Chapter 32.2

At that point, anyone would be completely turned off. There was absolutely nothing strange in her, a non-native, getting sick of it all and running away. As someone who had handled the fief’s financial difficulties for over a decade, he understood how Nadia felt.

“Sob…”

However, understanding with his head did not mean he didn’t feel sad. He dropped into a chair, his eyes brimming with tears.

Still, she could have said something…. She could have let me say my farewell… If she leaves like this, what do I do!

He had only just dealt with his money problems and started work as an administrative officer.

“Madaaammm!”

In the early morning, the sad sound of bitter crying could be heard coming inside the main house.

******

In the same moment, in a lowland far flung from Winterfell castle.

A group of people on horses darted towards the south, dressed lightly in fraying robes, and with tattered saddles. They seemed like a party of peasant travelers, but one would be surprised to find among them three titled knights, and even a noble madam.

Fabian who was riding at the very front was grumbling with an ashen face. His voice was low, but it was loud enough for Nadia closest to him to hear clearly.

“Ahh… I’ve really gone and done it this time. Later, if I get chewed out for this, Madam has to protect me, alright?

“I will say that I insisted on having my way, so don’t worry.”

“Haaa… He’ll definitely start by punching me a few times…” He will just let his fist fly, with no chance to explain.

Fabian was sure to be scolded harshly for bringing a noble madam who should have been staying nicely in the castle to the battlefield.

Unable to hold his poor throbbing head because he had the reins in his hands, Fabian was at his limits.

If Fabian Knox had seen this scene a few days ago, he would surely have hit himself in the head with his sheathed sword. That was how absurd this situation was. But he had an excuse.

When Nadia had first asked him to take her to Glenn, Fabian had flat-out refused her. It wasn’t something he could do in his position as a guarding knight. But Nadia had calmly thrown out a bait as if she’d expected his rejection.

“I know how to quickly capture Vallon castle. If it succeeds, you can put an end to this war that happens every few years. Aren’t you curious what it is?”

How could he say that he wouldn’t listen to that? This was taking down Vallon castle they were talking about, a fortress that had been made impenetrable by nature!

During his pageboy days, he had also gone to battle during one of Count Altair’s several territorial wars. He could still vividly remember seeing the fortress for the first time: soaring ramparts like an unassailable mountain, the feeling of powerlessness when they had to return empty handed even if they’d won on the battlefield.

It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t curious about how to conquer that accursed castle.

Unable to contain his interest after listening to Nadia, Fabian could only concede in the end. If it succeeded, it would solve this longtime headache once and for all.

Despite that, it was a hundred percent true that what he was doing was crazy. Again, Fabian asked in a troubled voice.

“Madam, if it seems like I’m going to be beaten to death, you really have to stop him for me….I’m not joking, I’m being serious.”

“I said not to worry.”

“Ah heavens, what will become of me?”

Whatever. It’s all been shot to hell already. He’s not really going to kill me, will he?

He got goosebumps at the thought of that, but tried hard to ignore his worry. At the same time, he looked slightly behind him and asked,

“But, Madam.”

“I said I will stop the Lord Marquis if he reprimands you.”

“No, not that…… Madam is really good at horse riding. Honestly, when you said you could, I was really worried. I thought I would have to put you behind me halfway through.”

“Someone taught me how to a long time ago.”

“Ah.”

There was this preconception that horse riding was the purview of only wealthy men. Commoners certainly did not have the opportunity to ride, nor was it a common hobby among women from noble families. Using a carriage to get around was good enough, and having hobbies that involved physical activity was not much of a virtue for noble ladies.

“The duke is quite unusual for teaching his daughter how to ride a horse.”

“……”

Her response came after a while.

“…Yes. He is a most unusual person.”

“ ? ”

Fabian could sense the very subtle tone of her answer, but he didn’t get to ask her any more questions. In the far horizon, they caught a glimpse of the Winterfell army’s banner. An escort knight who had come along with them shouted,

“You can see our camp over there!”

“Oh, you really can.”

The camp looked smaller than an ant from where they were, but if they spurred their horses on, they could get there in an instant.

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Hearing that they were almost at their destination, Nadia threw her depressing thoughts about the person who taught her to ride to the back of her mind.

Fabian accelerated as he turned to say,

“Madam, we are almost there! As soon as we arrive, you have to explain things to the Lord Marquis!”