Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 95: Where Everything Began (5)

“Well, now we only have one more place to check, so just hang on for a little more, okay Erenscia?”

It was already late afternoon, when Elden encouraged her, mentioning the last location marked on their map.

Regardless of her tiredness, Lumia smiled joyfully from under her hood.

Although tiring, she couldn’t complain.

After all, it felt like she was being rewarded.

Indeed, it was a heartwarming time.

At last, Lumia returned to the Grand Duchy.

The place where everything began.

The place where she abandoned everything, unable to face those who her misguided judgment would sadden.

Using the Grand Ducal Betrothal for her own goals was clearly wrong.

She should have repented her mistake by forgiving Deron for the sake of the people who rejoiced seeing her in a pure white dress on the betrothal day.

Even if it was false atonement ordered by her father, she should have accepted it to avoid ruining the people’s joy.

But she couldn’t forgive him, and not only lost someone precious but nearly hurt those who had blessed and wished her happiness.

“Hey mate. Aint it strange? after the Betrothal we never saw them again. Heh...Wish I could see the Duchess just one more time...That Deron lad is a lucky one...”

“You dumb bastard! you must be getting senile with that ale! They should be enjoying their honeymoon right now!”

Thus, as they walked Lumia carefully observed the people.

And she felt relieved.

After all, only she could know her pain.

It seemed the afterglow of the festive Grand Ducal Betrothal was still preserved.

Despite all that happened, Lumia felt deeply grateful for her Lord Father prioritizing the people over his own blood.

Otherwise, the Grand Duchy wouldn’t be as warm and peaceful as it was now, even in the cusp of winter.

“Ahh. This old man is grateful for seeing the Grand Ducal Betrothal one last time....I can die happily now.”

“Indeed, my old friend! The celebration was so magnificent! Honestly, I would feel rather cross had I died without seeing it.”

Even months after the Betrothal ended, stories of that day still lingered on every corner of the streets.

Once again, Lumia realized how foolish she had been, for letting her emotions and resentment lead her, while she was part of the Winterfell family and had a duty and responsibility to the people of the North.

‘I’m glad... Everyone looks so happy.’

It would be nice to turn back time, but one can’t go against the natural order.

She could only hope the people remained unaware of the true outcome of the Grand Ducal Betrothal.

“H-Hey-! Make way—!!”

That’s when it happened.

A man’s urgent cry echoed through the street.

Along with the sound of carriage wheels.

These sounds reverberated in Lumia’s ears as she walked in the middle of the street, unfortunately, they weren’t enough to wake Lumia from her thoughts.

“M-Move—!! I said move-!!”

Crack!

The coachman tried to stop the carriage, but it was impossible to make an emergency stop with less than 2 meters left.

At this rate, Lumia would get hit by the running horse, and probably be seriously injured.

“Eek!”

As the accident was foretold, screams echoed through the street, and only then did Lumia wake from her thoughts to face the carriage ruthlessly charging towards her.

It was too late to react, the distance and speed made it impossible to avoid, and all Lumia could do was instinctively curl up her body.

At that moment.

“Erenscia-!”

As she heard a voice calling her from behind, she felt strong hands grabbing her body.

Following this, Lumia felt strong arms enveloping her frame.

Only then did she come to her senses.

“......”

She was nestled in Elden’s arms.

Looking up...

She saw Elden’s face gazing at her with worried eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“.....”

To her great shame, Lumia’s mouth hangs open.

She also couldn’t take her eyes off him.

She just couldn’t.

His long jet-black hair fluttering with the northern wind,

His warm crimson eyes,

His sharp jawline....

And his lips....

They all seemed Unbelievably perfect.

During their Academy days, Lumia had also looked up at Elden while he looked down at her.

But this time the difference was like night and day.

They had never been this close, and it had never been this...warm.

Also, for some reason, his scent was now somehow as sweet and fragrant as if she had buried her nose in flower petals.

“......”

Her poor heart pounded against her chest.

Her breathing became erratic.

The sensations she never felt before assaulted her with tremendous intensity.

He was simply so strong, and his embrace was so wide and cozy that she couldn’t break free.

She felt like those arms would protect her from everything in this world.

She left like that warmth would block even the harsh cold of the North.

Lumia just wanted to lean on him.

Just like people might not want to leave a bonfire’s side on a cold day, or not wanting to come out from under the blankets during the winter, Elden’s embrace gave such a feeling.

Despite knowing she should answer the question if she was alright, words wouldn’t come out.

Of course, she couldn’t speak now, but even if she overcame her muteness, she felt words still wouldn’t have come out.

That’s how handsome Elden’s face was as she looked up at him from within his embrace.

It was the same face that, during their academy days, she never wanted to face, and that made her nauseous just by looking at it when the bullying was at its worst.

“...Erenscia?”

Lumia, who had been staring blankly at Elden as if bewitched, came to her senses.

And only then did she realize.

She had stayed in Elden’s arms for too long.

It was past time to leave the blanket on a winter’s day, to move away from the lit bonfire.

“......”

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

Any more than this would be greedy on her part.

Lumia smiled as she pulled away from his embrace.

While trying her hardest to mask away her heartbeat and rapid breathing.

[I’m fine.]

[Thank you.]

“Sigh...I’m just glad you aren’t hurt.”

Hearing those words, Lumia couldn’t help but think it was truly ironic that she felt a lingering desire to stay nestled in his embrace when a few months ago, this would be something akin to a nightmare for her.

And then.

Lumia began to understand why Ariel and Dame Rachel fought over Elden.

After all, who wouldn’t want to be embraced anytime by such a broad, warm, and reassuring figure?

It does feel nice...

Of course, Lumia wasn’t sure yet whether it felt good because it was a man’s embrace, or because it was Elden’s embrace.

**

“You can go first. I have something to take care of.”

Rachel who had finished installing the devices earlier than anyone, sent Rendler to their lodging as she headed somewhere.

“Welcome~ We have everything here~ Except what we don’t have~”

The place she arrived at was none other than a men’s shoe store.

She had spotted this place while installing the devices, and naturally, Rachel wished to buy her Student a pair.

They’re old and worn out.

Just a year ago, Elden was someone who insisted on wearing expansive designer shoes and would ruthlessly discard them at the slightest flaw.

That’s why his shoes never had the time to get worn out, but now Rachel was visiting a man’s shoe store for the first time in her life because he wouldn’t buy new shoes even when they were old and worn.

“Dear customer~ What might you have been looking for?”

Rachel was someone who lived her whole life wielding a sword.

Even when buying shoes for herself, she simply grabbed the first pair she saw, so buying a man’s shoes was bound to be a daunting quest.

However...

“I want a black, low-heeled Oxford with a thick sole.”

Thanks to spying(?) on Ariel’s information, this daunting quest became an easy one.

“Oh ho. It must be a gift for your boyfriend~ We have just the right one. What size would you like?”

Naturally, Rachel only knew her own size.

Yet, she answered without hesitation when asked about someone’s size, thanks to Ariel’s help(?).

“Two hundred and sixty.”

“Let’s see- Ah, we have one that fits perfectly.”

“How much is it?”

“Ah dear customer, you see, this shoe was made by the Northern Region’s finest shoemaker, Dantesolaceshoegodforrichonly....”

“How much is it?”

“Ah...It would be...2 gold and 10 silver coins.”

“What?”

“2 gold and...5 silver?”

“What?”

“...2 Gold?”

“What?”

“1...1 gold and 8 silver!”

“What?”

“Ahahaha...I forgot something important! As our 100th customer, you have won a special discount! So these top-grade Oxford shoes will be yours for just 50 silver!”

“Good. Here you go.”

And so, Rachel who gained an ultra-rare discount(?) left the store with a bag containing a new pair of Oxford shoes.

If Ariel’s information was accurate, this would make an excellent gift.

Although it was her first time buying a gift for someone and it made her feel awkward, she could certainly handle this level of embarrassment now that the real war(?) had begun.

Of course, how to give the gift was still a problem to be solved.

...Should I say I just found it on my way here...?

Hmm.

Perhaps that would be a bit too nonchalant.

Or...Someone gave it to me, and since it wasn’t my size I brought it to you...?

Hmm.

But who would give away a pair of expensive shoes?

...What if I just leave it in his room?

But that would defeat the gift’s purpose.

After all, Rachel had to emphasize that ‘She’ was the one who got this for him.

Hmm... This is difficult.

It would have been easier for Rachel if she had to master another sword skill.

After a long time of pondering about this problem, Rachel suddenly found herself at the lodging, where she encountered Ariel.

“Oh? Dame Rachel?”

“It seems you finished early as well, Lady Ariel.”

Seeing the small bag in Ariel’s arms, Rachel was able to come to this conclusion.

Likewise, Ariel also made the same assumption as she eyes the bag Rachel held.

“You finished early too? What’s that?”

Glance-.

Ariel tried to sneak a peak at the contents of the bag, but Rachel quickly hid it behind her back as she tried to change the subject.

“Lady Ariel, did you discover the reason why My Lord’s Betrothal with Lady Anna wasn’t successful?”

Rachel asked her rival(?) a question she would have certainly asked had she been paired with Anna.

She prided herself on asking a question that anyone with the same goal couldn’t resist asking.

After all, the key to victory was identifying the dangerous variables, and eliminating them in advance.

Unfortunately.

In a war between rivals, there are factors one doesn’t need to identify.

“...She said he didn’t like her because she’s ugly.”

“Pardon...? Are you saying...that he finds Lady Anna...Ugly?”

“Yes...”

Thud-.

The shoe bag fell onto the street.

And the hand that held the bag was now clenched into a fist.

Seeing that her rival was experiencing the same despair as she had, Ariel suggested...

“Why don’t we...go for a drink...?”

Then,

“Yes. I need something strong right now.”

A temporary ceasefire happened as both Rivals went to drown their sorrows.

Hello, Tler here. This was the most recent Chapter in the raws, and since the Author went on a Family Trip, next week's Chapters might come late.

We'll update you guys as soon as the Author drops new Chapters.