Chapter 19

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The road to the West was quieter than I expected.

Only the steady rhythm of hooves striking dirt filled the air.

We had been riding for more than half a day, yet my body didn’t ache the way I thought it would. My hips weren’t sore. My back didn’t scream in protest.

Was that the result of training?

…Or just tension?

Probably tension.

As the sun began to slope toward the west, I reviewed the route in my mind.

To reach the western lands, we had to pass a road that branched toward the capital. If the imperial pursuit was active, the likelihood of encountering them there was high.

“By the way.”

Damian’s voice came from behind me as he held the reins.

“Why are you going to the West?”

The question came suddenly.

Now? Of all times?

Since becoming my escort, he hadn’t mentioned it once. I’d assumed he wasn’t curious.

I glanced back over my shoulder.

“Isn’t that question a bit late?”

“I wasn’t particularly curious.”

“Then I don’t feel like answering.”

“Then don’t.”

His tone was indifferent, as if he had only asked out of mild distraction.

He never lost a verbal exchange.

Annoying.

I shot him a sideways glare before facing forward again.

“There’s someone I need to meet.”

I felt his posture shift slightly.

“You have connections in the West? If they live there, they must be a mage.”

“Why do you say it like that? You didn’t think I would?”

He didn’t deny it.

Silence was answer enough.

It stung more than I expected.

At this point in time, I had never actually met the man I was seeking. I was arriving unannounced. He likely didn’t even know I existed.

Damian studied my expression.

“Does this person even know you’re coming?”

“…He might not.”

I chose honesty.

His expression darkened.

“You’re not planning to show up unannounced again? Like you did at the Grand Duchy?”

“Yes.”

“…Should I call that bold? Or reckless?”

“You sound like you mean reckless.”

“Yes. Precisely.”

No softening. No diplomacy.

“It couldn’t be helped. There wasn’t time to send a letter.”

He watched me carefully.

“…Why?”

After a pause, he asked quietly,

“Is this because of my father?”

My eyes widened.

“What?”

Why bring Carlos into this?

Of course, he wasn’t wrong—but what angle was he seeing?

“You mean the Grand Duke?”

“I heard you prepared his meals every day.”

So Mia had told him.

“It’s food that helps detoxify miasma, isn’t it? You even left recipes.”

“…Yes.”

“And what does that have to do with the West?”

I pressed my lips together.

How could I explain?

That I needed help refining a different kind of stone?

That I needed someone beyond imperial control?

That I intended to save his father?

“…I’ll tell you later.”

It was the only answer I could give.

“Just not now.”

Damian stared at me for a long moment.

“…I see.”

He didn’t press further.

Silence settled between us again.

But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Strangely, it felt… calm.

Ten days ago, I never would have imagined riding beside Damian Carter and feeling even a hint of ease.

Life was unpredictable.

And then—

Damian abruptly yanked the reins.

He thrust his arm across me, halting the horse.

“Quiet.”

His voice turned sharp—cold.

I froze.

“Lower your head.”

He pressed my shoulder down firmly.

“What is it?”

“Don’t speak.”

We barely made it into the brush when faint hoofbeats echoed from the distance.

They grew louder.

Soon, a group of knights rode into view.

My blood ran cold.

White armor.

Golden cloaks.

The Imperial Second Guard.

I was right.

The Emperor was hunting me.

I clenched my fists until my fingers went numb.

The knights stopped at the fork and began scanning the area.

“Are we certain it’s this direction?”

“Yes. This is where she disappeared.”

“Witness?”

“The last was a hired coachman. It was raining before dawn—visibility was poor.”

“Damn.”

The captain clicked his tongue.

They were speaking about me.

Damian’s gaze sharpened.

“Why would the imperial guard…?”

He slowly turned toward me.

“So it’s true. You really ran.”

“…Did you think I was lying?”

“I had doubts.”

Honest, at least.

Good to know I’d started at zero trust.

“I didn’t expect Your Highness to truly abandon the palace.”

“I didn’t abandon it.”

I cut him off.

“I ran. Because if I stayed, I would die.”

He looked at me differently then.

He must have remembered what I’d said before.

If I stay there, I’ll die.

It hadn’t sounded serious at the time.

It did now.

The proof stood in front of us.

“We can’t use this road,” Damian murmured, scanning for alternatives.

“We’ll circle through the brush. I’ll ride—stay low and—”

He stopped mid-sentence.

He looked at me.

“…Why do you look like that?”

“What?”

“Are you all right?”

“What do you mean?”

His brows knit together.

“Your face is pale.”

“Oh, please. My face is always pale.”

I said it lightly.

But my hands kept slipping against the reins.

My heartbeat thundered through my body.

“Your Highness, that’s not what I—”

Damian reached for me—

And suddenly yanked me down.

Swoosh—thud!

An arrow sliced through the air, grazing my cheek before embedding itself into the tree behind us.

My balance shattered.

I hit the ground hard.

“Ugh!”

Pain flared through my shoulder.

But that wasn’t what made my blood freeze.

From behind us—

A voice.

Familiar.

Venomous.

“Found you, you little vermin.”