Chapter 139: A warm quiet.

The morning came quietly, without the hurried sounds of servants moving through the corridors or the distant ringing of bells that usually announced the beginning of a new day. Instead, Rosaline woke to the soft rustling of leaves above her tent and the faint chirping of birds hidden somewhere among the trees. The cool morning air seeped gently through the opening of the tent, carrying with it the earthy scent of damp soil and leaves. For a few moments, she remained still beneath the blanket, staring at the fabric above her as she slowly became aware of her surroundings.

Then the memories of the previous night returned.

The river.

The strange sensation of the water moving around her body.

Xandros pulling her from the water.

And then...

Rosaline squeezed her eyes shut.

She wished she could somehow erase that particular memory from her mind. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, the image of herself standing there in front of him refused to disappear. Her cheeks warmed at the thought, and she pulled the blanket closer around herself for a moment as though hiding beneath it could somehow protect her from the embarrassment.

Eventually, she let out a quiet breath and forced herself to sit up.

There was no point thinking about it anymore.

At least, that was what she told herself.

Rosaline stretched slowly, allowing the cool morning air to touch her face as she pushed a few strands of white hair away from her eyes. Surprisingly, her body felt rested despite everything that had happened the previous day. The ache of the long journey had eased, and there was a strange lightness in her limbs that she could not quite explain.

She folded the blanket neatly before reaching for her clothes.

The simple morning routine was something she had gradually become accustomed to during their journey. There were no maids waiting beside her bed, no attendants asking what she wished to wear, and no servants hovering nearby to make sure everything was done according to expectations. She simply dressed herself, arranged her hair as best she could, and prepared to face another day on the road.

There was something strangely peaceful about waking in the wilderness.

The forest did not care who she was.

It did not care that she was a princess or a duchess.

The trees simply stood where they had always stood, the birds sang without concern for titles, and the wind moved through the leaves without asking permission.

Rosaline found herself enjoying that freedom more than she expected.

When she finally stepped outside, she immediately noticed that the others were already awake.

Christophine was near the fire, preparing breakfast while Seth was helping with the horses. The flames from the previous night had been reduced to glowing embers, and thin strands of smoke drifted upward before disappearing among the trees. The three servants were already packing the tents, folding the canvas carefully and securing the belongings onto the carriages.

The camp looked completely different from how it had looked the night before.

The warmth and comfort of the fire remained only in the faint glow of the embers, while the tents were slowly disappearing one by one as everything was prepared for the continuation of their journey.

Rosaline took a slow breath.

Then she saw him.

Xandros stood beside one of the horses, speaking quietly to one of the coachmen who had accompanied them. He looked as though he had already been awake for some time. His shoulder-length hair was slightly tousled from sleep, and the morning light caught the pale strands as the breeze moved through them.

There was something about seeing him standing there so calmly that made Rosaline remember the previous night all over again.

As though sensing her gaze, Xandros turned.

Their eyes met.

His grey eyes settled on hers.

For one brief second, neither of them moved.

Rosaline’s heart gave an uncomfortable little flutter, and she immediately remembered everything that had happened the previous evening. The embarrassment returned so quickly that she almost felt the warmth spreading across her cheeks again.

She looked away.

Xandros did the same.

There was no greeting.

No teasing remark.

No question about whether she had slept well.

Nothing.

The silence between them seemed almost heavier than their argument had been.

Rosaline quickly walked toward Christophine, pretending that nothing had happened and keeping her expression as calm as possible.

"Good morning," Christophine greeted her brightly, handing her a cup of warm water.

"Good morning," Rosaline replied, accepting it.

She took a small sip while Christophine studied her face.

Then Christophine’s eyes shifted briefly toward Xandros.

She looked back at Rosaline.

Then toward Xandros again.

Rosaline noticed.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," Christophine replied innocently.

Rosaline narrowed her eyes.

Christophine smiled and turned back toward the fire.

Rosaline knew that expression.

It was the expression Christophine wore whenever she knew something but had decided to keep it to herself.

Rosaline chose not to ask.

Breakfast was simple, consisting of bread, fruit, and a little meat that had been prepared over the fire. Rosaline sat quietly while she ate, occasionally glancing around the camp while doing everything possible not to look in Xandros’s direction.

Yet despite her determination, she could still feel his presence.

It was strange.

She didn’t have to look at him to know where he was.

She could hear his voice whenever he spoke to the men preparing the horses. She could hear the occasional sound of hooves against the earth. Even when he said nothing, she somehow remained aware of him.

Rosaline took another bite of bread.

She wondered if he was looking at her.

She refused to check.

She focused on her breakfast instead, even though she suddenly found herself far more interested in the movement of the trees than the food in front of her.

Eventually, everyone finished eating.

The camp was quickly dismantled, and the journey resumed.

Rosaline entered the carriage with Christophine and settled into her seat while the wheels began to roll over the uneven forest path. She leaned against the side and watched the trees pass through the window, allowing herself to become absorbed in the scenery.

For some time, everything went smoothly.

The forest slowly began to thin as they travelled farther along the road, and sunlight filtered between the branches, painting shifting patterns across the ground. The horses moved steadily, their hooves striking the earth in a rhythmic beat that blended with the gentle creaking of the carriage.

Rosaline watched the scenery in silence.

She caught herself thinking about Xandros again.

She shook her head immediately.

She did not understand why she kept doing it.

Perhaps because he had been so quiet.

Perhaps because she was still angry.

Or perhaps because a small part of her had become accustomed to having him close.

Rosaline frowned at the thought.

She did not like the last possibility.

She quickly turned her attention back to the forest.

The road continued ahead of them, winding between the trees, and for a while the only sounds were the wheels of the carriage and the distant calls of birds.

Then, without warning, a sudden, unpleasant sound came from beneath the carriage.

Crack.

The carriage lurched violently.

Rosaline was thrown slightly forward and immediately grabbed the side of her seat to steady herself. Christophine reached for the opposite wall, her eyes widening in surprise.

"What was that?" Christophine asked.

Before Rosaline could answer, the carriage came to a complete stop.

Outside, several voices rose at once.

Rosaline immediately looked through the window.

One of the men had crouched beside the carriage, examining the wheel. Xandros had already come down from the other carriage and was walking toward them.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

"My Lord, the wheel has broken," the man replied, pointing toward the damaged wooden section. "It will take some time to repair."

Xandros crouched to examine it himself.

His fingers briefly touched the damaged portion of the wheel as he inspected the break. His expression remained unreadable, but Rosaline could tell from the slight narrowing of his eyes that he was not pleased with the situation.

"How long?" he asked.

The man hesitated.

"Perhaps an hour, my Lord. Maybe longer."

Xandros straightened.

"We cannot afford to wait that long."

Rosaline watched him through the window.

He glanced toward the other carriage before looking toward his horse.

For a moment, he seemed to consider the situation.

Then he made his decision.

"I will ride ahead," he said. "Prepare the horses for the others."

Christophine leaned closer to the window.

"He is going to ride?"

Rosaline remained silent.

There was something about the thought of Xandros riding ahead alone that made her uncomfortable, although she couldn’t explain why.

A moment later, Xandros approached the carriage.

Rosaline instinctively sat straighter.

He stopped beside the window, but instead of looking directly at her, he spoke to Christophine.

"You and Rosaline will take the other carriage."

Christophine nodded.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I will ride."

Rosaline finally looked at him.

Their eyes met again.

For a brief moment, the sounds around them seemed to fade into the background.

Neither of them said anything.

There were so many things Rosaline could have said.

She could have asked if he was going to be all right.

She could have asked how long he intended to ride.

She could have simply said goodbye.

But the words remained trapped somewhere inside her.

Xandros seemed equally unwilling to say anything.

He gave her a slight nod before stepping away.

Rosaline watched him mount his horse.

His movements were effortless, as though riding was something he had done all his life. Within moments, he was seated comfortably in the saddle, his hands resting lightly on the reins.

He adjusted them before looking toward the road ahead.

Then he rode off.

Rosaline continued watching until the trees eventually swallowed him from sight.

Only then did she realize that she had been staring after him for far too long.

She sighed softly and leaned back against her seat.

Christophine looked at her.

"You know," she said slowly, clearly trying not to smile, "you could have said goodbye."

Rosaline immediately turned toward her.

"I didn’t need to."

Christophine raised an eyebrow.

"I didn’t say you needed to."

Rosaline narrowed her eyes.

"Then don’t start."

Christophine laughed softly.

"I didn’t say anything."

"You were about to."

"I was merely making an observation."

Rosaline turned toward the window again.

"Keep your observations to yourself."

Christophine’s smile only grew.

The second carriage eventually began moving again, and the journey continued.

Without Xandros around them, the carriage seemed strangely quieter.

Rosaline spent most of the journey looking through the window. Christophine occasionally spoke about something she noticed along the road, but even she eventually became quiet, apparently sensing that Rosaline was lost in her thoughts.

The road stretched endlessly ahead.

Trees passed one after another.

Birds flew between the branches.

The wheels rolled steadily against the earth.

Rosaline rested her cheek against her hand.

And once again, she found herself thinking about Xandros.

She wondered how far ahead he was.

She wondered if he was comfortable on the horse.

She wondered if he had eaten anything.

Her eyebrows slowly drew together.

Why was she worrying about him?

He was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

She folded her arms and stared stubbornly out of the window.

He was a duke.

A powerful one at that.

He had probably spent more time travelling through forests and riding horses than she had spent walking through gardens.

There was absolutely no reason for her to worry.

She nodded to herself as though she had successfully settled the matter.

Then a few moments later, she found herself wondering whether he had remembered to bring water.

Rosaline’s expression tightened.

"Ridiculous," she muttered under her breath.

Christophine glanced at her.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Christophine studied her for a moment but wisely decided not to ask.

Rosaline turned back toward the window.

She had just begun convincing herself to stop thinking about him when the carriage slowed slightly.

The change in movement caught her attention.

A servant appeared beside the carriage carrying a small covered tray.

"My lady," he said politely, holding it toward her. "This was sent for you."

Rosaline looked at the tray.

"For me?"

"Yes, my lady."

She accepted it, her curiosity immediately awakened.

The servant bowed before stepping away.

Rosaline placed the tray carefully on her lap and looked at Christophine.

"What is this?"

Christophine shrugged.

"I have no idea."

Rosaline lifted the cloth.

Her eyes widened slightly.

A pastry rested neatly on the small plate.

It was unlike anything she had seen before.

The pastry had been delicately shaped, its surface golden from being baked, with a faint dusting of sugar scattered across the top. Tiny pieces of fruit had been pressed into the pastry, and a sweet, unfamiliar scent immediately reached her.

Rosaline stared at it for several seconds.

"What is that?" she asked.

Christophine leaned closer.

"I don’t know."

Rosaline looked toward the servant, but he was already walking away.

She picked up the pastry carefully.

"Perhaps I should ask him."

"He’s already gone."

Rosaline looked at the pastry again.

There was something oddly thoughtful about it.

She had never seen anything like it before, which made her even more curious.

"What do you think it is?" she asked.

Christophine’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

Rosaline immediately noticed.

"What?"

Christophine leaned closer, lowering her voice.

"It was Your Xandros."

Rosaline blinked.

"What?"

"He sent it."

Rosaline looked down at the pastry again.

For a moment, she simply stared.

The words settled somewhere deep inside her.

Xandros had sent it.

Even though they had barely spoken that morning.

Even though there was still an awkward silence between them.

Even though he had decided to ride ahead rather than remain in the carriage.

He had still thought of her.

The corners of Rosaline’s lips lifted despite her best efforts.

She quickly lowered her head so Christophine would not see the smile properly.

"Oh," she murmured casually.

Christophine’s smile widened.

"Oh?"

Rosaline picked up the pastry.

"It is just a pastry."

"I didn’t say it wasn’t."

Rosaline gave her a suspicious look before taking a small bite.

The sweetness spread across her tongue almost immediately.

Her eyes softened.

It was delicious.

She took another bite, trying very hard to maintain the indifferent expression she had decided to wear.

Inside, however, something warm had begun to bloom.

Xandros had remembered her.

Even after their awkward silence that morning.

Even after the previous night’s argument.

He had still thought about what she might want to eat.

Rosaline lowered her eyes to the pastry.

A small smile threatened to return to her lips.

She quickly hid it by taking another bite.

She could imagine him riding somewhere ahead of them, probably looking as serious and intimidating as ever, while somehow finding the time to send her something he thought she might enjoy.

The thought made her smile again.

She immediately looked toward the window.

She hoped Christophine had not noticed.

Of course, Christophine had noticed.She simply chose not to say anything.

Rosaline continued eating the pastry, savoring every bite while pretending that it meant absolutely nothing to her.

Inside, however, she could not deny the small happiness it had brought her.

She had expected the silence between them to make the journey uncomfortable.

Instead, this tiny gesture had somehow made the distance between them feel a little less significant.

Christophine watched her quietly for a few seconds before shaking her head with an amused smile.

Rosaline noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Then stop looking at me."

"I am not looking at you."

"You are."

Christophine turned toward the window, pretending to be fascinated by the trees.

Rosaline rolled her eyes, but the smile returned to her face almost immediately.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The carriage continued along the winding road, the steady rhythm of its wheels filling the silence.

Outside, the forest gradually opened into a wider stretch of land, allowing more sunlight to fall across the road. The breeze carried the scent of grass and wildflowers, and somewhere in the distance, the sound of running water could be heard.

Rosaline rested her head against the side of the carriage.

Her thoughts returned to Xandros.

She wondered where he was now.

Perhaps he was still riding ahead.

Perhaps he had stopped somewhere to wait for them.

She wondered if he knew whether she had liked the pastry.

Then she frowned.

Of course he wouldn’t know.

Unless...

She looked down at the empty plate.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

She quickly shook the thought away.

The rest of the journey remained quiet.

The carriage continued along the winding road while Xandros and his horse remained somewhere ahead. Rosaline occasionally caught sight of him whenever the road opened between the trees, and each time she quickly looked away before Christophine could notice.

She told herself she was only checking whether he was still ahead.

Nothing more.

Yet every time she saw him, that same quiet warmth returned.

And for the first time since they had left the forest clearing, the silence between them did not feel quite as cold as it had that morning.