Given that they had just returned from an expedition, there were certainly a lot of troops. From this point on, she would proceed to the empire on her own, without even a maid or a bodyguard to accompany her.
It was daunting, but she graced herself before the Pyborn Knights. And from among them rose the intimidating commander and bloodthirsty prince, Edward Ruby Martinez, standing dauntingly before Karolina.
She began to apologize for keeping them waiting.
"You are not past the promised time," Edward said. "There's no need to apologize to us."
Since they would be together a long time, he asked for her companionship, and extended his hand to her. Karolina thought there might not be any particularly deep meaning behind the handshake. She got the sense that he was treating her as an equal.
Then he shook her hand, and she yelped in pain. The handshake was quite firm.
Edward apologized, saying he did not know his own strength. Then he let her know that she would be riding in the carriage with him, and she thanked him for his consideration.
"How long do you intend to keep shaking hands?" someone interrupted.
Teodor Garcia introduced himself as Edward's assistant. Karolina had heard about him. Teodor was the second son of a viscount and the vice-commander of the knight order, lauded for his outstanding brilliance and his genius with magic. Despite his kind smile, she felt that he was judging her.
The ride was a lot bumpier than she was used to, and Karolina felt motion sick. Noticing her condition, Edward opened the windows to make her feel better with some fresh air.
They had only just met and had not known each other for very long. But her impression of him was not the bloodthirsty prince he was known as. He seemed more like a gentleman. Karolina thanked him and apologized for the imposition.
However, Edward said that he should be the one apologizing, for not providing a standard carriage.
With Karolina feeling better, Teodor got to discussing the plans moving forward. First, regarding her engagement and the reveal of her marriage — they planned on making a grand announcement at the Founder's Day fête in two weeks. Furthermore, the wedding would take place two weeks after that, making it about a month from now.
Hearing this, she was a bit distraught. Karolina wondered if the likes of her could really pull this off in so short a time. But she had already decided that she would not run away anymore. It would not be too late to lament this even after she had given it an honest try. So she promised to give it her absolute best.
They set up camp at night, and one of the knights came to apologize to her. He could not imagine it was pleasant for a noble to camp out like this. He had suggested to Edward and Teodor that she should at least stay at the inn in town, but Teodor had shot him down, saying there were too many risks involved.
She appreciated his consideration, and asked for his name.
Colette introduced himself, and felt so honored that she had asked for it.
Then the knights were called to assemble. Multiple bandits had been spotted near the clearing to the south. As everyone got into position, Colette told Karolina to remain inside the carriage before drawing his sword and rushing into battle.
The bandits fired a rain of arrows down on them, and it managed to shatter the glass of the carriage. Fear filled Karolina. She wondered whether she would die here, without ever fulfilling her duty or repaying her father. Fire engulfed the carriage from both sides. It looked like this was her end.
Karolina hoped her father would forgive her for being such an insolent daughter.
Then the door burst open. Edward refused to let her resign herself to death like that. She was his bride.
He carried her out, explaining that the fire magic he had unleashed to protect her was stronger than he had expected, causing the flames to spread to the carriage.
One of the knights then came to inform him that Colette had been seriously wounded.
In the tent, Ron was doing his best, applying hemostasis and healing magic, but the bleeding would not stop. Edward asked him to continue while he went to fetch Teodor. He also asked Karolina to stay here, since this was the only tent with a barrier in place.
He did not want her seeing any of this, believing she was far too young. But she told him she wanted to face Colette's injury earnestly and see him through. She did not wish to avert her eyes.
Edward agreed and stepped out.
She prayed to anyone who would listen to save Colette's life.
Suddenly, a bright green light filled the tent, shocking even the medic. It would seem that Karolina's prayers had reached someone. Not even Ron's magic should have been able to mend such a grave injury.