The carriage moved steadily along the long winding road.
Elowen sat quietly inside, her small figure curled slightly against the cushioned seat. Unlike before, she was no longer across from her father.
She was alone.
Well… not entirely.
She looked down.
Pippin sat beside her.
"…System," she whispered softly, glancing toward the door as if someone might hear.
[Yes, Host.]
Her fingers tightened slightly in her dress.
"…Tell me about them."
A pause.
"…My family."
For a moment, the only sound was the gentle rumble of the carriage wheels.
Then—
[Understood.]
Pippin shifted slightly, his small body steady as his voice filled her mind.
[House Evercrest is one of the Five Great Houses.]
Elowen listened carefully.
[It is known for its fire magic and military strength. Your biological father is the current head.]
She hesitated.
"…He seems… scary."
[…That assessment is reasonable.]
Elowen huffed slightly at that.
"…What about my brothers?"
[You have four.]
Her eyes widened a little.
"Four…?"
[Yes.]
The system continued.
[The eldest, Cassian Evercrest, is the heir. He is disciplined, cold, and highly skilled in swordsmanship.]
Elowen pictured him—
tall, distant, like her father.
She hugged her knees slightly.
"…Next?"
[Elias Evercrest. Second son. Known for his intelligence and work in alchemy. Calm and observant.]
"…He sounds nicer," she murmured.
[Assessment inconclusive.]
Elowen frowned a little.
"System, you're not helpful…"
[…Noted.]
A small pause.
[Third son: Kael Evercrest. Personality—chaotic. Skilled in both swordsmanship and magic.]
Elowen blinked.
"…Chaotic?"
[Yes.]
"…What does that mean?"
[Unpredictable.]
"…Oh…"
She wasn't sure how to feel about that.
[Youngest: Noel Evercrest. Age nine. Personality—gentle. Likelihood of positive interaction: high.]
Elowen's shoulders relaxed just a little.
"…Okay…"
At least one didn't sound scary.
She hesitated again.
"…And… Lavinia?"
There was a brief pause.
Then—
[Lavinia Evercrest is the adopted daughter of the Duke.]
Elowen's fingers tightened slightly.
[She is the primary female lead of this world.]
"…The saint…" Elowen whispered.
[Correct.]
"She's… loved, right?"
[Yes.]
"…More than me?"
Silence.
Just for a second.
[Current probability: yes.]
Elowen looked down.
"…I see…"
The carriage felt colder somehow.
"…And my mother?" she asked quietly.
This time—
the pause was longer.
[Deceased.]
Her chest tightened.
"…I know that…"
She touched the necklace around her neck.
"…What was she like?"
[…Data limited.]
Elowen's grip tightened around the pendant.
[However, records indicate she was kind. Strong. And deeply loved by your father.]
Elowen blinked.
"…Loved…?"
She glanced toward the carriage door—the direction her father had gone.
He didn't seem like someone who could love anyone.
"…Then why does he look at me like that…?" she whispered.
The system did not answer.
The silence lingered.
Heavy.
Slowly, the rocking of the carriage began to lull her.
Her eyelids grew heavier.
Her grip on Pippin loosened slightly.
"…System…"
[Yes, Host.]
"…Don't let me die…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Soft.
Small.
Vulnerable.
[Affirmative.]
That was the last thing she heard—
before sleep took her.
Warmth.
Movement.
Elowen stirred.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she shifted, her body feeling strangely light.
"…Mm…"
Something felt… off.
She wasn't sitting anymore.
Her eyes slowly opened.
And for a moment—
she didn't understand what she was seeing.
A broad shoulder.
Dark fabric.
Metal armor.
"…Huh…?"
Her mind lagged behind.
Then—
it clicked.
"I—!"
Her eyes widened.
"I'm being carried?!"
She jerked suddenly, panic flooding her system.
"PUT ME DOWN!"
Her small voice rang out sharply as she struggled, her hands pushing weakly against the armored chest.
The man carrying her froze.
"…Ah."
His voice was deep.
Low.
And honestly—
a little scary.
"I apologize, young miss," he said quickly, his tone stiff but oddly careful. "You had fallen asleep."
Elowen stared at him.
His face was stern.
Scarred.
His expression serious enough to make anyone tremble.
She immediately went still.
"…S-Scary…" she whispered.
The man froze again.
"…I—"
He hesitated.
Then awkwardly looked away.
"…I am not intending to be frightening."
Elowen blinked.
That… didn't match his face at all.
"…You look like you'll eat me…" she added honestly.
"…I will not."
His response was immediate.
Too immediate.
Almost offended.
Elowen stared at him.
Then slowly…
her fear eased—just a little.
"…Where am I?" she asked quietly.
"We have arrived at an Inn ," he replied.
Her heart skipped.
"…Already…?"
"Yes."
He adjusted his hold slightly—more carefully this time.
"…Your room has been prepared."
Room.
Inn
Guard.
Everything suddenly felt real.
Elowen looked down, her fingers instinctively reaching for—
"…Pippin?"
"He is with your belongings," the man said quickly.
Relief washed over her face.
"…Okay…"
Silence settled between them as he continued walking.
His steps were steady.
Careful.
As if he was afraid of dropping her.
Elowen peeked up at him again.
"…You're not that scary," she admitted softly.
The man paused mid-step.
"…Thank you."
But somehow—
he looked even more serious saying it.
And for the first time since arriving—
Elowen let out a tiny, quiet laugh.
Just a little.
Just enough to make things feel…
less frightening.