ISTV 23

I never knew our home was such a safe place.

The Dvernon estate was protected by the most advanced barriers on the continent, which is why the “ever-present threat of death” didn’t wield much power there.

In contrast, now… it was pure wilderness.

“Wahahah! So many bandits on this road!”

Every time we crossed a mountain, bandits appeared.

Sometimes, they came in groups of dozens. Some even tried to take me hostage.

‘Thank goodness I practiced swordsmanship.’

Thanks to my training, I could handle a few of the bandits myself.

‘Still, when that arrow stopped right in front of my eyes, I nearly fainted.’

The arrow had been flying straight at me—until Sir Themanon caught it.

If it weren’t for him, that arrow would’ve gone straight into my head… Ugh, I don’t even want to imagine it.

‘The threat of death really does come at you without warning, but if you stick close to strong people, you can somehow survive…’

I could feel it clearly now that I had left my family’s estate.

‘The key is maintaining the right distance.’

If you get too close to a main character, too many events unfold.

And among those, the “constant threat of death” would surely go wild before I could even react.

‘Not too far, not too close—just the right distance, like me and Themanon right now.’

While my head was busy calculating risks, Themanon seemed to be having the time of his life.

“This isn’t boring at all. Wahahah!”

Themanon traveled in a modest carriage.

It didn’t even bear the emblem of the House of Queybek, the blue dragon. No grand escorts either—perfect bait for ambushes.

He chose this carriage on purpose, claiming it was for the sake of justice.

“Seila, you must be a lucky charm who brings fortune.”

It wasn’t much of a compliment, but I couldn’t help but feel good hearing it.

It felt like my body itself was reacting.

‘Seila probably never received compliments like that before.’

Even a small compliment seemed to lift my spirits.

I’d become someone who was terribly weak to praise.

‘So I’m a lucky charm because we get attacked a lot? That’s one way to think… very… noble of him.’

If someone’s going to get attacked anyway, better it be me—so I can take out the villains before they hurt others later… That was Themanon’s sense of justice.

Themanon smiled kindly as he watched me.

I could see right through what he was thinking.

‘He thinks I’m enjoying this.’

To the bloodline of House Queybek, defeating bandits and restoring justice was a fun kind of “game.”

All three of Themanon’s sons had the same tendency, so he was deeply mistaken.

‘No wonder Hamune went mad.’

You really couldn’t judge these people with common sense.

I just smiled back, and Themanon chuckled.

‘I’m exhausted.’

We’d only been traveling for three days, but we’d already been ambushed 16 times.

I’d been tense the whole time, and because it was my first time experiencing that kind of tension, I was completely worn out.

In the end, I couldn’t fight off the sleepiness and dozed off, leaning against Themanon’s shoulder.

Strangely enough, after that, the attacks stopped.

I had no idea how much time had passed.

When I finally came to, I sat up.

“I’m sorry. I must have dozed off without realizing.”

“No need to apologize. It was a gift to me.”

Raising my head with as much grace as I could muster, I quickly checked whether I had drooled.

Thankfully, this noble body had not allowed such a disgrace.

‘Wow… when did I fall asleep?’

And how did I sleep so deeply? Were there really no attacks?

“You must have been very tired. Hahaha!”

Looking at Themanon’s kind face, I felt a little at ease.

Anyway, I thanked him politely, as a noble lady should.

“Thank you for letting me lean on you.”

“Wahahah!”

Themanon flinched.

I wasn’t sure, but it looked like he was holding back the urge to suddenly hug me.

“No, no. I was glad to experience, even briefly, the status and power of a father with a daughter.”

…Status and power?

Those existed?

“Well then, from here, we’ll have to take a boat. Let’s get off the carriage.”

“Yes, sir.”

As I stepped down, I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

A massive lake stretched to the horizon.

Sparkling like glass, the lake reflected the entire sky.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Hmm?”

Themanon looked at me, surprised by my reaction.

I completely forgot about him as I was mesmerized by the scenery.

‘It’s like a lake made of mirrors.’

The green mountain ranges encircled the lake, and below them lay a picturesque village.

The architectural styles were a curious mix of Western and Eastern designs, yet they blended together into a peaceful harmony.

‘This must be Lake Bayern.’

A massive lake that separates the northern and eastern continents—also the fastest, most convenient route from the north to the east.

Scattered throughout the lake were islands covered in white flowers.

Large, gentle-looking white birds, nearly the size of a person, spread their wings and glided gracefully from island to island.

The lake’s waves shimmered all the way to the horizon, and a refreshing breeze swept through.

Confronted with such breathtaking nature, I found myself wanting to share the feeling deeply with someone.

My chest tingled with things I wanted to say.

‘This is insane. It’s so beautiful. Like something I’ve only seen on YouTu—be.’

If school-age me had been here, I would’ve jumped around with my friends, holding hands.

Maybe we would’ve dipped our feet in the lake and giggled.

Honestly, my heart was racing.

But under the influence of this body’s refined dignity, I couldn’t help but carry myself with poise.

– Oh my god, it’s so pretty! Feels like I’m on a trip.

Even just that short sentence felt grand.

“I’ve never seen such a view back home. I knew Lake Bayern was a hidden gem, but I didn’t expect it to shine like this. It feels as if the lake, holding the sky so transparently, is welcoming me. Look there—where the gentle waves meet the bright sunlight, everything sparkles. Even the blue gem necklace you gave me, Sir Themanon, is glowing. It’s as if it’s resonating with this beautiful scenery. Truly… it’s stunning.”

Enthralled by the scenery, I walked closer to the shore.

‘No way I’m missing this. I have to dip my feet in.’

Before I knew it, I’d stepped into the lake.

Still, even in doing so, the noble version of me removed her shoes carefully, neatly arranged them, and gracefully dipped her feet in the water.

It’s a bit silly, but even my toes looked dainty and elegant.

The water was incredibly clear, with small emerald-colored fish swimming about.

At my feet lay sparkling pebbles like tiny jewels.

For a moment, I saw my reflection in the water.

I was smiling brightly.

So this body could smile that radiantly.

‘Ah…’

I suddenly realized something.

Seila had wanted this, too.

‘But she had to bury that desire deep in her heart.’

Traveling was a luxury for someone seen as a bad omen, and she didn’t want to be a burden.

She probably longed in silence whenever other noble girls talked about their travels.

‘She couldn’t open her heart to anyone.’

How lonely must that have been?

Now, all those memories and emotions were mine.

Without meaning to, a few tears rolled down my cheeks.

‘It’s okay to feel everything now.’

I decided to savor every second of this beautiful moment as fully as I could.

Sir Themanon approached me.

“Don’t go too far in. It might look shallow, but it’s actually quite deep. It only seems shallow because the water’s so clear.”

His voice was so kind and warm that my heart felt at ease.

“Yes, sir.”

“Hehehe. You really like this lake, don’t you?”

I purposely raised my tone a little and replied.

– Totally agree! It’s insanely pretty.

“Yes. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

And I understood.

These joyful, precious feelings I was experiencing now… they were what Seila had dreamed of.

“Is it really that nice?”

– Yeah, it’s amazing.

“It feels like everything around me is singing a song of blessing just for me. This is my first time feeling this way. I’m so excited.”

“I’m proud and happy just hearing you say that.”

“Thank you for being with me in this first experience.”

Sir Themanon laughed heartily, clearly moved.

But… why did his eyes look red? Did he get something in them?