Episode 70

The next morning.

I rubbed my tired eyes as I sat up in bed.

‘I didn’t get a wink of sleep….’

After spending the entire night wide awake, I sighed, rubbing my face with both hands.

[I like you.]

That phrase, which I wasn’t even sure I had heard correctly, kept playing over and over in my mind, keeping me awake until morning finally came.

“Haa…”

I knew it was absurd.

And yet, Ludwig’s smile lingered in my mind like an afterimage, making it impossible to forget.

“This is driving me crazy.”

I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

 

 

***

 

“Good morning.”

At breakfast, I greeted Ludwig with a nonchalant smile.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes, I slept soundly because the bed was comfortable.”

“That’s a relief.”

Seeing Ludwig looking as composed and well-put-together as usual made me feel somewhat resentful.

‘He kept me up all night, and yet…!’

I wasn’t feeling very hungry, likely from the lack of sleep, so I picked at my food when Raven, seated nearby, spoke to Ludwig.

“More importantly, my lord, you didn’t seem to sleep a wink last night. Are you alright?”

“…?”

I turned to look at Ludwig upon hearing that.

‘Ludwig didn’t…?’

“I’ve never seen anyone start sword training in the middle of the night and continue until dawn. Did something happen?”

“I simply trained as usual.”

“From what I know, your usual training starts at six in the morning and lasts for about two hours. There’s never been an exception until last night…”

Raven was speaking seriously, perhaps worried about Ludwig, whose routine was usually as precise as a finely tuned clock.

But as their eyes met, Raven clamped his mouth shut, and Ludwig redirected the conversation smoothly.

“I heard we’ve been invited to the Chetwind estate.”

“Oh, right.”

I had forgotten to mention it. Yesterday had left me no room to think about it.

“We’ve been invited to a banquet this evening. I meant to tell you yesterday.”

“Chetwind is the protector of the southern region, so there’s no need to worry about any dangers, but I’m still concerned about you going alone.”

The Chetwind estate was a highly controlled place, only accessible to those who were personally invited. As such, few people ever set foot there, and receiving an invitation itself was considered an honor.

“You helped the Countess, so they’ll treat you well at Chetwind,” Eve replied to Ludwig’s concerns, and Raven nodded in agreement.

“Yes, it’s the protector family, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

Finally, Ludwig nodded in acknowledgment.

He said he would pick me up in front of the Chetwind mansion after the banquet. He was busy with the reforms in Naevon City, so I refused at first, but Ludwig was insistent.

Back in my room, I found the maids busily moving things around.

“What’s going on?”

“My lady, we’ve just finished organizing everything.”

Confused, I entered the room, only to find that the maids had been bringing in dresses.

In the brief time I had been at breakfast, my wardrobe had been filled with new clothes.

I had brought only a minimal amount of luggage to the south, so I had been wondering what to wear to the banquet…

“The Grand Duke instructed us to ensure that you have everything you need during your stay in the south.”

“Ludwig did?”

“Yes. We’ve prepared several dresses in the southern style for you.”

Despite the short time they had to prepare, the dresses fit me perfectly.

The luxurious fabrics and intricate designs suggested the touch of a skilled artisan.

“When did he manage to prepare all of this…”

I had become somewhat accustomed to Ludwig’s kindness by now, but I was still surprised.

“Which dress would you like to wear to the Chetwind banquet?”

After a brief moment of consideration in front of the wardrobe, I chose a light pink dress.

Just as I finished getting ready, there was a knock on the door.

“My lady, the carriage from the Chetwind estate has arrived.”

“I’ll be right out.”

A pristine white carriage awaited me outside the mansion.

The emblem of two intertwined swords, symbolizing the Chetwind family, was engraved on the side of the carriage.

The Chetwind estate wasn’t far from here.

I had seen it yesterday while visiting the city of Flora—it was truly a prosperous and lively territory.

Before long, the carriage came to a slow stop, and I arrived at the snow-white Chetwind mansion.

I had noticed it from afar, but now that I was up close, its sheer size was awe-inspiring.

Behind it, the deep blue sea sparkled, creating a breathtaking view with the white fortress.

‘It really deserves its reputation as the southern protector.’

The site where the mansion stood had once been a battleground in the war against monsters centuries ago.

“Sierra, you’ve arrived!”

From a distance, Catherine came out to greet me warmly.

“Catherine, thank you for inviting me.”

She wore the same bright smile as when we had met the day before.

Her smile was infectious, the kind that lifted the mood of everyone around her.

But they say that those who smile the most often have the most pain hidden away.

Catherine led me into the castle, giving me a slightly awkward smile.

“Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but my mind tends to wander. Would you believe it? Yesterday, I found myself searching for my daughter who disappeared over 30 years ago.”

“Oh…”

So she knows.

“But thanks to meeting you, Sierra, I didn’t feel as sad yesterday. It was one of those rare moments where I felt like my mind was clear.”

She must have felt an overwhelming sadness each time she awoke from her dreams and faced reality, as though the world had crumbled around her.

“I must have startled you. I’m sorry.”

I smiled softly and replied, “It’s alright. I’m really happy to have met you, Catherine. Thank you for becoming such a wonderful part of my life.”

Catherine paused for a moment, looking at me, and then smiled warmly in return.

***

The banquet at Chetwind was truly grand.

Delicately prepared abalone dishes in the southern style, tender lobster and scallops, and fresh bread paired with seafood risotto fresh from the oven.

It was a feast that could easily rival the Imperial banquets.

‘This is… a little overwhelming.’

Yet, despite the delicious food, I couldn’t enjoy it fully.

The reason?

“Is the food to your liking, Lady Drenihan?”

It was none other than the Count of Chetwind, seated right beside me in the place of honor!

Despite his advanced age, the Count exuded a tremendous aura.

He was incredibly tall, and his solid physique was evidence of the many battles he had fought and the great accomplishments he had achieved in his youth.

The Chetwind family, despite being a grand noble house, did not possess any hereditary supernatural powers.

However, his natural swordsmanship skills were unparalleled, and he was even awarded a holy sword by the Emperor after the war against monsters long ago.

The man before me, Harry Chetwind, was the 14th wielder of the Holy Sword Kyrios and was considered the greatest head of the family since the legendary hero William Chetwind.

What was more important, though, was that he had shown a great deal of interest in me and had been engaging me in conversation since earlier.

Catherine had told me he was a quiet man, but that clearly wasn’t the case.

“Yes, the food is wonderful. Thank you so much for hosting such an extravagant banquet.”

“I heard you helped Catherine. This is hardly sufficient repayment for that.”

Harry’s violet eyes looked at Catherine fondly.

“I also dealt with the scoundrel who was rude to you yesterday.”

“Are you referring to Baron Zenaid?”

“Well, he’s no longer a baron now.”

“What do you mean…?”

“The rascal from the West District who dared to threaten the Countess of Chetwind in her own territory—such a crime cannot go unpunished. I had no intention of sparing him…”

“Dear, don’t speak so harshly in front of our guest.”

“Hmph…”

Despite his stern demeanor, Count Chetwind didn’t dare defy Catherine.

I couldn’t help but smile softly at the sight.

The tension I had felt earlier began to melt away.

After that, we continued with lighter conversation.

Once the banquet ended, Catherine and I enjoyed a relaxed tea time in the parlor.

“Harry must have been a bit of a bother, talking to you so much, wasn’t he?” Catherine said with a chuckle.

I shook my head. “Not at all. I enjoyed our conversation.”

“…You know, as I was talking with you, Sierra, I kept thinking of our Isabella.”

Isabella—that was the name of the Chetwind family’s missing daughter.

“I’m sure Harry felt the same. That’s why someone who’s usually so quiet couldn’t stop talking today.”