By Zephyria The outings with the personnel of the Ernhardt Baronetcy always had many people accompanying them.
Even though it had only been two months since I enrolled in the academy, I had become accustomed to walking alone and recalled things I had long forgotten.
There were five families consisting of parents and children alone. Moreover, since the children were young, wet nurses and maids followed, and four knights escorted us.
With a servant standing in front to run small errands, it was like a procession from Anhui
(*The stronghold of the Namgung Family. East of the Central Plains)
to Sichuan
(*A hot region furthest west from Anhui within the Central Plains), it was no exaggeration.
As we headed to the restaurant they had reserved, I let Michael rest on my left arm and dangled him, stroking his cheeks and nose with my right hand. He would laugh until he was breathless, then hug my neck tightly with his maple-leaf-like hands, making me want to touch him constantly. When I playfully bit his soft cheek, I felt a sense of fulfillment, as if I had found something I had lost.
My Father, watching this with a pleased expression, gently spoke to me.
Although we were not estranged, Michael was so excited and noisy that we hadn’t had a proper greeting. We had only exchanged smiles and greetings.
“I didn’t want to disturb you during the semester, but it’s good to see your face like this.”
“I am also happy to see both of you, Mother and Father. I truly didn’t expect it.”
“So, is your academy study going well?”
“Yes, Mother. I am learning a great deal. More than I had imagined.”
The servants and knights were given separate seating arrangements, and the five families gathered around a round table.
Since the period of separation wasn’t long, the conversation mostly revolved around the studies of my younger brothers, Michael and Asdel.
The young children understood when they were being talked about, chattering and boasting about what they had learned, which was incredibly cute and endearing.
Michael chattered about the family matters he was newly learning, and his story about visiting the vineyard and touching and tasting various grape varieties was interesting.
At this point, I felt Father glancing at me, but I smiled and pretended not to notice.
“It was very difficult for me, and I wasn’t good at it, so I’m glad you find it interesting.”
“Was it difficult for you, Brother?”
“Of course. Counting all those numbers and distinguishing the taste of the juices was very difficult for me because my palate is dull. Since you’re better than me, you can study hard in that area and help me.”
“Mhm! That’s right. I’m better than you, so I’ll help.”
“I’m glad you’re here, Michael. Truly.”
“Me too! I’m good at counting too. I can count up to twenty now!”
“Will Asdel help this older brother too?”
“Of course! That’s right!”
The way the two little ones spoke was strangely similar to mine. Amused by this, I laughed heartily and fed them pieces of meat one by one.
The boys repeatedly boasted that they could count better than me, and they were delighted.
Even Father, who had hesitated about matters concerning land, knowing I had no greed, smiled comfortably and joined the conversation.
I thanked the two little ones as they chorused that the grape juice they tasted instead of wine was delicious and promised to let me taste it next time, and then I attended to their meal.
After the meal, as we began tea time, the young children grew tired and fell asleep in their wet nurses’ arms. We moved to Valentia’s townhouse in the capital. I had heard about it, but I had never visited due to being busy with my training.
The servants were dismissed, and the three of us sat comfortably in the drawing-room. Only then did I begin to share my academy stories one by one.
Although I had already mentioned making many friends and getting along well with the professors in letters, both Father and Mother showed interest as if hearing it for the first time.
Especially when I mentioned that I had taken magic classes but couldn’t use any of the formulas I knew, Mother let out a loud laugh.
“I was like that too when I attended the academy. I felt like I could cast magic just by attending classes.”
“What classes did you take, Mother?”
“Back then… what was it? Magic design for practical use…? I think that was it. I was in great shock when I learned that you couldn’t use a ruler when drawing magic circles.”
“What about you, Father?”
“Hmm… I had to graduate early… so I only took business management classes at the time. I never thought about taking magic classes.”
Father paused for a moment before continuing.
“I was interested in Artifacts, but unfortunately, I wasn’t qualified to take classes related to Artifact creation. I only learned how to conduct transactions with the Magic Tower in the business department.”
“What about the Swordsmanship Department?”
“I took Swordsmanship classes… yes, I did hold a sword. But I lacked talent and stopped at the lower level of Sword Expert, so it was just physical training.”
“Your mother actually thought you had picked out a very handsome knight when she first saw you, dear.”
At the dreamily sweet voice, Father’s face turned red.
“Since Mikael wanted to be a knight from a young age, I thought you also liked knights, just like me.”
“…Perhaps I should have trained with the sword a bit more.”
“You are still a wonderful knight to me.”
Mother added, her voice ticklish. A smile was fully spread across her face. As Father cleared his throat, I suddenly recalled something I had heard. Now that I knew a bit, a mischievous thought arose.
“I heard stories about Father and Mother during class.”
“Oh my. …It must have been the Imperial Genealogy Class. What did it say?”
“It said that Mother, the precious jewel of the Duke’s family, saw Father’s face for the first time on their wedding day, and Uncle arranged it.”
Mother’s eyes narrowed as if to check if I would say anything more.
The shy smile that bloomed at the corners of her eyes was something that hadn’t been there when I was first born into this world, filling me with a sense of pride once again.
Father hadn’t said a word since the story came up, only clearing his throat occasionally.
“I don’t want to hear it from someone else. I have something I want to ask Father.”
“…Hmm, hmmm. W-what… what are you curious about?”
“Uncle said that as soon as he saw Father at the ball, he dragged him straight to the Duke’s mansion, and the method was said to be rough, so I can’t quite imagine it.”
“Rough? This is the first I’m hearing of it. Is that true, dear?”
“No, ugh… I was just a bit surprised…”
“How did he do it?”
Father looked at me for a moment. It seemed he was gauging whether it was appropriate to speak in front of me, but perhaps because I had often told him how to treat Mother and he knew I was mature, his lips, which had been tightly shut, finally opened.
“As soon as he saw me, before even exchanging greetings, he grabbed me by the collar and shook me…”
“What? Is that true?”
Mother exclaimed, more surprised than I was, and jumped up. Her flustered face turned red, so I snatched her fan from the table and fanned her face gently.
Father’s subsequent reply was thinner than usual, as if he was struggling to utter the embarrassing words.
“Later, when I asked why, he said that Duke Valentia wanted to know if my personality was kind and gentle. I just thought it was a good thing that I apparently passed the test.”
“No, how could you… why didn’t you tell me!”
“At the time, the atmosphere felt like I shouldn’t say anything… Looking back, it’s a funny memory, so don’t be angry. Duke Valentia just wanted to surprise me and see my reaction. He apologized immediately.”
“What did you say… did he apologize…?”
“He said that since he had made a mistake, he would introduce me to the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Good heavens! But we don’t remember being introduced!”
“We had to file the marriage registration that very day, so we met Duke Valentia first…”
Mother seemed to feel dizzy for a moment and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, but soon Father sweetly smiled and clasped her hand, causing her to spill out shy smiles like colorful hard candies stored in a glass box.
As for me, I couldn’t imagine the seemingly solemn Uncle acting that way, and I was utterly confused, but the sight of the two of them was so amusing and cute that I couldn’t help but laugh along.
Even after more than ten years since Father and Mother naturally started holding hands, seeing them get along so well still made me feel pleased.
The way the couple relied on each other, cherishing one another, was truly lovely.
Having never had a lover in either my past or present life, I felt a pang of envy for a moment, but I quickly dismissed the thought as being too presumptuous.
When I was first born as Sierren, I had thought about meeting a woman my age and starting a family with children when I got older, but now it felt unappealing.
Any girl I saw seemed too young.
I wondered if this feeling would change over time, like a restless heart settling down, and thought positively, but then seeing Mother’s youthful face light up with pure joy, I wondered if I could ever make a woman smile like that, and I became hesitant.
The hearts of women were as distant and difficult to fathom as the inner gardens of the Imperial Palace, which I had never been able to peer into.
We talked about Father and Mother’s past stories late into the night before I went to my room and fell asleep.
The next day, the whole family visited a weapon shop together.
I had found it the most fascinating and enjoyable place in the capital, so I accompanied them. Indeed, Michael was amazed and delighted, so I let him touch a few ornate shields instead of dangerous swords.
However, later, when we went to a toy store at the suggestion of Mother and Father, the children were even happier and more delighted than at the weapon shop, which made me feel a little sheepish.
We also visited restaurants, cafes, and flower shops that Mother used to frequent when she lived in the capital. We even bought matching handkerchiefs and scarves for the whole family.
We ate delicious food and watched the fountain in the plaza. We also sat around Valentia’s townhouse and looked at old portraits.
It had been a long time since time felt so precious.
As Sunday evening arrived and it was time for me to return to the academy, Michael held back his tears and bravely said goodbye, hugging my waist tightly. His soft hair tickled my lower abdomen.
“Brother, study hard. I’ll hurry to the academy and study with you.”
“Yes, Michael. I’ll write to you regularly, so please write back.”
“Okay! I’ll help Asdel write his letters too.”
“That’s right, I’ve already seen it. My brave and wonderful little brother. Please take care of me in the future too.”
“Me too!”
“Yes, our youngest. I’ll be waiting for your letters.”
Asdel, the youngest, who was feeling jealous, ran over and jumped in, so I hugged both little bodies at once and lifted them high.
Before the academy entrance ceremony, I had made a solemn vow while hugging these children, promising to protect them no matter what.
Now, I simply felt the sadness of parting and looked forward to the day we would meet again. I couldn’t stop smiling because it was so joyful and cheerful.
After kissing the soft cheeks of the children several times, I was finally able to get into the carriage heading to the academy, leaving them behind.
My heart swelled with anticipation for the days I would live in this land.