Chapter 59
The Royal Capital before dawn was still completely silent.
The eastern sky was just beginning to lighten.
I was looking at the clouds from on horseback.
“Your Highness.”
The one who called out to me was my close aide, Marc.
“Everyone has gathered.”
I gave a light nod.
Six knights. Enough for guarding the highway, but not a number that could be called a prince’s grand procession.
Furthermore, three attendants. Those who handle the horses and luggage.
And one medical officer swaying on horseback.
One of the knights looked toward the castle gate and said.
“…Is there truly no send-off?”
“This is easier.”
I lightly pulled the reins. Even if it is a prince’s journey, it is not a celebratory procession. It is strictly a quiet journey with a small number of people.
The gatekeepers pulled back their spears, and the castle gates slowly opened.
Along with a creaking sound, the highway outside the Royal Capital revealed itself.
I advanced my horse.
The cold morning air touched my cheek.
“Let’s go.”
Thus, we left the Royal Capital.
Just past noon on the second day since leaving the Royal Capital, the highway crossed gentle hills and led to a small village.
I loosened my horse’s reins slightly.
“Shall we rest here?”
The Knight Captain advancing at the head turned back and nodded.
“Your Highness, there is an inn in the village. It is an inn frequently used by pilgrims as well.”
Eventually, a building made of stone and wood came into view beside the road. The roof had reddish-brown tiles, and a wooden signboard hung at the entrance.
There was a stable and a small well too. And in the village’s small plaza, there were about two open-air stalls.
First, I went to look at the stalls.
Dried meat, cheese, wooden plates, and barrels of alcohol.
I stopped my feet.
Small earthenware jugs were lined up.
“What is this?”
The man at the stall answered.
“It is a fruit wine made on the hill. It is from this year.”
I lifted one of the jugs.
When I shook it lightly, the liquid inside moved quietly.
“Is it rare?”
“It only circulates around these parts.”
I nodded.
“Alright, I’ll buy it.”
The man’s eyes went round.
“Six jugs. For my attendants as well.”
The knights behind me looked at each other.
“Your Highness, isn’t that too much?”
Marc said.
“Don’t worry about it.”
I placed a bag containing copper coins heavily on the table.
“Use the change to buy sweets for the village children or something.”
The man at the stall hurriedly bowed his head.
“Thank you very much.”
At that time, Marc picked up one of the jugs.
“Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
“A tasting.”
I shrugged.
“Do as you please.”
Marc borrowed a small cup from the shopkeeper and poured a little of the wine. He smelled it, and took a slight sip into his mouth.
He was silent for a while, but eventually nodded.
“There is no problem. In fact, it is quite a good wine.”
One of the knights muttered.
“If Lord Marc says so, there is no mistake.”
I handed the jugs to an attendant.
“Let’s open them at the inn tonight.”
The knights’ faces brightened.
When leaving, I happened to look back.
The man at the stall was still bowing his head deeply.
Marc said.
“Your Highness spoils the villagers too much.”
I lightly patted my horse’s neck.
“During a journey at least, let’s not worry about the small details.”
And, giving a small laugh, I continued.
“A journey is better when it’s lively.”
The wind was swaying the grass.
An escort knight looked at a certain inn and said.
“Let us use this inn.”
The knight dismounted first and looked around the surroundings once. After confirming there were no abnormalities, he bowed his head lightly to me.
“There are no problems, Your Highness.”
I dismounted. A man who appeared to be the innkeeper hurriedly came out from the entrance.
“Welcome, guests.”
However, upon seeing the crests on our cloaks, his expression changed.
“Th-This is…”
The Knight Captain lightly raised his hand to restrain him.
“Do not make a fuss. His Highness is in the middle of a journey.”
The man bowed his head over and over.
“Please forgive my rudeness. Please, come inside.”
Inside, the inn was dimly lit, forming a high-beamed hall. Long wooden tables were lined up, and travelers were eating along the walls.
When we entered, everyone quietly gave up their seats.
“This way, Your Highness.”
The innkeeper bowed his head.
“Your Highness, I can serve a whole chicken, if…”
The knights’ gazes all turned this way at once.
“Then roast it. Let’s all eat it.”
After a while—a savory smell spread through the hall. The chicken roasted in the hearth was brought out on a wooden plate.
The skin was nicely browned, and the fat was gleaming.
One of the knights let out a small breath.
“Marc, carve it up.”
Marc pulled the chicken closer with a bitter smile.
“…This is a winning inn.”
Then bread and stew, along with the small jugs of wine, were lined up.
Marc poured the wine from the jug into a cup.
I received it and lightly shook it.
The pale red liquid shone quietly under the light.
I take a sip. A slight acidity spread over my tongue. It lacks the depth of the aged wines in the royal palace, but the fragrance of the fruit stands out honestly.
I let out a small breath.
“…It’s a young wine.”
Marc raised an eyebrow.
“It’s not bad. It’s light, but just right for a meal on a journey.”
I took another sip and placed the cup on the table.
At a seat slightly further away.
“…Chicken, huh.”
A knight said softly.
“Yeah. To think we’d have roast meat at a roadside inn. We’re lucky today.”
Another knight shrugged.
“Normally it’s nothing but hard bread and stewed soup, after all.”
“And salted meat.”
Someone said.
“That rock-like stuff kept at the bottom of the bag, right?”
A small laugh spread through the hall.
“If you keep eating it for three days, your jaw gets a workout.”
“It’s knight training, alright.”
Marc gave a bitter smile seeing that.
“Why don’t you show a little more refinement in front of His Highness?”
One of the knights shrugged.
“Lord Marc, it’s exactly because His Highness is here that we are rejoicing.”
Another continued.
“If His Highness weren’t here, it’d be salted meat again tonight.”
Someone laughed.
“When traveling with His Highness, our stomachs have good luck.”
I peered into my bowl.
A simple dish of boiled beans and root vegetables, but it smells of herbs. Steam is rising too. I take a bite.
“…Not bad.”
Marc, sitting opposite me, said.
“Your Highness often says that when we go on journeys.”
“The royal palace’s cooking is too elaborate.”
I said while tearing off a piece of bread.
“This sort of thing soaks into the body more.”
The knights had also begun eating at another table.
Loosening their armor slightly, they were finally relaxing their shoulders.
Outside, the attendants were letting the horses drink water.
Eventually, the lights of the inn went out one by one, and the night deepened quietly.
The next morning, we set out on the highway again.
The road heading toward the hot springs continued gently between hills and grasslands. It was not a hurried journey. Matching the pace of the horses, a peaceful time flowed by.
The sky was high and clear, and birds chirped in the distance.
After advancing for a while, the Knight Captain leading the way raised his hand.
“Your Highness.”
I brought my horse closer.
“What is it?”
The Knight Captain pointed toward a distant valley.
“Please look. Do you see that smoke?”
When I directed my gaze, beyond the hills, deep in the valley, something white was slowly rising.
It was different from the smoke of a campfire. While being swept by the wind, it continuously welled up.
“…Is that it?”
“Yes. The steam from the hot springs.”
I unintentionally let out a small breath.
“We’re finally arriving, huh.”
One of the knights said.
“Because it is a place Your Highness has been looking forward to.”
I gave a bitter smile.
“Naturally.”
Memories of my previous life crossed my mind.
Hearing the word “hot springs,” it would be strange not to be expectant.
I lightly kicked the horse’s belly.
“Let’s go.”
It is my first hot spring resort.
My horse gave a small neigh.
Comments for chapter "Chapter 59"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Leave a Reply
