Chapter 12. Morning of the Journey
They would take Jebenica’s carriage up to the border of the two empires. Once at the border, she would part ways with them and continue her journey with the party sent from Rubein.
Since everything she needed would be provided in Rubein, she decided to bring only the bare minimum.
So, aside from the guards escorting the carriage, she made the decision not to bring anyone else along. From Ellea’s perspective, it was much more comfortable not having anyone else to worry about.
Convincing them of that was actually harder than getting permission to go to Rubein in the first place. But in the end, the three of them couldn’t sway her stubbornness.
When Ellea finished her preparations and headed to the palace entrance, the Emperor, Empress, and even Belrea were already waiting to see her off.
“You’re all here already?”
“Of course. It’s an important day.”
“I told you it’s fine. You didn’t have to come out.”
Seeing the three of them looking like they were on the verge of tears, Ellea almost felt like laughing, oddly enough.
The Empress’s eyes were slightly red, as if she had already cried before Ellea even came out.
‘Anyone watching might think I’m going off to die.’
But contrary to that thought, Ellea put on a calm, unaffected front, just to reassure them.
“Don’t worry. I told you, I’ll be back soon.”
“You’ve said that a dozen times already. We know.”
The Emperor and Empress approached her and held her hands silently.
She could feel everything they wanted to say through the weight of their hands.
As Ellea took in the warmth of their touch, Belrea, still visibly unhappy, grumbled.
“I’m coming with you at least until the border. And the carriage and the escort—seriously, it’s way too plain. You need to show strength in times like this.”
Belrea was clearly upset that the carriage wasn’t a royal one but a noble’s, and that Ellea had only two guards accompanying her.
Of course, he was concerned about her safety, but he was more worried that the people from Rubein might think lightly of her.
“It’s fine. I just don’t want to draw attention. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m a princess, no matter what anyone says.”
“Ugh, you never let anyone get the last word.”
From experience, Belrea had come to a clear conclusion—once she had made up her mind, no one could change it.
Now, it was truly time to depart.
To Elle, or rather Ellea, a month had felt both terribly short and painfully long.
The initial awkwardness had passed quickly, and her time with her family had been warm and wonderful. She’d even wished she could stop time.
Afraid she might blurt out those feelings, she hurried to say her final goodbyes.
“I’ll get going now. Belrea, I’m counting on you, okay? You remember what I said?”
“Yeah. Don’t worry. Just focus on yourself.”
“Alright. Then I’ll be off.”
With her back to the three of them, she walked without hesitation toward the carriage and the guards waiting for her. But because of the time she had spent as Ellea, her steps felt heavy.
So she didn’t look back. She was afraid her firmly made decision would waver.
She reached the carriage and was about to step up when she heard Belrea call out loudly from behind.
“El!”
At the sound of her name, her resolve crumbled, and she immediately turned around.
“If anything happens, send word. I’ll come right away.”
‘You’re really… to the very end.’
Seeing the earnest expressions of the three, Ellea rushed back to them.
“If… if I get scared and want to run away, can I come back here?”
“Of course. You’re our daughter. Coming home to your parents is the most natural thing in the world.”
“Just trust me and come back. I’ll handle the rest.”
‘Yes… this is…’
She tried to deny it, but she had to admit it—this warmth was so precious. She never wanted to lose it again.
For the first time, she stepped forward and hugged them tightly.
“Yes. I’ll definitely come back. Father, Mother.”
Hearing her words, the two embraced her back.
After saying a true final goodbye, Ellea once again walked toward the carriage waiting for her.
But this time, her steps felt light.
‘Yes. I will come back. To my family.’
Wearing a smile the three of them wouldn’t see, she grew distant, then finally climbed into the carriage.
Once the guards mounted their horses and preparations were complete, the carriage carrying Ellea departed the palace.
The three remained in place until the carriage disappeared from view.
Ellea watched the streets of Jebenica, still somewhat unfamiliar, through the carriage window. Then she leaned back in her seat and began to think about the journey ahead. Reaching the border would mark the real beginning.
‘No one would ever guess I’m Elle.’
It would be stranger if they did. She didn’t just look a little different—she was completely someone else.
In fact, when she first woke up in this body, that had been the greatest relief. Regardless of being a princess, she would never have to go to Rubein again or see him.
But fate had not been kind to her. Even her small wish was denied.
‘I had no idea this future would come back to me. I was so foolish.’
Then and now, she had been foolish. From the moment she let him into her heart. Or maybe, from the moment she took his hand under the name of hope.
This time, Ellea was truly determined. She would turn away from him completely. She would not repeat the mistakes of the past.
And just like her firm resolve, the carriage moved swiftly toward the border, meeting no resistance.
But Ellea had no idea who would be waiting for her at the border—or what would happen next.
* * *
The journey to the border, contrary to Ellea’s worries, had been peaceful. They were almost at their destination.
As they drew closer to the border, even small villages disappeared, leaving only forest all around.
But suddenly, the carriage jolted to a stop for some unknown reason—so abruptly that Ellea’s body lurched forward.
As she regained her senses, one of the guards came to the carriage.
“Are you alright, Princess?”
“I’m fine. But what happened?”
“Well, someone suddenly ran out from the forest.”
“Someone?”
Startled, Ellea stepped outside. The other guard was already approaching the figure.
Though his face was hidden by his hair, it appeared to be a man. His clothes were ragged, and his overall appearance shabby.
He sat crouched on the ground, head down—perhaps frightened by the carriage.
But something felt off. The nearest village had been hours ago—why would someone be here, alone?
While Ellea was still suspicious, the guard neared the man and spoke.
“Are you alright?”
No response.
Worried he might be hurt, the guard cautiously reached out—but at that moment, Ellea saw it.
A glint of something sharp inside the man’s sleeve.
Realizing what it was, she shouted at the guard.
“Don’t go near him!”
“Yes?”
The guard froze—but it was already too late. The man stabbed him in the stomach with the hidden blade.
“Agh!”
Caught off guard, the wounded guard collapsed, clutching his wound.
As if that were a signal, people burst out from the forest. They all looked similar to the man—clearly part of the same group.
‘It’s an ambush.’
But she realized it a moment too late. The group had already surrounded them completely.
The other guard quickly stepped in front of Ellea, but the attackers raised their weapons, threatening them.
“Drop the sword. Now!”
When he didn’t obey, the man who had stabbed the guard grabbed the injured man and held a knife to his throat.
“If you don’t want him to die, drop it. Now!”
Seeing how desperate and tense the situation was, Ellea feared he really might hurt him—so she quickly gave the order.
“Put it down.”
“But—”
“Just do it. He’ll get seriously hurt. Besides, we’re outnumbered anyway.”
“…Understood.”
Following her command, the guard threw down his sword and raised his hands in surrender.
Thinking they’d fully secured the situation, the attackers sprang into action.
Some subdued the coachman and began rifling through the carriage. Others kept a close watch on Ellea and the guard.
Ellea stayed behind the guard and began observing them carefully.
There were about ten men, all masked, all poorly dressed.
Thankfully, it seemed they didn’t realize she was a princess. They must have assumed she was a wealthy noblewoman.
In the meantime, the belongings in the carriage were taken and searched.
“What’s this? Is this all?”
“The carriage looked expensive, so I thought there’d be more.”
But their hopes were quickly dashed. Ellea had only packed a few clothes and essentials, nothing flashy or valuable.
Still, what few items she had were quite valuable themselves.
“Hey, you. The woman. Come here. If you want to live, hand everything over.”
They were clearly eyeing the jewelry she was wearing. The guard instinctively stepped forward.
“Do you have any idea who this is—”
But Ellea grabbed his sleeve and stopped him. In a voice only he could hear, she whispered,
“They must not find out who I am.”
“But—”
“It’s alright. Just do what I say.”
The guard nodded slightly. Ellea then gave him further instructions.
Meanwhile, since Ellea wasn’t responding, the men grew irritated. She soon stepped forward on her own.
“If you listen carefully, we’ll let you live. So don’t be so scared.”
As he spoke smugly, thinking they had total control, Ellea stopped walking—and despite the dire situation, a faint smile formed at her lips.
