4. Theon Phil Voltman
I pointed to a corner of the training hall.
When the knights moved back a little, a boy appeared in view.
Who would have imagined?
‘The Emperor’s son sitting on the floor of Count Travel’s training hall, polishing armor with a cloth!’
Neither he nor the Baron Voltman couple, who raised him in place of their deceased daughter, knew.
Even the current Emperor, who roamed the empire in disguise, does not know of Theon’s existence.
This son was born during the Emperor’s youthful indulgence in pleasures.
Even now, the current Emperor likely doesn’t know about Theon.
‘He’s ten years old, right? The Voltman family was said to be dirt poor, and it seems to be true.’
His clothes, which were clearly handed down, didn’t fit his frame, with sleeves and pants rolled up. Despite being nobles, the Voltman Baron couldn’t even afford a proper suit for their cherished grandson.
‘But what do clothes matter? Theon is a diamond in the rough, only known to me!’
A smile crept up on my face.
Theon was so engrossed in his task that he didn’t notice the attention he was receiving, as he continued polishing the armor.
“He’s young, yet so focused. I really like that.”
Huh. I hear someone eyeing my diamond.
Mr. Rex looked at Theon with a content smile before tilting his head.
“Who is that?”
“Did you forget again? I introduced him to you on the first day.”
“What did you say, dude??”
“Thank you for giving me the chance to explain again, Chief Commander. He’s an apprentice who arrived five days ago, recommended by an acquaintance of the head of the family. He’s the grandson of Baron Voltman.”
Recognizing the name, Mr. Rex narrowed his eyes.
“Baron Voltman? Wasn’t he a knight who distinguished himself during the reign of the late Emperor? Did they have a son to carry on the family name?”
In response to Mr. Rex’s question, the knight glanced at me and lowered his voice to continue.
“It seems that their lady gave birth to an illegitimate child in her younger years. No one knows who the father is, so they registered him under the Voltman family. The lady passed away two years ago, and Theon has been raised by the Baron and his wife ever since.”
“…How old did you say he was?”
“Ten years old.”
“Hmm.”
After hearing Theon’s circumstances, Mr. Rex twitched his nose. He mumbled to himself, ‘Poor kid has had a rough life.’
Mr. Rex cleared his throat and said to me,
“So, Miss, would you like to head to the Grand Master’s office with Theon?”
“Is his name Theon? Sure! I’ll go with him!”
“Alright then. Theon!”
Only then did Theon lift his head when Mr. Rex called his name loudly.
Unlike his worn-out clothes, his black hair was neatly combed, and his face was clean, likely thanks to the education he received from Baroness Voltman.
With his double eyelids, black eyes, long eyelashes, sharp nose, and thick eyebrows,
“Come here and look!”
He’ll become a handsome crown prince one day.’
Responding to his superior’s call, Theon quickly stood up and ran over.
“You called for me, sir.”
“Introduce yourself. This is Miss Berry.”
“Hai!”
“H…hello”
While I waved my hand energetically, Theon awkwardly used formal language.
‘He must think I’m younger than him, just by looking at me.’
Although there are relatives my age in Travel, Theon, who just recently became an apprentice, was seeing a direct family member for the first time in front of his eyes.
‘Besides, the Voltman family is also a noble family. Of course, it’s unfamiliar for him to speak politely to a child!’
After greeting, Theon looked at Mr. Rex, hoping he would state why he had been called. His gaze was disciplined, not like that of an ordinary child.
‘Aha. So this is why another me recognizes Crown Prince Theon….’
I smiled inwardly, feeling a sense of significance.
The dark eyes of Theon, seen up close, appeared indifferent, but they strongly reminded me of someone I knew.
There was a warm breeze, like my dad’s eyes.
“Theon, do you know who Young Master Reytan is? The Grand Master who returned to Travel two days ago.”
“Chief Commander, It’s ‘former’ Grand Master… Ouch.”
The knight who was speaking was cut off by Mr. Rex stepping on his foot, swallowing his scream.
With a hearty voice, Mr. Rex continued as if nothing had happened,
“He’s on parental leave. Why do you think Wyndis hasn’t chosen the next owner yet?”
“Is he returning?”
“This young one is sharper than he looks. I like that.”
Mr. Rex patted Theon on the shoulder.
“He didn’t give a definite answer, but I believe he will return. Do you know this? That Miss Berry here is the daughter of Young Master Reytan?”
“D-daughter…?”
Theon’s dark eyes, now looking back at me, began to sparkle.
‘Oh ho. This seems easier than I thought.’
A child learning swordsmanship would likely admire my dad. He had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, becoming the Grand Master!
You like my dad, don’t you? Then, how about helping me save him?
“Yes! My dad is Reytan Quartz Travel!”
With a bright smile, I held out my hand to Theon.
Nice to meet you!
My future best friend!
***
“Master Reytan, it’s ten days away.”
“I am aware.”
As Reytan exited the Church, he was stopped by a voice calling out to him. Priests were trailing behind him like chicks following a mother hen.
The lead priest urgently reminded him,
“Wyndis is due to rampage in ten days. You must come to the main Church before then…”
“Priest Finn.”
“Y-yes?”
“I already told you I know.”
Ssss. Reytan, whose appearance was already fierce, furrowed his brow.
The priests, who had been following closely behind, quickly retreated.
“Of course, I assumed you would be well aware of it, Master Reytan.”
Sensing that he may have upset Reytan, Priest Finn fumbled with his words. Though unsure if it was necessary, Reytan was now the only glimmer of hope for the Aubawth Church.
The shadows under the priests’ eyes deepened daily. No matter how many herbal remedies and nourishing foods they consumed, they could not replenish the divine power drained by Wyndis’s rampage.
Wyndis.
That stubborn holy sword.
“Moreover, Wyndis has been waiting eagerly for you, Master Reytan…”
How remarkable must the notorious heir of Travel be for Wyndis to be so fixated on him?
If Reytan didn’t return as Grand Master, the main Church would soon be torn to pieces by the storm.
So, what could they do? After resolving this upcoming rampage, they would have to secure Reytan and get the holy sword back at his waist, no matter what.
They would kneel before him or coax him with the word ‘temporary.’ After all, they were the ones in need.
“Take care on your way. Until we meet again, I hope you rest well and take care of your health…”
Even as Reytan climbed into the carriage, Priest Finn’s concerned words did not cease.
“I understand. I will ensure nothing happens that requires concern, and I will come to the main Church. Now, stop following me.”
Reytan quickly shut the door of the carriage, finding the newfound peace in his ears blissful.
As the silence returned, however, his thoughts of worry for his daughter began again.
‘She better be behaving herself.’
Reytan quickly corrected himself.
There was no such thing as Berry “behaving herself.’
She was always the cause of trouble. In Bonwell village, she was a child who never lost to older children, and after only a year of learning to read, she had devoured every book in the village library.
‘That maid is a concern too. No matter how well hidden things are, if she stays by Berry’s side, she’ll eventually notice Berry’s brilliance.’
The maid placed by Marian.
According to Sherry, the maid had a younger brother to care for and needed money, which is why she stayed by Marian’s side.
‘I need to find something I can use against her…’
Reytan, deep in thought, suddenly stopped tapping the seat with his finger. He recalled the conversation he had with Count Travel the previous night.
Count Travel had mentioned that Berry’s eyes resembled those of Reytan’s mother, Julia Quartz. She had been the second wife of Count Travel.
The first wife gave birth to the eldest son, Hevant, and the following year, the eldest daughter, Marian.
Then, the second wife came into the Travel household.
“The most renowned doctor in the Hayshal Empire had said it. He claimed that Julia wouldn’t survive a year in Travel after giving birth to you due to the incurable disease she had suffered from since childhood.”
I can’t believe that my mother was suffering from a incurable disease.
Reytan’s eyes flickered slightly at hearing that story for the first time. Count Travel continued,
The color of Count Travel’s golden eyes deepened as he briefly mentioned an old story. However, no one noticed the change in the darkness.
“It was a disease that caused intermittent high fevers of unknown origin. But as you know, your mother lived for another 20 years. On the grounds of the Travel family estate.”
“…Why are you telling me this now, something you’ve never mentioned before?”
Reytan’s throat felt dry. He didn’t have enough information to play his hand. Questions he wanted to ask were stuck in his throat.
Count Travel gazed at his son quietly. His next question pierced through Reytan’s heart.
“How many more years do you think your daughter has left?”
***
Mr. Rex gave Theon an order. He was to guide Miss Berry to the Grand Master’s office and then keep her company!
‘Mr. Rex is the best! He’s on our side!’
I was secretly worried that other knights might follow us, but Mr. Rex kept them busy, saying they still had training to complete.
The knights looked a bit like sulking puppies who couldn’t go on a walk, their shoulders slumped.
But right now, I needed to get closer to Theon.
“Hey, Theon!”
“Yes?”
“Want to hear something interesting?”
I raised my hand, which was holding Theon’s, and pointed at a wooden potted plant in the hallway.
“I’ve seen this tree three times already!”
Startled!
Theon’s shoulders flinched.
