Chapter 99

We were able to use the portal early in the morning, just as promised.

Fiona had said that the temple was blocking others from using it, and it seemed true. The portal station was empty except for us.

Because of that, I started to feel excited. I haven’t used portals many times, but every time I do, it makes my heart race.

To close your eyes and then open them in a completely different place… what an amazing invention.

Maybe my excitement showed, because Cedric leaned close and whispered to me.

“Rita.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really that happy?”

His low morning voice echoed right in my ear.

“Me? Not at all.”

I pretended I didn’t know what he meant, but Cedric only smiled gently.

Somehow it felt like I lost. What was with that attitude, like he was letting me off the hook?

When I glared at him, Cedric quickly changed the topic.

“There will be people waiting for us.”

“Oh, are they coming to greet us?”

“I heard the knight commander was sent.”

Cedric nodded. I imagined what the Aurelia Duchy’s knight commander might look like.

Probably huge, with fierce eyes. No reason, just a guess.

Our duchy’s commander, Berner, has a softer look. But it suits him well.

“What kind of person is he?”

“His name is Heath Hutalion. He’s a junior baron. Personality… well, when I first met him he was cheerful and smiled a lot. But now? It’s been years. He’s probably different.”

Heath Hutalion. Cedric must know him fairly well.

“Cheerful and smiling? That’s unexpected.”

While I was lost in thought, Cedric also seemed deep in his own memories. For a moment, a strange expression passed over his face. Did he regret not seeing this person for so long?

But I couldn’t ask, because it was time to step onto the portal.

Cedric smiled and added, “Don’t worry. He knows how to behave.”

That was the last thing he said before we all stepped onto the portal.

The portal keeper shouted, “Departure!”

I closed my eyes tight. A dizzy feeling came over me as lights flashed everywhere.

‘It’ll be fine… right?’

Excitement mixed with fear. I wanted to look forward to what awaited us, but at the same time, I was afraid of being exposed again.

It felt like walking into a new unknown world. Like something big was about to happen again.

“Welcome to Aurelia Duchy!”

A stranger’s voice greeted us. I opened my eyes slowly. The first thing I saw was the portal keeper’s unfamiliar face.

The Aurelia portal station was even fancier than Count Dandelion’s.

Tall wooden pillars carved with elegant designs stood all around.

Straight ahead was a white wooden door decorated with gold. The whole place sparkled.

…They must be filthy rich.

Showing off wealth so openly? It made me annoyed for no reason.

“This place hasn’t changed,” Cedric murmured.

“Truly, my lord. Exactly the same,” Harun agreed.

So I was the only one feeling out of place.

Don’t act like a country bumpkin, Violeta. Walk proudly, like you’ve used portals a hundred times and traveled everywhere.

I straightened my shoulders and walked forward with confidence.

“Rita.”

“Yes?”

“Sadly, the exit is on the other side.”

“……”

I turned naturally toward the direction Cedric pointed, as if that was my plan all along. Behind me, I heard someone stifle laughter.

That had to be Harun. Who else would laugh like that? I was about to snap at him when—

“Ahh!”

Instead of words, a scream came out. Something hit the back of my head hard.

What was that? The wall was still a bit away!

Frustrated, I spun around to see what hit me.

First I saw a white wall. Then behind it, deep navy hair.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Agh! Really sorry!”

It was a person!

Which meant I had bumped straight into someone walking in through the door. Forget the pain, this was embarrassing.

My face turned red. I quickly ran to Cedric’s side. He checked me briefly, then greeted the “wall.”

“Heath. It’s been a while.”

“Welcome, Your Highness. I came to escort you.”

Their conversation flowed naturally. Meanwhile, I just stood there awkward and out of place.

I rubbed my sore head and looked at the woman I had crashed into.

So this was Heath. The knight commander Cedric mentioned.

I peeked at her from half-hidden behind Cedric.

She was tall—probably a head taller than me. Her deep navy-blue eyes looked sharp and cold, maybe because of fatigue.

Unlike Berner, who looked approachable, Heath gave off the feeling of someone firm, strict, and unyielding.

And I had just smashed into her headfirst…

Shame burned inside me. Maybe I should pretend this never happened and greet her properly later.

But Cedric, of course, didn’t realize that. He went ahead and introduced us.

“Rita, let me formally introduce you. This is Heath Hutalion, knight commander of Aurelia Duchy.”

No! Don’t do that!

“And this is Rita. My personal physician.”

My silent plea didn’t reach him. Pouting, I stepped out from behind Cedric.

“Hello. I’m Rita… His Highness’s personal doctor!”

I said the last part proudly, trying to boost my status. But Heath’s expression didn’t change.

Her dry gaze moved to me. And then… her eyes widened slightly.

The moment she saw my face. The moment she realized what I looked like.

Cedric repeated, “Heath, this is Rita. My doctor and personal healer.”

“….”

Heath didn’t answer. She just stared at me, her gaze strangely fixed.

The silence felt cold. I grew uneasy.

“Heath?” Cedric called.

Still no response.

That wasn’t a good sign, was it?

As knight commander, she should have been strictly trained to act politely. Staring like this was rude.

Of course, I wasn’t a noble anymore, but still…

It wasn’t like I crashed into her on purpose. If she was holding a grudge about that, she was a petty person.

‘Or… did she notice something?’

If so, this was dangerous. I tensed up.

“Is there a problem?” Cedric asked, moving slightly to block me from Heath’s eyes. His broad back gave me some relief.

“Heath?”

“…No. It’s just… you feel strangely familiar.”

Familiar? I’ve never met anyone who looks like you.