Chapter 195
I reflexively checked Rona’s face. Her eyes, hardened with surprise, shook endlessly. When I looked at my sister just in case, she shook her head. It meant she hadn’t received any separate contact. Only then, relieved, was I able to comfort Rona.
“It’s okay. If something had happened, they would have reported it.”
Rona made a sound that was neither an answer nor a groan as she nodded her head.
Not long after, the carriage passed through the main gate. Rona, who had looked anxious, ran over in one breath.
“Mom! Dad!”
Her voice, filled with anxiety, was mixed with tears.
“Roje! Roan!”
The carriage came to a stop. As if they had been waiting, the carriage door burst open and two little ones jumped out.
“Big sister!”
“Sister!”
The little ones, who looked no more than 10 years old at most, had identical faces. Then Rona’s parents got out. Both were tanned and dark from the sun, but they were very thin and didn’t look healthy. They approached us hesitantly.
Concerned about the children’s rudeness, the wife tried to manage the twins, but my sister greeted them first.
“You must have had a hard time coming such a long way. I’m Irene Vinter, who is responsible for this territory. This is my younger brother Fei Vinter.”
“Hello.”
I greeted them with a slight bow. Rona’s parents seemed restless, not knowing what to do with themselves.
“Ah, hello.”
“Thank you for gladly accepting our proposal.”
My sister spoke in a warm voice.
“No, we’re the ones… can we really live in such a nice place…”
“Oh my, you sent us such an outstanding friend like Miss Rona. I’m actually more grateful.”
“Is our Rona really doing that well?”
When the wife asked, my sister’s eyes curved gently.
“Yes, of course. She’ll become an excellent doctor.”
Her expression, which had been tense in many ways, brightened completely. Emotion, gratitude, and pride. The feelings toward her child were conveyed completely.
“Now don’t worry about us and go greet them. You must have missed your daughter.”
Rona’s parents repeatedly thanked us and bowed several times. Concerned that the uncomfortable atmosphere might continue, my sister left with the person in charge who had come to report.
‘It’s fortunate that everyone seems uninjured.’
Instead of watching the family reunion, I also headed to the stables to check the condition of the carriage. After accepting greetings from the servants, I asked about the location of the carriage that had just arrived.
“This is…”
There were clear traces of scratches and holes everywhere, showing how fierce the battle at that time had been. Moreover, even at a glance, these weren’t traces of monsters or beasts. It seemed like a battle had taken place with people, and quite a large number at that.
Not only were there sword and axe marks, but there were holes throughout the carriage. They looked like traces where arrows had been pulled out.
‘Was there a Kans attack?’
Judging by the variety of weapons, it seemed to be quite a large group.
‘Well, if they weren’t at a numerical disadvantage, they wouldn’t have been injured.’
Our family’s knight order is composed of quite high-level elites. So this was evidence that a considerably large Kans group had appeared.
‘At this level, a subjugation force would be organized.’
I glanced at Luwen.
When spring comes, Luwen is scheduled to officially become a senior knight and join the royal guard. And during the founding festival in early summer, the honorary duke investiture ceremony will take place. The main purpose was to announce the appearance of an Aura Master and make the festival even bigger to cover up the imperial family’s scandals.
The imperial citizens couldn’t know that a member of the imperial family had colluded with enemy nations. However, just the fact that a member of the imperial family had committed a serious crime and was exiled with their status degraded was enough to make them feel anxious.
‘Given the situation, they’ll want to subjugate before the founding festival opens.’
Usually, subjugation forces led by the state involve the imperial knight order, but given that trust in the imperial family has fallen due to the 1st Prince, the 2nd Prince might personally lead the subjugation.
‘Then the royal guard would be mobilized.’
I know, it’s another useless bout of anxiety again. I can’t keep him in my arms anymore.
“Young master.”
“Huh?”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
Luwen smiled as he lightly touched my nose.
‘How did he know? Did it show on my face?’
I don’t know if I failed to manage my expression because I was thinking deeply, or if he’s gotten good at reading my expressions.
“Did it show?”
“Rather than showing, I thought you’d be worried since it seems like a subjugation force will be organized.”
So he read my thoughts, not my expression. I wondered if I was that simple, but I also understood since I know I react sensitively when it comes to Luwen’s safety.
“I’m more concerned about who will be by your side when I’m away.”
Luwen frowned and tapped the damaged, bumpy surface of the carriage as he spoke. As if resenting the culprit who made the carriage like this.
“That’s why I left the selection of my guard to you, Luwen. I told you to pick someone you could feel at ease with.”
But there’s been complete silence. Anyway, since I just need to pick someone before Luwen joins the knight order, I’m waiting leisurely.
“There was exactly one person I liked, but he refused.”
“He refused? Who was it?”
“My master.”
“Ah. Pfft. Of course he’d refuse. Dedric isn’t the type to work as a guard.”
He’s someone who became hard to see even after my sister inherited the duke title. Since he was originally father’s person, coming to the duke’s residence would be painful as it brings back memories. Perhaps that’s why he’s been putting more effort into monster subjugation while touring the border regions.
He’ll probably formally step down from the knight commander position soon. There’s a limit to how much my sister can hold onto him. Even now, the vice knight commander is handling most of the work and training as acting knight commander. That person will probably become the knight commander.
“Don’t stress yourself unnecessarily and just pick someone suitable.”
“How can I just pick someone suitable? I’m looking for someone I can trust and entrust with your care in my place.”
“Anyone from our knight order would protect me well.”
“That’s not the problem.”
Luwen seemed unable to understand me treating it so casually. But I couldn’t understand him worrying about guards either. It’s not that he doesn’t trust the knight order members’ abilities. Then what exactly is he worried about?
‘Does he not trust me?’
If he’s worried that I might give my heart to someone else, I can understand that. However, if you think about it that way, it means he doesn’t trust me, which makes me feel hurt.
‘I’m not someone who gives my heart away carelessly.’
Most importantly, after Luwen joins the royal guard, he won’t even stay in the dormitory within the imperial palace. Most newly joined knights stay in the dormitory, but it’s not mandatory, so he decided to enter the palace according to his work hours and then leave.
In other words, when he leaves the palace, we’ll spend time together until he enters the palace the next day, just the same. So I couldn’t understand why he was worrying so much about this. It doesn’t seem like something that would happen.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m worried they might harbor improper feelings… toward you, young master.”
…Ha, so it really was because he doesn’t trust me?
Not everyone in the world likes me, and even if someone does develop feelings for me, nothing will happen if I don’t accept them.
“Don’t you trust me?”
“That’s absolutely not it.”
Luwen’s face hardened as he answered urgently.
“Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I don’t trust your heart, young master.”
“If it’s not that, then what?”
“Young master, you’re so beautiful, charming, kind, and gentle… it’s natural for anyone to fall in love with you. I hate the very idea of someone else harboring feelings for you.”
How can he be so confident that everyone will love me unconditionally when people have different tastes? It was absurd, but I was actually happy that he saw me that way.
“Then pick someone who’s married.”
“…Wouldn’t they still like you?”
At this point, I didn’t feel hurt anymore. Luwen, who was seriously worrying about such ridiculous concerns, was just endearing.
“What about someone with children?”
“Hmm.”
“Look for someone who’s devoted to their family.”
Someone who cherishes their children dearly wouldn’t turn their attention to others. It might be a bit tiring if they brag about their children to me, but if it helps Luwen feel at ease, that’s fine. I can just listen appropriately and draw the line if it becomes annoying.
“Ah! There is such a person!”
It seems there’s someone who fits perfectly. Luwen’s eyes sparkled. I burst into laughter wondering if this was something to be so happy about.
“Hahaha! So is the guard position decided now?”
“Probably. I’ll talk to them as soon as we return to the duke’s residence.”
I continued chatting with Luwen as we returned to the mansion, smiling throughout. Even though it was nothing special, I felt endlessly happy. Then I happened to see through the window the territory management representative making contact with Rona and her family.
‘I hope they like the house we prepared.’
We agreed to provide generous monthly support funds on the condition that she becomes my sister’s personal physician later. It’s enough money that the couple won’t need to work hard, so I hope they’ll have gained some weight when we meet next time.
‘Though we might not meet since I’d be uncomfortable.’
The peaceful and tranquil time ended as soon as we entered the reception room.
“Fei, we need to hurry back to the duke’s residence.”
My sister’s face was hardened. The knight standing beside her was the same.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
