The wind gently caressed Amanda’s face as she leaned her head against the carriage window and watched the passing landscape. She had a spectacular view of the lush forest in refreshing weather, but she was in no mood to appreciate it.
After saving Oliver’s life, Amanda had collapsed as soon as she entered the inn. From the moment when she rescued him to the moment he had accepted her proposal, she felt as if her body was being torn in all directions by a leash. It was hard on her poorly trained physical condition.
“My Lady, are you still feeling sick?”
Elice was the only one who knew that Amanda had gone that night without anyone else knowing. After disappearing like smoke and returning at dawn the next day, Amanda had been in dazed state ever since. She looked like a lovesick girl and Elice was curious about that night’s events, but she couldn’t ask her directly and instead asked her in a roundabout way.
Judging by Elice’s strangely shining eyes, Amanda knew her maid was curious about what happened that night.
“Elice, I know you are a smart girl, and I know that you understand unnecessary curiosity only brings bad luck. Do you agree with me?”
“O-Oh yes, of course, My Lady,”
Elice answered reluctantly, but she did not accept it from her heart. She was so keen on getting to know what happened that night, though she knew it was not possible for Amanda to tell her.
After returning back to the inn for a late night’s sleep, Amanda suddenly said she was not feeling well and wanted to return to Windsor Castle. Not only did Amanda not eat properly on the way back, but she just stared blankly out the carriage window the entire time.
Who was the man that was keeping the young mistress away? Did Amanda happen to get caught up in the atmosphere that night? What if she had a baby? Elice’s mind ran wild with imagination. Thanks to this mysterious lover even Elice’s motion sickness was forgotten.
The two of them lost in their own worlds as the carriage quickly took Amanda and Elice back to Windsor Castle.
*
*
*
“I’m home, Amelia.”
“Amanda! It’s good you’re back this quickly. I missed you so much you know!”
“I know! And I miss you too, Amelia! Tell me, anything happened while I am away?”
“Uh-huh. Father kept sending messages that was coming home, but now he said he would really come home today.”
“Father…?”
Her father was always busy as the head of the Fourth Order of Knights and most of the time he stayed at a residence in the capital city to work there. Amanda was in charge of the household at Windsor Castle, while Aaron was in charge of the knights belonging to the family. In the past it was normal to not have seen her father’s face for a long time, but the situation was different now. From Amanda’s point of view she had not seen her father after twenty years. There was a pit of nervousness and excitement twisting in her stomach.
“Then I guess I’ll pay special attention to the menu tonight.”
Amelia spoke up confidently as if she had already made plans.
“I already asked the chef in advance to prepare father’s favorite fish stew.”
Amelia’s proud and expectant look for praise was so cute that Amanda gave a smile and stroked Amelia’s hair with one hand.
“You did a good job, Amelia. Now, lets go inside, shall we?”
“Sure, sis. How was your trip?”
“Oh well…”
Amelia’s question reminded her of those long, arduous days in the carriage. Amanda had met with Prince Oliver and fought off assassins, but she didn’t think it was a good idea to tell her about that.
“…Nothing special.”
“So that means you had a tough one? Tell me exactly what happened, sis.”
Amelia knew if Amanda had a great journey, she wouldn’t have answered in this way. So she wondered what happened on her sister’s journey.
“Well, it was nothing actually. I just had an upset stomach in the middle of it…”
“What?! Did you eat something poisonous or spoiled?”
“Don’t you worry, Amelia. I’m all good now.”
“So that’s why you got home earlier than I expected. I’m going to call the doctor and ask him to see you right away.”
“That’s not necessary–”
“Just wait in the room, sister.”
The doctor came and it turned out that Amanda’s body was in its best condition. Amelia felt much relieved. As the day passed and night descended, Count Francis Windsor soon arrived at the castle.