Chapter 7

The next day, Eris was inside a carriage traveling on a road far from the capital.

Outside, as the afternoon sun began to set, the light of dusk slowly descended.

The fields scattered around were, perhaps because of the winter, covered in snow, hiding the crops. However, the raised ridges suggested that they were not abandoned.

“What will we do now, Lady Eris?”

Guit, who had left the palace with her, asked from the opposite seat.

Thanks to him, they had managed to disguise themselves as a priest and a lady-in-waiting on the queen's errand, and had fooled the guards at the palace gates.

“What do you mean?”

However, Eris tilted her head in puzzlement at the sudden question.

“No, we managed to leave the palace and get on this long-distance carriage, but... where are we going from here?”

“Hmm...”

Indeed, yesterday they had been so caught up in the sudden events that they had barely managed to escape the capital. Guit, in particular, had been so focused on reaching the border that he had had no time to think about anything else.

Last night, after escaping the palace, they had gotten off the palace carriage in front of a large merchant's house to avoid suspicion. It was a building Eris had visited several times for urgent needs or consultations about the city's commerce. Saying that it would take time and asking to be sent back, they had quickly hurried to the station for hired carriages.

(I have to hurry!)

If they were discovered, she might end up being interrogated again.

(But I won't entrust my fate to anyone!)

Especially not to Reinhart, who didn't even believe her after being deceived by Hina's words.

(Ah, no good. Thinking about it makes me angry again.)

By now, Hina and Reinhart might be getting along well without any interference. Or perhaps, after reading the note, he was furious.

(I hope it's the latter. It's a cry from my heart, born of frustration.)

(No, it's probably the latter. That proud Reinhart wouldn't just ignore my sarcasm and let it go.)

By now, he was likely ordering a search for Eris to save face. After all, she was an unwanted queen. He should just give up the search and be happy with Hina.

But the thought of Reinhart now considering how to punish Eris and then be happy with Hina made her even angrier.

(Absolutely not! I won't let you catch me and have your way with me!)

“Lady Eris?”

However, she realized she had been making a grimace when Guit called out to her in puzzlement from across the carriage.

(No, no.)

It seemed she had been making a very scary face. Evidence of this was Guit's slight backward movement.

So, Eris forced a calm smile.

“Well... for now, we'll cross the border and then find a place to work.”

“Work!?”

It must have been quite a surprise. With a thud, Guit stood up, nearly losing his balance in the carriage. He quickly steadied himself by grabbing the seat, but his expression was one of disbelief.

“Work... with those white hands of yours, Lady Eris!?”

“Well, they are pretty pale, but I think I can manage washing dishes and laundry.”

She nodded vigorously in response.

“No way!”

But Guit, as if hearing something terrifying, bowed his head.

“No! The great and beautiful Lady Eris, stronger than anyone! Those hands belong to the people, not for washing dishes or laundry!”

“No, no. Before I came to this world, I worked like anyone else. I wasn't good at cooking, but I did manage to cook for myself.”

Despite this, she felt she was being deified.

“No! If it comes to that, I'll work instead!”

“But it wouldn't be right for only you to work while we both need to survive. From now on, we'll help each other and live as companions.”

“Companions...”

It wasn't clear what had touched him, but it seemed to have reached Guit's heart. His face suddenly brightened, and he looked down, slightly embarrassed.

Feeling relieved that he had understood, Eris opened the carriage door, which had come to a stop.

“Look! We'll think about what to do after crossing the border later. First, let's eat something in this town.”

Since they had only eaten dried fruits and sandwiches at the stations along the way since boarding the long-distance carriage last night, she paid the driver the fare for the private carriage and, with a rumbling stomach, started walking through the town as dusk fell.

“A small but rather lively town...”

The wind was cold, having come from the north, but it was less snowy than the outskirts, and the remaining snow was neatly piled on the roadside. They were likely walking down the main street of the town, with shops lining both sides of the cobblestone road, displaying various silver items in their polished windows.

Silver cutlery, silver teapots, and even silver vases and pen holders were on display, shining in the golden sunlight, creating a scene that looked like something from a fairy tale.

“Beautiful! There are so many. Is this area known for silverwork?”

“It seems so. There appear to be workshops down that alley.”

As he answered, Guit looked down the street from the alley.

“The craftsmanship is impressive, and being a day's journey from the capital, this might be the town of Walitelse.”

“Walitelse?”

“Yes. It's one of the cities in the Schreiban region. It's small but famous for producing high-quality silverwork.”

“Oh, that explains it.”

She had noticed that, for a small town, there were many merchants coming and going. They were likely here to purchase or order silverwork. The streets were bustling, and it was clear that the town had a thriving trade in crafts.

“I got off the carriage early to avoid being found by Reinhart, but this is a beautiful town.”

However, for some reason, as she looked around, the faces of the people walking in the town seemed unusually pale.

(Is it because of the cold winter?)

The silverwork on display was vibrant, but the stalls in the square seemed to lack vitality—

(Why are there so few goods?)

Puzzled by the lack of meat, fish, and dried vegetables, which were common in any market, Eris suddenly clutched her stomach as it growled.

“C-come on! Let's get something to eat first!”

(You can't fight on an empty stomach! That's a wise old saying.)

So, she led Guit, pushed by the sound of her stomach and the cold, to a row of restaurants not far from the station.