Chapter 62

This country is a long, narrow land within a vast continent, stretching out in a slender form.

I know this much, and it seems that having four seasons is one of the country’s characteristics. The long, narrow country extends from northeast to southwest, surrounded by foreign countries on three sides, and has an inland sea on one side, allowing one to travel to the opposite side of the inland sea by boat in just one day.

Although it is surrounded by foreign countries, the paths are often blocked by high mountains and checkpoints, so most of the citizens spend their lives within the country. It is by no means a small country, and the capital where we live is at its center, a large city with a seaport.

With both the trade port and the royal castle, there are many jobs, which naturally leads to a large population. Compared to other cities in the country, the population density here is apparently quite high, but I don’t know the details. The number of people fluctuates, and only the castle, or more specifically, the government offices, have the precise figures. We don’t learn such details in our lady’s education.

From the center of this country, I set out from the capital for the first time with Sir Percival, heading east into the mountains. He knows what the destination is, but when I asked, he only said, "It’s a surprise when we get there," and wouldn’t tell me more.

"But I think you’ll like it, Mimosa."

"Will I? This is my first trip... Father often returned to our estate, but since we lived frugally, I’ve never been there."

"All the more reason it will be convenient. Besides, the royal estate, the mansion, and the land are wonderful. Although it’s managed by a viscount, the place we’re going today is managed by a civil servant, so you don’t have to worry about titles."

"Really, civil servants can manage such places?"

"Yes. A viscount manages the land perpetually, passing it down to their children, but when a civil servant manages it, they rotate every six months, handling taxes and public works within the estate. Of course, they don’t have the authority to decide on public works, so they send documents to the king for approval. It’s truly a royal estate."

As someone originally from a viscount’s family, I thought I might feel a bit uncomfortable if the land was managed by another viscount, so I was somewhat relieved.

Still, I wonder what about this place will make me like it. This is my first time leaving the capital, and my dates have only been in the city. The places I’ve liked outside are bookstores, shops selling embroidery threads, and the library, where Sir Percival now buys new books for me before I can visit.

Without knowing our destination, I gazed out the window, my eyes sparkling at the changing scenery outside the capital.

Waves of golden wheat I had never seen before, pastoral landscapes dotted with small villages, and white houses under large trees with cute roofs.

There is life here, and I only know this scenery from my imagination.

"Wow..."

"Already liking it?"

As I pressed my face to the window with a cry of delight, Sir Percival chuckled and asked.

"Yes, it’s so beautiful...!"

"That’s good. You won’t get bored until we reach our destination, so keep looking out the window. Just remember, don’t open the window because it’s dangerous."

"Dangerous...?"

Wondering what he meant, I tilted my head, and Sir Percival pointed down the road, pressing his forehead to the window.

"This is a main road, so carriages often pass each other. Most of the time, they move at a steady pace like ours, but sometimes you might encounter a carriage in a hurry. It’s dangerous to stick your hands or face out the window, so please be patient and enjoy the view through the glass."

That does sound scary. Although we haven’t encountered any carriages yet, if one suddenly passed by, I would definitely be startled and freeze.

I nodded seriously at Sir Percival’s warning, and he smiled a little, then pointed out the window to show me a river shimmering in the sunlight, stretching from the distant ridge.

I was completely distracted by this, and ended up being captivated by the view outside the window until we reached the town where we were to stay for the night. The book I had brought to read on the journey remained closed beside my seat the entire time.