Chapter 65

The noise gradually faded away.

My feet wobbled, perhaps because I had been holding my breath. I couldn't exhale properly, and my vision went dark. Thanks to Wendy holding onto my arm, I didn't fall, but I felt terrible.

"Miss Bloom... You don't look well. You should take some deep breaths."

Captain Radine called out to me, but I could only take shallow, short breaths, and my chest felt tight. Wendy patted my back, and I finally managed to regain my breathing. I exhaled deeply and inhaled deeply. It was just that, yet my body wouldn't listen to me.

" Wendy, tell me what happened later. We should let Miss Bloom rest first."

"Yes, that's right. Let's go home, Alicia. It's okay now."

"...Yes. Thank you, Wendy. I'm sorry, Captain Radine."

"You have nothing to apologize for. ...If anything, it's we who have caused trouble."

I could only shake my head at the captain, who bowed apologetically. I didn't have the composure to respond with a clever remark.

With the driver's help, I climbed into the carriage. Wendy sat beside me, leaning close, and the door closed quietly.

The carriage began to move slowly.

The cold hadn't gone away. As I rubbed my arms, Wendy draped a shawl over me, which seemed to be prepared in the carriage. The pale pink shawl matched Wendy's eyes. This high-quality silk was likely a specialty of the Krenbeller territory, Wendy's hometown.

"Alicia, it's impossible not to be bothered by what that person said, right?"

When I looked up at her concerned voice, Wendy's face was clouded with the threat of tears.

I must have looked terrible to make my friend look like that.

"It's okay, Wendy. I was just shocked, and it did hurt... I was also scared thinking something might be wrong with my family. But more than that... I'm so angry. I don't want to lose to such threats."

Yes, I was so angry.

Why did I have to hear such things? It was ridiculous to be hurt by that person's words.

I clenched my fists, and Wendy placed her hand on them.

"Of course, you have the right to be angry. Just because you're a princess doesn't mean you can trample on people's hearts. You can't forcibly take Lord Einhard, and your family will be protected by Lord Sirius."

"Yes, thank you. Maybe... for the princess, marriage is something done with someone she doesn't like. Perhaps she doesn't think there's any real feeling in my engagement to Noah."

"Even so, she has no right to say such terrible things."

"Of course not."

That person has no right to interfere in my engagement to Noah.

Perhaps there's no love in royal marriages. But even so... it's wrong to impose that on us.

I took a deep breath, and I felt a bit calmer.

"When I get home, I'll talk to Father. It might cause trouble for the guild, but I think he'll be on my side."

"Don't forget, I'm on your side too."

"Thank you."

The carriage, which moved smoothly, turned a few corners.

I could tell we had entered a residential area. We must be close to home.

"Hey... maybe you should take a break. Lord Einhard is away from the capital during the day, and he's worried about you."

I had been thinking the same thing.

By going to work, I might cause trouble for many people. Today's events were enough to understand that.

"You're right. Taking a break will also cause trouble for others, but..."

"It's not a bother. Your safety is the most important thing. ...I intend to tell everything to Lord Sirius. You might not want him to know, but..."

"That's fine. It's better if he knows."

Wendy's eyebrows drooped as if she felt guilty, so I held her hand with both of mine, shaking it and smiling to show that it was okay.

"I was going to tell him anyway. Noah might be upset, but this isn't his fault. If I keep it to myself, I might get scolded. I want to tell him and have him be angry with me too."

"Hehe, that's a good idea."

Wendy's cheeks flushed with relief.

If I were the old me, I would have been depressed, kept it to myself, and ended up in a dead-end.

If I had kept quiet because Noah might be upset, he would eventually find out.

There's nothing wrong with Noah in this situation, so there's no reason to keep it a secret.

I can think this way because Noah has come to see me, given me letters, and expressed his feelings clearly.

There's a bond between Noah and me. So, I'm not afraid.

The carriage slowed down.

Looking out the window, I saw we were already at the gate of my house. Mark, as usual, was standing there, opening the gate, but he seemed surprised by the Radine family's carriage.

"Thank you for the ride. Wendy was a great support just now."

"I'm glad to hear that. You can start your break tomorrow if you want, but don't overexert yourself."

"Yes, thank you."

I returned the shawl, and I no longer felt the cold. I got out of the carriage as the driver opened the door, and Mark bowed deeply. Wendy waved, and the carriage moved off quietly.

"Is something the matter?"

"Yes, something very upsetting. Are Father and the others back yet?"

"Yes, they are waiting in the dining room."

"I'll go there after I change."

I entered the house with Mark, who seemed to have sensed something. I need to explain the situation to Father and the others, but they might be even angrier than I am.

Thinking about the inevitable future, I smiled a little.

Thank you always!

I appreciate the typo reports too!