# 73
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“Did you pack everything without leaving anything behind?”
“Of course, ma'am!”
Vivi, who was checking luggage next to me, gave me a thumbs up.
"I checked it ten times yesterday! And I'm checking it twice now, just in case!"
…If you've checked it ten times, I think that's enough.
Vivi was unaware of my inner turmoil, and only stopped after examining everything carefully, and finally closed the bag with a loud click.
“Vacation in the South... I can't believe I'm going to a place like this! I'm so excited!”
That was the day we left for the south, two weeks after the incident in the bustling market, to celebrate the princess's birthday.
Vivi, who had been unable to hide her excitement for days, woke up at sunrise and quickly finished her preparations.
She even brought some maids to wake me up, while I was still half asleep, to shower and get me ready in less than two hours.
“Are you that excited?”
“Yes! This is my first time going to the south.”
It's okay as long as you're happy.
On the other hand, I was feeling a mixture of nervousness and resignation as I looked out the window.
Going on a trip with the imperial family was bad enough, but I wasn't sure that Ian wouldn't criticize the Emperor like he did the last time.
I was almost certain that I would be playing mediator between them the entire week that we would be there.
"Ma'am! Everything is ready. You can come down now!"
“Okay, let's go.”
Despite my doubts, time moved forward, and we were ready to leave.
By the time Vivi and I got down to the first floor, the noise from the hallway could already be felt.
“Oh my God, Your Highness. You have come.”
"Kyle, you're up early. Good job."
“That's nothing. I'm just glad you acknowledge me, Your Highness. It would be better if Your Highness acknowledged it as well.”
Kyle clicked his tongue and shrugged annoyed.
As Ian's best friend and wizard of the palace, Kyle was responsible for creating the magic circle that would transport us south in one fell swoop.
It would take a full two weeks to get to the south in a regular carriage, so this was a mission given to him by Ian.
“How's the magic circle going?”
"It's almost finished. My shoulder hurts from work, but everything is ready. Is this all your Highness's luggage?"
Kyle glanced over my shoulder at the bag Vivi was carrying.
Vivi blushed slightly under his gaze and lowered her head.
“My personal maid has packed the bag, so I guess that's it.”
“You packed your luggage lightly. Let me put it in the luggage cart for you. Maid, hand it to me.”
“No, it's okay!”
Vivi, with her head still bowed, quickly handed the bag to Kyle and quickly retreated behind me as if to escape.
"Yes?"
Something…
But before I could observe further, another person approached.
"It has arrived."
I was surprised by the sound that came from so close away, and I turned around.
Ian stood there, dressed lighter than usual, perhaps due to the warm southern weather.
I could barely look up from his thin shirt.
Since that incident, I have been struggling not to let my eyes wander downwards, which has been torture.
“…Yes, good morning.”
“I heard the weather down south is going to be better than this. It should stay clear throughout the holiday.”
He added, glancing at the sky outside the hall.
Regardless of my awareness of it, I've noticed that Ian has become more varied in his greetings lately.
It feels like I'm talking to a real person now, whereas before it was more like talking to an AI on autopilot.
After casting a furtive glance at him, I asked him lightly, “How long will it take until we leave?”
“About ten minutes. If you want, I can accompany you to the carriage.”
He extended his arm, as if inviting me to take it.
I almost flinched and fell backwards at the sudden proximity, but I managed to restrain myf.
'Why did she suddenly become conscious of him?!'
Was this all due to a shirtless incident?
No matter how I looked at it, there were other people I should have been paying attention to, not Ian. I felt sorry for being so preoccupied with him.
'Get a hold of yourf!'
How long will you allow yourf to be affected by his appearance?
...Is the body considered part of one's appearance? Anyway.
I discreetly cleared my throat so he wouldn't notice, and looked at the arm he was offering.
The wound that I wrapped tightly with bandages two weeks ago has healed well.
“Your hand seems fine now.”
"Thank you."
'And now I get a 'thank you' from Ian Cloud. You've really come a long way, Eloise Cloud.'
Completing this sudden contemplation, I carefully placed my hand on his arm.
“Okay, I'll leave that to you.”
When we exited the main building with his attendant, I was met by a much larger procession than I had expected.
Not only was there a four-horse carriage for the two of us, but there were also two servant carts and a baggage cart—four carts in all waiting for us.
'All this for just one week...?'
At that moment, she finally understood Kyle's earlier grumbling about how much his entire body was in pain.
I didn't know the details, but I could guess that he had to prepare a huge magic circle.
Unlike me, Ian led me to the front car without blinking.
After helping me into the carriage, he checked his pocket watch and looked at me.
“We will travel through a magic circle to the south, but from the arrival point to the villa, we will have to ride in the carriage for about thirty minutes because the magic circle will not work there. The road may be bumpy, so if you are prone to motion sickness, I suggest you bring some medicine.”
“I'll be fine without her.”
I shook my head.
'He's become very considerate lately.'
In the past, he wouldn't have cared if I got motion sick or even threw up in the carriage.
Feeling strangely embarrassed, she looked at him for a moment and smiled politely. However, Ian froze, and the smile was quickly dropped.
'Forget it, I won't do it again.'
Did he really have to react so embarrassed? It's not like I'm doing this because I want to. Feeling a little uncomfortable, I leaned back in my seat and looked at him as he turned his head away, looking uncomfortable.
Was my face bothering him or what?
At that moment, Cale shouted loudly from a distance, having finished setting up the magic circle.
"It's nice to see you two getting along so well, but the magic circle is ready to activate. Perhaps you should get into the carriage, sir?"
“…There he is again, talking nonsense.”
Naturally, Ian's face scrunched up in annoyance.
Meanwhile, I was more surprised at how Kyle continued to act like this without consequences, rather than shocked.
'How did he manage to keep his job as Ian's right-hand man?'
Given Ian's personality, either his position or his head should have rolled over by now.
I should have known from the moment he made jokes in front of me, but Kyle wasn't just any ordinary character.
Ian got into the carriage and closed the door. After a few seconds, I felt my body lift as if gravity had disappeared, and a bright light filled my vision.
When the light finally faded, the scene outside the window changed.
"… Oh, my God."
We were in a forest.
The outside view was full of greenery and trees. The sun's rays filtered through the dense cover, sparkling like jewels.
While I marveled at the scene, Ian remained as expressionless as ever.
“Once we pass through this forest, we will reach the villa.”
“The villa is located on a cliff overlooking the sea, isn’t it?”
“Yes. While it may take a while to get to the sea itf, you will be able to see it from your bedroom.”
The thought of being among the quarreling imperial family was daunting, but apart from that, I couldn't help but look forward to the breathtaking view of the ocean from the balcony.
'It's a shame I won't be able to take pictures.'
I have to ask Kyle later if there are magic stones that can take pictures.
While I was lost in my thoughts, dreaming of the stunning scenery, the carriage continued to move forward, and as Ian mentioned, after about thirty minutes, the end of the forest came into view.
“Wow, the ocean!”
Once the fog cleared, a wide open field and the horizon beyond became visible.
Although the sea was still some distance from the road on which the carriage was traveling, the fresh air made the meeting point of the ocean and the sky noticeably clear.
"Look, Ian! It's the sea!"
I excitedly turned to Ian to share the view.
Then, I met his gaze – he was looking at me the whole time.
Ian shuddered in surprise.
"….Yes."
He turned his head quickly, looking somewhat unnatural.
'Were you too pushy...?'
Feeling embarrassed, I cleared my throat and sat properly in my seat.
Outside the opposite window, I could see the villa approaching.