Chapter 78

78. The Road to the South

As Adelaide had expected, Elkius granted their permission to go south. He had given his permission last time, so there was no reason to change it, and he had work to do in Callion’s absence.

Preparations for the journey were not difficult, as Callion’s luggage was still packed when he returned from his journey south. Adelaide only added a few bags with clothes and necessities.

It wasn’t a procession going to receive hospitality, so the servants didn’t accompany them.

Julian had not returned from the Marquisate of Alberden and Lucid had also decided to stay in the capital, so the only knight who accompanied them was Ahio. The food situation in the south was bad enough, and there was no need to add to it.

As soon as they were ready, Callion gave the order to depart, having added ten more wagons’ worth of provisions as an apology for the delay.

“I didn’t realise we’d be travelling south with the rains.”

Roella Changeling chirped excitedly. Unlike when Callion had travelled alone to the South, Roella was with them on this journey.

The capital was too chaotic for a woman to be alone, and when Adelaide decided to head south, she agreed to join her.

It was a relief for Adelaide to have a woman her own age in an all-male group.

“Have you ever been to the South before?”

“No, I’ve never been to the South.”

“I see! Well, there’s not much to see in the South; it’s all desert near the border, the towns are small, and the castles are crudely built because of the wind.”

Roella grumbled.

“And the weather is so hot, you can’t even go for a walk during the day in the summer, and there’s such a drought these days that everyone is suffering…….”

Roella, who was in the midst of a rousing conversation, stuttered.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you tired of me talking so much?”

“No, I’m not bored; I like it.”

“My father told me not to bother you when you’re not feeling well, but I must have talked too much.”

“It’s okay, I’m feeling better, and travelling is all about the noise.”

She wouldn’t say it was a pleasant journey.

With that, Adelaide looked out the window. Behind their carriage, dozens of carts loaded with luggage and provisions followed.

Despite the pretence of a leisurely journey, they were on high alert, having encountered several food raids.

The food shortage in the south was not the only reason for the bandits’ behaviour.

This is why Lord Changeling hasn’t been able to procure enough food from the neighbouring estates.

Not only the south, but the entire empire was starving.

With the emperor squeezing taxes to feed his own greed and the nobles too drunk on Velidos to govern their estates properly, the economy can’t function properly.

Adelaide spoke up, thinking that the situation might be better in the south, where they had realised the gravity of the situation and taken action.

“How long do you think it will take us to reach your territory?”

“We’re about halfway there.”

“That’s a long way.”

It had been about ten days since they left the capital, which meant another ten days to go. Riding horses would shorten the time, but the cart would not make it any faster.

“Adele.”

Callion, who had been guarding the rear of the group, spoke softly from beside the carriage.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine.”

“If you’re tired, let me know. We can send the carts ahead and take our time. Lady Roella, please don’t mind and tell me.”

“Oh, yes. Your Grace.”

Roella Changeling replied, blushing.

“The village is only an hour away, so we’ll be able to rest soon enough.”

After gently comforting the two, Callion moved away from the carriage again. Roella, who had been following Callion with dreamy eyes, sighed.

“How can he be so handsome?”

“What?”

“I thought he was cold and aloof, but the more I see him, the more I find him admirable, especially in this matter. His Grace protected so many people alone.”

“Ah…….”

“Even saving you from the rain. If Your Highness had been a little late, it would have been a big problem, right? It seems like there’s something special about you.”

Roella blurted out. It felt strange to hear Callion’s praise coming from someone else’s mouth.

“How can he be so perfect? Even at the salon, everyone kept talking about you.”

“The salon?”

“Yes. I’ve been to a few, though none of them were very welcoming.”

Roella chuckled. She was inwardly surprised that the salon had been held at all after all the commotion.

“I went because my father was mad at me for not finding someone to marry, but it wasn’t much fun.”

“Oh, I see.”

She wonders if the salon was any different for Roella, who hadn’t been able to mix with the nobility even at the party.

She couldn’t dance because of her crippled leg, so she could only sit and walk back and forth to the dance floor.

Adelaide, feeling a sense of sympathy, spoke up.

“I’m sure the salon wasn’t the same with all the clutter.”

“Exactly. That’s why I don’t want to go anymore. Father rushes me, but Mother says I don’t have to get married, and we’ll talk about it when we get back to the South.”

“Doesn’t Her Ladyship urge you?”

“Yes, she says there’s no good in marrying early.”

Adelaide shook her head at Roella’s reply.

The love story of Haywards Changeling and his wife was well known. The young ladies of the salon would gossip that their romantic love rivalled that of Emperor Roman Isulandt.

“Excuse me, but I heard that the two of them get along very well…”

“My parents are on good terms, but my mother says that married couples should live with affection, not with love.”

“……ah.”

Just as she was thinking that this was not something that would come out of the mouth of a wise and shy Lady Changeling, Roella chimed in.

“Actually, my mother is a bit of an oddity, so I thought I’d warn you in case you’re surprised when you meet her.”

“I see.”

A desert tribe, so maybe she’s different from the women of the Empire.

In any case, since Lord Changeling’s love for his wife is special, it is highly likely that she will hold the key to winning over Lord Changeling.

Having won the favour of Roella Changeling, it shouldn’t be impossible to win the Countess’s heart.

‘But finding the underground water is the key. ‘

Adelaide cast her gaze out the window again.

The carriage, which had been running along the riverbank, turned into the center of town. It stopped in front of an inn, having traveled along the village road.

Callion opened the carriage door and let Adelaide out. She struggled to stand upright, having been swaying in the carriage since early in the morning.

“Are you all right?”

“It’s a bit shaky.”

Before she could finish her sentence, he swiftly lifted Adelaide into his arms.

“Careful! Your eyes—.”

“What does it matter?”

Callion replied nonchalantly, and he spun her around in his arms. Roella, supported by Ahio, stepped out of the carriage and looked at the two of them with flushed cheeks.

“Ahio, escort Lady Roella inside.”

Callion carried her into the inn and set her down on the bed. As she stretched out her tired body, Callion pressed her down in an enveloping embrace and looked down at her with warm eyes.

“You look tired.”

“Mmm, I’m fine.”

“I don’t know if you’re pushing yourself too hard.”

“It’s not a leisure trip, you’re already late because of me, so there’s no point in getting even later by overdoing it.”

As she replied nonchalantly, Callion gave her a bitter smile. Her skin was still marked with faint bruises around her neck, probably because of her delicate complexion.

Callion pressed his lips together against Adelaide’s, which had become chapped over the past few days, then released them.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The inn was satisfactory. The food was delicious, and the bed was soft. Even Roella, who had shared a room with Adelaide throughout the journey, was delighted with the comfortable bed.

Adelaide, who had finished her meal and retired to bed early, woke up at the hint of dawn. She heard rustling sounds and then the open door closed shut.

What was that?

Sitting up, Adelaide looked around the room with a strange feeling.

“Lady Roella?”

Roella’s bed was empty.

“Where did she go?

The sheets were still warm, so she must have been in bed a while ago.

Adelaide put on her gown and went outside. Everyone seemed exhausted from the relentless march over the past few days; there was no one standing guard.

She scanned the corridors, but Roella was nowhere to be seen. Her footsteps were muffled, and as she exited the inn, someone grabbed her around the waist.

“……!”

“What happened?”

“Haah……, Your Grace.”

Adelaide replied, swiping at her throbbing chest.

“I can’t find Lady Roella.”

“Lady Roella?”

“Yes, I came out to look for her in case something happened.”

Callion’s brow narrowed. With the soldiers’ barracks surrounding the inn, he hoped nothing would happen, but if anything did happen to the precious Changeling’s daughter, it would be a disaster.

“I’ll look for her.”

“Please come with me. It’s better that way.”

Callion, realizing that it was strange for the Duke of Tiflis to wander around with a foreign woman in the early morning, held Adelaide’s hand and left the inn together.

It was midnight at the inn gate. Despite searching diligently around the gate, there was no sign of Roella’s shadow. Anxious, they hurried to the back of the inn.

“Oh, there she is.”

Adelaide pointed her finger at Roella.

Roella stood alone at the back of the inn, under a large tree. She looked up into the moonlight from time to time and sighed, her face full of worry.

“She must have come out for some air.”

Adelaide nodded at Callion’s whisper. Once she was sure that nothing was wrong, she was relieved.

Why is she out this late?

As they cautiously approached her, wondering if she was worried about something, a black shadow leapt out of the darkness.