My Pov
Alice, who was sitting in front of me with an annoyed expression on her face, asked me just a few seconds after the carriage we were riding had left the palace gate.
"Why do we have to leave the house at such an early hour? Isn't the place that we'll be visiting within the capital."
I simply nonchalantly responded to her question, "it doesn't matter what time we leave, right?"
"Yeah, it doesn't really matter to me what time we leave as long as big brother isn't making me stand around in the cold for a very long time!"
Said Alice, retorted with a snort, and then she turned her head away from me. In the meantime, I was able to hear a soft voice coming from the space next to me.
"Would... are you able to release your grip on my hand?"
Emilia was the source of that soft voice, and she appeared to be covering her expression as she lowered her face slightly at the same time.
I tried to sound concerned because I had planned to mess around with Emilia a little bit.
"What's the matter, Emilia? You've been quiet since earlier..." After that, I put the other palm of my hand on Emilia's forehead to check her temperature and asked, "Are you not feeling well?"
As was to be expected, After hearing my concern and my hand suddenly touching her forehead, Emilia then overreacted while saying in a hurry.
"I... I'm fine, there's no need for you to worry about me."
Emilia was aware that her own behavior had been a little different than usual this time, so she made an effort to appear composed and collected, as she typically does, and then said in an uninterested tone.
"What you have to worry about is Alice, and not me, because you don't want to see Alice carry out the massacre of a noble family nor make a spark that will ruin the empire, right?"
Everyone present would be aware that Emilia was attempting to shift the conversation to a different subject at this time, but of course, Alice, who was sitting in front of me, would respond by saying.
"What on earth are you talking about, sister! No, of course I wouldn't do something like that do you really believe that I'm a cold and vicious demon?"
"Yes, you are a little devil as well as my cherished little sister."
After hearing what I had to say, Alice, who had been looking away, replied in a very low voice, "Silly big brother." I had said what I thought were Alice's missing words in a soft voice, filling in the missing pieces.
I couldn't help but crack a grin of my own, and the words I had just blurted out appeared enough to make Alice's face flush.
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The carriage I was riding in finally arrived at the gate in one of the areas within the capital, and this location is known for being the residence of several noble families as well as the families of the higher-ups and officials who serve the empire.
When several guards saw that the three carriages had stopped in front of the gate, they appeared and attempted to carry out the procedures that are typically followed.
But then, when they looked to the side of the carriage, there was a circular symbol engraved with a skull in the middle, in addition to some ancient numbers and writings. Despite this, they were able to tell that the symbol seemed to indicate a time.
The guards immediately appeared stiff and frightened, but then one of them saluted and opened the gate without hesitance, and then another friend finally joined the salute and helped open the gate in a hurry.
After that, the three carriages continued their journey deeper into this area, and the carriage I was traveling in had to go all the way to the end of this area because it was so big in order to get to where we were going.
I could tell from Alice and Emilia's expressions that they were not particularly interested in the sights in this area. They were sitting relatively close to me, but I couldn't help but notice their expressions.
Even though everything in this area can be said to look grand and luxurious, from the existing houses to the people and carriages passing by, all of them can be said to be full of glamour.
However, the reactions of these people when they saw the carriage I was riding across this road were very interesting to see.
Several men and women of middle age were wearing expensive clothing and carrying themselves with an air of superiority as they walked over.
However, as soon as the carriage I was riding passed in front of their eyes, their faces immediately changed into expressions of fear, and they hurriedly lowered their heads.
Many young people are also excited when they see my carriage pass in front of them.
In the meantime, the elders appeared to be surprised, but after a moment, they resumed their flat and expressionless demeanor typical of elders.
And after what seemed like an eternity, we made our way across the road in this area, and we were finally standing in front of a house that, despite its luxurious and regal appearance, appeared to be nothing more than a simple farmhouse in comparison to what we had seen earlier.
After that, Alice confidently stepped out of the carriage, and shortly after, several other female soldiers, accompanied by Sucht and Sascha, also stepped out of their respective carriages.
When Emilia wanted to come down, I held her hand while raising my index finger in front of my mouth.
As I pulled her hand away, she appeared baffled. However, as soon as she turned around and looked at me, she became speechless and sat back down again.
After that, I said something to Alice, who was standing outside, telling her, "Then have fun, Alice, I'll go first."
After listening to what I had to say, Alice, who had appeared assured at first, presented an appearance of bewilderment as she continued.
"You aren't going to come with me? Where do you plan on going?"
But I paid no attention to Alice's question and instead focused my attention on Sascha and Sucht.
"I entrust Alice to you both."
After uttering those words with a carefree grin on my face, I instructed the female coachman to keep driving the carriage.
Hearing that, Sascha still looked puzzled after seeing me not get out of the carriage. However, Sucht simply smiled, bowed gracefully, and then said something.
"Don't worry, young master. I will do everything in my power to keep princess Alice safe."
"Wait, wait, don't leave just yet, big brother."
"Do not leave me alone..."
I was able to see Alice pleading with me and appearing as though she was about to cry through the window pane, but I ignored her and hurried the carriage towards the gate so we could leave this area as quickly as possible.
After remaining silent for a while, Emilia eventually opened her mouth to begin speaking.
"So, where are you taking me today, if not to accompany Alice?"
Asked Emilia, with her head tilted towards me. I could also see the uncertainty and wariness in her expression.
"We're going on a date."
I said it in a gentle voice while wearing a very slight grin.