The Erebos Forest returned to peace after they managed to kill the alpha wolf that kept disturbing the forest. The mercenaries worked hard to secure the remaining areas, while road construction had begun since they had finished determining the route. The sound of hammers, carriage wheels, and workers' voices began to be heard in the Erebos Forest again.
Cecilia stood on a rock cliff, her eyes staring at the path that was being made below her. The path would open a new trade door for the Magenta Kingdom. With that path, they would no longer need to pass through the Blaine Kingdom to reach the coastal area.
Now, the initial stage of her plan was complete. Cecilia had to return to the palace. She needed to give a report to King Arkadion, as well as discuss the sale of Nerva's Blossom and Mira Root to the Landis Kingdom.
"Is everything ready, Your Highness?"
Robert had been preparing since morning. Therefore, as soon as Cecilia came down from the rock cliff, the man was ready to accompany Cecilia home. Cecilia nodded. As she looked around, her eyes involuntarily fell on Damian, who remained there to supervise the progress of the project when Cecilia was not around.
"Have you asked someone to supervise him?"
Robert followed Cecilia's gaze. "I did, Your Highness. I chose someone who is the least visible but loyal, as per your request."
Cecilia nodded. Damian was a smart man. If the one supervising him was someone who often appeared, there was a big chance that Damian would find out everything and worsen their relationship.
Even now, Damian still refused to talk to Cecilia after he argued with Robert that time. His anger was not a good thing. So, for now, Cecilia preferred not to make him hate her even more.
As the sun began to rise, Cecilia finally prepared to return to the palace. Cecilia looked at Fiona, who was going to go with her. But for some reason, Fiona looked even gloomier than yesterday.
Cecilia looked at Damian, then looked at Fiona again. She thought Fiona might hate being separated from Damian. After all, they were destined to be together in the future.
"Fiona."
"Yes?"
Fiona looked surprised when Cecilia called her name.
"Do you have other plans in mind? You don't have to come with me to the capital."
Cecilia glanced at Damian as she spoke. As far as she knew, Flora and Damian had yet to form a meaningful bond. But through her experience, she knew that nothing was impossible between the protagonist and her crazy male lead.
"No, no! How could I have other plans? The only one who cares about me is you... Your Highness."
Cecilia raised one eyebrow. Honestly, Cecilia was a little surprised to hear the sentence that was usually directed at Damian or Cedric suddenly directed at her.
"... Alright."
Cecilia tried to think positively. She got on her horse. Then, when she saw Fiona looking awkward as she had to ride Robert's horse, Cecilia sighed and extended her hand to Fiona.
"You can ride with me if you're more comfortable that way."
Cecilia thought she had just seen Fiona's eyes sparkle when she offered herself. Fiona ended up riding the same horse as her. After making sure that Fiona was sitting properly, Cecilia turned her head again to look at Damian.
This time, Damian was staring at her intently. Cecilia frowned. Even if Damian was crazy, he shouldn't be jealous just because Fiona chose to ride her horse.
"Prince Damian, let's meet again sometime soon."
".…"
Damian didn't answer, and that made the atmosphere awkward. Cecilia turned her horse around to leave after that. Let Damian be mad at her for now. Cecilia had thought of something to calm him down later.
***
Their journey proceeded quietly. Throughout the journey, Fiona kept staring at everything around her. It reminded Cecilia of when she first transmigrated. Everything did seem amazing, before the cruel reality changed it into what it is now.
"Your Highness."
Cecilia glanced at Fiona, who had just called her.
"Can I know... what happened to your face?"
It was just pure interest. Cecilia saw nothing wrong with the question.
"I've been deformed since I was little. There's only horror on the face behind this mask."
Cecilia's answer was not entirely wrong. Without the mask that hid her true identity, Cecilia was just a cannon fodder who had died dozens of times.
"But I think... you'll still be cool even without that mask."
Cecilia looked at Fiona. Realizing that she had just said something wrong, Fiona immediately added her words.
"I'm sorry. I just think that no matter who you are, you're still a cool person in my eyes."
The more Fiona tried to correct her words, the more she felt embarrassed. Fiona's face turned completely red. She lowered her head when she realized that talking would only make things worse.
"Thank you."
This time, it was Fiona who turned to Cecilia. Fiona couldn't see anything but Cecilia's eyes through the gaps in her mask. Those red eyes looked sad as she continued her words.
"I just wish I were as cool as you think I am."
Fiona felt sad when she heard Cecilia's reply. Cecilia was so cool in Fiona's eyes. She didn't understand why Cecilia looked sad when she talked about herself.
Whatever it was, Fiona hoped she could help Cecilia with it. Cecilia had helped her a lot since she transmigrated to the parallel world. In fact, according to Fiona, Cecilia was like the protagonist in the world she was currently living in.