Chapter 14

After getting off the train, they stayed overnight in the Earl of Realis's territory, which was the terminal station, and the next day, Olivia and the others boarded a boat from the Edibar Canal, which flows from the southwestern part of the Earl of Realis's territory to the Earl of Zachfil's territory.

The ruins of the Earl of Zachfil's territory are also famous as a tourist destination. Although it borders the Kingdom of Kartzol, the area has been peaceful since the construction of a wall near the border, and there have been no major incidents or disputes for years. The number of tourists has been increasing annually, and the region is rapidly developing. Therefore, large tourist boats operate from the Edibar Canal, equipped with private rooms and entertainment spaces.

Since they planned to stay in the territory for a while, Olivia had already paid a visit to the Earl of Zachfil. The Earl has a bad leg and will not return to the territory during this year's off-season, so she had contacted his townhouse in the capital. The Earl is a gentle old gentleman in his mid-sixties. He has no children from his first marriage, which ended in the early death of his wife, and his son from his second wife is only ten years old. He chuckled, saying he would have to keep working for a while longer. Although he cannot accompany them to the territory, he has told them to enjoy their stay.

After a two-hour boat ride to the Earl of Zachfil's territory, Olivia and the others took a carriage directly to the town of Beimarl, where the ruins are located. They checked into a luxurious inn in Beimarl, where the Earl had made prior arrangements, and Olivia decided to explore the town with Silas. They planned to visit the ruins the next day.

"Olivia, look. There are White Rose Palace cookies."

The town of Beimarl, which prominently features the ruins, has many items related to them. Silas laughed when he spotted rose-shaped cookies at a bakery they happened to pass by. The cookies were labeled "White Rose Palace cookies," but they looked like ordinary rose-shaped cookies.

"Ah, look. Over there, there's Adrian the King's favorite Rose Tea. Did King Adrian really like Rose Tea?"

"Perhaps. His biography mentions that over forty types of roses were planted in the royal palace."

"I see, that's why there are so many rose-themed items. It's interesting. Let's buy some as souvenirs when we leave."

The town of Beimarl is well-planned and bustling with tourists. To avoid getting separated, Silas and Olivia held hands as they visited each shop that caught their eye. Suddenly, they stopped in front of a store selling incense.

Perhaps because it borders the Kingdom of Kartzol, the store had a touch of that culture, with traditional Kartzol incense burners displayed. The burners, adorned with intricate patterns on white porcelain, were elegant. As Olivia admired a few of the burners on display, Silas asked, "Do you want to buy one?"

"…Can I take a look?"

"Sure. If you like something, I'll buy it for you."

Inside the store, various sizes of incense burners were lined up. The smallest ones were about the size of Olivia's palm, while the largest required both arms to carry. Olivia picked up a palm-sized burner with a smooth white porcelain surface and a red rose painted on it. Its rounded shape was incredibly cute.

"Do you like this one?"

"Yes."

As Olivia hesitated about whether to buy it, Silas took the burner from her hand and handed it to the shop owner.

"Can you show us this one and some incense?"

"Ah, I can do it myself…!"

"No, I want to show off a bit."

Silas stroked Olivia's cheek with the back of his hand and winked. Blushing, Olivia watched as the shop owner, a woman who looked to be in her twenties, chuckled.

"You two seem to get along well."

The shop owner probably didn't think they were a prince and princess but rather tourists. She was quite relaxed. The shop owner brought out a few types of incense and arranged them on a small table for negotiations.

"This incense burner doesn't use fire, so incense wood or potpourri would be suitable."

There are two types of incense burners: those that use fire and those that don't. The small burner Olivia picked up doesn't use fire. Larger burners, about twice the size, typically use fire.

"Using fire spreads the scent quickly. Conversely, the non-fire type allows you to enjoy a subtle scent. Non-fire types are also recommended for bedside use."

"Speaking of bedside, a relaxing scent would be nice."

"In that case, these might be suitable."

The shop owner brought out three types of potpourri, each a blend of several scents. All three smelled wonderful, but Olivia particularly liked the one with a blend of jasmine, which had a refreshing note amidst its sweetness.

Silas gifted her the burner and potpourri, and Olivia carefully carried the bagged items as they left the store.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Here, calling me 'Your Highness' stands out. Just call me Silas."

"…Thank you, Lord Silas."

Olivia corrected herself, and Silas nodded contentedly, taking her hand and starting to walk.

After wandering around various shops and getting tired, Olivia and Silas decided to take a break at a café on the main street. They chose a café on the main street so that the guards following them from a distance could easily see them. Sitting in the open space outside the café, they sipped spiced tea, a local favorite, when they spotted Princess Florenzia on the main street.

Silas also noticed and stared at Princess Florenzia with wide eyes. She was walking with Knight Legion, laughing happily.

"I've been thinking, those two are a bit too close, aren't they?"

"I've had the same feeling…."

There seems to be something more than just trust between them.

(…Could it be that the princess…?)

Looking at the happy face of Princess Florenzia from a distance, Olivia quickly dismissed the doubt that had floated into her mind.

It's not something to think lightly about.

Olivia took a bite of the cinnamon cookie served with her tea and gently turned her gaze away from the two as they walked off.