Chapter 71

The goal of the journey to the Great Temple was to be as fast as possible and inconspicuous. If it was known that Declan was absent, there would be people after him. Even though they had to use a carriage because of the doll, they also minimized the break time.

“Your Majesty, we must camp here today.”

As Liam’s voice came through the carriage window, I glanced up at the sky and saw that it had already died red.

“Let’s do that.”

When Declan’s permission was given, the sound of the horseshoes faded away. As usual, I think Wenzell went ahead to find a campsite.

“Are you tired?”

Although it was barely visible, Declan’s face was covered with fatigue. It had already been ten days since we left the Imperial Palace.

“It’s okay. Staying outdoors is what I always do on the battlefield.”

Although he did not express it, he seemed cramped because he was only in the carriage.

‘Because it’s Declan, he can endure like that.’

If I had been a human, I would have collapsed by now.

“Are you bored?”

“It’s fine. It’s nice to be able to talk a lot, thanks to you.”

After leaving, I was curious about the new scenery for a while, but I soon lost interest in that as well.

‘He was going because of me, so I can’t complain.’

“Still, it’s the first time I’ve been outside the Imperial Capital, so I’d like to see it.”

Declan’s face was stained with regret.

“There will be another chance next time. If we go around in this state, you won’t even be able to enjoy it properly.”

“It would be fine to stop by the village on the way back and take a look.”

I was convinced that I would become a human being when I returned as I continued my words, “…Then, please show me around.”

Instead of saying that I might not be human, he smiled and replied back with the wish that my words will come true.

“Yes.”

Declan replied with a faint smile.

“Your Majesty, we have found a place.”

Shortly after Liam’s report, the carriage stopped.

Declan picked up the storage box with the doll and lowered it. This storage box was designed so that the door could be opened from the inside with a device to protect the doll. When I came out of the carriage, I found a flat land sparsely covered with trees.

“I think I’m going to go hunting today. It’s been a while since we had something decent?”

Wenzel shouted loudly and went away with Hans.

“Sir Oswan seems to love hunting.”

For the past ten days, he used to say that he would hunt whenever he had the chance.

“He can’t stand being still.”

Declan, who replied indifferently, leaned back under the shade of a suitable tree.

“Where are we now?”

“We’re at the border right now. I think we’ll arrive in about four days until the Great Temple.”

“We won’t be able to stop it from Ielro Royal Palace, will we?”

“If they hear it, we’ll only get caught in the ankles for nothing.”

I had the same idea. King Ielro wouldn’t help, as he would want to publicize Declan’s visit.

“…Can we really find Perseum?”

As I gazed at the burning bonfire, the anxiety I had been trying to turn away from raised in my head. While Stella confirmed the existence of Perseum, it felt like something was swept away. I also feared that I might be chasing after a mirage out of my earnest desire to become a human.

“You will find it. I will make sure to find it.”

When the person cut my word off with a single blow, laughter leaked out of my mouth.

“Your Majesty, thank you for coming with me.”

I was grateful and thankful to know that he had gone on a journey just for me. How should I express this to him…?

“Thank you so much, for coming to my side.”

He gazed at me and patted my head.

“Just say what you were thinking of.”

When I hesitated to speak, Declan reassured me that it was okay with a soft gaze.

“Even if I don’t become a human… Can I stay by your side?”

To be honest, ever since I realized my feelings for Declan, these were the words that had been lingering in my mind.

‘…I want to be with him, but would it be okay to look like this?’

That was why I hadn’t been able to confess my heart yet. Meanwhile, his eyes moved slowly, as if reminiscent of mine.

“Erica, do you know what I fear the most?”

When I tilted my head quietly at the question, he lowered the corners of his eyes.

“…That you disappear.”

My breath stopped at the one sentence he uttered as though a whisper.

“So, this is important to me.”

A large hand gently caressed my silhouette.

“But, why…? When I think of you becoming a person, I am afraid in a different way.”

If I became a person, it meant that I would no longer disappear… So, what could he be afraid of?

“Now that only I can see you, you will depend on me, but when you become a person…” Saying so, Declan inhaled quietly before exhaling as he finished the sentence.

“…I’m afraid you’ll leave without me.”

As he caressed my sadly distorted eyes, my eyelids closed quietly.

“In the end, no matter what you look like, I will continue to be anxious.”

The words he let out like a sigh were burned by the bonfire as the green eyes that reappeared were only staring towards me.

“So, tell me you won’t leave me.”

It seemed like I was going to seethe under the yearning gaze.

“I won’t leave. So please stay with me, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, I promise.”

His eyes twinkled with joy, and a smile formed on his lips. Looking at that face now, hope rather than anxiety about Perseum and a strong longing instead of fear arose.

“Your Majesty, look at this. We did pretty good today.”

When he arrived, Wenzel, with some wild beasts, was smiling wildly.

“How well my hands and feet get along with this friend. I’ll have to go hunting together in the future.”

As Wenzel tapped Hans on the shoulder, Hans smiled and scratched his head.

“All of them are Sir Oswan’s excellent hunting skills.”

“What do you mean, you killed half of the game here?”

Wenzel smiled and approached the bonfire.

“As expected of the captain. Your fire is a good work of art, too.”

Meanwhile, Liam grinned as if he couldn’t stop Wenzel from raising his thumb.

“Come on, now that we’ve finished the trim, let’s roast it.”

The sound of sizzling meat cooking and the sound of grasshoppers spread quietly. When the meat was done, Declan also took a seat between them.

“How was it?”

“It’s okay. Good job.”

It was a light compliment, but Wenzel laughed.

“This reminds me of the first time I went to war, isn’t it, Captain?”

“Right. My head still hurts when I think about Sir confronting His Majesty at that time.”

“What? You’re talking about when we were young again.”

As Wenzel scratched his head in embarrassment, Hans widened his eyes in astonishment and he added, “At that time, I was a little immature. The Prince didn’t say anything, and he only brought the doll.”

Then, Wenzel looked at Declan and he shook his head.

“You were gutsy. Now, I think it was a good thing to keep Sir alive.”

“Why did you say that?”

Wenzel rubbed his mouth and picked up the new meat.

“It’s amazing thinking about it, to hear that the doll of the Princess has a soul. Well, I still don’t feel it right now.”

Wenzel glanced at the doll storage next to Declan.

“I’ll make it feel real soon.”

Declan looked at me and smiled softly.

“Yes, yes. I’m looking forward to it, so please have more of this.”

Replying so, he then handed Declan a piece of meat. After the meal, the group who had cleaned up spread the blanket.

“Come here.”

Declan, lying on the blanket, spoke to me, pointing to the doll he was holding in his arms as usual.

“I’ll sing you a lullaby.”

“I’m fine now.”

As I entered the doll, the man patted me on the back.

“Only Your Majesty hears me anyway, so I’ll sing it for you.”

“Stubborn.”

As the sound of the humming lullaby softly spread through the quiet forest, the pats gradually slowed down.

* * *

Mason took a deep breath before entering the conference room. Today, he had to buy time by holding the reins of the herd.

“Khmm.”

As soon as the door was opened, the nobles who had been talking to each other became quiet for a moment. Among them, he exchanged glances with Duke Buccleuch, who was sitting in the front row.

“Today’s meeting will be presided over by me.”

At those words, the conference room suddenly became noisy.

“Why is the Chancellor presiding over the meeting?”

Duke Otien asked with a puzzled face.

“His Majesty is currently away.”

“Where did he go?”

Even though his tone was modest, it was full of sarcasm.

“He is out for business.”

“No, if there was such a thing, shouldn’t he have told us first?”

The nobles also complained about it.

“Quiet.”

At Mason’s words, the conference room became quiet and he continued, “His Majesty went out in secret to prevent a transport accident like the last time.”

It was an excuse made in advance to hide Declan’s destination.

When Mason stared at Duke Otien as he spoke, the Duke calmly replied to his gaze, but his mouth remained slightly stiff.