Chapter 27
I generously forgave his rudeness with a smile.
“Oh dear, oh my. Well then, please, do come inside.”
“No, thank you. I’m not here to withdraw all my funds today. Just this much, please, in silver.”
Large sums of money on a long journey are like sundew, attracting danger. I showed him the amount I needed for about a month, and the clerk, overwhelmed, scurried inside.
He needn’t have called the branch manager just to retrieve my money. It took a bit longer, but I waved off their profuse apologies, took the money, and left the bank.
The street, now bathed in bright sunlight, was beautiful. Women in dresses light as butterfly wings enjoyed desserts at the numerous cafes lining the street. Arm in arm, young couples strolled, faces bright with the joy of their dates. Children, giggling, clutched their parents’ hands, happily munching on cotton candy.
If peace could be painted as a landscape, this would be it.
Originally, if those three had been allowed to indulge their bloodlust, I wouldn’t have seen this sight until Hestia sacrificed herself.
Just then, a child, running without looking, bumped lightly into me. He bowed, apologizing. I smiled, ruffled his hair, and told him it was alright. He grinned and dashed off again.
Watching his carefree sprint, I clenched my hand, still feeling the soft down of his hair. ‘I didn’t completely mess up.’ I had saved them from what would have been, even temporarily, a living hell. ‘I did the right thing.’
The self-justification, almost hypnotic, worked wonders. A genuine joy filled me as I strolled down the street. I bought some street food, a frivolous bracelet that I fastened around my wrist, and a hat to shield me from the sun.
At the carriage rental, I unhesitatingly hired the most expensive carriage, complete with a driver. The ride was a blissful improvement over the produce cart.
“Where to, pretty lady?” The driver’s cheerful demeanor was a stark contrast to the stoic, tenured drivers employed by the temple.
‘This is why people earn money. Service is the most precious intangible asset money can buy.’
The amiable driver and the comfortable carriage delivered me smoothly to a small village on the outskirts. I waited until the dust from their departure settled completely before turning towards the village.
I found the village’s only inn and, after securing a room, collapsed onto the bed. The small bed creaked, much like the one in the acolyte’s quarters. It was the bed I had used the longest, yet compared to the luxurious bed I’d slept in as the princess just last night, the reality of my situation hit hard.
“This is why people get lazy when they’re comfortable,” I muttered, pulling the covers over me.
By now, everyone would know I was gone.
‘Hestia… she must be furious.’
She had fallen asleep in my arms, feeling safe and loved. Waking up to find me gone would make anyone feel betrayed. The Empress would be indignant that I disobeyed her direct order… and how would the High Priest smooth things over?
I didn’t care whether those three traitors were angry or not. And Clovis…
“Oh, the potion!”
I sat up abruptly. I should have bought the morning-after potion in Trombel Village. Though I tried to dismiss the thought, Clovis’s words about the imperial bloodline lingered, unsettling me. But this small village was unlikely to have a proper apothecary or physician.
“I can’t help it. I’ll buy it tomorrow in a larger town.”
It was too dangerous for a woman to travel alone at this late hour. I lay back down, closing my eyes to conserve my energy for tomorrow, completely unaware of what awaited me when I woke up.
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