With swift determination, he closed the window curtain and disembarked from the carriage. Even though Henrie had explicitly ordered Yohana to remain still, her curiosity got the better of her.
Rebelliously, she couldn't resist the temptation to steal a glimpse of the unfolding chaos outside.
What she witnessed left her in awe. It was the very first time she had ever seen Henrie unsheathe his sword and spring into action.
Bathed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy of leaves, Henrie appeared nothing short of dazzling.
His blond hair seemed to catch fire in the gentle rays, casting a radiant glow around him. As he moved, it was as if he were engaged in an intricate dance, his motions both swift and achingly beautiful.
Yohana couldn't help but marvel at how he effortlessly wielded his sword, making the heavy weapon appear weightless in his hands.
His wrist moved with impeccable timing, each slash finding its target on the enemy's flesh, while he elegantly stepped back to dodge incoming attacks.
Unbeknownst to herself, Yohana's jaw hung agape as she became captivated by the mesmerizing spectacle unfolding before her. Her heart pounded with a fervor that compelled her to clutch at the fabric covering her chest.
Returning to her seat, Yohana felt the relentless pounding in her chest, a reminder of the breathtaking display she had just witnessed. She took several deep breaths, consciously exhaling the tension that had built up within her.
"Don't get confused! That's not why you're here!" Yohana sternly reprimanded herself. This was not the moment to succumb to swooning over a handsome prince charming.
Gradually, her breath steadied, and she managed to regain her composure. Just then, the carriage door swung open from the outside.
Yohana instinctively jumped back, fists raised in a defensive posture, ready to confront a potential assailant.
Much to her relief, the intruder turned out to be none other than Henrie. Yohana exhaled a sigh of relief even as Henrie couldn't help but chuckle at her startled reaction.
"What?" Yohana pouted, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration at Henrie's lighthearted response to her genuine fear.
Henrie gently took Yohana's clenched fist and planted a tender kiss on it.
"I promise you won't need to use these fists for anything unpleasant. Let me handle the ugly matters, while you savor the beauty."
Yohana's heart resumed its spirited thumping. Her cheeks reddened as she quickly withdrew her hand from Henrie's grasp, averting her gaze.
"No, I can't let you face danger alone," she asserted. "If anything, shouldn't we face it together? I've encountered my fair share of dark moments, and I can handle them too."
Just as Yohana turned her attention to Henrie, her gaze was met with a startling sight—a splatter of blood gracing his face. She squinted in disbelief, concern furrowing her brow.
Without hesitation, she reached out and gently touched the crimson stain, her voice quivering with worry as she asked, "You're bleeding?"
Despite Yohana's evident distress, Henrie couldn't help but respond with a radiant smile. He took her hand and delicately pressed it against his cheek, resting his face upon her palm.
"It's not my blood. Thank you for your concern."
Understanding that Henrie was once again attempting to engage in flirtatious banter, Yohana attempted to pull her hand away. However, Henrie held on firmly, refusing to let go.
"Please, just allow me to savor this moment a little while longer," he pleaded. "The bandit incident must have been quite frightening for you, yet here you are, more worried about me, even though I'm completely unharmed."
"My Lady!! Are you alright?" Thea's voice filled with concern as she burst into the carriage from her own. Yohana hastily withdrew her hand as Thea rushed to her side.
Thea wasted no time, immediately hopping in and meticulously checking Yohana's body from head to toe, searching for any signs of harm or injury.
Yohana reassured her with a smile. "I've been hiding here, Thea. I'm fine."
Tears streamed down Thea's cheeks as she cried out, overcome with fear and worry for her lady. "I should have been here with you, My Lady. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Yohana gently took Thea into her arms, embracing her and offering comfort. She patted Thea's back soothingly and whispered softly, "It's okay, Thea. It's okay. Henrie protected me, and I'm alright."
It felt like an eternity before Thea's tears finally subsided. Henrie sat awkwardly in the carriage, waiting for the right moment to exit. Complicating matters, Thea stood between him and the carriage's exit.
Once Thea had regained her composure, she bowed gracefully to the crown prince. "Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your protection of My Lady."
The expression of gratitude struck Yohana as somewhat peculiar. After all, Henrie was her fiance, and it was only natural for him to protect her in times of danger.
Yet, he couldn't help but see it as a testament to the bond they had forged over time, tracing back to Yohana's arrival at the palace.
Thea ended up sharing the carriage with Yohana until they reached their next resting place.
***
On the seventh day of their journey, Yohana's entourage finally arrived in Paville, the opulent capital city of the Greifswaldia empire.
The cityscape was a testament to architectural grandeur, adorned with intricate frescoes and lavish decorations that adorned every building.
Greifswaldia's thriving economy owed much of its success to a unique resource found only within its borders – the precious Prouz stone. This valuable resource had spurred economic growth and prosperity throughout the empire.
One striking aspect of Greifswaldia's culture that intrigued Yohana was the prevalence of coffee houses.
This trend had yet to make its way to Reichwein, and Yohana saw an opportunity to learn about it in-depth during her stay.
She believed that such establishments could potentially become Princess Elke's first entrepreneurial venture.
***
The following day, their itinerary commenced with a comprehensive city tour, followed by visits to several prayer houses and monasteries in accordance with Henrie's wishes.
The imperial palace had arranged for a spacious carriage, suitable for accommodating foreign diplomats during their city excursions.
As the carriage continued its journey through the city, a prominent sight caught Yohana's attention. It was a colossal statue that loomed large, its grandeur visible from a considerable distance.
This monumental sculpture portrayed a woman standing proudly at the center of a bustling public square. She was adorned in flowing, antiquated attire, her figure carrying an air of regality. In her arms, she cradled a collection of books, while her hair billowed gracefully behind her.
In response to Yohana's request, the carriage came to a gentle stop, allowing her to disembark and approach the plaque beneath the towering statue.
As her eyes fell upon the accompanying color painting, a profound emotion washed over her, causing her heart to skip a beat.
For the woman portrayed in that painting was none other than her own mother.