Takahiro continued to follow the carriage from the shadows, his original plan to visit the capital temporarily put aside by his curiosity about the prince and princess’ travels. The dense forest concealed his presence as he moved swiftly from branch to branch, his keen eyes locked onto the royal convoy.

‘I guess I can follow them for a few hours and try to eavesdrop on their conversations…’ he thought, adjusting the brim of his bucket hat before pressing forward.

**

About an hour later, the carriage took an unexpected turn. Takahiro narrowed his eyes as he perched on a thick tree limb, watching the road stretch into the distance.

‘Why did they choose to go through that route? It’s longer… and it leads to the orphanage. Could that be their real destination, or at least the reason they took the detour?’

His mind churned with possibilities as he continued his pursuit, weaving through the trees while keeping his presence concealed. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the convoy slowed, eventually stopping in a small clearing within the forest. The glow of flickering campfires illuminated the figures of guards tending to their horses and setting up camp.

Takahiro settled himself on a sturdy tree branch further away, ensuring he remained unseen. He leaned against the rough bark, one leg dangling off the side as he observed the scene below. The warmth of the distant firelight did little to chase away the night’s chill, but Takahiro paid it no mind. When all had fallen into slumber, he removed his bucket hat and placed it over his face, deciding to partake in the night’s rest as well.

At dawn, Takahiro resumed his silent pursuit, his patience unwavering. His mind remained fixated on the orphanage. He needed to know why the prince and princess had chosen this particular route. Would they reveal their purpose upon arrival, or would he have to decipher their intentions through careful observation?

Unfortunately, the journey provided little insight. The royal siblings exchanged only a few words, their conversations brief and insignificant. Takahiro gritted his teeth in frustration, but he remained vigilant.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait much longer. Despite the relentless pace of the journey, he managed to keep up, though exhaustion nipped at his heels. Sweat trickled down his temple, but he ignored it, his breath steady and measured. His focus remained sharp, his resolve unyielding.

Arrival at the Orphanage

The carriage rolled into the orphanage’s empty playground, its wheels kicking up a small cloud of dust. The once-lively space, where children often played and laughed, now stood eerily quiet. Only a single caretaker awaited their arrival—Ms. Chie.

One of the guards dismounted his horse and strode toward her, his light armor on his robe glinting under the mid-morning sun.

“Greetings,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Ms. Chie bowed respectfully before straightening. “Greetings,” she replied, her voice steady.

“The prince and princess have a long journey ahead of them and are in need of aid regarding food and drinks,” the guard explained. “The servants seem to have packed much less than what is needed for the travels that await us. We require one-fourth of all your food and water, as well as a sufficient amount of forage or grains for our horses.”

Hidden behind the corner of the manor, Takahiro listened intently, his brows furrowing.

‘So that’s why they chose to go this route. But taking from an orphanage? I thought the princess would be kinder than that.’

Ms. Chie’s expression hardened, though she remained composed. “Sorry, but we don’t have that much food ourselves,” she stated. “We have dozens of children and nearly a dozen workers here. We can’t manage to give you what you ask.”

The guard raised a brow, his stance unwavering. “Are you denying the prince and princess aid?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Well, that’s all that I heard,” the guard countered, his voice edged with warning. “Their journey to the East isn’t for luxurious sightseeing or visitation. It’s to handle political disagreements that could leave hundreds of thousands hungry—perhaps even dead. Unless you’re implying that the lives of a few orphans are worth more than thousands, I’d suggest you prepare what I asked for before sunset. And while we are here, we’ll be feeding our horses and resting where we please. Is that understood?”

Ms. Chie’s fists tightened at her sides, but she bowed once more. “Understood.”

She turned and strode back into the manor, her movements brisk but controlled. The moment she was inside, she gathered the other caretakers, explaining the situation. Resignation darkened their expressions, but they did as they were told, gathering various food supplies. Outside, the guards led their horses to the outskirts of the playground, allowing them to graze.

Takahiro clenched his jaw as he observed from the shadows. He wanted to intervene—but how? The prince remained inside the carriage, heavily guarded. There was no way he could take them all on, even if he wanted to. And in a way, the guard’s reasoning held some truth.

‘Maybe I should just let them be for now,’ he thought reluctantly. ‘I can’t interfere with royal business at a time like this. They’ll do anything to get to the East. I’ll just make sure they don’t push their luck here.’

Silently, he withdrew into the cover of the forest, keeping a watchful eye from a distance.

The caretakers moved swiftly, their arms laden with food—rice balls, pickled vegetables, and other preserved goods. Before long, they carefully packed the offerings into bamboo containers, presenting them with respectful bows. The guards wasted no time collecting the supplies, securing them behind the carriage and onto their horses.

The guard from earlier stepped forward once more, facing Ms. Chie. “The prince and princess receive your offering gracefully,” he stated. “It’s for a good cause, after all. May Sanda provide for you and the children.” He bowed slightly before stepping back.

With their supplies secured, the guards mounted their horses, surrounding the carriage as they resumed their journey. The convoy disappeared beyond the horizon just as the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet. Ms. Chie stood motionless, her gaze following the last of their trail until they were no more than specks in the distance.

Then, the silence was broken.

Two children burst from the manor doors, their excited voices ringing through the air. Takahiro’s eyes widened slightly in recognition—the same two kids he had met on the mountain with Cloud and the old lady.

‘I almost forgot they were here,’ he thought, a slight smile ghosting his lips.