Chapter 47: Village of Möjorhn (II).

Chapter 47: Village of Möjorhn (II).

Elizabeth's POV

The two days and nights we've had were full of adventure.

I got to see a running river full of wild fish, I watched as the knights would throw a net pulling their catch.

Victoria saw how excited I looked and even let me throw the net just to see if I caught something for lunch.

"I got one! Omph!" I almost slipped past into the river but thankfully Scholar Misha was by my side and acted quickly holding the other part of the net pulling it with me.

"Your highness!"

"Thanks for pulling! Go on! Flex those weak noodle arms!"

"Hey-!"

We got roasted fish on a stick, the knights were worried again that I couldn't eat something common like this-

But I happily enjoyed eating together with them and listening to their tales. Each bite was good- Victoria cleaned the fish and covered it with some spices before cooking it into the fire.

…

The last third day we woke up from our tents, the sun rose up pretty quickly and we packed our things.

"Alright everyone just a few more miles and we'll be at the village gate." (Sir Tobias) stretched his body.

We all yawned and I saw that Victoria was nowhere near to be found. I opened the side tent and she wasn't there either.

"Hey Sir Tobias- Have you seen Victoria?" I walked over to Tobias who was just giving out orders to the other knights.

He points to the distance, where the other horses were resting.

"Thank you." I cover myself with a scarf and went on to find my maid who was apparently busy tending to the horses with a big smile on her face then a frown- then back to a smile- then it turns back to a frown right again-

"..." I watched her do that same routine for a bit before shaking my head with a smile. "Are you nervous, Victoria?"

"...!" Her body stiffened not realizing that I was right behind her figure. She sighs in relief seeing that it was just me, she held the mane of the horse and started brushing it with her finger. "Your highness, please don't scare me like that. I thought you were an enemy."

I chuckle walking over, leaving footprints behind on the snow.

"My stealth skill has been improving since I managed to startle the great former general, killer of a thousand demons- and the most lovable maid of all." I grabbed a hold of her horse's mane and started patting it. "So- the answer to my question?"

"..." (Victoria) grew silent and eventually after a bit of patience, she told me that she was afraid-

"I'm afraid I don't know what to say when I go back to the orphanage. My home that I left for years." she continues and I bite my lip- not knowing what to reply.

I took a deep breath and just told her what first thing came into my mind. "How about- you tell them- first- that you're home now and apologize that it took a while for you to go back."

I lowered my head not being able to meet her eyes, knowing I was the reason that she left her home, her friends and lover. All for the sake of keeping me safe in the castle full of snakes.

"Yeah… I think I'll do just that, thank you, Elizabeth." She called me by my name and I nodded, thankful that she took my simple advice.

"You're welcome, Victoria." I replied.

The horse that she was using to ride out of nowhere she suddenly started licking my face.

"Ugh- Ew! Wait!" I wiped the horse's saliva from my skin and groaned.

"It seems this one has taken a liking to the crown princess herself." (Victoria) teased patting the horse a good job. "Speaking of which, how about you ride with me with this cutie? I know the royal carriage might be more of her highness' style but since we're near the village gates-"

"We'll be safe."

Riding on a horse?

"Can we really? Do you think Scholar Misha will scold you for letting a crown princess ride on a horse without much safety gear?"

"That boy is too soft, come on. Horse riding is a must in case you're in danger and need to go somewhere safely at a fast pace." She helped me go up into the saddle and held the horse's leash.

The horse neighs a little, knowing it has a different rider on board now.

"I'll just pull on the leash and tell you the basic commands as we walk. You can't enjoy the scenery if you're inside a stuffy royal carriage." (Victoria) at that moment felt like a dad teaching me how to properly ride a horse.

The other knights widened their eyes and panicked when they saw Victoria leading me to ride a horse. They all yelled for me to get down- but I shook my head insisting that I'll be fine!

"Looking at the outside scenery is more breathtaking than inside a carriage!" I yelled for everyone to hear as I laughed giddily- being so high up on the back of a horse. "Now I just need to find a unicorn and tame it!"

I could see the other knights with their mouths agape looking over to us in whispers, but I didn't care- because I was having way too much fun learning how to ride a horse.

We laughed and talked the whole way to Victoria's village.

The carriage and the other knights stopped at the gate entryway of the village- the smell of the air suddenly changed. I was brought down from the horse and entered back into my carriage where Scholar Misha was waiting.

"Did you have fun horse riding, your highness?" He asks and I nod, a little too preoccupied on eavesdropping on what could be happening outside.

"State your purpose, name, and show me your ID for verification." The knight walked in front of us and Sir Tobias was the first one to explain why we're here.

"Apologies- I did hear that the crown princess will be visiting for a vacation- I've already been informed from the lord ruling this area of your presence! Please-! Come in! And welcome to the village of Möjorhn!" They all saluted after confirming I was the crown princess, looking at the crest of the carriage we entered inside the village and it looks like I'll be needing to meet up with the lord of this area first.

Clack… Clack… Clack…

We entered deeper into the village- there wasn't a single beggar in sight. Just a few people going about in their daily lives with a smile on their faces.

That was a good sign for me- perhaps this village isn't too affected by the harsh war. Victoria rides closely at the side of the carriage, telling me of the things she missed being back home.

"The people here have warm hearts that make you feel welcomed. I can't wait to show you my home, your highness."

The place was alive...

Even if there's snow everywhere there were still stalls of things, mostly local goods or things. The people here were greeting each other like it was just another beautiful day.

I saw some kids walk past me giggling, but stopped looking curiously at the carriage.

"Your village is lovely." I told her and her smile only grew wider.

"It sure is, we'll go find the other knights to stay for the night- will it be alright with you if I show you around the village before we go to the orphanage?" (Victoria) asked me. It made me think for a while. The atmosphere was just so light and happy you would let your guard down a lot.

"Sure, let's visit all of your favorite places first." I told the coachman to stop, opening the carriage door- Scholar Misha followed behind.

"Hey- are you getting some street food? Can I tag along with you!" He ran behind us but was stopped by Sir Tobias who was on carriage duty.

"You'll be with me, Misha. We need to keep watch on the carriage."

"Eh!"

The other knights left their horses parked in the corner catching up with us.

We browsed through different shops and places- I bought different kinds of bread they have- not knowing who I was.

"Victoria! What game are they playing?"

"Victoria! Victoria! What's that food?!"

"Oh my god is that a cute pet for sale!"

I felt like an alien on that street.

They assumed I was from a regular noble family and treated me a little harshly at first but seeing some other well off shops welcomed me in with care-

This one bakery we stopped by to take some food however-

"That bread- if you're going to buy it- double the price. A noble lady like you should be able to afford it." The baker's words surprised me. I was just browsing on the variants of bread they baked.

I decided to say nothing at first and observed the situation as to why she could be having that tone with me.

I saw the state of her clothes and her small kids hiding behind her in the same state- a few stitched holes on their clothes- I could tell that this family has been affected badly by the war.

This baker was a woman- and with the passed bill of my father's law that women can't take a job anymore means that… this bakery won't last.

The other guards did not like her tone with me however and walked over menacingly. "Hey watch your tone with the crown prin-"

"I'll take all the bread you have." I raise my hand, stopping my escorts who looked angry for my sake. I gave the baker a smile and offered her a bag of coins. "Would this be enough? My companions and I came a long way to get here, I heard your food is wonderful and I would love to try them."

The baker turned silent, hearing my words- looking at the bag of coins in my hand. Realization dawned on her and she apologized for her behavior.

"I'm sorry- milady for speaking that tone with you. I've been having a hard time trusting people these days. I thought you were with the lord governing this area, it appears I was wrong." The baker confessed and my eyes widened in interest.

The lord in governing this area- Could something bad be happening?

Victoria noticed it too.

"What's wrong? Can you tell me about it? Has the lord in this village-"

"The former lord died- and things have changed around here with the new one. You might see all pretty smiles for now only because some royal princess is coming to visit here." The baker shrugs looking at us and tells us the story.

I'm actually that 'royal princess' coming to visit but yeah.

"He basically ordered all the beggars to go to the outskirts of the village- the sewers. The knights roughed them up when they didn't follow the lord's orders. The situation here is pretty bad- inflation on everything has gone up- I can't even give my kids some decent clothes." Her eyes turned watery, her hands clenching into a fist.

"And- not too long ago, the lord's noble friends went out to eat and basically thrashed my bakery because it looked unappealing."

What kind of lord even does that?! How come this hasn't reached my father-?!

"I'm so sorry to hear that." (Victoria) turned to me and I nodded knowing what to do. I put a few more gold coins in the satchel knowing this mother will need it to survive.

It was a good thing we stopped to eat and saw the real situation at hand.

"Thanks for the warning, I'll take that bread to go." I told her and she nodded happily taking my payment of gold coins that could last her for months.

She gave me all of her bread in hand- but I laughed only taking half of it in number and giving it back to the woman.

"I actually don't think my companions and I can eat it all, you can continue selling the other half or if you see any other people in need and asking for food- give them a piece." I told her with a smile and she kneels down in front of me, crying.

Her other kids saw her crying and kneeling, immediately they followed and imitated their mother.

"...!"

All of us were shocked, I gave the bag of bread to Victoria and I hurriedly held the baker woman's hand trying to pull her back up to stand.

"Um… Please don't kneel. You might hurt your legs-!" I wasn't even done with my sentence before she pulled my hand towards her clasping it gently and thanked me.

"Thank you- my family has been barely getting by- you are so… sniff! So kind, milady! Just… Thank you! I'm sorry for my tone before! You're nothing like them!" The baker thanked me and apologized over at least a dozen times.

I was feeling a lot of emotions, this is the first time I've felt something like this.

I pitied her, I understood her, and I wanted to stop this stranger from crying.

"It is my duty to help my people, you need not thank me." I replied, finally managing to pull her up and she stood confidently holding her kids who lowered their heads in my direction.

"Thank you!" Her kids thanked me and I felt light after that.

We took what we bought, and I told the guards to eat before we continued our journey into the lord's estate.

The guards held the bread that we just bought from the baker and their look towards me was different. "Thank you, your highness."

I waved my hand and smiled. "The bread is good indeed-"

"Not for the bread." They all looked at one another smiling and saluted. "We thank you for being kind towards your people. You will be a good ruler and you have our loyalty."

I stood still in silence, taking a piece of bread in hand and taking a bite of it.

Looking around the village, I wondered if the others are the same as Möjorhn.

This place will someday be in my protection and the others as well.

"Thank you and come back again nice lady!" Not that far away, the baker was still waving and I waved goodbye back. I wondered if I did a good job handling that.

My face was a little red from thinking too much and the bread was delicious.

"Victoria." I called out to her who was also in deep thought while eating her bread.

"Yes, your highness?"

"Do you think I'll be a good empress someday?" I ask her, as I imagined a future in this world. Being empress was the only path settled for me- I know I don't have much of a choice and I enjoy helping people.

But can I really do it?

She hums patting my silver hair telling me her answer, "I think so. What do you think about yourself, princess?"

"I think... I want to be the best Queen I can be for the people. And to do that I need to be close to them so I can understand what they're going through." I muttered without thinking.

I was expecting an explanation that this will be our last trip to the capital but... "Guess we'll be traveling a lot then, won't we princess?" (Victoria)

I let out a small giggle. "Yes, yes we will- maybe your lover can tag along."

"Maybe- but first let's get going so you can meet her."