That morning was a special morning for the Magenta Kingdom. That day was the first time a descendant of King Arkadion had gone on a diplomatic trip to the Landis Kingdom.
Not long after sending the letter, Cecilia received an official reply from the Landis Kingdom. They said that Prince Damian had read her letter and approved her plan to meet in person.
Cecilia immediately prepared to leave after she read the reply letter. Even so, Arkadion still seemed reluctant to let her go.
"I still feel this is too risky. How can you go to an unfriendly kingdom with just one knight?" King Arkadion muttered, his voice sounding more like a father than a king.
In front of the palace, King Arkadion stood to see his daughter off. Cecilia wore a dark traveling robe with red embroidered edges. A mask remained covering her face, hiding the expression that could only be read from her clear eyes that now shone with determination.
"Father," she said in a calm tone. "I'll be fine. Sir Robert is the best in our kingdom. He can protect me better than you think."
Arkadion took a deep breath. Behind him, the guards and high-ranking officials of the kingdom stood in silence, holding the tension in the air.
However, at Cecilia's side, a middle-aged man with brown hair stood tall. Sir Robert, the most talented knight in the Magenta Kingdom, was once again trusted to guard Cecilia during her journey.
"I trust you, Robert," Arkadion said while looking at the knight with a serious gaze. "Make sure she returns safely."
Sir Robert bowed deeply. "On my honor, Your Majesty."
Cecilia only nodded slightly before getting on her horse. She had deliberately not used a horse-drawn carriage to save time. Although 'Cecilia' died while riding a horse, no one protested when 'Cecilion' rode the horse he had chosen himself.
They immediately departed when Arkadion had given permission. Cecilia looked at Arkadion one last time. She could have died when she met Damian. Even so, Cecilia would still take the risk to change the flow that had been spinning in an infinite loop.
NEIGH!
Sir Robert's horse galloped, followed by Cecilia. They left the palace quickly, moving non-stop towards the border of the Landis Kingdom.
***
Although Cecilia wanted to arrive at the Landis Kingdom as soon as possible, she could not immediately force her horse to continue running. They would occasionally stop to fill their stomachs and their horses. Only when their horses were no longer tired would they continue their journey.
At night, they would stop by any river they could find. Their horses would drink from the river while Sir Robert was busy setting up a tent for Cecilia.
Cecilia did not want to stay idle. Therefore, she helped by cooking food. A fire was lit not far from the tent. The aroma of food spread when Cecilia was finished with her cooking.
Sir Robert sat by the fire when he was done with his work. He glanced at Cecilia, who brought him food and accepted it respectfully.
"Eat."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Cecilia nodded, then ate her portion quietly. The mask that usually covered her face had been removed. Behind the mask, there was a beautiful face that Robert could never forget.
Cecilia should have grown up to be a princess who was pampered by her father and her kingdom. But here she was, hiding her identity and traveling like a traveler.
"Your Highness..." Sir Robert finally said. His voice was soft because he was afraid of offending his master. "Don't you... feel tired?"
Cecilia paused for a moment, then lifted her face to stare at the flickering fire.
For a moment, only the sound of the river flowed slowly.
Then, with a small smile that was barely visible from behind her mask, she replied, "Of course I am tired, Robert."
She lowered the bowl she was using to eat, then looked at the fire with a distant gaze.
"But this tiredness... is nothing compared to the Magenta Kingdom."
Her voice was soft as if she was talking to herself more than to anyone else.
Sir Robert frowned, trying to understand Cecilia's words. To him, Cecilia's words sounded so sad. Since the accident, Cecilia had indeed seemed like someone who was carrying a burden that no one could understand.
She seemed stronger than before. But at the same time, she seemed much more fragile than before.
Sir Robert straightened his back, his chest puffed out proudly as he smiled at Cecilia.
"You truly love this kingdom, don't you?" he said, respectfully. "You would cross foreign kingdoms and face danger just for the Magenta Kingdom. You have sacrificed so much for the kingdom. I... I am honored to be able to accompany you, Your Highness."
Cecilia smiled a little, bitterly.
Although sad, Cecilia was grateful that no one remembered what kind of life she had lived before. Ninety-nine lives. During those lives, Cecilia had never once seen the Magenta Kingdom and its people as real people.
She had sometimes let her kingdom fall apart, abandoned her kingdom, or even let her father sacrifice himself just for her own life. Cecilia had been a very selfish person in the past. It was after ninety-nine lives had passed that she realized that.
However, Cecilia did not correct Robert's misunderstanding. No one would believe that she had died ninety-nine times. Even for Cecilia herself, it was sometimes still hard to accept.
Cecilia turned, her voice warm but firm as she finally spoke to Robert again.
"Thank you, Sir Robert. I will count on you."
The knight bowed again, his eyes shining with eagerness.
"It is my honor to do so," he replied respectfully.