Volume 2 Chapter 2 The Genderbend Female Traveler, Increasing Companions
The soft crackle of fire soothed the nerves as Georges, Johanna, and the Rubero brothers worked over dinner in the old stone kitchen.
Eleonora had brought fresh food from the wagon. François had given up the last of his wine. Both now sat at the long table with Elodia, waiting.
"To think we're being served by one of the Twelve Sacred Blades."
"If a man cooked it, I won't expect too much."
Georges barked back at Eleonora's rude remark.
"I've learned to cook! You—just sitting there—if you can't wait quietly, then don't eat at all!"
"I brought the rice and the firewood. I earned my seat."
"Being right is so annoying!"
Eleonora burst out laughing. Georges turned red as a beet. Johanna bowed her head with a soft "Sorry," though Georges clearly wanted to say more. Instead, he simply slid his sword back into its sheath.
"It's been two months since Parisess, hasn't it?" Elodia asked.
"So you did get away safely."
She smiled faintly and spoke about her escape.
"Georges rode hard after that. We ran through Loriengita. Suno's soldiers were nearby, so it got risky... That's when I fled to the Arlis-Otroot Dukedom."
"That area's semi-independent," François said. "But the East Clanf Kingdom holds sway. Will you run again?"
"If I step into Elunbai, my brother will hear. But if I stay in Arlis-Otroot, I can escape to the Tyria Peninsula."
Elodia took a sip of water and gave a slow nod.
"But even that place isn't safe."
"Lady Eleonora, I should be the one to explain."
"No. I know the facts. It's better if I say it straight."
Eleonora looked Elodia in the eye.
"To be blunt—if you stay here, you'll both be found."
Elodia lowered her eyes.
"Yes, I know."
"You stand out. The farmers can tell you're noble—especially with knights at your side. If a tax officer comes, it's over. Didn't you change clothes after fleeing Parisess?"
"Yes... but I wore a maid's uniform. One from the palace."
"To country folks, that still looks too fine."
François said with a shrug. Elodia said nothing.
"Even borrowing the magistrate's house draws eyes."
"But could a princess live in a farmer's hut?"
Eleonora asked quietly. What kind of hiding was that, for a delicate young woman raised like a flower in a glass house? Needlework was the only skill she had—and even that only as a hobby.
"What's your point, demon?" Georges growled.
"You'll be caught. It's only a matter of time."
Thud.
Plates of soup and salad hit the table. Then came black bread, hard as stone, some old wine, and thin meat soaked in water and cooked over the fire.
"Sorry. This is all the meat we have left."
"If we can eat it, no complaints."
"Right. On the road, this is luxury."
Everyone sat. They bowed their heads and said a short prayer, then started eating.
"Then, why did you leave the country, demon?"
Georges asked.
"My life was in danger. So I decided to go to Magelun with the girl until things calmed down."
"That's a dangerous place you're heading. I've never dared go there myself."
Even François, who had seen many lands, looked uneasy. Georges raised his brow.
"In Loriengita, you're a demon. In Ashreach, you're a hero."
"You must hate someone. I planned to stay home, guarding the estate, until my little brother came of age."
Eleonora sighed. War had ruined her plans.
Georges bit his tongue. If only the war had come later—after she had left.
"So, what now? You'll be found, sooner or later."
"I know," Georges admitted. "I want to prepare before we move."
"Then let me come with you. I also have a plan. What if we all go to Magelun with Lady Eleonora?"
"Are you mad?! That land is full of savages!"
"But it's far from the East Clanf Kingdom's reach."
Eleonora scowled. She had packed food for two. More mouths meant more costs and changes.
"I'm against it. No benefit for me."
"Think, Lady Eleonora. The Princess of Loriengita—doesn't that sound noble?"
She narrowed her eyes at François.
"What are you up to?"
"We crown Elodia in Magelun. She rules the land."
"Are you crazy? We don't even have an army."
"We start small. Take a few villages. Recruit as we go. With you, me, and Lord Georges, we can do it."
François's eyes sparkled with hunger.
"You—what are you trying to do with her?!"
"You can be her husband. I'll take land. A title—Marquis, maybe. That's enough for me."
A queen's husband. A consort.
Georges shut his mouth. They were dangling Elodia like a prize. It stung. He loved her. But the offer came with marriage and rank. It was hard to say no.
"What do you think?"
François asked Elodia.
She looked down, then toward Georges.
"If I can live in peace with Georges... then I'll go anywhere."
"Um, everyone. The soup's getting cold," Johanna said.
They all fell quiet again and finished eating without another word.
"So, what's the plan?"
After the meal, the room filled with tense air again. Go or stay? Risk or safety?
Elodia looked up.
"We will go."
Eleonora felt her heart sink. Again, she was being dragged along.
It felt as if her role—no matter her will—was to follow and protect Elodia. And Georges? He didn't seem to mind. That made it worse. Why should she fight, bleed, or die for others?
In the last war, it was her duty as a noble. But now? Now, she could speak her own mind.
"Why should I? I owe no one."
"Start a kingdom, get land, pick a title. Whatever you want."
"I don't want any of it. I only care for my family's house. I never planned to build one of my own."
François blinked.
"Even as a family head? Don't you care?"
"No. I was only filling in until my brother was ready. I never meant to keep it."
"Is that a man-woman thing? What about gold or goods? You can take what you want from enemies."
Eleonora hesitated. Could she really walk away? Could she survive with just Johanna and no coin? What would happen to Johanna if she left now?
If Elodia stayed, Georges would stay too. At least that much was certain.
As a former Japanese citizen, Eleonora felt a strange duty to protect her.
"I'll take what has value."
"Then it's settled!"
François grinned and clapped. He offered his hand to Eleonora.
She stared at it, then gave it a quick shake and let go.
"The travel money I had won't be enough."
"We'll manage. At least until Her Highness is crowned."
That night, a small group was born—one that would shape the future of a continent.
It was the first step of Elodia I, founding queen of the Holy Maro Empire's Lorycang dynasty.
And by her side stood Duke Georges, her chosen consort.
Character Notes:
• 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.
• Johanna - Silvia's new name.
• François - The fourth son of Baron Lanramoncie of the Loriengita Empire. The one who join the tournament before.
• Elodia - The second princess of Loriengita. She has shown favor to Georges, who aims to marry her by achieving military merit.
• Arlis-Otroot - A semi-independent region with strong influence from the East Clanf Kingdom.
• East Clanf Kingdom - A powerful kingdom with influence over the Arlis-Otroot Dukedom.
• Magelun - A dangerous and barbaric land, but a potential refuge from the East Clanf Kingdom.
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