Thea's candid words resonated deeply with Henrie. They sparked a realization that he couldn't afford to remain passive any longer if he wanted to win Runa's heart.
Her resistance to his fake marriage proposal had been accompanied by an admission that she felt a connection with someone deep within her heart.
Those words gnawed at Henrie's thoughts, stirring a potent mix of hope and anxiety. Perhaps, he pondered, Runa herself was uncertain of her own feelings. Her initial rejection had been understandable, considering their limited acquaintance. Henrie had harbored a one-sided crush for a long time.
Now, however, things had evolved. The barriers Runa had erected around her heart seemed to be slowly giving way, and Henrie couldn't shake the intuition that she guarded her emotions fervently for a reason he was determined to uncover.
If Henrie were to be entirely candid, he'd confess that he longed to claim Runa's heart and hold her close in his arms this very moment. Yet, he held back, valuing her pace above all else. He had no desire to rush her when she wasn't yet ready.
A hushed tranquility settled within the carriage, and Runa appeared to be lured into a peaceful reverie. Her head began to sway gently. Her eyelids fluttered as they weighed heavy.
Just as it seemed she might inadvertently collide with the carriage window, Henrie acted swiftly. His large palm cradled her head, preventing any discomfort or collision.
With deliberate grace, Henrie began to shift from his seat. However, the rocky road posed a significant challenge, causing the carriage to jostle violently. Maintaining his balance was no easy feat as he carefully maneuvered to sit beside Runa without the risk of tumbling onto her.
He eased himself into the seat beside her, cradling her head gently upon his shoulder. As he gazed at Runa's serene expression, Henrie's thoughts wandered back to the recurring dreams he'd had about her.
Despite his earnest efforts to decipher the meaning behind those dreams, their significance eluded him. In these dreams, Runa, so contrary to the challenging girl he had met when they were younger, appeared as a tender, silver-haired girl.
It felt as if there were two distinct versions of Runa residing within his mind, and Henrie shook his head in self-admonishment, dismissing the absurdity of the notion.
Although the dreams felt undeniably real, Henrie was convinced they had never manifested in the realm of reality.
Even if, hypothetically, Henrie considered the possibility that these dreams held some forgotten memories, a perplexing dissonance arose. The timing of these dreams conflicted with the vivid reality he remembered.
Around the same age as the boy depicted in those dreams, Henrie had encountered Runa in actuality, and the recollection was far from idyllic.
She had been remarkably impolite, readily looking down on him—a sentiment he had reciprocated, having a rather low opinion of girls during his youth.
The incidents of warmth and closeness he experienced with Runa in his dreams seemed utterly implausible given the stark contrasts of their early encounters in reality.
***
Waking from her slumber, Yohana discovered herself leaning against Henrie's solid shoulder. She had initially assumed she was resting on a hard surface, only to realize that it was, in fact, Henrie himself.
His physique, forged in the crucible of combat, was more formidable than she had anticipated.
A sudden wave of self-consciousness surged through her, prompting Yohana to withdraw her head from his support.
"Forgive me," she stammered, feeling a rush of embarrassment. "I must look quite unsightly."
Henrie, however, was quick to dispel her unease with a compliment that made her blush. "You're beautiful. I could gaze upon your sleeping face for all eternity."
"What are you saying?!"
Stammering in response, Yohana couldn't help but think that Henrie was merely attempting to offer solace. She veiled her face, hiding her embarrassment, and chastised herself for her vulnerability.
But Henrie wasn't joking. He doubled down on his words, asserting, "I'm not joking. You must already know it. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever encountered."
Yohana felt that Henrie was just comforting her. She hid her face from him, embarrassed. She cursed herself for letting herself loose.
The sincerity in his statement should have been heartwarming, yet it only caused Yohana's heart to ache. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, resolute in her decision not to let herself fall in love with him.
She understood all too well that the person in Henrie's heart wasn't Yohana but Runa.
***
Their journey included several rest stops, each at a prominent castle or manor, befitting an official diplomatic expedition to Greifswaldia.
Thus far, the trip had unfolded without any significant hitches. Thea, in particular, appeared to revel in the experience, savoring every moment.
Despite the occasional flirtations from Henrie, Yohana found herself at ease. Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly, and the presence of the royal guards offered an added layer of security.
However, on the fourth day of their expedition, an unexpected incident unfolded. Fearless bandits, driven by desperation, decided to target the troupe.
The line of carriages bore the unmistakable aura of wealth, and it was true that some of them harbored valuable cargo. Nevertheless, the audacity of the bandits, even in the face of royal guards, underscored the depth of their desperation.
Henrie swiftly assumed a protective stance, positioning himself in front of Yohana.
"Let's remain here for the moment," he advised. "The royal guards should easily handle these bandits. They'll put an end to this threat in no time."
However, it soon became evident that the bandits were no ordinary highwaymen. Their audacity hinted at a well-prepared assault, and their confidence appeared to stem from a meticulously crafted plan.
Their objective? Overwhelming the royal guards with sheer numbers.
Yohana cautiously peered out of the carriage window, her eyes widening as she witnessed more and more bandits converging from all directions. Each one wielded weapon with a familiarity that marked them as seasoned fighters, far from mere amateurs.
While the royal knights who safeguarded the troupe were undoubtedly skilled warriors, they were rapidly being pushed to their limits.
The relentless tide of bandits began to encroach upon the carriages, agitating Henrie. He tightened the grip of his sword-wielding hand. The other remained steadfastly positioned in a defensive stance, sheltering Yohana.
The moment a small dagger pierced the carriage, Henrie's patience reached its limit. "Duck down and cover your head," he instructed Yohana urgently. "Don't make a sound."