Chapter 23

Cal stopped at a place that was unmistakably first class. The way Cal showed his ticket to the attendant was so natural.

“I’ll guide you to your compartment.”

The attendant boarded the train first, and Ellie, escorted by Cal, stepped onto the footboard.

“Wow….”

The wonder she felt entering the train station was nothing compared to this. Ellie looked at the compartment, mouth agape in awe.

It was said to be a VIP compartment, even among first class. The compartment, which included a bedroom and even a reception room that doubled as a dining area, was almost as big as Ellie’s house, if not bigger.

“The train will depart on time. Please enjoy your journey.”

The attendant greeted them and left, leaving only Ellie and Cal inside the compartment.

“Ellie, let me show you the bedroom.”

Cal took Ellie’s hand and led her toward the bedroom. Having a room inside a train compartment was truly a new experience.

Inside the bedroom was a large, plush-looking bed. Lace curtains hung by the window, and there was a small sofa beside the bed.

As Ellie looked around the well-decorated room, Cal lifted her up and set her down on the bed, then climbed on top of her.

“Kyaa! What are you doing, Cal!”

“You haven’t given me enough attention, Ellie.”

She’d only been giving her attention to all the fascinating things around, but Cal was jealous even of that.

Ellie giggled and wrapped her arms around Cal’s neck. Naturally, Cal lowered his head and their lips met as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Hnn….”

Cal kissed Ellie with a loud smacking sound, as if he would devour her, then finally pulled away and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you for agreeing to come with me.”

“…I wanted to go too.”

In truth, it hadn’t been an easy decision. When Cal first suggested the trip to the North, Ellie had asked for time to think.

Cal needed to visit his family home for the holidays, and he didn’t want to leave Ellie alone. Ellie had grown so used to being with him that the thought of being apart for several weeks made her feel a bit lonely.

Going to the North with Cal meant meeting his family, which also meant she had to seriously consider her relationship with Cal.

Naturally, she couldn’t help but feel scared. Even as a fellow free citizen, it was intimidating; and he was a noble on top of that.

She worried whether she would be welcomed in the North, or worse, whether she’d be sent away.

Despite all that, Ellie found her courage. She wanted to be with Cal, and since he had come to her, she felt it was her turn to go to him.

So she decided to go to the North with him. For Ellie, it was a journey that fluttered her heart with two completely opposite meanings.

***

“Cal, isn’t this compartment too expensive?”

As expected of first class, when it was time for a meal, the attendant prepared their food. The dishes were so delicious and warmly cooked that it was hard to believe they’d been made on the train.

They enjoyed the best service and comfort, but Ellie worried about how much the tickets must have cost.

“It’s fine, Ellie. The trip to the North is long, so it’s better to travel comfortably even if it costs more, rather than be tired.”

It was a typical answer from Cal, who had confidently promised to cover all travel expenses so Ellie wouldn’t have to worry.

After their meal, Ellie and Cal sat side by side on the sofa by the window, watching the scenery outside. As they headed north from the South, the landscapes became more and more unfamiliar, and Ellie couldn’t take her eyes off them.

The train ran for a full day. It stopped at new cities along the way, but its final destination was the northernmost part of the Kingdom, the city of winter.

After spending a night in the compartment’s bedroom, Ellie woke to an unfamiliar cold. She absentmindedly pulled off the blanket, but was so startled by the chill that she dove right back under it.

Cal, who woke up as well, laughed and hugged Ellie tightly. Only after calming her startled heart with his warmth did Ellie properly get up.

“What did I tell you? I said it would be cold.”

“I-I didn’t know it’d be this bad.”

For someone born and raised in the South, the cold of the North was something she’d only read about.

Cal brought the clothes he’d prepared and dressed Ellie. She wore several thin dresses layered together, then a thick wool overcoat, and finally a soft fur coat on top.

Ellie, who had never worn such thick clothing before, waddled under the weight of her clothes. Cal found her so cute that he hugged her and kissed her repeatedly.

While Cal was busy dressing Ellie up, he himself walked around in just a thin shirt. It was confidence befitting a true Northerner.

Finally, the train came to a stop, and Ellie, holding Cal’s hand, got off the train. The feeling of stepping onto the ground for the first time was a bit strange, but it quickly faded.

“Cal.”

Ellie exhaled a puff of breath and called Cal.

“Yes, Ellie?”

Cal turned around and cupped Ellie’s cheeks, which were already starting to turn red from the cold. She leaned into the warmth of his hands, just about to ask how they would travel next.

“Sir.”

At the unfamiliar voice, both Cal and Ellie looked to the side. A middle-aged man, dressed in thick Northern-style formal attire to guard against the cold, stood there.

“I’ve come to escort you, Sir.”

Sir…? Ellie paused for a moment, then remembered again that Cal was a noble.

“Uncle Hans.”

“Welcome home.”

“It’s been a while, Uncle. Have you been well?”

Cal greeted the man called Hans warmly, and Hans smiled back.

“This is Ellie.”

Cal introduced Ellie to Hans. Caught off guard, Ellie bowed her head in greeting.

“I’m Elysia Nord.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Nord. I’ve heard news of you. Madame is waiting, so let’s go right away.”

Guided by Hans, Cal and Ellie followed him out of the train station. Ellie, seeing the car waiting in front of the station, pretended not to be surprised but was actually amazed inside.

“Please get in.”

Hans opened the back door of the car, and Cal gestured for Ellie to get in first. Ellie nodded in thanks and glanced at the emblem engraved on the car door.

‘Where have I seen that before…?’

The three got into the car, and it rumbled as it started off.

All through the drive, Ellie was thinking about the emblem. She was trying to figure out where she’d seen it before, when Cal, sitting next to her, took her hand.

“Ellie?”

“…Ah.”

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Oh, it’s just…”

A silver shield with crossed swords and a dark blue wolf.

Ellie absentmindedly looked at Cal’s black hair. Northern people tended to have darker hair than Southerners, but hair as clean and dark as his was still rare.

The dark blue color was also the symbol of a noble house that ruled the North. Yes, just like the dark blue wolf in that emblem.

Ellie’s eyes grew wider and wider.

“Ca…l?”

“Yes, Ellie. What is it?”

“No, it’s just…”

Even though she thought it was impossible, Ellie couldn’t bring herself to speak. 

Could it be? Surely not, but what if… an unbelievable assumption….

“We’re entering the ducal residence now, Sir.”