Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Now, even though I was not in direct contact with the plants, I felt as if I could hear them. It was as if I had become a part of the vast nature.

I stepped slowly in the direction the trees were showing me. Marianne followed me, holding tightly to the reins of the horse.

‘What is this power?’

I could feel it more clearly when I came to a place with many plants, a force that was raging inside me.

‘Right now, …..I think I can control this entire forest.’

When the power was this strong, it should be used more carefully. I won’t use it to satisfy my personal interests, like Roman.

It was when I had walked to some extent. I heard a rustling in front of me and a familiar face appeared.

“Your Majesty! You came safely.”

“Sir Baynard.”

It was Oslin. He looked very nervous.

“I was worried that something might happen to you. The emperor must be waiting for us right now without breathing.”

“I didn’t meet anyone on my way here. Even if we met, nothing would have happened.”

The security in the vicinity of the capital was very good. Even if those with impure intentions approached us, I was confident of overpowering and escaping. I could create vines in no time and tie them up and that would be the end of it.

When I confidently convinced Kwanach, he reluctantly agreed to the plan. I was no longer a person in need of protection.

This was a continent where magic was disappearing. Not many left who could use magic. I had to make the most of my power, not underestimate it.

Oslin said in a small voice.

“I have heard that you have become stronger……”

“So don’t worry too much about it.”

Oslin nodded and took a quick look at Marianne.

“It’s quite splendid to see you dressed as a man.”

“But if you look closely, you’ll notice it.”

“Yes. I thought you should wear a hat just in case, so I brought one.”

Oslin handed us each one of the hats. The brim was thick and wide.

“You won’t have much contact with other people. I’ll do the staffing that way. You’ll always be at the end of the line. You’ll not meet Jaxor at the front.”

Oslin’s face darkened for a moment as he mentioned the name  Jaxor. Come to think of it, Jaxor was an exceptional friend of Oslin’s as well.

“What do you think? Do you really think he betrayed us?”

“Hmm? I’m not sure. There are circumstances… …I don’t want to believe it. Hahahaha.”

Oslin let out a bitter laugh.

“Now we’ll meet up. If you go in with me, you won’t be suspicious.”

“Okay.”

“And please forgive me for my impertinence in presenting you to His Majesty for the time being.”

“Of course, of course. Now then, it seems that we must decide on a separate name in advance.”

“We’ll think about it on the way.”

The three of us thought of fake names as we walked slowly along the road. As a result, we decided that Marianne would be called Ben and I would be called Lucas.

* * *

Even though we brought the smallest number of people, the number was pretty large. Since this was the road the emperor would take, most of them were the most elite knights in the Kingsguard.

Marianne and I rode together in the wagon that Oslin had prepared for us. It was a wagon that we followed at the end of the procession.

Oslin had made it very clear that it contained important items, so no one but us could approach the wagon without permission. We joined the main group, being treated as servants of Oslin.

I couldn’t see Kwanach. He was in a large, solid tent, and as a porter, I couldn’t even get close to him.

Marianne and I climbed into our wagon as quietly as possible. We decided to sleep in the wagon instead of setting up a separate tent. It was safer since there was less contact with other people.

As I got into the wagon, a long sigh came out as the tension dissipated. Marianne bit her lips in a despairing expression.

“Are you sure you want to rest here? If the Emperor knew, he would weep tears of blood.”

“I said I would do it, and His Majesty needs to take this opportunity to be firm. Hasn’t he been too overprotective?”

I tried to imagine the expression on Kwanach’s face in the tent. He must be at a loss, just as Marianne had said. He would never have allowed me to sleep in such a shabby place.

Still, this time I forced him to do it. I also took the opportunity to correct Kwanach’s habit of overprotective of me. Perhaps feeling sorry for locking me in my room, Kwanach was in pain but listened to me helplessly.

The inside of the wagon was quite spacious. In fact, there wasn’t much luggage. It was just a few boxes. Oslin had told others that they were valuable, but they were actually just boxes full of iron.

We covered the floor of the carriage with the large animal fur that Oslin had given us. It looked very warm and fluffy.

I stared at the fur and said,

“Isn’t this a bit much? A porter sleeps on one of these things.”

“Your Majesty, it’s not much. You must put fur on the floor. I’m already sorry that you have to stay at such a shabby place.”

“Is that so? I’m pretty happy..…. I feel like I’m on an adventure in a minstrel. Marianne, you are my companion.”

“Oh, my God, that’s absurd!”

I was serious. I was really enjoying this situation right now.

My life had always been connected to the palace, both in Achaia and in the Radon Empire. Now that I had thrown away my status and set out on a journey, I felt like a different person.

However, It wasn’t a situation I could enjoy comfortably, as the main enemy, Roman, was waiting.

‘’You must be tired after coming so far, hurry up and lie down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty…”

Marianne fidgeted and lay down beside me. She crumpled up her body and tried to stick to the wall.

I stared at Marianne and said,

“You’re going to be sick the next day if you sleep like that.”

“I’m fine. Your Majesty.”

“No, I’m not. It’s only when you’re well that you can take good care of me. What are you going to do when you have to go like this for a few more days? Lie on your back.”

“Haaa….”

Then Marianne made a small sickly sound, and was compelled to lie down at once.

The sounds of insects could be heard quietly from outside the wagon. I couldn’t wash up or get a good night’s sleep outdoors, but it was okay. Marianne kept groaning and sighing next to me.

“Why do you and His Majesty treat me like I’m very valuable?”

“Of course you are valuable. Aren’t you the Empress of the Empire?”

“I’m not talking about status… …but you’re treating me as if I’m glass that can be broken. My homeland was poor. It was always cold. It’s not like I’ve ever had the greatest luxury.”

Marianne replied in a firm voice. There was a determined look in her eyes.

“Still, I wish to offer you only the very best, Your Majesty. I want to treat you as best as possible.”

“Yes, I am very grateful for that.”

I turned and looked at Marianne, who was lying next to me. I wasn’t familiar with her new appearance with a fake mustache, but only her pumpkin-colored eyes were the same.

“I’m glad I met you. You may think I’m the one who should serve, but I think of you as a friend.”

“That’s absurd….”

“Really. If it weren’t for you, it would have been much harder for me to adapt after coming to the Empire. Even today, I believe you said you would follow me without asking for any explanation.”

I didn’t even tell Marianne that the procession was a trap to catch Roman. I just told her that she would have to dress up as a man and follow Kwanach. Still, Marianne followed me without asking for any special explanation.

“I was just doing what was natural. If I, a maid of honor, don’t follow you, who will? Your Majesty is a great person.”

I laughed and turned again to look at the roof of the carriage. I suddenly remembered the days of my previous life when I was trapped in solitude with no one by my side.

I was no longer alone, I had people by my side like Marianne and Oslin, as well as Kwanach, whom I could trust and rely on.

I must protect them.

I had to.

* * *

Kwanach and the knights had been rushing across the border for several days now.

It was time to stop for a bit on the way to let the horses rest and eat. Kwanach put away his bread, as he had no appetite.

The others had just gathered in twos and threes and were eating their food rations. As usual at mealtime, there was a suitable amount of commotion.

But he, the emperor, was the only one who was alone and only occasionally looked around.

Knights gathered with knights, and soldiers with soldiers. Among them, those who were in charge of the chores, boarders, porters, etc., were not allowed to join them. Naturally, Usphere was squatting in a corner, the furthest place from Kwanach.

Usphere seemed to be staying quietly with Marianne without much suspicion. Oslin was coordinating well in the middle so that people wouldn’t pay attention to them.

Perhaps it was because they were known as the people Oslin had brought from his private residence, but the other maids in the Imperial Palace accepted the strangers as if they were so.

Kwanach bit his lip tightly and tried to remove his gaze from Usphere. A hint of pain flashed across his face.

‘I mustn’t be too conscious. She might get suspicious. Don’t look. Don’t look.’

He suppressed his emotions. The Emperor shouldn’t be looking at a mere porter.

But he couldn’t help it. It was heartbreaking to see Usphere sitting on the floor eating bread with that small, frail body.

He was so depressed and worried that couldn’t stop biting his lips.