Chapter 14: The Beginning of The Journey

Preparations for the inspection tour to the northwest were proceeding flawlessly. For Eden, the calm before the storm felt deceptively serene.

Halfway through packing, she found herself repeatedly gazing blankly out the window. There was nothing she truly needed to bring.

‘If only I could hold onto this view for a long, long time.’

Liam had replaced her wardrobe with every change of season and sent her a few rare gems on her birthdays, but that was the extent of it. He probably didn’t even know what he was sending.

Eden let out a bitter smile as she fingered the luxurious dresses crammed into the wardrobe.

“Just enough to settle in somewhere.”

She tucked a few small gemstones into her pocket.

That light pouch, barely weighing more than a feather, and a sharp silver dagger were all she would be taking from Cherott. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness.

* * *

Time flew by, and before she knew it, departure day arrived.

Dressed in a simple traveling outfit, Eden leaned back against the cushioned seat of the carriage. Liam sat naturally beside her, and though the carriage was spacious, his presence made it feel completely full.

“Luckily, the weather’s nice today.”

“Indeed. Let me know if it gets too much. We can rest.”

“I will.”

Outside the window, a cloudless sky stretched endlessly like a picture painted by hand. The palace scenery, which she could once draw from memory with her eyes closed, felt oddly distant today, like a faraway land.

The oppressive weight she always felt when looking at the gray stone walls of the imperial palace, and even the warm memories buried like dust between the cracks, all felt like nothing more than fragments of a fading dream.

‘Even in this life, I’m leaving again.’

Eden gave a faint, bitter smile. She’d expected a painful farewell to her hometown, but it passed with surprising calm. Familiar sights zipped past the window. It was a goodbye without yearning, without sorrow.

‘I’m glad it doesn’t hurt as much as it used to.’

Beside her, Liam gently reached for Eden’s hand and held it in his own, a gesture as familiar as breathing. She leaned into him and looked out again.

Even the rhythmic jostling of the carriage felt utterly peaceful.

They rode for a long while between rows of identical-looking buildings until they reached the outskirts of the capital. There, for the first time, Eden saw rows of dilapidated houses. It was a raw, unfiltered poverty that neither Cherott nor Rodenberg had ever shown her.

A sharp stench drifted in through the open window. Women with large baskets bustled through narrow alleyways, and the sound of barefoot children laughing mixed with the slurred curses of a drunkard. The patched-up homes were so poorly built, they looked as if a stiff breeze would knock them over.

When Liam reached toward the window with a frown, Eden gently stopped him.

“Liam, do you see it too?”

“I do. I’m seeing it.”

His face softened immediately at her voice. Pulling her into his arms, he responded quietly.

Eden inhaled deeply, his scent chased away the foulness of the streets, filling her lungs with warm familiarity. She tilted her head to look up at him. Liam’s calm red eyes naturally met hers.

“I hope you’re feeling the same thing I am right now.”

“Eden, your heart is too soft. A world where everyone is equal doesn’t exist. I understand how you feel, but…”

He lightly tapped her cheek, raising one side of his mouth in a smile, childlike yet tinged with melancholy. A similar smile touched Eden’s lips.

“I know. But promise me you’ll try anyway.”

She burrowed her face into his chest like a child begging for reassurance, and Liam responded with a light kiss to her forehead. With a slow, reluctant tone, he nodded.

“…Alright. I’ll try. I promise. Even if it’s beyond what I can do.”

“Thank you. You’ve done so well until now. If it’s you, Liam… I believe you’ll find a way.”

Her words were tossed out almost offhandedly, but they stirred something in Liam’s expression. He murmured, sounding almost dazed.

“…That’s the first time anyone’s said that to me.”

“Really?”

It hadn’t seemed like anything special. Eden gave a small shrug. But she meant it. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Liam was capable. A competent ruler. Cherott needed him.

Ironically, in both her past life and this one, even after death, Eden had always left Cherott and headed for Rodenberg. Whether by force or choice, the outcome had been the same.

And yet, Eden loved her homeland deeply. It was the nation her father had risked his life to protect. Setting aside the futility of that war, she still felt a responsibility toward Cherott.

‘This life must be different. It will be different.’

As she watched the passing scenery, that thought solidified into conviction and into a vow.

“I like hearing that. Say it to me often.”

Liam suddenly lowered his head toward her, almost like a puppy asking to be petted. Hiding her mixed emotions, Eden ran her hand over his hair as if she’d done it a hundred times.

As he closed his eyes in comfort, Eden whispered teasingly into his ear.

“I didn’t know this about you, Liam… You’re weak to flattery, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m just weak to you.”

“And good at flattery too.”

“Caught me.”

He sat up with a quiet laugh and pressed his lips lightly to her face, cheeks, forehead, even the tip of her nose, making her giggle from the ticklishness. Then, without warning, Liam grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her deeply.

What had provoked him, she didn’t know.

Caught off guard by the sudden, intense kiss, Eden’s hands fumbled and clenched tightly onto the fabric of his sleeve.

“…You’re good at kissing too.”

She mumbled it quietly, face tinged pink. Liam’s eyes curved into soft crescents, pleased by the praise. He leaned in closer.

“And what else am I good at?”

The carriage continued on, tireless, as they traded silly words and countless kisses.

Golden sunlight streamed through the windows, so vivid it felt like she could touch it. Outside, the world had turned lush with green.

It was a peaceful moment.

As his fingers toyed gently with her earlobe, Eden’s tension eased and drowsiness overtook her. Eventually, she lay across his lap and fell into a light sleep. His hand rested over her eyes, rough, warm, and steady.

“Eden.”

“…Mmm?”

She stirred at the gentle shake of her shoulder and opened her eyes to find Liam’s face filling her blurry vision. She scrunched her brow, still groggy. He chuckled softly.

“I didn’t want to wake you, but we’ve arrived at the castle we’re staying at for tonight. You can rest properly after dinner.”

“Already?”

“…You must’ve really slept well.”

Watching her mumble and yawn, Liam laughed under his breath. When Eden reached out for his help, he lifted her hand and kissed the back of it deeply. Now wide awake, she shoved his hand away. Grinning, Liam effortlessly lifted her into his arms and hopped down from the carriage.

‘She really did sleep well.’

Night had fallen, and stars were scattered across the dark sky.

Eden’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She’d been lying on him for quite a while, yet he didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable.

“After all that sleep, you won’t be able to sleep tonight, will you…?” 

“Liam!”

Clamping a hand over his mouth, Eden stepped into the small fortress at the western gate. Modest, yet picturesque, like something out of a fairytale.

Liam’s aides glanced at her with uneasy expressions. Judging by their pale faces, it was clear they’d been through the wringer. Eden clicked her tongue in disapproval.

Liam followed her inside, looking distinctly unimpressed.

“Tsk. It’s cramped.”

“I think it’s charming. I really like it.”

“…Now that you mention it…”

He quickly changed his tune and gestured casually. At once, the fortress lit up, glowing like midday.

Eden silently gasped at the lavish interior, adorned with hundreds of flowers. When she saw the feast laid out for them, she couldn’t help but exclaim aloud.

The table was extravagant, prepared for just the two of them. Many of the ingredients were rare even in the capital, and the chef’s skill was impeccable; the dishes melted in her mouth.

Having eaten little during the journey, Eden polished off everything on her plate. Liam looked on with a satisfied smile.

“You must’ve been starving. I’ll make sure we have snacks prepared in the carriage tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“…That won’t be necessary…”

Before Eden could stop him, the nervous chef, who had been standing with hands clasped and eyes trembling, retreated with renewed determination. He vanished into the kitchen.

A smug smile played on Liam’s lips. He said, with suggestive weight, “If you’re finished eating, shall we head to our room? You may not be tired, but…”

“I am. I need to rest tonight, no matter what.”

“Really? That’s unfortunate.”

Despite the teasing words, Liam was surprisingly gentle. He even warmed the bed for her. His slightly damp hair carried an intoxicating scent of roses. He hugged Eden tightly with no space between them, humming softly.

Liam was unusually relaxed tonight. Watching the genuine joy on his face gave Eden a strange feeling.

What kind of expression will he wear after I leave? The carriage will be empty on the way back. What will he think when he sees the space I used to occupy?

I still hate this man with everything I have. The anger I feel toward him burns like fire, but why, then, does imagining his heartbreak not satisfy me at all?

Her mind swirled with questions, scattered like a flock of geese, gathering, then breaking apart.

As Liam gently patted her back, Eden squeezed her eyes shut. Her chest felt tight, as though something were clenching her heart.

“Tomorrow, we’ll see the sea. The weather should be clear. I only caught glimpses of it during the war, but even then, it was beautiful.”

Liam spoke in a soft whisper.

“Eden, I wanted to show it to you.”

“Even when you came alone?”

“Yes.”

“But… you didn’t love me back then. Why would you…”

Eden tilted her head in confusion, but his expression betrayed no pretense.

“While marching along the coast, I suddenly thought of you. Beautiful things always reminded me of you. At some point… it just became that way.”

A faint smile lingered on his lips, softened by warmth.

Eden turned to face him directly. Their faces were so close, their noses almost touched. Liam’s gaze brushed tenderly over her features.

“Back then… I didn’t know why.”

He continued in a calm tone. After staring at him quietly, Eden asked gently.

“Do you know now?”

“Yes. I do.”

He nodded slowly, smiling. His relaxed face was tinged with a subtle flush.

Then his hand stilled on her back. The air between them grew taut as their eyes locked, intense like a kiss. Even the sound of his throat swallowing felt amplified in the thick silence.

Her heartbeat thundered. And she couldn’t tell if it was his or hers.

His lips parted slowly. The moment his voice reached her ears, and as she absorbed the full meaning, Eden simply stared into his eyes, unmoving.

“I… I love you, Eden.”

Her eyelashes trembled faintly. Liam met her gaze, unwavering, and spoke again, slowly, clearly.

“I’ve been in love with you.”

It was a night where even time itself seemed to freeze.