Chapter 139
Sillian persuaded her that it would be best to stay for a few more days, and so the two of them spent their time a little more leisurely.
‘It must be because of me.’
Though he hadn’t said it outright, Lynette could tell that his decision to remain was because of her.
He was clearly worried about how she had fallen ill.
Still, resting properly did help quite a bit. It hadn’t been many days, but it was her first time traveling long distances on horseback, and fatigue had built up more than she realized.
Lynette gazed blankly out the window. The quiet street came into view.
Since it wasn’t that far from the Imperial Capital, it didn’t quite have the feeling of a rural town.
‘Will we be attacked again once we set out?’
She couldn’t afford to fall sick like this every time.
Sillian had said that next time, he would capture one alive and find out the truth somehow, but there was no guarantee things would go as he wished.
They might encounter such incidents again and again, and if she had to waste several days each time, it could take not half a year, but several years to reach the Kingdom of Calles.
‘Though I doubt they’d pursue us for that long.’
Lynette let out a small sigh and rested her head against the window frame.
Absent-mindedly, her fingers touched the pendant hanging around her neck.
She wondered how Euphen was doing.
Back in the Imperial Castle, traces of him could be found everywhere, but once she had completely left the Capital, she could no longer hear a single word of news about him.
Of course, it was only natural. Even within the Capital, news among nobles circulated only within noble society, and this was far beyond that.
It was simply too great a distance.
She rubbed her thumb over the pendant’s engraved pattern. The sensation had become familiar by now.
How many times had she touched it?
As her finger traced over the lines as if redrawing them, a knocking sound came from the door.
“Lynette.”
“Come in.”
She lowered her hand from her neck and turned toward Sillian, pretending she hadn’t been thinking of Euphen.
“What is it?”
“If you’re feeling well enough, how about a light stroll through the town?”
Would it really be all right to go out?
Worried there might still be danger, she had stayed inside the inn the whole time.
Perhaps reading the hesitation on her face, the man gave a light laugh and shrugged.
“Just a short walk around the main street will be fine. Aren’t you bored from being cooped up here?”
“I’ll go.”
Lynette rose from her seat. She had stayed quiet so as not to make him worry, but in truth, the confinement had left her feeling terribly stifled.
Even during her time at the Detached Palace, she rarely went outside, but that place was enormous from the start, complete with a vast garden. It couldn’t even be compared to this three-story inn.
“How about having a meal somewhere else for a change?”
She nodded vigorously.
Having eaten every meal at the inn, she was starting to grow tired of the food.
Though Sillian had bought bread and snacks for her from time to time, she wanted a proper meal.
She followed him outside. The inn wasn’t far from the main street, and after a short walk, they arrived at a road lined with shops.
“If there’s anything you’d like to see, take your time. If there’s something you want, I’ll buy it for you.”
“Just looking around is enough.”
Come to think of it, had she ever gone out to shop like this before?
She thought about it for a moment, but it seemed this was her first time.
Even before her regression, she had rarely left the Imperial Castle.
Whenever she went out with Euphen, it was only for a short excursion nearby or a stay at a villa.
A strange feeling welled up inside her.
So there were still things she was experiencing for the first time.
‘No. From now on, everything will be something new.’
It felt a little bittersweet, realizing that she was stepping into a new world, without him by her side.
Lynette looked around restlessly.
Having never gone shopping before, she didn’t know what to do.
In the past, if she needed something, all she had to do was tell Euphen, and even things she didn’t need would somehow end up in her hands.
She’d never had to look around or choose for herself.
Though it was said to be close to the city, the town wasn’t particularly large, and before long, they reached the end of the main street.
“Was there no shop you wanted to visit?”
Sillian asked with a faint smile.
Lynette hesitated before answering cautiously.
“I’ve never gone out to walk through a shopping street before.”
At that, the man’s eyes widened in surprise, then curved into a delighted smile.
“Then how about we start with the nearest one?”
He held out his hand.
When she carefully took it, Sillian skillfully escorted her inside the nearest clothing shop.
It didn’t seem to be the kind of boutique that sold the extravagant dresses nobles wore, but the clothes on display still looked quite fine.
Sensing her hesitation, the man gave a reassuring smile and gently guided her inside.
“It’s all right.”
“Welcome!”
The woman inside greeted them brightly.
“Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“We’d just like to take a look around.”
“All right! Please browse as much as you’d like. Just call if you need any help!”
The cheerful clerk stepped back a little.
Sillian walked toward a rack lined with clothes. They weren’t as ornate as ballroom dresses, but many were adorned with lace and ribbons.
Lynette caught his arm.
“These aren’t the kind of clothes you can wear while traveling.”
“What does it matter, as long as it suits you?”
“They’ll wear out quickly.”
“Then I’ll buy you new ones.”
“But still…”
“What about this one?”
The man took out a dress.
Delicate embroidery decorated the sleeves, and small lace trims adorned every edge.
Holding it up beneath her chin, Sillian spoke with a serious expression.
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