That morning, the beautiful and quiet village greeted Claire with an atmosphere that was very different from the luxurious life in her family's residence. This village looked very peaceful, far from the noble life she usually lived.
The fresh morning air felt so cool as it flowed through the inn's opened windows and doors. The morning sunlight penetrated the trees and illuminated the still quiet village streets. Thatched-roof houses stood solidly, with wooden walls that were beginning to rot with age.
In the distance, green hills framed the scenery, giving a peaceful impression that was pleasing to the eye.
Of course, this was a new atmosphere for Claire.
'This is the first time I've woken up without a servant to wake me up,' Claire thought, half surprised at herself.
She remembered, before Ethan knocked on the door of her inn, she woke up to the sound of a creaking mattress.
The mattress was hard and far from comfortable, very different from the luxurious bed in the Duke's residence.
Although this village offered peace and simplicity, Claire did not have time to enjoy it. The shabby robe that wrapped her body became a shield that she had to always wear, covering her identity and keeping her distance from the people around her.
The morning view of the village looked so beautiful. However, a feeling of alertness has always accompanied her ever since she left the inn.
'You must not be careless,' she thought.
Claire glanced at Ethan who was walking in front of her. The morning sun that had just appeared reflected its rays on Ethan's shiny brown hair. Ethan's straight back looked strong and confident, as if nothing could shake him.
Claire could only stare silently, trapped in her own thoughts, trying to understand the unexpected journey that had now brought her to this village.
Suddenly, Ethan quickly turned around, as Claire did not have time to stop her steps, she crashed into Ethan's sturdy body, and her nose immediately hit his back.
"Ugh—" Claire complained while holding her sore nose.
Ethan turned his head with an amused smile. "Oh, Sorry," he said lightly while holding back a little laughter.
Claire rubbed her nose which was starting to turn red.
"What's wrong?" she asked, even though in her heart she was starting to feel annoyed again.
"Wait here, I need to go there for a bit," Ethan replied, pointing to a small shop at the end of the road.
Claire looked at the building with a frown.
"Do you need to buy something?" she muttered, observing from a distance.
However, before she could continue her question, Ethan had already walked quickly towards the shop. The dirt road Ethan was on was full of gravel, and Claire could only stand on the side of the road, looking at him in annoyance.
'Wait... I want to know if he's buying something!' Claire thought.
Ethan had disappeared behind the shop door, leaving Claire alone in the hustle and bustle of the village morning.
The villagers passing by didn't seem to pay much attention to Claire. Some people were carrying baskets of vegetables, while others were busy with their own affairs.
Claire took a deep breath, looking at the villagers who seemed so familiar with this simple life.
'I really look like a stranger here,' she thought.
Her gaze returned to the shop Ethan had entered. Several cloth and fabric were laid on a string outside the store, waiting for the sun to dry it.
'Is that a fabric shop? Why is he going there?' Claire began to feel irritated. 'What else is he planning to do now?' she thought.
In the midst of her thoughts, Claire suddenly remembered something. 'Where did Ethan sleep last night?'
She woke up this morning to find Ethan already in front of her door, fresh and healthy as if nothing had happened.
'I woke up on that hard bed, but what about him…?' Claire's mind kept spinning, trying to figure out what had happened.
Although Ethan often seemed mysterious, Claire couldn't hide her curiosity.
Did Ethan sleep in a better place or did he really sleep anywhere without caring?
She remembered again about how spontaneous and relaxed Ethan was in everything, including the matter of lodging. It was possible that he slept in a corner of the floor, or even a random straw on someone's farm.
Claire almost laughed to herself imagining Ethan casually lying anywhere like a stray cat.
However, not long after, a sense of alertness gripped her again as she was reminded of her predicament. Although the village looked peaceful and the morning offered tranquility, Claire knew that the threat of the royal knights still haunted them.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Not long after that, the shop door opened, and Ethan came out with a satisfied smile on his face. In his hands, were rolled up pieces of cloth that he seemed to have bought. Claire frowned.
"Why did you buy a cloth?" she asked, half annoyed.
Ethan just smiled mysteriously, as usual. "You'll find out later," he replied as he walked towards Claire.
Claire snorted softly, but her curiosity grew.
"You always have strange plans," she muttered as she walked beside Ethan, following his quick steps down the village road.