The southern gate towards which the saint dressed as a maid headed was the main entrance to the Imperial Palace.
Alisto received the news of the saint's escape attempt quietly.
He was somewhat expecting it.
That's why he ordered the residents of the third floor to leave her free, and to place an owl just to watch her.
“So, her purpose wasn't here.”
Since he was sure that the Saint did not approach him to infiltrate the Imperial Palace, it was time to decide when to take back the Saint he had temporarily left free.
“How long will it take to get out of the south gate?”
Garnet opened his mouth for a moment, then answered cautiously: “Given its speed at the start of departure compared to now, it seems like it will take…sixteen hours.”
Alisto finally looked up from the papers he had been reviewing all along.
“Sixteen hours?”
"She was running a little at first, but soon she started walking.
And now… she seems to lack physical fitness.
In this case, I can't guarantee that she'll get out of the palace even if she walks a whole day.
Moreover, since she's dressed as a Blossom Palace maid, it's difficult for her to ride in a carriage."
In other words, she was suffering greatly.
***
It may seem surprising, but Fredis Hermann's purpose in raising Atha was clear.
Her goal was to obtain a high dowry when Atha became an adult and married.
Atha was beautiful, but beauty alone was not enough for a high dowry.
Freydis was of the opinion that Atha should grow to be so beautiful that everyone would automatically be fascinated by her.
According to the beauty standards of this era, the three most important things were a slim waist, short stature, and fair skin.
Therefore, Freidis strictly restricted her daughter's food, and did not allow her to go out except on special occasions.
Because exposure to the sun will make her skin darker.
What was the result?
“Huff, huff...”
Atha grew up with a body that could not run for minutes, nor even walk for an hour.
On a dark night.
A road with no end in sight.
Atha, who was walking slowly, stopped and squatted in front of the flower beds on the side of the road.
She was hungry, and had no strength to walk.
At first, she felt like she could do anything.
The palace gate was far away, but she was confident that she would take a passing carriage.
Don't these scenes appear often in novels?
A tired heroine passes a dark road, a carriage approaches her, a kind driver, and a small kindness.
~Where are you going?~
Then he takes her safely to her destination.
She had seen these stories often.
Of course, in reality, she would have easily been wary of someone offering to help, but this was a novel world, so she thought it was entirely possible.
And Atha is the heroine, right?
I'm a little worried, but still...ah! vehicle!
Atha jumped out of the flower beds and raised her arms forcefully.
"Here!
Here, a moment!"
She shouted for help and waved her arms as she followed the carriage, but the cruel driver did not even look at her.
“Last time passed!”
This was the eleventh carriage she had passed without paying attention.
Atha didn't know, but the Blossom Palace's maids were the first target to warn the chariot drivers entering the Imperial Palace.
Sometime ago, rumors had spread that the servants or maids associated with the Blossom Palace often got involved in accidents and disappeared.
But Atha just thought that life was not going the way she wanted.
How long will it take to get out of the Imperial Palace?
Will her strength hold until then?
The air was getting colder as the night progressed, and her body was cooling with dry sweat.
Moreover, her stomach was empty, and she had no strength in her legs…
“If the Crown Prince had not said those logical words, I would have eaten more.”
Even now, tired as she was, she didn't know how much more she should walk.
Just before, she felt like she was capable of doing anything, but now, it seemed like she was going to die before she even left the palace.
After a short thought, she turned around to check the way she had come.
She walked hard, but the Great Crown Prince's Palace was still visible there.
“…”
Should I postpone my escape until next time and come back now?
She knew the way out of the Crown Prince's Palace, so she could escape next time.
It wasn't difficult.
Eat more meat, increase physical fitness, get a go-kart, wear warm clothes, and carry some snacks...
If she prepares well, she can succeed next time, right?
The thought didn't last long.
Her body was so tired that her mind didn't work well.
In the end, Atha decided to return to the Crown Prince's Palace for the time being.
“What a tired body.
What is this body?”
As she started to walk slowly again, a light appeared from behind, and it gradually became brighter.
Atha did not look back, but moved closer to the flower beds on the side of the road.
Anyway, even if she tried her hardest to ask for a ride, she would be ignored by the carriage again, so why waste her energy?
It's okay now.
Even if escaping was difficult, it seemed that she could return to the Crown Prince's Palace slowly.
But…
The carriage that should have passed ages ago was still behind her, and its sound gradually slowed down.
Atha turned uncomfortably to inspect the carriage.
It was a strangely familiar white carriage decorated with gold, and it had the crown prince's flag on it.
Atha paused stiffly as if on vacation, and the carriage stopped beside her.
Then the door opened, and the warmth accumulated inside the car came out to touch her cheeks.
“What are you doing here?”
It was Alisto.
Atha swallowed, looking into his eyes.
“I was... taking a little walk.”
At that moment, his golden eyes seemed to shine.
Suddenly, I realized the source of Alisto's eerie atmosphere.
Maybe it was because of his eyes.
Didn't legends say that yellow eyes are the eyes of monsters?
If you think about it, don't birds of prey and tigers have yellow eyes too?
“Walking.
Are you going to continue?”
Look at this.
Even his slow tone, as if he was in no hurry in front of prey, completely resembled a beast.
But now he's a monster in a very warm place.
Not only that, but the warmth emanating from the open door caressed her cheeks very comfortingly.
The seats felt soft, and the thick blanket felt comfortable.
Atha looked at the monster's expression, and suddenly their eyes met.
Then she blinked her eyes.
Wait?
I felt an instinctive intuition that is difficult to describe.
It was a very important intuition.
She realized that this monster had no intention of harming her.
Perhaps for this reason, looking directly at him was less terrifying than avoiding his eyes and looking elsewhere.
Of course, it was only less terrifying, not completely non-scary.
Here, Atha once again realized how cunning human hearts are.
She had just thought she could walk, but upon seeing the carriage and the Crown Prince, she suddenly wanted to ride it.
She shook her head slightly, looking at him warily.
“No, I'll finish walking now...
Can I ride next to you?”
She took one step closer, and the corner of Alisto's mouth curved up like a beautiful painting.
“Get in.
Let's get back together.”
Atha climbed into the carriage quickly, as if she had been waiting for this.
Because she was already waiting.
She lifted her long skirt as she climbed into the carriage.
Something seems strange?
This texture, this weight, this shape...
I'm wearing a maid's uniform now!
I completely forgot.
What would she say if he asked her why she was wearing this outfit?
Whatever she said, it would look suspicious.
Suddenly, she felt her blood run cold, and she couldn't find a suitable answer, which made her head spin.
Shall I say that the maid outfit was my dream this time too?
What if he thinks I'm a stranger?
But, contrary to her fears, the Crown Prince did not ask why she was wearing the costume.
Instead, he spoke in a casual tone, as if he was joking: “Walking, that's good.
For a moment, I thought you were trying to escape.”
Atha swallowed again.