“We should part ways here, Captain,” said Eileen, bidding farewell to the captain of the Fortune on the streets of a small coastal town.
“Miss Dias, are you sure you don’t need an escort?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he watched the two seemingly delicate ladies each leading a tall, majestic horse.
After landing in this town, “Miss Dias” had purchased two swift horses and their accompanying gear from her purse. She and her attendant had transformed into dashing horsewomen.
Moreover, her claim of being proficient in swordsmanship aboard the ship vastly differed from the captain’s preconceived notion of a traditional education supervisor.
Despite this, the captain remained worried about letting these two young ladies depart alone.
What if something happens? Will the lord blame me? He harbored this concern deep within.
“Captain, there’s really no need. Thank you for your care along the way. Leah and I are familiar with this area, and we have acquaintances in the towns along the route to Crystal Shine who can help us. You must organize your crew to deliver the cargo to its destination. We cannot trouble you further,” Eileen said, her tone friendly yet resolute.
“Oh, alright then… Please be careful on your journey and have a safe trip,” the captain replied, accepting their refusal of his assistance.
Mounting their horses, Eileen and Leah waved goodbye to the captain and others, then left the town.
“A lot has happened in the kingdom during this year and more since we left home,” Eileen remarked, riding along.
The Siege of Thorn Fortress, the Duke of the East’s restless movements, the standoff at Furel, and the recent pirate invasion.
“Our kingdom… is truly plagued by calamities,” Eileen said, her voice choking up. “While father and sister are so devoted, I was hiding in Northwest Bay…” Get full chapters from novel·fıre·net
She pondered whether she regretted her decision to run away from home.
Leah quickly came to comfort her. “Your Highness, you were not just hiding in Northwest Bay. Count Grayman was able to provide so many supplies to the kingdom’s army, partly thanks to your efforts. Think about the schools you established and how many talents they can nurture for the Count.”
Eileen shook her head. “Don’t flatter me. Doesn’t Paul always say, ‘It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred to train people’? The educational efforts in Alda have just begun, and it’s too early to see any significant results,” she said with self-mockery. “I probably don’t compare to that Hansel, who at least managed to bring a bunch of literate people from the capital…”
She was about to continue when Leah suddenly gestured for silence.
“What’s wrong?” Eileen asked.
Leah’s face was grave as she replied, “Your Highness, prepare your weapon.” She drew her sword as she spoke.
Eileen’s expression turned cold, her mood already soured, “Hmm, are there some petty thieves lurking about?”
She touched the sleeve arrow tied to her arm, a gift from Ladi for self-defense on the journey.
Leah glanced behind them. “Have you noticed the group following us? At first, I didn’t think much of it, but I’ve realized they’ve been trailing us all this time.”
“Could they just be traveling the same way?”
“Even if that’s the case, they speed up when we do and slow down when we do, maintaining a consistent distance. What does that mean?”
“You’re right!” Eileen became alert with the reminder from her female guard.
The two women didn’t urge their horses to gallop but turned around to face the followers sternly.
The group consisted of eight people. Realizing they had been spotted, they stopped their advance.
The two sides stared at each other across the distance, creating an eerie atmosphere.
After a standoff of over a minute, Leah couldn’t take it anymore. “Your Highness, I’ll go ask.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, you stay here. If they attack, ride away quickly.”
Eileen smirked, slightly mocking. “Ha! A few petty thieves have you sending your lord to flee? Has a year of teaching made you so weak? My female knight.”
Leah sighed, knowing the princess’s temper well.
Eileen wasn’t very worried about her female guard. The followers were dressed as civilians and didn’t seem to carry swords or other weapons. Even as a woman, Leah, trained in martial skills from a young age and wielding a longsword, wasn’t someone to be trifled with by untrained bandits.
Unexpectedly, the group rushed towards them first.
Leah tightened her legs around her horse, her sword pointed to the ground, ready for combat, while Eileen raised her arm, aiming the loaded sleeve arrow at them.
The leader waved his hands frantically, shouting, “Don’t misunderstand, we’re on your side!”
“Eh? That voice sounds familiar.”
Eileen was puzzled but didn’t lower her sleeve arrow.
As they approached, Leah demanded, “Who are you? What are your intentions following us?”
“Don’t worry, Leah Lambert. Let me explain,” said the leader, pulling at his beard.
The women were shocked; he knew Leah’s full name. More surprisingly, his beard was fake, revealing an unexpected face — Velos, the merchant who had traveled south with them on the Fortune.
The others behind Velos also removed their hoods and disguises, revealing themselves as passengers from the Fortune.
“Velos, it’s you! I knew you were up to no good!” Eileen pointed her sleeve arrow at him angrily, remembering his suspicious behavior on the ship.
“Princess Eileen! Please, let me explain.”
Obviously, he knew Eileen’s identity, but she wasn’t surprised since he had called Leah by her full name.
Velos raised his hands, smiling bitterly. “We were following orders from Lady Ofina to protect you covertly.”
What? Eileen was startled.
Velos dismounted, presenting a rolled paper. “This is my proof. Please inspect it.”
Eileen moved to take it, but Leah intercepted it, checking it carefully.
She nodded at Eileen. “It’s indeed Lady Ofina’s handwriting, and the content is as he said.”
Eileen stared at Velos. “So, it’s Ofina’s doing… Then, did the Queen order this?”
Velos silently acknowledged it.
Eileen suddenly asked, “When did you start following us?”
“Don’t be angry, Your Highness.” Velos hesitated, stammering, “We found you at Stone Pillar Fort and followed you to Northwest Bay.”
He knelt on one knee. “We failed to protect you during the black tiger encounter in the forest. Please forgive us.”
They were unfamiliar with the terrain, and Eileen and Leah had wandered off in the forest. Luckily, Paul and Ladi came to the rescue.
“Stone Pillar Fort? That’s not far from Crystal Shine.”
Eileen felt somewhat disheartened, realizing her sister had been monitoring her movements all along.