Flower in the Trap - Chapter 17

The morning sun was already high by the time Kaellian finished washing up. He stood quietly beside the bed, looking at Linaelina still curled beneath the covers. Her face was half-buried in the blanket, only the tip of her nose showing as she slept soundly.

A knock echoed from downstairs. Kaellian descended to answer and received the breakfast that had been delivered. Ignoring the startled expression of the young man who brought it, he shut the door firmly, leaving the man facing nothing but a closed frame.

Kaellian set aside thoughts of that tactless fool. What truly occupied his mind was a desire to remain a little longer in this quiet countryside, where even the food was more abundant than in the palace.

Carrying the breakfast tray upstairs, he returned to gently rouse Linaelina, who was still lost in her dreams. Her long hair was slightly disheveled across the pillow, her arms wrapped tightly around the blanket as she continued to sleep deeply.

“Princess,” he called softly.

She let out a sleepy hum and barely cracked open her eyes. Her lashes trembled like butterfly wings before her eyelids slid shut once more.

“It’s time for breakfast.” He set the tray on the low table, then stepped to the bed and lightly tapped her shoulder.

Linaelina groggily sat up, her hair cascading over her shoulders. The thin nightgown she wore was slightly wrinkled, revealing the soft curve of her collarbone. Rubbing her eyes, she blinked at the food tray in a daze.

“…Did you make this?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Do you think that’s even possible?” Kaellian raised an eyebrow with a smirk. “Do I really look that capable to you?”

Linaelina blinked a few times, as if slowly processing his words. After a pause, she finally muttered, “Oh,” then lifted the blanket and got up with a yawn.

Kaellian watched her stumble toward the washbasin, the corners of his mouth lifting in quiet amusement. He moved to adjust the curtains, letting in just enough light without making it too harsh.

About half an hour later, the two of them stepped out of the house, freshly washed and dressed. But the moment they walked outside, Kaellian suppressed an eyeroll.

A plain but spacious carriage stood parked out front. The same young man from earlier, along with a few villagers, was busy loading it with blankets, biscuits, and fresh produce.

Kaellian grumbled inwardly. Did this guy really have nothing better to do?

Linaelina, completely unaware of Kaellian’s growing irritation, lifted her skirt slightly and ran to the back of the cart with a cheerful smile. She picked up two straw hats and handed one to him. “You won’t be disappointed with today’s outing.”

Although Kaellian had plenty to say about the ever-present young man, he had no intention of spoiling Linaelina’s mood. He took the hat without protest and followed her onto the carriage.

Linaelina opened the window, and the rear door was also left ajar, with only a curtain drawn to offer some privacy while letting the mountain breeze drift through the carriage.

The carriage rolled slowly into the woods. Cool air brushed against their cheeks as birdsong echoed through the trees. Linaelina sat by the window, occasionally pointing out birds she recognized by name.

“Anyone listening would think you were raised in the mountains,” Kaellian said, casting her a sideways glance.

“My mother did. My grandfather had a house up in the hills, and she used to stay there every summer. To keep her safe from unfamiliar bugs and snakes, they hired a local hunter to accompany her. He knew everything there was to know about plants, trees, animals, and insects. My mother said he never failed to answer her questions.”

“She shared what she had learned with me, though I never had the chance to meet that hunter myself. Still, I have a feeling Roan knows just as much.”

“Roan?”

Linaelina turned to look at him. When Kaellian glanced back in confusion, she paused for a moment, then pointed toward the front of the carriage. “The one driving. That’s Roan. He’s the one who’s been taking care of our meals and lodging these past few days. He’s the hunter’s son.”

Kaellian only shrugged with indifference. Seeing that he wasn’t particularly interested, Linaelina let the subject drop.

The carriage rolled on as clusters of small, pale purple flowers began to appear along the roadside, growing thicker the farther they went.

“What are those?” Kaellian asked.

Linaelina leaned forward for a better look, then smiled. “Those are broomrape. They only grow where water flows. We’ll see an entire field of them once we reach our destination.”