Volume 2 Chapter 1-2 The Genderbend Female Traveler, The Bond Continues
"I can see the village now."
Eleonora had been looking up at the sky from inside the swaying carriage when someone spoke to her.
The village ahead looked plain and quiet. It reminded her of the hometown she had left long ago. It made her feel a little homesick.
"I think it would be better if we stayed overnight, given the distance."
"We're not in a rush. Let's do that."
Once she agreed with François, the group kept going toward the village.
Since the two leaders had spoken, the other three didn't get a say—typical in a feudal society, for better or worse.
The Rubello brothers were trained to follow François's orders. Johanna, who had grown up like a commoner, wasn't used to making choices for herself.
François, though he stayed indoors most of the time, had learned many things since childhood. He knew how to lead.
Eleonora had lived a different life. She had learned to speak up and take the lead—or else be ignored. That past helped her make firm decisions now.
"Excuse me. We'd like to camp in the village tonight. Where is the village head?" François asked.
A farmer working nearby looked up. He saw right away that François was a knight and answered with some nervousness in his voice, even while trying to act polite.
"Uh, the village head and the elders are over at that building there."
The place he pointed at wasn't much of a building. It looked more like a large shed made of wood.
It was probably used to store tools or food, but also worked as a meeting hall.
"Please go call them."
Eleonora took out five copper coins and gave them to the farmer. That kind of money helped get things moving.
The farmer seemed happy to earn a little extra. He ran off, and soon came back with three people—the village head and two elders.
"Welcome to our village, Knight."
The head said, bowing politely.
The elders beside him bowed too, looking wary of strangers.
"We'd like to spend the night here," Eleonora said. "We'll pay for the stay."
She flipped out two silver coins. François added three more.
A silver coin per person was fair. As long as they paid, the village head was willing.
"There's a house that's empty right now. Someone moved in there recently. You can use it."
The group looked up at a big house on a small hill. There was a well nearby. It looked fancy compared to the rest of the village.
"That's the old magistrate's house. A young man and a girl came here. They were dressed like knights. They paid to live there."
No one had asked, but the village head talked anyway. He said a knight and a noble-looking girl were now living in that house.
Still, it was better than setting up camp with five people in the middle of nowhere. So they went up the hill.
The house had a strong gate, built to shut tight during trouble. But it didn't look like anyone had ever used it for that.
"Hello? Is the owner here? We'd like to stay the night and get out of the wind."
Eleonora called. After a pause, the door opened. A serious-looking face appeared. Eleonora knew that face.
"Sorry. Try somewhere else."
"Oh, come on. How are you?"
The man scowled. His name was Georges de Ronclin, one of the Twelve Sacred Blades of the Loriengita Empire.
"Are you hunting runaways again!?"
"No! I don't have time for that! Just let me in!"
Eleonora shoved his arm aside and pushed through the gate. The others followed her.
"You can't come in without permission!"
"I paid already!"
While they argued, François walked to the well. He filled his leather pouch, took a sip from his hand, and said:
"Tastes good."
The Rubello brothers followed their master and drank the water too.
"Am I the only sane one here?" Johanna muttered.
Then the door opened again. A girl peeked out. She was beautiful.
"Georges... Who are these people?"
"Lady Elodia, please go back inside! I'll handle it right away!"
"Elodia? Wait... You're the second princess, aren't you?"
François said, and the girl's face fell.
"I'm not a princess anymore. The country is gone. I'm just a burden to my brothers now."
She tried to sound brave, but the sadness on her face showed how she really felt.
"Can't we let them stay the night, Georges?"
"If Lady Elodia says so..."
Georges finally gave in, his voice worn out from the fight.
Character Notes:
• François - The fourth son of Baron Lanramoncie of the Loriengita Empire. The one who join the tournament before.
• Johanna - Silvia's new name.
• Georges - A rugged-faced knight and the only lower noble among the Twelve Sacred Blades. He volunteers to lead the cavalry, seeking promotion and recognition. He harbors ambitions to marry Princess Elodia.
• Elodia - The second princess of Loriengita. She has shown favor to Georges, who aims to marry her by achieving military merit.
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