Chapter 134 – Lily's Journey

“Lily. Make sure you listen well to big sis Tally. And no being selfish, no acting on your own, and also… Ah, hold on a sec.”

Marie was nagging me while barking all sorts of orders at the holy knights loading up the carriage this way and that.

Marie was the most nagging person I’d ever met. And she only did it to me.

“Got it already. I’ll help out properly, I won’t complain, and I won’t mess around. Happy now?”

Marie let out a sigh and shot me a worried look as she handed some luggage over to Tally.

“All these recovery potions and antidotes—you made every single one? And you even prepared that magic tool for emergency letters. I had no idea you were such a worrywart.”

“Haha, she’s surprisingly meticulous, huh?” “Yeah, always prepared for everything.”

“Hey, sis, Ted-san, Heart-san—quit laughing and check the luggage already.”

Tally, whom Marie called “sis,” was chatting away just like Marie’s real big sister would.

Heart and Ted seemed pretty chummy with Tally, too.

Gain, Fernet, and Sid-san were over there chatting amiably with Gobas.

For the first time, I realized there was a whole side to Marie’s world that I knew nothing about.

Everyone I asked had nothing but praise for her. They all had these faces like they adored her beyond words.

“Lily. Take care of yourself.”

Grandfather pulled me into a gentle hug.

But since I’m such a bad kid, I didn’t want him to hate me, so I just couldn’t help but tense up.

This wasn’t my place.

If I went back, Kirika would surely be thrilled.

The thought made me itch to get out of the capital as soon as possible.

“Enough already—let’s just go!”

Grandfather murmured, “You’re right. It’ll only make the goodbye harder,” and reluctantly pulled away from me.

Tally marched over briskly and plopped a hood right over my head.

“Bear with it till we’re out of here. Your face is gonna stir up trouble.”

It was still early summer, so it wasn’t hot or anything.

If she just messed up my hair and dirtied it, no one would recognize me.

I stayed stone-faced and silent, and Tally winked at me.

Then she hopped into the carriage with me and gave a curt “Go” signal to Gobas, who was gripping the reins.

“Lily! I’ll write you letters!” “Take care!” “Stay safe!”

Grandfather was waving through his tears. Everyone else waved with big smiles. Marie was…

“Marie!”

Suddenly my chest welled up, and I shouted her name at the top of my lungs.

Even though Marie was waving back with a bright smile, my overflowing tears blurred her figure…

Hey, Marie. Can I really be okay on my own? I don’t want to be apart.

Before I knew it, I’d come to love Marie just as much as everyone else.

“Lily. Looking forward to traveling with you.”

Tally said that and wrapped her arms around me from behind, hugging my sniffling self tight.

Ahh… My heart feels so warm.

By the time I noticed, the massive gate of white marble at the church was fading farther and farther into the distance.

Holy knights kept watch around the carriage until we left the capital, and passersby kept turning back, wondering what was going on.

“We’re too conspicuous—get inside.”

I’d been peeking out, but true to my promise with Marie, I obeyed Tally.

That said, Gobas apparently scared even Sid-san.

Gain had whispered it to me. Defy him, and you’d regret it big time.

One look at his face, and I got it. I’d never seen anyone with such a scary mug.

I’ll have to be careful not to anger the quiet Gobas.

The carriage barreled along at a pretty good clip and soon reached the foot of the mountains, veering onto the mountain path.

“This isn’t your first time crossing mountains, right?”

“Last time it was in a fancy carriage with the prince.”

Tally gave a wry smile and an “Ah.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but this trip won’t be anywhere near that fancy. Brace yourself.”

I was already enduring the big jolts and shakes.

I wanted him to go slower, but I was too scared of pissing off Gobas to complain.

“We’ll rest at this campsite tonight.”

The night sky glittered with countless stars.

This was how many campsites now? I’d gotten pretty used to it.

I hopped down from the carriage and tagged along with Tally’s shopping. That was routine now, too.

Tally bantered cheerfully with the traveling merchant, ping-ponging back and forth until she haggled him down. She was amazing.

“Here, pretty lady—bonus for you.”

“Ufufu. Thank you.”

Tally winked at the old man and handed me the three meat skewers she’d gotten.

Yay!

“Lily’s favorite meat. My treat today.”

I nodded with a big smile, and Tally gently stroked my head.

“Today, I’ll teach you how to make dressing.”

“It isn’t hard?”

“No problem. There’s a trick anyone can pull off.”

Tally flashed a mischievous grin full of playfulness and taught me all sorts of things, saying “Come on, try it.”

“Lily, you’re surprisingly handy.”

“I made a friend in the neighboring country whose dad was a chef, and we did daily peel-off contests.”

She watched my potato-peeling hands and narrowed her eyes. “You’re good.”

She always acknowledged me like that.

It made me so happy—and proud—that I couldn’t find the words.

“Ufufu.”

Good thing I’d practiced with Nia without giving up.

From here on, I’ll try harder at all sorts of things.

“Ah! Gobas! Give this a taste. Lily made it.”

“Sure.”

Gobas had a scary face, but he did whatever Tally said.

I was shocked to hear they were getting married next year.

“He’s always put me first, ever since way back.”

Tally said it with the happiest smile.

Gobas truly treasured Tally.

The way he looked at her was filled with love.

“I wanna see Kirika soon.”

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