. The beginning of the story (2)

Leaning comfortably in the carriage, I ate the cookies.

The carriage ride wasn't as good as expected, but it was not unbearable. I shut my eyes thinking about the original story. I do not know, but I felt goosebumps because it felt like I was experiencing a déjà vu I heard somewhere.

And, I was very much looking forward to what was to come.

[ As soon as the envoys of the Empire entered, they asked the King for a meeting. The King allowed it, as it looked urgent. At the words of the Imperial ambassador who wanted to keep confidentiality, only the escort agent Sinensis Rewan remained by Arne's side.

“I heard that you are good at deciphering Gore. The Empire needs you.”

“Isn’t there a lot of talented people in the Empire?”

Arne asked indifferently. Why does the Empire come to her to decipher Gore? It was an unconditional archaic language they must learn.

“We need Your Majesty to know what the level of Gore deciphering of the Kingdom is. If you take the greatest person, wouldn't you know the level? After all, in the eyes of the Empire, the ranks of the lower ranks are not equal.”

It was quite a menacing tone and a cocky attitude.

Arne felt intuitively at the sight of him trying to take her away for a reason that was not very much. It was a threat, not a soft offer.

Meanwhile, Rewan grabbed the sword at the envoy’s attitude. Arne shook her head to stop him. A bloody energy flowed from her green eyes.

“It is difficult for me, the King of the Kingdom, to be absent.”

“It has been said that His Majesty the Emperor will be in charge of the government affairs of the Kingdom.”

Arne felt helpless for the first time in her life. Still, she did not lose her uprightness. She just acted as she wanted to. The way she goes was the correct answer because she thought so. ]

In the original story, the movement of the carriage was almost omitted.

The part described was that she traveled for almost a month without a roof on her head. Contrary to the initial threats, the treatment was excellent. In addition, there were occasional conflicts between Rewan and the Carwen envoys. Other than that, the rest of the little details didn't come to mind since I read it a long time ago.

The carriage stopped. At the same time, my thoughts came to a halt.

Then, someone knocked on the carriage door. As I confirmed through the window that it was Rewan, I opened the carriage door. Rewan couldn't hide his worried expression as if he was worried about me going to the Empire.

“Are you sure you don’t want to run away now…?”

A cautious but determined voice was heard.

I shook my head resolutely. Even if I did run away, I would be caught soon, and I didn't want to run away.

"But…”

I shook my head once more.

With eyes that didn't contain a single worry. I gazed at Rewan. With a look that I went because I wanted to. I played the character of Arne, who was arrogant and dignified.“No, I have to go to the Empire. Even if the reason for calling me is not reasonable, I will not be able to avoid the Empire’s anger.”

As if relieved by Arne's usual appearance, his worried expression softened a little. Rewan bowed his head and extended his arm to make it easier for me to come out.

Eventually, the sky became dark.

After spending a long time in the carriage, I led my exhausted body and laid myself in the lodging housed by the Carwen envoys. It was a small town a little far from the Royal Palace, although it was enough for one night.

I fell asleep, contemplating how I would survive my future carriage life.

It had been over two weeks since I thought about my first encounter with Distria, which I could not remember. Meanwhile, I arrived in the Capital of the Carwen Empire. Since there was a distance from the Capital to the Imperial Castle where Distria resided, our movement continued.

Since the Empire was closer to the villages than from the Kingdom, they only crossed one village a day in consideration of Arne. If it were the original Arne, the time she would have spent in her room would be spent just looking out at the Empire.

The Carwen Empire had more novelty items than the Sorano Kingdom. Also, unlike the kingdom, the road in the Empire was well polished, and there was no shaking in the movement of the carriage.

The buildings were high compared to the Kingdom. As we got closer to the Imperial Palace where the Emperor was, the street was crowded with merchants, even though it was early in the morning. Colorful clothes were spread out dazzlingly in front of my eyes.

Rewan watched me curiously as I glanced around the Empire in my spare time. I pretended not to know him. Besides, it was also a personal time with no envoy interference, and I was not conscious of him because I wanted to see the Empire.

Above all, I did not even think that my actions would affect the original story. It was just a small matter—small things like looking at clothes and buying accessories, looking at people and enjoying the culture of the Empire.

However, it was a little strange because it was ‘Arne.’

Rewan thought that Arne was acting out of anxiety and not doing what she normally would. So, he asked me if I was constantly anxious. At that, I bluntly answered no to that question. I knew that he was suspicious of the intentions.

As usual, the movement was over, and I was resting in my room while looking at the Empire. In my hand, there was a different kind of sugar snack that I had never tried in the kingdom.

— Knock, knock.

At the sound of knocking on the door, I set the sugar snack down on the table and got up.

“It’s Rewan.”

I opened the door at Rewan's voice coming from outside. His calm expression was nowhere to be found, and he was brimming with concern. Seeing that, I handed Rewan the tea and sat down on the chair. He gazed silently at the sugar snack on the table. Was that a starter?

Rewan spoke softly to me.

“…Are you doing this because you are anxious?”

"No."

I still spoke in a blunt tone. Rewan covered his face with both hands in response to my answer.

In the eyes through the cracks in his hands, I couldn't find his original expressionless figure. It was an unknown look, a mixture of anger and worry. The anger in his eyes wasn't directed at me. He seemed frustrated with this situation and was angry with the rude Carwen Empire.

Suddenly, Rewan struck the table with his fist. I was a little surprised by his unexpected behavior. What’s wrong with him?

—Bang!!!

The sugar snacks on the table fell from the impact and shattered. The broken remnants of sugar snacks splashed under the table.

Oh, I only had one bite… Rewan ruffled his hair with one hand. His eyes were full of emotions I had never seen before. He lightly grabbed my shoulders before burying his head on my shoulder.

“If you are anxious, you better cry. Tell me it's hard. Blame me for my incompetence…”

He, who had been pouring out passionately, paused for a moment. Rewan stared at me with a look like he was about to collapse. It was like a sigh.

“…Hate me.”

When he opened his eyes slowly, it looked like he was about to cry.

I shook away his hand on my shoulder, and gradually widened the distance between us. He covered his face with both hands and despaired. Even though I was really okay, I chewed on the words for fear he would cry if I said I was okay.

“….”

I slowly approached him. Then, I hugged Rewan and stroked his back as if to comfort him.

After a while, his rough breathing returned to normal. Even in this situation, I felt aroused by the sound of his rough breathing.

"It's okay. I'm fine.”magic

I whispered in his ear, earnestly hoping that my sincerity would be conveyed. Desperate at my words, he collapsed and cried out loud like a child. Not knowing why he was crying, I hugged him tighter. Rewan refused to touch me and pushed me away.

He then looked at me and spoke as if he was vomiting out one word at a time.

"Please… huff—huh, me…”

As he tried to swallow his tears, only one thought came to my mind. How much will this incident, this fragment of emotion, affect the original story…? That was the only meaning of Rewan to me. Something that could influence the original story without me knowing it.

An unknown entity that could change the original story.

It was just that.

* * *

We arrived at the castle where the Emperor was.

Although we had been traveling for a long time, I did not meet him right away. It seemed that it was true that there was no time to eat because there was so much work. I stayed in a designated temporary residence until he called.

I was stuck in a temporary residence for a day or so, but time didn't pass, and I was so bored that I decided to wander outside.

“How far can I go?”

I spoke to the maid who dressed me.

"Yes? Your Majesty can go anywhere except the audience room and His Majesty's office!”

The maid smiled softly and replied.

Well. Considering I had been threatened, my movements were not restricted, and the temporary residence was very splendid. The wardrobe was packed with clothes provided by the Empire, and both the bedding and furniture were of high quality.

I was treated much better than expected. It was like they were treating a noble.

From that day on, I toured the Imperial Palace. Carwen Imperial Castle was more expansive, more splendid, and majestic than Sorano Castle.

Above all, the library was truly spectacular. The arched library had a glass ceiling. The bookshelves were packed with books, and there was a smell of paper. Having finished visiting the Imperial Palace, I had nothing more to do, so I spent time in the library.

While staying at the Imperial Palace, I met the main characters in the book. From Roswell Khan Devila, who is called the Grand Duke of Blood, to Raphael, who rose from a low rank to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and to the Emperor's direct aide, Lepis.

They did not personally visit the temporary residence and have an official meeting with me. We just met by chance while going to the library to spend some free time.

Perhaps, they didn't even know I existed until now. So, I expanded my range of action a little more. It didn't take long for my free spirits to reach the Emperor's ears.

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