Erna looked at the hand extended to her. She might be seeing a hallucination she had concocted out of fear. In truth, this was something she had wished for a very long time.
When she first arrived in Hessengard, everything struck Erna as terrifying. So, she hoped that someone would help her every moment. However, since no one had ever treated her kindly since her homeland of Havand, she did not even know who she wanted to be helped by or how.
Erna remembered the time she first encountered Hessengard. That moment she arrived, loaded onto a carriage like cargo for a week without having eaten or drunk properly.
The carriage door opened, but not a single knight reached out a hand to her. To them, Erna was not worthy of it.
The person the knights cared about was the Marquis of Carnarvon, whom they thought would become the real power. They showed not the slightest kindness to the Princess, whom they would not even know existed once the wedding was over, or rather, whom they were too ashamed to send out as the representative of Havand.
Thanks to that, Erna had to get off the carriage alone, staggering, filled with fear about whether she could survive here.
Perhaps this situation is an illusion arbitrarily conjured up by the mind remembering that time. Otherwise, the hand that was so desperately longed for back then would not have been extended to him at a time when it was needed so much.
Even while thinking that, Erna was puzzled.
'But why this guy?'
Erna stared blankly at Callion's face.
He looked as if he had rushed over quite urgently. His face was flushed with ragged breath. His hair, blown wildly by the wind, clung to his forehead where sweat had trickled down. Since Callion usually looked quite neat for a knight, his current appearance seemed even more different from usual.
Erna turned her head, finding the scene far too vivid for a hallucination. She then saw knights and wizards who seemed to be asking, "What is going on?" They were all gaping in disbelief. Thanks to them, Erna became certain.
'It's not an illusion?'
Then Callion said in a curt voice.
“What are you doing? Are you going to keep acting so stupid? Even in front of Havand’s delegation?”
Erna quickly snapped back to reality at the slightly mocking voice. "He really is Callion."
The irritation that had been steadily honed over the past ten years welled up. They are the kind of people who always mock and despise each other. So, it is only right to brush him off, saying she doesn't need his help or anything. Saying, "Who do you think would need your help?"
“...”
Even as she thought that, Erna found herself reaching out her hand without realizing it. A white hand was placed on top of Callion's. Erna took his hand.
Despite having spoken dismissively just moments ago, Callion carefully took Erna's hand, resting on his, and led her out of the carriage. It was an exceptionally polite and cautious escort. Perhaps thanks to that, Erna was able to step out of the carriage elegantly without the slightest hesitation.
"By the way, why did you come?"
"What?"
Erna, having gotten out of the carriage, asked Callion a question without letting go of his hand. Erna was genuinely curious about the reason.
Havand's envoys had visited a few times over the past ten years. Of course, they were not high-ranking nobles like the Marquis of Carnarvon, who came today, but rather lower-ranking nobles who had arrived carrying only a unilateral order requesting war supplies for Havand.
It was Vanessa or Erna who greeted them. Havand's delegation also did not particularly want to meet Callion if their demands were accepted.
“You never really tried to meet the Havand delegation until now. So why did you suddenly come?”
“...”
At Erna's question, Callion suddenly felt extremely thirsty.
Come to think of it, why did I come here?
When he came out to the Knights' Order at dawn for the first time in a while, he noticed that fewer knights were practicing than usual. Just then, he saw Cedric coming out yawning, so he asked him the reason, to which Cedric replied with a look that seemed to say, "Isn't that obvious?"
"Did you forget? Havand’s delegation is arriving today. They all left an hour ago. They will probably be back at the Grand Duke’s castle before lunch.”
Originally, it was customary to receive foreign envoys at a distant location before they arrived at the Grand Duke's castle. To be precise, this was to inspect in advance for any dangerous items they might bring in. In the past, when Hessengard was in turmoil after losing its Grand Duke, Havand and Ether deliberately disregarded this custom. However, as Erna and Callion settled in and Hessengard's internal affairs stabilized, Hessengard once again demanded that envoys from both nations observe this custom.
And Callion knew from the documents that the demands made to the Havand envoy this time were even stronger.
'It must be because of that guy named Marquis Carnarvon.'
When Callion realized that he was the noble who had accompanied Erna ten years ago, he understood why Erna was demanding that Havand's delegation observe proper etiquette even more strictly than usual. Erna found this man troublesome. Both in the past and now.
From then on, Callion walked back and forth inside his office.
Erna’s voice was unusually subdued when speaking about Havand’s delegation. As she hurriedly ended the conversation, saying that they seemed to be coming for reconnaissance purposes and that she would let him know if anything happened, Callion noticed that Erna’s attitude stemmed from fear.
From the moment he realized it, a sense of unease slowly crept over his consciousness. He kept thinking about how he had been shrinking back.
'You usually act so confidently.'
To think Erna is in this state because of one insignificant Marquis of Havand, after arguing with him without backing down a single word.
Callion did not like that. Erna was now the universally acknowledged Grand Duke of Hessengard and a powerful mage. She was no longer the abandoned Princess of ten years ago. There was no reason for such an Erna to cower before the Marquis of Carnarvon. If the Marquis of Carnarvon were to still treat Erna rudely...
By the time that thought crossed his mind, Callion was already mounted on his horse. Startled, Cedric chased after him, but he could not catch up to the speeding Callion.
He ran along the familiar road. Even as he sped past, he could see traces of Erna and her party, who had passed this way a few hours earlier. And the moment he arrived at the place where the delegation and Erna's party were meeting, he realized the situation.
Erna, unable to get out of the carriage, and the bewildered retainers outside. And the humans of Havand, looking at them with mocking faces from a short distance away.
At that moment, Callion immediately approached the carriage and opened the door. Just as he had expected, he saw Erna cowering. And at that moment, Callion could guess what Erna must have looked like when she arrived here ten years ago.
The abandoned girl who must have been huddled alone in the carriage.
So, without even realizing it, he reached out his hand. Hw told her to come out, and he would help her.
'And then...'
The one who came out was Erna, who was glaring at him with suspicious eyes.
In any case, Callion had to find a way to answer. Why on earth did he follow Erna? Unless he was insane, there was no way he would have worried about her. No, in the past, he wouldn't have cared at all, telling her to handle it herself since it was a matter concerning his own country. But why was he, now...
As Callion rolled his eyes around for a moment, Cedric's report came to mind. That report regarding the conditions for the knights being sent here today.
So Callion answered without thinking twice.
“They said we must send someone handsome, physically fit, and capable.”
"What?"
At Callion's words, Erna suddenly couldn't understand what kind of nonsense he was talking about. She asked him why he came, and what he was saying? Then Erna recalled that what Callion had said were the conditions for the knights to accompany them that she and Vanessa had requested from the Knights.
“That is why I came. Didn’t you leave out the most suitable person?”
“...”
Erna stared at Callion with her mouth wide open. So, are you saying you came here because you're the most outstanding, physically fit, and skilled among the knights?
Erna quietly slipped her hand away from Callion. Hey, he must be crazy.
As she slithered away with a disgusted look on her face, Callion spoke hurriedly again.
"Of course, it is to properly observe Havand's delegation."
But it was already too late. Erna looked at him with a disgusted expression and said.
“Why don’t you shout a little louder? That way, I think they’ll hear you better over there.”
“...”
Callion fell silent at Erna's sneer. After gazing at each other for a moment, the two approached Havand's delegation without saying a word. Even as they approached, Havand's envoy remained inside the carriage.
"How arrogant."
"I know."
Judging by rank, the Marquis of Carnarvon is of lower status. However, even as the Grand Duke of this side dismounted from her carriage and walked toward the delegation, he remained motionless.
Marquis Carnarvon was relaxed, acting as if he were the superior, even though he could not possibly have been unaware of how rude this was. And the Havand delegation standing beside him was also acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
'These things are the same now as they were in the past...'
Before she knew it, Erna found herself glaring at him with her arms crossed. Then she suddenly realized something. She had clearly been filled with fear just moments before getting out of the carriage, yet now she was relaxed enough to observe him comfortably in this posture.
It was a fear she had harbored for ten years. Yet, Erna was surprised at herself for how she could remain so composed. Then, her gaze rested on Callion, who was standing beside her in the exact same posture, making no attempt to hide his displeasure.
Even though he was still annoying, detestable, and even absurd today, strangely enough, having him standing beside her felt reassuring. It felt like he could take on Havand in her place if push came to shove. It felt like he would shun them and get angry just like she did.
Meanwhile, the man inside the carriage got off under escort.
It was the first time in 10 years that she had seen the Marquis of Carnarvon.
From his carefully combed hair and mustache to even the somewhat excessive attire of Havand, everything about him was exactly the same, except that he had aged a little in the meantime.
He got out of the carriage, looked at Erna, blinked, and spoke.
“Are you a member of the Council of Hessengard? I am the Marquis of Carnarvon, Havand.”
"...Ha."
At Marquis Carnarvon's words, Erna involuntarily let out a snort.
This man cannot even recognize who she is.
Erna scanned the Marquis of Carnarvon. Although everything about him was the same, he looked diminutive compared to the past. Of course, even though she knew that this was because she had grown taller, to Erna's eyes right now, he was nothing more than a small, skinny, frail old man.
He seemed like such an absolute and overwhelming being, yet to think even his eyes were foolish.
Now Erna was no longer afraid of him.
When she first arrived in Hessengard, everything struck Erna as terrifying. So, she hoped that someone would help her every moment. However, since no one had ever treated her kindly since her homeland of Havand, she did not even know who she wanted to be helped by or how.
Erna remembered the time she first encountered Hessengard. That moment she arrived, loaded onto a carriage like cargo for a week without having eaten or drunk properly.
The carriage door opened, but not a single knight reached out a hand to her. To them, Erna was not worthy of it.
The person the knights cared about was the Marquis of Carnarvon, whom they thought would become the real power. They showed not the slightest kindness to the Princess, whom they would not even know existed once the wedding was over, or rather, whom they were too ashamed to send out as the representative of Havand.
Thanks to that, Erna had to get off the carriage alone, staggering, filled with fear about whether she could survive here.
Perhaps this situation is an illusion arbitrarily conjured up by the mind remembering that time. Otherwise, the hand that was so desperately longed for back then would not have been extended to him at a time when it was needed so much.
Even while thinking that, Erna was puzzled.
If you wanted someone’s help, shouldn’t you have shown yourself to be the kind of person they could trust and rely on?
Erna stared blankly at Callion's face.
He looked as if he had rushed over quite urgently. His face was flushed with ragged breath. His hair, blown wildly by the wind, clung to his forehead where sweat had trickled down. Since Callion usually looked quite neat for a knight, his current appearance seemed even more different from usual.
Erna turned her head, finding the scene far too vivid for a hallucination. She then saw knights and wizards who seemed to be asking, "What is going on?" They were all gaping in disbelief. Thanks to them, Erna became certain.
'It's not an illusion?'
Then Callion said in a curt voice.
“What are you doing? Are you going to keep acting so stupid? Even in front of Havand’s delegation?”
Erna quickly snapped back to reality at the slightly mocking voice. "He really is Callion."
The irritation that had been steadily honed over the past ten years welled up. They are the kind of people who always mock and despise each other. So, it is only right to brush him off, saying she doesn't need his help or anything. Saying, "Who do you think would need your help?"
“...”
Even as she thought that, Erna found herself reaching out her hand without realizing it. A white hand was placed on top of Callion's. Erna took his hand.
Despite having spoken dismissively just moments ago, Callion carefully took Erna's hand, resting on his, and led her out of the carriage. It was an exceptionally polite and cautious escort. Perhaps thanks to that, Erna was able to step out of the carriage elegantly without the slightest hesitation.
"By the way, why did you come?"
"What?"
Erna, having gotten out of the carriage, asked Callion a question without letting go of his hand. Erna was genuinely curious about the reason.
Havand's envoys had visited a few times over the past ten years. Of course, they were not high-ranking nobles like the Marquis of Carnarvon, who came today, but rather lower-ranking nobles who had arrived carrying only a unilateral order requesting war supplies for Havand.
It was Vanessa or Erna who greeted them. Havand's delegation also did not particularly want to meet Callion if their demands were accepted.
“You never really tried to meet the Havand delegation until now. So why did you suddenly come?”
“...”
At Erna's question, Callion suddenly felt extremely thirsty.
Come to think of it, why did I come here?
When he came out to the Knights' Order at dawn for the first time in a while, he noticed that fewer knights were practicing than usual. Just then, he saw Cedric coming out yawning, so he asked him the reason, to which Cedric replied with a look that seemed to say, "Isn't that obvious?"
"Did you forget? Havand’s delegation is arriving today. They all left an hour ago. They will probably be back at the Grand Duke’s castle before lunch.”
Originally, it was customary to receive foreign envoys at a distant location before they arrived at the Grand Duke's castle. To be precise, this was to inspect in advance for any dangerous items they might bring in. In the past, when Hessengard was in turmoil after losing its Grand Duke, Havand and Ether deliberately disregarded this custom. However, as Erna and Callion settled in and Hessengard's internal affairs stabilized, Hessengard once again demanded that envoys from both nations observe this custom.
And Callion knew from the documents that the demands made to the Havand envoy this time were even stronger.
'It must be because of that guy named Marquis Carnarvon.'
When Callion realized that he was the noble who had accompanied Erna ten years ago, he understood why Erna was demanding that Havand's delegation observe proper etiquette even more strictly than usual. Erna found this man troublesome. Both in the past and now.
From then on, Callion walked back and forth inside his office.
Erna’s voice was unusually subdued when speaking about Havand’s delegation. As she hurriedly ended the conversation, saying that they seemed to be coming for reconnaissance purposes and that she would let him know if anything happened, Callion noticed that Erna’s attitude stemmed from fear.
From the moment he realized it, a sense of unease slowly crept over his consciousness. He kept thinking about how he had been shrinking back.
'You usually act so confidently.'
To think Erna is in this state because of one insignificant Marquis of Havand, after arguing with him without backing down a single word.
Callion did not like that. Erna was now the universally acknowledged Grand Duke of Hessengard and a powerful mage. She was no longer the abandoned Princess of ten years ago. There was no reason for such an Erna to cower before the Marquis of Carnarvon. If the Marquis of Carnarvon were to still treat Erna rudely...
By the time that thought crossed his mind, Callion was already mounted on his horse. Startled, Cedric chased after him, but he could not catch up to the speeding Callion.
He ran along the familiar road. Even as he sped past, he could see traces of Erna and her party, who had passed this way a few hours earlier. And the moment he arrived at the place where the delegation and Erna's party were meeting, he realized the situation.
Erna, unable to get out of the carriage, and the bewildered retainers outside. And the humans of Havand, looking at them with mocking faces from a short distance away.
At that moment, Callion immediately approached the carriage and opened the door. Just as he had expected, he saw Erna cowering. And at that moment, Callion could guess what Erna must have looked like when she arrived here ten years ago.
The abandoned girl who must have been huddled alone in the carriage.
So, without even realizing it, he reached out his hand. Hw told her to come out, and he would help her.
'And then...'
The one who came out was Erna, who was glaring at him with suspicious eyes.
In any case, Callion had to find a way to answer. Why on earth did he follow Erna? Unless he was insane, there was no way he would have worried about her. No, in the past, he wouldn't have cared at all, telling her to handle it herself since it was a matter concerning his own country. But why was he, now...
As Callion rolled his eyes around for a moment, Cedric's report came to mind. That report regarding the conditions for the knights being sent here today.
So Callion answered without thinking twice.
“They said we must send someone handsome, physically fit, and capable.”
"What?"
At Callion's words, Erna suddenly couldn't understand what kind of nonsense he was talking about. She asked him why he came, and what he was saying? Then Erna recalled that what Callion had said were the conditions for the knights to accompany them that she and Vanessa had requested from the Knights.
“That is why I came. Didn’t you leave out the most suitable person?”
“...”
Erna stared at Callion with her mouth wide open. So, are you saying you came here because you're the most outstanding, physically fit, and skilled among the knights?
Erna quietly slipped her hand away from Callion. Hey, he must be crazy.
As she slithered away with a disgusted look on her face, Callion spoke hurriedly again.
"Of course, it is to properly observe Havand's delegation."
But it was already too late. Erna looked at him with a disgusted expression and said.
“Why don’t you shout a little louder? That way, I think they’ll hear you better over there.”
“...”
Callion fell silent at Erna's sneer. After gazing at each other for a moment, the two approached Havand's delegation without saying a word. Even as they approached, Havand's envoy remained inside the carriage.
"How arrogant."
"I know."
Judging by rank, the Marquis of Carnarvon is of lower status. However, even as the Grand Duke of this side dismounted from her carriage and walked toward the delegation, he remained motionless.
Marquis Carnarvon was relaxed, acting as if he were the superior, even though he could not possibly have been unaware of how rude this was. And the Havand delegation standing beside him was also acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
'These things are the same now as they were in the past...'
Before she knew it, Erna found herself glaring at him with her arms crossed. Then she suddenly realized something. She had clearly been filled with fear just moments before getting out of the carriage, yet now she was relaxed enough to observe him comfortably in this posture.
It was a fear she had harbored for ten years. Yet, Erna was surprised at herself for how she could remain so composed. Then, her gaze rested on Callion, who was standing beside her in the exact same posture, making no attempt to hide his displeasure.
Even though he was still annoying, detestable, and even absurd today, strangely enough, having him standing beside her felt reassuring. It felt like he could take on Havand in her place if push came to shove. It felt like he would shun them and get angry just like she did.
Meanwhile, the man inside the carriage got off under escort.
It was the first time in 10 years that she had seen the Marquis of Carnarvon.
From his carefully combed hair and mustache to even the somewhat excessive attire of Havand, everything about him was exactly the same, except that he had aged a little in the meantime.
He got out of the carriage, looked at Erna, blinked, and spoke.
“Are you a member of the Council of Hessengard? I am the Marquis of Carnarvon, Havand.”
"...Ha."
At Marquis Carnarvon's words, Erna involuntarily let out a snort.
This man cannot even recognize who she is.
Erna scanned the Marquis of Carnarvon. Although everything about him was the same, he looked diminutive compared to the past. Of course, even though she knew that this was because she had grown taller, to Erna's eyes right now, he was nothing more than a small, skinny, frail old man.
He seemed like such an absolute and overwhelming being, yet to think even his eyes were foolish.
Now Erna was no longer afraid of him.
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