Chapter 169
‘It doesn’t matter anyway since Theobalt can’t move either.’
Originally, I had something to discuss regarding Luwen’s promotion to senior knight. When I was in the barracks, the Vice Minister of the Sword Department had come by and given me a subtle signal.
‘He’s too valuable to be left as just the young lord’s escort.’
His face was absolutely filled with greed as he coveted Luwen. If one didn’t know the context, they might have misunderstood that the old man was indecently interested in a young man, given his suggestive tone.
‘He’ll probably approach Luwen separately.’
Luwen would certainly refuse, so I imagine the Vice Minister would be quite disappointed. I should have used this opportunity to show goodwill to Luwen, suggesting that when he joins a knighthood, he might choose the First Knight Division.
But Theobalt should be the one to say this. If I mention it, it becomes a promise, whereas with Theobalt, it remains in the realm of “possibility” to entice the Vice Minister. Now would be the perfect time since Theobalt made a strong impression, but…
‘He’s injured, so it can’t be helped.’
Besides, visiting the Vice Minister with an injured body to discuss Luwen would only seem suspicious. It would be better to persuade the Vice Minister after Theobalt has fully recovered and returned to duty.
“Alright. I’ll just quietly visit the infirmary.”
“No. I wish you’d take a break from the infirmary too. Just one week. Would you mind staying at the mansion for just one week?”
…Huh? I blinked my eyes. Somehow this didn’t seem to be simply about my health. It appeared something was going to happen in a week.
‘Is the First Prince’s trial being held?’
Even if that were the case, I don’t see why I’d need to seclude myself in the mansion… but my sister’s expression looked quite earnest. Just as she’s weak to my childish whims, I’m weak to this look of hers.
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
So I agreed without asking for details. If it were something she could explain, she would have told me.
“Thank you for accepting, Fei. Now get some rest.”
My sister smiled brightly as she stroked my head.
“Yes. You should rest too, sis. You must be tired today.”
Those who went on the subjugation mission hadn’t returned until the cleanup of the assassins was complete. Because of this, some people went out searching. While some had simply gone far away and didn’t know the situation, quite a few people were attacked while returning after noticing something was wrong.
This meant that the assassins who attacked the Second Prince and the camp weren’t all there was, and some had escaped. Because of this, my sister had worked quite hard with Margrave Lorentz to resolve the situation.
I glanced subtly at the Second Prince while smiling. Then I bowed my head toward him, politely telling him to take care.
After the two of them left, Luwen came to my side.
“Are you worried about Sword Master Theobalt?”
“Hmm. I am a bit concerned.”
If he hadn’t taken me down from the platform, perhaps he wouldn’t have been injured. Of course, this is just a possibility, so I only feel slightly apologetic. Still, the fact that he didn’t flee alone in that urgent situation but took me with him made me see Theobalt differently.
Moreover, while he’d always been pleased whenever his younger brother was dejected, when Walter got hurt, he came to me for help. I was already resting in the barracks at that time, and Taran was treating him.
‘Please, Young Lord. Of all places, his leg, his leg…’
His arm, gripping his thigh where he limped, was trembling. So despite my sister’s objections, I went to help personally. Because of that, Walter became the last patient I saw before leaving the camp.
‘I guess he does care about his brother.’
Well. It was just a childhood promise. How much could he have been hurt by me? He probably just felt a little upset and disappointed that I had remembered it one-sidedly.
‘That’s why he could smile.’
It was a day when my evaluation of Theobalt changed in many ways. I thought it might be nice to meet him occasionally even after Luwen’s promotion was settled.
I finished the remaining milk and enjoyed the faint sweet taste. Perhaps because the day had been tiring, I realized for the first time that I didn’t mind the sweetness.
“If I were to…”
Clink. I put down my cup and missed part of what he said. His voice was particularly soft.
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“If I were to become a nobleman, what do you think it would be like?”
I froze for a moment. Luwen’s attitude was too serious for this to be a simple hypothetical. It didn’t seem to be about the distant possibility of becoming an honorary duke either. If that were the case, given Luwen’s careful nature, he would have said he wanted to join the subjugation unit rather than “becoming a nobleman.”
‘…Could it be that the Vice Minister has already approached him?’
He might have spoken to Luwen while I was focused on treatment. He would have proposed adoption or marriage. However, the Vice Minister, who values bloodlines, wouldn’t choose Luwen as a marriage partner for his granddaughter.
The heir to the Vice Minister’s family, Marquis Hooper, has already been determined to be the eldest son. There’s no possibility of change. So if he were to adopt Luwen, he could remove him from our family and have him join the First Knight Division, where the heir serves as commander.
Moreover, if Luwen were to become an honorary duke in the future, it would bring honor to the Hooper Marquis family.
‘What a gloomy old man!’
How dare he try to lure Luwen away while I was fighting for my life!
Despite anticipating this contact, I wasn’t pleased. I had assumed Luwen would naturally refuse, but the fact that he was asking me suggested he was wavering. That made me even more displeased.
“Why do you suddenly ask such a thing?”
I concealed my thoughts and made my voice as gentle as possible.
“…No particular reason. I was just curious.”
“Hmm. I’ve thought about it too. I wondered if Luwen might become like Honorary Duke Cromwell someday.”
“And what did you think?”
“I thought I’d be proud and happy since it would be achieved through Luwen’s own strength. But… I also thought it would be sad because we couldn’t stay like this anymore.”
“My own strength…”
Luwen muttered, precisely identifying the point I had intended.
“Do you consider gaining someone else’s favor also as one’s own strength?”
No, why interpret it so broadly? At this rate, really…
‘…Does he want to go?’
Why? Why suddenly? After saying nothing all this time, why bring this up now?
I wanted to demand answers outright, but I decided to first confirm whether he had indeed received an adoption proposal. If I was barking up the wrong tree, I’d be worrying for nothing.
“Hmm? What’s this about? Did someone express interest in adopting you?”
When I casually mentioned the core issue with a smile, Luwen’s eyes widened slightly. His reaction confirmed my suspicion.
“…I was joking, but it seems I was right.”
I don’t want this. Don’t go. I don’t want to grow apart.
Afraid that the complex emotions rising within me might show, I spoke quickly before Luwen could answer and then lowered my gaze. Then I fell silent.
‘Don’t tell me he’s already decided?’
Come to think of it, it was the same with his academy enrollment. He pondered alone, sought advice, and came to a conclusion. And he didn’t inform me beforehand.
‘What if it’s the same this time?’
I sensed Luwen’s confusion, but my mind had frozen, and I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t think of anything.
“Have you made up your mind?”
An abrupt question. I hadn’t intended to ask right now, but the words escaped me.
After asking, I became afraid. Afraid of hearing an answer I didn’t want to hear.
“No, I haven’t. I was just curious. If I were to become a nobleman…”
“…”
Fortunately, it was an answer that allowed me to relax for now. And I thought I could find a way forward. Luwen wasn’t simply seeking social advancement. He wants something that he could gain by becoming a nobleman.
‘Whatever it is, I could give him everything if he’d only tell me.’
Normally I would have been more cautious, but perhaps because of the situation where Luwen might leave, I spoke my thoughts immediately.
“If there’s something you want that’s making you consider becoming a nobleman, I can give it to you. Anything, just like always.”
Luwen gazed at me intently. But his expression, for some reason, looked bitter. As if my answer was wrong.
“What I—cough! Cough, cough.”
Ah, what terrible timing for a coughing fit.
I was about to speak again after calming down, but Luwen handed me some warm water.
“Since you’ve already taken medicine, it would be better to drink some water. Please retire early tonight. I’ll visit you again tomorrow morning.”
“Wait.”
“Please rest.”
Luwen left despite my call. I stared blankly at the closed door and then hung my head.
‘He seems… angry.’
What did I do wrong? I really don’t know.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
