“Lena!”

At the sound of her name, Ines, who was sitting among the grass picking medicinal herbs, peeked her head up. Soon realizing the voice belonged to Greta, she stood up and answered.

“Yes! I’m here, Greta!”

It seemed she had lost track of time while absorbed in gathering herbs. Even though they were supposed to leave for Mareina together today. Thinking she might be late for their appointed time, Ines’s movements became hurried.

Ines picked up her basket full of herbs and quickly made her way through the forest, using her walking stick to steady herself.

Then she came face to face with Greta, who was looking at her disapprovingly from not far away. Greta heaved a deep sigh at Ines, who had grass leaves stuck all over her.

“We’re about to leave, how could you still be picking herbs?”

“I’m sorry, I was looking for whistling grass and got carried away… I thought we’d need a lot of allergy medicine because of the pollen.”

Ines gave an awkward smile at Greta’s scolding. It was a habit she had when getting lectured or scolded by Greta.

It had already been two years since Ines settled in this village and lived with Greta. During that time, Ines had learned about medicinal herbs from Greta and became skilled enough to make simple medicines.

“You didn’t have to go that far…”

Whistling grass was one of the herbs used in spring allergy medicine. As Ines said, with spring’s arrival, many people would be seeking allergy medicine. Greta was secretly grateful to Ines for thoughtfully preparing something she hadn’t considered.

As days passed, Greta found movement increasingly difficult due to her aging body. Thanks to Ines actively helping with the work, Greta could feel more at ease.

Moreover, the two were planning to leave for the port city of Mareina this morning. They were going to attend the grand tournament held every four years in ten days.

They were going as medical staff for the village’s representative athlete participating in the tournament, and they planned to sell the medicines they had made while in the city. Without Ines’s help, Greta couldn’t have managed all this alone.

“Thank you, Lena. Thanks to you, we’ll be able to live comfortably this year.”

Ines had made so many medicines starting a month before departure. If they could sell the prepared medicines at proper prices, they wouldn’t have to worry about money until next winter.

Actually, selling medicine in a small village didn’t bring much income. Before Ines came, Greta had been living off money from asking others to sell medicine in big cities.

But even this she had given up long ago due to age, yet if they could get proper prices for the medicine, they would be fine until next year.

“It’s just what I should do. Don’t worry about it, Greta.”

Ines was rather happy that she could be of help to Greta. A year ago, she had tried to give Greta her gold coins, but she had refused. Saying she should keep it as emergency money in case she ever wanted to leave. She was just grateful to Greta who always thought of her first.

So Ines began finding things she could do one by one. Though physical labor was not easy at first, working up a sweat was much happier than sitting like a doll trapped in the palace.

Suddenly realizing they were running late, Greta said.

“Let’s hurry. It’s almost time to leave.”

“Yes.”

Just as the two came out of the forest and reached the cottage, they spotted a young man loitering near the cottage.

Greta greeted him with a welcoming voice when she saw him.

“Jade.”

The man turned at the familiar voice. The brown-haired man gazed at the two with eyes shadowed by greenery. The handsome young man was the athlete who would represent the village in this tournament.

The village had even held a feast when he passed the supposedly difficult preliminary rounds.

Jade, upon spotting the two, rushed over.

“Looks like you were in the forest. I was just about to tell you it’s time to leave. Are you ready?”

Ines stepped forward instead of Greta.

“Sorry, Jade. As you can see, we just got home. Could you wait a bit? I’ll just change clothes and come out.”

Jade waved his hand firmly as if it was fine.

“It’s okay, take your time. We’ll have to camp out tonight anyway even if we leave early. More importantly, I came to help load the luggage. Just give me the bags and I’ll load them in the carriage first.”

“Really? That would be helpful.”

She had been wondering how she and Greta would carry all their considerable luggage down, but thanks to Jade, it seemed they could move it easily.

Just as Ines was about to pick up a large box placed in front of the cottage, a startled Jade approached.

“Let me handle things like this. Women shouldn’t lift heavy things.”

Ines smiled at Jade who took the box before she could even lift it.

“Thank you, Jade.”

Jade’s ears suddenly turned red as he stared at Ines’s face.

“I-I’ll take this down first. Put the other luggage out front! I’ll come get them. T-then I’ll head down first!”

Then he hurried down without even waiting for Ines’s response. Watching Jade’s retreating figure, Greta clicked her tongue.

“That boy’s face turns red whenever he sees you.”

Ines gave an awkward smile at Greta’s words. Everyone in the village knew that Jade had feelings for Ines. Naturally, Ines had noticed long ago too. How could she not when his face turned red and he stammered at even the slightest touch?

“Isn’t he fine as he is? He’s been following you around for two years now.”

In fact, Jade was considered the village’s best marriage prospect. He was honest and upright in character, healthy and strong enough to participate in the tournament. Above all, he was so handsome that quite a few village girls admired him.

But Ines felt no romantic feelings for him whatsoever. Above all…

“I have no intention of meeting anyone. I just prefer staying with you, Greta.”

At Ines’s answer, Greta shook her head and sighed.

“What a horrible thing to say. Fine. Let’s get going.”

Though Greta brushed it off lightly, Ines really was happy just as things were. It was such a peaceful time that sometimes she wished time would stop.

* * *

The port city, Mareina.

They arrived after traveling by carriage for four full days.

Ines, who arrived at the lodgings first, sighed as she opened the window.

“Haah…”

As soon as the door opened, a cool breeze swept through Ines’s hair. The second-floor room had a nice view of the distant sea.

“…It smells like the ocean.”

The scent of the sea carried by the wind brushed past her nose. It had been two years since she’d been somewhere this crowded.

Unlike the quiet village, her heart felt strangely excited being in such a bustling city.

How long had she been looking outside? Ines began counting on her fingers to organize what needed to be done today.

“First unpack the luggage, and then…”

As she was muttering about what needed to be done first, she suddenly heard rough male voices.

“Did you hear? They say the king might get married soon.”

Ines’s expression instantly hardened when she realized they were talking about Carlos.

“Is that true? Well, it’s been about two years since the queen died, so if anything it’s rather late. So who’s the match?”

“Well, I heard it’s either a count’s daughter or a foreign princess. But hey, he’s the king – who couldn’t he marry? As long as he doesn’t ruin the country.”

“Still better than the previous king. Life’s better than before.”

Ines’s eyes grew distant as she listened to their conversation. After her supposed death, the country had been in chaos because the king had practically abandoned his duties. But fortunately, that period didn’t last long.

She had heard that from some point, the king had begun actively focusing on state affairs.

Since Ines lived in such a small village, she couldn’t hear detailed news, but she occasionally picked up information from merchants who traveled to the city.

But now there was talk of a new marriage.

‘That’s good.’

It seemed like just yesterday she had been careful about Carlos finding out she was alive. Now there was no need for that anymore.

A bitter smile formed on Ines’s lips as she briefly recalled the past.

She shook her head to clear away her thoughts. Then, closing the open window, she said to Greta.

“I’m going out for a bit to look around.”

She wanted to change her suddenly dampened mood.

And at the same time.

Two men stopped in front of a small two-story house not far from where Ines was staying.

Someone approached the man in front and quietly murmured.

“This is the house, Your Majesty.”

At those words, the man in front removed the deeply pulled-down robe.

With hair as dark as night and red eyes reminiscent of bright blood, the man was Carlos.