CH 275

“Are you sure you’re going like this?”

Estelle’s gaze turned back while she was climbing onto the carriage as she heard Ayla’s voice coming from behind her.

“I guess so. I’ve received reports that the people of Raff are feeling anxious about my long absence.”

“Ah…”

“Do you have anything important to tell me?”

Ayla bit her lips at Estelle’s question and hesitated.

“It was an honor for me too.”

“?”

“To be able to meet a good friend like Miss Estelle… I was really happy.”

Not a single lie could be felt on Ayla’s face as she smiled beautifully.

A hot summer was passing by like that.

***

The large carriage that crossed the square was filled with guards surrounding it.

As the Queen of the Raff Kingdom, one of the great kingdoms, was riding it, the line of guard was strict.

Rattle, rattle.

Estelle’s gaze, which had sunk heavily, headed outside the shaking window.

The heat from when she first came here had passed, and it was a nice windy day.

The corners of Estelle’s mouth rose at the laughter of the young children who were sitting in front of the square.

The merchants in front of the shops selling their wares, and the young commoner men and women enjoying a date.

Including the musicians showing off their sweet melodies, everything was a beautiful memory.

She was a child of a noble house since she was born, so Estelle lived a life far from freedom.

Thanks to that, she made an escape and wanted to get along with them.

“When will I be able to come back…?”

She muttered as she fumbled around the world outside the window with her long, extended fingers.

Does she miss her freedom in the Stellen Kingdom?

Or does she miss someone else whom she hasn’t met until the end?

The corners of Estelle’s mouth rose faintly as she looked at the window.

Rattle, rattle.

The splendid carriage that Estelle was riding picked up its speed little by little.

As it was about to completely leave the noisy Arin Square, Estelle’s red eyes shook quickly at the familiar voice coming from outside.

“Stop the carriage.”

“But, my Queen, if we don’t depart now, it will be hard to arrive at the Raff Kingdom by today.”

“Since when have you had the bad habit of answering back at what I’m saying?”

“… I apologize.”

“Just a moment is fine. It won’t take long. I’ll be back soon, so wait here.”

At Estelle’s cold voice, the secretary that was sitting opposite her called the coachman to stop the carriage.

Immediately, the movement of the big carriage was stopped with a sharp metallic sound.

***

“Mr. Orhan, today’s dinner is a herring dish! I bought the fish at the market in front of this place, and it’s very fresh. I think the Stellen Kingdom is very good because it has a lot of food ingredients.”

Elin’s face showed clear signs of excitement.

It had been a few months since she pestered him to come here, so she couldn’t help but be excited.

In Orhan’s case, he occasionally had the opportunity to go out, but Elin didn’t.

Since they had to hide their identities as much as possible, the two of them were cautious about even going to the market, let alone the square.

He felt sorry for Elin, who must have felt suffocated from being stuck in the mansion during their stay in the Stellen Kingdom.

“Don’t get too attached, Elin. Soon, it will be time to leave.”

After he finished speaking, the corners of Orhan’s mouth went down powerlessly.

Now that all of Count Serdian’s charges had been cleared, their presence was no longer meaningful.

It was almost impossible for them, who were foreigners, to live among the people of the Stellen Kingdom.

Of course, it would be a different story if they had permission from Theon, who was the Crown Prince, but he didn’t want to burden him.

He already noticed that he had many other things to worry about besides them.

“Hmph. His Highness didn’t tell us to leave right away.”

Elin’s sulky voice echoed through the trees.

“Now that everything is back in its original place, we too need to go back to where we were.”

“Was there a place where we used to be? Do you think I didn’t know we were just wandering around?”

Orhan burst into laughter at the sight of Elin speaking bluntly while puffing her cheeks.

Elin glanced at Orhan with pouty lips and then continued.

“If we have to leave anyway… Why don’t we go to the Raff Kingdom this time?”

“…”

At Elin’s cautious voice, Orhan remained silent while lowering his gaze.

An awkward atmosphere that had never existed before flowed between the two of them.

“The Raff Kingdom…”

As Orhan was about to open his mouth with a charming smile to lighten the mood,

“That’s a good idea.”

They naturally turned their gazes to the high-pitched voice coming from behind them.

Elin’s already big eyes opened wide, staring at Estelle.

“Queen Estella!?”

“Long time no see, everyone. How have you been?”

“…”

“How did the Queen come here… I think your complexion is worse than when you were in the mansion.”

“I guess it’s because I couldn’t eat Elin’s heartfelt dishes. I also want to try the herring dish you mentioned earlier. Is that alright?”

Elin smiled brightly at Estelle’s affectionate voice and nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course! It makes me really happy that the Queen likes my cooking!”