“Thank you for worrying about me, though.”

“…”

“Once we reach the Duke of Esperanza’s estate, I’m sure they won’t ignore an injured man. Just a little longer, okay? Haha.”

In the end, I couldn’t change Paul’s mind.

Instead, we decided to hide in an outbound carriage heading to the capital, despite the risks.

It was faster than traveling on horseback through the forest.

“Miss, you mustn’t make a sound.”

“Okay.”

We hid behind the rattling crates in the back of the carriage for what felt like an eternity.

‘Ugh…’

My vision began to blur, and hot breaths escaped my lips. The fever was coming back.

‘Miss, are you alright?’

Paul mouthed the words, his pale face showing concern.

While I was small enough to endure the cramped space, Paul had been forced to crouch uncomfortably for days.

I nodded and mouthed back, ‘I’m fine. I think we’re almost there.’

Just then, the carriage jolted and came to a stop.

Both Paul and I instinctively held our breaths.

Up front, the driver was speaking to someone.

“Name.”

“Jin, from the Blackbell Trading Company.”

“Purpose of visit… Well, no need to answer. I’ve seen you enough times. Go ahe—”

“Hey.”

A familiar voice interrupted.

I froze, my shoulders stiffening. Paul turned even paler.

The voice belonged to Gilbert.

The familiar sound of horses and the presence of knights surrounded the carriage.

Inside, someone was…

“M—”

I almost called out for Mom in my fevered state but caught myself just in time.

Clamping my hands over my mouth, I forced myself to stay silent.

Realizing what I had almost done, I felt as though cold water had been poured over me.

My heart pounded in my chest, my head spinning.

‘I expected this, but not so soon…’

And certainly not this close.

‘If we’re caught, it’s over.’

That much was obvious.

Exchanging glances with Paul, we both did our best to suppress even the slightest sound.

Through the gap in the fabric, I carefully brought my eye closer, and a narrow view of the outside came into sight.

“Pardon me for the urgency, but I’ll go ahead.”

“Uh? Ah, yes… sure…”

The coachman stammered, but perhaps overwhelmed by Gilbert’s imposing demeanor, he didn’t try to stop him.

The man, who appeared to be a guard, grimaced as Gilbert strode toward him with long, confident steps.

“What’s this? Inspections are done in the order of the line—”

‘Clink.’

The guard’s words were cut off by the sound of metal clinking together.

Gilbert had tossed a pouch at the guard’s feet and asked coldly, “Didn’t you hear me say it’s urgent? If my master becomes enraged over this, will you be the one to bear the consequences?”

A moment of silence followed.

The guard, who had been showing signs of hesitation, finally furrowed his brows and picked up the pouch, tucking it into his coat.

After clearing his throat a few times, he gestured reluctantly with his chin.

“…Go ahead.”

Without responding, Gilbert turned on his heel. Just as he was about to mount his horse again—

“…”

Gilbert stopped, his gaze fixed precisely in my direction.

“Wait.”

That single word sent my heart plummeting to my feet.

Gilbert, who had been eyeing the cargo wagon suspiciously, gestured toward something.

“Isn’t that a trail of blood behind the cargo wagon?”

“What? No way!”

The coachman, startled, cried out in alarm. Paul and I were just as shocked.

“…!”

Paul, panicked, shifted slightly to check his injured side.

And there it was—blood dripping from his wound, staining his clothes and turning part of the cargo wagon a vivid red.

How should I describe the feeling that hit me when I saw that sight?

‘Mom…’

My vision went dark.

The coachman, unaware that we were hiding in the wagon, was likely flustered by the ominous mention of “blood.” However, to Gilbert, his reaction seemed to confirm his suspicions.

“…I have a hunch. Let me take a look.”

“Ah, no, sir knight! You can’t do that!”

Gilbert’s expression sharpened in an instant. He signaled to the knights and swiftly pulled back the fabric covering the back of the cargo wagon.

Paul and I shrank into ourselves as much as possible, desperately trying not to let even a single breath escape.

Perhaps because I was so nervous, time seemed to slow down, even if only for a moment.

The rustling sounds grew closer and closer until they reached the very front of the crate we were hiding behind.

“Ahh! Damn it!”

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, a scream erupted, and the figures retreated.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide and exchanged a glance with Paul.

“It’s rat blood.”

“It must’ve been crushed under the crates and died… Ugh, disgusting.”

“…It might be the kind that spreads disease, so clean it up quickly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Soon after, the sound of rustling resumed, and the crates were restacked neatly, creating a barrier between us and the knights.

Finally, we could breathe a little easier.

Gilbert and his group, having finished their inspection of the cargo wagon, passed through the guards and disappeared into the capital.

The guard, shaking his head, handed half of the gold coins he had received earlier back to the coachman.

“Sorry for the trouble. Go on.”

“Oh, no, sir knight has it much harder than I do. Thank you!”

But the coachman waved his hand in refusal and began driving the wagon again.

As the wagon passed through the gates, light that had been absent suddenly poured in.

At the same time, the view through the gaps in the fabric changed in an instant. My jaw dropped involuntarily.

‘Wow…’

So this is the capital.

Even though my body felt heavy, my heart couldn’t help but race with excitement.

Unlike the quiet tower surrounded by snow-covered forests, this place felt alive—even the buildings seemed to exude vibrancy.

“Fresh fish, just in! Only 30 sing!”

“Temple entry permits for sale! Five sing cheaper than anywhere else!”

As the lively voices of people filled the air, the wagon quickly turned into a quieter alley.

Paul, who had also been observing the outside from the opposite side, spoke in a low voice.

“Miss.”

By now, this routine had become familiar. Without a word, I clung to Paul, wrapping my arms around his neck.

‘Maybe it’s because it’s dark, but my vision keeps blurring…’

Paul carefully drew his sword and tore a piece of fabric from the wagon covering. Timing it just right as the wagon turned a corner, he pulled me close and slipped out of the wagon.

‘Thud!’

“Ugh…”

Fortunately, Paul had the presence of mind to aim for a pile of crates in the alley, avoiding the hard stone pavement. Still, the impact of jumping from a moving wagon was significant, and he let out a groan.

‘Paul, are you okay?’

I wanted to ask, but for some reason, no sound came out.

My eyelids kept drooping against my will.

Paul’s voice echoed faintly in my ears, as if it were coming from far away.

“…Miss?”

Paul, I think I have a fever again. My body won’t move, and my breaths feel hot.

I wasn’t even sure if I had managed to say those words properly.

The only things I could perceive were Paul’s movements as he carried me, his labored breaths and muffled sobs, the chaotic scenery around us, and…

“…Tell the Duke…”

‘Thud!’

Paul, who had been struggling to speak to someone, finally collapsed.

‘Paul…’

Through my blurred vision, I saw blood spreading across the gray stone pavement.

The last thing I felt was a warm sensation on my cheek before my consciousness slipped away.

—

‘Sparkle.’

At some point, my eyes suddenly opened.

I blinked a few times, and my blurry vision gradually cleared.

‘Where… am I?’

That thought was immediately followed by a flood of memories.

[…Miss?]

[…Tell the Duke…]

It felt as if my entire body had gone cold, as though all the blood in my veins had frozen.

Startled, I bolted upright.

“Paul…!”

“You’re awake.”

A voice, unfamiliar and stern, came from nearby.

I flinched and instinctively turned my head.

An elderly woman dressed in black, with an intimidating and severe expression, was staring at me.

She looked like the wicked witch from a fairy tale.

“W-Who…”

I unconsciously clenched my hands, only to feel something soft against my palm.

Startled, I glanced down to see a thick, fluffy blanket crumpled in my grip.

It was nothing like the ones I used at the tower.

Only then did I lift my head and take in my surroundings.

A spacious bed large enough for ten people, a roaring fireplace, and luxurious decorations adorned every corner.

But instead of feeling awed, I only grew more anxious.

‘Is this the Duke’s estate? Or worse… have I been captured and brought to the Marquis?’

My memories from just before I collapsed were too hazy to be certain.

At that moment, a glass of water was suddenly held out in front of me.

“You should drink. Your throat must be quite dry.”

“Ah, yes… thank you.”

The woman’s tone and expression were as cold as ice, but her words were oddly considerate.

Confused by the contradiction, I hesitated before accepting the glass.

Under her piercing gaze, I took a few sips and realized just how parched I was, quickly finishing the water.

‘Come to think of it, my fever’s gone.’

The woman took the empty glass from me with a swift, precise motion that was almost unnervingly fast.

“Have you finished?”

“Yes…”

“Then I’ll help you change. This way.”

I hesitated but eventually followed the woman to a partitioned area.

I still couldn’t fully grasp the situation.

I wanted to ask where I was and what had happened to Paul, but if this was the Marquis’s estate, it felt dangerous to say too much.

As I stood there deliberating, the woman handed me neatly folded clothes and bowed slightly.

“I tried to find something that would fit you, but since there are only boys in this household, I hope you don’t mind.”

Her words snapped me back to reality.

Looking at the clothes—a slightly oversized shirt and shorts—I realized something.

‘Boys.’

If this were the Marquis Diarmuid’s estate, there wouldn’t be any young boys.

Then…

“This is the Esperanza Duke’s estate… isn’t it?”