For Aelfrie, the world beyond the capital was as unknown as the other side of the ocean.

Of course, she knew what the outside looked like from the hill where her house was located, and books had detailed illustrations of what lay beyond the walls. Yet, she had never been close to it.

For a while after exiting the capital’s gate, the environment seemed similar, but as she moved further, houses began to appear sporadically.

The cobblestone road eventually ended, and the carriage traveled on a dirt road.

Even as the carriage jostled, Aelfrie was simply delighted.

She remembered how Elize had complained about having to ride the carriage for a long time before leaving the house.

Why did she dislike traveling while seeing such beautiful and fascinating sights? Would Aelfrie grow tired of the scenery if she traveled frequently like Elize?

Yet her heart raced at the sight of a single tree in the distance or a horse in a field.

She was certain; she would never grow tired of traveling.

Calon was watching Aelfrie, who was engrossed in looking outside.

He had always found this kind of travel tedious.

While traveling on land offered a more varied landscape compared to the sea, it was all the same to him—ultimately meaningless.

So, he thought this journey would be another tiresome one. The only consolation was that it wouldn’t take too long by carriage.

But ever since the carriage had departed, he hadn’t been bored for even a second.

‘How can her expression keep changing like that?’

Calon’s gaze was fixed on Aelfrie, who sat across from him and looked outside.

She seemed tense at first, probably due to the pressure of the tasks she had to do today, but as soon as she had left the capital, she seemed engrossed in the outside world.

When he asked why she looked so engrossed, she said something shocking: it was her first time leaving the capital.

How different she was from him.

That was the first thought that came to his mind in response to Aelfrie’s answer.

He had traveled everywhere, from the southernmost island nations of the continent to the northernmost point of Denerum.

He had seen the highest mountains and the deepest oceans.

He had crossed the most prosperous cities and even seen lands cursed to barrenness.

Therefore, Calon no longer felt much excitement from any scenery.

Perhaps that’s why he found it more interesting to look at someone else’s face than the scenery.
As the carriage moved further, a road billowing unusually with dust appeared.

Calon reached out to catch Aelfrie’s fluttering hair, then drew the window blinds closed.

“The dust is severe. I’ll close the window for a moment.”

“Indeed. I can’t meet the Earl looking like a dust rag.”

By now, unstartled, Aelfrie naturally took back her hair that he’d once organized and tucked it behind her ears.

“I’ve gotten used to it now.”

“Pardon?”

“You almost fainted the first time I moved your hair.”

“I was really surprised back then!”

“And now?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you surprised now?”

“Well, because Kyle keeps…”

“Keeps?”

“…teasing me!”

As if hurried by his continued questioning, Aelfrie quickly answered and turned her head away.

Calon felt satisfied observing her flushed nape. It wasn’t just because her reaction to his playful teasing was amusing.

The vivid bruises that were there when she first visited the merchant guild had now completely vanished.

Calon found Aelfrie’s transformation intriguing.

Now, almost all the bruises and scars on Aelfrie’s body had disappeared. According to the guild’s physician, her malnutrition had also improved significantly, and there were no major issues anymore.

What had disappeared wasn’t just the physical wounds. The dark fear that used to cloud Aelfrie’s face had also vanished.

Calon vividly remembered the darkness that clouded her face the moment he offered to take her home for the first time.

That darkness had completely engulfed her when she first came to the merchant guild.

But now, there was no trace of that darkness on Aelfrie’s face.

Though she showed reluctance about returning home, she didn’t hesitate to take her steps.

As if she was not more afraid of where she was going.

Could it be because the oppressive darkness had vanished?

Now Aelfrie no longer looks down while walking. When he looked at her walking upright and dignified, Calon realized she was taller than he’d thought.

And now they made eye contact more often and more closely, often revealing emotions without hiding them like before.

Laughter was heard more frequently, and she sometimes grumbled. The habitual apologies had also diminished, words she never needed to say in the first place.

Aelfrie was changing in every little way.