By the time everything was packed up, Alex returned to the carriage.

After a while, the busy sounds continued, and then the coachman opened the window connected to the driver’s seat.

“We will depart now.”

“Alright.”

With Alex’s permission, the carriage slowly started moving.

I watched the changing scenery through the window.

“Even if it’s boring, bear with it for a bit. There’s a village less than half a day’s distance from here.”

“Will we stay there?”

“Yes. We were supposed to stay there last night.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

It was only natural, but it seemed to align with the route I took with Miss Veronica when heading to Sergal.

“We’ll leave tomorrow. If we just pass through the village, we’ll have to camp again.”

“I think camping is fine too.”

I said with a glimmer of hope.

Alex looked at me and chuckled.

“Do you really want that?”

I stopped myself from answering.

While I would enjoy camping again since I didn’t have to do anything, it would only be enjoyable for me.

Preparing for camping would surely be hard on the lower-ranked people, not the higher-ups.

Setting up and taking down the tents and handling all the other small tasks would require a lot of manpower.

I knew well how cumbersome and annoying that was.

After all, I was an employee of the Maynard estate. Not that I disliked the Count, but it was still hard work.

After thinking it over, I slumped my shoulders.

Even if there was a more comfortable option, I couldn’t make everyone suffer just for my enjoyment.

Besides, all those people were strangers, making it even more uncomfortable.

“No, I was just talking nonsense.”

I replied in a dejected voice, and Alex raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t know why you suddenly gave up, but how about enjoying yourself in the village instead?”

“In the village?”

“Yes. It’s not large, but it’s a commercial hub, so the market should be interesting.”

I was tempted by Alex’s words. The next village was Viper, which was part of the Maynard estate.

Since it connected the Maynard estate to the capital, Sergal, merchants frequently traveled through it.

Naturally, commerce thrived there.

“Is that okay? But I didn’t bring any money with me.”

I showed Alex my empty hands.

In fact, I had brought some money I saved when we left, but that was for emergencies. You never know when you might need money!

Besides, a maid’s salary wasn’t generous enough for luxuries.

“I’m not asking you to pay. Didn’t I say you’re a guest? I’ll cover everything, so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

I didn’t think he was lying, but I wanted confirmation.

Alex nodded and spoke calmly.

“I don’t go back on my word. You can trust me. If you can’t, I can even write a contract.”

“Oh, no. There’s no need for a contract over something like this…”

I waved my hands in refusal, and Alex crossed his arms, amused.

“What if I say this and then don’t support you at all?”

“Then I’ll just enjoy looking around.”

“Just looking?”

“Yes, just looking. Just browsing is enough to pass the day.”

“But how can it be fun if you don’t buy anything?”

Alex tilted his head, not understanding.

I remembered that Alex was someone who got whatever he wanted.

Unlike ordinary people like me, Alex could get anything he wanted… He might not understand my feelings.

“Do you have to buy something? It would be nice, but just seeing various things is enjoyable too.”

“…I see.”

He still seemed not to understand, but he accepted my words for now.

I laughed quietly at him.

“I hope we arrive soon.”

“Should we speed up?”

Alex responded to my passing comment.

“No, there’s no need for that.”

***

We arrived in Viper around 10 o’clock.

The three-hour delay from my nap in the carriage had made this much of a difference.

The Berzel procession entered Viper, passed through the square, and arrived at the Dunain Tavern.

If there had been a hotel, staying there would have been best, but Viper had no hotels.

Instead, the largest lodging in Viper was the Dunain Tavern.

The first and second floors operated as a restaurant and pub, while the third to sixth floors served as an inn.

I remembered staying at this tavern with Miss Veronica when we passed through last time.

The carriage stopped in front of the tavern.

Alex got out first and helped me down.

Standing on the ground, I looked up at the Dunain Tavern.

It was still bustling with people.

“You can go up right away.”

Thanks to the people of Berzel who arrived earlier and made reservations, we could go inside without delay.

We passed through the first-floor restaurant, where many eyes were on us, and climbed the stairs.
We were to stay on the sixth floor.

The high stairs made climbing feel like my lungs were tearing apart.

By the time we reached the sixth floor, I was so exhausted that I had to stop and catch my breath.

“Are you very tired?”

Alex asked as I clutched my side and bent over, breathing heavily.

“No, not at all… I’m not okay…”

This was why hotels were better than taverns.

Hotels generally had elevators powered by magic stones.

At least when I came with Miss, we stayed on the fourth floor, so it wasn’t this hard…

After catching my breath for a while, I finally felt better and straightened up. Everyone was looking at me.

“Are you alright now?”

Alex asked, concerned.

Embarrassed by the sudden attention, I blushed.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

As soon as I answered and straightened up, the staff resumed guiding us.

“This is where the Miss will stay.”

The staff spoke to me politely, perhaps thinking I was a noble lady.

I peeked inside and saw a living room that looked like a reception room. It seemed the bedroom was further inside.

“Give me the key.”

Avina extended her hand to the staff. Since she was to assist me, we wouldn’t be separated except for special occasions.

“And the room for Your Grace is right next door.”

The staff opened the door to Alex’s room.

It had the same layout as the room I was assigned in.

Alex barely listened to the staff and looked at me.

“If you need anything, come here anytime.”

“It’s just one night. What could I need?”

“Who knows. Anything.”

Alex replied mischievously, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

“I don’t think that will happen.”

Alex chuckled as if he expected that answer.

“Then I’ll go inside now.”

“Alright.”

With Alex’s words, I headed to my room.

Since the room was similar to the one Miss used, I wasn’t particularly surprised.

I just wanted to relieve the fatigue from traveling in the carriage for half a day.

I went straight to the bedroom and lay down on the bed.

The bed felt soft and comfortable.

The makeshift bed in the carriage was quite soft too, but not as comfortable as this.

Arriving at a place where I could rest fully made me feel relieved.

My eyes were closing on their own.

“Miss, it’s Avina.”

Avina’s voice came from beyond the bedroom door. Startled, I sat up.

“May I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

With my permission, the door quietly opened. Avina, unchanged from the morning, entered the bedroom.

“Is there anything you’re uncomfortable with? If there is, I can arrange for a room change.”

“No, nothing’s uncomfortable.”

I shook my head quickly.

Avina looked at me.

“Miss, you can speak comfortably to me.”

“No, I’m already comfortable. Please let me speak like this.”

I smiled, and Avina also smiled.

“If you shake the bell rope on the bed or the side table in the living room, I’ll come. So if you need anything, please call me anytime.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then, please rest well.”

Avina bowed politely and left the bedroom.

I sat awkwardly until she left, then lay back down on the bed.

Honestly, Avina felt burdensome.

It felt strange to be cared for by her when it was something I should be doing.

But I thought it wouldn’t be bad to enjoy such treatment for three months.

Yes, maybe I could enjoy feeling like a noble lady like Miss Veronica for three months.

But I had to stay alert.

After finishing my thoughts, I rolled around in the soft blankets.

The sweet and cozy scent made me feel drowsy.

There was still some time before lunch, and everyone else was busy with various tasks, so there was no need to go out and bother them.

Instead, I decided to close my heavy eyelids and take a short nap.