Chapter 033
When Roman left and it was just the two of us, the familiar silence returned.
His gaze slowly scanned my face down to my feet before he picked up a thick blanket nearby.
“We’ll arrive at the territory by today. We’ll be departing soon, so please get in the carriage.”
“Got it.”
“Wrap this around you if you don’t want to catch a cold. The morning air is quite chilly.”
Before I could say anything, he roughly draped the blanket over me. No, “draped” wasn’t the right word; “tied” was more accurate.
I paused, momentarily speechless, at my reflection in the carriage window.
Wrapped tightly in the thick blanket with only my face sticking out, I looked utterly ridiculous.
Evan seemed to feel the same way; I noticed his hands trembling slightly as he tied the blanket.
“…It’s better than being cold.”
Still, he didn’t seem inclined to take it back.
Seeing him revert to his usual blunt demeanor made me smile.
“Thank you.”
His attitude was so blunt that it seemed like he was scolding me, but I didn’t care.
‘This feels much more comfortable.’
Unlike other nobles, he genuinely seemed concerned about me catching a cold.
“…I’ll be going now. I have a lot to do.”
He stared at my smiling face for a long moment before suddenly turning and leaving.
‘Did I keep him too long when he’s busy?’
I watched his retreating figure for a moment before quickly getting into the carriage.
A little while later, I heard a knight’s voice announcing that everything was ready.
***
About five hours after leaving the inn, I found myself shivering inside the carriage.
“Ugh, why is it so cold?”
I wrapped the blanket Evan had given me around myself more tightly. I had felt fine when I woke up that morning, but as time passed, my body began to tremble.
“Did I wear too thin of clothes?”
I resolved to change as soon as we arrived at the territory and leaned my head against the window.
Feeling the familiar vibrations of the carriage, I opened the window slightly.
A fresh breeze brushed against my cheek, making my queasiness ease a bit.
As my mind cleared, I noticed Evan riding ahead on his horse, his posture perfectly composed.
‘He said he had been living on the battlefield.’
Suddenly, his earlier words flashed in my mind, sparking my curiosity about his past that he kept hidden.
‘Will he answer if I ask him?’
Lost in thought, I was staring at his back when someone shouted, “The territory is in sight!”
At that, I leaned out of the window.
First, I saw the vast open plains. Following the clear stream flowing through it, I spotted a village with buildings gathered together.
We had finally arrived at the Duchy of Ballestain.
***
“It’s tall…”
Among everything, the massive castle walls encircling the ducal castle stood out.
The castle had two towering spires that seemed to rise higher than most towers depicted in drawings.
In fact, this territory had been unclaimed for nearly 50 years, managed by the royal family.
The land was rich in resources, making it a coveted territory, but its location on the border with the Kingdom of Clayts made it a dangerous place as well.
Moreover, it was just after a war that had lasted five years against Clayts.
‘If another war breaks out, this place will be targeted first.’
As that thought crossed my mind, I looked at Evan in front of me.
‘If another war breaks out…’
I knew this country could fall into conflict again because of that damn Delos.
And Evan died trying to protect me…
The uncertain future stemming from a changed past weighed heavily on me, but one thing was clear: numerous sacrifices were already foreseen.
Thinking about the near future made my mood plummet.
As I was lost in thought, I heard Evan’s low voice beside me.
“It may seem modest compared to the capital, but you won’t find it uncomfortable.”
Turning my head, I saw that Evan had moved closer and was looking at my face intently.
I quickly shook my head to clear up any misunderstandings.
“I wasn’t thinking that at all. I actually think it looks great. Once the buildings destroyed by the war are restored, it’ll be even more impressive, right? Where do we start with the reconstruction of the territory?”
His eyebrows raised slightly at my words, and he turned his head away before responding.
“Do you want to try?”
“Huh? Try what?”
“The territory reconstruction you just mentioned. It’s one of the tasks we’ll need to undertake while staying here.”
I stared wide-eyed at Evan’s profile, unable to process his unexpected words.
“If not, then that’s fine. You looked really excited when talking about the plans.”
Evan whispered that and then moved ahead, leaving me in a daze.
Just as I continued to watch his retreating figure, I heard a commotion ahead.
“Hey, they’re coming!”
As we entered the edge of the village, loud cheers erupted from somewhere.
Peering out further, I saw a large crowd gathered on either side.
Everyone was genuinely welcoming us to their town.
As we slowly moved forward, a little girl bounced out from between the adults.
Evan, who was on lead, halted his horse and looked down at the child who had fallen in front of him.
“…”
The girl gazed up at Evan, wide-eyed.
In that moment of eye contact,
“Heuk”
The child’s expression suddenly changed to one of distress.
Tears filled her little eyes, clearly visible even from the carriage.
Although I could only see her back, it seemed she was frightened by Evan’s impassive face.
The surrounding crowd held their breath, alternating glances between Evan and the girl.
‘Well, it’s understandable; he can be intimidating to a child.’
I nodded to myself, recalling Evan’s usual expression.
Just as I thought I should step in before it became awkward for Evan, he dismounted and approached the crying girl.
As I watched, he suddenly picked her up into his arms.
Whoosh.
The child, dangling like a sack, looked surprised and stared at him with wide eyes.
“Oh my, Ria! What are you doing there?”
At that moment, the parents of the child appeared in the crowd.
“Mom….”
Evan, watching the child reach out to them, strode forward and stood in front of the parents.
“Gasp, Your Grace…?”
After looking around, the woman, who had last turned her gaze to Evan, seemed to grasp the situation and take a deep breath.
Her expression clearly showed she was tense.
Evan stared silently at the woman for a moment before extending the child toward her.
“Wah.”
The child immediately nestled into her arms and began to whimper.
“T-thank you.”
The woman bowed her head in gratitude, and Evan nodded slightly before casually remounting his horse.
He was truly an enigmatic man.
‘I thought he would delegate this to a subordinate.’
With little change in expression and a serious demeanor I was used to seeing, it felt strange to witness this side of him.
As the horse started moving again, the cheers grew louder once more.
Finally, after five long days, we entered the territory of Ballestain.
midori
thanks! well now, he actually talked to first! though he has done it a few times, but it feels like it takes all his courage and he struggles to continue the conversation. baby steps baby stepssss! i’d like a chapter on his perspective, not his past though, but his present.