Chapter 26: What Am I Thinking

With that, Caelan and Eveline finally boarded the carriage.

The men Eveline hired helped place their things at the back while the driver made sure everything was properly secured. Once everything was ready, Eveline immediately climbed inside and took the seat beside the window.

Caelan followed right after her.

The inside of the carriage was surprisingly spacious. There were cushioned seats on both sides, enough room for them to stretch their legs, and even small curtains covering the windows.

"Oh..." Caelan sat across from Eveline. The moment his ass touched the seat, his entire body immediately relaxed.

"This is nice."

"I told you I hired the best one we could afford." Eveline muttered with a small smile on her face. She looked incredibly proud of herself. After all, she worked hard for weeks just to afford this!

"So, how much did you spend on this?" Caelan’s curious eyes went to her.

"..."

"Eveline?"

"Uh... Don’t worry about it." Eveline’s smile turned to an uncertain one with that question.

"No," Caelan narrowed his eyes. Now he had got more curious. "How much is it?"

"Just enjoy the ride, Caelan."

Before he could question her any further, the carriage suddenly moved, disrupting them. The horses slowly began pulling them forward, causing the carriage to shake slightly as the wheels rolled against the road.

"We’re now moving!" Eveline immediately turned toward the window. The brightness in her eyes was evident as she partied the curtain so she could look outside.

Caelan chuckled lightly when he saw that Eveline practically glued herself to the window. He didn’t understand how she could be this excited when she had probably ridden in far better carriages before.

Without anything to do, Caelan looked through the window as well. In there, he watched the village that homed them or the past few weeks. He used to walk in this streets, tired after work. Now, he was watching in a carriage, enjoying the view and breathing the air.

It was strange to think that this small village had been his home for the past few weeks.

’But it’s not bad at all.’ A small smile appeared on his face.

"What are you smiling about?" Eveline’s eyes squinted. She was looking at the window when she saw Caelan just smiling all of a sudden.

"Nothing." Caelan simply laughed at her question.

"Nothing?" Eveline looked at him suspiciously. "You were smiling by yourself."

"Can’t I smile now?"

"You can, but that was suspicious."

Caelan laughed again, which only made Eveline narrow her eyes even more. She stared at him for a few seconds, trying to figure out what was going through his head. But when Caelan refused to say anything else, she eventually shook her head.

"Whatever."

Eveline then pointed toward the box sitting near the corner of the carriage. It was the only box that the men from earlier had placed inside with them. The rest of their belongings had been secured at the back.

"There’s some food and drinks in there," Eveline said. "I bought more than enough for the journey, so just help yourself if you get hungry."

Caelan glanced at the box and nodded. "Thank you."

"Anyway, I’m going to take a nap. I’m tired." Eveline simply waved her hand at that.

"Already?"

"Yes. I woke up early to prepare everything while someone was just sitting around waiting for me."

"Alright, alright. Go sleep." Caelan smiled but he couldn’t even fight back since it was true. Well, he woke up without her already so there was that.

"You better not eat everything." Eveline jokingly glared at him.

"I won’t."

She continued staring at him suspiciously for a moment before finally closing her eyes. She leaned her head to the side and made herself comfortable. Caelan could only shake his head with a smile.

The carriage continued moving along the road, gently swaying from side to side. This time Caelan didn’t get nauseous. Maybe it was because the carriage was actually nice.

For the next few minutes, the sound of the horses’ hooves and the wheels rolling against the ground filled the silence between them. It didn’t take long too before Eveline’s breathing became slower and deeper.

Caelan glanced toward her before shaking his head. She was already asleep.

"That was fast..." He expected that she would have a hard time falling a sleep, but that was not the case at all.

Caelan leaned back against his seat and looked outside again. However, after a few seconds, his eyes unconsciously returned to Eveline.

Now that she wasn’t talking or teasing him, she looked strangely peaceful.

Her blonde hair rested neatly around her shoulders, slightly moving whenever the carriage shook. The sunlight coming through the small opening between the curtains fell gently across her face. a

Caelan stared at her. He had always known that Eveline was beautiful. It was impossible not to notice.

But right now, dressed nicely in her new clothes and sleeping peacefully by the window, she looked different. Almost ethereal.

’She’s really beautiful...’ The thought naturally entered his mind.

Caelan blinked before he quickly looked away.

’What am I even thinking?’ He cleared his throat quietly before turning his attention back toward the window.

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A/N: The book is now contracted!! Thank you for all your support.