Celine listened to the conversation outside.
"The sooner we clear the road, the better. My Lord is not fond of delays."
"Our Lady is also not the most patient one, so I hope we can get this sorted out quickly," Seb replied, and went to pass the message to the rest, "My Lady, the road is blocked, the other group's coachman is asking us for assistance."
Celine leaned out of the carriage's window, surprised to see a pile of rocks and dirt blocking the road. The large group of mercenaries protecting the cargo wagons looked like a small army, and the number of horses meant the carriages were packed full.
The guards of the other convoy were also eyeing her carriages. The large number of knights, the expensive armor, and the fine horses, were all signs of wealth and power.
They looked at the raven, the symbol of Rochefort, and their eyes widened.
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Maya rubbed her sleepy eyes, following closely behind her Lady, who was wearing her hooded cape and her usual frown.
Celine stepped out of the carriage, the raven flew to the nearest tree, and perched on a branch. "Scout the area first, Graham. The rest, secure the perimeter before starting to clear the road," she ordered.
"Yes, my Lady," Graham replied and left, a couple of guards following him.
Celine was still trying to identify the other group when their leader appeared in her view, and her eyes met with a familiar set.
The suit and tie were gone, the fancy shoes were replaced by high boots, and the white shirt was traded for a more rugged, leather, and armored vest. The uniform was more suitable for a battlefield, and the body it was hugging was definitely a fighter's.
Celine didn't hide the disdain on her face when she saw Lucian, and it made him narrow his eyes. The last time she looked at him with such contempt was when she almost killed him with her own hands, and she looked ready to do the same now.
She was a sight to behold, wearing a skirt that reached her knees, high boots, a loose, long shirt, and a fitted vest. She was armed, too. She wore a belt that carried two hand cannons and a dagger.
"What did I do to deserve such a cold welcome, Lady Rochefort?" he asked, not intimidated by her aura.
"Lord Arclight," Celine greeted him, "Maybe the fact that you are standing in front of me is what offends me? But maybe I am not being clear enough," she smiled, and it wasn't a warm or kind one, "My safety is being compromised due to your presence, and I'm sure you understand why I would feel this way."
She silently asked about the meaning behind the gift he gave her.
"My, my, how cruel and unjust," Lucian mocked, his smile also not reaching his eyes, "I'm not a criminal. If anything, I should be the one concerned about my safety, shouldn't I? Especially with how many men you have, Lady Rochefort. I'm not sure what you are planning, but I'm certain I can't handle all of them, can I?"
"It's good you know your limits, Lord Arclight," Celine responded, and Lucian's mouth twitched at the provocation, "Now, let's clear the road and get out of each other's way, shall we?"
"By all means," Lucian stepped aside, "After you."
"..." Celine didn't move.
Lucian gestured for his group to stop working, "Save your energy and return to your posts," he said, "We will leave this task to the lady's capable hands. I'm sure she will not be able to live with herself if she were to be seen as inferior in any way, compared to us. That includes the strength and physical prowess of our men, too."
The large convoy came to a halt. "But, my Lord, weren't you in a rush?"
"Not anymore. It's better to be delayed than dead. I would hate for Lady Rochefort to lash out and start a fight just because we are not clearing the road fast enough. She is already upset about my mere existence; who knows what else would set her off?"
All eyes turned towards the lady in question.
Celine held back from jumping on Lucian and strangling him to death. Years of practice with the Crown Prince paid off, and she was able to remain calm and collected despite her seething rage. "I would love to prove you wrong, Lord Arclight. I am very patient and not the least bit hot-headed. My men can testify. Isn't that right?"
"YES, M'LADY," they said in unison.
Celine smiled at Lucian, "See? All lies."
"..." Lucian's eye twitched, his business expression breaking, "I see. Then please, show me how patient and level-headed you are, Lady Rochefort."
"..." Celine's smile was getting tighter and tenser by the second, and she was this close to kicking him and his entire convoy down the slope. "Graham, tell the men to start moving the rocks, but be careful," she said and walked back to her carriage.
The raven flew down and perched on her shoulder, rubbing its beak against her cheek as if feeling her distress, making her expression soften.
Lucian motioned for his convoy to start moving forward, and the men began to remove the rocks, piling them to the side. She didn't bother continuing a petty squabble, and he wasn't the type to make a scene, so they both settled on ignoring each other, pretending the other didn't exist.
Things were easier said than done, though.