callius nodded.
"Yes. I plan to travel to Abene in the north by using the teleportation magic circle. Even if I travel by land from the capital without stopping, it'll take at least two months."
“Two months...”
It was a distance that couldn't be readily estimated.
Seeing my blank expression, Callius chuckled, took a piece of parchment from his bosom, and spread it across my lap. It was the Arrental Map.
He explained, running his hand over the map.
"This is our current location. Once we reach the fortress along this path, we'll soon be transported by a magic circle..."
His hand moved to the very top of the map in one motion.
“It goes this far.”
My mouth fell open at the vast world spread out on my lap.
The imperial palace and capital where I lived my entire life were just small dots on the map.
Seeing that, I could really feel that I was going to a very faraway place.
“Where is Ronheim?”
Callius's finger poked my knee somewhere outside the map. It seemed the Arrental map didn't show Ronheim.
“Around here?”
“It seems like it’s quite far from Abene.”
“You must be determined. The road ahead will not be easy.”
He looked straight at me with his golden eyes shining ecstatically.
"Once you enter, you may never return. The journey there and the return will be a life-threatening one."
It was a gruesome story.
But it didn't seem like he was trying to scare me.
I clenched my fists and answered forcefully to show my resolve.
“Yes, I will try my best.”
Then I burst out laughing. I was relieved that this was a place where the mischievous Andrea would never come.
"Thank you."
Take me to a safe place.
The way Callius looked at me like that was somehow strange.
***
We soon arrived at a fortress with a moving magic circle.
Inside the small fort, which was a military fortress and not a place for people to live, surprisingly, a huge market was spread out.
There were stalls everywhere, along the walls and even on the narrow stairs, where there was room to step.
Merchants eagerly solicited travelers entering the fortress, keeping them busy.
“I have dried food!”
“We have all kinds of shoes: leather shoes, wooden shoes, and flower shoes!”
"Selling leather protectors! We also have a lot of leather units!"
Some people found such merchants annoying, while others followed them as if they happened to need something.
I just enjoyed watching the crazy spectacle.
It was amazing to see all these people quickly mingling, chatting, and haggling.
I even secretly hoped that since our group had more people than the others, merchants would flock to us.
But the merchants only glanced at our group and did not approach us. Instead, they made way for us to pass quickly.
“Why don’t they come to us?”
When I asked Callius with a little regret, Callius calmly told me the reason.
“I bet they’re doing that because of our behavior.”
“Why are you acting like this?”
“They found out that we were from the North.”
“...Why if you’re from the North?”
"Because there's nothing to sell. There aren't many merchants here who have items that suit the tastes of northerners. The snow-covered terrain limits the availability of goods."
“Is that so?”
I think I know, but I don't.
Still, I just nodded and pretended to understand.
Because I had already asked enough questions, I thought Callius would get annoyed if I asked more.
I was used to receiving that kind of rejection.
Because no one ever answered my questions sincerely, and everyone found me annoying.
But Callius observed my expression and began to explain in detail, just as he had explained the route earlier.
"For example, in the North, we rarely use leather water bottles. The water freezes, which is a problem, and more importantly, fresh, clean snow falls every day, so there's no need to carry water. If we need water, it's better to bring flint. We get it by melting snow."
“Oh, I see...!”
"You can't wear shoes made of ordinary cloth or leather. Walking through the snow quickly gets them wet. Wet shoes pose a risk of frostbite. In the north, you only wear shoes made of special leather that's waterproof and cold-resistant."
After hearing a few examples, I definitely understood.
I stared at him blankly, listening intently to Callius's passionate explanations.
The eyes looking at me, the lips trembling, the throat moving with every word, the upper body slightly tilted toward me, the hand gestures waving in the air - all of these caught my eye.
He didn't seem the least bit annoyed, even though he was explaining at such length.
If there was something I was interested in, he would tell me more about it.
When I asked him something or showed curiosity, his voice got a little louder, as if he was enjoying it.
'I can't believe there's someone besides Karl who talks to me so passionately.'
My heart was pounding, just like on my engagement day.
I liked that he listened to my questions, so I asked him everything, even the smallest details, even if I was just a little curious.
We were talking without realizing how much time had passed, and at some point, he opened the carriage door.
"I'll be sure to answer any further questions you have as we go. I think we should move on for now."
I opened my eyes wide in surprise. I had been so engrossed in the conversation that I hadn't even realized the carriage had stopped.
“Are we going to ride the moving magic circle now?”
“Before that, there’s a place we need to stop by.”
As I got off the carriage following Callius, a merchant was waiting and greeted us.
“It’s been a while, Marquis.”
She was a woman in her mid-to-late twenties and seemed to know Callius.
“You look healthy, Rhonda. Where’s Polletto?”
"My husband went hunting in Abene with his companions. They ran out of Nyack's hide. By the way, I heard from Brentian that you were looking for women's clothing?"
“Is there anything worth using about?”
"Of course! I just happened to have a few sets made. Who would wear them?"
“My wife is going to wear it.”
Callius turned around and showed her me, who was practically hiding behind him.
Then, not only Rhonda but also the group's gaze instantly turned to me.
'Wife...'
Even though we haven't had a wedding, we are officially a couple, so I'm his wife, but why does that word sound so shy?
My face turned red and I lowered my head slightly so that no one could see.
Callius gave me a little tip.
"You won't last a minute in the North in the clothes you're wearing now. Rhonda is the only merchant here who sells Northern goods. You can trust that everything she sells is top-notch."
I looked down at the dress I was wearing.
'I dressed up in my thickest clothes.'
But it looked incredibly thin compared to the clothes Callius was wearing.
The blue-haired man next to Callius spoke to me cautiously, as if he thought I was worried.
"I am Viscount Brentian Kripp, your aide. Your Highness, I know this may be rude, but I was forced to bring you here because no place in the capital of Arrental makes clothes suitable for the snowy fields. She's a merchant we've trusted and done business with for a long time."
But his expression was stiff, as if he was tense.
I blinked and looked at the others.
Besides Brentian, all the knights of Callius, even Callius himself, were looking at me with stern faces.
'What, why...?'
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