By Zephyria 
I found Bill Brown’s grinning face to be sly. I stared at the fellow for a long time before letting out a hollow laugh.
Now, no matter where I looked, he was a healthy and robust fellow. I was relieved, as he didn’t seem like someone who would die soon.
“So, what did you think after meeting him?”
“Exactly as I expected. I’m very happy to have become close with you, Brother.”
I had nothing to say. I sighed and leaned my back against the carriage’s plush cushion.
“I’m truly glad you’ve recovered your health.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Brother. I’ll be loyal to you forever.”
I thought for a moment before speaking.
“However, that is all thanks to your own efforts, not mine. Don’t thank me now; thank me later when I do something meaningful.”
“⋯I like you even more because you’re like this, Brother.”
My words caught in my throat for a moment. It was because Rubel, who spoke in a similar tone and said something akin to this, suddenly came to mind.
I gazed steadily at Bill’s face. But seeing the innocent expression in his large, cow-like eyes, with no trace of redness, I felt reassured.
“Yes, yes. I like you very much too.”
I replied with a sigh and patted the shoulder of the fellow who was nuzzling against me again.
The Brown family had already arrived at Young Count Ernhardt’s Residence. All the people from the Baron Brown family were cheerful and good-natured, making them easy to get along with.
Bill Brown, with his usual nonchalance, called me Brother and amused everyone by keeping Michael perched on his shoulder.
Michael, who never had his feet touch the ground, whether sitting on my lap or on Bill’s shoulder, was ecstatic.
Asdel, being prim and proper, stuck to my side and didn’t go near Bill. Seeing Michael’s giggling face alone warmed my heart, so I let him be.
Apart from time spent with family, I spent my time with the Magnolia Knights.
I didn’t refuse Bill’s bold request to participate in the knights’ training. His words about learning swordsmanship and extending his life had deeply resonated with me.
Ian Venters, the vice-captain of the Magnolia Knights, treated Bill Brown with great familiarity. It was pleasant to see him looking after Bill as if he were his own brother.
Indeed, they looked quite alike. Their broad shoulders, muscular builds, sun-tanned faces, and short, bristly hair made them seem just like father and son.
After following the knights’ training to the letter, Bill received a few rounds of sparring guidance from me and then collapsed onto the training ground, utterly exhausted.
Seeing Bill sprawled out with his large arms and legs spread wide made me laugh.
“You’re taking intermediate swordsmanship classes, yet you’re struggling this much? What will you do?”
“Ah, do you think everyone in the world is like you, Brother?”
I grabbed the hand of the fellow who was chuckling heartily and helped him sit up. Yes, yes, I agreed with everything he said, and his bright smile was a pleasure to see.
Seeing his face, smeared with sweat and dust, I handed him a handkerchief. He acted spoiled and let me wipe his cheeks and forehead.
“It’s just like the rumors. They say the Magnolia Knights’ training intensity is no joke.”
“Where on earth do you hear such rumors?”
“Hmm…? Mother says she hears all sorts of things when she has tea parties.”
I became curious about what kind of stories Baroness Brown heard and how.
Even now, Baroness Brown was likely having tea with my mother, Seiren. I worried that Seiren might be influenced by something strange.
As I was thinking this, Bill tugged on my wrist.
“Let’s rest a bit, and then spar with me one more time.”
“Alright, let’s do that.”
“You should rest too, Brother.”
I couldn’t refuse the child’s pleas. I sat down next to Bill and looked out at the training ground.
The empty training ground, now deserted after the morning session, was well-maintained. I felt pleased thinking of the knights who had clearly trained consistently even in my absence.
As I sat in silence, Bill spoke to me warmly.
“You said you like quiet things, Brother.”
“I do.”
“And that you like honest and upright people.”
“Mm.”
“Are you going to join the Imperial Guard?”
“Perhaps?”
“Don’t you want to travel?”
“⋯Travel?”
At the unexpected words, I turned to look at Bill, but the child smiled and leaned his head against my shoulder.
He acted so naturally that I reached out and stroked his hair. His sweat-dampened hair carried a pleasant, not unpleasant, scent of perfume.
Though he seemed like a grown boy, he still had the air of a child at times like this.
“When I got healthy, I wanted to go places. I wanted to see the ends of the earth, and I was curious about the traces of the gods, said to be as vast as mountains.”
“You’re healthy enough now, so you should go.”
“After I graduate, if you have time, Brother… won’t you go on a trip with me?”
My hesitation was brief.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
“Great! You promised!”
His bright smile was truly a sight to behold.
Come to think of it, this boy always smiled. From the first time I met him until now, I had never seen him without a smile.
How could he be so bright, like the sun? Rubel’s melancholic face, like the moon, briefly came to mind. I shook my head and dismissed the thought.
“If that’s the case, you’d better hone your skills further.”
“Ah, of course. Naturally. I’m going to become a Sword Master too.”
I briefly focused my Qi sense on the child.
“At this rate, it will take you eight years.”
“⋯What? That long?”
“Then work harder.”
I patted his broad back. I didn’t dislike the sound of the child babbling, asking how he could possibly work harder, and I laughed heartily.
❖ ❖ ❖
Happy times pass exceptionally quickly.
I had meals with my family regularly, and we had more conversations than before I went to the academy.
I also learned the name of the pink flowers that filled Young Count Ernhardt’s Residence. Prodil Aster. Coincidentally, it was the same name as the flower in the pot in my dormitory room.
Looking closely, their shapes were similar. However, unlike the small and delicate flower in the pot, the flowers at home were much larger and fuller, and I was surprised to realize I hadn’t recognized them until now.
When I remarked that flowers that change color depending on their environment might also change in size and luster, Father laughed heartily.
“There’s a saying that Prodil Asters bloom with deeper, more beautiful colors in homes filled with love.”
“Then isn’t red better than pink?”
Mother replied with a bright smile.
“That’s why when a few red flowers bloom, we feel very excited and happy.”
“Excited?”
“Yes. Because they look just like your father’s eye color.”
Seeing Father blush like a flower at the affectionate words, I also laughed heartily. They were truly adorable. They were as lovely and affectionate as a pair of mandarin ducks.
Beside them, I found it very amusing to soothe Michael and Asdel, who were like young birds, saying, “What about me? What about me?”
I soothed the children by telling them their eyes were like the sky, like clouds, like flowers, multiple times.
Living like this every day would be warm and wonderful.
I thought I would like to live by the side of my lovely and dear parents and siblings, even in the distant future. Indeed, I thought I could live without marrying for life.
Happiness was happiness, but there were things that had to be done.
I began preparing to return to the academy.
Michael, having gained the certainty that we could meet again even after parting, no longer threw tantrums or cried. Instead, he stood by the carriage, hugged me tightly, and fiddled with the locket around my neck.
“Brother, if you miss me, you must endure by looking at this portrait. Understand? I will do the same.”
“Of course. I’ll endure by looking at the portrait when I miss you.”
“But what if I miss you anyway?”
“Then you write a letter.”
“What if I write ten letters?”
“I’ll write ten replies.”
Michael, after a moment’s thought, hugged my neck tightly and made a cute sound.
“Yes. I’ll write a letter every time I miss you.”
“Alright.”
I pressed my lips firmly onto the child’s cute, flat forehead and then let go of Michael, whom I had held in my arms.
Asdel, who had been waiting for his turn, scurried over. I scooped him up and held him next. He pressed his chubby cheeks against me, so I pressed my lips to them and then pulled away.
“We’ll come to the capital during the next vacation. You mustn’t cry if you miss me.”
“Yes, I won’t cry and will endure well even if I miss our Asdel.”
“Really. If you cry, you’ll get horns on your backside.”
“Okay.”
The child smiled primly and kissed my cheek in return.
After letting Asdel down, Father and Mother came and hugged me once more before letting go. No matter how old one gets, the bond of blood is thick and warm, and a corner of my heart vibrated.
After receiving my family’s farewells, Bill, who stood beside me, smiled and offered his cheek as well.
“Brother, me too.”
“Disgusting.”
I clicked my tongue and pushed his cheek away with my palm, making the two families burst into laughter. He was truly an audacious fellow. Bill and I got into the carriage, and even then, I waved for a long time with the window open.
The journey back to the academy was peaceful all the way.
It was a schedule set without any rush. Bill often complained about the confinement and pestered me to ride horses together.
Sitting only in the carriage was a hardship for me too, so we made a game of riding at full speed with Ernhardt’s knights.
Every time we stopped at an inn, Bill ate so voraciously that my appetite was also whetted. The fatigue from his boisterousness felt like a distant memory.
Before long, we arrived at the capital, engaging in mock sword duels using the forms of Imperial Swordsmanship with the child who was already acting as if we were traveling together.
With such a companion, I thought that even a long journey would not be boring.
And then, in front of the main gate of Shierun Academy, I met Edwin Kiadris.