Chapter 6

The boat journey from Sareyu to Ferrie took two days.

The sea was calm, and the journey was smooth without any seasickness or bad weather. The ship arrived at Ferrie's port in a gentle breeze.

(Maybe this wind is pushing me forward...)

Interpreting it as a sign to think positively, Sara descended the gangway with the help of a servant. The sea breeze caressed her long hair, and the sunlight gently touched her cheeks.

The Kingdom of Ferrie is a country that claims an island shaped like a slightly squished pancake. It is known for its warm climate and frequent good weather throughout the year. The island is slightly higher in the north, where the royal castle is built to oversee the lives of the people. Indeed, from this port town at the southern end, one could see the distant blue mountains and the town of the capital to the north.

Sara and the prince's marriage was to be kept low-key at the prince's request. Therefore, the welcome at the port was not grand, and among the citizens watching from a distance, Sara was guided by formally dressed knights to a carriage.

(It feels like I'm being treated like a criminal...)

In the dim carriage, she thought absently that perhaps she was indeed seen as a criminal by the people of Ferrie, and not someone to be welcomed. As a princess from a country that had waged war against the current king's ascension, it might be considered good that she wasn't being pelted with stones.

(What kind of treatment will I receive at the castle...)

Even as the prince's fiancée, she was essentially in the position of a hostage. While she doubted she would be poisoned and killed, she had to be prepared to be treated as a nuisance.

Upon arriving at the castle, she was led in through a back gate without a chance to see the exterior.

(I heard this is a country of people with special abilities... but from what I can see, the buildings and people's faces don't seem much different from Sareyu.)

The buildings were newer than those in Sareyu and had a more rounded shape. The windows were cut into the walls in a circular pattern, and the town below the castle looked more vibrant and cheerful than Sareyu, perhaps due to the colorful roofs in red and yellow.

"Normally, we would have you meet His Majesty the King, but due to his busy schedule... I apologize, but we will take you directly to the prince's palace."

The young boy guiding Sara said this. He was probably a bit younger than her, with freckles on his face and a kind, cute smile. He was likely a servant, though his attire was slightly different from those in Sareyu.

The guards from Sareyu, based on the peace conference's decisions, had all parted ways at the port town and would only come to check on her from time to time. Now, the only person with Sara was this boy, and she wondered if it was really safe to be so unprotected.

(But maybe he has special abilities too. If so, if I were to cause trouble, he could subdue me with his powers, which is why there are so few guards...)

Regardless, it was better to be cautious.

On the way to the palace, they did not encounter anyone else. When they reached the elegant corridor of the palace, the boy suddenly became more talkative.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Daniel, a servant of Prince Richard. Currently, the only royal living in this palace is the prince, so you, Lady Hermine, can feel at home and relax here."

"...Thank you. But if I act too presumptuous, it might inconvenience everyone."

Sara murmured, feeling a bit let down by Daniel's tone.

(To suddenly have a princess from another country as the prince's fiancée... normally, people would be reluctant to respect her...)

But Daniel blinked in surprise and then shook his head vigorously.

"That's not true. ...Now that we're in the palace, I can say that we are all very relieved that the prince is finally getting a bride."

"...What?"

When Sara stared at Daniel, he smiled and looked at the palace garden. She followed his gaze and saw a few men who seemed to be pruning the trees. They initially looked at her curiously but then nudged each other, stopped their work, and bowed.

"They are the palace gardeners... but we, the servants of Prince Richard, have been looking forward to your arrival and felt very apologetic."

"Apologetic?"

"Um, does Lady Hermine know about our prince?"

...That probably meant he was reclusive, disliked people, or wore a mask.

"Even without favoritism, the prince is a very kind and good person. However, due to his strong personality and certain circumstances, he tends to be reclusive. We are very happy if the prince can live happily with his bride, but we feel apologetic to ask a sheltered princess to take care of him."

...Sara might have never seen a servant who treated their lord like a child.

But Daniel's slightly theatrical words made her laugh.

"That's not true. The documents did mention that the prince is eccentric... but you can't really know until you meet him. Besides, I'm the one who is imposing myself on him through a political marriage, so it's only fair."

"...Oh."

"Um?"

"Ah, no, I'm sorry. ...I thought Lady Hermine would be more dreamy and naive, so I'm revising my impression."

Daniel said this jokingly, but Sara was taken aback.

(No... I can't act too differently from Lady Hermine just because there are no Sareyu people around.)

Sara's gaze wandered, but Daniel laughed happily.

"It's fine, don't be so formal. As I said, from today, you are the second master of this palace. We are on your side, and the prince's... and Lady Hermine's. So please feel at ease and let us know if you need anything."

"Daniel..."

His sincere smile made her heart ache.

(I thought the people of Ferrie were a terrifying group of people with special abilities, different from us. But... that's not true.)

So far, she had only spoken to Daniel, but he was so warm, and the gardeners who bowed earlier gave off a peaceful aura.

(Maybe... I can really be happy here.)

With a faint hope in her heart, Sara smiled.

"Thank you. Can you show me to the prince's room?"

"Of course, leave it to me!"