Chapter 42
When I opened my eyes, dawn had already broken completely.
Looking at the clock, it seemed that if I got up now, got ready, and headed out to catch the train, the timing would be just right.
After finishing my preparations and checking the house one last time, I picked up my light luggage and stepped outside — and there, in the yard, stood the carriage Michael had prepared.
I looked at him in surprise, as if to ask when he had gotten ready, but he simply gave me a look that said, “Of course,” and opened the carriage door to escort me inside.
When he climbed in after me, the horses neighed loudly, and the carriage began to move.
On the way to the station, as I gazed out the window, lost in thought, Michael handed me something.
“Take this.”
“…What is it?”
In his open palm lay a small, unfamiliar object — it almost looked like a tiny pair of earplugs.
“It’s a communication device. One of the magical tools. If you place it in your ear, we’ll be able to hear each other’s voices even from far away.”
“Oh.”
I accepted the object, and he demonstrated how to use it. Following his lead, I placed it in my ear.
Looking at his ear, I saw a small gem-like piece embedded there, faintly glowing.
“When both ends light up like this, it means the connection is ready. Once the blinking stops, communication is possible. Want to try speaking?”
“Ah, yes. Aah… Oh, wow, I can really hear you.”
His voice came softly through my ear. I widened my eyes in amazement.
To think something like this existed — if it worked, there’d be no need to send letters back and forth anymore.
No more anxious waiting for replies. We could actually hear each other’s voices.
“When we were exchanging letters last time, I thought it’d be nice to have one of these in case we were ever apart again,” Michael said.
“When the light blinks, it means the other person wants to talk. Keep an eye on it.”
“All right. It’s really amazing. Thank you, Michael.”
He smiled proudly at my words.
The truth was, it wasn’t that I hadn’t considered having Michael accompany me to the capital.
But he had his duties as the lord of his county, and he couldn’t stay by my side forever.
Besides, if he and I went to the capital together, people — like Hannah — would surely start gossiping again.
I’d already spent my years as a duchess surrounded by scandal; this time, I just wanted to quietly focus on learning to paint.
The road to the station felt unusually short.
Before long, we arrived. We got out of the carriage, and I pulled my cloak’s hood over my head to stay unnoticed.
Walking through the station with Michael, we reached the platform, where a steam engine was waiting to depart.
“I’ll come to the capital from time to time. Let’s make sure we see each other.”
“Got it. I’ll keep the communicator on me at all times.”
“….”
“Thank you for everything. The time I spent here with you — I’ll never forget it.”
As the moment of parting came, Michael looked at me with mixed emotions.
It wasn’t as if we were saying goodbye forever, yet I also felt a pang of sadness that kept me from boarding the train right away.
We stared at each other for a while until the departure time drew near, and finally, I climbed aboard.
“I’m really going now.”
“Take care.”
He smiled as he saw me off.
I entered the first-class cabin that Michael had reserved for me — a private compartment just for one person.
Sitting down and removing my hood, I looked out the window to see him waving at me.
The train let out a loud whistle and began to move.
“Goodbye, Michael.”
I waved back as his figure grew smaller, shrinking into a dot and disappearing.
The familiar scenery of Lorencia — the place I had lived and grown fond of — began to pass by.
Memories of the short time I’d spent there flickered through my mind.
The mysterious visitor, Arwin. Michael, whom I’d reunited with at the villa.
Duke Friedrich and Nick, who had come to see me. The conversations we shared. The moment I’d greeted Adolph.
I knew it was time to tuck all of that away in one corner of my memory —
for a new beginning, for a different kind of happiness, for my own life.
Dressed just as I had been when I first arrived, I left Lorencia behind.
A loud whistle sounded — the signal of arrival.
With my face buried deep in my cloak, I awoke from sleep.
Outside the window stretched an unfamiliar landscape. The station name read Le Mans, and countless people were coming and going.
Crowds of all sorts passed by my window — a sure sign that the train had reached the capital.
The capital, Le Mans.
The heart of the Fontrich Empire. The center of culture. A place where countless people lived and mingled.
As the announcement echoed that the train had arrived, passengers began hurrying out with their luggage.
“….”
I took one last look outside, pulled my cloak tight, adjusted my hat, and left the compartment with my bag.
Blending into the crowd, I was pushed along until I stepped onto the platform.
My shoes clicked softly against the solid ground.
It had been ten days since I left Lorencia.
The first place I headed was my new home — the one I’d be staying in while living in the capital.
Leaving the station, I got into a carriage, holding the piece of paper with the address written on it.
Since Michael had arranged the house himself, this would be my first time seeing it.
Before long, the carriage arrived. I checked the address, then unlocked the door with the key I’d been given.
“……”
When Michael was choosing the house, he’d asked if I had any preferences.
What had I told him again? That I wanted a place that wasn’t too big or too noticeable.
Something cozy and modest, like the house and gallery I’d had in Lorencia.
And indeed, the house met every condition perfectly — both inside and out.
It was near enough to the imperial palace to be convenient, yet tucked away enough not to draw attention.
It looked similar to the neighboring houses, so no one would think twice about it.
In a bustling capital full of noise and intrigue, finding such a quiet, shadowed home was no small miracle.
The interior was also similar in size and layout to my old house in Lorencia.
Even better, the moving wagon Michael had sent ahead had already arrived, and all my belongings were neatly arranged.
Seeing my things there made me feel as if I’d just returned to a familiar home, not stepped into a new one.
After inspecting the rooms, I smiled in satisfaction.
I was about to contact Michael when, as if on cue, the communicator blinked.
“Michael.”
[Did you arrive safely?]
Following what he’d taught me, I placed the device in my ear and heard his voice.
[I thought you’d have arrived by now, but you hadn’t called, so I reached out first.]
“I was just about to! You must have read my mind.”
Sitting on the freshly made bed, I smiled as I smoothed the blanket.
[How was the trip? Did you like the food they served?]
“Yes, it was very comfortable — definitely what you’d expect from first class. The meals were delicious too.”
Had I traveled in economy, those ten days would have felt far longer.
“I just finished checking the house, and I absolutely love it. It’s exactly what I wanted.”
[I’m glad. I took extra care choosing it.]
“It shows. Thank you so much, Michael.”
I could almost feel his pleased smile through the connection.
[So, what are you going to do now?]
“For today, I think I’ll rest. The trip was smooth, but I still had to sleep sitting up, so I’m suddenly exhausted. Once I’m settled, I’ll visit Adolph.”
[All right. Rest well, then. I’ll try to find a reason to visit the capital soon.]
“Okay. Don’t overwork yourself, and take care.”
The call ended. I removed the communicator, set it aside, and lay down on the bed.
My heart was beating pleasantly fast — the rhythm of anticipation for a new beginning.
Even if I hadn’t realized it, I must have been looking forward to this new life.
Slowly, I closed my eyes.
Fatigue washed over me.
For a while, I spent my days resting and adjusting to the new surroundings.
Though the journey had been comfortable thanks to Michael’s care, I was still tired.
I slept, ate when I was hungry, and spent the remaining time organizing the half-unpacked luggage.
After several days, I finally felt my strength return.
Bit by bit, I’d arranged everything until the house truly felt like mine.
Today, I decided to go out — partly to shop for necessities, and partly to take care of something important.
Wearing my cloak and pulling the hat low, I carried a basket and stepped outside.
As I walked, the vibrant scenes of the capital unfolded before me.
Compared to Lorencia, the capital had far greater diversity — in age, clothing, and social class.
There were nobles riding luxurious carriages and children with soot-stained faces wandering the streets.
And there were so many people everywhere — noisy and bustling, as one would expect of the capital.
Extremes coexisted in the same space, as if two worlds overlapped inside my mind.
Watching those scenes, I felt like a shadow among them — a stranger in a strange city.
And so, taking in the scenery, the first place I headed was the imperial palace.
