Chapter 422 - The Emperor's Daughter 422

Including too many people in an escape was just an easy way to get caught, so I decided to go with a small party.

Everyone wanted to accompany me, but I knew that Valer and Assisi would be good enough companions for me.

I left the others in the palace with different tasks in hand, and if one wanted to know what it was, well, simple. To disturb dad.

I was quite curious as to who managed to survive after disturbing my dad, but it didn’t hurt to trust people’s abilities.

Maybe not. Caitel was a ruthless and cruel Emperor. On top of that, he was as smart as Ferdel; there was no way he would overlook their actions.

Hopefully, when he found out about what I did, I would have been long gone from our country.

Thanks to our horses running from morning to evening, we managed to reach Ancief in three days.

A victory for us!

After all, there was nothing humans couldn’t achieve when they put their heart into it! Whoa, I felt so proud.

From there, we moved around for two days and arrived in Armeta, the best city in the country. There were numerous things to see there, but our priority was to replenish our strength, so we decided to rest for a day before getting onto our journey.

Ancief wasn’t a safe place, so I had to go over to another country, yet I felt curious to know what happened in Agrigent.

Dad wouldn’t o come to Ancief, right?

“I checked with the merchants, and they said the capital had been blocked. Maybe they’re still looking for people. It seems like they didn’t know about our departure.”

“It was nice that we rushed to Ancief.”

“Yes. If we were a little late, we might have been caught at the border.”

Valer shrugged.

Maybe it really might happen; just the thought made me shudder.

“Are you going to the Northern Empire on the floating ship?”

Havel asked as he heard our conversation.

I turned to Valer. If that was the case, I wanted to visit the next country, Parten-Kiehern, but it seemed impossible with the time we have. Well, Valer came to Ancief, but he was upset that he couldn’t see the fairy forest.

“Well, it would be better to go as far as possible.”

“Then, it has to be Schertogenbosch.”

At my answer, Valer smiled.

“I think we can slowly move to Bureti while looking around the Northern Empire.”

“Right, will dad come over to the Northern Empire in search of me?”

I had an ominous feeling; I felt like he might come over to the Northern Empire.

Huh, huh, it’s probably because of my mood.

Assisi left in the morning and bought the tickets for our journey. We would have dinner and leave.

There were floating ships in Agrient too, but this was the first time I rode one. It was a means of transportation made of floating stones, and to put it simply, it was like an airplane. There were only 40 ships in the world in the shape of a ferry, which only nobles or wealthy merchants could use, and it was the most preferred mode of transportation for people with money.

“Ah, I finally feel like I’m alive!”

As I smiled brightly, Valer said something else.

“I might get sick.”

I was still worried about Sanse and the others.

I smiled. It was hard for me to sit on the horses for three days straight.

No matter how many lessons I took on horseback riding, doing it as a sport differed from traveling long distances.

After a while, Assisi had to make me sit on his horse since I had no energy left to hold onto my mare. Still, I was fortunate for reclaiming my stamina after resting.

While I sat on the chair with a smile, Valer clapped.

“Let’s have something expensive for dinner! I’ll check out some stores!”

“Something delicious!”

“Obviously!”

With a smile, he dragged Assisi with him and left the room.

Did he like to eat that much? Sure, even I enjoyed eating.

Having food was the best.

Right, wasn’t a trip supposed to be about food? All the beautiful sceneries looked better with a full stomach.

As I stretched out, I saw people coming and leaving. Since our room was expensive, the view from the window was pretty.

Ancief and Agrient differed from each other entirely, although they were neighboring countries.

Above all, I liked the temperature here; it was neither hot nor cold.

A country of eternal spring.

This climate was maintained throughout the year, and after learning about it in geography class, I got inquisitive of the principle behind it! I didn’t mean to say that I wanted to research all my life.

Although it was said that the country had dedicated a third of its land to Agrient, Ancief was still rich.

Drinking water, I get to organize my luggage, but Havel, who was sitting with his chin on his hand, suddenly spoke.

“Is it tough?”

What’s with that question? Did I look tired? Actually, it was tough, but I didn’t think about it because I was desperate to flee. However, for others, it was tiring. They were exhausted.

“Aren’t you tired?”

It was hard for me, but I didn’t think the men were doing that great either.

Havel shrugged upon hearing my question.

“I’m used to traveling.”

“I envy that.”

As I smiled, Havel stared at me.

Was there something on my face? It wasn’t like I was in a palace, but I felt weird as he looked at me.

“It’s my first time coming out of the house; it’s tough to leave your home.”

I hated keeping my silence, so I spoke, but Havel titled his head and asked back.

“Are you regretting this?”

“No…”

Leaving one’s childhood home was never easy.

“It’s fun.”

Right, it was tough, but I was having fun too.

“I don’t know when dad will catch me and take me back, but coming out like this and seeing people is fun, especially since I lived my life inside walls.”

“Right.”

I saw a lot while coming over here. Although all I did was sight-see, it was still a different experience.

What I learned from books about the outside world differed from what I saw while traveling. I was impressed with what I saw; my eyes had opened up to things my dad hid from me. It was shocking.

Everywhere I went, it was different from the others. This country wasn’t a paradise; people weren’t as friendly as I thought.

However, I liked it. Yes, I did; this was the real face of the world.

The world I lived in and this world was not so different.

When I checked on things, I felt something, a sense of relief that I couldn’t explain. My fantasies about Agrient were shattering, but I still felt great.

Should I say that I felt great after knowing that I wasn’t a princess in a fairy tale?

“I know a little bit on why Emperor Caitel is adamant on keeping you with him.”

I was trying to remember something when I heard Havel’s unexpected words.

“What is the reason?”

How would he know something I didn’t know?

Havel looked into my eyes and said.

“I won’t tell you.”

… I should just throw him away.

423 The Emperor’s Daughter

When I heard the term floating ship, I thought it seemed vaguely similar to an airplane. Well, I thought that if it could fly, it would be something looking alike, but I was clearly losing my sense of imagination.

However, the floating vessel I saw from up close was in the shape of a real ship. It was spacious with a real ship’s structure and even had rooms for people to stay. However, I had to say, though, man, the facilities were good; now I knew why this was so popular.

I just wondered why they didn’t use it for military or commercial purposes, but I realized why once I rode it.

Unlike airplanes, the floating ships soared and did not descend to the ground. Thus, we couldn’t go wherever we wanted; even if we did reach the place we wished to go to, the ship wouldn’t unload people or things.

It was also too high up in the sky, so it couldn’t hold heavy cargo.

Even if it could, it couldn’t hold much. It was made solely to carry people and their luxury items.

The speed wasn’t too slow when compared to an airplane. It took only three days to travel from Ancief to Schertogenbosch, which was supposed to take three years by land and three months by boat.

I realized how good it felt to win in such a civilization.

Having inventions was a good thing.

“Ah, fun.”

Sometimes the wind was strong, and the boat would move along with it, making me feel sluggish due to motion sickness, but the three days I spent on the ship was fun. It felt like I was on a cruise ship. It was also fun to look down from the deck.

Uhm, should I travel using the floating ship when I returned?

“This is fun to ride.”

“Right, Valer? It’s great.”

Unlike me and Valer, who were excited, Havel, who’s standing beside me, seemed tired. Meanwhile, my dear Assisi stood beside me despite his motion sickness and pale expression. It didn’t seem like he was that kind of man, but it was true that riding ships like this was enough to make his stomach churn

The dignity of a black knight.

“Shall I go over and find a place now?”

Valer asked while stretching.

Since we just descended from the floating ship, it was hard for me to believe that I had really arrived at the Northern Empire called Schertogenbosch.

Looking up to the sky, I saw a translucent shimmer right under the blue sky.

It was God’s Wall, protecting the place. It was the very guardian that made Schertogenbosch the greatest empire in the north.

I had always heard about it, but this was my first time witnessing it. Would it be okay if I admit how protected I felt on these walls?

“Where is this?”

“Lorlang, the satellite city, one of the busiest cities in the north. After a day’s wagon ride, we’ll reach the capital, Illumenain.”

At Havel’s question, Valer answered right away.

I looked at both of them.

Unlike Assisi, who continued to be hostile, Valer didn’t hate nor like Havel. Still, it was nice seeing them behave.

Well, he might be a little stupid, but he was Ferdel’s son. Perhaps knowledge ran in their veins.

“The capital, huh. let’s just look around for a day and go to another city.”

Of course, the capital was the best place to visit, but it felt a bit scary to be roaming around close to the Imperial Palace. I was careful when it came to meeting people, and I didn’t see others often. It was more of a problem for Valer since people knew him because of his yearly visits.

At my words, Valer scratched his head.

“Okay. Ah, will you go to the Holy Land?”

“I’m already here, right? Of course I’ll go!”

It was like going to France; no one should ever miss the Eiffel Tower!

Valer smiled at my answer. It was like seeing a cute younger brother; I felt butterflies in my stomach.

This guy! I was his sister!

“Then, while you’re traveling around the city with my uncle, His Majesty and I will look for accommodations and other things.”

“What is that…”

Havel tried to refute Valer’s one-sided declaration, but in the meantime, I walked away and left Havel with Valer.

“Right, great thinking. Come back safe!”

Without Valer, Assisi and Havel would have been tough to deal with. He saved me. That’s good thinking, Valer!

Valer smiled at me and pulled Havel away. The king was clearly dissatisfied, but he didn’t refuse Valer. Havel’s bodyguards, too, went along with him, and in an instant, Assisi and I were left on our own.

Uh? Uhm, this seemed very much like a date?

“Assisi, can we take a look over there?”

The other side looked like a market, but I treaded carefully since I didn’t know the city well.

Looking back at Assisi, I realized how hard he was staring at me with a stern gaze.

His gaze was too severe for me to bear.

“Miss Ria.”

“Huh?”

“Your Majesty must be worried.”

He spoke the truth; I sighed. I took a deep breath and turned back—Assisi’s eyes met mine.

“Assisi.”

Assisi’s expression softened. He looked down and asked.

“Aren’t you worried about him, Miss Ria?”

“Hmm…”

It would be a lie if I said that I wasn’t worried.

To be precise, I was more worried about the people around my dad, the ones he would punish.

Above all, Serira and my maids would undoubtedly have to take responsibility for what happened.

Even if they would have time to prepare, I couldn’t help but be worried about how violent Caitel could be. Of course, I was concerned about him.

“I am worried, but I don’t want to go back.”

Yes, I was worried, but I didn’t want to go back.

“Even when you are done playing around like this?”

It was what I honestly felt.

Thinking about what my dad would do was making me feel stuffy. I was cherished, and he pampered me, but then, I escaped from the palace and wandered around other countries.

“Your Majesty won’t sit still.”

Was Assisi on my side or dad’s?

I knew it was childish to ask that, but I couldn’t help it; he was guilt-tripping me into going back. Besides, the water had already been spilled.

I sighed.

“That is right. Still, there are things called “face and prestige” in the Empire, and I already spoke about running away from home. Would he seriously look for me without alerting anyone and give up?”

“He won’t give up.”

Assisi responded.

I spoke as much as I could, but I immediately realized how wrong I was wrong when I said it out loud; the probability of him not searching me was nil. I knew my dad too well to have such an unrealistic thought.

“Okay. Well, I think so too. If my dad would ever give up, I doubt that would happen until the world ends, but you know, I am in the North, dad might not be able to find me so easily.”

Even with my answer, Assisi just looked at me. I smiled as brightly as I could while still pouting.

“Don’t worry. I’m just going to play a little bit and go back. Treat this sorta like a vacation. Okay?”

In the end, Assisi changed his mind.

It didn’t seem like he was trying to persuade me. However, if he tried, I might be hurrying back home already. Suddenly, I felt curious about something.

“How come it didn’t take much persuasion to get you onboard, Assisi?”

I was already curious about this before our escape, but I didn’t really ask him because I didn’t want to seem brutish. As if he knew what was bothering me, he turned back and gave me the answer.

“I heard something from Ferdel.”

Huh? Ferdel?

That’s a name I hadn’t thought of in a while; I was curious why he brought him into the conversation. Thus, I nodded for him to continue.

“He said that people who have clear self-control and curiosity shouldn’t be locked up; people like Princess should be released to seek the world while the others help them.”

I had never heard of this before. I was honestly surprised.

For Fardel to think of me that way…

“I think so too. After all, you always do your very best.”

That wasn’t true. Sometimes, I laze around. I felt nice to hear such a good evaluation about me. Of course, it was nice to receive praises, but since I always received them, such imperial compliments didn’t mean much to me anymore. I did what I wanted to do. Hmm.

“His Majesty will also know in time.”

Assisi looked down.

“He just might have some trouble accepting it.”

I really wanted for my dad’s heart to be touched. Of course, Assisi’s words weren’t out of line, but…

Would it be okay for me to say that I understood my dad’s logic for locking me up? Even then, I didn’t intend to live in his arms.

“He needs to accept the fact that his daughter has grown up and that he has to let her go, but he just hates that idea.”

I smiled. ‘Fool. Let whom go?’

I sighed for nothing. None of us were wrong; it’s just difficult for the two of us to get along.

We smiled, thinking that the heavy part of the conversation was done.

I smiled.

“Then, what about you, Assisi?”

Assisi raised his eyebrows.

Again, our eyes met.

“Isn’t Assisi upset?”

“I am…”

Assisi looked down. His speech blurred. It seemed like answering it was difficult for him.

What could it be? The answer?

I was staring attentively to hear his answer, but Assisi moved ahead.

Huh?

“From here, I can guide you. This is a place I have been to before.”

“Uh-huh?”

I was confused when I realized how he was trying to avoid answering me. No, Assisi, he shouldn’t leave me hanging like that! He should be more considerate of me; that was my first time there!

“Assisi!”

Flustered after seeing Assisi walk ahead, I ran until I bumped into the person beside him.

Ugh.

Luckily, I only bumped my shoulder at them, but the breeze made me feel dizzy as it hit my face.

Ah, my head.

Thanks to that, the robe I was wearing peeled off. I hurriedly fixed it and bowed my head.

“I am sorry.”

Since my hair color brought others’ attention, I tried to keep myself as hidden as possible. When I recovered my balance and covered myself up again, I looked up.

“…!”

“…!”

Oh, holy shit!

I stiffened. The other person was just as shocked and confused.

Although half of his face was covered in white cloth, I couldn’t check-in details, but I was sure I had seen those exposed eyes before.

It couldn’t be, right?

I knew it was impossible, but I still found it difficult to shake off my suspicion. A name was coming through my mind, but I didn’t want to believe it.

I met someone I was familiar with in the enormous northern empire?

What kind of person did I end up meeting?

No, it couldn’t be. No matter how wide Schertogenbosch was, how likely would it be to meet him?

“Miss Ariadna?”

However, at the next moment, I realized who it was.

“… uhhh?”

God had abandoned me once again. I was ruined!