Chapter 68

68

The sea sparkled in the sunlight, and a few cotton-candy-like white clouds floated in the blue sky, as if cradled by the horizon. The scene was like a picture from a fairy tale book. The wind, unlike the chilly northern breeze, was cool and refreshing. The waves rushed in with a swishing sound, creating white foam, and strange sea creatures roamed the wet sandy beach.

"Miss! Look at this!"

As I crouched down to observe a small crab, Charlotte approached and suddenly thrust something in front of me. I was startled and almost fell over. ...When I looked closely, it was a star-shaped starfish that Charlotte had held out.

The starfish, about the size of my palm, was wriggling. It was a bit creepy. I almost frowned but forced a smile for Charlotte.

"Can we eat this?"

"......"

Charlotte, with a serious expression, muttered to herself as she stared at the starfish. ...Well, there might be a restaurant in this city that serves starfish, but I wasn't particularly curious. I'd rather drink salty seawater than eat a starfish. I stood up with an awkward smile, my legs tingling from sitting for so long.

"Oh, Miss. Your legs are tingling? There's a chair over there. Sit down, and I'll massage your legs!"

"It's fine. You can keep playing."

I tried to stop Charlotte and walked toward the chair. She seemed to decide to play a bit more and ran back to where she had thrown the starfish.

I sat down and watched Charlotte pick up the starfish again. The wicker chair was cool and comfortable. I sat quietly, watching Charlotte, and then closed my eyes.

A gentle, salty breeze blew, and the refreshing sound of the waves came in a regular rhythm. The world was full of various sounds, yet it was peaceful. It felt as if peace of mind had finally returned after a long time, and everything seemed leisurely and soft.

Perhaps my life had been like a battlefield. But it wouldn't be from now on.

In just two days... In just two more days, I could leave here and be free from everything that had tormented me.

* * *

Two days later.

Three hours before the ship to the Eastern Continent set sail.

I woke up early in the morning and finished all my preparations.

Since the sea breeze would be strong, I wore multiple layers of clothes, put on a hat, and even gloves. Charlotte even wrapped a scarf around my neck, making me look like I was fully armed.

...I didn't really need to dress this much, but since Charlotte was so concerned about my health, I decided to follow her advice. I also planned to take better care of my health from now on. If Jane had seen my enthusiastic attitude, she would have been so happy that she might have cried.

Speaking of which, I wonder if Jane is... okay. Theodore probably fired her. There would be no need for a duchess's personal physician at the Valentina estate anymore.

"Miss, here."

"......What's this?"

As we left the lodging, Charlotte handed me something that looked like a strange pill. When I brought it to my nose, it had a very bitter smell. It would probably taste bitter too. I frowned and stared at the pill.

"It's made from Eastern Continent herbs and is good for restoring energy. Harriet gave it to me."

"......I see."

"Take it quickly."

"......"

"Are you not going to take it?"

"......I'll take it. Thanks."

To be honest, I really didn't want to take it... but I swallowed it, trying to appreciate Harriet's effort in getting it for me.

I held my breath and quickly chewed and swallowed the bitter pill. As soon as I swallowed it, Charlotte quickly offered me a candy. I took it and ate it quickly.

The sweetness of the candy spread in my mouth before I could fully taste the bitterness. I closed my eyes and took a long breath.

"Is it okay? There are still 29 left! You're supposed to take one a day."

"......"

The idea of taking this strange, bitter pill for 29 days was depressing, but since I had decided to take better care of my health, I nodded silently.

"Good, keep taking them. Now, let's go!"

Charlotte pushed me firmly on the back. After staying at the lodging and resting while eating various health foods provided by Jane and Harriet, I felt much better than when I was at the cabin.

Most importantly, I no longer had trouble sleeping. I could sleep for over six hours at a stretch, which was a world of difference from the past when I would wake up after just three hours.

"Miss, I'm so happy that you're eating well and sleeping well. If you keep taking care of your health like this, I'll have no more wishes."

"......Yeah, I'll try."

"Good! There are much better medicines in the Eastern Continent! I'll get them all for you, so just trust me!"

For some reason, I believed Charlotte could really do it. She always exceeded my expectations. I smiled softly and replied.

"Thanks. But don't overdo it."

"No, getting medicine is... Hey, Harriet! What's that?"

Charlotte ran out like the wind when she saw Harriet in front of the lodging. She snatched the box from Harriet's hand, examined it, and then her face lit up after a brief conversation with Harriet.

"Miss! Miss Lily!"

Charlotte ran to me with the box. When she opened it with a "Ta-da!" a very strong bitter smell hit me.

"......"

"Another medicine, but it's better. If you take it with the one you just had, it will be even more effective! Here, take one now!"

"......"

"Miss? Here."

"......Okay."

I took the pill Charlotte offered, put it in my mouth, and swallowed it without chewing. Charlotte looked at me with wide eyes, and Harriet, who had been watching us, burst out laughing.

* * *

There were many people waiting to board the ship to the Eastern Continent. There must have been a hundred or so.

It was amazing that so many people wanted to go to the Eastern Continent. Of course, about thirty of them were from the Eastern Continent, likely merchants or travelers.

Some were dressed in the clothes of the Kingdom of Francis, while others wore Eastern Continent attire.

Eastern Continent clothing generally had long, flowing sleeves. A few people had their sleeves tied with metal or leather bands. They wore belts made of leather or cloth around their waists, and jade or coral beads were strung on threads and attached to the belts.

Unlike the people of the Kingdom of Francis, who usually had short hair, the men of the Eastern Continent generally had hair that reached their waists.

I found them fascinating but tried not to stare too obviously. Curiosity can sometimes be perceived as rudeness.

"It's almost our turn. Ready, Harriet?"

After waiting for a long time, it was finally our turn to board. Charlotte called out, and Harriet smiled and extended her hand.

Charlotte shook her hand roughly, and Harriet also extended her hand to me, but Charlotte fiercely pushed it away. Harriet's hand turned red, and she pretended to be in pain.

"Ouch, that hurts. Why can't I say goodbye? You're overprotective of Miss Lily."

By now, Harriet also called me "Miss Lily." ...We had grown quite close during our time together, and it was sad to part ways.

"Charlotte, don't cry if you miss me."

"Who said I'll miss you? Really."

Charlotte blew her nose in response to Harriet's joke. I left them bickering and turned to look at Jane.

Jane was unusually quiet today, making her presence less noticeable than usual. She usually radiated like bright sunlight, but today she looked a bit gloomy, which made me feel concerned. I patted her shoulder and said,

"Your Highness, is something bothering you? You don't look well today."

"No, it's not that... it's just..."

Jane's lips moved, and she sighed deeply before speaking again.

"......I wish I could go with you."

"......?"

I couldn't immediately understand what she meant and just tilted my head. Then, after a moment, I suddenly realized and said, "Ah." I looked at her with a sympathetic expression, as if I understood everything.

"Your Highness, you said you wanted to travel the world. ...Don't be too sad. One day, you'll be able to travel to the Eastern Continent too."

"......"

Jane looked at me with a puzzled expression. ...Did I say something wrong? I paused to think, and then Jane spoke with a somewhat impulsive tone.

"It's not that, Lily...! Of course, I want to travel the world, but I'm not sad because of that... it's because..."

"......?"

"I don't want you to... like this!"

Just as Jane was about to say something serious,

"Move! Everyone, move!"

"What? What is it?"

"What's happening?"

"Who is that?"

"That sounds familiar... Oh!"

A man's shout echoed, and the crowd began to part like waves.

I looked in that direction, puzzled. Pushing through the crowd, a person appeared like a king...

'...Theodore...'