The effort to cut the wood, fetch the water, and warm it with hot rocks—all of it was for her.

Never having had someone do such laborious tasks for her, Ariana didn’t know how to react.

A tender emotion etched itself into her heart, which she had thought was cold and frozen.

“I understand if you find bathing troublesome,”

Sirus’s soft voice brought her back to reality.

“Since the bath is already prepared, why not go bathe? I won’t peek.”

His voice was serious but his words playful.

Ariana turned to Sirus and said,

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“I didn’t order it, so there’s no need to thank me.”

Could it be that Louis and Noah did this on their own accord? For what reason?

Instead of showing her puzzlement, she spoke honestly.

“Thank you, Louis. Noah.”

At Ariana’s thanks, Noah gave a small smile. It was a pleasing sight.

+++

When crossing from the Western Realm to the Empire, they used a rugged mountain path rather than a regular road.

Relations between the Western Realm and the Empire weren’t bad, and the border wasn’t heavily guarded, so despite the dangerous mountain paths, they were able to cross easily without detection.

Since the Empire was beyond the reach of the Western King’s eyes, they did not camp out but stayed in a small village. There was no inn in this border village, but a kind innkeeper lent them an empty house.

By the time they entered the village, the sun had long set, so after a quick dinner, everyone went to bed.

For the first time in a while, Ariana had a room to herself, and for some reason, she couldn’t fall asleep easily.

Lying on the floor and staring at the ceiling, she thought of her journey with Sirus and his company.

Uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, meals of hunted game seasoned only with salt, the baths prepared by Louis and Noah, and the stamina potions Isaac supplied once a day.

Thanks to them, she had been able to reach this place safely and comfortably.

Whenever she thought about the journey so far, it felt as if she were dreaming.

Had she ever received such warm care in her life?
No matter how much Cyrus intended to use Ariana, his consideration had been excessive.

‘It feels like a trap.’

If the intention was to numb Ariana’s heart for easy manipulation, he had used an excellent method. The thought of continuing the journey like this became enticing because parting was regrettable.

‘No.’

Ariana coldly cut off the subtle hope that began to bloom.

‘Think of the Third Prince.’

The Third Prince, Herald, was irresistibly sweet. From the first moment they met until the last, he was tender and charming. His touch that stroked her hair, the eyes that regarded her warmly, and his affectionate tone.

She believed all of it unquestioningly, only to be tragically betrayed and horrifically killed.

Given a new opportunity to live, she could not repeat the same mistake.

‘Remember your life.’

A child loved by no one. A child wanted by no one. Therefore, a child who could be used without affection. A child who could be used in any way for one’s own goals.

‘You are that child, Ariana.’

Trust and affection that not even her parents could provide, why would strangers offer it?

‘You have been that child since you were in the womb.’

Grandfather, birth mother, sisters, and brothers, husband and in-laws, all of them.

‘They tried to use me as they pleased. A child unwanted even by her parents can be used and discarded.’

Would Cyrus Carhara be any different?

Ariana recalled his scrutinizing gaze and his red eyes. She engraved the schemes and suspicions contained in those blood-colored irises onto her heart.

‘He’s not doing this for a fun travel game.’

The series of events had struck a significant blow to the Bronthe family. Stains had marred the names of the flawless Victoria and Rachel.

But they, being of the imperial lineage, would not crumble from such matters.

They would soon recover their reputation.

‘Victoria aims for the position of Empress. Helena will be content with becoming a Duchess of the Empire. The West Emperor and Rachel will do anything to turn them into the Empress and Duchess.’

It will take about a year to recover their reputation, and then the underground operations will begin.

‘In about three years, Victoria will have a spectacular debutante ball and even receive the favor of the empress.’

It had happened before.

Victoria was praised as the most beautiful and wise lady at her debutante ball that year and attracted the eyes of the princes.

‘Work hard for the next three years to rise as high as you can, Victoria, Helena.’

A chill smile brushed Ariana’s lips.

‘The higher you rise, the greater the pain when you fall.’

+++

In the end, she couldn’t even sigh as morning arrived.

Rubbing her stiff eyes from fatigue, she walked out of her room. Cyrus and his party were already up and preparing to leave.

In the narrow space that served as both a kitchen and a living room, they moved so quietly that Ariana had not even known they were awake.

Upon discovering Ariana, Noah approached with a thin smile.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“The village head shared some ingredients. It seems we can cook something other than grilled meat for a while.”

“That’s good.”

After offering a polite smile to Noah, Ariana approached Cyrus. He was sitting on an old chair, legs crossed, lazily watching his subordinates.

As Ariana stood before him, he briefly raised his eyes. Standing formally, she spoke.

“Thank you for safely bringing me here. I will return this favor when Your Highness finds it necessary.”