Chapter 28

The carriage headed for the Midwinter High-speed Airship Station.

In the Penrota Empire, where magical technology is advanced, cities with high-speed airship stations are rare.

A high-speed airship is a type of magical device for transportation, operated by at least three mage pilots and a large amount of refined stones.

Needless to say, the ticket prices are so high that ordinary citizens can't even consider them. Despite the high cost, the train journey that would take four days can be completed in six hours, so tickets were always in short supply.

'They used to be even more expensive. The prices must have dropped a lot in just four years.'

It must mean that the technology has advanced significantly in just four years.

"…Wait."

I, who had been staring blankly out the window, asked the coachman (obviously the butler assassin) to stop.

While Ruga was engrossed in "The Seven Great Mysteries of the Continent for Children," I got off the carriage for a moment.

An old man selling potatoes had set up his stall in the alley, which he had been working in since the dim dawn.

I stood confidently in front of the old man, who was busy sorting the potatoes in his basket.

And I demanded,

"Buy all the potatoes at the highest price."

Today was the day I received my first salary and collected a large sum of money for the maintenance of Lord Weatherwood's dignity. I don't know how such a large amount of money came from a family with no means, but...

'Since they gave it to me, I should use it freely.'

The old man, squinting, examined my face and greeted me with a bright smile.

"Oh? Is it our young lady? You're here, you're here. The quality of potatoes is good these days."

"…"

"Ah! Is that your real face? You're handsome and pretty either way. People are really kind. You must be popular."

"…How did you know?"

I was honestly quite surprised.

I wondered if he had noticed, so I touched my face and hair, but it was still Lord Weatherwood's face.

I was not Daisy Pagger anymore.

"How did you know?"

"It's me, isn't it? I look different, don't I?"

But how did the old man recognize me?

The old man laughed and answered with a warm look in his eyes.

"I always sit here and watch people's backs. You wouldn't believe how many people pass by this road. And everyone walks differently. It varies by gender, occupation, personality, and even the illnesses they suffer from."

Did he recognize me by my gait? It was an unexpected way.

'Now that I think about it, a few days ago, Ruga pointed out my habits as an inspector.'

Habits are etched into the soul, not the body.

I am really lucky.

Thanks to them, I realized what I need to be careful about at the noble assembly.

'Gait and habits as a left-handed swordsman. If I am careful about these two things, even Duke Berkeley Greighton, the Sword Saint, won't recognize me.'

I didn't attend the noble assembly without a plan.

The fact that Raphaello wouldn't attend this year's noble assembly was certainly good news. However, as long as the Sword Saint Duke Berkeley Greighton was attending, I couldn't let my guard down.

The Sword Saint is a Sword Master.

At the level of a Sword Master, the sensitivity of the sixth sense surpasses the five senses, allowing one to see through the soul rather than the body.

The sixth sense is a sense that is honed through experience and insight. Therefore, no matter how carefully I act, the Sword Saint will surely sense a 'familiar strangeness' from me, which could mean my identity might be exposed.

'So, I must hide even the smallest habits.'

Left-handed swordsmen are rare. Since the sword techniques of noble families are all for right-handed swordsmen, left-handed swordsmen are usually corrected to use their right hand.

But I had no teacher and did not learn the sword techniques of noble families, so I was not corrected to use my right hand.

'Be careful.'

I gathered my thoughts and looked at the old man again.

At first, I intended to buy all the old man's potatoes, but my mind changed.

People with such keen eyesight are rare. If this keenness could be used appropriately...

"Grandma, are you interested in a side job?"

Our conversation was not long.

After discussing the side job with the old man, I returned to the carriage.

I did not buy all the potatoes.

If the old man was to continue his 'side job' of monitoring the Midwinter market, his basket needed to be filled with potatoes.

"Move."

Just before we arrived at the station, I handed the note I had prepared in the carriage to the butler assassin.

His gray eyes under the hat gleamed sharply. He had not forgotten the secret matter he had entrusted to me.

Moreover, he could use the old man's keen eyesight appropriately and pay him a suitable reward.

Soon, the high-speed airship carrying me and Ruga rose above Midwinter.

Rumors began to spread across the Penrota Empire that Lord and Lady Weatherwood had ended their long seclusion and started to be active.

Regal.

A major city located in the center of the Penrota Empire, with the Pen River to the north and the Rota Plain to the south.

As can be inferred from the name, the name of the Penrota Empire originated from the Pen River and the Rota Plain.

Regal, situated on a plain, is magnificent when viewed from the sky. The scenery of the city, spreading like wings with the imperial palace at its center, resembles a giant maze.

I gazed at the imperial palace, embedded like a pearl in the center of Regal, lost in old memories.

'The day I first and last entered the palace... was it already nine years ago?'

That day was also the day the Penrota Imperial Family first showcased the high-speed airship for transportation.

I flew for 12 hours from the front lines to reach the palace, to attend the coronation ceremony of Princess Natasha.

Natasha Milliorg Penrota.

As a member of the Penrota Imperial Family, known for their lineage of mages, Natasha was an excellent combat mage who gained great fame in the Mage War.

Given the time, the coronation ceremony was held simply. To me, who grew up in a rural village, it felt dazzlingly luxurious.

However, that day was not remembered as the coronation ceremony of Princess Natasha.

"Andert."

It was still vivid.

That day, heavy snow was falling.

At the end of the long red carpet, as Natasha stepped back after receiving the small Rota Hall from the emperor, she approached me and asked,

"Didn't you say you would offer any gift for me as the princess?"

Everyone's eyes were on me.

I wondered if it was appropriate, but I thought Natasha must have had her reasons.

I knelt before Natasha, who now exuded the noble dignity of a successor, and replied,

"Of course, Your Highness. I will obtain anything for you, as long as it's not as difficult as plucking a star from the sky."

"Then marry me."

Hold on.

"…What?"

"Andert Pagger."

She knelt in front of me and confessed.

"If you can pluck a star, you will. Become my consort and the future treasure of the Penrota Empire. I will dedicate my life to protecting and cherishing you."

That day.

The coronation ceremony of Princess Natasha was not remembered as a coronation ceremony.

If it had been etched in everyone's memory as the day the new heir of Penrota earnestly courted a mere commoner in front of everyone, it would have been different.

Hahaha.

Ha.

'Natasha... was a really interesting friend.'

But two months ago, when I opened my eyes again on Queen Island, the throne of the Penrota Empire was not Natasha's.

What is she doing, where is she?

Her beautiful face sometimes comes to mind, but I have not tried to trace her beyond confirming her survival.

If she is alive, that is enough.

"Honey."

A cold and soft touch slipped between my fingers.

I stiffened in surprise but turned my head as if nothing was wrong. Ruga, leaning against my arm with her arms crossed, looked up at me with sleepy eyes.

"What are you thinking so deeply about? Your expression is bad."

"…Really? Did I tense up without realizing it?"

"Tense? You?"

Ruga laughed softly and slowly closed her eyes as if taking a nap.

"That was a rather cute lie."

I pretended not to hear and turned my gaze back to the window.

As the high-speed airship slowly descended, the scenery of Regal came closer all at once.

Soon, we touched the ground.

As befitting the capital of the empire, Regal was bustling from the high-speed airship station.

After completing the simple procedures and exiting the gate, two men approached us from nearby.

They swallowed hard, startled by the confirmation of Ruga's beauty up close.

"Are you Lord and Lady Weatherwood? We are here to escort you to the Black Regal."

I am Lord Weatherwood.

Say it to me!