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It was Zachary who was there. He couldn't see his detailed expression due to the distance, but he could definitely feel that his expression was unusual.
His gaze was so sharp that it seemed as if he was only looking at her. Bianca's heart pounded as she wondered what else she had done against him.
“Why do you look like you don't feel good today? Are you upset because you waited too long? Otherwise, is it because they told you that I threw away your clothes at will…?”
Even Bianca knew that Zachary wasn't complicated enough to get mad for simply throwing his clothes. However, interfering with his luggage on behalf of his wife could be offensive.
I wish I could tell him that he's mad about this and that. Zachary showed an uncomfortable image in front of her, but he never told her what was against her heart. That made Bianca feel annoyed.
As Bianca stood still, Zachary walked over to Bianca. Everyone who read the atmosphere stepped back and left. Zachary called out to her quietly.
—Bianca.
"Have you been waiting long?"
-Nope.
Contrary to his displeased face, his voice calling out to Bianca was soft and gentle. He looked like he wanted to ask something, but instead of spitting it out, he gulped and walked over to Bianca.
Bianca looked at the hand he held out to her. Her hand was big enough to cover his, and she was waiting for him without hesitation. Bianca carefully placed her hand on him.
As soon as Bianca's fingertips touched Zachary's palm, his long, thick fingers gripped Bianca's hand tightly as if it were a trap. As if she didn't want to let her go.
Zachary's palm tickled her. It was due to the wet feeling of his body temperature and the musky smell coming from him. Bianca resisted the urge to remove her hand.
Then, holding Zachary's hand, Bianca came to the front of the carriage.
The carriage, which was larger than a decent thatched-roof house, had a perfect exterior and interior. The four horses pulling the carriage snorted.
The wheels were as big as those on a wagon, and he had to climb the stairs to get into the carriage. Bianca walked up the steps in front of the carriage.
Zachary nodded in satisfaction after confirming that Bianca had entered the carriage and sat down safely. And he added one last concern.
“The journey will be difficult because it will take a long time. If you have any difficulties, just tell me.
-Don't worry.
Having said that, Bianca had no intention of saying that it was difficult. Even if it's hard anyway, the journey will have to continue, and she'll only get the notoriety of being picky about nothing.
Only after the escort was over, was Bianca able to breathe a sigh of relief. Bianca buried her body deep in the cushion of the chair and looked out the window as Yvonne climbed into the carriage. She went to serve Bianca and take care of her. The carriage was big enough that she wondered if it was alright for it to be just the two of them. Yvonne was amazed to look inside the colorful carriage.
—Wow…. I think the Count paid close attention to the carriage.
-Yes. So it seems.
Bianca smiled and tapped her finger on the carriage window frame. Even the window frames were decorated with carvings, so there was nothing wrong with the carriage.
Outside the carriage, there was a commotion as if they were conducting one last inspection. Familiar voices, the sound of horseshoes, and the clash of weapons mingled here and there, and the carriage began to move slowly. As soft as the cushions were, the sensation of the wheels rolling and rattling echoed through Bianca's body. It was similar to the first time she rode a horse, but it felt different.
Yvonne, who was riding the carriage for the first time, could not hide her surprise when the carriage began to roll.
-He is okay?
-Yes. I'm still fine.
Compared to the times when he walked between cities and towns on foot, the carriage ride was really enjoyable. Bianca looked out the small window next to the carriage. Gaspard, who was escorting her, led her horse close to the carriage, and Zachary's other two commanders, Robert and Sauveur, followed.
Zachary was at the front of the group. The figure on the black horse was worthy of a war hero. Bianca stared at Zachary's back glinting in the sunlight for a moment, then looked away.
After the drawbridge and the winding road, they set off. As the carriage passed through paddy fields and fields, the hardworking serfs bowed their heads at them. Somewhere, a shepherd was herding sheep, and the sound of a sheep singing came from afar.
The appearance of Arno Castle was receding. Bianca continued to stare out the window until Arno Castle was out of sight.
It was the beginning of the trip to the capital.
* * *
It was the first long-distance carriage ride since the wedding. It had been a long time since Bianca's regression.
How was it then?
She hadn't been able to stop crying all the way to Arno's estate, so she really didn't have many memories left.
Unlike Yvonne, who was excited but pretended to be polite, Bianca was also excited on the inside. However, traveling is inevitably boring as she has to constantly walk on the road, so Bianca repeatedly slept and woke up while she heard the sound of insects and felt the smell of grass touching the tip of her nose. .
Then the day passed and the sun began to set. It had been dark in the carriage for a long time. The sun in the forest falls rapidly. Today's travel was stopped, and they began to prepare for the lack of accommodation.
Bianca had nothing to do. All she had to do was stand still in the carriage.
Bianca let out a yawn and straightened her back slightly. Because she was sitting the entire time, her
back felt stiff.
Then the carriage curtain opened and Zachary burst into Bianca's carriage. Although he had been on horseback all day, his appearance was not much different from when he went out in the morning. Even in the dark, Zachary's silver hair shone like lightning.
"Was it very boring today?"
“It was pretty fun looking out.
“That's a relief.
After saying that, Zachary was silent for a moment. He seemed hesitant to say anything. Bianca, who couldn't wait, asked first.
-Do you have something to say? Am I supposed to do something?
-No, is not that.
Zachary looked embarrassed. Clicking his tongue in embarrassment, he reluctantly let go of his luck.
"I think we'll have to sleep outside tonight...
Only then did Bianca understand why Zachary was worried. He must have thought that Bianca might be angry about the lack of accommodation. Bianca laughed bitterly.
Zachary did not welcome the lack of accommodation. Since Bianca was there, he wanted to get to the village anyway, but it wasn't easy because there were a lot of people in her group. He dared to bring her, but left her homeless from the first day of the trip. Zachary let out a pitiful groan, fearing that Bianca might have bad memories of the trip.
But Bianca asked in a light voice, willingly.
"So where can I sleep?"
Zachary blinked at Bianca's seemingly indifferent gaze. He wondered if Bianca wasn't aware of the lack of accommodation. Zachary met Bianca's eyes with hers and responded cautiously.
“…You can sleep in the carriage.
-It's okay.
Contrary to Zachary's concerns, Bianca was well aware of the situation. It was a long trip, so it was normal. She seemed to see her as an immature child. In fact, in the past, Bianca, who would have actually been 16, should have caused a commotion over lack of accommodation, so Zachary's misunderstanding wasn't wrong.
But now Bianca doesn't care. There were times when she slept with her back against a stone and curled up on the ground in the dew. It would have been more inconvenient to sleep in a monastery than in a carriage on a silk blanket.
Bianca looked around the carriage. It was a large enough carriage for Bianca to sleep comfortably. It was natural for her to be alone in the lord's family-sized carriage. Come to think of it, Bianca's was the only carriage besides the wagon.
So where does Zachary sleep?
Curious, Bianca asked.
"Where does the Count sleep?"
-… outside.
Bianca's face subtly twisted at Zachary's response. The story was that she slept alone in this comfortable place and everyone else slept outside. Bianca didn't have the kindness to worry about how the servants would sleep. It was natural for servants and nobles to sleep differently. However, it was a different story if even her husband, Earl Zachary, slept outside.
The men might think that Bianca kicked Zachary out of the carriage, since they didn't know what the couple was like.
She was used to being misunderstood, but it would be inconvenient to receive misunderstood looks and answers for the duration of the trip to the capital.
Wouldn't Robert, who was particularly averse to Bianca, join the group as well?
Come to think of it, this was a very good opportunity. Bianca straightened her expression and asked softly.
"Won't you sleep next to me in the carriage?"
-What?
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