Chapter 375 The Morning Of Departure
On the day of their trip to the capital, Grandchester Castle was very busy. Many people got up earlier than usual.
Though the carriage could move on snowy roads, some areas still needed to be cleared of snow. Villagers worked all night to make the road to the capital clear. They had to hurry before more snow fell on the freshly cleared path.
The villagers who helped remove the snow were paid extra, and the Sophia Merchant Guild also gave them flour as a bonus. Given the high costs during this time, the extra money was a welcome help for the villagers.
Sara and Chloe were bundled up in warm clothing: fur coats, fur hats, and fur muffs. Sara wore the fur from a snow leopard-like monster, while Chloe wore fur from a sable-like beast.
Both furs were from animals that Felix, Rebecca's brother, had hunted during last year's hunting competition. In fact, Felix, who was the winner this year, was also the winner last year. The animals he hunted were about 2 to 3 times larger than the beasts seen during the Sarasa era, and it was impressive that Felix could take down such large prey with just a bow and arrow.
Originally, the Grandchester hunting competition began to gather meat and fur before winter and to control dangerous monsters that could attack people. Over 100 years, it has become a social event for the nobility, but the original purpose remains important. The Demi-Libis, a fierce monster like a snow leopard, can destroy entire villages if not kept in check before winter.
Chloe's coat is made from the fur of a creature called Jiverina. These animals, likely brought from Earth by Marcato, eat wild mice but will also take human food. In winter, they may seek shelter in warm barns, which can be bad for livestock like the Tavku.
Although Demi-Libis and Jiverna are not great for meat, their fur is a luxury that nobles adore. As a result, hunters try to use few arrows to protect the valuable fur. Felix is known as a master hunter, called �the hunter who doesn�t need a second arrow.� He uses a strong bow and can hit the vital spots of his prey with just one shot.
Felix gave a large amount of fur to Rebecca as part of his sister's dowry when she married into the Grandchester family. In reality, Rebecca has her own territory and received cash as an apology from Roisen. Moreover, since her husband will gain a title through marriage, no further dowry is needed. In fact, it's more like the Grandchester family has to pay the Orson family.
However, Felix, who is close to Rebecca, strongly wanted to do something for his sister. So, what Rebecca wanted was the fur that Felix owned. He carefully selected only the highest quality fur for his sister and sent enough to fill a cart to Grandchester Castle.
Rebecca's fur was turned into warm clothing for Sara and Chloe. Of course, they bought it from Rebecca through the Sophia Merchant Guild and had it made by a craftsman. Sara thought that if she had it made in her current size, she would quickly outgrow it, so she asked for a larger size. As a result, Sara ended up looking so fluffy that she was almost buried in the fur. It was warm, but hard to walk in, and she was just trying her best not to drag her coat on the ground.
Robert, who had come to see them off, couldn't help but laugh when he saw Sara walking unsteadily. He picked her up from behind and carried her to the carriage.
"Ed, please take care of my daughter."
"I'll do my best, but if I can't manage, I'm sorry. Pray that the capital doesn't turn into a sea of fire. No, first, I should be careful not to let His Majesty the King's wig fly off."
"Uncle Edward, I don't plan to meet His Majesty the King, you know?"
"It's obvious you'll be called. You packed a dress to enter the royal palace, didn't you?"
"That dress is for meeting Her Highness Crown Princess. If I meet Duke Arbal and his wife, I will probably meet Her Highness Crown Princess too."
"Oh dear... in that regard, you're still a child."
Edward shrugged in exasperation and got into the carriage. Rebecca and Elizabeth also approached the carriage and started talking through the window.
"Sara, a little before your birthday, Rob and I will go to the royal capital. Until then, please don't do anything reckless."
"Yes, Mother."
Sara smiled and nodded, but Rebecca was very worried.
"Chloe, you should refuse any social invitations except for the tea party in your Jasmine dress. Even gatherings with just women are not allowed. Adam is recovering faster than expected, so I think he will arrive in the royal capital sooner than later."
"Okay."
"Make sure to respond properly!"
"I'm sorry."
It seems Elizabeth was just as worried.
"Don't worry, Liz. I will protect Chloe. ...Maybe Sara will be okay too... right?"
"Uncle, why do you say that with such uncertainty? It will only make my parents worry!"
When Sara got upset, Robert and Rebecca exchanged glances and nodded at each other.
"Yeah. I think it's understandable for Ed to say that."
"Sara... considering your usual behavior, don't you think Ed would feel this way?"
"You both are terrible!"
The maidens, including Teresa, the tower's servants, Scott, and Blaze all came to see them off, but they couldn't interrupt the noble family's farewell. They had anticipated this, so they had already said their goodbyes the night before and early in the morning.
Blaze was excited to go out the day before Sara's departure. When Rihito told him, "You can go outside now," he hurried to Maiden's Tower. He hugged Sara tightly and complained about wanting to go to the royal capital because he was upset that Sara had gone to the night market with Scott. To calm him down, Sara promised she would visit Maiden's Tower often and that they would go to the royal capital together if he passed his academy entrance exam.
Meanwhile, Thomas was surprised to hear about Scott too, but he didn�t react like Blaze. Instead, he stayed quiet and thought carefully about the situation. The servants at the Jeffrey residence said, "It's a bit scary how he seems deep in thought while still smiling."
Thus, while creating a subtle tension in various places, Sara set off on her journey to the royal capital.
...She would come back often, though.
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