Near the Brior-Karzol border was the territory governed by Count Zackfil.
Even without the title of Margrave, Count Zackfil was authorized to mobilize the army at his discretion in case of Karzolean invasion.
Still, since the last skirmish a few decades ago, there has been no active conflict between Brior and Karzol. That’s why the border defense right now is solely being handled by Count Zackfil’s personal army.
The fastest way to travel from Brior’s royal capital to the Zackfil territory is by taking a train and switching to a ship. Brior’s railroad service is being spearheaded by Baron Dorua whose territory is located to the southeast of the royal capital. The technology is not yet that widespread but there is a railroad running from the Dorua territory to the territory of Count Realis in the south. From the capital, they will take a horse-drawn carriage to the Dorua territory then take the train to the Realis territory before traveling on another carriage for about half a day to reach the port where they will sail through the Edival canal. With this, they should arrive in Count Zackfil’s territory in 3 to 4 days.
With Alan, Cyrus, and Princess Florencia on this trip, the number of maids and guards accompanying them is naturally high. That’s why Olivia decided to take the same carriage with Alan and Cyrus in order to reduce the number of carriages and guards as much as possible. Princess Florencia will travel in her own carriage with the maid that accompanied her from Levanor while Olivia’s servants are in another separate carriage.
“This is our first time since the opening ceremony that we get to use the train huh.”
Alan said while looking out the window.
The railway opened its service a year and a half ago. The opening ceremony was attended by the King, Alan, and Olivia who was Alan’s fiancee at the time and she hasn’t boarded a train since then either.
“Come to think of it, you seemed unusually panicked back then right.”
Said Alan with a chuckle.
On the other hand, Olivia makes up an excuse.
“I, I was just surprised by how loud the engine was………when it actually started moving, we were traveling so fast too, it was scary…….”
Back then, the train suddenly made a deafening whistle-like noise and accelerated. Olivia was scared when she saw the scenery outside the window changing in a blink of an eye. That being said, unlike Olivia whose face turned blue out of fear the entire trip, Alan looked like he was fully enjoying himself.
“Olivia, are you still scared of it?”
Cyrus looked at her and asked with a worried voice.
When she answered so with a smile, Alan deliberately let out a sigh.
“Can you not flirt inside this tiny carriage? I will not know where to look otherwise.”
Hearing that, Olivia’s cheeks instantly reddened.
“W, We are not fli—–.”
“Too bad, Aniue. We are always like this you know.”
“Your Highness Cyrus!?”
Olivia panicked when Cyrus said that instead of denying it but he just calmly pulled Olivia closer to him by her shoulder.
After glaring at his younger brother a little, Alan shut his eyes and crossed his arms as though he gave up.
“Whatever, I’m taking a nap.”
It seems that Alan’s mood has soured.
(It’s because His Highness Cyrus is fooling around!)
Olivia felt sorry for Alan but unlike his elder brother, Cyrus is in a good mood. Perhaps it’s fortunate that Alan shut his eyes, Cyrus placed a kiss on Olivia’s head.
Anxious for the problem between the two in the future, Olivia let out a sigh.