Chapter 9

“Uh… I think you’re right, Eve. I can see Dad too.”

I rubbed my eyes again with my sleeve.

But no matter how many times I rubbed them, the result was the same. My vision only blurred for a moment, but the fact that knights from the imperial palace were standing in front of our house didn’t change.

Behind the knights stood a massive, ornate carriage.

So grand and extravagant, the likes of which had never been seen or heard of in our countryside.

‘W-Why is that thing here?’

Could it be that the prince sent it?

But it’s only been two days since the prince left.

“Nill Royce! A letter from His Highness the Prince!”

A knight clad in silver armor, bearing the imperial seal, stood tall in front of our house and shouted so loudly it seemed the entire village could hear.

My jaw trembled, and my teeth chattered as I looked at Dad.

“D-Dad… this isn’t some kind of mistake, right? Huh? Why is… that thing at our house?”

“Well… I have no idea what’s going on either, sweetheart…”

“It hasn’t even been that long since the prince left! Can you even make it from here to the capital in just two days?!”

“Asking Dad that won’t help, Eve… I don’t know either…”

Dad looked completely clueless as he answered, his face pale.

He trembled as he slowly walked to the front door.

Then he opened it, slowly.

The palace knight standing at the door scrutinized Dad’s face and asked,

“Nill Royce?”

“Y-Yes… I’m Nill Royce.”

“By order of His Highness the Prince, you are to come to the capital! Prepare yourself!”

“R-Right now?”

“His Highness does not like to be kept waiting!”

Dad slowly turned his head toward me.

He adjusted his crooked glasses and spoke slowly.

“Eve… they say we have to go.”

“…Right now?!”

[Why are humans always so selfish and impulsive?]

Ex, who had been lying on the living room sofa, screeched. For once, I completely agreed with him.

‘Why are they like this?!’

Are we really being summoned to the palace just like that? Without any time to prepare?

After exchanging a few more words with the knight, Dad received a letter bearing the royal seal and only then closed the door.

I ran up to Dad and clung to his arm.

“Dad, Dad! What did they say?!”

“They said to get ready immediately… They’ll even move the entire workshop for me.”

“…Huh?”

“…Yeah…”

“Is that even possible…?”

“They said it is…”

A short silence followed.

Dad and I stared at each other blankly for a moment, then quickly scattered to pack our things.

“L-Let’s hurry! What if they get mad and chop our heads off?!”

“That probably won’t happen…”

“What if they destroy our house?! Or what if the prince cancels the contract and leaves us as beggars in the capital?!”

“Eve, my daughter… that probably won’t…”

“Hurry, Dad! Pack clothes first! Oh, don’t pack the women’s shoes in the shoe cabinet.”

“…Eve? Why are those in our house—”

“Aaah! I don’t know! I should’ve rejected them when I had the chance! Hic… Wait! D-Dad, is saying that considered insulting royalty?”

“Eve! My daughter, my sweet girl. Calm down.”

Dad, seeing me running around like my tail was on fire, caught me and sat me on the sofa, pinching my cheek with a loud smack.

“Eve, breathe. That’s not going to happen. I promise.”

“But!”

“Don’t worry. His Highness won’t kill us… probably. But if you’re still worried—”

“…If I’m worried?”

“I know someone in the capital who could help us. So don’t worry and just start packing, sweetheart. Okay? If you have people to say goodbye to, go do that. I love you, sweetie. smooch smooch.”

“Ugh… W-Wait, Dad, you have a friend in the capital?!”

My eyes widened in shock at this unexpected revelation.

Of course, I was shocked. My dad was the ultimate loner who didn’t have a single friend!

Dad fixed my collar like it wasn’t a big deal, then patted my bottom lightly and sent me out.

“I’ll pack the bags, so can you run a quick errand for me? Just go down to the fruit store and give this money to Mrs. Nenson. Tell her it’s for the unpaid tab. Got it?”

“Huh? Uh, okay. I guess I can.”

“Then off you go, my daughter~”

Dad flung the front door open and gently pushed me outside.

But there was one big problem.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Dad forgot that five burly imperial knights were still standing right in front of our house.

I clutched the debt money tightly in my hand and looked up at them.

“…Hiccup!”

I hiccupped in surprise at the sudden face-to-face with the palace knights.

In the end, I never even made it to Mrs. Nenson’s. I just turned around and grabbed the doorknob.

Waaah… Dad, please let me back in…

***

Inside the rattling carriage.

I cautiously stroked the cushion.

It was the first time in my life sitting on a plush velvet seat, and it was so soft that my eyes widened in awe. The gold-trimmed interior of the carriage was unbelievably luxurious and elegant.

Dad and I, having never ridden such a fine carriage before, sat stiffly upright, facing each other in the center of the seat.

I clasped my dirty hands together tightly, worried I might stain the interior.

‘I can’t believe I’m riding in a carriage like this…’

The only carriages I’d ever seen before were rickety ones pulled by old donkeys, used to deliver goods or transport people to town.

I cautiously turned to look out the window and saw the trees whizzing by quickly.

Despite the high speed, the ride was smooth and stable.

Curious about how steady it was, I leaned my head out the window, and a refreshing breeze licked both my cheeks.

At that moment—

“Hey, kid. Don’t stick your head out the window.”

A knight riding his horse beside the carriage turned his head and spoke to me.

Startled, I quickly nodded.

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“Good girl. Stay seated and behave.”

I obediently sat back in my seat, just like the knight said.

[Ahh, now this is comfortable! Only something of this caliber is worthy of carrying me!]

Then, the Excalibur sword lying beside me vibrated with a loud vwooom! and shouted boastfully.

I placed my hand on Excalibur and spoke calmly.

“Then go follow the prince, Ex.”

[W-What?! You brat! You keep acting like you’ve got no attachment to me!]

“It’s not that I don’t care about you… but I care more about my dad and my life.”

At that moment, Dad, who had been silently watching my conversation with Ex, adjusted his glasses and called me.

“Sweetheart.”

“Yeah?”

“When we get to the capital, don’t talk to Ex too much.”

“Hmm? Because it’ll stand out?”

“Yeah. Just in case. What if bad people try to steal Ex?”

[Hmph! Do you think I’d be taken so easily?!]

“Hmm… you’ve got a point, Dad.”

I nodded in agreement and gently caressed Ex.

Images of the drunken man who tried to steal my sword, and that nasty prince who tried to take Ex by force when he found out it was an ego sword, flashed through my mind.

I also recalled the warning from Aunt Hillary: the capital is a place where your nose can be cut off while your eyes are wide open. It’s that dangerous.

I nodded firmly, pressed my lips together, and put on a determined expression.