So the Duchess Disappeared

27. Cloud

“…”

The dense bread felt like chewing on sand.

Since leaving the palace, this had been the continuous sensation.

It wasn’t just that the bread was of a tougher kind, but something more.

Nothing tasted good, and no interesting story brought any joy.

“Here, have some water.”

“…?”

After two consecutive days of carriage travel, someone approached Psyche, who was deliberately sitting away from others, during a short break. It was none other than a man presumed to be a mercenary who introduced himself as “Cloud.” He explained that it wasn’t his real name but a moniker used during mercenary work, and he smoothly continued with stories Psyche didn’t inquire about.

He offered a leather-bound water bottle, extending his hand.

“It’s okay… thanks.”

Psyche found his kindness burdensome. After all, her plan was to secretly switch to another carriage at the next destination, and drawing unnecessary attention would complicate things.

“It might be more troublesome if you get sick from eating something along the way, inconveniencing others, right?”

Cloud shook the water bottle he held once again. The gentle sloshing sound faintly reached her ears.

It annoyed her to no end.

“Just mind your own business.”

She intentionally turned away to avoid Cloud and his persistence.

Even though there was no need to reveal her face, he continued to meddle unnecessarily.

And with the elderly couple added to the mix, Psyche found herself in a quite awkward situation.

Just endure it for a few more days.

She repeated those words to herself like a mantra and held back.

Seeing Psyche openly expressing her displeasure, Cloud, strangely enough, quickly gave up and went towards the elderly couple.

He continued to chat amicably.

“It’s a long journey; aren’t you tired?”

“Oh! For us, it’s so refreshing to feel the breeze! Young folks must find it exhausting!”

“No, it’s nice to meet such wonderful elders.”

He laughed heartily.

“Thank you for saying that! But still, it’s a tough road. Traveling with a skilled mercenary like you, we’re very fortunate! Right, dear?”

The elderly couple, with smiles on their faces, nodded in agreement.

“But why are you heading to Randel, young man?”

“Oh, it’s not Randel… My hometown is in that direction. Hahaha.”

Cloud scratched his head as he replied.

“Oh, is there something going on in your hometown?”

“Well… Someone I know urgently sent for me. The lord of the place I used to live has disappeared, and the people there are in distress.”

Cloud went on to explain various details about his situation, avoiding specific information that might give too much away. Nevertheless, his face showed considerable joy at the prospect of returning to his hometown.

It seemed like he was a well-known mercenary in the Huangdo region. However, his urgent departure implied that he had a pressing matter to attend to.

“The lord disappeared… Huh. Sounds like a story about our territory.”

Thinking about her own territory, Psyche turned her head, her mind wandering.

Although it wasn’t the case now, when Psyche left her territory, there were instances in the outlying regions far from the Huangdo where lords abandoned their territories due to frequent attacks by bandits, among other reasons.

Now, with the Duke’s influence growing stronger and the border patrol properly maintained, cases of lords disappearing from their territories had become rare. However, at that time, there were those who, despite their noble titles, faced such situations.

Feeling an unnecessary sense of guilt, Psyche briefly glanced at the landscape before turning away.

“…”

It was due to the guilt weighing on her mind. Although she had done everything she could at the time, no one from her family had helped her.

‘They were all too busy catering to Uncle’s demands…’

It was a time when the influence of Jonier, the brother of the Marquis who had killed her father, was stronger. Even though there were relatives who could help her, when Jonier tried to take control, he failed due to young Psyche’s resistance. He might still harbor resentment towards Psyche.

If she returned to her territory, he might interfere again, spreading rumors or causing trouble. Psyche was familiar with struggling alone from a young age, and at that time, all she could do was protect her title.

Now, those titles held no meaning.

Psyche felt irritated by thoughts of the past. It was unnecessary. Thinking about the past while trying to return was natural.

Due to her desire to be alone, she shifted her position. Sitting alone in the empty carriage, she sighed. She just wanted some quiet time.

‘I thought I could travel quietly alone, but it seems that’s not the case…’

She couldn’t organize her thoughts because of the people around her. It only made things more complicated, and Psyche felt frustrated with the unwanted attention.

‘Anyway, I’ll bid farewell to them by tomorrow.’

Psyche found the given attention felt like useless meddling. She thought that by tomorrow, she would no longer be bothered by these people.

Climbing back into the carriage, she sighed again. She simply wanted to be alone.

‘Even though I thought I could have some quiet time alone…’

Being around people was uncomfortable, but having time alone wasn’t as pleasant as she thought. She had expected that no one would pay her any attention in this carriage, but her assumption didn’t hold.

Psyche felt the attention she received was unnecessary and intrusive, like unwanted interference.

‘Maybe I can have some peace tomorrow.’

Psyche climbed back into the carriage. Being alone might bring a sense of relief.

However, during these moments, thoughts about the lost child would inevitably invade her mind.

❖ ❖ ❖

Three days after she boarded the carriage, she could finally switch to the one heading to her hometown, the Alister Territory.

The process of changing carriages on the way to Randel wasn’t entirely smooth, but she felt relieved to have finally embarked on the correct journey.

Now, with the expectation that she would arrive at her hometown if she entrusted herself to the carriage, Psyche felt a slight ease in her heart. However, that thought was soon shattered.

“…Huh?”

Someone shouted in surprise upon seeing Psyche sitting at the end of the carriage. She closed her eyes and, startled by the noise, opened them again. Astonishingly, Cloud was there.

“No…”

Psyche, taken aback, contorted her expression in bewilderment. She hadn’t considered the possibility of meeting someone she knew in this place.

Now, Psyche’s feelings became complicated.

‘Could it be?’

Suddenly, Clint’s face came to her mind.

‘Is it the Duke’s scheme? Is he trying to capture me…? Considering that he’s a well-known mercenary, did he hire that person…?’

Psyche’s pupils shook with anxiety. However, contrary to her thoughts, Cloud approached her with a bright smile and sat down beside her.

“Well, to meet you here… Weren’t you heading to Randel?”

As if meeting an old friend, he spoke amiably.

Psyche, still surprised, questioned, “Weren’t you the one heading to Randel?”

In response, Cloud scratched his head, wearing a somewhat embarrassed expression. “Did you ever see a mercenary properly revealing their destination…?”

Cloud, too, had hidden his true destination. He encountered Psyche coincidentally, both using similar tactics…

Realizing that their destinations were the same, Cloud quickly changed his expression.

“Oh my. Are you also going to the Alister Territory?”

Psyche, rather than answering, displayed a puzzled expression.

“Wow, but using the same trick. Isn’t it unusual? What, are you trying to escape, too?”

With a nonchalant laugh, Cloud unintentionally hit the nail on the head.

Psyche could only respond with an awkward expression.

“Well, I won’t ask anymore. Let’s just go quietly! Shall we?”

Before Psyche could express her annoyance, Cloud closed his mouth and quietly retreated to a corner.

However, silence was not an option for them.

A young woman with a newborn baby boarded the carriage, and whether due to hunger or other reasons, the baby continued to cry, making the inside of the carriage far from quiet.

“Waaah!”

“Oh dear. It’s okay, baby, it’s okay.”

The young mother, not knowing how to comfort the baby, wore a distressed expression, and although the other passengers initially reassured her, as time passed, discomfort began to show on their faces.

‘…’

Not only were they uncomfortable, but Psyche was also feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Seeing the baby reminded her of the child she had lost.

Cloud, oblivious to the world, was the only one peacefully snoozing.

“Waaah, waaah.”

The baby’s cries only intensified.

The young mother seemed too young and somewhat disheveled for her role, and she appeared inexperienced in handling the child. Psyche, pretending not to care about the baby’s affairs, kept her eyes closed, but the baby continued to cry louder.

Each passenger started to offer advice to the young mother, and before long, the carriage reached a midway point.

To give the baby some relief, the carriage decided to take a short break, having negotiated with the coachman during the journey.

People sighed in relief as they disembarked from the carriage.

The baby still cried, and the young mother seemed at a loss. Eventually, Psyche, who couldn’t ignore it any longer, stepped forward.