Moonlit Sylvan

I wasn't entirely sure why Ludwig relented and allowed me to accompany them, but I was grateful nonetheless. Despite his evident anger, he must have seen the urgency in my desire to find a way back home.

Swiftly, I changed into thick, warm clothes suitable for the journey ahead. I made sure to grab a scarf and some other essentials, packing them into a small bag. In less than ten minutes, I found myself standing beside Liam, who was patiently waiting for Ludwig to join us before we departed.

My nerves were frayed, and I struggled to maintain composure. Despite my efforts to appear calm, my mind raced with anticipation and uncertainty. Riding in the luxury carriage should have been a moment to appreciate, but I was too preoccupied with thoughts of what lay ahead on our journey into the unknown.

As I settled into the luxurious carriage, memories of my time with Elizabeth flooded my mind. In my world, carriages with intricate designs were symbols of wealth and status. I recalled how Elizabeth, before she lost the ability to walk, would marvel at passing carriages, expressing her desire to one day ride in one herself. She dreamed of owning a carriage so that my uncle wouldn't have to work so hard.

The thought of Elizabeth brought a pang of sadness, and I had to fight back tears. If she were here with me now, I knew she would be enchanted by the elegance of the carriage we were traveling in. I wished she could see it, but I took solace in the belief that she was thinking of me from wherever she was.

As the carriage rolled along, I couldn't help but admire its understated elegance. The exterior, predominantly black to avoid drawing attention, belied the opulence within. 

Inside, the scene was breathtaking. The seats, upholstered in plush red cushions, beckoned with their comfort. Overhead, the ceiling gleamed with gold accents, casting a warm glow throughout the carriage. Even the walls and floor were adorned with intricate gold details, lending an air of luxury to the space. 

Every aspect of the interior design, from the delicate metalwork to the rich fabrics, spoke of wealth and refinement. I imagined Elizabeth's reaction if she were here—her eyes wide with wonder, perhaps even shedding tears of awe at the sight before her.

As the carriage rattled along the forested path toward Moonlit Sylvan, the habitat of the Werebeasts and Percival's cohort, a sense of apprehension settled over me. I had never encountered Werebeasts before, creatures similar to werewolves, and the unknown filled me with unease.

What did they look like? Were they as ferocious as the tales depicted them? Would they attack me on sight, recognizing me as a vulnerable human?

Despite the flurry of questions swirling in my mind, I refused to succumb to fear. I had chosen to accompany Ludwig and Liam on this journey for a reason—to confront the group who had kidnapped me and to seek answers to the mysteries surrounding my arrival in this world. And no amount of trepidation would deter me from that mission.

As we drew closer to our destination, my impatience grew, fueled by a longing to reunite with my family back home. It had been months since I found myself stranded in this unfamiliar world, and the ache of separation weighed heavily on my heart.

Thoughts of my uncle's ailing health and Elizabeth's struggles with breathing haunted me, adding to my anxiety. I desperately hoped they were managing without me, but the uncertainty gnawed at me relentlessly.

Despite the mounting doubts and fears, I refused to let them weaken my resolve. I clung to the belief that answers awaited me at Moonlit Sylvan, and with each passing moment, my determination to uncover the truth only strengthened. Whatever obstacles lay ahead, I was prepared to face them head-on, fueled by the unwavering desire to return home to my loved ones.

My mind wandered to the prospect of returning home, envisioning the joyous reunion with my family. The thought of being reunited with my uncle, auntie, and Elizabeth filled me with a sense of hope and longing, casting the challenges I faced in this world as nothing more than a bad dream.

But amidst my reverie, a pang of uncertainty crept in. What would Ludwig feel upon my return? Would he be relieved to no longer bear the burden of harboring me, or would he feel a sense of loss at my departure? The thought troubled me, but I quickly dismissed it, reminding myself that my priority was to return home, regardless of the impact on others.

As the carriage continued its journey, I resolved to focus on the present moment, pushing aside thoughts of the future. The only thing that mattered was reaching Moonlit Sylvan and uncovering the truth that would pave the way for my journey back to where I belonged.

I understood Ludwig's reluctance to have me seen by the Ministers to prevent potential chaos. As someone not from this world, there was a risk they might not accept me and could harbor negative sentiments. Despite Ludwig and Liam's royal lineage, Lily had mentioned the Ministers' considerable influence in the realm's governance. The thought of the Ministers discovering Ludwig harboring someone from another world filled me with fear. It could lead to them turning against Ludwig, which would only exacerbate tensions. Returning home quickly seemed like the best course of action to avoid any potential disruptions or conflicts.

The royal cousins were indeed a puzzle to unravel. Ludwig's demeanor, Alexa's eccentricity, and Liam's enigmatic nature added to the intrigue. Despite their complexities, I remained deeply grateful to them for their unwavering support and assistance. They had not abandoned me in this unfamiliar and often harsh world, and for that, I was profoundly indebted to them. I was determined not to bring trouble their way, knowing they had only shown kindness and aid.

As I gazed out the carriage window, attempting to distract myself, a multitude of emotions washed over me.

The scene before me was both shocking and heart-wrenching. While I had been aware of the food shortage, I hadn't expected it to be this severe. My eyes couldn't help but scan the desolate landscape, where once-thriving trees now stood as barren reminders of a fading hope. Amongst them, children clothed in rags stretched out their hands in desperate supplication.

Driven by compassion, I couldn't remain idle. Knocking on the carriage ceiling, I brought our journey to a halt. Within moments, a valiant knight emerged, his eyes alert as he assessed the situation. 

"Is there any problem, My Lady?" he asked.

"This won't take a while," I replied firmly.

Despite my embarrassment at interrupting our journey, my resolve to assist remained firm. Stepping out of the carriage, I distributed the provisions we had brought to the hungry children who awaited our aid.

The children's eyes widened in disbelief as I handed them the food, their expressions shifting from astonishment to overwhelming gratitude as they received it. Tears of joy streamed down their faces as they eagerly shared the provisions amongst themselves. Witnessing their plight, my heart swelled with a mixture of compassion and sorrow.

Meanwhile, Ludwig, noticing that our carriage had stopped, gracefully emerged and scanned the area, his gaze eventually settling on me. Despite expecting a reprimand for distributing our provisions, I was met with silence as Ludwig simply regarded me with an inscrutable expression.

As the children multiplied in number, my eyes widened in astonishment. Their desperate faces, marked by dirt, emaciation, and scars, reached out to me with outstretched hands. I felt a pang of anguish in my chest as I beheld their suffering, reminded of the times when I too had gone hungry.

If only I possessed the power to alleviate their plight, I would have acted without hesitation. However, all I could do was watch as Ludwig and Liam, along with the knights accompanying us, retrieved the food from their carriage to distribute among the children. Despite my initial concern about depleting our provisions, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude that they were willing to offer aid to those in need.

From what I gathered, the Ministers were unaware of our mission, hence our limited number of knights and horses to accompany the carriage.

The knights moved with silent efficiency, their movements precise and purposeful. It was evident from their aura that they were formidable warriors, far beyond the ordinary stature of knights.

After providing the children with food and blankets, we resumed our journey, the carriages once again in motion as we pressed forward towards our destination.