TVJA 44

Chapter 44

The journey inside the carriage was, as always, dull and boring.

Ride in the carriage, arrive at the lodging, eat, and sleep. Then, as the sun rises, ride the carriage again toward the destination.

Eat, sleep, poop.

Then eat, sleep, and poop again…

“This has been going on for two days now.”

Still, this time was slightly better than the last, because…

“Milady, did the morning stew suit your taste?”

“Your hair’s messy from sleeping in the carriage. Let me brush it for you.”

“Shall I bring you a warm towel?”

There were handmaidens with me this time.

Last time, when I went out with Diel, I was surrounded by dark, burly knights and attendants. I couldn’t even dream of such luxuries!

“Mm, it was delicious.”

Just recalling the sweet potato stew that had filled my mouth with warmth made me smile with delight.

“That was the best breakfast ever.”

One of the maids watching me fondly wiped away a bit of cream still left beside my lips.

“We’ll arrive in about thirty more minutes.”

“You’ve endured a lot during the carriage ride.” She whispered with a gentle smile and softly brushed my hair.

The golden strands shimmered like melted gold as they slid smoothly through her fingers.

The ticklish strokes of her brushing made me feel drowsy.

“I should’ve slept enough already…”

The gentle spring breeze seeping through the slightly open window added to this drowsy harmony, as if the season itself was trying to lull me back to sleep.

Just as I closed my eyes and began to enjoy this peace, the carriage bell chimed softly, signaling our arrival.

A considerate gesture from the coachman, knowing I might be asleep.

“Milady, we’ve arrived.”

“Mmm…”

Even though we had arrived, I was still groggy and dazed, rubbing my eyes with my left hand as I sat up.

“The steps are high, please come down slowly.”

But in my sleepy state, I missed the warning and misstepped.

“Milady!”

Luckily, before I could fall, Sofia, who was waiting outside, caught me quickly and saved me from embarrassment.

“Did you sleep well?”

Once she confirmed that I had safely landed on the ground, the strength in her hand around my waist loosened.

“Thanks to you.”

Though a bashful blush bloomed on my cheeks, the warmth vanished quickly. The sharp northern wind was to blame.

The season might’ve changed, but the cold here was still enough to give you a cold just by wearing thin clothes. In Korea, we’d call this “flowering cold.”

“As expected of the land where the Northern Duke lives. It’s freezing even in early spring.”

Of course, the reason this place was so cold wasn’t trivial—it was because it was situated in the farthest northern part of the continent.

Which explained why the snow was still piled so high.

Even though I’d seen snow endlessly in Serkalana, stepping on the crisp, white snow after months felt oddly nostalgic.

I was fully engrossed in stepping on the snow when a strange voice called my name from not too far away.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Yuria Benestra.”

Startled by the unfamiliar, low baritone voice, I instinctively looked up. A tall man dressed in a suit whiter than the snow in Etpasha stood before me.

His golden eyes glowed mysteriously behind a monocle.

His hair was stark black, contrasting with the snow-covered scenery.

He didn’t seem particularly unusual in appearance… no, he was actually incredibly handsome.

But I’d been surrounded by so many good-looking people that I had apparently grown desensitized.

“I can’t believe my heart isn’t racing at the sight of this guy!”

“My name is Kisschel Yudit. Please, call me Sir Kiss.”

A small crest was pinned to his chest—the emblem of a white lion, symbol of the Francis Ducal House.

I had heard that such an emblem was only given to high-ranking officials.

At the very least, he must be above the level of a butler.

“I’ve been ordered to escort you safely to where the young master awaits.”

“The young master…?”

“Young Master Kyler Francis.”

He answered without hesitation and held out his hand to me with a warm smile.

A gentle, slow gesture suited for a child my age.

Even so, the refined elegance in his movements made it impossible not to admire him.

“Then, shall we…?”

I stared blankly at his large hand held out before me.

Was he offering in case I stumbled or something?

“No, thank you.”

“Seriously? Does he think I’m seven?”

Annoyed at the implication, I pouted.

I’ve long outgrown the age of tripping while walking!

At my curt reply, his brows twitched slightly as if taken aback.

He seemed to want to say something, lips twitching faintly.

He bit his lower lip gently before speaking quietly.

“As they say, truly…”

Curious, I stopped and tilted my head.

“You’re amusing.”

Sir Kiss chuckled as if genuinely entertained, his shoulders bouncing with laughter.

“…”

Surely I was just imagining things, but that laugh felt… a little cutting.

“But…”

His gaze slowly moved toward my dress.

“Are you not going to change clothes?”

“My clothes?”

I blinked in confusion at the sudden question.

“Is there something wrong with them?”

“…”

“I put a lot of thought into this outfit.”

Okay, technically, my maid picked it for me, but still.

He blinked slowly at my response before smiling again.

“I see.”

Adjusting his posture, he turned toward the attendants carrying my luggage and muttered,

“Let’s head off before it gets too late.”

His gaze scanned through the attendants one by one until it settled—on Sofia.

Sir Kiss led me to a place they called the Rose Garden.

But when we arrived, no roses were blooming.

“Too early in the season, I guess.”

Still, with its cool breeze and the smell of fresh grass, the garden was perfect for a stroll.

Two small children were sitting under a white-painted parasol in the distance, reading books.

One of them was Kyler, obviously. The other must’ve been the friend he mentioned in his letter.

Unfortunately, the friend’s face was hidden behind a book.

Seeing them like that brought out a mischievous grin.

“They’re just begging to be teased.”

What a terrible impulse.

Instead of praising him for reading, I wanted to mess with him.

But the serious look on his face while reading—it was like a miniature version of grown-up Kyler, which made it even funnier.

“Should I sneak up and surprise him?”

After brief contemplation, I decided to go for it. But I suddenly remembered Kyler’s heartfelt plea in his letter.

“Please don’t do anything weird.”

I raised my arm and waved cheerfully toward him.

“Kyler!”

My sharp voice pierced the serene garden air.

Startled by the noise, the blue eyes behind the book slowly turned toward me.

“…”

Scanning the area like a predator, his gaze landed squarely—on my dress.

“Why is everyone staring at my dress today?”

For the record, it was a perfectly ordinary dark lavender dress, plain and modest. The most basic one in my suitcase.

Yet the frown on his face said otherwise.

“…Ha.”

He sighed and shook his head before returning to his book.

His cold attitude made my temper flare.

“I came all this way for you! And you sigh at me?”

With long, angry strides, I marched up to his parasol and placed my hands on my hips.

“…Kyler?”

My voice was gentle, but the irritation was obvious. A shadow fell over his book—it was mine.

As the light dimmed between the lines, Kyler finally gave up reading and slowly looked up.

“What are you doing?”

His face looked more gaunt than before.

Deep dark circles under his eyes—unthinkable for an eight-year-old.

“And what’s your problem?”

He looked again at my dress, and I shot back with annoyance.

“What’s wrong with it? Sir Kiss even asked if I was going to change.”

Startled by my raised voice, he winced and reluctantly responded.

“It’s just… that color. In our region, it’s considered unlucky.”

“…Unlucky?”

“When we slay magical beasts, their blood is a deep violet—just like your dress.”

“…So?”

He sighed and continued.

“You know how the Etpasha Mountains are teeming with beasts.”

“…”

“The most well-known are the giant wolf-like Fenrir, along with Garum and Balrog.”

Creatures straight out of Norse mythology.

Fenrir, in particular, was a massive wolf with sharp claws and black fur.

“Many locals were harmed. Because of that, we avoid wearing colors associated with them.”

I nodded slowly, understanding the logic.

“That’s also why not many people live here. And so, it became common courtesy to avoid such colors.”

“But I…”

“I know. You didn’t know.”

“…”

“At first, I misunderstood—thought maybe you came to mess with me again.”

Kyler gently set his book down and offered me a warm cup of tea with a half-smile.

“But after hearing your explanation, I get it now.”

It’s like a foreigner gifting a red straw doll with my name stitched on it in Korea.

“And I had no idea…”

I felt a little annoyed at the maid who dressed me.

Still, what could I do?

In a time before international customs were commonly known, this kind of misunderstanding was bound to happen.

“Well, better to know now than never.”

“Thanks for telling me.”

I smiled and took a sip of the floral tea in front of me.

As I turned my head, I noticed the other child—still reading silently.

Now that I thought about it… he hadn’t said a single word.

“Is he shy?”

Still, ten minutes of complete silence?

“Isn’t he even a little curious about me?”

I’d seen all kinds of people, but none this indifferent and self-absorbed.

“With that level of concentration, he could be kidnapped and still keep reading.”

Tilting my head in curiosity, Kyler noticed and preemptively responded.

“I forgot to introduce him.”

Finally, we’d learn about the silent child.

Kyler gently pulled the book away from him.

Though ‘gently’ might be too kind—it was more like theft.

“…”

But the kid wasn’t giving up easily.

After a silent tug-of-war that nearly tore the cover, the other finally let go—more like he allowed it.

Victorious, Kyler smiled proudly.

“Let me introduce you. My friend…”

The book slipped away, revealing a small, pale chin.

His lips were a clear pink like freshly picked cherries.

His flushed cheeks looked like they might smell like green apples.

And his silver hair glistened in the wind like a serenade of stardust under the moonlight.

As his long lashes fluttered, Kyler’s lips parted slightly, and an unexpected name slipped out.

“Shuaden.”

“Pfft—!”

Ding!

{New Event Triggered! First Encounter with ‘Shuaden Vavilov.’}