Episode 17. A Feeling I’ll Meet You Again
I didn’t make any sharp or sarcastic remarks.
I just wanted to quietly enjoy the beautiful view.
“Darling, did you know? In just two more hours, we’ll reach the Remji Empire.”
Bordeaux said this while standing right next to me.
As he said, on the reddened sea horizon, a tiny speck of land was visible.
It was the long-awaited Remji Empire.
“That means I still have two more hours before I say goodbye to you, scammer.”
“You’re not sad?”
“Of course not. We hardly even know each other.”
Bordeaux didn’t seem to like my answer and started grumbling.
I added something that might lighten his mood.
“But I really enjoyed talking with you. It’s been a long time since I felt joy in joking around or having conversations with someone.”
“Renee…”
And I didn’t forget to draw the line.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. That doesn’t mean I want to keep in touch with you in the Remji Empire.”
“Then grant me one last wish.”
“Since when do servants get to ask wishes from their masters?”
Bordeaux grabbed my robe again and shook it.
“Come on, don’t be like that.”
…Honestly, it was kind of cute.
My taste hadn’t changed, after all.
My type was always a fine, beautiful face.
Bordeaux’s pale face was glowing in the sunset, sparkling.
It was the kind of face you couldn’t look away from once you saw it.
If it had been the old me—before I met Henderson—maybe I would have felt some attraction toward Bordeaux.
But my heart was too battered to feel that way now.
I was tired of people, tired of love.
I couldn’t just fall for someone recklessly anymore.
“Fine. Tell me what it is.”
Bordeaux waited with a serious expression and then said:
“Show me your face.”
It was a request that didn’t even need thinking.
Too bad for him, but there was no way I could grant that.
“No.”
I didn’t want to risk exposing my identity—even if I was wearing a wig.
“Then at least meet me again once we’re in the Remji Empire.”
“That’s also not happening.”
“You’re so cold… but that’s exactly what makes you charming.”
Bordeaux let out a soft laugh, then added something that sounded meaningful:
“You keep saying no, but I have this strong feeling that we’ll meet again.”
There was a strange certainty in his voice.
His words—like a prophecy of the future—sent chills down my spine.
He smiled deeper, as if enjoying my unsettled reaction.
I missed my chance to respond, and silence fell between us.
The glow of the sunset, which had briefly moved my heart, faded away quietly, leaving only stillness.
Darkness wrapped around us, like sinking into the deep sea.
The ship’s horn sounded loudly as it entered the harbor.
The rocking vessel finally came to a stop.
We had arrived in the capital of the Remji Empire—Pampia.
I stood somewhere in the middle of the long line waiting to disembark.
Right behind me was my faithful “servant,” Bordeaux, sticking close.
Since we had to keep up the act of being married while on the ship, his presence didn’t bother me.
But once we got off… I might not be as tolerant.
At last, after nearly a day, my feet touched solid ground.
I stood still, taking in the sight before me.
Even though it was late at night, the city lights shone brightly.
With so many lanterns lit, Pampia’s view wasn’t much different from Lopez Empire’s capital.
It made sense. The two empires were allies, often trading, and not so far apart—so their way of life was similar.
“It’s late. Where are you planning to stay tonight?”
Bordeaux naturally stood beside me, admiring the city too.
“I’ll just stay at some inn. Then tomorrow morning, I’ll leave the capital.”
I didn’t want to settle in a place full of royals and nobles.
Instead, I planned to live in the southern region called Ezra, far from the capital.
I’d never been there, but I knew it was warm all year round and a good place to live.
I wanted to raise Eddie in a warm place, where he’d never feel cold—physically or emotionally.
But then I realized… I’d just revealed too much of my personal plans to Bordeaux.
“The trip was fun. I’ll be going now.”
I walked ahead.
I thought he might follow, but strangely, I didn’t hear his footsteps.
“Darling! See you at home then!”
Instead, I only heard his ridiculous farewell, as if he were still acting in a play.
I quickened my pace, never looking back.
“Not a single room left here either?”
I sighed.
Almost every inn near the port was fully booked.
I’d never once stayed at an inn before.
So I assumed that as long as I had money, I could stay anywhere.
It never even occurred to me that inns could run out of rooms.
“So there are things that money can’t solve…”
I let out heavy sighs as I walked out of the seventh inn.
By now, the night was too deep.
Drunk vagrants staggered along the street.
Some of them glanced at me, and I caught the sly, lecherous look in their eyes.
Fear pricked at me.
“I need to find a place for the night—fast.”
I pulled my robe tighter around me.
Just then, as I headed to an eighth inn—
“There won’t be any rooms there either.”
A familiar voice made me turn my head.
It was Bordeaux, who had been out of sight for a while.
“Don’t tell me… you followed me?”
He just smiled instead of answering.
“Not following—watching out for you. I thought all the inns would be full.”
“…”
Wasn’t that the same thing?
“I was only going to make sure you got into a safe inn. That’s all, I swear.”
“…”
“Come to my inn. I have a room for you there.”
I stood still, eyeing him with suspicion.
“I told you before, I run several businesses. One of them is lodging.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Follow me. I’ll prove it’s not.”
“…Can I really trust you?”
Bordeaux smiled gently, the kind of smile that warmed a person’s heart.
“I’m your servant. A servant never goes against their master. And I want to repay you for the help you’ve given me.”
“…”
“Trust me. I won’t betray you.”
I had been betrayed by family and people I trusted. Other than Eddie, I couldn’t believe in anyone.
But for some reason, I wanted to trust Bordeaux.
Not forever, but at least for this one moment.
Maybe it was because his words carried genuine sincerity.
And honestly, I was exhausted from the long trip.
All I wanted was to lie down somewhere—anywhere.
I didn’t want to wander these dangerous streets anymore.
“Lead the way.”
“Yes, master.”
Bordeaux chuckled softly and walked half a step ahead.
He kept glancing back, making sure I was following.
With him by my side, the vagrants on the street stopped staring at me.
For once, he seemed dependable.
Of course, this trust was only for tonight.
Before long, we reached a quiet inn.
It wasn’t huge, but it looked clean.
Bordeaux opened the door, holding it for me to step inside.
Carefully, I entered.
The inside was just as tidy as the outside.
There was a front desk, neat sofas, and a large painting on the wall.
Only one female clerk was there.
She gave me a slight nod but said nothing.
Almost as if she already knew Bordeaux would be bringing me.
I nodded back, then turned to look at the painting.
It was of a wide meadow, bathed in golden sunlight.
The green and gold colors blended beautifully.
Looking at it made me feel calm.
“It looks like a meadow where Eddie could run around happily… Where is this place?”
I imagined Eddie running across that field, smiling brightly.
I couldn’t help the corners of my lips curving up.
“Do you like that painting?”
Bordeaux followed my gaze.
“Yeah. It’s really good. Who painted it? A famous artist?”
“No. I did.”
