Chapter 48: The Runaway Princess

Chapter 48: The Runaway Princess

TL: Etude

After a moment of surprise, the two women quickly regained their composure.

The blonde-haired girl lifted her head and said with a huff, Northwest Bay or not, as long as they cant find us, its fine.

Paul was struck by her demeanor and tone, which felt oddly familiar. After a moment of reflection, he realized she was acting tsundere, a term he thought was exclusive to fictional worlds before he crossed over. Seeing it in real life was unexpectedly exciting.

Where are you ladies from? Paul asked again, his tone exceedingly polite. He had noticed the decorations on the blonde girls cloak, which were not something ordinary people or even nobles could afford. This wasnt something money could easily buy.

Paul remembered seeing a similar style of decoration in a portrait from his childhood, in a collection owned by the older Grayman. It depicted a significant figure from some country. This girl, he realized, must have a notable background.

It seemed prudent to be courteous with these two.

Were from the Gabella Empire, said the blonde girl, introducing herself as Betty Dias, a wandering scholar. The other woman, Mary, was introduced as her guard.

Another scholar? Paul wondered, finding it suspicious. Ladis attire seemed more fitting for a scholar. Regardless, he didnt intend to pry into their affairs, whether they were runaway nobles or exiled royalty. As long as they werent breaking the law, he wouldnt interfere, unless they caused serious trouble like kidnapping or murder.

This led him to consider establishing a public security department to manage the territorys law and order.

Who are these people? the blonde-haired girl asked while Paul was lost in his thoughts.

Oh, sorry, the horsemen are my subordinates, and the others are from the Lichman Adventure Team from the south. Actually, it was Miss Ladi, the green-haired lady over there, who killed the black-spotted tiger with her arrows. Shes a scholar like yourself.

Paul felt a bit ashamed for forgetting to introduce the person who played the biggest role in their rescue.

The two women bowed in gratitude to Ladi, their manners impeccable, further convincing Paul of their noble origins.

Ladi returned the gesture, her gaze briefly lingering on the self-proclaimed scholar.nove(l)bi(n.)com

The taller woman asked, Is there a place nearby where we can stay?

Paul pointed eastward with his whip, If you travel east for half a day, youll reach Lakeheart Town, where my residence is located. Youre welcome to accompany us there, if you dont mind.

So, lets invite young Master Foster to dinner tonight, and you, Ford, stay as well. Lets enhance the friendship between our families, the Count decided.

In the only inn of Lakeheart Town, in a superior room, the two beautiful women saved by Ladie were staying here.

Your Highness, shall we set off eastward tomorrow?

How about we stay here for a while? What do you think, Leah?

Indeed, these two were Princess Eileen of the Kingdom of Ordo and her female bodyguard Leah, who had secretly run away from the capital.

Upon learning that her father intended to marry her to Duke Viburen of the eastern territories, Princess Eileen, in a fit of defiance, fled home with her personal bodyguard.

They had originally planned to detour through the northeast to seek refuge with her mothers family in the Gabella Empire. However, due to their lack of sense of direction, they ended up in the northwest bay.

Fortunately, the princess had brought her private savings and jewelry with her, so they did not lack food or clothing on their journey. Their noble attire and Leahs swordsmanship deterred many with ill intentions.

Still, for the princess, who had grown up in the royal palace, the journey of more than half a month had reached her limit of endurance.

That morning, suspecting they were being followed, they galloped into the forest and encountered a black-spotted tiger while resting. Their mounts fled, leaving them to confront the beast. Fortunately, Paul and his group passing by rescued them.

Although her royal upbringing allowed the princess to maintain a facade of calm, her exhaustion was nearing a breaking point.

The encounter with the tiger left a deep psychological scar on her. Had it not been for the rescue, she and Leah might have perished.

Continuing the journey promised more dangers, but returning to the capital to comply with her fathers arrangements was even less appealing to the princess.

Lets stay in Lakeheart Town for now. The lord here doesnt seem like a bad person, and the place is remote with limited communication. As long as we hide well, it should be quite difficult for those from the capital to find us.

After thinking for a while, Leah agreed, Then lets do that, Your Highness. Since thats the case, staying in an inn isnt a long-term solution. Ill look around the town tomorrow to see if we can buy a house to settle in.

Thank you for your efforts, Leah.

Another reason for the princesss decision to stay temporarily in Lakeheart Town was their poor sense of direction; continuing their journey might take them ages to reach the Gabella Empire.