episode_0009

The massive iron horse known as the train, which emerged after the opening of railways connecting the east and west, as well as the north and south of the empire, was gradually changing the framework of the empire’s transportation system.

Now, within a day, one could taste the fragrant fruits of the west in the capital, and within another day, the rice from the west could transform into delicious risotto with seafood from the east.

And this wasn’t limited to just freight transport.

The newly introduced passenger trains had deeply penetrated the lives of the imperial citizens in just under 10 years.

The train was free from the threats of bandits attacking travelers.

Compared to traveling on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, the train was dramatically faster and thus more convenient.

Moreover, thanks to the long rows of passenger cars, a large number of people could be transported at once, allowing not only nobles but also commoners to access this new mode of transportation.

Now, for travelers who needed to cover long distances, their primary task was not acquiring a good horse or quality shoes, nor finding companions to travel with. It became obtaining a train ticket that would take them to their desired station by rushing to the train station.

In some regions, the power of local nobles was determined not by the number of knights they possessed, but by whether they had a train station in their domain.

As a result, at the central station in the capital where all the railway lines converged, countless trains came and went throughout the day.

Two carriages gradually slowed down from the square with the clock tower and eventually came to a stop at the entrance of the central station in the capital.

The grand and splendid carriage bearing the emblem of the Baernga family alone was already a sight to behold, and the fact that not just one but two carriages stopped in succession added to the spectacle.

Those who were idling in the square and even those hurrying on their way momentarily paused to gaze at the magnificent carriages.

“It’s said that the youngest daughter of the Baernga family is suffering from a fever.”

“She lost her memory and has become completely bedridden.”

“Oh, how pitiful. Even their eldest daughter had such a fate. Tut-tut.”

“Ah! What’s so pitiful about it! They’re just rebels from the west. Hmph… But I heard that the youngest daughter is quite beautiful… cough.”

People stood watching the Baernga family’s carriage, exchanging recent rumors with each other.

Their appearances and the words on their lips varied as much as their clothing, but the common theme remained the same.

The youngest daughter of the Baernga family.

The true darling of the Baernga family.

The treasure of the west cherished by the Baernga family.

It was all about Eleanor Arène de Baernga.

However, the subject of these stories paid no attention to how she was being talked about outside.

To her, the gazes of people looking at her through the window seemed not pitiful but envious of her riding in the splendid carriage.

So, this is what they call the feeling of alighting in style?

No wonder everyone rushes to get foreign carriages and becomes captivated.

While Eleanor was lost in her own thoughts, everyone in the carriage except her busily prepared to disembark.

The kindly-faced coachman got down from his seat and swung open the carriage door.

Soon, Albris, who happened to be the closest to the door among the men inside, leaped out of the carriage first.

Although Eleanor initially thought the carriage interior felt quite spacious, seeing the bulky figure of the man turning his shoulders around made it seem less so.

Albris began organizing the crowd surrounding him along with the knights of the Baernga family who had also disembarked from the following carriage.

Eleanor sat beside Manuel, effortlessly leaping down beneath the carriage.

Now it was Eleanor’s turn.

Her heart fluttered slightly.

In the air she could directly face.

Excited by the unfamiliar sensation of experiencing proper disembarkation, Eleanor hurried to get off the carriage.

“Just a moment, Eli. Wait a moment.”

However, the cantankerous old man who had suddenly returned to the carriage stopped Eleanor, who was trying to feel the disembarkation.

What could be the reason? Eleanor anxiously looked out the window.

The coachmen were turning away the people gathered around the carriage. The number of people surrounding them had significantly decreased.

Oh, really! If she didn’t get off quickly, there would be no sense of disembarkation or anything!

“Come on, hold onto Grandpa’s hand and get off carefully because it’s dangerous.”

Eleanor tilted her head gently. A footrest that hadn’t been there when Manuel got off suddenly appeared in front of the carriage entrance.

And just like when she boarded the carriage, Albrice was smiling slyly, extending his hand to Eleanor.

Ah, when did he prepare something like this again?

Although she felt a bit hesitant to hold his hand, Eleanor endured and received Albrice’s escort, lightly walking down from the carriage.

#.

Her heart thumped.

Her chest, wrapped tightly in a corset, felt like it might burst out.

Numerous people passing by.

The deafening noise of the train’s horn as if it could burst eardrums.

Even an unknown strange smell wafting from somewhere over there.

Eleanor, who unintentionally lived a slow life in a quiet suburban mansion for almost two weeks, found everything inside the platform extremely stimulating.

Like tasting a chocolate pie for the first time in the army.

Of course, it would be the exact opposite emotion.

However, what made Eleanor restless was not just external stimuli.

“Look, is that the train over there?”

The frills full of lace on the white glove trembled.

Unable to respond properly to Grandpa pointing at the huge black iron horse with a gentle smile, Eleanor only nodded slightly.

As the train approached closer to the platform, the trembling became more intense.

Eleanor’s mind was in a very troubled state.

They were her parents, but they were not the parents of the Duchess.

She was Eleanor’s parent, but she didn’t even know their faces.

Because the Duchess had illegally occupied Eleanor’s body, the turmoil in her mind only grew larger.

In a way, to her parents, Eleanor, or rather the Duchess, was like a parasitic being who took the body of their beloved daughter.

What if they find out that I’m not Eleanor? There’s something between parents and children, right?

The thoughts that haunted her alone one night were once again swirling in Eleanor’s mind as she gazed at the slowly stopping train, her only action being to exhale quietly.

If I get kicked out of the mansion. Could I endure even a day with this body?

If that happens, it will truly be a waste, this.

Finally, the black iron horse let out a loud roar as it came to a stop on the rails, its size matching the thunderous noise.

The train came to a stop, and navy-clad station attendants began bustling around.

Soon, the train doors opened, and people started pouring out one by one.

Among the crowd that disembarked from the train, Albrice tightly held Eleonore’s hand like she was a child and led her to the last carriage.

“The VIP cabin is in the last carriage!”

Albrice shouted loudly amidst the crowd.

Perhaps nobility lies in composure.

The last carriage’s door slowly opened only after Albrice and Eleonore arrived, with the doors of other carriages opening first.

First, a robust man with black hair wearing a crushed black felt hat descended.

Following him, a booming voice filled the air.

“Eleonore! Elli, where are you?”

A gray-haired old man, perhaps having enjoyed the train’s bar car, turned his head amidst the crowd, earnestly searching for someone.

Fortunately, Eleonore breathed a sigh of relief. Her parents would have no trouble recognizing her.

“Elli, let’s go.”

Gently, the burly hand pushed Eleonore forward.

As Eleonore glanced sharply at Albrice’s cautious gaze, he simply looked back with a sly smile, as always.

Sighing deeply, Eleonore took a deep breath.

She then coughed softly, smoothing her voice, and stepped towards the old man calling her name eagerly.

Their eyes met.

The old man’s face, meeting Eleonore’s, bore an indescribable expression.

“Oh, Father. It’s me, Eleonore.”

With a faint smile, Eleonore gently lowered her head.

Subsequently, the old man confidently strode forward, his steps as loud as his voice had been.

Eleonore tightly shut her eyes.

Lord Changbaek, please be gentle if you intend to hit me. Look at our size difference. If you hit me hard, your daughter might end up dead—

However, what returned was the warm embrace of her father.

He then gently, almost lethally, embraced Eleonore.

“Ugh, ugh. Fa—ther. I can’t, breathe—”

“This old man! He really wants to kill his daughter, wants to. Quickly, let Ellie go,”

A voice of salvation seemed to come from the heavens, allowing Eleonore to breathe again.

I thought I was really going to die. So this is a bear hug…

As Eleonore freed herself from her father’s embrace and caught her breath, the voice of salvation echoed in her ears once more.

“Elli, why have you become so thin? Hm? Is your body okay now? Do you know how worried Dad was?”

“Uh, Mother.”

“Look at how much weight you’ve lost. Are you eating well?”

“Yes. I’m eating diligently.”

Eleonore raised her gaze slightly to the lady in front of her.

Sky-blue irises inherited from her mother, Eleonore realized.

However, her mother’s gaze, full of concern, stirred guilt in Eleonore’s heart.

Unable to meet that face, Eleonore subtly turned her head away.

“I heard everything. Claiming memory loss. Our child, you must have gone through a lot.”

Once again, a warm scent enveloped Eleonore.

Unlike her father’s warm yet firm embrace, her mother’s embrace was sweet and tender.

The woman’s body naturally desired sweetness and softness like other women of her age, inadvertently finding herself tightly embracing her mother.

“I-I’m sorry. Sniff.”

Her lips moved involuntarily, the voice that burst out moist with tears.

“What do you have to apologize for?”

“Oh, no. Sniff. I’m sorry.”

She couldn’t explain the reason, lacking the courage to reveal it to Seojuha.

However, her mother did not delve further, simply brushing off her daughter’s slender back, whispering reassurances.

The man in a shabby felt hat leaned against a pillar on the VIP platform, watching a poignant scene of a mother, daughter, and reunion.

“That young lady must be the youngest daughter of Baek Byungbae.”

As the rumors spread even to the remote corners of the north, Baek Byungga’s youngest daughter, the true lady of Baek Byungga, indeed possessed exceptional beauty.

Beneath neat golden hair, her face bloomed like a bright spring day flower, exuding a radiant beauty.

Contrary to her delicate figure, elegant curves emitted a mature woman’s fragrance, distinct from her youthful face.

Throughout the day, the Baek Byung couple had reason to boast loudly.

The man nodded as he watched Eleonore weep in the arms of the Countess of Baek.

“Your Grace, are you interested in Lady Eleanor of Baek?”

“Heh, quite unexpected.”

Startled by the stern and sharp voice behind him, the man in the felt hat, Duke Dmitri, turned around.

Behind him stood a blonde woman in a tidy black uniform, raising her hand above her eyebrow in a salute.

“Daphne, please watch your manners. This isn’t the North. I almost struck someone for real.”

“Your Grace, that’s what I wanted to say. Please mind your manners. What kind of Duke travels alone, without any contact, escort, all the way to the capital?”

The blonde woman, Daphne, glared at Dmitri.

Despite her disdainful gaze, Dmitri casually raised his hand to his head and spoke.

“Ahaha. Daphne, you know I was an internal affairs official. It doesn’t suit me well.”

“So please, work on your demeanor, really. Last night, the Princess Consort personally sent a message. Father has disappeared again without any escort.”

“Really? Ugh. I’ll hear another lecture when I go up. Oh well, let’s eat first. The train was so shaky I couldn’t even put anything in my mouth, starving.”

Despite holding the position of a Duke, the Duke before him appeared remarkably unassuming.

Thanks to his unpretentious nature, memories of assisting the Duke in the cold north resurfaced, prompting Daphne to sigh deeply.