An Jieli kept a very close eye on Bai Ye and didn’t like her showing herself in public.
So when Bai Ye led the knights, she always wore that heavy suit of armor. Not a single inch of her was exposed from head to toe. And since Bai Ye herself was careful, hardly anyone had ever seen what she looked like.
Although she still looked about sixty percent like her former self, she wasn’t worried at all about the Black Knight questioning her. After all, even among her subordinates, few people had seen what she used to look like.
“Guard, inspect the inside of the carriage.”
“Yes, sir!”
The Black Knights didn’t dismount to inspect carriages. Their heavy cavalry armor covered them from head to toe and was so heavy that getting on and off a horse was a real struggle. So inspecting carriages was always left to the ordinary guards on foot.
The guard obeyed and opened the carriage to take a look. Aside from the luxurious interior and all the blankets and cushions, there was only a well-behaved young girl sitting inside. Nothing seemed out of place.
“Reporting in. Everything’s clear.”
“All right. Let them through.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hearing the words “Let them through,” Bai Ye curled the corner of her mouth. Just as she’d expected, even with Black Knights stationed at the city gate, An Jieli couldn’t stop her.
After all, she looked different now. Even if An Jieli had come in person, she might not have recognized her.
Bai Ye drove the carriage slowly through the city gate. One of the Black Knights, who’d been dealing with other matters, spotted her and rode over to the Black Knight who’d given the order to let her through.
“Deputy Captain, are you sure there’s no problem? I thought the queen was looking for someone with silver hair. That person who just passed through had silver hair.”
“There’s no problem. The queen’s looking for a silver-haired man. The person who just went through was a girl. She’s definitely not the person the queen wants.”
“Are you sure? You know what’ll happen if we accidentally let the person the queen’s looking for get away.”
“What else was I supposed to do? You want me to detain that girl? Don’t be ridiculous. I couldn’t bring myself to detain someone that pretty...”
“Come to think of it, that girl really was pretty. If only she’d be my girlfriend...”
“Keep dreaming...”
By then, Bai Ye had already driven out through the city gate. Of course, she had no idea what the two Black Knights were talking about. If she had, she would’ve kicked their asses—even if it meant exposing her identity!
“Big Sis Bai Ye...”
Yilisi lifted the curtain and sat down beside Bai Ye.
“Yilisi, why did you come out?”
“I want to be with you, Big Sis Bai Ye.”
“But we’re already together, aren’t we? We’re in the same carriage.”
“That’s not enough. I want to be by your side, Big Sis Bai Ye.”
Yilisi wrapped her arms around Bai Ye and rested her head on her shoulder.
“Like this...”
Bai Ye reached over and patted Yilisi on the head.
“You might get sick sitting out here in the breeze.”
“Is that not okay?”
Yilisi looked at Bai Ye with clear eyes, hoping she wouldn’t turn her down.
“Sigh...”
Bai Ye let out a slow sigh. She’d never been good at saying no.
“Just for a little while, okay?”
“Mm.”
...
Compared to the vast territory of the Empire, Nokan Territory wasn’t very far away. Even so, it would take several days to get there by carriage.
There was only one waystation along the route, and they couldn’t reach it in a single day, so they’d have to sleep in the carriage that night.
“Yilisi, have something to eat, then get some rest. We’ll set off again early tomorrow.”
Bai Ye had driven for a full day. At last, after the sun had completely sunk below the horizon, she chose to stop and rest beside a stretch of woodland.
If Bai Ye had been traveling alone, she wouldn’t have stopped just because night had fallen. She probably would’ve kept going without a break until she reached her destination.
But she was worried about Yilisi’s delicate health. If they traveled at night, Yilisi probably wouldn’t get much rest. There was no need to hurry, so it was better to let Yilisi get a good night’s sleep.
“Big Sis Bai Ye, when will we reach Nokan Territory?”
Yilisi asked as she nibbled on her bread.
She wasn’t hoping they’d get home sooner. She just wanted to know how much longer she could stay by Big Sis Bai Ye’s side.
“At this pace, probably the evening after tomorrow.”
“The day after tomorrow...”
Seeing Yilisi’s expression, Bai Ye thought she was missing home.
“What’s wrong? Do you miss home?”
“Huh? Oh! Yeah, I guess I do...”
“All right, don’t think about it too much. I’ll get you home before long. Come on, get some rest.”
“Mm.”
The carriage wasn’t very spacious, but once they spread out a blanket, there was just enough room for two people to lie side by side.
It was a little cramped, but Yilisi certainly wouldn’t complain. She was more than happy to snuggle up close to Bai Ye.
“How about you, Yilisi? Are you cold?”
Summer was nearly over, and the weather was gradually turning cooler, but it wasn’t cold enough to be uncomfortable.
Still, when Yilisi heard Bai Ye ask, she didn’t deny it.
“...A little.”
Her voice was quiet, and she stole a glance at Bai Ye’s expression, as if she’d done something wrong.
However, Bai Ye didn't notice any of this.
“Then you can have my blanket too.”
“No, no!” Yilisi hurriedly shook her head. “If you give it to me, what will you use to cover yourself?”
“It’s fine. I’m not cold. You’re more important, Yilisi.”
“Th-then, how about this...”
Yilisi’s face turned a little red. She lifted her blanket, slipped into Bai Ye’s arms, and shared the same blanket with her.
“Th-this is fine. This way, neither of us will be cold.”
Feeling Bai Ye’s warmth, Yilisi’s face grew even redder. She quickly buried it against Bai Ye’s chest so Bai Ye wouldn’t notice anything was wrong.
Looking at Yilisi clinging to her, Bai Ye thought she just felt safer that way. She didn’t refuse, and let Yilisi hold on to her.
“All right, then. Good night, Yilisi.”
“Good night, Big Sis Bai Ye.”
