"Of course. Where would you be if you weren’t by my side?"
Thinking back to what had just happened in the garden, Carson rubbed his face with his dry hands. He let out a long sigh and ran his hands through his flowing hair.
Watching his lord’s expression change every moment when he asked about Lady Swenden, Noah decided that it would be better to mention it further.
“Oh, where are your family members?”
“They’re all in Summern.”
Noah was the second son of a local Viscount family. Naturally, his older brother was supposed to inherit the Viscount title.
“I have... an island.”
“Are you talking about the island you received after covering up the Fourth Prince’s crime?”
“Yes, it’s a good place to rest.”
“I know.”
“I’ll pay all the expenses, and you and your family will stay there for two years, no, three years.”
When there was no response, he glanced down and saw Ines lowering her head and smiling bashfully. It was fortunate that he didn’t kneel down and steal her lips right then and there.
Thinking back to what had just happened in the garden, Carson rubbed his face with his dry hands. He let out a long sigh and ran his hands through his flowing hair.
Watching his lord’s expression change every moment when he asked about Lady Swenden, Noah decided that it would be better to mention it further.
“Oh, where are your family members?”
“They’re all in Summern.”
Noah was the second son of a local Viscount family. Naturally, his older brother was supposed to inherit the Viscount title.
“I have... an island.”
“Are you talking about the island you received after covering up the Fourth Prince’s crime?”
“Yes, it’s a good place to rest.”
“I know.”
“I’ll pay all the expenses, and you and your family will stay there for two years, no, three years.”
Carson decided not to tell him that the plague was coming.
“Don’t ask why.”
Noah simply assumed that his master was concerned about the safety of his family. There was no telling what the Empress would do when they all went to Monstera. So he answered without asking twice.
“I understand.”
Anyway, sleep had already disappeared. He hurried to carry out the order like a loyal subject. There was no time to move his family.
Louis changed every day after Ines came. She went out more than before and ate more. The two of them didn’t really talk much, but they always spent the mornings together.
They sat side by side in the garden, reading books or drawing.
Louis, who was busy drawing, said softly.
“Ines, do you know that?”
“What is it?”
“It’s my brother’s birthday soon.”
She didn’t answer, but she knew it.
“I think he's going to have a big banquet this time.”
“Yes, he should.”
“We’re going to go far away soon, so it was like a farewell to the people of the land before we go.”
Louis finished speaking and returned to drawing. Father Hansen recommended drawing as a means of healing Louis. When Ines and Louis were drawing together, he watched them from the side.
Even before Ines went to the temple, the child liked to draw. Louis always drew cats. Angry cats, crying cats, sad cats, cats jumping out of somewhere.
And even now, the child was drawing cats.
Today, she drew two black kittens curled up in the corner of the bed. The little cats in the child’s drawing were the babies that Ines’ father had brought to the castle of the Landhill lord. They were much brighter and cuter than they had been in her imagination.
Before showing the cats to Louis for the first time, Ines explained the situation to Hansen and Noah.
Hansen agreed, and soon, through Noah, Carson’s permission was also granted.
When she first received the cat, Louis didn’t know what to do and couldn’t approach it. But now, it was always like the moon and stars.
Looking at the much brighter picture, Ines asked,
“Do you still feel a lot of pain?”
“I always feel a little sad. But I’m okay now.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m safe now.”
Ines felt her jaw clench. Was it because the child’s feelings were the same as hers now? In the two years she had been at the temple, Louis’s vocabulary had expanded significantly and he had learned to express his feelings in words.
“Because of me... I heard that you’re all moving together so that you won’t send me far away.”
Louis said with a calm expression, putting down the pencil she was drawing and turning to Ines. It meant that she wanted to be held. When she held her in her arms, the child let out a deep sigh.
“My brother won’t send me anywhere anymore. He was very young back then, so he couldn’t help it.”
“That’s right.”
“My brother is so big now. He’s the strongest person I know.”
After coming to Landhill, Ines had one seizure. But Carson was there with her. The feeling of her breathing suddenly disappearing gave her a great sense of stability.
Since she wasn’t afraid, the number of seizures decreased surprisingly. To Ines, Carson was the biggest and strongest person in the world.
“And Ines is here with me. Lenora and Alba. So I’m okay now.”
Lenora and Alba were the names of the cats. It was so cute how Louis’ lips would purse and open whenever she pronounced those names. At that time, Ines was in the garden with Father Hansen and Louis.
The child who had been leaning against her for a moment pulled away from Ines as if nothing had happened and focused on the painting again. The black cat was still curled up under the bed, but sunlight was pouring in through the large window in the room.
On the day of the banquet for Carson’s birthday, he didn’t think about getting up from his seat even as he watched the sun slowly setting.
“My lord, please...”
For the first time in a while, Noah was urging him.
“You have to go quickly.”
“I know.”
Traditionally, on the lord’s birthday, the powerful nobles of the territory gathered together to prepare a banquet.
It was considered a great honor to be in a position to help prepare the banquet. Moreover, this banquet had a more special meaning. Carson was leaving on an indefinite journey three days after the banquet.
“Do we really have to say goodbye like this?”
“Can’t we have a birthday party in the form of a meeting? And the one who wanted to have the farewell party and birthday banquet at the same time was my lord.”
“I know, that’s why I'm sitting here dressed up like this.”
Carson, dressed up properly as he said, looked great. He usually hated dressing up because it was stuffy, so it had been a while since Noah had seen him dressed up like this.
The glossy navy highlighted his hair color, and his wide forehead, which was covered with every hair, gave him a sharper impression than usual.
As soon as the news of his departure for Monstera was delivered, a meeting of nobles was called.
They all unanimously insisted that he should marry one of the daughters of a powerful noble family and then leave. They argued that only then would the people of the territory feel less confused and anxious.
However, Carson dismissed their words. They said that they had made peace through a political marriage, but it was the border. He meant that it made no sense to have a family on the way to the Margrave.
Then he immediately gave permission to prepare a grand banquet. He knew that nothing could appease the disgruntled nobles like a banquet.
What am I supposed to do if I just sit around in my office like this?
“Why on earth are you doing this?”
Beautiful music and the murmur of people could be heard from the open window. Spring was in full swing, and there was no better day than today to hold a banquet. It was only natural that the nobles were excited.
“I can see the mood.”
“Don’t ask why.”
Noah simply assumed that his master was concerned about the safety of his family. There was no telling what the Empress would do when they all went to Monstera. So he answered without asking twice.
“I understand.”
Anyway, sleep had already disappeared. He hurried to carry out the order like a loyal subject. There was no time to move his family.
***
Louis changed every day after Ines came. She went out more than before and ate more. The two of them didn’t really talk much, but they always spent the mornings together.
They sat side by side in the garden, reading books or drawing.
Louis, who was busy drawing, said softly.
“Ines, do you know that?”
“What is it?”
“It’s my brother’s birthday soon.”
She didn’t answer, but she knew it.
“I think he's going to have a big banquet this time.”
“Yes, he should.”
“We’re going to go far away soon, so it was like a farewell to the people of the land before we go.”
Louis finished speaking and returned to drawing. Father Hansen recommended drawing as a means of healing Louis. When Ines and Louis were drawing together, he watched them from the side.
Even before Ines went to the temple, the child liked to draw. Louis always drew cats. Angry cats, crying cats, sad cats, cats jumping out of somewhere.
And even now, the child was drawing cats.
Today, she drew two black kittens curled up in the corner of the bed. The little cats in the child’s drawing were the babies that Ines’ father had brought to the castle of the Landhill lord. They were much brighter and cuter than they had been in her imagination.
Before showing the cats to Louis for the first time, Ines explained the situation to Hansen and Noah.
Hansen agreed, and soon, through Noah, Carson’s permission was also granted.
When she first received the cat, Louis didn’t know what to do and couldn’t approach it. But now, it was always like the moon and stars.
Looking at the much brighter picture, Ines asked,
“Do you still feel a lot of pain?”
“I always feel a little sad. But I’m okay now.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m safe now.”
Ines felt her jaw clench. Was it because the child’s feelings were the same as hers now? In the two years she had been at the temple, Louis’s vocabulary had expanded significantly and he had learned to express his feelings in words.
“Because of me... I heard that you’re all moving together so that you won’t send me far away.”
Louis said with a calm expression, putting down the pencil she was drawing and turning to Ines. It meant that she wanted to be held. When she held her in her arms, the child let out a deep sigh.
“My brother won’t send me anywhere anymore. He was very young back then, so he couldn’t help it.”
“That’s right.”
“My brother is so big now. He’s the strongest person I know.”
After coming to Landhill, Ines had one seizure. But Carson was there with her. The feeling of her breathing suddenly disappearing gave her a great sense of stability.
Since she wasn’t afraid, the number of seizures decreased surprisingly. To Ines, Carson was the biggest and strongest person in the world.
“And Ines is here with me. Lenora and Alba. So I’m okay now.”
Lenora and Alba were the names of the cats. It was so cute how Louis’ lips would purse and open whenever she pronounced those names. At that time, Ines was in the garden with Father Hansen and Louis.
The child who had been leaning against her for a moment pulled away from Ines as if nothing had happened and focused on the painting again. The black cat was still curled up under the bed, but sunlight was pouring in through the large window in the room.
***
On the day of the banquet for Carson’s birthday, he didn’t think about getting up from his seat even as he watched the sun slowly setting.
“My lord, please...”
For the first time in a while, Noah was urging him.
“You have to go quickly.”
“I know.”
Traditionally, on the lord’s birthday, the powerful nobles of the territory gathered together to prepare a banquet.
It was considered a great honor to be in a position to help prepare the banquet. Moreover, this banquet had a more special meaning. Carson was leaving on an indefinite journey three days after the banquet.
“Do we really have to say goodbye like this?”
“Can’t we have a birthday party in the form of a meeting? And the one who wanted to have the farewell party and birthday banquet at the same time was my lord.”
“I know, that’s why I'm sitting here dressed up like this.”
Carson, dressed up properly as he said, looked great. He usually hated dressing up because it was stuffy, so it had been a while since Noah had seen him dressed up like this.
The glossy navy highlighted his hair color, and his wide forehead, which was covered with every hair, gave him a sharper impression than usual.
As soon as the news of his departure for Monstera was delivered, a meeting of nobles was called.
They all unanimously insisted that he should marry one of the daughters of a powerful noble family and then leave. They argued that only then would the people of the territory feel less confused and anxious.
However, Carson dismissed their words. They said that they had made peace through a political marriage, but it was the border. He meant that it made no sense to have a family on the way to the Margrave.
Then he immediately gave permission to prepare a grand banquet. He knew that nothing could appease the disgruntled nobles like a banquet.
What am I supposed to do if I just sit around in my office like this?
“Why on earth are you doing this?”
Beautiful music and the murmur of people could be heard from the open window. Spring was in full swing, and there was no better day than today to hold a banquet. It was only natural that the nobles were excited.
“I can see the mood.”
“How can someone who can see the mood of the nobles not show up even after the banquet has started?”
“Why am I seeing the mood of the nobles?”
“What the...?”
Noah stopped talking after realizing who was making him see the mood.
“Lady Swenden won’t be coming to the banquet anyway.”
The maids of the family naturally came to the banquet to serve, but the temple maids were an exception. There was no shortage of help, so there was no way she would show up. Ines hadn’t even been seen since yesterday.
“I know.”
“But why are you so concerned?”
Carson stood up and dusted off his clothes. Although it was very late, people would be excited just by his appearance. Even those who were dissatisfied would surely open their doors like snow melting in the spring breeze if he smiled slightly. He had that kind of charisma and charm.
“I’m not saying that you’re being tactful. I’m not saying that you’re being annoying.”
The words, “What do you know?” were clearly dismissive.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
Carson looked at him with pitiful eyes. But Noah thought it would be better this way.
It was hard to get used to seeing someone who everyone in the world, regardless of age or gender, praised as beautiful, subtly change their expression only for one woman.
“Don’t get upset. You’ll understand someday.”
“...”
“By the way, will I dance today?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Then I can choose who I dance with, right?”
“Of course.”
“My first and last partner today is the Countess of Landes.”
“Yes?”
The Countess of Landes was already well into her forties and had two adult daughters.
“You mean the Countess, not the Countess of Landes’ daughter?”
“Yes, and don’t let anyone touch me today.”
Noah let out a long breath, not showing it on the outside. Does that mean he should stand next to him the whole time and swat away the hands of the women who approached him?
“Oh, and no fan either.”
Noah couldn’t answer and just followed his master, who strode away with his long legs.
Charlotte spent most of her time with the other maids. She was so bored that she mostly helped the maids with the cooking.
Louis didn’t like crowded places, but today she had to show up at the banquet, even if only for a little while. So she sat in the backyard not far from where the banquet was being held.
The child clearly didn’t want to go there, but she didn’t show it. Although she was still young, she seemed to always keep in mind what kind of image she should present as a Princess.
The place they were at was close to the banquet hall, but there was a building in between, so it was much quieter than expected. Today, Louis said she didn’t want to draw.
So Ines read a book to Louis.
“There was a white wardrobe in the girl’s room. It was a very old wardrobe that creaked every time the door opened.”
It was a book that was a bit easy for Louis to read, but the child always chose this book.
“One day, Dad told the girl. Emily, fairies are living in this wardrobe.”
At that moment, Louis took Emily’s place.
“What kind of fairies?”
“What the...?”
Noah stopped talking after realizing who was making him see the mood.
“Lady Swenden won’t be coming to the banquet anyway.”
The maids of the family naturally came to the banquet to serve, but the temple maids were an exception. There was no shortage of help, so there was no way she would show up. Ines hadn’t even been seen since yesterday.
“I know.”
“But why are you so concerned?”
Carson stood up and dusted off his clothes. Although it was very late, people would be excited just by his appearance. Even those who were dissatisfied would surely open their doors like snow melting in the spring breeze if he smiled slightly. He had that kind of charisma and charm.
“I’m not saying that you’re being tactful. I’m not saying that you’re being annoying.”
The words, “What do you know?” were clearly dismissive.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
Carson looked at him with pitiful eyes. But Noah thought it would be better this way.
It was hard to get used to seeing someone who everyone in the world, regardless of age or gender, praised as beautiful, subtly change their expression only for one woman.
“Don’t get upset. You’ll understand someday.”
“...”
“By the way, will I dance today?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Then I can choose who I dance with, right?”
“Of course.”
“My first and last partner today is the Countess of Landes.”
“Yes?”
The Countess of Landes was already well into her forties and had two adult daughters.
“You mean the Countess, not the Countess of Landes’ daughter?”
“Yes, and don’t let anyone touch me today.”
Noah let out a long breath, not showing it on the outside. Does that mean he should stand next to him the whole time and swat away the hands of the women who approached him?
“Oh, and no fan either.”
Noah couldn’t answer and just followed his master, who strode away with his long legs.
Charlotte spent most of her time with the other maids. She was so bored that she mostly helped the maids with the cooking.
Louis didn’t like crowded places, but today she had to show up at the banquet, even if only for a little while. So she sat in the backyard not far from where the banquet was being held.
The child clearly didn’t want to go there, but she didn’t show it. Although she was still young, she seemed to always keep in mind what kind of image she should present as a Princess.
The place they were at was close to the banquet hall, but there was a building in between, so it was much quieter than expected. Today, Louis said she didn’t want to draw.
So Ines read a book to Louis.
“There was a white wardrobe in the girl’s room. It was a very old wardrobe that creaked every time the door opened.”
It was a book that was a bit easy for Louis to read, but the child always chose this book.
“One day, Dad told the girl. Emily, fairies are living in this wardrobe.”
At that moment, Louis took Emily’s place.
“What kind of fairies?”
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