Chapter 324 - First stops
The carriage rocked gently as it rolled down the snow-covered cobble streets of Freybrook, passing rows of homes, frost-covered streetlamps, and the occasional shopfront displaying its wares. Inside the cabin, a cozy warmth lingered—a welcome contrast to the chill outside—courtesy of the enchantments woven into the vehicle’s frame. Meanwhile, bundled pedestrians trudged through the icy streets, their faces red from the cold.
“So, do we have any idea yet where our first stop’ll be?” Rosa’s smooth voice came from Scarlett’s left as the bard leaned forward, peering past her to take in the snowy view.
“No,” Scarlett replied curtly, her gaze fixed on the passing storefronts.
“Yeah, figured as much.” Rosa released a light chuckle. She turned to the woman seated across from them. “How about you? Got any suggestions, Ev?”
Scarlett glanced to the opposite seat, where Evelyne sat, wrapped in a thick blanket that draped over her legs. The younger woman hesitated, her voice halting as she answered. “Oh, um, I’m not sure. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
Evelyne’s auburn hair fell just past her shoulders, partially obscuring her right eye and parts of her face. Though most of the bandages on her face had been removed, a strip of cloth still ran from her left temple down her cheek, covering what Scarlett heard was a jagged gash that hadn’t fully healed. The skin around it remained slightly inflamed as a reminder of the injury. Beneath her heavy coat, most of her left arm was still bandaged and supported by a simple splint.
Overall, her recovery had been slow but steady. Evelyne had at least regained enough strength to leave her room and occasionally wander the mansion, though she still needed to move carefully. According to Garside, there had been several instances where he’d had to step in to keep her from overworking herself — often in direct defiance of Scarlett’s orders.
Scarlett found Evelyne’s injuries no less frustrating now than when they’d first happened, even as that irritation was tempered with other, more complicated feelings. She still wasn’t entirely sure why she’d agreed to bring Evelyne along — nor, she suspected, was Evelyne. But there were things they needed to discuss, and this might be as good a time as any to start thawing the ice between them.
Or maybe Scarlett had simply felt unwilling to disappoint Garside, who had clearly believed the trip might help them both. Not that the plan was yielding much success so far. Anyone could have seen that coming. They’d barely spoken during the ride, and the silence was only occasionally broken by Rosa’s efforts to stir conversation. Scarlett respected the bard’s attempts, even if she wasn’t in the mood to reciprocate.
Her eyes drifted to Rosa, staying on her for a moment before returning to the wintry cityscape. She wanted to ask when Rosa and Evelyne had become close enough for Rosa to casually call her ‘Ev’, but it was probably best not to.
Or, at least, she shouldn’t.
The carriage slowed, Scarlett’s gaze sharpening as her attention was caught by a particular building with a sign out front. “Stop here,” she called, just loud enough for the coachman to hear.