“I apologize once again for my rudeness. Please get home safely.”
The Lexion knight said, bowing politely.
The attitude of the servants, who had been business-like when they entered the Duke’s manor, became more respectful upon the Duke’s request to maintain their manners.
Edith could guess the reason for this change.
『 I don’t know what kind of spell was cast on Mrs. Leah’s necklace, but he will probably figure out who Walter is.』
It was clear that there was not much time left until the secret of Walter’s birth would be revealed.
Edith hoped that Walter, rather than finding out about his bloodline directly from the Duke, learned about it from her.
Even if it was only for a short period of time, she wanted Walter to see the Duke of Lexion struggle to find out who his grandson was and win his heart.
『 I always wondered who Walter’s family was and to which family he belonged.』
Edith intertwined her hand with his as they sat side by side. It was the same hand that had, without hesitation, struck down the Duke’s hand as he reached out to her.
Walter still didn’t know that the Duke was his grandfather, so to him, the Duke could have been any man, possibly an emperor.
He fearlessly dared to lay a hand on him to protect her.
“Walter, you really… are like a wild horse. If it were me, I would have cowered in fear.”
She meant it as a way to describe him as someone untamable in her eyes, but Walter responded with a meaningful smile.
“There must be a reason why you chose a horse out of so many animals.”
“What…”
Edith glanced at Walter, who seemed to take every opportunity to tease her.
When she thought about it, it didn’t even seem like a problem right now.
『 Once Walter finds out he’s Isaac, he will definitely tease me until he gets sick of it.』
When that time comes, he won’t end up just teasing and playing around as he does now.
At this point, Edith felt like she needed to lay some groundwork for him.
“You know, Walter…”
“Why is M’lady hesitating to say something?”
“To be honest, I wasn’t that close to Isaac.”
“…?”
Walter thought for a moment about how to interpret her words.
If the reason Edith casually mentioned that she didn’t have a deep relationship with Isaac, despite having a crush on him in her younger years and unexpectedly having his child, is…
“Are you assigning a task to this escort knight right now?”
Walter raised his eyebrow slyly.
“What do you mean―.”
However, Edith thought that what she had just said could have been heard as a playful tease to Walter.
Behind her, there was Isaac, and in front, there was only Walter.
『 I’m going crazy…』
At this rate, it felt like her life itself was trapped in his embrace. Edith tried to cool her blushing cheeks with the back of her hand and made an effort not to make eye contact with him. It was clear that if their eyes met now, her entire face would surely turn bright red.
──────────✿◦•
The next day, as dawn broke, three luxurious carriages pulled up at Lexion Manor.
“Welcome, Young Lady Melissa.”
“It’s been a while, Nanny. I heard that Father suddenly asked us to stop by.”
Melissa, the second daughter who became the Lady of the Manor of a Dukedom following Lexion in the nobility circle, offered a casual greeting.
“It’s a lively morning, Young Lady Hestia.”
“Yes, it’s the perfect day for tea time.”
Hestia, who came after her, was the wife of the owner of the largest merchant company in the empire, but in the Lexion Manor, she was still affectionately treated as a young lady.
“Young Lady Lilliette, it’s been a while.”
“You’re always so stiff, Nanny.”
The Duke and Duchess’ youngest daughter, Lilliette, was now the wife of a Count who owned the southern empire’s granaries and mines. She was also known as the queen of society.
The Nanny, who was quietly looking at the three young ladies who were the pride of Lexion, eventually took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
“What would it have been like if Lady Leah were with us on a day like today… I apologize for bringing it up.”
When the name Leah came out of the Nanny’s mouth, something stirred in the sisters’ hearts as well.
Although it was a memory from a long time ago, all three sisters clearly remembered their beloved eldest sister.
“Things like that happen, too.”
“Leah Unnie would be happy that Nanny still remembers her.”
“Leah Unnie… I miss her too.”
The three ladies chatted with their Nanny as they made their way to the room with the fireplace. It was the space where they had spent the most time when they lived in the Dukedom.
However, Franz Lexion, who was sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace, was in an unusual condition.
“Father, are you alright?”
“Everyone’s here. Have a seat.”
Franz sighed three times and then spoke in a heavy voice.
“I’ve made a big mistake.”
His three daughters wondered how to interpret his words.
If Franz Lexion, who can correct all his mistakes with power, money, and prestige, was speaking like this, it was hard to grasp the nature of the mistake he had made.
“What exactly have you done that weighs you down like this?”
“Just listen first.”
「 “Cough, cough… If you are hearing this, it means that Edith has safely arrived in the capital and met with you, Father, by chance, right?” 」
The Duke could not sleep last night and played back his daughter’s voice, which he had listened to over a hundred times.
“…!”
“Leah Unnie?”
「 “So please always stay healthy, and take care of Edith and Isaac. Send my love to Melissa, Hestia, and Lilliette. Oh! Please convey my regards to my Nanny and Vane. And also…” 」
When the last part of the recorded voice played, not only the three sisters but also Franz, who had already heard it, had tears in their eyes.
“My goodness. Where did you find this?”
“Unnie gave a wonderful name to her son.”
“But the name Edith… I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere recently.”
When the expected question came up, Franz answered as if he were the most miserable person in the world.
“Edith is the name of Lady Fortrion, and Walter is the name of Lady Fortrion’s escort knight.”
Lady Fortrion and her escort knight? The Duke nodded as if he understood the situation, even though it didn’t make much sense. They had the same reaction the Duke had just yesterday.
When the Duke gestured with his eyes, Vane reiterated what he had reported to him earlier this morning.
“I believe the young ladies will remember what Nicholas Fortrion did as well.”
As Nicholas’s name was mentioned, the expressions of the three of them hardened with bitterness.
“There’s no way we could forget.”
“The escort knight that Lady Fortrion took with her is none other than a stableman who was imprisoned in Nicholas’ manor for seven years.”
“That means…”
“Nicholas kidnapped Lady Leah’s son, and I think Lady Fortrion recognized Walter— I mean, our Young Master— and took him away.”
As Vane struggled to speak, a heavy silence fell upon them.
“Leah’s son is in the capital?”
“I guess you treated them well, Father.”
However, when they looked at Franz’s face, which seemed to be the epitome of despair, it didn’t appear to be the case.
“I made a mistake. I didn’t even know that Leah had sent the two of them…”
Melissa, the second eldest daughter who first realized the seriousness of the situation, stopped Franz, and turned her gaze towards Vane.
“Vane, just tell us the truth.”
“Well, um…”
Franz eventually nodded his head slightly, as if instructing him to speak.
“His Grace pressed her with a little magic.”
“What did you say?”
They knew. Lexion’s magical power could never be perceived as ‘a little bit of pressure’ by others.
“Perhaps she is still upset about that incident, as she didn’t even take a sip of the tea that I prepared, though she pretended to put it to her lips.”
The hearts of the three sisters sank heavily.
They wondered what kind of expression Leah was making in the sky.
“If the refreshments were prepared at the Duke’s manor, I would have tasted them even though they’re expensive. So, how hurt must her feelings be if she only pretended to drink?”
Lilliette muttered helplessly and then clutched her head.
Hestia, who was sharp-minded, noticed the part about Edith pretending to drink tea.
『 She didn’t drink it at all. She only pretended to drink.』
As Vane later explained, the Duke had sent her an invitation to Lexion Manor.
In that case, he wouldn’t have thought about poisoning her. Even if she pretended to eat out of courtesy, Hestia had a hunch that there might be another reason.
Leah clearly said that her son seemed to like Edith. If that’s the case, the feelings might be mutual…
With a heart full of doubt, Hestia asked.
“Vane, please tell me that the tea you prepared is not Carnix tea.”
“…How did you know?”
“Oh my god!”
Lexion’s three daughters looked frustrated and glared both at Franz and Vane.
“Father, there is only one situation in which a lady doesn’t drink Carnix tea. When she’s with child!”
“…!”
When Franz heard the word ‘child,’ he hardened as he recalled Walter’s affectionate gaze toward Edith.
──────────✿◦•
“Why is House Lexion suddenly offering to send an escort to Fortrion Manor?”
Helen, who was getting dressed and tidying her hair for the final time, asked. The sudden change in Lexion’s attitude made it seem like it wasn’t just because of Walter.
Edith had a hint, but she just brushed it off.
“Well, maybe they regret the rudeness they showed us last time… Ah, Lexion is putting strong pressure on Gerturk’s side right now, so they might be trying to keep an eye out for any nonsense.”
She casually shrugged and fixed Helen’s slightly crooked hair ornament.
Helen finally relaxed with a sigh as she straightened out her clothes.
“Thank you, Edith. I am so nervous at the thought of finally meeting His Majesty that I can’t even concentrate.”
“I was also so nervous that I had trouble sleeping.”
“No, Edith. If you get nervous, there’s no one else who can handle the situation in my place.”
With a lighthearted joke, they boarded the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace.
The official escort for Fortrion was expected to be led by Reinhardt, and Cassius and Walter were set to accompany him as his subordinates.
“Then let’s depart.”
As Helen said, Fortrion’s carriage left the manor grounds.
Theos, who was on his way to work today because his magic powers had not yet fully recovered, spotted the carriage.
『 I guess today is the day of their audience. I hope she has a good trip.』
While he was feeling an unnecessary closeness to the kind lady and idly staring at the carriage, a hand suddenly appeared from behind and covered his mouth.
“Mage Theos. Can we talk for a moment? I heard you recently visited Fortrion Manor.”
“Ugh…!”
Aizen smiled slyly as he used his strength to hold onto the struggling boy.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
noo. poor theos