Chapter 163
“Do you need something from me?”
Because I was cold and wanted to quickly enter my tent, I had no choice but to speak first.
“Ah! Um, if it’s alright with you, could I present you with today’s hunting results as a gift?”
If this had been a regular hunting banquet, it would have been a bear or fox, which would have made an excellent gift.
‘But this hunt’s prey is…’
Walter seemed to have forgotten what today’s prey was. Since one couldn’t bring the large, smelly ogre corpse, they decided to cut off ears to determine the winner.
“No. I don’t want something like that.”
I frowned and shook my head. An ogre’s ear, of all things. Someone might want it, but not me. Unless it could be used as medicine perhaps.
“Ah! No, I… that’s right. I’m sorry. I was nervous and forgot that today’s hunt wasn’t for animals.”
He laughed awkwardly. Somehow he seemed a bit deflated. I felt slightly sorry for him, but for Luwen’s test, I had to push this person away. Even if it wasn’t tied to the test, he was clearly showing interest in me. I couldn’t act completely friendly.
“Um…”
Just as Walter opened his mouth, a strong gust of wind blew. I instinctively turned my head toward the wind, causing my hair to become disheveled.
‘Ah, this is so annoying at times like this.’
While gathering and fixing my windblown hair, I looked at Walter again.
“What did you say?”
“I was wondering if you don’t remember me…”
“What? Of course I remember you.”
We met at the ball, and I saw him at the marquis residence. Unless my memory was at goldfish level, there’s no way I wouldn’t remember. Yet seeing his face brighten at my answer gave me a strange feeling.
‘Where is Theobalt? What is he doing, leaving me here?’
At this rate, I might be stuck here until it’s time to depart for the ogre subjugation. Any other time, I could act coldly and turn away, but today was a hunting banquet meant for socializing and harmony between families. I couldn’t treat the young master of the host family coldly. Especially not in front of others.
Would he claim I violated our contract after this?
As I was resolving not to let that happen, I noticed Walter smiling like a child. …What’s with this guy?
“Then do you remember the promise we made?”
Promise? Did I make a promise with Walter?
At the marquis residence, we never exchanged words. Our first conversation was at the ball. I didn’t make any promises to Walter then. I only told him to return to the ball.
“I’m sorry, but when did we make a promise? There was no such content in our conversation at the ball.”
“Ah… We met even before that, but I see you don’t remember.”
Walter lowered his head bitterly, his shoulders dropping.
“Walter. The wind is strong. Are you going to keep the young master standing out here?”
Finally, Theobalt appeared. As if it were natural, he approached me and took off his cloak to put around me. Since the camp wasn’t that large and it wouldn’t take long to reach the tent, it seemed like a performance purely for Walter’s benefit.
“Oh, I apologize. …I should depart now, so please excuse me.”
After hesitating briefly, Walter bowed politely and turned around. Then he paused and looked back.
“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to talk with you alone next time. May I invite you?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m likely to be busy for a while, so it would be difficult.”
Even though I’d still meet with Theobalt. He would be pleased with that. Sure enough, he was clearing his throat with his fist covering his mouth. I could clearly see his lips curling up from the side.
“I see… I understand. Please go in and rest.”
Finally, Walter moved away. After watching his trudging figure for a moment, I turned toward my tent. Theobalt followed me.
As soon as we entered the tent, Luwen removed the double cloaks and handed them to Taran. Taran glared at Luwen once, but perhaps because there was a guest present, he silently arranged the cloaks.
“Young master, could you excuse your attendants?”
Both of them looked at me simultaneously. Their eyes seemed to ask if I was really going to send them away.
Originally, nobles are accustomed to being served and can even speak lewd words in front of others. In other words, asking to dismiss attendants was a signal that one wanted to have a private conversation that shouldn’t reach others’ ears.
‘He probably wants to tell me about his plan to showcase Luwen to the deputy minister of the Sword Dancing Division.’
I didn’t want to send them out in the cold, but… I couldn’t let the subject hear about the plan. It would also be strange to keep only Taran.
“Could you leave us for a moment?”
I reluctantly said with a suppressed sigh. If Theobalt’s “private conversation” wasn’t what I expected, I would call them back immediately.
However, Luwen didn’t seem willing to leave.
“But young master, I am your guard. I cannot leave your side.”
“I wonder since when a guard can argue with the master’s orders. This isn’t a dangerous place, and guarding the entrance of the tent should be sufficient.”
Although he was speaking to me, it was clearly a rebuke to Luwen, which was quite unpleasant. But his point was correct. A typical guard should withdraw without argument in this situation. In fact, persisting would cause trouble. Because:
“Or are you wary of me? Do you think I’m someone who would harm your master? I wonder if the Vinter knights outside share the same opinion.”
This is what he would say.
I was annoyed that he would say such things while knowing they weren’t true. However, getting Luwen to leave was the priority now.
“Luwen. Wait outside.”
“…”
Luwen pressed his lips tightly. I could sense a bit of resentment, but I pretended not to notice and focused on the man in front of me.
Thud, thud—
Shortly after, the sound of footsteps faded away, and the entrance cloth of the tent fluttered. Cold wind approached, pushing away the warmth.
“I know you cherish your guard, but it would be better not to indulge him too much. That friend’s eyes looked quite dangerous.”
“I’ll handle my own people. I never asked you to do that, Lord Theobalt. Don’t overstep your boundaries.”
I expressed my displeasure and warned him with a cold expression.
‘I can’t tolerate anyone treating Luwen carelessly.’
How dare he try to lecture Luwen. If I didn’t draw the line now, he would continue to do this. Above all, looking at the situation, there was no concern about our deal breaking. Theobalt must be quite pleased thanks to me right now.
If he tried to provoke me through Luwen, I needed to make him realize he wouldn’t get what he wanted.
“If my behavior was presumptuous, I apologize.”
Theobalt bowed his head first. I relaxed my stiff face and smiled faintly. He should understand by now.
“Yes, I accept it this time.”
I didn’t forget to warn him to be careful in the future since his behavior was indeed presumptuous. Sensing that the necessary words had been said, Theobalt soon moved to the main topic.
“I asked to dismiss the attendants to inform you of an important fact.”
“Please tell me.”
“There will be an opportunity to showcase your guard this afternoon. A very rude and rough guest is expected to visit us.”
It seemed they had lured an ogre to the camp. Since the deputy minister of the Sword Dancing Division didn’t participate in the subjugation, if Luwen acted before he stepped in, he could show his skills.
“Should I be concerned?”
“Of course not. I haven’t handled it so carelessly.”
Theobalt smiled confidently. I suppose that makes sense. If this matter came to light, he had more to lose than I did, so he would have managed it well. It would have been better if he had done this without telling me anything.
‘Well, all I’ve heard is that a guest is coming.’
Even if the matter was revealed, I could easily deny involvement. The worst-case scenario would be if Theobalt implicated me as well, but even then, my punishment would be light.
‘Besides, if no one gets seriously injured or dies, it’s more likely to end as a simple incident.’
In other words, if Luwen handles it quickly and well, it ends without incident. This point didn’t worry me. Rather, my concern was whether Luwen could handle it before guards from other families stepped in.
‘As the hunting banquet changed to a subjugation, nobles who sent their children for various purposes seem to have sent skilled guards with them.’
It seemed inappropriate to stay quietly in the tent after all. If I wanted Luwen to move, I needed to move myself.
‘But why isn’t he getting up to leave?’
He had conveyed his message, and by now Walter must have left for the subjugation, so there was no reason for him to remain in my tent. I thought he would bid farewell and go, but he showed no intention of moving.
“Do you have any other business?”
“Actually, there’s something I want to ask. Do you really not remember Walter?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
