CH:46
“It’s not a special ability, but it’s a good one.”
It was a useful power—good enough to make a living and stand on her own.
It was perfect for a background character like her who wanted to quietly live out her retirement.
“I really should give this some serious thought.”
She would drop the children off at House Herace and settle down in the Empire.
Starting from the bottom at her age would be tough—facing prejudice and other hurdles—but if she learned properly, she wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry.
Eugenia, inspired by Enrique’s words, began to carefully plan for the future.
Thankfully, the topic of conversation shifted after that.
As they continued their chat, it seemed dawn was breaking far off in the east.
The darkness in the night sky was slowly retreating.
Eugenia inhaled the crisp morning air deeply.
For the first time, it truly felt like a new beginning.
Once Selmia regained her strength, their group could pick up the pace a little.
Eugenia, still unaccustomed to riding, suffered from muscle pain every night. But thinking of Enrique and Albury, who took turns walking in her place, she didn’t complain once.
Instead, the moment she dismounted, she would search the nearby grass for herbs that helped with muscle pain.
“It’s a relief the neutral lands are rich in diverse plants.”
Some herbs she mashed and applied to her calves, while others she simply chewed.
Selmia and Eugenia both benefited from the remedies, but Joshua wouldn’t even touch them.
“I’m fine! My muscles don’t hurt that much! And a man should be able to endure things like this!”
The boy exclaimed proudly every day with a beaming face.
Even after dismounting, he stayed by his horse’s side, brushing its mane or fetching water for it himself.
Perhaps finding him endearing, Albury often taught him new things.
“When will I be able to ride on my own?”
“Once you grow a bit taller. You might not manage a warhorse, but you’ll ride a pony easily.”
Joshua listened carefully to every story about horses and asked Eugenia how much taller he had gotten each day.
Since the carriage theft incident, no major problems had occurred.
Thanks to that, they arrived at the gates of the Aisa Empire half a day earlier than expected.
That day, Albury led Eugenia’s horse, and Enrique rode on horseback.
Dressed early in a noblewoman’s gown, Eugenia’s mouth fell open as she looked ahead.
“That’s…”
“The Aisa Empire,” Enrique replied.
She had thought it looked grand and massive from afar, but up close, the sheer size of the fortress walls and gate was overwhelming—too large to capture in a single glance.
“It’s almost insulting to compare it to a duchy.”
She and Selmia gawked around in amazement, unable to hide their wonder.
Unlike the tightly shut gates of the Harlant Duchy, the Aisa Empire’s gates were wide open.
The roads were perfectly paved.
Even a hundred adult men lying down side by side with arms outstretched wouldn’t fill the width of the road.
People and merchant caravans from all over the continent lined up, flowing steadily through the entrance.
“We’ll be at the inspection point soon.”
Enrique drew his horse closer, enough to ride shoulder to shoulder, and gave Eugenia a heads-up.
Joshua was seated in front of him.
Although he wasn’t too fond of Enrique, the boy stayed obediently seated because Enrique was better at handling horses than Albury.
“Got it. I’ll do my best again.”
Eugenia clenched her fists, determined.
“No need to try so hard. It’ll be way easier than back in Harlant.”
She wanted to ask how he could be so sure, but the opportunity never came.
Enrique had already spurred his horse and was riding ahead.
“Tch. He could’ve told me. Right, Selmia?”
Hearing her, Selmia replied coolly.
“He probably has a plan.”
Eugenia made a mock-hurt face.
“Selmia, you should take your sister’s side.”
“Oh, come on, sis! Are you turning into Shushu? There’s no ‘your side’ or ‘my side’ between us.”
The little girl, barely reaching Eugenia’s waist, spoke like a grown-up trying to comfort her. It was adorable.
Eugenia’s eyes narrowed with a smile.
“You cheeky little thing.”
She playfully tousled Selmia’s hair.
“Kyaah! That tickles!”
The child’s laughter rang out clear and sweet—perfect for the bright blue sky above.
Eugenia began fixing the hair she had just messed up.
“Let me tie it back up. And Selmia, you know we have to switch back to the proper titles now, right?”
“Yep! I can do it!”
“Of course you can! Our Cherie is the best!”
The two laughed and chatted merrily.
That’s when it happened.
Albury, quietly leading the horse beside them, spoke with a chuckle in his voice.
“But really, you don’t need to worry. It’ll be over in no time.”
Now even Albury was acting cryptic, making Eugenia all the more curious.
“Guess I’ll find out soon enough.”
She sighed and focused on what lay ahead.
Soon it was their turn.
“Next. Show your identification tags.”
A guard, clearly worn out from long shifts, yawned without even looking at them and lazily held out his hand.
“You must be tired.”
Enrique reached into his coat and handed something over.
Watching from behind, Eugenia narrowed her eyes.
“What’s that?”
She squinted to get a better look at what Enrique gave the guard.
“He didn’t use anything like that back when we left Harlant…”
It definitely wasn’t an identification tag.
It was about the size of a playing card, but completely black on both sides.
There were no markings, yet the moment the guard saw it, his entire demeanor changed.
The yawns stopped, and he snapped to attention, bowing deeply to Enrique.
“It’s an honor to meet you, sir!”
His loud voice turned every nearby head.
Eugenia, the children, and even Enrique froze.
Enrique growled under his breath.
“Keep your voice down. I don’t want a scene.”
“Y-Yes, sir! My apologies!”
But the guard couldn’t seem to control his volume.
His face turned beet red, and people around them were craning their necks, pretending not to be curious while clearly trying to see what was happening.
Finally, Enrique let out a long, heavy sigh and rubbed his brow.
“Looks like we’ve attracted attention here. Could you escort us somewhere quieter to complete the entry process?”
He spoke naturally and with authority, as if addressing a subordinate—and the guard accepted it just as naturally.
“Of course, sir. Right this way.”
With exaggerated courtesy, the guard guided Eugenia and Enrique’s horses to a separate path.
“This way, please.”
It led to a more refined area, clearly meant for nobles. The landscaping was impeccable.
Soon, a superior officer arrived, likely summoned by the earlier guard.
He, too, bowed deeply to Enrique.
“It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”
“Mm.”
Enrique gave a curt nod.
He dismounted in a single leap and turned to Eugenia.
“I’ll go talk with them for a moment. Please wait here.”
“Alright.”
Albury also made eye contact with her.
“I’ll be stepping away for a moment as well.”
Eugenia nodded, and Albury looked around.
He beckoned the low-ranking guard who had escorted them and handed over both sets of reins.
“Take care of them.”
“Yes, sir! Don’t worry!”
The guard even gave a smart salute.
Albury hurried to catch up with Enrique.
They moved far enough that eavesdropping was impossible, then huddled together in serious conversation.
Meanwhile, the guard left in charge of the horses kept glancing at Eugenia and the twins, clearly curious about who they were.
Thankfully, he didn’t dare strike up a conversation.
It was as if doing so might cause serious trouble.
Eugenia remained silent, lips pressed tightly together. The children, wise beyond their years, said nothing as well.
Eugenia felt completely out of place.
“I figured he was a noble from the Empire… but what exactly is he?”
Her gaze locked on the distant men—more precisely, on Enrique.
“Could he be some massive figure in the Empire? A merchant lord? The Imperial Guard?”
