Chapter 40
Happy Crowell Castle (4)
Ethan seemed to have sensed the same thing, as his body was leaning towards the stone house.
“…Are suspicious incidents common in Crowell territory?”
“…Not as far as I know, but I can’t say for certain.”
From inside the stone house that should have been empty, we sensed the presence of people.
But surely…
As I listened carefully, I could hear a faint human voice that seemed about to die out.
“Please save us…”
“…You can hear this too, right? It’s not just me?”
“Yes. I hear it too.”
Once again, something was starting to twist.
According to my memories, this shouldn’t be happening.
This time, it couldn’t be because of Rimos Therion, so why?
🥀
“Thank you so much for helping us…!”
“To receive help on Lady Crowell’s homecoming journey, we’re nothing but grateful…”
“Benjamin! Stop crying!”
“But I’m so thankful… Waaah…”
While comforting the sobbing man, the woman kept glancing at me. She must feel awkward about riding the horse while I, the lady, walk.
I shrugged my shoulders to show that I really didn’t mind.
“It’s alright. The injured take priority.”
Although it was a rough mountain path, I was familiar with the route, so it was fine. Above all, the outer walls of Crowell Castle were starting to come into view in the distance.
‘It wouldn’t be right for me to ride the horse while leaving such injured people behind.’
The people found in the stone house that should have been empty weren’t just one, but two. A man and a woman. Moreover, both had severe head injuries.
Benjamin and Ella, who introduced themselves as twin clerks working at Crowell Castle, were bound in a pitiful state that was painful to see.
They were tied back-to-back, making it seem impossible for them to free themselves.
They were finally able to be free when Ethan drew his sword and cut through the tight bindings, but they looked too weak to walk, so we put them on the horse first.
The two said they were kidnapped two days ago while returning home after organizing the archives late at night at Crowell Castle.
“We don’t have any reason to be hated by anyone!”
“That’s right. We’re from a different territory and were only recently employed at Crowell Castle.”
Ella, who was comforting Benjamin, glanced at me with large, pitiful eyes that looked on the verge of tears.
So that’s why I hadn’t seen their faces before, even though they were servants at Crowell Castle. If they had been quietly kidnapped and disappeared when no one knew, it made sense that I wouldn’t remember them.
Originally, I wouldn’t have passed through this place at this time.
It seems things started to go awry from the subjugation site.
So, I… just happened to luckily save two pitiful servants?
No matter how I looked at them, they didn’t seem like harbingers of danger.
I smiled slightly at them reassuringly and agreed.
“I see.”
“Yes! So although we’re meeting Lady Crowell for the first time, you look just like Diana described you every day.”
“Sniff, that’s true…”
“…Ah.”
Benjamin and Ella seem to have been close to Diana. They don’t look much older, so it’s understandable that Diana might have easily befriended them.
“Is Diana doing well?”
“Yes! She said every day that she missed Lady Crowell. Even though we’ve never met you before, we feel like we’ve known you for a long time.”
“To that extent…. It seems Diana liked you two very much as well.”
“Of course. Through the secret hole we found, Diana would go on secret outings with us!”
“Ella, we agreed to keep that a secret!”
“…Oops! I’m sorry. Could you… forget about that?”
These two had exceptionally loose lips.
It’s dangerous outside the castle. But I guess it’s okay since they didn’t go beyond the outer walls.
“Well… She’s at an age where you want to play outside.”
I overheard Benjamin and Ella whispering to each other, “Didn’t they say Lady Edith is 16 too…?” What am I supposed to do about that?
Thinking about Diana, a smile inadvertently escaped me.
My lovely little sister.
Even in my last life, she stayed by my side until my final moments.
How can a sister not related by blood be so precious? Sometimes I was amazed at myself.
At that moment, Ethan, who had been quietly listening to the conversation from behind, quickened his pace to match mine.
“Edith.”
“Yes?”
As I slightly turned my head to look at him, he gazed at me with narrowed eyes and whispered in my ear.
“You’ve stumbled three times already. If you’re tired, say so. I’ll carry you.”
“That’s not necessary…”
“Don’t hesitate.”
I did twist my ankle a few times while walking lost in thought. I tried not to show it… How did he notice?
Besides, it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t walk.
‘Ethan, this guy…’
Did he get a taste for it after carrying me once?
As I was wondering how to respond, I rolled my eyes and spoke.
“I’m fine. And by the way, Ethan.”
“Hmm?”
“Your back isn’t very comfortable to ride on.”
“……”
“…I guess you’ve never heard that before? Well then.”
“……”
Leaving the speechless Ethan behind, I quickened my pace and led the way.
Teasing Ethan somehow left me feeling refreshed.
“Let’s go together. Are you abandoning me because my back isn’t comfortable?”
“Try to keep up.”
I continued walking, ignoring Ethan’s voice from behind.
I didn’t realize having a companion who doesn’t ask many questions could be this convenient.
We finished off the wolf beast pack early, and although unexpected, we also rescued some territory residents. Now all that’s left is to safely return to Crowell Castle.
I walked towards Crowell Castle with light steps. Even the crunching sound of leaves underfoot was cheerful.
At this point, I had no idea of what awaited me at Crowell Castle.
🥀
The knights standing guard at the outer wall must have received the message about my arrival today, as they immediately assumed formal postures and raised and lowered their spears when they saw me.
“Lady Crowell! Welcome back.”
“The Baron is waiting for you in the main castle.”
I nodded lightly in greeting.
“Yes. It’s been a while. But we found some injured people on the way. Could you have them treated?”
I pointed to the two injured people we had brought on horseback. One of the knights took the horse, looking surprised as he confirmed their identities.
“Of course. Ah, these are the clerks who were hired recently.”
“They said they were kidnapped. Didn’t you know?”
“We’ve been cut off from the main castle for the past few days. I’ll report this along with your arrival. By the way…”
The knight bowed with a warm smile.
“You’ve grown so much in just a year.”
“It’s the age for rapid growth.”
“Lady Ediiith… See you later! Thank you for saving us!”
While I was talking with the guard captain, Benjamin and Ella’s voices rang out, expressing their gratitude until the end.
I waved at them as they gradually moved away, then slowly lowered my hand.
It was unexpected that the news of their kidnapping hadn’t been known, but they indeed seemed to be clerks from Crowell Castle.
They’ll probably be questioned about the circumstances of their kidnapping and what happened afterward.
‘I doubt any information beyond what I already know will come out, but.’
If we’re lucky, we might discover more signs, anyway. As I was about to enter the castle…
For some reason, the knights weren’t opening the castle gate right away and were glancing behind me. The guard captain was doing the same.
‘What’s going on?’
Is something wrong?
Then I turned around and realized. Surely not…
“…This is my friend from the academy, Young Lord Behemoth.”
“We’ve heard so much about you! Thank you for accompanying our Lady. It’s an honor!”
So that was it.
As if they had been waiting for me to introduce him, the knights’ eyes lit up as they hurriedly bowed again in greeting.
It’s not strange that they knew in advance, as I had mentioned the accompaniment of Young Lord Behemoth in the letter sent to Crowell Castle.
Knights in such a remote area would never have the chance to see the only son of a high-ranking ducal family. Even so, such an enthusiastic response…
The reason for the knights’ gaze towards me becoming even more intense seemed to be because I had returned from my first academy break with none other than Young Lord Behemoth as a friend.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all!!”
Oh, those voices full of enthusiasm.
Ethan, apparently used to such reactions, simply responded with a light greeting.
“……”
…Then the knights started looking at me.
Why are you looking at me? Do you want me to say more? Are you crazy? Why should I?
I’m sorry, but those desperate, maiden-like gazes won’t work on me.
Ignoring the knights’ looks, I finally stepped inside the castle gate with Ethan.
🥀
Thank you for reading! ♡
