Chapter 2: Unexpected welcome
I switched carriages at the border.
The capitals of our respective nations were far apart, so I brought a significant amount of luggage for the lengthy journey.
I was instructed to travel light, but as I was expected to dress as a princess, I brought several outfits, shoes, and pieces of jewelry.
I longed to bring at least one book, but many generations ago, when the Faithnum Empire colonized the Baratonia Kingdom, they banned the import of all knowledge, including books.
However, through oral transmission from the colonizers and the existing knowledge of the Baratonia Kingdom, the kingdom flourished, learned military tactics and strategies, and gained its independence.
If I were able to freely access books and materials in the Baratonia Kingdom, I would have eagerly agreed to this marriage.
As I pondered these thoughts, my luggage was being rearranged, and I finally boarded the carriage that would determine my fate in the Baratonia Kingdom.
“Ah…”
“You made it, Claire. I knew you would come to my country. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I came to greet you.”
He was well-groomed for a servant and looked handsome. He had fair skin, short red hair, and eyes the color of a setting sun. Although I am 17 years old, he appeared to be a bit older than me.
Even while seated, his tall, well-built frame was apparent. He spoke the Faithnum Imperial language without any accent.
As I stood frozen at the entrance to the carriage, he gently took my hand and, with a surprisingly smooth motion, lifted me up and settled me into the seat across from him.
The sensation was strange, as if I was weightless, and I felt like I was floating. But then I was securely seated in front of him.
“My apologies for keeping you waiting. I am Auglia Baratonia, the Crown Prince of this kingdom and the man who will be your husband. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Claire.”
“…I’m having trouble keeping up. You’re Prince Auglia, the Crown Prince? Does that mean I’ll be the Crown Princess?”
I had assumed that I would be marrying someone who wasn’t in line for the throne, but to my surprise, I was going to be the future queen. I had no confidence in things like education and hospitality, so the thought of marrying this handsome man in front of me was overwhelming.
My sisters Bianca or Lilia would have been thrilled to marry him. Or rather, I feel like I’m being welcomed with a very sunny smile.
Am I a hostage? A sacrificial lamb to be killed if peace is broken? And yet, he spoke as if he was expecting me.
“Um… how did you know I was coming?”
“Claire is quite famous in our country. To be honest, I already considered choosing her from the beginning. Information from your country also reaches ours, and people from your country are being sent to ours as well. That’s just how it is.”
“Yes, um…I guess it’s a silent agreement…” I replied, feeling uncertain.
The carriage started moving, ignoring my confusion. The road in this region, which had become a war zone near the border with the Baratonia Kingdom and had lost some of its land, was well-constructed but still a bit bumpy.
The carriage was of a higher quality than the one I was originally sent in, and it didn’t shake as much. My soon-to-be husband, His Highness Auglia, smiled awkwardly at me.
“It will take a few days to reach our destination, but I won’t inconvenience you. Claire, take your time to adjust. For now, let’s chat and get to know each other.”
“Thank you…?” I replied, unsure of his intentions.
I didn’t feel like a hostage or a sacrifice, and he had chosen me from the beginning? I couldn’t understand what was going on, but for the time being, it seemed like I was being welcomed.
