“Are you feeling better from motion sickness?”

Klaus, who had leaned close to the open window, cheerfully inquired. Even the movement of the carriage alone made her feel nauseous, but the knights seemed to be overflowing with energy ever since leaving the castle.

She nodded in response.

“It’s gotten a bit better today. Margaret is still finding it tough, though. By the way, where are we?”

“We’ll be arriving in Tule soon. It’s a small village on the outskirts of Schleierung, but there’s no place like it throughout Visleben. It’s clean, and the chef’s cooking is exceptional.”

He added with a renewed appetite.

You could tell from the way he avidly devoured the last trout that he had a profound love for good food. If he had reduced his level of physical activity even a bit, he wouldn’t have maintained his current slender physique.

Adele asked curiously, “Is the inn’s cuisine really that amazing?”

“Yes. All the dishes are made with herbs we grow ourselves, but the deer stew, in particular, is famous. It’s exquisite when eaten with freshly baked bread. Since you’ve got the chance, I highly recommend trying it.”

“I’m looking forward to it. But how do you know so much about it?”

“If you go northwest past this village, you’ll reach Nordhoven. That’s where we were stationed for several years during the war.”

Ah, I see. When curiosity was satisfied, she chuckled softly, and Klaus added with a grin, “Even back then, whenever we passed by this place, we always filled our stomachs generously. By the way, it’s been a while since we had a proper meal. The food has been so dry for the past few days that all the oil seems to have drained from my leather stomach.”

“Klaus.”

The blonde knight interjected as he approached them, getting involved in the conversation.

“Do not engage in inappropriate behavior towards Lady Adele.”

It was Knight Joachim. The blonde, handsome man occasionally popped out of the story like a prince.

Thanks to that, he was very popular among the maids, and Adele even remembered his name.

When their eyes met, Joachim nodded with a stern face.

As always, Adele felt that Joachim didn’t seem particularly friendly towards her.

Was it a misunderstanding due to his limited facial expressions and few words?

In haste, she opened her mouth, “I’m fine. I didn’t feel at all offended.”

“Klaus, please be careful.”

Ignoring Adele’s words, Joachim once again warned Klaus, then quickly returned to the forefront of the group.

Despite Klaus’s apologetic gesture for causing confusion, Adele couldn’t shake off the impression that Joachim wasn’t particularly fond of her this time either.

Was it because of his lack of expression changes and few words? Adele wondered.

Quickly, she reassured him, “I’m fine. I didn’t feel offended at all.”
“He’s the type to stick to principles, so don’t think too deeply about what he said. Lady Adele.”

“Thank you for worrying.”

“Then, I’ll come to see you again later.”

After Klaus also went to the front of the formation, the carriage fell back into a dull silence.

Margaret had been asleep all along due to motion sickness, making her an unsuitable conversation partner. Also, there were many watchful eyes for magical training, causing interruptions.

The village, which seemed close when seen with the eyes, was much farther away than she thought.

It was only after the midday sun had completely set behind the mountain range that they could finally reach Tule.

It was closer to nighttime than evening.

“Something’s wrong.”

Even though they arrived at the village, there was no signal to disembark, and they waited for a long time.

When Margaret, who had gone outside to check the situation, returned to the carriage, she looked worried. Adele asked while adjusting her shawl.

“What’s the problem?”

“It seems there aren’t enough rooms in the inn. Originally, everyone could have stayed, but the knights escorting Lord Linsingen preemptively occupied most of the rooms. It seems they plan to use the Taliyah Road that connects from here to the capital.”

“How much of a shortage is there in rooms?”

“It seems like only two or three. I’m not even sure about that.”

“Oh.”

“Everything else is fine, but I’m most worried about the two of you. It seems we might have to skip this village.”

Adele nodded with regret.

They couldn’t stay at the inn that couldn’t even accommodate the minimum number of guards to protect them.

Especially in a place coveted by knights from another lord.

What other options were there? Adele pondered, and then she heard a knocking sound on the window.

“Adele.”

It was Valentin. It was the first time she met her husband since leaving the Ansagar territory, and his face looked tired, immersed in deep fatigue.

Adele hesitated for a moment and then opened the window wide.

“What’s the matter?”

“For now, get off the carriage. Margaret, can you vacate the seat for a moment?”

In his attitude commanding Margaret, there was a dignity befitting a northern lord.