Chapter 11
Yes. Just like he said—only until Vaneshi. I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable that our destination happened to be the same, but since our final destinations were different, I’d only have to travel with him for one day.
“Fine. But once we arrive in Vaneshi, don’t expect any more goodwill from me.”
Karzan didn’t even reply. He just glanced at my face and looked back out the carriage window.
He didn’t have his personal flying horse with him, so it seemed he’d run away from the palace again and been grounded by His Majesty, who probably confiscated his beast. What exactly does he plan to do in that state?
By now, the palace must have been in an uproar. In the past, I would have reported this runaway Crown Prince immediately—but since I was escaping with him, I couldn’t do that now.
Once the carriage crossed the drawbridge, it picked up speed again. Since it wasn’t a noble family’s carriage, the floor was extremely hard and it jolted constantly. In the past, I would never have ridden in something like this. Clearly, Karzan looked uncomfortable too.
The carriage finally arrived in Vaneshi after nearly half a day of travel. Being in such a small space with him for so long, and interacting without regard for status, was a first for me.
Since I no longer needed to impress him, I decided to casually ask something I’d always been curious about.
“So… why are you running away?”
“Do I have to tell you even that?”
I must’ve momentarily forgotten what kind of person he was. True to his nature, he didn’t answer obediently.
But why did his face look so shadowed as he stared out the window? What’s bothering him so much?
“I’m just… curious about your story.”
“And you want to satisfy your curiosity at the expense of someone else’s life story?”
That was unmistakably the cold tone I’d grown sick of hearing in my past life. The way he replied to questions with more questions, making the other person feel cornered—just like an interrogation.
That was how I always felt when I listened to him speak.
I really was just curious about why he ran away so often. It was my mistake to forget how he was and ask again.
“Sorry.”
I meant to say, Forget it, I won’t ask anymore, but what came out was an apology. Even though I kept telling myself we were equals now, old habits were hard to break.
I guess it’s because, in my eyes, he still looked like the unreachable “Crown Prince.”
So much for my plan to nap along the way. The uncomfortable carriage and his presence made it impossible.
Eventually, the carriage arrived in Vaneshi when night had already fallen. Karzan looked just as exhausted as I was, showing clear signs of fatigue.
“We’ve arrived, young lady.”
I paid the coachman both the fare and the inn fee. Apparently, if a carriage goes that far, it’s customary to pay for the return trip and lodging. The coachman thanked me a few more times and then drove the carriage away.
“Well, then…”
Just as I was about to say goodbye, I noticed Karzan had already disappeared.
Wherever he’d gone, it was no longer my concern. All that mattered was that I had finally and truly parted ways with him—and that brought me a sense of relief.
Most inns in this small town were two-story buildings, with nothing particularly fancy about them.
Even when nobles traveled, they usually stayed at the local lord’s villa, so it was rare for someone like me to sleep at an inn.
The small room with a single bed and two chairs around a dining table felt unfamiliar. The musty blankets and yellowing wallpaper were unpleasant enough to make me wonder if I could even sleep here.
But it turned out my worry was unnecessary. Having spent all day in the carriage, I fell fast asleep the moment I laid down.
“You want to put it on your tab? You’re a noble lady? Don’t be ridiculous. If you’re that upset, go report it to city hall or something.”
When I woke up, I found all my belongings had been stolen. The innkeeper only repeated that I should report it to city hall.
But going there would mean revealing my family name. If the authorities found out that Lady Vanity of House Lyce had run away and missed the engagement announcement, it would cause a huge scandal. So reporting it was not an option.
While I was at a loss over my stolen money, a kind-looking merchant suggested that I could sell my dress for a good price. I had no choice but to hand it over.
But the man who promised to sell the dress disappeared with it. He left me with an old, dark brown dress that even commoners wouldn’t wear.
Just one change of clothes, and the noble lady in me vanished completely. I looked half like a beggar as I was thrown out of the inn.
The streets were damp from overnight rain. It would’ve been easier if the weather were at least warm, but the chilly air and my thin clothes left me cold and starving—nothing short of a beggar’s life.
I had never experienced anything like this, so I couldn’t think of a single solution. Forget Kubaran—I might have to go back home today.
But the announcement is today. If I hold out just one more day, I’ll officially miss the ceremony, and that alone would disqualify me as Karzan’s fiancée.
So, just one more day. I had to endure just one more day.
First, I needed to rent a carriage. But no one would lend one to someone who looked like me. Even when I told them I was Lady Vanity of House Lyce, no one believed me—and most hadn’t even heard of the Lyce family.
“How do we know you’re not lying? Why should we lend you a carriage?!”
Merchants struggling to survive day by day rarely knew anything about politics or noble lineages unless it affected them directly.
Maybe if I had said my family was the one that helped conquer the North, it would’ve had more impact. But then again, what kind of noble lady from a northern conquest family would be wandering around like this? It was too suspicious.
Besides, they didn’t seem to believe me anyway, and I was too afraid they’d report me to the city hall. I couldn’t run around shouting my name to everyone.
There was no way to find the thief, and I needed a ride home. I even considered going to city hall in a moment of weakness, but thankfully, a shred of reason pulled me back. I couldn’t let my entire plan fall apart now.
More importantly, there was one person I could ask for help.
Ironically, the only one I could turn to here was Karzan. As absurd as that was, I couldn’t sleep on the streets.
And I knew where to find him. Karzan would get arrested by the palace guard after eating at the most famous restaurant in Vaneshi—Baba’s.
So I just had to catch him before the guards did.
I asked around and rushed to Baba’s. Even from the outside, it looked grand. Any traveler passing through Vaneshi would stop by here at least once.
I confirmed he hadn’t arrived yet and waited at the door. It wasn’t even lunchtime, but the restaurant was already packed with travelers.
He’d get caught by the palace guards after eating, so I had to meet him before he went in.
The delicious smells wafting from the restaurant made my empty stomach twist painfully.
Just when I thought I’d pass out from hunger, Karzan arrived.
I waited quietly, like a predator watching its prey. As soon as he stepped out, I blocked his path.
“Help me.”
His expression twisted at the unexpected obstacle in his way. Maybe it was because of my appearance—he didn’t recognize me.
“What the hell?”
“Please. If you have even a shred of decency, help me.”
He frowned, as if hearing utter nonsense.
“Decency? Are you insane?”
“You really don’t know who I am? I’m the one who gave you a ride yesterday.”
His pupils widened as he finally remembered who I was. Scanning me from head to toe, a smile tugged at his lips.
“You look terrible. What the hell happened in just one day?”
I didn’t bother going into detail since he wasn’t the type to listen. I kept it short.
“I got robbed and scammed out of my dress.”
“Even my cat wouldn’t fall for that. Give me the full story.”
He was talking about Bell—the empress’s cat from the palace. A fluffy, pampered breed that had palace maids attending to its every need and never did anything on its own.
It was always lounging around, dozing on a cushion.
In other words, he was comparing me to a cat that had never lifted a paw in its life.
Though I didn’t want to explain myself to that arrogant brat, I had no choice given the circumstances.
“I woke up, and everything was gone.”
Karzan looked at me like I was the most pathetic person he’d ever seen.
“So, let me guess… you want me to help you? That’s a firm no. I refuse.”
