CHAPTER 321: LYRA’S HOME VILLAGE

The next morning, after having breakfast in the palace, Astrid and her group boarded a carriage heading to Morin Village in Kost Town, which was Lyra’s hometown.

To avoid revealing her identity as the imperial princess, Astrid chose not to wear the exquisitely crafted and ornate princess dresses. Instead, she picked a more modest, one-shoulder dress that better suited the identity of a typical noble lady.

The gentle chestnut fabric, paired with her exposed collarbone and smooth shoulders, softened Astrid’s usual cold demeanor, emphasizing her gentleness while gradually exuding a subtle sensuality over time.

As for the lower part, to match the dress’s color without being too abrupt, Astrid opted for thin, transparent tights instead of her usual black stockings. The material of these silk tights effectively blocked sunlight, and they had been specially soaked in a mosquito-repellent tree sap before production, significantly reducing the discomfort caused by mosquito bites.

Since they were heading to a village, it was almost impossible to avoid insects.

To cope with the complex terrain of the mountains, Astrid couldn’t wear high heels. She specially packed a few pairs of flat shoes and ankle boots. For instance, she was now wearing a pair of white flat shoes.

Noticing that Lyra had been keeping her head down since boarding the carriage, her hands resting on her knees, her slender, pale fingers constantly fidgeting, seemingly very nervous, Astrid, sitting across from her, blinked her eyelashes a few times and softly asked,

"What’s wrong, Lyra?"

"Did breakfast upset your stomach?"

Hearing the obvious concern in Astrid’s cool tone, Lyra’s gaze returned to the woman’s face, and she shook her head.

"No... Astrid..."

"It’s just that I’m feeling a bit complicated about going home..."

Last night, she had been awake until dawn before finally falling asleep. As a good daughter who had grown up in the village and spent many years with her family, Lyra knew her parents weren’t that careless. With a little thought, they could guess Astrid’s identity from the address written on the letter.

Strangely, during her previous visits home, they hadn’t brought up the matter, only asking how she was doing in the capital and if she wanted to bring more local specialties for Miss Astrid Calliste.

For a moment, Lyra couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for her nervousness. It might have been a mix of guilt for deliberately hiding the truth from her parents and worry that Astrid’s impression in her parents’ eyes might suffer because of it.

After all, she had concealed Astrid’s identity, and under this premise, the other contents of the letter might have been exaggerated to prevent her family from worrying too much.

Seeing Lyra’s slightly lowered eyelashes and tightly pursed lips, Astrid didn’t say anything, just watched her for a while before looking away.

If it were homesickness, Lyra had been in regular correspondence with her parents, and it had only been a little over four months since her last visit home, so it shouldn’t be that.

The young girl was probably just nervous because it was her first time inviting a guest home, worried about not being a good host, hence her anxious demeanor.

No longer pondering Lyra’s current thoughts, Astrid crossed her legs, closed her eyes, and waited for the carriage to leave the capital and head north along the main road.

The journey from the Capital City to Morin Village in Kost Town would take a day and a half plus one night. They could choose to stay overnight in towns along the way or in the wilderness. If travelers were short on funds and couldn’t afford an inn, they could tip the coachman and rest in the carriage.

Of course, this method neither guaranteed safety nor was particularly comfortable, just a stopgap measure for those lacking financial means.

After traveling for a while, the scenery outside the window began to look unfamiliar. Amalia, feeling the bumps from the carriage’s movement, silently stared out the window with her crimson eyes.

Lush trees, raised ridges, and a road flattened and solidified by passing wheels, this path was different from the forest trail leading to Charlotte’s Manor. It was wide, bright, and carried an indescribable aura.

Perhaps... freedom?

Watching the birds flying overhead, their shadows casting moving dark spots on the yellow soil, Amalia leaned her hands against the window sill, her white-stockinged legs gently swaying. Her mood seemed to lighten because of the scenery outside.

For Amalia, who had grown up in an ancient castle, this was yet another escape from confinement, stepping into a brand-new world she had never seen before.

The carriage wasn’t equipped with an ice-based cooling system; the only thing lowering the temperature was the magical ice box in the head maid’s hands. Feeling the heat rising from the back of her neck, Astrid opened her eyes and saw the petite girl leaning against the window, her red eyes reflecting a faint light.

Reaching out to pat Amalia’s head and smooth her black hair, Astrid also leaned slightly to watch the scenery passing by outside the window.

Besides relaxing and fulfilling Lyra’s expectations, Astrid also had Amalia in mind for this trip. Having stayed in the capital city for too long, it was time for her to see the landscapes of other places.

Moreover, as a future ruler, Amalia wouldn’t have the chance to personally measure the empire’s territory step by step, so it was good for her to see more of the land that supported the empire’s people and nurtured them.

The capital was the most prosperous area in the country. Even the commoners living there had a significant gap compared to other regions, so it couldn’t represent the average level of the entire nation, especially in remote and undeveloped areas.

Staying too long might lead Amalia to misjudge the lives of commoners.

Smelling the faint rose scent in the gentle breeze, a few strands of smooth silver hair drifted around Amalia’s neck, the cool ends brushing against her skin, as if teasing her faintly.

Amalia secretly grabbed a strand of silver hair, leaning closer to Astrid. The sisters were so close that Amalia could feel Astrid’s body heat through the thin fabric.

If only it could always be like this, not thinking about competing for the throne, just traveling and living together with her sister... like ordinary sisters...

No, no...

Even though she had left the castle that confined her freedom, even left the magnificent capital city, she still couldn’t show her true self, nor could she fully express her love for her sister. This life of suppressing herself was just a larger prison.

It was her sister who brought her out of that dark, ancient castle, and she must also ensure that Astrid gained true freedom, not just moments of relaxation squeezed out of time like now.

The carriage hit a stone, causing the vehicle to shake, and Amalia fell into Astrid’s arms.

With the soft, fragrant little girl leaning against her, Astrid naturally didn’t refuse, gently tucking a few strands of black hair behind Amalia’s ear and letting her hug her.

.........

Kost Town was located in the northern part of the empire, west of the Forlith Mountains that stretched from southeast to northwest. Since the Forlith Mountains cut off transportation between Kost Town and the port cities to the southeast, and the town lacked valuable minerals to support local prosperity, Kost Town had become a relatively backward town, not even having a branch of the Mage Association.

However, it wasn’t without its merits. Being in the northwest, Kost Town was far from the front lines of the war against the Kingdom of Velvys, making it less susceptible to attacks. Moreover, during peacetime, when Duke Charles led his troops eastward to expand territory, they would pass through the town, which in some way promoted its construction and development.

Feeling the journey becoming rougher and the carriage’s jolting increasing, Amalia guessed they were nearing their destination. At that moment, Lyra spoke softly.

"Kost Town is just ahead. It’s the place I visit most often besides my village. Although it’s not as grand as the capital, you can find all the basic daily necessities in the market."

"Passing through Kost Town and continuing eastward, it takes less than half an hour by carriage to reach Morin Village."

Looking at the increasingly familiar buildings in her sight, Lyra grew more nervous.

Will father and mother like Princess Astrid?...

Will Her Highness Astrid be able to adjust to life in the village?... There are no convenient magical devices here...

As she pondered, the carriage entered Kost Town. Unlike the dense and tall buildings of the capital city, this town didn’t have overly large structures. Flat-roofed brick houses occupied most of the space, occasionally interspersed with a few small two-story houses with balconies, likely residences of well-off mages or merchants.

But indeed, as Lyra had said, this small town had everything one needed. Along the way, Astrid saw a blacksmith’s shop crafting weapons, a grocery store selling spices, a meat vendor offering various games, and a clothing store specializing in fur products.

Though small, it had everything.

"The town is not far from the village. If we need anything in the future, we can come here to buy it at any time."

Having discussed it beforehand, Lyra knew that Astrid planned to stay here for a while, possibly one or two weeks, or even more than a month, depending on the situation.

Honestly, Lyra hoped that Astrid would feel comfortable in the village, perhaps even stay a bit longer, until the end of summer, and then return to the academy together.

After listening to Lyra, Astrid nodded in understanding.

The final stretch from Kost Town to Morin Village was rough because the road wasn’t well-maintained and few people traveled it.

Halfway through, feeling the bumps, Astrid simply placed Amalia on her lap and held her until they reached their destination.

"We’re here, Astrid."

Lyra withdrew her hand from the curtain, thanked the coachman, and got off the carriage with her suitcase, followed closely by the head maid.

Elise steadied herself, turned towards the carriage, and extended her hand. Astrid gently took it and stepped down with Amalia.

This was an ordinary village near the mountains, seemingly unremarkable in any way.

Holding Amalia’s hand, Astrid glanced at the wooden sign at the village entrance. Its weathered surface bore the marks of time, with the word "Morin" roughly carved in the center.

Was this the land that nurtured the heroine of destiny, Lyra?

Feeling the fresh air, close to nature, permeating the surroundings, Astrid stepped forward, following Lyra into the village.

"Lyra’s back?"

"Haven’t seen you in months, you’ve grown taller."

"Sister Lyra."

As a powerful Knight from Morin Village, this year’s best fireworks displayer, and the village belle, the gentle Lyra was very popular in the village. Almost everyone who knew her greeted her as they walked by.

Lyra responded to each greeting, occasionally glancing back at Astrid, worried that she might not be used to the villagers’ enthusiasm.

In truth, Astrid wasn’t too bothered, just inwardly marveling at the heroine’s popularity. She figured that Lyra’s parents had managed to borrow so much money for her education, likely due to Lyra’s obedient and likable personality.

Most kind-hearted people wouldn’t refuse to help a hardworking and talented girl leave the village.

In just a few minutes, Astrid’s impression of Morin Village rose to new heights.

Compared to the darkness she had heard about in her previous life, the people here were friendly and warm-hearted. In such an environment, it was no wonder Lyra had become a holy knight with a pure and untainted heart.

As they approached her home, Lyra’s heartbeat quickened, and her hands on the suitcase handle grew slightly sweaty.

It’s just introducing a friend to the family... Don’t be so nervous, Lyra...

Her Highness Astrid is so wonderful... Father and mother will surely like her...

Reaching the courtyard gate, they heard a few barks before seeing anyone. Two small dogs, only as long as a person’s forearm, clung to the gate, their black eyes watching Lyra, tails wagging.

The cat that had been following Amalia, Auri, immediately backed away and hid beside the head maid.

"Ah... these are the two dogs I mentioned to Astrid before..." Lyra crouched down, gently rubbing the dogs’ heads, and turned her head.

"The yellow one is Grim, and the brown one is Fang..."

These names are really suited to a fantasy world.

Astrid couldn’t help but inwardly thought and she nodded calmly.

"Very cute dogs, and their names too."

As sounds came from the courtyard, a woman who didn’t look very old stepped out of the house. Seeing Lyra crouching at the gate and Astrid’s group standing nearby, she was momentarily stunned, then a faint maternal affection surfaced on her brow.