"Master, please wake up, Lady Eleanor is calling for you."
I slowly wake up due to the sudden voice of Eleanor's maid.
"Is she alright?"
"Yes, Lady Eleanor told me to bring you to the bathhouse immediately, and she told me to tell you not to bring any servants."
"I see. You may leave."
It's 04:00 A.M. What does she want at this hour?
I got out of the bed and exited my room to go to the bathhouse.
"My lord, come and take a bath."
Eleanor was sitting in the bathhouse completely naked.
"Why are you naked?!"
"I just wanted to talk to you before you leave for the Kingdom."
"Can't we talk in your room?"
"No, you must depart immediately after taking the bath so that you safely reach Greystone before nightfall."
Greystone is the town that would be the most suitable to stop for the night when going towards the Kingdom.
"Now please remove your clothes and sit here so I can help you wash."
What happened to her? All of a sudden she is bold.
"Alright."
I obediently sit in front of her.
"I wanted to say that the things you told me yesterday—don't tell them to anyone else, or they will notify the temple or the guards."
"Yes, I know."
"Yet you took the gamble to tell me all that yesterday? You know, right, I could have told it to anyone by now."
"I guess."
Ok, she is clearly scolding me for being too dumb yesterday. Last night, when I was thinking about our conversation, I was also quite surprised at how that conversation went on so easily.
"Don't talk to anyone unnecessarily."
"Yes."
"I think I should tag along with you. The way you acted yesterday, I'm sure you'll be caught today only."
"No, I will be back safely."
"I doubt it. You're not acting like a noble. Since I came here, you've been acting quite the opposite of how you used to act in public gatherings and functions."
Is she getting suspicious of me? No, that can't be. If I'm caught today, I will be killed.
"I was just nervous."
"It's been a long time since we met. I guess people do change and it's not like we ever had a conversation in private before."
"Yes, that is it. One acts completely different in public, no?"
"I guess."
Eleanor has been bathing me like a mother bathes her children.
"By the way, Eleanor, I plan to join Iris Academy as well."
"Why? It's just something for the nobles who don't have a good position in their families."
"I don't think so. I'm sure the future of this Kingdom depends on the Iris Academy."
"You are acting too weird."
It must have been too much for her, and yet she is taking care of me.
I am not even her husband.
She is diligently washing me without a hint of lust in her eyes.
She got up so early for me.
She is right now washing my back.
"Eleanor."
I turn toward her and look straight into her eyes.
"I am not the one you agreed to marry. I am not the Lucian Valemont you know of. You don't have to do all this just because you agreed to marry Lucian. I promise I will never lay my hands on you if you don't want me to."
"What are you talking about?"
"Exactly what I said."
"Enough with the jokes. I am leaving. I don't care about you."
Eleanor got up and left the bathhouse.
"Well, I told her the truth. I'm sure she already has an idea of what I meant."
It is for the best.
From what I have come to know, there are only three people who Lucian could rely on:
My father, Seren, and lastly, Eleanor.
The original Lucian is dead, and so I will have to take his place as the son of the Valemont house.
Seren is bound to this body, and there is no one other than me whom she can be trusted with.
But for Eleanor, it's different. She is neither bound to me nor incapacitated to live without me, and I'm sure she can later be married off to another man of her choice when I have gained strength in this world. Proving one's innocence is also very easy in the Holy Temple.
After Eleanor left, I immediately finished my bath and prepared for the journey.
Father has also prepared enough money for me to travel leisurely for the next 5 days.
Well, I will live humbly for the next 5 days, but I have to make sure that I don't damage my status as the heir of the Valemont house as well.
I also told Seren to eat properly in my absence and to make sure Eleanor is living comfortably.
Father was already waiting for me to come when I reached outside the mansion.
There were a few people who were here to see me off.
One was my father with his servants, and the other was Eleanor with her maid.
I had also left a letter for Eleanor stating that she should not leave my chambers while I am away.
With this, I left my house.