Chapter 4

I fainted.

I think it's because I've experienced too many tumultuous events.

Suddenly being thrown into prison, being exiled, being transferred in a carriage under the pressure of silence for a whole day, and then fleeing.

The final blow was taking a suspicious drug.

A strange situation occurred where my body rejuvenated, and I think my mind and body couldn't take it anymore.

I apparently fell into such a deep sleep that I didn't even dream.

When I regained consciousness, I realized I was starting to wake up.

My eyelids felt incredibly heavy, and I couldn't open them.

I was still so sleepy that I continued to doze off... but then I heard a voice.

"Any signs of her waking up?"

I recognized this voice. It belongs to the cruel Duke of Einveil Kingdom.

"She moved a little a while ago, so I think it won't be long..."

Who is the woman responding?

From her tone, she seems to be one of the Duke's subordinates, probably a maid?

"The injuries are mostly scrapes and bruises from falling. However, there are some other concerning marks."

"What are they?"

"There are abrasions on her wrists and ankles."

I gasped inwardly. But my body was still asleep, so it didn't show.

However, I quickly became more alert.

Those marks were probably from being restrained with handcuffs and leg irons.

(If they see the marks from the restraints and think I'm a criminal and should be killed...)

I started to feel scared. I felt like I was trembling.

No, I think my legs were trembling a little.

After all, the person I'm dealing with is the cruel Duke of a neighboring country. He's the relative of the saint who was disgraced in my own country, and I'm the reason the saint returned to Raphen. I don't think he would let me go.

While I was praying that he wouldn't notice, the conversation continued.

"...I can guess the reasons. In any case, I'll question her when she wakes up. Inform me after she has finished eating."

"Yes, my lord."

After that conversation, I heard the door close.

I felt relieved.

It seems I won't be killed immediately.

There were some rustling sounds, so I think the woman who remained started preparing something.

I opened my eyes slightly.

I saw a woman placing a few bags and packing things inside. She must be the one who was talking to the cruel Duke earlier.

The room had exposed stone walls and not much furniture. It was about ten steps wide, and I could reach the four corners.

(The bedding is quite luxurious...)

There was no rough sensation or sound from the straw underneath, yet it wasn't hard. The blanket was soft to the touch, and I wanted to curl up in it forever.

(Where am I?)

If this is near there, it must be a border fortress of Einveil Kingdom?

As I was thinking, my stomach growled loudly.

(Ah!)

It was my stomach!

In the carriage, I only received a little water and one piece of bread in the morning and evening.

Even so, I didn't feel like eating during the journey because I was so tense. Did I relax because I was sleeping?

Of course, the woman noticed the sound.

She turned around quickly. She was a woman in her 30s.

She wore glasses with a sharp look and a simple brown dress with a white apron.

"Oh, oh, oh!"

The woman, whose eyes met mine, ran over to me.

"You're awake. Are you hungry? By the way, are you in pain anywhere?"

"A, ah, um..."

I was wide-eyed, not knowing which question to answer first. "Oh, right," she said and introduced herself.

"My name is Agatha, miss. What's your name?"

"Yes, um, Liz."

I couldn't think of a fake name, so I blurted out my nickname.

"Oh, what a cute name. So, are you in pain anywhere?"

This time, she asked one question at a time, making it easier to answer.

"I fell, so my legs and hands that touched the ground..."

Come to think of it, I rolled down a mountain path and should have been covered in dirt, but when I looked, I was clean. My clothes were loose but clean, a nice shift dress.

Agatha must have changed them for me.

Agatha confirmed the injuries I mentioned and told me that they had all been cleaned and treated with medicine while I was asleep.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

When I thanked her, Agatha smiled. Agatha, who usually looks like a strict governess, looked very gentle when she smiled.

"All of this was done on the Duke's orders to protect you."

"The Duke..."

So, that young man is indeed the Duke of Einveil Kingdom.