Later that evening, Alaric’s entourage set up camp near the western border of Vale.
Thick piles of snow had already accumulated over the land causing the temperature to drop even further.
Alaric draped a thick wool blanket over Elena’s shoulders to keep her warm.
The girl pulled the blanket and covered herself from the neck down.
It’s warm.
“Feel better now?” Alaric’s gentle voice drifted into her ears.
She stared at him and saw him looking over with a light smile.
“Mn.” She hummed in response.
Alaric sat next to her and said. “Elena, the trip to Ryvaad this time is different.” His voice suddenly turned serious.
Elena hugged her legs as she looked at the flickering flame of the bonfire.
“I know…” She responded with a gloomy look on her face.
Hearing this, Alaric was taken aback.
Did mom tell her?
There was a moment of silence after that small exchange.
It was Elena who broke the silence.
“I already know that you will one day be married to another woman. I’m just a servant so I don’t have the right to be upset, but… it hurts, my lord.” Tears blurred her eyes as she spoke.
Alaric opened his mouth and tried to come up with words to comfort her, but his mind was blank.
In the end, all he could say was, “I’m sorry, Elena.”
Seeing her in tears made him feel torn, but there was nothing he could do about it. If he rejected all marriage proposals sent to him, many people would be offended. He might be politically inept, but he was aware that it would cause House Silversword a lot of trouble if that ever happened.
Elena wiped away her tears and smiled at him. “It’s not your fault, my lord. It’s just me being selfish. I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable.”
Alaric gently grabbed her shoulder and took her in his arms.
“You are not selfish, Elena. I understand your frustrations and I don’t blame you for that.” He said as he rubbed the back of her head.
“Thank you for your understanding, my lord.” Elena buried her face in his chest.
Soon, Alaric heard her rhythmic breathing.
He looked at her sleeping face and smiled. “Goodnight, Nana.”
***
The next day, Elena was awoken by the bumpy road.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the familiar interior of the carriage.
Upon turning her head, she realized that she was sleeping on Alaric’s lap.
“How was your sleep?” Alaric smiled at her.
His handsome face dazzled her which caused her to be momentarily stunned.
“A-Ah… It was good.” She replied as she hurriedly got up.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Alaric chuckled.
“Look outside. We are almost there.” He pointed at the view beyond the window.
Elena followed his gaze. Her eyes were drawn to the beautiful landscape and the tall earthen walls that surrounded Ryvaad.
“How beautiful.” She muttered.
Yeah, but not as beautiful as you…
Alaric’s smile deepened when he saw her cute side profile.
Growl.
Elena’s gaze stiffened when she heard her stomach growling. She didn’t dare look at Alaric out of embarrassment.
Seeing her cheeks turning red, Alaric laughed inwardly.
He then took out the meat skewers he had prepared for her. “Here. I kept them for you.”
Elena shyly turned her head and looked at the meat skewers in his hand. “You should take some for yourself, my lord.”
“I have already eaten. These are for you.” Alaric responded.
“Okay.” Elena took the meat skewers and took a small bite at the biggest piece of meat.
Her eyes lit up as soon as she tasted the familiar flavor.
“Is this rabbit meat?”
Alaric nodded as he chuckled lightly. “I knew you would recognize it. I know it’s your favorite meat.”
“Mn.”
The two chatted until they arrived at the entrance of Ryvaad where a representative from House Paxley came to pick them up.
Alaric stepped out from his carriage and looked at the beautiful young lady dressed in winter dress.
Hershey…
Hershey Paxley was someone he owed a huge debt to in his past life. She was his fiancée and it was because of her that House Silversword didn’t collapse after his uncle’s abusive management of the family’s finances.
A feeling of guilt washed over him as he looked at her face.
In his past life, he became indifferent to the world after his parents’ and Elena’s passing. He had even neglected Hershey who he was supposed to marry, but she never once complained to him. She remained by his side and she even waited for him when he was forced into conscription.
He still remembered the words she said before he left to join the crown prince’s army.
“I will wait here for you. If you die on the battlefield, then I will kill myself to be reunited with you…”
When he recalled the words she uttered that day, his eyes misted over.
He looked away and pretended that he was wiping off some dirt.
“Welcome to Ryvaad, Lord Alaric. I’m glad to see you in good health!” Hershey smiled as she curtsied.
The warriors behind her saluted.
Alaric suppressed the emotion that was about to burst out of his chest.
He bowed to Hershey and responded in a mild tone. “Thank you for taking the time to pick us up in such awful weather, my lady. I’m deeply honored.”
Hershey covered her mouth as she giggled. “It’s only right to serve our guest and longtime friend.”
The two exchanged another round of pleasantries before they headed to House Paxley’s estate.
Meanwhile, Elena was keenly observing Hershey who was now sitting inside their carriage.
From the way she spoke to Alaric and that overflowing emotion in her eyes as she looked at him, Elena could tell that this noblewoman had some feelings for her lord.
She was jealous, but she controlled herself.
Calm down, Elena. You’ve already thought this through.
She inwardly cheered for herself.