C59
It was Zachary who was there. She couldn't see his detailed expression due to the distance, but she could definitely feel that his expression was unusual.
His gaze was so sharp that it felt like he was only looking at her. Bianca's heart pounded as she wondered what else she had done to upset him.
"Why do you look like you're not feeling well today? Are you upset because you waited too long? Or is it because you were told that I threw your clothes at will...?"
Even Bianca knew that Zachary wasn't complicated enough to get angry just because his clothes were thrown. However, interfering with his luggage on behalf of his wife could be offensive.
She wished she could tell him that he's angry about this and that. Zachary presented an uncomfortable image in front of her, but he never told her what was against his heart. That made Bianca feel frustrated.
While Bianca stood still, Zachary approached her. Everyone who read the atmosphere took a step back and left. Zachary called her softly.
"Bianca."
"Have you been waiting for long?"
"No."
Contrary to his disgruntled face, his voice calling Bianca was soft and gentle. It seemed like he wanted to ask something, but instead of blurting it out, he swallowed and approached Bianca.
Bianca looked at the hand he was extending. His hand was large enough to cover hers, and he was waiting for her without hesitation. Bianca carefully placed her hand on his.
As soon as Bianca's fingertips touched Zachary's palm, his long, thick fingers held Bianca's hand tightly as if it was a trap. As if he didn't want to let go.
Zachary's palm tickled her. It was because of the wet sensation of his body heat and the musky scent coming from him. Bianca resisted the urge to remove her hand.
Then, holding Zachary's hand, Bianca reached 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 of a cart, and she had to climb the stairs to get inside the carriage. Bianca ascended the steps in front of the carriage.
Zachary nodded in satisfaction after confirming that Bianca had entered the carriage and sat safely. He added one last concern.
"The journey will be difficult because it will take a long time. If you have any difficulty, just let me know."
"Don't worry."
Having said that, Bianca had no intention of saying that it was difficult. Even if it's difficult anyway, the journey will have to continue, and she will only gain notoriety for being fussy for no reason.
Only after the escort ended, Bianca was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Bianca buried her body deep into the cushioned seat and looked out the window as Yvonne boarded the carriage. It was to serve and take care of Bianca. The carriage was large enough to wonder if it was alright for just the two of them. Yvonne looked amazed as she peered inside the colorful carriage.
"Wow... I think the Count paid a lot of attention to the carriage."
"Yes. It certainly seems so."
Bianca smiled and tapped her finger on the carriage window frame. Even the window frames were adorned with sculptures, so there was nothing wrong with the carriage.
Outside the carriage, there was a commotion as if they were conducting a final inspection. Familiar voices, the sound of horseshoes, and the clashing of weapons mixed here and there, and the carriage began to move slowly. As plush as the cushions were, the sensation of the wheels rolling and rattling resonated in Bianca's body. It was similar to the first time she rode a horse, but it felt different.
Yvonne, who was riding in the carriage for the first time, couldn't hide her surprise when the carriage started rolling.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm still fine."
Compared to the times she walked between cities and towns on foot, the carriage ride was truly enjoyable. Bianca looked out the small window next to the carriage. Gaspard, who was escorting her, rode his horse near the carriage, and Zachary's two other commanders, Robert and Sauveur, were further ahead.
Zachary was at the front of the group. The figure on the black horse was worthy of a war hero. Bianca looked at Zachary's back shining in the sunlight for a moment and then averted her gaze.
After the drawbridge and the winding road, they set off. As the carriage passed by rice fields and fields, the hardworking servants bowed their heads to them. Somewhere, a shepherd was herding sheep, and the sound of a sheep's bleating came from afar.
The sight of Arno Castle was getting farther away. Bianca kept looking out the window until Arno Castle disappeared from sight.
It was the beginning of the journey to the capital.
----
It was the first long-distance carriage trip since the wedding. It had been a long time since Bianca's regression.
How was it back then?
She couldn't stop crying throughout the journey to Arno Estate, so she didn't have many memories left.
Unlike Yvonne, who was excited but pretending to be polite, Bianca was also excited on the inside. However, traveling is inevitably boring as you have to constantly be on the road, so Bianca would doze off and wake up repeatedly while listening to the sound of insects and feeling the scent of grass tickling 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 sets quickly. Today's journey came to a halt, and they began preparing for the lack of accommodation.
Bianca had nothing to do. All she had to do was stay still in the carriage.
Bianca let out a yawn and straightened her back slightly. Because she had been sitting the whole time, her back felt stiff.
Then, the carriage curtain opened, and Zachary burst into Bianca's carriage. Even though he had been on horseback all day, his appearance wasn't much different from when he left in the morning. Even in the darkness, Zachary's silver hair gleamed like lightning.
"Was it very boring today?"
"It was quite enjoyable looking outside."
"That's a relief."
After saying that, Zachary fell silent for a moment. He seemed hesitant to say something. Bianca, unable to wait, asked first.
"Do you have something to say? Is there something I'm supposed to do?"
"No, it's not that."
Zachary appeared 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 get angry about the lack of accommodation. Bianca laughed bitterly.
Zachary didn't welcome the lack of accommodation. Since Bianca was there, he wanted to reach the village anyway, but it wasn't easy because there were many people in their group. He dared to bring her along but left her without accommodation from the first day of the journey. Zachary let out a pitiful groan, fearing that Bianca might have bad memories of the trip.
But Bianca asked willingly, in a light voice.
"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 looked Bianca in the eyes and cautiously replied.
"...You can sleep in the carriage."
"That's fine."
Contrary to Zachary's concerns, Bianca was well aware of the situation. It was a long journey, so it was normal. He seemed to see her as an immature girl. In fact, in the past, Bianca, who would have actually been 16 years old, should have caused a commotion over the lack of accommodation, so Zachary's misunderstanding wasn't entirely unfounded.
But now Bianca didn't care. There were times when she slept with her back against a stone and curled up on the ground with 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 spacious enough for Bianca to sleep comfortably. It was natural for her to be alone in a carriage the size of a lord's family. Come to think of it, Bianca's carriage was the only one besides the cart.
So, where does Zachary sleep?
Curious, Bianca asked.
"Where does the Count sleep?"
"...Outside."
Bianca's face twisted subtly at Zachary's response. The story was that she slept alone in this comfortable place while 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, Count Zachary, slept outside.
Men might think that Bianca had kicked Zachary out of the carriage, as they didn't know what the couple was like.
She was accustomed to being misunderstood, but it would be inconvenient to receive looks and misunderstood responses for the entire duration of the journey to the capital.
Wouldn't Robert, who was particularly reluctant towards Bianca, also join the group?
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?"
Tags:
TWB (Novel)