Olivia's enthusiastic expression dims, turning slightly downcast.
"Hiro, what are you saying—what do you mea—" Rose doesn't get to finish.
"Hmph. Of course. I don't get a place beside you. It's fine. That's how it's supposed to be," Olivia says, ending with a faint smile.
Rose hugs Olivia. "Take good care of yourself, Olivia."
Olivia nods. "You too, my lady."
I mount the horse. The long conversation makes time slip by quickly—dawn is almost here.
"Ehm, so you're the one riding it, huh?!" Rose says, one hand on her hip.
"Of course. I don't want to risk my life in a stupid accident."
"HUH? ARE YOU SAYING I CAN'T RIDE A HORSE?!" Rose snaps. Olivia chuckles softly beside her.
My body is still warm from the earlier fight. There's nothing wrong with resting for a bit while waiting for the harbor's time. I climb down from the horse. "Fine. Do whatever you want." I get into the carriage.
Rose mounts the horse. "That's better—giving in to a girl."
I close my eyes and don't answer.
"Dawn is close. When you hear the ship's horn, that means it's arrived. You should move ahead of the group," Olivia says, pulling her cloak back on at the end.
"But you said we wouldn't be able to get in without that ticket—then how can we get in?" Rose asks. I flinch slightly, realizing the most important things never crossed my mind.
Olivia tilts her head, a faint smile on her lips.
"Not for VVIP," she says. "And with your faces hidden by cloaks."
Rose half understands,
"Ohh, alright, I understand. See you again, Olivia. I can't wait to see you with Oliver by your side," , Nodding slowly as she waits for what will happen
Olivia pulls her cloak over her face. "Of course. Just wait. I'll be back. Until then."
Olivia departs. Even so, I can sense the mix of emotions within her. I open one eye halfway, watching her for the last time before she moves swiftly and vanishes.
—CLICK.
Rose photographs Hiro, sleeping soundly.
—CLICK, CLICK, CLICK.
Light flashes across my face again and again. I feel it now. I realize it.
"Ugh."
I open my eyes slowly. "What are you doing? I know exactly what you're doing."
Rose freezes, then slowly hides the camera behind her back.
"Nothing. I was just taking pictures of the carriage, heehee."
HWOOOM—A ship's horn cuts the air from far away.
Rose turns around, grabs the reins, and prepares to move toward the harbor ahead of the others.
She looks back at me and smirks. "Ready?!"
I'm about to close my eyes, but I fasten the safety belt first.
"HAA!" Rose shouts and whips the horse—WUSH. The horse surges forward at full speed in an instant.
Luckily, I'm secured by the belt. She's thrown back into the carriage, crashing down roughly beside me.
"Hehe, forgive me."