Portrait of Queen Berta

I accidentally got pregnant with His Majesty's child

Chapter 17: Petra

Harold spoke to Berta in the carriage many times, about this and that, as if he couldn't stand the long silence.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Is Louis messing around? I hope he's getting used to travel in carriage by now."

"Yes, by now."

"...the south is closer. We'll reach the Great River around tomorrow."

"Good to hear."

Berta, on the other hand, wanted to spend her time rather quiet, and she was also a bit overwhelmed at the thought of taking Louis to see her father, so she rejected starting a conversation appropriately, except for topics that seemed to be related to official affairs.

After Berta saw that Harold was not reliable as a husband and gave up on the naive idea of a mature relationship like that of her father and wives, she started seeing Harold like some kind of boss or superior on the workplace that is a pain-- to deal with.

For that reason, she wasn't interested on improving their personal relationship or talking about her daily life with him.

However, when they were about to reach the great river, Berta decided that she has to warn the king before he comes in contact with the southerners.

"His Majesty. Before we cross the great river, I would like to ask you to do me a favor."

It was unusual for Berta to be the one that starts a conversation with Harold, so he listened while trying to foresee what is the matter by watching her body language... more than was necessary.

"You can say whatever you want"

"With all due respect, please call me by my first name during our stay in the South, Berta."

Instead of saying anything, Harold froze for a moment. He doesn't think it's a very difficult request but...

"Is there a reason?"

"There is no particular reason for this. But since I'm accompanying you as one of your official wives, it would be more convenient for us to appear as a couple in public."

"I see."

Harold kept silence for some time while Berta looked out the window, wondering if that would be enough to satisfy them.

After a few moments, Harold raised his gaze to her and called out her name.

"Berta"

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm just practicing."

Berta wasn't sure the reason or what he was trying to do, so she didn't reply and looked outside the window again.

The Great River is literally a large river that flows across the country.

The area south, which start is marked by the river, is about 30 percent of the country, and is effectively under the control of locals. 

There are only a few lords who have been appointed by the royal state, and even those are indigenous lords who call themselves 'clan chiefs' and exercise their authority in name of the Petra clans. 

Berta's father is the best example of this.

The great river, as well as the width of the river itself, and the poor topography of its banks on the Petra side, is a natural hazard.

Across the river, there are precipitous cliffs as far as the eye can see, and if there are occasional openings, they are narrow and limited in width.

The present royal family had the advantage of the land, which was the reason why they gave up on the control of the south of the country for a hundred years.

The river had a history of horrific battles between different ethnics in the past, but now in the era of peace and trade, it was a pleasant and calm place with the river breeze blowing through.

"Amazing"

Looking up at the rocky shore on the other side of the river, Harold let out his thoughts with a look of disbelief.

"Has Your Majesty ever seen the Great River?"

"Once, I was in a port town near the mouth of the river. I took a detour across to the harbor that time, but I've never taken the shortest route."

Harold seemed surprised that the official inspection route set up by the royal bureaucrats was such a rough route.

"Upstream from here, the royal capital side is also swallowed by the mountains and it becomes a tough road, and you have to make a detour to cross from the downstream. It is easiest to cut through, crossing by the road on the Petra side."

She passed through this road when going to the royal city two years ago.

The official sent by the local lords was waiting on the shore where the boat is already prepared, he explained more of the landscape to Harold.

"The other side of the river is full of cliffs, but there is a slight break between the cliffs. We will take a boat across the river and sail directly across the narrow valley."

While he was explaining many soldiers were checking that everything is in order, some of them will take another boat and go first to reach the other side and check there too.

Since from the other side of the river, the terrain would hardly be considered passable if you are not a local that knows the terrain.

"There's only a gap just barely wide enough for a ship of ten passengers to pass through, so it's not a very comfortable journey, but please be patient"

"No problem. It's no wonder we should reach Meseta in a matter of days."

Harold looked at the official and then at the river impressed for the landscape.

After a moment, the local official turned to Berta and bowed ceremoniously with a sober face.

"It's good to see you, Your Highness."

"Yes. It's a good thing you're alive, official Trent."

He comes from the Trent clan. 

The Taimori town that is ruled by the Trent clan is the first one they'll reach after crossing the great river.

"I am relieved to see that you are better now, but I'm sure you'll get tired of greeting everyone, they all are waiting to talk to you again."

The official's sullen face broke into a smirk, when Berta replied.

"I'm ready for it."

"Ha-ha, have a good day! Take good care."

As the official urged her to proceed, Berta suddenly looked to the end of the formation. 

It was interesting to note that Johanna, who came out of the carriage, seemed to be very tired.

Louis probably has been sleeping all the travel in her arms, he's a calm baby and the motion sickness still doesn't have effect on him.

"Your Majesty. I'm worried about the boat ride, I'll carry Louis in my arms until we reach the coast."

At the same time Berta said this, Louis woke up and cried as he was removed from the carriage, and his crib with soft cushions. 

In a group of only adults except for him, his cries were the only sound in the place.

Harold didn't look particularly uncomfortable at this, but nodded agreeing to Berta's request.

"Go on"

"Yes, sir."

Louis stopped crying once Berta picked him up, but he ended up crying all the travel in boat, scared of the movement and the sound of the waves.

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