Chapter 8.2

“We’re getting off at the next stop. What about you?”

The woman looked out the window as she spoke. Lyla, unsure of their current location, hurriedly unfolded her map.

She had planned to head to the capital but was worried about possibly running into Professor Charlier. If Kadis were searching for her, the professor would undoubtedly be dragged into the mess as well.

‘I shouldn’t go to the capital. I’ll look for another major city instead.’

As Lyla held the map in her hands, unable to respond, the woman tilted her head and asked again.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t decided on a destination yet?”

“Well, um… yes.”

Lyla nodded as she tucked the map back into her coat.

At that moment, an image of Kadis, left alone, flashed through her mind, and her chest tightened. The sound of his voice, saying he needed nothing else as long as she was there, echoed vividly in her ears.

Hearing those words had shattered her.

‘I can’t be your everything.’

She had never loved herself, so she didn’t know how to accept love from others. Who would want to give something broken to the person they loved? She always wanted to give Kadis the very best.

Not someone as broken as herself.

“Mom, you talk too much. You’re going to make her cry!”

“Oh dear. Miss, are you alright? Did I say too much? I’m so sorry.”

“N-no, I’m fine. I think something just got in my eye.”

The woman panicked and began to fret, causing Lyla to quickly rub her eyes.

Clatter. Squeak.

By then, the carriage had arrived at the station and came to a stop.

Lyla stepped out and helped the mother and son unload their belongings.

“Thank you.”

“It was nothing.”

After a brief farewell, Lyla climbed back into the carriage. At this stop, a large group of passengers boarded, filling the once-empty space. The carriage was now so crowded that shoulders brushed together.

The lighthearted atmosphere she had shared with the mother and son now felt heavy and stifling. The pair waved at her from outside until the carriage began to move.

“Well, we’ll be going now. Take care of yourself, Miss.”

“Yes, safe travels.”

“Goodbye, Sister! Don’t cry!”

“Alright. Thank you for worrying about me.”

Lyla waved kindly, but a few passengers glanced at her curiously. Feeling awkward, she smiled and explained.

“The boy must have mistaken me for a woman since he’s still young.”

Only then did the suspicious looks fade. Lyla quickly sat down and adjusted her clothing.

‘It’s probably safer to keep dressing as a man until I settle down.’

Settle down.

The words felt foreign, like they didn’t belong to her.

As she sat there, lost in thought, a small snowflake landed on the back of her hand. Lyla glanced out the open window.

‘Is it going to snow again?’

The snowflake melted quickly from her body heat.

Almost as if in a trance, Lyla leaned out the window. Through the swirling snow, the figures of the mother and son grew smaller and smaller until they were just tiny dots.

‘Take care of yourself, Miss.’

How long had it been since someone had called her “Miss”?

It had been ages since she’d spoken to someone as a woman. She would need to get used to moments like this from now on…

Lyla quickly turned her face toward the corner of the carriage and wiped away her tears.

Another snowflake landed on her hand, and she rubbed it off with her other hand.

There was no turning back.

No matter how much her heart wavered, the only path now was forward.

Even if that path was filled with loneliness and solitude.

***

The snowfall grew heavier.

Eventually, the stagecoach stopped at a village before the next station.

“We’ll depart again tomorrow once the snow clears. Until then, please wait here in the village.”

The coachman opened the door and announced. The passengers disembarked, heading straight for a nearby inn.

Lyla joined the crowd heading toward the inn when she heard a familiar voice.

“Lyle?”

She slowly turned toward the source of the voice.

“P-Professor?”

“Lyle! Haha, what a coincidence to meet you here!”

Recognizing Lyla, Charlier removed his hat and greeted her warmly.

Lyla, on the other hand, was flustered, unsure of how to respond.

The reason was clear—because of her, Charlier had faced Kadis’s wrath despite having done nothing wrong. He had traveled all the way to the North, yet she had fled the Ducal Residence, leaving him behind. She could only feel sorry for him.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to run into you here. Ah, I’m only staying temporarily. The stagecoach couldn’t travel further because of the snow. I’ll make sure not to cause you any trouble—”

“Calm down, Lyle. Or should I say, Lyla?”

Charlier gently smiled and patted her shoulder.

Only then did Lyla stop her rambling explanations.

“I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. To be honest, the Duke’s sudden change in attitude frightened me.”

“Ah… yes…”

Lyla lowered her head in guilt.

It wasn’t Kadis’s fault. It was entirely her fault for confusing him. Perhaps sensing her inner turmoil, Charlier refrained from blaming Kadis further.

“Still, I didn’t expect you to leave the Ducal Residence so soon.”

“I thought it would be best not to delay.”

She couldn’t confess that her night with Kadis had been the final push. No matter how much she relied on Charlier as a father figure, he was still an outsider.

“Have you found a place to stay?”

Despite being an outsider, Charlier made a kind suggestion.

“That inn seems to have many male guests—it might be dangerous. Why don’t you stay at the inn where I’m lodging?”

Before Lyla could answer, Charlier quickly added.

Everyone from the stagecoach had rushed into the inn to secure rooms. While nothing might happen, it was true that being in an unfamiliar village made her uneasy.

“I’m just worried about you.”

Perhaps still feeling guilty about yesterday, Charlier spoke with a regretful expression.

“…I don’t want to burden you further.”

“How could it be a burden? Meeting here must be fate, don’t you think? Perhaps the gods have given me another chance.”

Charlier smiled warmly.

“Of course, I can’t accompany you all the way, but at least while we’re in this village, you can trust and rely on me.”

“Professor…”

After a moment of hesitation, Lyla nodded.

“Thank you. I’ll only impose on you until the stagecoach departs tomorrow.”

“Then let’s go.”

Charlier led Lyla to the inn where he was staying.

***

The inn was located at the edge of the village.

Although it was concerning that there were no other houses nearby apart from the inn, as Charlier had mentioned, they were the only guests. Lyla felt reassured, knowing she could rest without worrying about her identity as a woman being discovered.

‘I made the right choice following the professor.’

Lyla rented the room next to Charlier’s and unpacked her belongings before heading into the bathroom. As she sank into the warm water of the bathtub, the fatigue from her journey seemed to melt away.

‘I’ll have to part ways with the professor and find contraceptive medicine in the next village.’

Lyla placed her hands over her flat abdomen.

The chances of conceiving from a single encounter were extremely low, but it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. In fact, she had planned to obtain the medicine in this village if she hadn’t run into Charlier.

‘One day should be fine.’

Lyla gently rubbed her stomach before leaning back against the tub. Sitting there quietly, her eyelids gradually grew heavy.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when—

Knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the door startled Lyla awake. The water in the tub rippled, sending a chill up her spine. The once-steaming water had cooled.

Lyla quickly stepped out of the tub and pressed herself against the bathroom door, calling out.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Lyla.”

Charlier’s voice came from outside the room, loud enough to confirm he hadn’t entered. Realizing she was n*ked, Lyla cracked the bathroom door open slightly and raised her voice.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Professor. I must’ve fallen asleep while bathing.”

“Ah, I see. Dinner is ready. Could you get dressed and come down to the first floor?”

“Yes, I’ll be there shortly.”

Only after Charlier’s footsteps faded did Lyla leave the bathroom.