We went from riding towards a whole new world to going back the exact same way
With Rin in my pocket.
We shouldn't be going back too far though.
Nico told me we'll meet Aravind, the Heir of the Grand Duchy.
He'll then either decide to jail me, exile me, or even let me go but the last is very unlikely.
Since I am in the Grand duke's land, the law dictates that I am completely under his jurisdiction
Hence the last word goes to him completely even if my family might be discontent.
I am already sentenced by the Theodosia march
It was only a matter of time before I got disowned and then exiled
But the Grand Duchy might disagree with the verdict
Their relationship was strained anyway especially with My mother Dorothy Theodosia, so it wouldn't matter to the Duke
But if he decides on my imprisonment I'll have to leave unfortunately
All this will be wasted time then, but if he exiles me it will be so worth it
'Haaa' I really hope they don't decide to throw me to jail or return me to the family
We are currently walking, Only Nico and four other seniors are riding horses
They are wary that I might run away so they didn't give me a horse
And It's shameful for a dignified woman to ride along with a male stranger
The knights have been very careful around me as we were walking too
I am still a high noble, but I frankly didn't care...
I'll be gone soon enough anyway
Nico stopped and asked me if I needed rest and I nodded.
We walked for the whole night, It's almost dawn
And my head is pounding from trying to hold Rin's size in its place
I haven't slept comfortably for a long time, I can't be healthy
He ordered them to stop and prepare a fast resting place for me
They started right away
He pulled a beef jerky and handed it to me
As I was about to have it
"Ah..." I felt something warm down my nose
Nico's eyes widened "You-"
I was about to wipe the blood with my sleeve but he quickly held my hand
"What are you doing" he grumbled and pulled a handkerchief
I quickly put the beef jerky in my small pouch in my belt and held the handkerchief he handed
I bowed my head down and blew out the blood skillfully without creating a mess
The handkerchief quickly filled with blood
"You look used to it" he said dubiously
"Hm? I do get nosebleeds often."
"Leader! It's ready!" Yelled someone
"I will go and rest, I'm tired" I cut his conversation yawning
He followed me with his eyes, narrowing them.
They prepared simple blankets and rugs for sitting, Near a tree.
I went near the tree and sat down leaning on it
I crossed my arms, lowered my head and closed my eyes
●●●
He contemplated for a long time while looking at her
She had a nosebleed....
With how much pressure she emanated last night, he couldn't believe she was such a fragile person
She didn't even seem like a bad person yet she will be thrown to her death and maybe even tortured for interrogation prior to that...
He clenched his fist and exhaled trying to get the useless thoughts off his head.
And he slapped the three knights on their shoulders one by one
"And you call yourselves knights? Such rude gazing to a sleeping lady is unacceptable."
All the knights staring were caught off guard and averted their gaze, blushing.
"Huh? But you sir were also-"
The other one quickly clasped the rookie's mouth shut tightly to prevent an accident
"We apologize sir." he answered instead
"Good. We'll leave in two hours, make sure food is ready by the time she wakes up"
"By your command" He quietly answered as to not disrupt her sleep
•••
I heard it.
Of course I wasn't sleeping otherwise a person would randomly pop up from my pocket
I just had to rest my eyes for a bit
I am a little worried about Rin, It's been a whole night
But I can't risk it
I just need to sneakily shrink a piece of bread and give it to him so he doesn't starve
'Sorry Rin'
I opened my eyes perfectly on time, right when they were contemplating on how to politely wake me up
We had our meal and we just kept on walking
This time Nicolai was on foot and he was constantly glancing at me
"Why do you keep looking" I asked him directly
"Uh...I think I can allow you to ride a horse, There isn't much distance left to the meeting place" He finally got it out of his chest
"Won't I take off with it?" I smirked
"Mmm..." He frowned half teased and half hesitant
"No need, you might get scolded by his Highness" I answered "Thank you though."
"Haaa" He sighed exasperated
It looks like he feels sorry for me, or guilty or maybe both
He's a good man
He might help with my plan
'If I ask him to help in my exile he won't refuse, right?'
Demonic wicked thoughts passed through her mind as she smirked
●●●
It was early morning and we had just arrived
Two men are sitting on a really high branch of a huge tree casually having a conversation
I actually sensed them far back
They were by far the strongest people I felt in this life
I haven't met many people, This might be the reason
But they are not to be underestimated, especially....
I raised my head and observed the man.
Dark luscious Azure hair, A little above his shoulders along with predatory golden eyes shining through it.
He was looking down as if we were all below him...
●●●
Aravind was looking at everyone from above as they slowly arrived
"They took longer than expected" said Michiel scrutinizing his eyes to get a good look
"Is that her? Wow she's unbelievably pretty even from this distance"
"Shut up" simply answered Aravind and jumped down the really high branch
*BAM*
Debris and dust scattered and the ground was dented a little
As he reached them, all knights without exception got on their knee
"We greet His Highness!" And saluted simultaneously
Only Sicilia kept staring
He looked back
"So you were the one that delayed my return home"
"No it was him."
She pointed at Nicolai without hesitation
"If he hadn't stopped my carriage I would've kept on living peacefully...." She sold him brutally
Aravind observed the girl consciously ignoring Nicolai's dumbfounded gaze
"Did you two get close in a single day or am I imagining things-"
"You are." "It must be your imagination."
The two simultaneously cut him
Hmm....
"I'll believe it for now...Anyways, I heard you're a little weird"
"Who told you?" She asked surprised
"Nicolai Graham."
Nico looked at both of them with tears in his eyes
People are mean...
•••
Aravind ordered all the knights to retreat and report to the Grand duke leaving only Michiel, Nicolai and Sicilia
Confident in his skills
Oh and they called a female knight from the castle as they were all men
In order for her to survey Sicilia in private moments
A few hours passed and she still hasn't arrived
"The Dukedom is big but really empty; Nico. How are there roads all the way to the northern forest, yet no one passing from here?" Sicilia complained
"Nico...?" Both Michiel and Aravind looked at her strangely
"Pass and go where, there is nothing but trees and monsters" Responded Nico, used to his nickname by now
"And Your Highness please don't misunderstand, we're not close or anything she's just a little weird" he also defended himself
"Can you all stop calling me weird?" She smiled wryly
Anyways Michiel was occasionally checking the food cooking on the campfire
And Niko went to build a second tent for Sicilia while grumbling
"Where are we going now...?"
"We're gonna be heading to the castle nearby"
"And why is that?"
"What do you mean why? To continue the investigation and conclude the verdict"
"Is it that easy? It's an unfair-" Sicilia went quiet suddenly
He turned to her and tilted his head
But his expression hardened after a short while
"Michiel, Nikolai, Get ready." He called sternly