"Good morning," Irina greeted.
Luiza wandered out onto the porch and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Irina, it's good to see you."
She released Irina and motioned towards the door.
"Come inside and have some breakfast. My old man would love to see you again," she mentioned.
Irina turned her down, holding back a grimace. "I appreciate the offer, but I came by to say thank you. Elena told me you took care of the horses while I was gone."
"There's no need to thank me," she said with a smile.
Her kind eyes narrow in concern. "Is there something wrong?"
"Oh no," Irina answered back. "I'm leaving the village for a bit and wanted to say goodbye before I went."
Luiza puckered a brow. Where was she going? Perhaps the rumors about her were accurate; maybe she had a suitor in the village over.
Honestly, it was none of her business.
Luiza leaned forward and placed her hand on Irina's shoulder.
"Be safe, dear, and come back anytime you want."
Irina had tears in her eyes. She nodded and said farewell to Luiza, venturing back to her house to pack a spare bag she got from the Duke and wandered back to the area with the strange altar.
The Duke waited for her with a grin.
"Are you ready?"
Irina nodded. "I said my goodbyes."
"And you are sure about this?"
Again, she nodded. There were no more ties to cut. She wanted Luiza and the people on her side of the village to remain safe, so she decided on an idea to keep them from becoming a test subject; she decided to pack up and travel with the Duke.
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
The Duke laughed and motioned for her to join him.
"It's a pleasure to have you along for the journey," he assured her. "Come along; we have business near the reservoir."
Irina thanked him and got into the carriage, taking a seat on a plush ottoman as the Duke packed up his merchandise. The carriage began to move shortly after.
"I imagine you don't plan to stay most nights," he said, raising his voice so she could hear.
Irina looked at the back of his head through the rear window.
"No, but I will honor our arrangement and assist you," she answered back. "It's the least I can do for the gratitude you've shown me."
The Duke nodded in agreement but said nothing more as he focused on the path ahead.
Sitting back, Irina rested her eyes and listened to the wheels of the carriage splash through the mud as it moved along. She hoped that she had made a decent choice leaving her village behind. In her heart, she knew that this was the only way to protect the ones she loved, the only way to accept the wickedness she was about to do.
I can do this, she thought. I have to keep moving and think nothing of it, no matter what happens.
Before long, the carriage came to a sudden stop, and Irina sat up.
"We're here," the Duke stated.
He peeked back and met her curious gaze.
"Before you exit the carriage, I want to give you something. It's in the trunk below the ottoman you are sitting on."
