“It was nothing special. It was something insignificant from the start. I just thought someone was in trouble, so I stopped the carriage. When I got down, it was her, and out of courtesy, I gave her a ride. It wasn’t something memorable.”

“Perhaps… was there anything unusual?”

“No. Was there something I should have noticed? Has she done something strange to you since then?”

Startled by the question, I shook my head.

“It’s nothing.”

Claude seemed completely unaware that Helena might have feelings for him.

Helena had once cried, saying she wasn’t someone worthy of being by his side…

If he knew that she had followed him, hiding in a small box, and was now in the same room, I wonder what expression he would make. A smirk escaped me.

At that moment, the sound of a bell announcing the time rang from outside. It was midnight.

Claude stood from his seat.

“It’s late. I should get going.”

We had to depart early the next morning. I followed him to the door to see him off.

Before leaving the room, Claude spoke one last time.

“Thank you for accepting me.”

“Sure.”

“And again, thank you.”

One of his eyebrows raised slightly.

“For what, besides including me in the journey?”

“For everything. For living well and being here with me at this moment. For finding those who care about you and knowing that you’re healthy. Everything.”

“……”

He smiled gently.

“Goodnight, Khalia. See you tomorrow.”

Then he walked down the dark hallway, his footsteps fading away.

The next morning, I announced that I would be traveling with Claude.

Andrew and Guinness nodded silently. Priest Adrian greeted the news with a smile.

“That’s great. Please take care of us, Your Highness.”

“Likewise, Father. Please take care of us.”

And so, our journey continued, becoming surprisingly more enjoyable.

We left the slow-moving carriage with the Duke’s merchant group and traveled together on horseback.

Drawing on his experience of mingling well with commoners much lower in status than himself—and proving the saying that a ‘handsome, wealthy, and high-ranking friend’ is always popular—he quickly grew close to Andrew and Guinness, even before I could.

When most of the day was spent riding, it was easy to become bored and tired. His presence was a great help as he skillfully lightened the mood during breaks and even while riding, often lifting our spirits with his jokes.

I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like if it had just been me, Adrian, Andrew, and Guinness.

The hesitation I felt on the first day about including him on the journey was now completely forgotten; the journey had become a joyful one.

Along the way, we visited cities, small towns, and even tiny villages with just a few houses.

We replenished our supplies of food, clothes, and other necessities and gave our horses ample time to rest.

Though I could pass unnoticed, Adrian was too famous, and while Claude wasn’t widely recognized by his appearance as a prince, it could still be disastrous if someone who knew him spotted him.

To avoid unnecessary attention, we covered our faces with cloaks and cloths whenever we entered populated areas.

A month into our journey, everything had gone smoothly.

It felt almost like we were on a long vacation, with each day bringing joy and happiness.

At times, I wondered if it was okay to feel so carefree and relaxed.

The people I left behind in the capital, the Duke’s household that I had entrusted, Baron Barden, who might be plotting something, and the ominous signs of the evil god—all these thoughts cluttered my mind.

Whenever such worries crept into my thoughts, it was as if Claude knew and would come over, almost like a ghost, to lift my spirits.

Even though it seemed impossible, his quick responses made it feel like he was always watching over me.

I was grateful for his thoughtful care, thankful that before what could be a long goodbye, I could spend more time with him.

“We should stay there for the night.”

After getting up early and riding, feeding the horses, and taking breaks, it was nearly sunset.

Andrew pointed to a distant outer wall. As we slowly approached on horseback, something felt off.

“There are a lot of people here.”

“Be cautious.”

Andrew and Guinness heightened their alertness.

Our journey had taken us past small farms for some time now. The town before us was large, almost like a small city. It seemed to be the largest settlement in the area.

People were lining up, standing at the city gate, as if everyone from the surrounding area had gathered here.

We dismounted and joined the end of the line.

Andrew tapped the shoulder of the person in front of us. A middle-aged man holding two ducks turned around.

“Excuse me. There are so many people here. Is there an event going on?”

“You must be travelers. Is this your first time in the South?”

“Yes. It is.”

One of the ducks flapped its wings, trying to escape from the man’s grasp. The man held it down firmly, smiling with yellowed teeth.

“You’ve come at a good time. Welcome to Chesty’s Second New Year Festival.”

“Second New Year?”

Guinness asked.

“Yes. You asked the right person. I’m a native here! I’m well-versed in the surrounding… what do you call it, the situation?”

“You certainly seem knowledgeable.”

Andrew, skilled at this sort of thing, quickly jumped in. The man’s chest puffed up with pride.

“You see, the land becomes more barren and the influence of monsters and non-human races grows stronger as you get closer to the central part of the continent, near the borders of the Empire and the Kingdoms.”

“That’s true.”

“Because it’s a border area between the Empire and the Kingdoms, the land is often neglected, and there are many unclaimed lands. The land is barren, the mountains are unnecessarily high, and it’s hard to survive here.”

Having said this much, he suddenly looked us over with a new set of eyes.

Fortunately, after our long journey, our clothes and gear had become worn enough not to draw any particular hostility as ‘arrogant northerners.’

The man continued his explanation willingly.

“So here in Chesty, during the week after the first month of the new year, we hold a festival to celebrate surviving and truly beginning the ‘New Year.’ Today is the last day of that festival.”

Finally, I understood the sudden crowd.

‘Time has passed so quickly.’

Traveling nonstop, I had lost track of time.

It was the first week of January when we left the Duke’s estate in the capital.

Now, a month had flown by. I felt a wave of nostalgia.

“There’s going to be fireworks in the square tonight. If you’re interested, you should go early to secure a spot. You’re already a bit late.”

“Thank you.”

The man hurried along as it became his turn.

We also passed through the gate shortly after.

Everyone around us seemed happy.

Families and friends walked the streets, laughing and dressed as well as they could, even if their clothes weren’t expensive.

“First, we should find a place to stay. I hope there’s a room available at the inn.”

“Yes, let’s hope so.”

As feared, the inns were packed with guests. Even offering extra money couldn’t secure a room.

The second inn was the same. After asking around and wandering through the busy backstreets, we finally found a room at the third and most rundown inn.

Even so, only two rooms were available, so I ended up sharing a room with Guinness, while Adrian, Claude, and Andrew shared the other.

“…Wow.”

After dinner, we went up to our room and opened the door. The sight before me drew a spontaneous exclamation. Guinness frowned.

“Is it just me, or does it feel like we’re camping even though we’re indoors?”

“I feel the same, Guinness.”

Even after paying an exorbitant amount for a room, the place was so shabby that it was almost comical.

The floor creaked with every step. The bed, just large enough for two people to sleep uncomfortably close, had one leg that was sunken in.

The round table bore the marks of many years of use, polished smooth by countless hands.

The tiny window, about the size of two palms, required Guinness, a skilled swordsman, to apply considerable force to push it open, producing a tearing sound.

“Well… at least the ceiling and walls are intact, right?”

“We don’t have much choice. But at least we have a room.”

After surveying the room and unpacking our things, there was a knock at the door.

“It’s me, may I come in?”

It was Claude. When I opened the door, he stood there, hand still raised from knocking, and smiled warmly.

“What is it, Claude?”

“I just thought it would be a shame to spend this night cooped up in the room.”