With my escorts of a platoon of soldiers lent by the crown prince, we aimed towards the southern part of Hakusu territory. Surely my grandfather was there.
Next to me who was riding a horse, Ricardo was also riding on his horse.
Before he headed to Astor territory, he sent his subordinates to his parents.
After we entered his territory, a subordinate of his joined us in our journey to his house.
To inform his parents of his actions, and to have Millard support Earl Hakusu.
[Hahaha, Miss Britney's horse riding skills sure is unfeminine! You also normally underwent strict soldier training, truly a young lady of Hakusu earldom.]
The owner of the out-of-place cheerful voice was the chief of the platoon that's in his thirties. I thought that he was trying to soften the heavy atmosphere.
His well-built body was enveloped in armor, and he really was a man that had the air of a sports-oriented person.
[Compared to my family, I had not done much yet. But women of Hakusu earldom often ride horses.]
Since we're located at the countryside, even shopping for things took a day.
I was discussing with my cousin about things I wished to improve for the neighborhood.
(Since it's an emergency situation, it's impossible to do so now though.)
Since I was heading north from the capital city without taking a break, I was beginning to feel exhausted.
Even though I had been training hard lately, it was difficult to travel for several days without carriage. I had changed my horses on the way, and was going vertically north at Astor territory now.
It's been a day and a half of travelling on horseback at full speed, but it would take another half a day to arrive. It would be nighttime by the time we arrived.
[Britney, are you at your limit? If you're exhausted by the time we reach our destination, you will be unable to do anything you know?]
[Un, I'm a little bit tired, but… everyone's the same, so I have to persist.]
[What are you talking about. There's no way that the physical strength of an ordinary young lady is the same with men who train everyday.]
Ricardo came closer while saying so, and he nimbly hopped to behind me. He took over the reins of my horse in such a way that he embraced me.
I was surrounded by his warm arms and my heart beat noisily.
[Listen, you can sleep now, Britney.]
[But aren't you tired too? There's no way I can be the only one who sleeps…]
[I was thinking of becoming a knight for a while, so I did proper exercises at school. There's no problem if it's just one or two days.]
The captain spoke to the reluctant me while laughing.
[Miss Britney, you better obediently sleep. Don't you have work when you arrive there? Also, please give Mr. Ricardo a little better appearance. It's somewhat painful for a man to be refused in such an important scene. If you like, I can offer you a ride, but Mr. Ricardo will hate it.]
[Wha…!]
In retrospect, my eyes met with Ricardo's green eyes while he was blushing. Somehow, it made me feel embarrassed, so I lowered my head.
Since Ricardo's chest was in contact with my back, I could feel his heartbeat; it was as fast as mine.
His body was warm, and my eyelids gradually became heavier.
[Then I'll sleep.]
Ricardo was surrounding me as if he was embracing me, but I felt my drowsiness getting the better of me, so I quietly closed my eyes.
It was the afternoon of next day, we arrived at the south of Hakusu territory — a small town where my grandfatther was staying.
Thanks to the excellent soldiers and officials, the damages from bandits were kept at minimum. It seemed that grandfather had repelled the bandits and were finishing with the remainders.
The southern town was not so damaged; the number of dead and injured people was few. Nonetheless, the atmosphere of this deserted town was heavy and dark even though there was little damage.
[Ojii-sama, is it safe now?]
When I arrived at my grandfather's lodging, I went to his room.
Ricardo who was deprived of sleep followed me in. The members of the platoon were resting in the inn in the neighborhood except for the captain.
[Oo, Britney and Ricardo! You shouldn't have come to such a dangerous place. You have travelled far, I will prepare a room so please take a rest. Please rest, you'll be in a safe place…]
As usual my grandfather who dotted on his grandchildren seemed to have no idea what I came for.
[Ojii-sama, we came to help. On the northern side, Ryuze-niisama should be working hard. ]
[Is, is that so! It seems that the south has settled down and the west is calming down. I plan on joining Ryuze at the north in the future. The battle seems to be hard over there. A group different from the bandits… trained soldiers are moving.]
[Well then, I… will support ojii-sama, I shall help the reconstruction at the south and west. There are not many things I can do at the battlefield.]
[However, remnants of the bandits may still be here.]
[It's alright since the crown prince provided me with a platoon. Since reinforcements will be sent later, you can go to the north side.]
The platoon chief saluted towards my grandfather.
Somehow, his face turned bright red and his breathing became rough…
(Is the captain also one of ojii-sama's fans? Since he's a hero in the past, he has many hidden fans.)
After discussing with grandfather, I borrowed a vacant room in the house, I then decided to take a rest with Ricardo who was exhausted. The captain also went back to the inn to sleep.
For human beings, resting was essential.
[Ricardo, thank you. Please take a good rest.]
[Britney, what are you going to do?]
[I got a good sleep on horseback. I'll provide aid to victims at the south and arranging goods… other various things too. After I finish, I want to go to the west next.]
I couldn't fight, but helping people was also an important job. I would concentrate on what I could do.
[Alright, after I take a break for a while, I'll help you out.]
[Thank you.]
If I stayed here for as long as I like, Ricardo would not be able to rest. I guided him to a room, told him "good night", and left the place.
While Ricardo was asleep, a message from Lucas came.
(It's earlier than Prince Marlow's communication… Lucas, he can't be made light of.)
Even though this was his older sister's dogmatic actions, he was temporarily held under house arrest in the castle since the northern country had attacked us.
The fifth prince was our ally, but he was still a royalty of the northern country. The person himself probably knew it. So he was quietly detained.
(Since it's Prince Marlow, I don't think he will be treated severely…)
My grandfather had already left for the north. It seemed that he had planned on going to the north from the beginning, so we had met each other at the last minute.