My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 136
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 136
* * *
The Kaerun Duchy has been busy since morning.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes." I answer Phoebe and descend the stairs to the front door. My parents are waiting for me near there.
"Have a good trip, dear. Don't come back too late."
"I'll be back in a week," I replied bluntly to my father.
"Don't forget to buy souvenirs, preferably one that's custom to order, you can wait until it's finished and come back late."
"I'll be back in a week."
"Are you sure about that? I'm sure you can take your time and enjoy yourself more...."
"I'll be back in a week."
I see them off and climb into the carriage aiming for the palace. Behind me, Phoebe follows suit.
The luggage the two of us are carrying looks quite heavy. But in reality, it's not as bulky, and there's not much inside. It's filled with coats, woolly hats, shawls, and gloves, all of which we have packed to ward off the chill of winter.
At the palace, knights who had been informed by the Crown Prince came to escort us. We have arrived at a clearing where the imperial carriages are gathered.
The Crown Prince is already present. "Good morning, Kayla."
I return his friendly greeting. Behind him, I see a familiar face. "Good morning, Princess, and good morning to you, too!" It's Viscount Artisina, can't be surprised at this point.
The corners of Phoebe's mouth twitch at the sight of him. But it's only for a brief moment, she soon regains her composure and returns to her usual expressionless facade.
"It's going to be a rough journey, so I thought I'd better take a mage with us as insurance. Viscount Artisina will be acting as an escort knight."
"Ah… yes." I shudder at the Crown Prince's explanation. I'm travelling with Lancer, an archmage, so what am I gonna be worried about? My parents didn't even bother to tell me to be careful, as they know as long as I'm with Lancer, my safety will not be questioned.
There must be some other reason why he wants to take Viscount Artisina. I regret not being able to hear the Crown Prince's inner thoughts anymore. I'll try to poke an answer out of the Viscount later, I make a mental note to myself.
"Hello, Skyla!" I hear my favourite voice from behind me. It's Lancer.
"You're late."
I'm about to wave at him to greet him when the Crown Prince speaks up, his expression as rigid as a piece of cloth drying in the sun.
"Lord Lancer, you may come from a duchy, but you're so rude. You can't possibly arrive after me, a member of the imperial family, and yet you're so late."
No, technically, I arrived later than the Crown Prince, too…. At his words, I surreptitiously check the time on my pocket watch.
It's still earlier than the appointed time. He's just doing this to humiliate Lancer!
I don't like the idea of Lancer being chastised by the Crown Prince for no reason, so I'm about to defend him when Lancer speaks up.
"I'm sorry."
Unexpectedly, the first words out of his mouth are an apology.
What?
My eyes widen. So did the Crown Prince and Viscount’s. They're probably expecting him to argue and say he hasn't done anything wrong. Even I was ready to defend him.
It's unexpected to see Lancer so casual and calm, after all, he's been at it with the Crown Prince since the ball.
"... Alright, it's wonderful how you're quick to admit when you're wrong." After a pause, the Crown Prince mutters.
"Anyway, it's good to see you're all here. We have a long way to go, so shall we set off now?" Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Viscount Artisina hurries off.
The palace servants begin to load the carriages with our luggages. There are two imperial carriages that Princess Julia has arranged for us. They're much larger than the formal carriages of the Kaerun Duchy.
Wow. I marvel as I sneak a peek inside the carriages. The imperial carriage is also different in its basic structure. They're double-decker carriages, with seats for people on the lower tier and a place for people to lie down and rest on the upper tier.
The journey to the North would take approximately two days, so Princess Julia took special care to make the long journey comfortable. The taxes collected from the nobles are being used for this.
As I admire the lavish rides, the Crown Prince approaches me from behind. "We must get going. Kayla."
I blink and stare at him. Where?
"You and I will take the first carriage. Lord Lancer and Viscount Artisina will follow us from behind in another carriage."
The words, "At whose order?" almost slip out of me.
"What about Phoebe?"
"Phoebe…? Ah, your maid. Perhaps it would be best to put her in the carriage behind us for a comfortable trip."
"...." I'm at a loss for words at his imposing manners. He's going to put my maid in another carriage just because?
Whatever his view of her, I have no intention of riding without her. It's not that I have any special affection for her, that I suffer from separation anxiety without her, or that I can't take care of myself without her.
I must never leave her with Lancer or the Viscount.
She cares for me terribly, and any man who flirts with me or shows me an unwarranted fondness is an enemy. Yet he wants to put her in an enclosed space with men who are attracted to me? Nonsense! This is not happening. She's gonna try to kill someone.
"I thank you, Crown Prince, for saying that you will ride with me in the carriage to the North."
"Of course, Kayla, it's all for your sake...."
"But." I interrupt, but pretending it's a mistake. I put on an exaggeratedly apologetic expression, not wanting to be criticised later for daring to interrupt a royal.
"It's a long journey, as you know, and I'd like to be more comfortable."
"I'll make you comfortable."
"I mean, I'd like to be in the company of another woman, so I'd be able to dress more comfortably, go upstairs and lie down." I declare. "Surely, Your Highness, you will understand?"
"...Of course." He nods, unable to argue.
Then Lancer, who's been watching from a distance, approaches us. "Skyla, you're in the same carriage as me, right?"
"No, You'll ride in the same carriage as the Crown Prince." I wanted to ride in the same carriage as Lancer, but after what I said to the Crown Prince earlier, I couldn't ask for more.
So, without further ado, I climb into the carriage behind with Phoebe.
"I'll see you again at lunch." I nod toward the three men standing by the front carriage, giving them a tacit salute.
"...Yes, Skyla."
"See you later, Skyla."
The faces of the Crown Prince and Lancer as they wave at me are less than favourable. I have no idea what they're saying from inside, but they're probably hurling insults at each other.
I don't even know what they could be fighting about. I sigh as I watch them go at each other's throats.
I hope this will be a good time for them to get along. The Crown Prince is the future emperor of this empire, and his dislike of Lancer is unmistakable. On the other hand, Lancer is the most powerful archmage of his time, and his dislike for the Crown Prince can be dangerous.
“Why do men always fight over women? Is there some disease that kills them if they don't compete?” the Viscount ramble, standing in between the Crown Prince and Lancer. He steps towards us and waves.
"Make yourself at home in the carriage. Let's have lunch together afterwards, and catch up, my lady. You too, girlie!"
I wave back at him likewise. "Thank you, Viscount."
"...." Phoebe, on the other hand, just stares at him in silence. Looks like she still doesn't like him.
At least he's stuck between Lancer and the Crown Prince, I suppose.
He's a man with a knack for breaking down barriers between people. Although his first meeting with Lancer is a misbuttoned one, he's been an invaluable benefactor to Lancer in the past, stopping him when he nearly went on a rampage in the palace.
Lancer knows that, so he's not going to take any chances with the Viscount.
I hope they don't fight.
With that thought, I stay in the carriage with Phoebe.
* * *
A few hours have passed.
"We will have lunch and rest here for a while." The coachman says as the carriage comes to a halt.
"Thank you, sir. Where is this place?"
"Count Edinghan's estate. One of the estates close to the capital."
It's my first time visiting the region. I've always seen the name on maps, but never travelled there myself.
"Princess Julia has sent a message to Count Edinghan in advance so that we can dine here. Let's go."
Following his instructions, Phoebe and I step out of the carriage door. I've been sitting still for hours, my body languid and my shoulders stiff, so the fresh air revives me.
The carriage containing Lancer, the Crown Prince, and the Viscount stops in front of us.
I wonder what happened there? In that carriage, the three of them sit motionless, staring at each other.
Surely they didn't have a big fight on the way here?
