Chapter 124 - 2-6
How did it come to this?
I tilted my head in thought as the carriage jolted along. The person across from me noticed and gave a playful grin.
"Oh? Is the princess unhappy to be traveling with me?"
"N-no! Not at all..."
I shook my head vigorously in denial. "Haha, I know," he said, narrowing his eyes as he stroked Kuro's head. Kuro was lying contentedly on his lap, letting out a sweet "Meow" as he rubbed against him. It was a cute sight, but ever since we met today, Kuro had been overjoyed by the reunion and hadn't come near me at all, sticking close to the person in front of me, Theodore-sama.
Seriously... why did it turn out like this?
"A princess can never have too many knights to protect her, right? Besides, when your overprotective fiancé personally pleads with me, even I can't say no."
"I think you're quite capable of saying no, Theodore-sama. ...Isn't it more likely that you're just interested in the neighboring country?"
The reason Theodore-sama was in the carriage with me was that he had ended up joining us on the trip to the Kingdom of Orta. Furthermore, Louis-sama was so busy with work that he couldn't afford the time for a slow carriage journey, so we were to meet at a border town. Because of this, Louis-sama had arranged for Theodore-sama and Lady Leonie to accompany me. Having familiar faces with me was very reassuring. However, I suspected Theodore-sama's interest lay more in the Kingdom of Orta... or rather, in the history of the previous Dark Saint and the spirits of darkness there.
"Ah, you caught me."
He laughed heartily at my question. Resting his elbow on the window frame and supporting his cheek with his hand, Theodore-sama turned his gaze toward me. "Well, I'll make sure to protect you, on the road and in Orta. It's a long journey until we meet Louis near the border."
"Thank you. I feel safe with you, Theodore-sama. It seems you're always there whenever I travel."
As the carriage swayed, memories of past travels with Theodore-sama came back to me. My most memorable journeys always seemed to involve him. Though he was often elusive, he was a kind guardian who brought many problems but also helped and protected me even more.
"It started with the Marcel Territory, then the Milicier Territory... and now Orta. Your world is certainly expanding."
"Yes. I'm learning so much about the world I never knew."
They hadn't been peaceful journeys, but each was an irreplaceable memory. Each one had reshaped my thinking and made me stronger.
"If you wish for it, your world will keep expanding even further, Lady Rachel."
Theodore-sama smiled with the kind eyes one might use for a child. If any other young ladies were here, they would surely have blushed and fainted at the sight of such a beautiful face.
♢
The journey with Theodore-sama was, as always, pleasant and lighthearted. We enjoyed rare foods and beautiful scenery at every stop, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the border town. The sun was beginning to set by the time we reached our lodgings. As I stepped out of the carriage with Lady Leonie's help, I saw a figure running toward me. Even from a distance, the golden hair shimmering in the evening sun made it obvious who it was.
"Rachel!"
Louis-sama ran up to me, his face crinkling into a joyful smile. "Louis-sama, you've already arrived?"
"Yes, last night. Are you tired?"
Louis-sama placed an escorting arm around my waist as we spoke and entered the house. Our lodging for the night was a villa owned by a frontier count, built sturdily due to its proximity to the border. "I'm fine; we traveled at a leisurely pace. But you must have ridden here in a hurry despite your busy schedule, Louis-sama. Please make sure to rest until we leave tomorrow morning."
"I'm alright. I've been resting quite a bit since I arrived."
I looked up at his face; he didn't look pale. Still, I couldn't help but worry about him, as he tended to overwork himself. Noticing my concern, Louis-sama smiled and stroked my hair. He led me to a large sofa in the hall and sat beside me.
"You should get some rest too, Rachel. We'll be in the Kingdom of Orta starting tomorrow. We'll be extremely careful, and I won't let anyone lay a finger on you."
"Yes."
"However, I hear the atmosphere in the royal palace of Orta isn't good right now due to a succession struggle, as the Crown Prince hasn't been decided. There's even a First Prince who was plotting to get his hands on Miss Carroll, the Saint of Light."
Louis-sama's eyes turned sharp and wary. "I wonder how they will try to approach you, given that they consider the Dark Saint so important..."
"Yes, I understand."
I looked up and nodded firmly. Louis-sama let out a breath, and the tension in the air softened. He cupped my cheek with his large hand. "But don't be too afraid. Leonie and Roger are here. And Theodore as well."
"And I have you with me, don't I, Louis-sama? I'm not afraid of anything."
No matter what happened, I had Louis-sama. He was a far greater presence in my life than he probably imagined, giving me so much strength. I placed my hand over his, hoping he could feel my feelings. He flushed slightly and broke into a wide smile. "Ah, of course."
"Please don't push yourself too hard either, Louis-sama. I may still be unreliable, but you can always lean on me."
"Thank you, Rachel. Oh, I brought some rare tea leaves. Would you like to try some with me now?"
"Yes, I would love to."
No matter what lay ahead, I would be fine as long as I had someone who gave me strength. With that thought, I offered Louis-sama a smile.