Douglas and I traveled only on remote and rough roads.

The unpaved carriage ride was much more tiring than expected.

Until I got used to it, I couldn’t even swallow a piece of bread because of nausea.

“Are you not tired, Elizabeth?”

Douglas, who was driving the carriage, looked back.

I was more worried about him.

“Are you alright, Douglas? It must be tiring to drive horses all day.”

“This much is no problem. Writing is unexpectedly hard labor.”

“You seem to be enjoying it though?”

“I didn’t know being a coachman was this fun. I think I’ve discovered a new aptitude.”

The original Douglas was a young master who had never lifted anything heavier than a fountain pen.

Though troubled by his father’s gambling debts, he was still the eldest son of a marquis family.

He probably had never done any hard labor.

“When did you learn to drive a carriage?”

“I started horseback riding for physical training. I found this more interesting than riding.”

Douglas revealed his snow-white teeth in a broad smile.

It was a smile that brightened even the mood of those who saw it.

“If it weren’t for Elizabeth, I wouldn’t have thought of learning.”

“Because of me?”

“Do you remember when His Majesty kidnapped Elizabeth?”

“How could I forget?”

Once, Nikolai tried to make me his empress.

Douglas offered his family’s treasures to stop Nikolai.

It was around that time that Douglas’s character began to change.

“I thought if I could drive a carriage, I might be able to escape with Elizabeth.”

“You have amazing foresight.”

“I was a man who only knew about writing and books. I couldn’t do anything in the face of His Majesty’s overwhelming physique and power.”

Douglas recalled with a bleak tone, staring straight ahead.

Wanting to change the mood, I asked lightly.

“Did you want to defeat His Majesty that badly?”

“As a subject of the empire, I couldn’t harbor disloyal thoughts. However…”

“?”

“I wanted to become someone who could stand up to him proudly. Man to man.”

“Douglas.”

“Even if I were to be defeated, I wanted to at least try. One memory of helpless submission is enough.”

“Not wanting to submit to the emperor. I thought you were a loyal subject, but you harbored such dangerous desires?”

Douglas erased his smile at my question.

“I’ve had even more ferocious desires before.”

“What?”

“Sometimes, I wanted to become a traitor.”

“…!”

A traitor?

What was this pink deer saying?

My heart rate quickened.

Douglas turned to look at me, his stiffened expression softening around the eyes.

“Haha. It’s a joke. I’m sorry for startling you.”

But his eyes remained as cold as a lake in midwinter.

A high-pitched ringing sounded like a danger warning.

‘What if Douglas joined forces with Claudia… No, what if he persuaded Claudia?’

Come to think of it, helping me, a fugitive, was no different from treason.

If Nikolai, who treated Douglas like a thorn in his side, found fault, who knew what crimes he might be accused of.

Douglas was no longer the Douglas of before.

Claudia, who loved him, wouldn’t stand idly by either.

A precarious scene I had never imagined before, being so focused on subverting the original work, unfolded before my eyes.

Claudia leading the revolutionary army and Douglas helping her.

‘Douglas isn’t that kind of person, is he? Let’s not think unnecessary thoughts.’

I tried hard to suppress my anxiety.

Douglas briefly studied the map.

“We should reach the thirteenth shrine by tomorrow.”

“Why do Morasyncia believers call their shrines by numbers? They could use place names or give them names.”

“It’s probably because of the doctrine that emphasizes equality.”

“You said that’s also why the Morasyncia goddess covers her two eyes. To not discriminate against the poor and lowly.”

“And Elizabeth said such a world doesn’t exist.”

“You remember that?”

“It was quite impressive. Elizabeth boldly speaking her mind was very admirable.”

Douglas scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed.

I stared at him intently.

“Douglas. Why don’t you ask?”

“About what?”

“I asked you about places where the goddess’s relic might be. You hinted that there might be information at the thirteenth shrine.”

“That’s how our journey began, isn’t it?”

“Aren’t you curious why I’m looking for the relic as soon as we escaped from the palace? What I intend to do with it?”

Before leaving the palace, I wrote a letter to Douglas.

Asking if he could help me escape.

And if he knew anything about Morasyncia’s relic.

Douglas said he would help with anything.

He also suggested we go to the thirteenth shrine, the oldest Morasyncia shrine.

But he didn’t ask anything.

“You could suffer hardships because of this journey. You should at least know the reason.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Why not?”

“Because Elizabeth wants it.”

I was at a loss for words.

Douglas’s blind favor was appreciated.

At the same time, I felt as stuffy as if I had swallowed a hundred sweet potatoes.

‘I’m grateful, but this personality is perfect for being taken advantage of. He might lose all his assets to fraud or be sold to a salt farm.’

My expression must have mixed pity and worry.

Embarrassed, Douglas cleared his throat.

“I may not be very smart, but I’m not as foolish as Elizabeth worries. And I’m not without curiosity either.”

“Then why don’t you ask?”

“Because you’ll tell me when the time comes.”

“…”

“It’s a bit difficult for you right now, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Tell me when it’s appropriate. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’ll wait.”

I’ll wait.

That single phrase gently shook the spring-colored forest.

How much Douglas cared for me.

How deep his feelings for me were.

What I should answer to this affection I couldn’t return.

I couldn’t understand any of it.

Those feelings, too intense to deserve, felt as vivid as the wind brushing my cheeks.

Why did that make it even more lonely?

The sun was setting.

Douglas stopped the carriage.

“I’ll prepare for camping.”

We had plenty of food – bread, biscuits, nuts, jerky, etc.

The leather water bottles were filled with clean stream water.

For the past two days, we lit campfires and slept.

I in the carriage.

Douglas by the campfire.

He even prepared a thick cotton blanket and goose-feather pillow for me.

I suggested we take turns using them each day, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

As if nothing was more important than my safety and comfort.

“I’ll boil some tea, please wait a moment.”

I tapped Douglas’s shoulder as he skillfully prepared to light the fire.

“You said there’s a village not far from here, right?”

“It’s just over the next hill.”

“Even if it’s risky, we should sleep at an inn.”

“Is the bedding uncomfortable after all?”

Douglas asked with a suddenly gloomy face.

I shook my head heavily.

“I fall fast asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow every time.”

“Then why…”

“I want to wash so badly. I can’t stand the smell from my body anymore!”

[This is the timeline separator]

The traveler’s lodge catering to mercenaries and peddlers didn’t have many guests.

Even the first-floor restaurant serving some food and alcohol had only flies buzzing around.

I pulled my hunting cap down and stuck close behind Douglas.

Douglas also covered his pink hair with a hooded robe.

“Do you have any vacant rooms?”

The innkeeper, a woman with a short neck and plump build, looked us up and down.

A silence full of suspicion followed.

My mouth felt parched even though we weren’t being interrogated.

The innkeeper, arms folded, abruptly asked.

“Only the most expensive room is left. Two silver coins including horse feed.”

“That’s fine.”

“You’re richer than you look.”

The innkeeper muttered as if she couldn’t believe it.

Did we look that shabby?

“Can we have a meal?”

“Potato porridge and smoked pork if that’s okay.”

“Please. And a bathtub with warm water too.”

“There’s a well in the backyard, you know?”

“We’ll pay, so please prepare it.”

At Douglas’s words, the innkeeper narrowed her eyes.

Porcelain bathtubs and hot water were luxuries for the rich.

Commoners didn’t bathe often.

It was no wonder she found it strange for shabby travelers to request a tub and bath water.

‘Even in this world, I bathed daily in clean, hot water. With flower petals floating and perfume sprinkled. I realize how accustomed I’ve become to a luxurious lifestyle.’

I didn’t want to make a fuss.

I knew escape was more important than bathing.

But it was hard to bear the greasy hair and sour smell.

“Will this be enough?”

Douglas calmly placed three silver coins on the table.

The innkeeper’s expression immediately brightened.

“Wait in your room. I’ll bring it up soon.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything else you need?”

“No, that’s all.”

“Such a handsome and dashing young man. And rich too. The young lady is lucky.”

The innkeeper looked down at me with sly eyes.

Startled, I was asked by the innkeeper.

“Oh my. Your face is red. Is it your first night?”

“It-it’s not like that!”

“Then you’re already quite familiar? Intimately?”

This time, Douglas’s face turned bright red.

We couldn’t move an inch until the innkeeper went to the kitchen, humming a tune.

[This is the timeline separator]

She said it was the most expensive room, but it was clearly overpriced.

A heavy silence hung in the narrow room.

Even breathing and rolling our eyes felt awkward.

It was because of the innkeeper’s mischievous joke.

No, it was because of Douglas, who wore his usual gentle smile.

‘Is Douglas not bothered at all?’

Douglas was calm as if he had never blushed.

To the point where I felt foolish for being restless and conscious of him.

‘Talking about the first night is too much, isn’t it? If there was a booking app, I would have left a bad review!’

I absolutely do not recommend this inn.

The innkeeper is too nosy.

The room is small for the price and not very clean.

The view isn’t bad though.

I wrote a review in my heart that I couldn’t post anywhere.

Douglas asked with a serious face.

“Will you be alright, Elizabeth?”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

I stuttered.

Even that felt exaggerated and awkward.

Why am I like this?

“The bed is a bit hard.”

Douglas pressed the bed mattress with his hand.

‘Ah. He was talking about the bed? What was I thinking.’

But it was too early to feel relieved.

Only then did I notice the single bed.

A double bed that was neither wide nor large.

Is this why she mentioned the first night?

The pounding of my heart felt precarious.

If left alone, it felt like it might jump out of my throat.

‘What should I do? There’s only one room and one bed…’