Golden Arrow - Chapter 4

4. To That Place

Several carriages, accompanied by mounted guards, rumbled across the highlands. The land of Scotlin, with barely defined roads, was shrouded in thick fog that rendered the path almost invisible. The fog came from the distant lake. Whenever the wind blew fiercely, the withered vegetation clung low to the ground like the flapping wings of a dying bird.

“How much farther do we have to go?” Eurus muttered. At that moment, the window of the lead carriage abruptly opened, and damp, chilly air swept into the interior.

“We should arrive before sunset.”

A man with neatly tied brown hair to his shoulders grimaced as he spoke, his tone sharp. The mingling scents of damp earth, peat, and metallic soil hung in the air.

“You have always disliked this smell.”

Eurus chuckled faintly as he leaned back against the opposite seat, gazing out the window. Nothing was visible in the cloudy distance—only layers of white mist in varying densities. Beneath the fog lay barren land, lightly frozen from the early autumn chill.

“I still don’t understand why Her Majesty gave this order.”

Samuel, his brow furrowed further, grumbled.

“Samuel.”

“It’s not as though the Duke of Devonshire is the only one with noble sons in Ingrint.”

“Then perhaps you should marry her.”

“……”

Samuel, who had been grumbling alone, immediately shut his mouth under Eurus’s sharp gaze.

Samuel was the third son of the Baron Stafford, a vassal of the Duke of Devonshire. He was also Eurus’s long-time friend and business partner. Eurus planned to lead the company he had recently taken over from his father with Samuel’s help. For that reason, Samuel had reluctantly agreed to accompany Eurus to Galloway Castle.

When Samuel averted his gaze, the coldness in Eurus’s blue eyes dissipated. The expression he wore, carefully controlled, once again became blank and serene, making his face look like a porcelain doll—paler than even the fog.

With his flawless golden hair, skin so pale it showed hints of blue veins, clear blue eyes, and subtly red lips, Eurus was the very image of aristocratic perfection.

Yet here he was, fulfilling the Queen’s absurd command, spending over a week traveling in this rattling carriage. Samuel marveled at how well Eurus had adapted to the arduous journey. Having only ever traveled across the well-paved Devonshire estate or the streets of Lydon, Eurus should have struggled. Samuel himself had been plagued by motion sickness for the first few days.

“They call it a decision for the unity of both nations.”

“It’s not like they’re marrying off all the nobles. What meaning could there possibly be in the union of just two families?”

Eurus couldn’t help but agree with Samuel. This marriage was clearly a ploy to restrain the Devonshire Dukedom’s influence. The Queen aimed to prevent the Cavendish family from expanding its power by allying through marriage with other noble houses, thus preemptively deterring any conflict with the Crown.

“I heard the late Countess of Stuart was quite beautiful,” Eurus remarked.

Samuel brightened at the change of topic. “She was a legend. Her beauty was renowned not just on Brighton Island but across the continent. Even the Grand Duke of Normand sailed across the sea to propose to her. Of course, her daughter is said to be fairly pretty as well—though we both know portraits can’t be trusted.”

Samuel glanced disdainfully at the crude portrait sitting beside Eurus. Portraits often exaggerated strengths and omitted flaws, making their reliability close to zero. Until they met Psyche Stuart in person, it was impossible to judge her appearance accurately.

The late Countess of Stuart, Liliana Stuart, had been a target of Queen Anne’s jealousy. When the Queen was still a princess, she had been infatuated with the dashing and masculine Grand Duke of Normand, gazing longingly at his portrait every night in secret adoration.

However, the Grand Duke had fallen in love with the insignificant Scotlin noblewoman, Liliana Stuart, and had proposed to her. To make matters worse, Liliana had rejected him because she was already in love with another man.

That man was Walter Stuart, Psyche’s father. Even after their marriage, the two had been deeply devoted to each other. Liliana, frail in health, struggled to bear children for many years and only gave birth to a precious daughter after more than a decade. Tragically, Liliana died in an accident when Psyche was still young. Following her death, Walter Stuart fell into despair, making poor decisions that led to the decline of his family.

Eurus suspected that these circumstances were another reason the Queen had chosen the Stuart family. It was likely driven by a petty curiosity about her rival’s daughter. Few people knew this, but Eurus had pieced it together through the Golden Arrow Club—a hub of both society and rumors.

“We’ll arrive once we get over this hill,” Samuel said, breaking Eurus’s train of thought. His tone was laced with exasperation.

Eurus opened the window Samuel had shut earlier. Samuel covered his nose with a handkerchief, grimacing, but Eurus paid no mind.

The fog had lifted. The rocky hillside was barren, save for sparse tufts of grass, and eerily silent, as if nothing alive could endure there. The gray clouds that had darkened the sky all day raced past the carriage, revealing faint rays of the pale afternoon sun. In the distance, a dark castle emerged, its jagged silhouette bathed in light.

The journey’s destination: Galloway Castle, home to Psyche Stuart, the ghost of Galloway.

***

When the carriage entered the castle grounds, people hurriedly ran out. Maids, wringing their damp hands on their aprons and hastily tidying their rolled-up sleeves, appeared visibly flustered. Watching them, Samuel clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“This is a mess.”

“Well, we did arrive slightly earlier than planned. It’s only natural they’re surprised.”

Eurus opened the window slightly to observe the scene outside. His expression, unlike Samuel’s, was unhurried.

“In that case, it’s better for us, Eurus. Since we arrived early, we can take the girl and head back to Lydon sooner.”

“Let’s step out first. We should let the guards and coachmen rest as well.”

Eurus straightened the collar of his shirt and jacket, checking his shoes for dirt. After hours spent in the carriage, his pants were slightly wrinkled, but there was no helping it. He curved the edges of his crimson lips into a soft smile, letting a natural and charming expression settle on his face. With a flawlessly fresh demeanor, he stepped out of the carriage, following Samuel.

Eurus descended onto the stone-paved courtyard, overgrown with weeds, where the disheveled servants and maids bowed awkwardly. Watching their uneven gestures, Samuel let out a scoffing laugh. They looked like a ragtag group of beggars dressed up and forced to stand in line. The comparison was especially stark against the skilled and polished staff of the Devonshire household.

“Where is the master of the castle?”

Samuel directed the question to a young maid standing closest to him.

“I’m sorry, but Miss Psyche is out at the moment and not in the castle,” the maid replied, her strong Scotlin accent making the words sound almost foreign.

“When will Lady Stuart return?” Samuel asked, continuing his interrogation.

“Later this evening…”

The maid’s voice quavered, as if she were on the verge of tears. Unable to watch any longer, Eurus stepped forward.

“Where has the young lady gone?”

The young maid, staring at the shadow now cast over her, hesitated before looking up hesitantly—only to freeze entirely. She was struck silent by the stunningly handsome man before her. Having spent her days among rough and unsightly men, the appearance of someone so princely, speaking to her kindly, left her utterly speechless. Adding to her confusion, the man smiled warmly, his face radiating charm as if coated in honey.

“She went to the market in the village… It’s market day today.”

“The young lady went to the market herself?” Samuel interjected in astonishment.

Eurus paused briefly before speaking again, “Could we borrow two horses?”

The maid, nodding quickly, scurried off toward the stables. The remaining servants whispered among themselves before discreetly dispersing.

“Eurus, why do we need horses all of a sudden?”

Samuel’s eyes widened as he realized one of the two horses was meant for him. The horses, brought out by the stable master, were enormous and as wild as untamed stallions. Their restless stamping and twitching tails hinted at their ferocious temperament.

“I’m going to the market. Waiting is not my style.”

Eurus placed his foot in the stirrup and smoothly mounted the horse in one swift motion. Looking down at the maid, he asked, “Which direction is the market?”

“If you leave the castle gates and follow the road down, it won’t take more than five minutes on horseback,” the maid answered enthusiastically.

Eurus nodded, stroking his horse’s mane a few times before gently nudging its sides with his heels. The massive black steed began to move slowly.

“Eurus, are you out of your mind? Going to the market right after arriving, without even catching your breath!”

Samuel, rubbing his tired eyes, protested. But as Eurus’s horse began to gain distance, he reluctantly climbed onto the other horse.

Since Eurus had taken the more docile horse, Samuel was left with the more unruly one. The moment Samuel gingerly tapped its side, the horse bolted wildly, galloping at full speed.

“Aaah! Eurus!”

Samuel screamed as he clung on for dear life, nearly thrown from the saddle. Eurus, suppressing a laugh, quickly spurred his horse to follow.