The river water where Cecilia's group set up camp flowed calmly, clear, and cold when Cecilia dipped her feet into it. Cecilia bent her knees, letting the edge of her robe be swept away by the river water.
Cecilia had never taken off her mask since she went to the Erebos Forest. Maybe because of that, no one could really guess what she was thinking at that moment.
"I thought I would find you here, Your Highness."
A familiar voice broke the silence around Cecilia. Heavy steps treaded on the stones, and soon, Sir Robert was standing beside her. Sir Robert gave Cecilia a brief bow. Then, when Cecilia gave permission, he finally took his place next to her.
"How is the girl?" Cecilia asked without turning around.
"She's still in shock, maybe exhausted. But physically, she's fine. She's changed her clothes. After I offered her some food, she ate heartily and then went to sleep in the tent we had prepared beforehand."
"Good."
Robert glanced at her, then asked carefully. "What's bothering you, Your Highness?"
Cecilia fell silent. Robert with his sharp eyes. Robert had been with her since they were both young. Although Cecilia's face was covered by a mask, Robert seemed to still catch traces of the anxiety she felt.
"I'm just tired," Cecilia evaded. Although Robert knew there was something wrong with her, talking about Fiona was not something Cecilia could do with her knight.
Robert sighed when he heard Cecilia's answer. Since becoming 'Cecilion', Cecilia preferred to hide secrets rather than share them with him.
Even so, Robert would not give up so easily. He had felt useless lately. Robert did not want their relationship to grow further apart. Not when they were playmates in the past.
"You may be able to hide the truth from others. But I have been by your side long enough to know when you are trying to lie to someone."
Robert fell silent for a moment. But not long after, he continued his words.
"Even today, you went out alone to face the wolves. Going out in front is not your duty as royalty. I wish... you would rely on me more."
Cecilia did not reply. The sound of the flowing river was the only response Robert received.
Robert stared at the same stream. Truly, he hated how his presence could no longer be Cecilia's support.
"I don't need you to tell me everything. But please remember that I am here. I will stay by your side no matter what. I will do anything you ask and support you when you are tired. That is my duty as your knight."
There was a moment of silence. Cecilia remained silent for a while. Only when Robert thought he would not get any more answers did she finally let out a soft sigh.
"You are too kind to me, Robert."
"It's not because I am kind." Robert turned to her, and his brown eyes shone warmly. "I'm just doing what I need to do as your protector."
Cecilia finally turned her head. Her gaze looked tired, but Robert saw that there was still determination there.
"If... I made a mistake, will you forgive me?"
"We are all human, Your Highness. Mistakes are part of our nature."
Cecilia fell silent. Her clear eyes seemed to be trying to find something from the way she stared at Robert's face.
"Even so... even if you made a mistake, all we need to do is fix it together. You have the King, the Kingdom, and all the people to help you. They will help you. I... will help you, Your Highness."
Robert wanted to slap himself when he said the last sentence. He couldn't believe he had just said that to a royalty like Cecilia.
"Thank you, Robert. Then... I also apologize for advancing without considering my actions."
But suddenly, Cecilia spoke as if she felt better than before. Robert tried to look at Cecilia. Although Cecilia's face was now covered by a mask, for some reason, Robert seemed to be able to feel that Cecilia was smiling at him.
"Thanks to you, I'm fine now. I guess what you said was right. I have to move forward, even if my decision might not be right."
"Are you sure?"
Robert didn't understand how his simple words could make Cecilia feel better. But Cecilia nodded. After taking a deep breath, Cecilia stood up straight again.
"Now, I will do what I have to do. Even if I make a mistake... you will help me, right?"
Robert's ears turned red when Cecilia teased him openly. Robert cleared his throat to cover up his awkwardness. Even so, he still nodded and added something.
"I will do my best, Your Highness."
"That's enough," Cecilia said confidently. Such support might be what Cecilia needed all this time. She wanted a place to lean on. A place where she no longer felt alone.
***
Thanks to her short chat with Robert, Cecilia no longer had doubts about what she should do. Her head was back up. She regained her composure even if Damian approached her again.
Her main goal for now was to create the trade route that she had worked so hard to establish. Cecilia took a deep breath. For now, she had to do what she could.
First, she gathered all the researchers, mercenaries, and wildlife experts in one place. Cecilia discussed the route that was in her mind seriously. Cecilia did not know the Erebos Forest area well. Therefore, she had to ask people for their opinions on what she was thinking.
"I was thinking of making a trade route through... this route," Cecilia said, pointing to the path on the map while the people she had called looked at the place she had pointed out seriously. "I've observed it when we conducted a survey. The ground there is softer than other places, so making a road there should be no problem. But we need to make sure that horse-drawn carriages can pass through it without getting stuck, especially when it rains."
The researchers nodded. They had visited the place Cecilia had pointed out before. Therefore, they were familiar with the conditions of the place.
"We need a strong foundation, Prince Cecilion. For a large group and heavy loads... I suggest paving the roadbed with a mixture of gravel and sand."
"Very well. But what about the water flow?" Cecilia asked. "I don't want this road to be flooded every rainy season."
"We can make a waterway, Your Highness. We can channel it this way... then we plant the roots of the retaining shrubs around the waterway. Those plants wouldn't only absorb water. They can also strengthen the soil through their will that spreads in the soil."
Cecilia stared at the path pointed out by one of the researchers, then nodded. Cecilia did not understand about the previous construction. She was only able to learn this far with the palace library books.
The researchers' responses were valuable to Cecilia. She learned a lot while analyzing the opinions of each researcher.
"We also have to take into account the sharp bends and slopes of the road we are going to make. Horse carriages need room to maneuver, especially if the carriages are heavily loaded like those of merchants."
"That means we have to make the road wide enough, with rest paths at certain points for broken carriages or groups who want to rest."
Cecilia nodded. As expected of the Landis people, they were able to immediately think of the best thing for the route they were going to make.
"Then, we'll be back with the road plan soon."
"Alright."
Cecilia let out a long sigh as the men finally left. She had focused all her thoughts on building the route. There was no room for error. They had to work quickly so that Cecilia could return and send Fiona to safety.
The world would be destroyed if Cecilia let Fiona die. Even though bringing her along was risky, Cecilia would rather protect her than risk going back in time for the hundredth time.
As Cecilia thought about Fiona, her gaze involuntarily fell on Fiona, who was sitting under a large tree with Robert. The silver-haired girl chuckled, looking fresher than before. It seemed that ordering Robert to guard her personally was the right decision.
"You know, you look even scarier when you're working."
The voice made Cecilia turn her head lazily. Damian was standing beside her, leaning lightly with his arms folded across his chest. Cecilia didn't know why this was happening. But ever since they entered the Erebos Forest, she felt that Damian had become more courageous and open to talking to her.
That might be fine for normal situations. But Cecilia had learned a lot. She couldn't relax even if Damian acted differently than before.
"Are you watching me again, Prince?" Cecilia asked matter-of-factly.
"I call it observing the progress of the route," Damian chuckled. But you can also call it personal surveillance if you feel more comfortable doing so."
Cecilia glanced at him sarcastically. "I won't reveal your secret. I already told you that."
"Well, we'll see about that," Damian replied lightly. "By the way, Prince, can you tell me where your thoughts come from?"
Cecilia held back a frustrated sigh. "I read," she answered honestly.
"Read huh?" Damian replied mysteriously. "This is the first time I've seen someone like you in my life."
"Is that a compliment?"
Cecilia replied unconsciously, too fast to think until she was surprised by what she said. Damian had never praised anyone. He had never even praised Fiona, whom he loved to the point of going to war with the Blaine Kingdom.
"You can interpret it however you want. But Prince, the more I see you, the more attractive you seem to me."
Cecilia's hair stood on end when she heard Damian's unexpected answer. No. Cecilia was one hundred percent positive that she was just hallucinating right now. Damian was someone who never cared about anyone other than Fiona. It felt strange when a man like that openly said that he was interested in her.
"That's-"
There were many questions in Cecilia's mind. But at that moment, she finally chose to close her mouth again.
She wasn't even Cecilia anymore. Cecilia thought that the interest that Damian said must have just been a fleeting interest in something new.
Yes. That must be it.