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We went through something like a parade, but we finally managed to pass the gate.

While we were showing the public how Cloud and Princess Eligore were getting along, I was also being vigilant of the surroundings.

The main commission that we received was to guard her, after all.

Princess Eligore was the first heir to the throne, but at the same time, her standing put her at constant risk of assassination.

As she didn’t take proper knights on this inspection, those aiming for her life would consider this a great opportunity.

“Well, not that I’m going to allow them that.”

I was a professional in that field since my past life, so I was well aware of the points they would aim for.

I looked towards the points where the attack was likely to come, confirming whether there was anyone suspicious there.

Above all, Maxwell would’ve never made such a blunder. Considering that secret room where we had the conversation, the talk about this journey has probably not leaked for the most part.

This journey happened too suddenly, so even the attackers would have a hard time dealing with it.

They probably failed to gather troops up, and ended up having to watch the pseudo-parade that happened.

Plus, the enemy wouldn’t be able to touch a popular princess like her in public. After all, if the client of the assassin was traced, they would lose the trust of the population.

A coup would probably not happen, but at least the citizens would divide the region.

If they did that, it would affect the taxes, and if the king heard of it the nobles would lose their trust.

A noble whose citizens left him wouldn’t be qualified to become the next king.

“Your Highness Eligore, monsters will start appearing from now on so… Your Highness?”

I called out to Princess Eligore to warn her, but she didn’t react to it at all. She even turned away and ignored it.

“Umm, Your Highness?”
“I told you to call me Ellie.”
“That would be a bit…”

I thought it would be too casual, so I used honorifics, but it looks like she didn’t like that. Having said that, I had to talk to her during the journey.

“Can you let that go?”
“I can’t. It’s unfair to leave me out like that.”
“I mean, that wouldn’t be good even for your reputation.”
“But it should be fine with you calling me by a nickname, right?”

As she said, being Lyell and Maria’s daughter, I should be allowed to do that much. She was royalty, but she could still be replaced. I, on the other hand, was both the Heroes’ daughter and the savior of the World Tree Religion’s pope. I had no replacement.

“…Alright. Ellie?”
“Yes, Nicole?”

Ellie replied to me with a blooming smile. I could feel a drop of sweat trickling down my cheek.

This princess probably had the same plain nice personality as Letina.

“From here on, monsters might attack us. The capital vicinity is being cleaned of monsters by Adventurers, but that safety goes away after half a day’s journey.”
“I think my father was also putting effort into maintaining the safety around the capital… but only for half a day?”
“Yes, it has to be a day trip, so they can only reach that far with safety.”
“In other words, I should be ready for danger beyond this point?”
“We will protect you with all our strength. However, if you don’t listen to us, we may fail to fully protect you.”
“So you’re saying I should absolutely follow your instructions, yes? Understood.”

I didn’t overlook the fact that her eyes shone when I mentioned monster attacks.

This princess might actually be looking forward to the attacks.

As I started squinting my eyes, Finia started to giggle.

“What’s wrong, Finia?”
“Oh nothing, I just got reminded of the old days.”
“Old days?”
“Yes. That was just like our conversations when you didn’t listen to anything I said.”
“Hey, that never happened… or maybe it did?”

Compared to me who used to slip past her eyes, Ellie who actually listened should be far better.

I had enough self-awareness to realize that much.

Thinking about it, I sure have caused a lot of worries to Finia, who was with me for even longer than Lyell and Maria.

She stopped getting so angry at me once she learned my identity, but she was probably still worried about me.

Not to mention, she had seen how weak I was during my childhood.

“Well, I guess I’ll just increase my alertness.”
“Yes. I will also periodically keep checking with my magic.”

Among the wind-based spells, there was a spell that could emit a sound undetectable by ears to the surroundings and search for the enemy using its waves.

Finia who mastered the four elemental spells could use this spell too.

“Michelle, you should stop sulking too already.”
“I-I’m not angry or anything! And I like Her Highness Eligore too?”
“Why the questioning tone?”
“Also call me Ellie.”
“Huh, okay. How about Elle?”
“Even better!”

Michelle readily gave her a nickname, and Ellie gave a thumbs up.

That was really frank. Is this her real personality?

At any rate, once we left the northern gate, we traveled smoothly along the highway.

Though I say smoothly, we weren’t going that fast. But we should’ve still gained a lot of ground compared to walking.

And before long, the sun started to go down, and we had to start looking for a place to camp.

“Alright, let’s find a wider place and spend the night there.”

Once I found a ten-meter-wide open space along the highway, I instructed Finia, who held the reins, to drive the carriage there.

Cloud also followed with his beloved horse Elizabeth, and then we started getting ready to camp out.

Once we made a kamado for cooking and had our meals, we just needed to sleep inside the carriage.

Michelle and I gathered the firewood, while Finia cooked dinner, and Cloud was setting up his separate tent.

This was because he was a guy, so he couldn’t sleep with us inside the carriage.

Michelle and Finia aside, even I was a girl and had things I wouldn’t want males to overhear.

Thus, he took the initiative and started to use his own separate sleeping place.

“Cloud would be sleeping in the tent, huh?”
“I’m the only guy in this party, so I can’t help it.”
“You’re quite the gentleman.”
“If I don’t be one, I’d get burned…”

Ellie tilted her head, unable to understand what Cloud meant. But Cloud didn’t elaborate on it either. He couldn’t say it.

Also, I won’t burn you without a reason, you know, Cloud.

Maybe I need to “burn” you for spreading such false rumors.