When Layla came from Wessex to Filmer, she did not bring many belongings. The only people she brought with her were a single maid and two knights.

She did take a ship to come to Filmer, but it was not some grand royal ship. She simply secured one of the larger cabins on a ship frequently used by nobility.

Throughout the entire voyage, her maid Alice complained about how a princess could be treated this way, but in any case, they were scheduled to take a similar ship when returning to Wessex.

…But now, the plans have changed.

Layla walked out to the early morning port, smelling the salty scent carried on the sea breeze. Just like when she arrived, she was accompanied by her maid and two escort knights.

The maid seemed anxious about Layla following Millay’s words like this and kept voicing her concerns.

“Your Highness, is there really a need to rush on this journey?”

Layla rejected the maid’s words while holding down her hair fluttering in the fierce wind.

“I’m already a broken engagement, so I don’t want to stay in an uncomfortable place any longer.”

“But Lord Millay is not someone who can be easily trusted either…”

Perhaps the answer sounded too immature. The maid almost cried as she tried to dissuade Layla, who had already come this far.

In fact, Layla fully understood the maid’s unease. Even Layla thought Millay was a suspicious person.

Layla just smiled brightly and evaded the question, then looked out at the distant sky.

It was a pitch-black dawn with no sign of the sun rising beyond the horizon yet, but the bell from the capital’s clock tower would ring to signal 5 o’clock before long.

Layla headed towards the dock Millay had mentioned yesterday while observing the people busily preparing the ship for departure.

〈If you walk towards the lighthouse, you will see a dock with a red lobster flag in the middle. I will wait there.〉

She walked along the dark beach where the sound of crashing waves never ceased, following the lighthouse keeper’s light.

Would that man be waiting there?

When she had that thought, the maid trailing behind her showed a bright expression.

“I see Sir Lilburn, Your Highness.”

Just as she said, Lilburn could be seen standing with several men at the dock where a small flag with a red lobster fluttered.

However, Millay was nowhere to be seen, which made Layla feel puzzled as she approached the dock where the seawater splashed.

In front of the dock, a ship larger than expected was preparing to depart. Amidst the people busily moving to soon unfurl the sails, Lilburn, who had been waiting in front, approached first and bowed.

“You have arrived, Princess of Wessex.”

As Lilburn raised his head, his expression was not very good. Layla tried to shake off the unease seeping into her heart and asked.

“You were really waiting. But where is Lord Millay?”

“…I apologize, but His Lordship was unable to come.”

“Did something happen to the Marquis?”

At Layla’s question, Lilburn closed his eyes tightly and opened them again. Although drowned out by the sound of the sea breeze, it seemed he took a deep breath as if enduring something.

“He was not feeling well and could not come.”

It was a single restrained statement, but Layla immediately understood the meaning. It was not simply that he was sick, but that he was truly in a state where he could not move.

Layla recalled his face that was pale enough to collapse at any moment last night and moved her lips. However, unable to quickly grasp what to point out first, Lilburn stoically continued.

“Nevertheless, please hurry back to Wessex, Princess.”

In fact, if Millay was not present, she naturally thought she would not board the ship. However, Lilburn came out in place of his lord and advised Layla to return to Wessex.

Layla finally grasped the situation.

“…I understand the Marquis’ circumstances. But what am I supposed to trust to board that ship when he has not come?”

“Your Highness.”

“Sir Lilburn, you do not like me, do you?”

At Layla’s question, Lilburn kept his mouth tightly shut. The silence was a sign of affirmation.

Layla, feeling it was as she thought, turned her mind towards not going. Although it took some time to reach the port, it was enough to think she wasted an hour or two as Millay said.

But just as Layla was about to turn back, Lilburn stopped her in her tracks.

“I am not foolish enough to go against His Lordship’s words because of personal feelings.”

There was even a hint of anger in Lilburn’s words. He seemed very displeased that Layla doubted his loyalty.

However, anyone can fabricate words. Layla brushed her wind-tousled hair behind her ear and retorted.

“Do you know that His Lordship, whom you speak of, is also lying to me?”

Lilburn’s expression hardened as if Layla’s question was a great insult. But what he took out from his bosom the next moment was not a sword, but the Damburnet Continent travel pass Millay had sent her yesterday.

He held up the palm-sized pass in front of Layla’s eyes and snapped back.

“I don’t think I need to spell out the value of this travel pass to you.”

“……”

“If this falls into someone else’s hands, it could cause trouble for His Lordship as well. So I hate to hand it over to the point of death, but it is also His Lordship’s order. Take this and board that ship.”

Lilburn held it out in front of Layla after finishing his words, but Layla only looked down at it blankly.

Alice, who read Layla’s still doubtful heart, grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear.

“Your Highness, let’s just go back. You can go to Wessex in a week anyway.”

“……”

Lilburn, whose jaw clenched so much that it bulged, added in a strong tone as if it were his final persuasion.

“If you refuse, Princess, I don’t mind either. I will relay it to His Lordship. That you said you would not board this ship.”

“You mean it doesn’t matter whether I get on or not?”

“Of course. What benefit would we gain from sending back another country’s princess to her own nation?”

Layla alternately looked at the travel pass and his face at Lilburn’s immediate retort.

Lilburn was so confident that it rather caused an internal conflict.

Could this really not be a trap?

Even if she was a princess, Layla was not highly valued in Wessex. To attempt an assassination or kidnapping, she needed to have worth. If asked to choose between the nation’s interests and herself, the King of Wessex would naturally choose to abandon her.

Moreover, Layla wanted to know about Millay. He was originally supposed to reveal his identity today, but he did not show up.

Only by taking that ship with the travel pass would her connection with Millay continue.

Thump, thump……

Was it because the blood pumped out by her pounding heart was too hot? Even the cold wind could not awaken her reason.

A situation where curiosity could be traded for her life.

Layla knew it was a choice without logic or rationality.

Yet she eventually grasped the travel pass.

Lilburn’s hand, which seemed stubborn, loosened as soon as Layla’s hand touched it. Layla felt the bumpy mountains and rivers of the travel pass with her fingertips and left a message for Lilburn.

“Please tell Lord Millay to be sure to come find me in Wessex.”

“Your Highness!”

The startled maid tried to stop her, but Layla cut her off decisively.

“If you’re anxious, you can come a week later.”

“How could I possibly do that…?”

“Then come with me.”

Layla said as she stepped onto the dock, following the gestures of Sir Lilburn who made way for her.

“Sir Lilburn, don’t think I came without taking any measures. Even if I can’t return to Wessex, news of me will reach there.”

“Don’t worry. That will be useless information.”

Layla shook her head at Lilburn, whose eyes showed not even a speck of goodwill towards her even at this moment.

“Lord Millay and you, you’re all really strange people.”

“……”

“It makes me more and more curious about your identities.”

With the help of her escort knights, Layla boarded the ship. Then the mercenaries Lilburn brought and two of Marquis Millay’s knights followed.

Layla was guided into the ship and heard the footsteps of several people chasing after her.

…Is this choice of mine correct?

In fact, she still had doubts. But she wanted to believe that strange liar.

Just as he said, the person who allowed her to break off the engagement with Reynold was none other than Millay.

Before completely hiding herself inside the ship, the sound of bells rang out from the clock tower in the distant capital.

Dong, dong……

The ground was still covered in darkness. In time with that deep bell sound reverberating through it, the sailors raised the anchor and unfurled the sails.

The horse that stopped running snorted loudly. After lightly stroking its neck, Lilburn dismounted and entered Millay’s temporary residence.

However, as he hurriedly moved his steps to the second floor where Adrian would be, someone called out to him as if they had been waiting.

“Sir Lilburn.”

Lilburn, who was climbing the stairs, flinched and looked back. The person who caught his eye was Millay’s attendant.

“…What is it?”

In response to the question, the other party silently held out a sheet of paper.

Just before the fall of Wessex Castle.

Isabella Fitzroy’s side is currently detaining several princesses and princes.

Lilburn’s brow furrowed deeply.