Our inspection went smoothly. Once it ended, the plan to return followed naturally.
I wished we could stay a little longer—to explore, to savor more of this beautiful place. But I couldn't say that aloud. The decision rested entirely with Rael. That man would rather bury himself in a mountain of paperwork than pause to admire the breathtaking sea.
Now, we stood at the entrance of the Mondego mansion, ready to depart. All that remained was waiting for Rael to appear.
"Evelise, I hope you can return someday—with your mother," Mrs. Molly said warmly.
"I'll tell Mother we should visit if we find the time," I replied with a smile.
I had learned that Mrs. Molly met my mother years ago when she visited Mondego Manor to train the maids. She even claimed to have met me when I was nine, though that memory was buried somewhere in Evelise's distant past.
She spoke fondly of my mother's kindness and seemed genuinely pleased that we had stayed. She was also delighted to learn that I now served House Mondego as a vassal.
I also discovered that Ben, the butler, was her husband.
"I'll be waiting for that day," she said with a gentle smile.
At last, Rael appeared.
Everyone bowed as he passed, but he didn't offer so much as a nod in return. He headed straight for his carriage.
Peter and I followed and boarded a separate one.
And just like that, our caravan departed.
We traveled much as we had on the way here—brief stops, a short rest at a small inn, then back on the road.
Though I still felt uneasy about the nonstop travel, my body had started to adjust. I wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as before.
Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt.
"My lord, there's a landslide blocking the road. The carriages and horses can't pass," Knight Joel reported.
I looked out the window and saw massive stones scattered across the path.
Peter and I stepped out and spotted Rael already ahead, speaking to someone.
The narrow, cobbled road twisted through a steep mountain gorge, now buried under a landslide. Jagged boulders, broken wooden beams, and crumbled earth from the cliffs had swallowed the path. A wooden cart lay crushed in the rubble—its contents spilled, wheels splintered. Towering pine trees framed the trail, and mist clung to the mountains in the distance.
"Bring me the person responsible for this area. I want to speak with them," Rael said, his eyes fixed on the wreckage.
"Yes, my lord," Joel replied and left.
He soon returned with a knight.
"Good day, Count Mondego. I'm Knight Kairi, commander of House Malen. Baron Malen governs this region," the knight said. He stood tall and composed, though I could see the nervousness in his eyes.
"How long will it take to clear the road?" Rael asked.
"Hmm… I estimate about four days, my lord."
"If you increase manpower, could it be cleared in two? Maybe even one?" Rael pressed.
"Count Mondego… this is all the manpower we have. We can't spare more," Kairi replied quietly, clearly uneasy.
It made sense. Most barons couldn't afford large forces. Only the wealthiest could maintain significant manpower.
"You should stay at Baron Malen's mansion while we work on clearing the path," Kairi offered.
"How far is it from here?" Rael asked.
"About half a day's travel, my lord."
"Is there anywhere closer?"
Kairi hesitated. "There's a small village nearby in the forested mountains, but… it's far from comfortable."
Rael nodded. "How long to reach it?"
Joel and Kairi exchanged glances, visibly stunned. Peter and I were just as speechless.
A noble choosing to stay in a mountain village? Unthinkable.
"Just over an hour," Kairi replied, cautious.
"Joel, assist with the cleanup efforts," Rael ordered. "I'll wait in the village until the road is cleared."
Everyone stared at him in disbelief.
"But, my lord, what about your safety?" Joel asked, clearly concerned.
"Assign two knights. That will suffice. Besides, there have been no bandit reports in this region," Rael said calmly.
Joel looked like he wanted to object—but Rael's decisions were final.
Since the carriage couldn't make it through the rough terrain, we had to continue on horseback.
There was just one problem: I didn't know how to ride.
So, I ended up riding behind Peter.
"Evelise, just hold on tight," Peter said, glancing back at me.
"I will," I replied, gripping his coat nervously.
I caught Rael glancing in our direction—but he quickly looked away.
Knight Commander Kairi rode with us to the village.
The path was narrow, uneven, and tangled with roots and wild plants. Only one rider could pass at a time. It was far too treacherous for any carriage.
After over an hour of slow travel, we finally arrived.
The village nestled in a quiet valley surrounded by forested hills. Wooden cottages with thick thatched roofs lined the dirt paths. Smoke curled from chimneys, hinting at early meals or warming fires. The homes were modest but sturdy, closely spaced together. Small fenced gardens, stacked firewood, and haystacks added to the rustic charm.
Children peeked at us with wide, curious eyes. The adults, however, looked tense—wary, even fearful.
An old man hurried over and bowed deeply.
"I'm the village chief, sir. Is there anything you need?" he asked politely, his voice tight with anxiety.
"Yes," the knight commander said. "We need accommodations. Prepare the best lodging available for His Lordship."
The chief's eyes widened in shock. A noble staying in his village? He clearly hadn't prepared for such a possibility—but he didn't dare protest.
"Well… we do have a guesthouse, though I'm not sure it's suitable for the count," he said, fidgeting nervously.
"Anything will do," Rael said. "Just make sure it's clean."
"Yes, my lord. We clean it daily—I'll make sure everything is in order," the chief stammered.
He led us to a small wooden house. Modest, like the others, but clearly the village guesthouse.
The chief looked increasingly anxious, his gaze flitting between us.
Rael stepped inside without a word.
"This will do. I'll stay here," he said simply.
Two knights set up camp outside the house to stand guard.
Peter and I were hosted at the village chief's home, where he lived with his daughter and grandchildren.
The chief went out of his way to make us comfortable. The food was humble, but clearly made with care.
I offered to serve Rael, hoping for a chance to spend time with him. But the village chief gently refused.
"You're a guest here," he said kindly. "Please allow us to take care of everything."
Peter agreed, so I didn't insist.
I wanted to argue—this was my chance to be near Rael—but I couldn't risk revealing my true intentions. Someone might notice.
So I stayed quiet and forced a smile.