Chapter 9 (1/2)

I breathed in the clean air, basking underneath the warht

Yesterday’s delightful weather survived through the night and colored today’s sky Surely, thissent from above to oversee our journey hoht as the subtle bounce in our steps

I didn’t forget the letter that Father entrusted ive to Mother I made a mental note to hand it over the moment I see her as per his instructions

The two of us entle stride, but ouldn’t reach the territory until roughly toht stay in town It’s feasible to arrive by the end of the day, but since there’s no urgent matter to imbue us with haste, we pressed on with our current pace

However, so back over her shoulder Was it possible that she didn’t want to go back?

「What’s wrong, Sana? Do you not want to go back to the territory?」

Sana snapped to attention, as if I snatched her away from a far-off place

「H, I’m happy about this」

「Then, how co that’s bothering you?」

She pressed her lips together and glanced up, choosing her words with care

「No, there’s really nothing at all But, rather, it’s because there is nothing strange is what I find strange」

It’s strange that there’s nothing strange? Rather than an explanation, isn’t this just some sort of riddle?

I considered her words, savoring theh each possible answer in order to uncover the truth behind this ‘riddle’ The challenge and the spontaneity of it all iddy and the overall mood was much more lively than before

Sana kept stealing glances behind her, but we arrived in toithout incident We were on schedule, just as planned With no apparent trouble awaiting us, ere able to acquire rooht

I entered the room and took a moment to rest my weary bones

「Lady Lilliana, would it be better if I were to book another room for myself?」

I was surprised that she would make that request

「Do you find it unpleasant to share a room with me? In the old days, ould bunk in the same room」

Sana balked at the idea

「What are you saying? For a mere servant to share the same quarters as her Lady is…」

Her voice tapered off, but her reluctance was as clear as our difference in rank I held round

「Sana, it’s been a long time since we spoke, not as master and servant, but as friends Ever since we left home, we haven’t been able to chat at all」

I could feel ed her to stay without her name

「Oh, Sana! Please! Won’t you stay?」

She buckled under hed

「I understand I’ll stay You’re right, Lady Lilliana It’s has been awhile Then, shall we chat like we did back in the old days?」

Finally, Sana relented and indulged my plea It was never possible to enjoy even a simple conversation with her since she bore plenty of responsibilities back at the Royal Capital

And for the first ti time, we reed stories that filled us with glee that only greith each passingto break from our stories, we decided to enjoy an early dinner in our room

We drank tea that Sana brought while talking about a certain story from our childhood

「…Geez, that’s why at that tiive out, then and there!」

Sana nodded