The Amazing House

The carriage rolled slowly along a forest path as the clouds overhead grew thicker.

Frederick said helplessly, "Next time, don't give directions. I'm worried that if I let you keep doing it, we'll end up all the way in Taohuashi."

Bellberk said indignantly, "How was I supposed to know which roads had been blocked by mudslides?"

Frederick said, "I heard the Ministry of Railways was surveying the terrain east of the Elbe River to prepare for building railways in the future. I thought you'd seen a map of this area."

Bellberk had the strongest road-building crew in the Duchy of Weissen under her command, so Frederick had assumed she knew the roads around here fairly well. Yet they had been lost in the forest for three days.

"That sort of thing is obviously left to the professionals," Bellberk said matter-of-factly. "How could I possibly keep track of all that?"

Frederick had no choice but to say, "I hope there's somewhere to stay up ahead. Otherwise, we'll have to spend the night in the rain."

As soon as he finished speaking, a dull rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.

Bellberk said confidently, "If we keep following the road, we'll definitely reach a noble's estate or come across a hunter's cabin."

"Hopefully there'll be a beautiful princess in reduced circumstances, waiting for you to help her reclaim her throne."

Frederick was about to complain that there couldn't possibly be that many princesses, but then his instincts told him she meant something more. "Why don't you just say what you mean?"

Bellberk said, "My grandfather, Count Ranke, and even His Majesty Rudolf all think you should find a few lovers east of the Elbe River to prepare for the future."

Frederick's mouth twitched. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.