Chapter 7
A Few New Facts
After several teleportations and stretches of carriage travel, we finally arrived in Arsen, the capital of Owen. During the journey, I learned a few new things.
First, traveling between Lundra and Owen takes a little over a week, even when using teleportation multiple times.
From this, I naturally learned the second thing: Rachel had called Cedric before we decided to hand over the national treasure. It seemed she had been confident that she would be returning with the kingdom’s treasure.
Lastly, it became certain that Rachel and Cedric were extremely close.
Rachel whispered old stories that only the two of them knew, teased him during conversations, and acted unusually familiar with him. Most of all, she touched Cedric very naturally and often.
As a princess officially visiting from a foreign kingdom, I had to greet the Emperor before resting from the journey. We had just finished the audience upon arriving in Arsen.
“I am Daisy Lund of the Kingdom of Lundra. It is an honor to meet His Imperial Majesty, ruler of the strongest lands.”
“Princess Daisy, a pleasure to meet you. The Kingdom of Lundra still calls these lands the strongest, I see.”
“It has been a very long time since I last met a member of Lundra’s royal family. Are you a mage, Princess?”
“No, I have hardly any magical power.”
“Hmm, I see.”
The Emperor glanced at my hair for a moment before speaking again.
“I heard my daughter suggested that you study abroad here. I hope the Empire’s culture and customs become a meaningful experience for you.”
The James Withness Emperor of Owen—my first time meeting him—had a gentle and soft face, completely unlike Rachel’s sharp features. He spoke very practically, saying only what was necessary.
Throughout the audience, the Emperor spoke as though I had come to the Empire with no ulterior motives. Cedric was there, as well as several attendants. As promised, the Emperor made no mention of the kingdom’s treasure.
I admired his skill inwardly. Instead of the kingdom’s treasure, it was my True Name that had brought me to Owen, yet the Emperor maintained a perfectly neutral expression, giving away nothing. This made it even harder to guess what he thought of the relationship between our nations—or of me. I found that somewhat unsettling.
“Oh! Princess Daisy, welcome to Owen! I hope you like it here!”
I exchanged greetings with Rachel inside the Imperial Palace.
“See you again soon, Princess Daisy!”
With that cheerful farewell, Rachel left.
Since crossing the border, Rachel’s attitude had noticeably softened. It was as if she had forgotten all about the kingdom’s treasure—she acted warm and friendly.
She gave me mischievous smiles, made playful jokes while laughing brightly, even brought me snacks. On the way, she sought out a restaurant that served Lundra-style food. Each time, she felt so much like that Rachel—Daemon’s friend Rachel.
When Rachel smiled, I found myself smiling back without thinking. Then I would remind myself that I was a princess of the Kingdom of Lundra.
I had come to Owen according to the agreement between Rachel, Owen’s imperial family, and myself. I knew no one here. Rachel was no longer the girl I once knew. I quietly took a breath.
Cedric escorted me. He didn’t speak unless I spoke first.
“Duke, are we going straight to the ducal residence together now?”
“Yes, Princess.”
When he replied, Cedric lowered his head slightly to meet my eyes before turning forward again.
I found that polite. Even among the women of my kingdom, I was on the shorter side—if he didn’t lower his gaze, I would need to tilt my head back an uncomfortable amount to meet his eyes.
Silence filled the carriage. Cedric was reserved, well-mannered, and quiet; I truly had no idea what to say to him. So instead, I looked out at the unfamiliar architecture passing by the window.
The buildings in Owen were less decorative and somewhat larger than those of Lundra. Practical, I thought.
The carriage traveled for much longer than I expected. The scenery changed several times, the buildings grew sparse, and soon only green grass and trees filled the view.
I lowered my gaze to my lap. My chest felt tight and uncomfortable. Come to think of it, I had never ridden alone in a carriage with a stranger before.
With my index finger, I traced circles across the embroidered fabric of my dress. The dress twisted softly beneath my touch. I shifted my feet slightly, and the sound of my shoe scraping the carriage floor echoed louder than expected.
I am on my way to the home of a man I barely know.
I turned my head slightly—and met Cedric’s eyes. Even in the dim carriage interior, his eyes still resembled ripe cherries.
“A-are we still within the capital?”
Since our eyes met, I had to say something. Cedric answered a beat later.
“Yes. All of Arsen is considered the capital until we reach the ducal estate.”
His words were measured, his tone polite, his voice pleasant. Yet Cedric himself was very expressionless.
“So once we leave the ducal estate, it’s no longer the capital?”
“That is correct. It becomes Bennetton, territory of House Dayerton.”
Oh? I didn’t know the Dayerton Duchy’s lands were connected directly to the capital. I nodded and looked outside again. Which way led to Bennetton? That way?
Feeling his gaze on my cheek, I turned my face toward him again. Still cherries. Dark cherries were the sweetest, after all.
This time I had nothing to say, so I simply tilted my head and smiled. Cedric held my gaze a moment longer with those cherry-colored eyes, then slowly blinked and looked away. He raised his arm, rested his elbow on the window frame, and gazed outside while propping his chin with his hand.
I quietly exhaled.
The carriage gradually slowed and came to a stop. I hadn’t been watching the view, but it seemed we had passed through the ducal estate’s front gate. When I stepped out, a neat and beautiful building stood directly before me.
I inhaled deeply. The air quality that had slowly changed after leaving Lundra now shifted completely. Owen, being more central, was noticeably warmer in spring. A scent unlike anything from my kingdom brushed past my nose.
Turning around, I peered beyond the carriage. A garden. Tall, well-maintained evergreens stood in orderly rows. Lower trees lined the walking paths, and flowering trees of various colors bloomed. A neatly trimmed hedge-walk stood further along. A multi-layered, deeply charming garden.
“Wow! The garden is truly beautiful!”
Cedric’s indifferent gaze flicked toward it briefly.
“I am glad you find it pleasing.”
Following his escort, we passed many ornamental trees. One whose scent I did not recognize released a strong fragrance.
“That smells wonderful.”
“It is lilac, Princess.”
A servant had approached without my noticing. Dressed in a black suit, the elderly man politely introduced himself as Mason, the butler. He then introduced the others beside him.
Sir Connor, the Knight Commander; Baron Hudson, the steward; and Madam Knox, the head maid. A butler, a knight commander, a steward, and a head maid—representatives of every major branch of the household. I memorized their names and faces carefully. These were the people I would live with for the next three years.
“Please take care of me. I’m Daisy Lundra.”
I also introduced the two knights from Lundra standing by the carriage. Aside from the royal knights escorting me, I had not brought any attendants. I thought the Dayerton Duchy surely had plenty of staff already, so there was no need to bring many people. But Shade insisted that a princess should not travel to another country without royal knights, so I brought the two.
“They are royal knights of the Kingdom of Lundra. Please look after them as well.”
“We have already prepared a place for the kingdom’s knights to continue their training here at Dayerton.”
“Thank you, Sir Connor.”
A spring breeze blew past. I had left Lundra in late winter; somewhere along the journey, spring had fully arrived.
Scents unfamiliar to the Kingdom of Lundra drifted through the air. I turned my head and saw flowers blooming in the garden. Fragrant blossoms. And this would be my home for the next three years—Dayerton Manor.
I had come to Owen under the half-voluntary, half-forced circumstance of being the so-called kingdom’s treasure. But since I was here, I decided I would enjoy my life in Owen and at House Dayerton to the fullest.
I truly intended to enjoy myself.
Yet on only my third day at the ducal estate, I had already failed completely at fulfilling that goal.
Today, not even an hour after eating lunch, I vomited everything I had eaten.
