“Hmm.”
At the dispatched noble’s quarters.
Amidst the groans of nobles echoing through the lodging due to the intense training, Isaac was alone, tidying up his clothes.
‘A bit disappointing.’
As someone invited to Caldias’ dinner, he needed to dress appropriately.
But among the clothes Isaac brought, there wasn’t anything they would likely appreciate.
‘Maybe I should write something while waiting.’
His hand itched to grab a pen, and his gaze kept drifting to his textbook placed neatly on the desk.
Knock knock knock.
“Sir Isaac, I’ve brought it.”
Jonathan’s voice came from outside.
As he let him in, his eyes naturally fell on the clothes draped over his arm.
“I brought them as you asked, but are you sure about wearing my clothes? Most of them are comfortable training outfits or things I use during practice.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I needed.”
“Really? Haha! I’m glad I could be of help!”
Jonathan beamed with joy.
Seeing his bright, childlike demeanor, Isaac couldn’t help but smile too.
‘What a fascinating guy.’
He truly was like an innocent child.
Isaac thought Jonathan was someone who didn’t fit in with Helmunth at all.
“How’s the lodging? Have you gotten along with the people there?”
He asked while rummaging through the clothes.
Jonathan answered eagerly, as if he’d been waiting for the question.
“They treat me well. Maybe it’s because of the Helmunth name? They’re kind and good people. Except for the loud snoring at night.”
“Is that so? That must be troublesome.”
“But it’s fine. Compared to the training I received from the seniors, it’s much more comfortable!”
“Yeah, I bet.”
Back then, he probably couldn’t even sleep properly, getting beaten or forced to stay awake.
“Haha, I’m glad I came here. Honestly, I was a bit worried, but you’ve treated me so well, Sir Isaac.”
“What have I done?”
“No, really! I’m truly grateful. That’s why I kept my mouth shut when others badmouthed the nobles they serve!”
“Really?”
This kid, he’s got some loyalty.
“As a knight of Helmunth, training is important, but taking a break like this is necessary too, right? The seniors must have sent me here with that in mind.”
The more he listened, the more Isaac’s fondness for Jonathan grew.
‘……’
A strange question suddenly crossed his mind.
‘Helmunth’s knights.’
Isaac basically disliked Helmunth.
Well, no need to explain that, let’s move on.
But his feelings about Helmunth’s knights were a bit different.
They were called the kingdom’s finest knights.
After all, being a knight isn’t just about wielding a sword well.
They must also adhere to the ethical and moral standards of ‘chivalry.’
‘Of course, the direct descendants of Helmunth are no better than thugs.’
But were the knights that rotten too?
Especially the knights under Arandel, the family head?
“How about that outfit? I haven’t worn it much.”
“……”
No matter the reason, it’s unacceptable for a knight to bully or ostracize someone.
Especially since what Jonathan endured was brutally harsh, no reason could justify it.
But
Isaac suddenly wondered.
If there was a reason they treated Jonathan so harshly.
What could it have been?
* * *
Dinner time.
The candles around the dining area cast a warm, gentle glow.
Given the northern region’s characteristics, fermented, salted, or dried foods were common, but there were also hearty meat dishes and hot soups prepared.
‘Millie must be doing well.’
Isaac suddenly missed Millie, Helmunth’s chef of the same age.
“Sorry to keep you waiting after inviting you.”
Then, the family head Uldiran and his only daughter Silbern entered.
Despite his massive build, his footsteps were eerily quiet.
“I am Isaac Helmunth. Thank you for inviting me to dinner tonight.”
He greeted them politely, but Uldiran just patted his shoulder and moved on.
“Alright, let’s eat. I’m hungry.”
“Ugh, don’t stand on ceremony.”
Silbern chuckled and advised.
He knew.
That they weren’t the type to stand on ceremony.
Still, a minimum level of decorum was crucial for first impressions.
It was necessary to show that he respected them.
“It’s not much, but please eat heartily.”
Uldiran, sitting at the head of the long table, casually urged Isaac to eat.
Starting with grabbing a meat bone with his bare hands and tearing into it, he looked like a barbarian who didn’t care for manners.
Isaac followed suit and began his meal.
When in Malidan Wall, it’s right to follow their customs.
Seeing this, Uldiran smiled contentedly and asked Isaac,
“Why are you wearing a gambeson? What, did you have a tough day or something?”
A gambeson is a padded jacket worn under armor by knights to prevent injury from the hard metal.
At Uldiran’s question, Silbern, who was also dining, looked at Isaac.
He wiped his mouth and answered with a smile,
“We’re on the frontlines, after all.”
“Huh.”
“Oh.”
The corners of the father and daughter’s mouths twitched upward.
Even though he was invited to dinner by the border lord, he chose a gambeson that could be worn under armor over formal attire.
This seemed to impress the father and daughter.
He was glad he borrowed Jonathan’s clothes.
Since he had never worn armor, he naturally didn’t have a gambeson.
‘Thanks, Jonathan.’
Silently thanking Jonathan, Isaac continued his meal.
The conversation mainly consisted of the father and daughter asking questions, which Isaac answered.
“Your encouragement speech today was quite impressive. Though it felt more like you were encouraging us rather than the nobles.”
“It was my personal sentiment. If it was rude, I apologize, but I hoped other nobles would share my thoughts.”
“You’re a bit different from Helmunth, aren’t you? You have a rough edge, so there must be some awkwardness.”
“Actually, that makes it more comfortable. Honestly, all the etiquette over there was suffocating.”
“How did you meet Lianna?”
“She was a ferrywoman. While crossing the river with my wife, we chatted about this and that, and before I knew it, we got married.”
As the meal continued and the conversation deepened,
“So, you seem to know Caldias’ Spear Technique well.”
Uldiran looked at Isaac as if itching to speak and asked.
After taking a sip of the strong liquor Anna poured into his glass, Isaac nodded.
“I have a broad interest in various martial arts. Especially Caldias Spear Technique—it’s always astonishing to see related books or people who practice it directly.”
After catching his breath, he continued.
“Those who learned Caldias Spear Technique all had a very high ‘minimum standard.’ You could expect at least a basic level of skill from them.”
“Haha! That’s right. Our spear technique is no ordinary one.”
“You have a good eye.”
Seeing the father and daughter smile contentedly, Isaac inwardly let out a bitter smile.
‘Yes, Caldias Spear Technique is remarkable.’
This was an undeniable fact.
‘But you need to change.’
The spear technique that elevates ordinary people to greatness—Caldias.
However.
They cannot stop here.
To avoid the death that awaits in the future.
‘I will help.’
I will make your spear technique several times greater than it is now.
You are different from ordinary people.
Born into greatness.
You must be even greater.
Like.
Helmunth.
—
At dawn.
Lately, Lianna had been living her days somewhat sluggishly.
Her haggard appearance and dry hair.
Though Helmunth was not one to fall ill easily, the servants were worried she might be sick.
Lianna clearly didn’t look well.
Yet, she stepped outside the mansion for personal training.
“Huff! Huff!”
“Haaap!”
A few of her siblings were already deep into their training, but strangely, Lianna didn’t feel like holding a sword.
‘This is a first.’
Lethargy.
It was the perfect word to describe her current state.
Perhaps that’s why.
Lianna deliberately walked to the garden instead of the training grounds.
As she strolled through the rose garden that hadn’t yet bloomed.
“Ah.”
A single purple lilac caught her eye.
At that moment, the fragrant memory of lilacs naturally surfaced in Lianna’s mind.
It was shortly after the wedding.
[Lia, come here.]
The empty garden.
He playfully called her over, putting a finger to his lips to signal silence.
[Look at this, isn’t it pretty?]
Isaac pointed to the lilac and smiled.
Lianna, on the other hand, frowned.
‘What are the gardeners doing?’
Annoyed that a flower other than roses was in the garden, Lianna was about to call the gardener.
[I planted it. I asked the gardener to turn a blind eye.]
‘……You planted this? This?’
Lianna frowned and looked at Isaac.
Isaac grinned mischievously as he looked at her.
[Lia, this is me.]
‘You?’
[Lilacs bloom faster than Helmunth’s roses, and they’ll wither by the time the roses bloom.]
‘…….’
[People call me a nobody who married into a prestigious family. They say I’m trying to ride on Helmunth’s coattails.]
Lianna knew this too.
While some praised the romantic marriage, many others didn’t.
[But Lia.]
With a gentle smile, Isaac took Lianna’s hand.
Their fingers touched, and the wedding rings on their ring fingers brushed against each other.
[Helmunth means nothing to me. I married only for you, Lia.]
[I’ll stay by your side even if Helmunth disappears. Like this lilac that bloomed alone despite the roses not blooming yet.]
Slowly, Lianna’s head turned.
The lilac reflected in her eyes now felt precious.
‘…….’
At the time, she didn’t know how to respond, so she remained silent.
Isaac then smiled and whispered softly.
[There’s another secret about lilacs. Want to know?]
‘……I want to know.’
Isaac grinned mischievously and gestured subtly.
Lianna glanced around to see if anyone was nearby, then leaned in slightly.
Isaac whispered as if sharing a secret.
[The purple lilac’s flower language is first love.]
‘…….’
[Huh? Lia, are you embarrassed? Are you holding back?]
Isaac’s bright, teasing smile came to mind.
Reaching out in longing.
Isaac’s figure disappeared.
Only a single lilac remained, tickling Lianna’s fingertips.
“Ah.”
At that time.
At those words.
At that smile.
My heart was pounding so hard I couldn’t speak.
Your gentle embrace, sensing my feelings, was sweeter than any flower’s fragrance.
Held in your arms, the small smile I secretly made turned me into a girl.
That’s why the embrace that made me want to abandon everything now feels so—.
“Ah, Isaac.”
I miss you.
My legs gave out, and I knelt.
I tried to hold back.
But my vision blurred as tears streamed from my red eyes.
No matter how much I cry.
He’s already gone.
Only a single lilac remains.
Reminding me that those times weren’t just a dream.
