TEWRIT 73

Episode 73

When they finally reached the North, Eliano felt like she’d never want to see another carriage in her life.

The route had definitely become more efficient, but that meant they traveled over bumpier, rougher roads. Every time the wheels hit uneven ground, Eliano would feel dizzy—and she ended up vomiting more than once. It became routine to throw up into the pouch Jane handed her.

Because of that, Eliano, who had always sat with perfect posture and elegance, was now constantly slumping, lying down, stretching her arms and legs in every direction just to ease the exhaustion in her body.

After taking some digestive medicine Jane brought, she flopped back, drained. When Gilbert came to visit, she barely lifted herself up to lean into the chair.

“So this is why the carriage is so big. It was your idea, wasn’t it? Thank you.”

Gilbert answered politely.

“Not at all. I only followed Lord Flint’s orders. I feel sorry this journey has been so rough for Your Grace.”

“Rough? There aren’t even any monsters or bandits. This is nothing.”

Gilbert handed Jane some water and fruit, then quietly left.

Despite her calm tone, the journey really had been hard for Eliano. She missed a real bed—but she never dared say so.

Whenever her body looked close to its limit, Flint somehow noticed right away and insisted they stop at an inn.

But Eliano didn’t want delays. She just wanted to arrive in the North quickly—and leave this cursed carriage behind.

She wondered why this felt so exhausting when she’d endured much worse in her past life.

Then again, the only truly hard times physically were when she’d been the consort of the seventh prince—at the peak of the battle for the throne. Once she became Crown Princess and then Empress, her life had been comfortable, luxurious. She had lived surrounded by the rarest treasures in the world.

Looking back now, Eliano realized just how lavish her life had been as the Empress of Zacador.

Even when her husband the Emperor was angry with her—or even when she was about to be dethroned—he never reduced the funds for the Empress’s palace or did anything petty like that. Until the end, she never lacked anything.

“He tried to pay for his guilt with riches. A cowardly man.”

But Eliano had never wanted any of that.

As her thoughts darkened, Jane noticed her expression.

“Miss, are you feeling unwell? Should I give you a massage?”

Eliano nodded.

“That would be nice, thank you.”

As Jane gently massaged her arms, she spoke softly.

“This must be your first time riding in a carriage for so long. And your first really long trip, too.”

It was her first time being in a carriage this long. The last long journey she remembered was when she married into Zacador in her past life—but back then, they used a magic gate. The carriage ride had been brief.

This carriage was actually quite comfortable. But having ridden in much better ones before, Eliano wished it had been a bit softer. Still, she didn’t complain.

“Aren’t you tired, Jane? You look completely fine.”

Jane tugged gently on her arm and smiled.

“Thanks to you, I’m riding in luxury! For something we got on short notice, this carriage is amazing.”

“That’s true.”

“When I came up to the capital, it was awful. I was crammed in a trader’s wagon. I never want to go through that again!”

Jane kept talking to help Eliano pass the time. She rode with her in the same carriage, tending to her every need. When Eliano wanted quiet time, Jane would give her space and leave.

“One time, we got attacked by bandits. They took everything! And when a monster showed up, I nearly fainted… But now I feel safe. I mean, who would dare attack the entourage of Duke Howard— AAH!”

Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently. It came to an abrupt stop, and Eliano nearly fell to the floor. Jane caught her just in time.

“Miss, stay inside! Hold on tight to the handles. I’ll go check what’s happening!”

Jane jumped out of the carriage.

Eliano opened the window a crack. Something was wrong—the formation of the guards was different than usual.

It couldn’t be bandits. No one in their right mind would attack Duke Howard’s people. And it didn’t seem like monsters either, since they had carefully avoided dangerous routes when planning the journey.

“Your Grace! Close the window, now!”

Eliano flinched.

Suddenly, arrows rained down from the sky.

“…!”

One arrow shot past and slammed into the back wall of the carriage. Eliano shut the window immediately.

“Protect the Duchess’s carriage at all costs!!”

She could hear Flint shouting. Jane was yelling that she had to go to her lady, while someone else told her it was too dangerous. Voices clashed.

Eliano’s heart thudded wildly. Who would dare attack Duke Howard?!

The carriage shook again. There were loud, terrifying noises outside.

She realized what the sound was.

She threw a blanket over herself and quickly crawled under the seat.

It was the sound of arrows hitting the carriage. If one struck the right place, it could break through.

A window shattered. Eliano tightened the blanket around her. Thankfully, she had chosen a thick one earlier just because she wanted something soft—it was now protecting her.

She reached out and grabbed an arrow stuck in the floor. She yanked it out. She needed to check something.

Through the broken window, voices from outside became clearer.

“Your Grace! M-Monsters have appeared!!”

“We don’t have enough troops! There are too many! It’s impossible to fight them all!”

“But the Duchess’s carriage— Your Grace, you can’t go alone! Protect His Grace, now!!”

Something serious was happening.

Eliano crawled out from under the seat, still clutching the blanket. She opened the door.

“Your Grace! Are you safe? Please stay inside. It’s dangerous out here.”

She could see at least five knights surrounding the carriage. That meant there were likely ten or more total.

Was it really that dangerous?

As she peeked out, Oliver ran up to her.

“Please don’t worry, Your Grace. We’ll guard you with our lives.”

Eliano asked calmly,

“So monsters have appeared? Then what about these arrows? Who shot them?”

The knights hesitated. It was clear they knew something—but weren’t saying it.

Eliano narrowed her eyes.

Oliver finally spoke, reluctantly.

“Lord Flint is handling the monsters himself. You don’t need to worry.”

She gripped the blanket tighter.

“If all of you are here guarding me, then what about His Grace? What’s going to happen to him?”

“He ordered us to protect you with everything we have.”

“Five guards would’ve been enough. If there’s a monster attack, our forces should focus there.”

Oliver tried to argue, but Eliano was firm.

“If something happens to Flint, what’s the point of keeping me safe? Besides, my father wouldn’t kill me.”

The knights looked shaken. So did Oliver.

“Your Grace, how…?”

“The arrowhead. It’s from Rosana. I would know—it’s my own father’s.”

She held up the arrow.

“I hate to say this, but the Duke already tried to have me killed once. That’s why you’re all here, isn’t it?”

“No… this time, he’s not here to kill me.”

She continued quickly.

“He promised the Emperor to send his daughter to Zacador. I’m the daughter of Rosana and the Emperor’s bride-to-be. Flint knows this.”

“But… the Duke has other daughters…”

Oliver trailed off. It felt wrong to suggest replacing her.

Eliano spoke firmly.

“If my father takes me away, then Flint will just come and take me back. He’s capable of that much, isn’t he?”

Oliver looked troubled. But he was a strategist. He could assess the situation calmly.

The monsters were too many. And now they had to deal with Rosana’s ambush too.

Eliano pressed further.

“Right now, protecting Flint is more important than me. You know it. If there are this many monsters, he can’t handle it alone.”

“…”

“Ask yourself—who should survive? Who should lead the North? Me, or Flint?”

She handed Oliver the arrow.

“This is the proof we need to bring down the Duke of Rosana. Keep it safe.”

“…”

“As Duchess of Howard, I’m giving an order. Leave three guards with me. Take the rest and go protect Flint.”

Oliver took the arrow, his expression set with determination.

“Your Grace, you are thinking of the greater good. I will obey your command. But… allow me to leave five guards.”

“Sir Jimenez, I said three.”

Oliver knew he couldn’t go lower than five. He removed a small leather case from his thigh and handed it to her.

“I will not let Rosana take you. But if… if the worst should happen, please use this.”

Inside was a short, sharp dagger. Eliano nodded and took it. Oliver shut the door.

She quickly lifted her skirt and strapped the leather case around her bare thigh, tying it tightly so it wouldn’t slip.

Outside, things grew more chaotic.

Once she was done, she crawled back under the seat and pulled the blanket over her again.

The sounds of swords clashing and people screaming filled the air.

The carriage kept shaking.

Eliano plugged her ears and held her breath. She had to stay conscious. No matter what.