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178. Childhood Friend – An Unstoppable Incident

In a modest home early in the morning, three people gathered around a small table, clattering their dishes together.

“Hyung, did Uncle Drune bring the logs yesterday?”

“Not yet. He said he would deliver them tomorrow, so let’s finish what we agreed to hand over to Mr. Brow.”

“What about sister-in-law?”

“She’s barely slept, taking care of the baby and nursing every couple of hours.”

The two young men filled their bellies as they chatted, while their mother watched over them, her heart heavy.

“How’s Mom these days? Didn’t you say she was serving some princess?”

“…”

“Mom?”

‘Marisa’ lifted her head. With complex emotions, she looked at her second son who had grown strong and her first son who had recently married and had a daughter.

“Yeah… She’s a nice person.”

What a resentful thing! She didn’t reveal her true feelings.

After finishing their meal, the sons hurried off to work. The sawmill, bustling with activity as winter set in, kept Marisa busy preparing breakfast for her daughter-in-law who was still asleep, before heading towards the lord’s castle.

It had already been seven years since they settled in Gaidan Territory after living in the Orun Kingdom. Greeting the guard with a nod, Marisa entered the castle and headed towards the handmaidens’ quarters.

She greeted the head handmaiden and changed her clothes. Before starting her work, she stood by the warm fireplace, warming herself with her fellow handmaids from the chilly early winter breeze.

The castle was cold.

Despite having wooden floors and carpets throughout, the stone-cold castle was always filled with a chill.

Still, Gaidan Lord’s Castle fared better. Since the territory was primarily focused on logging, the head officer made sure there was enough firewood for the handmaidens to use. This was something unheard of in other territories.

One by one, the handmaids left to tend to their respective duties, and Marisa slowly departed from the fireplace. Her master certainly hadn’t coughed yet, so there was still plenty of time.

She filled a pot with hot water in the kitchen. Gathering a washcloth and perfume for her beautiful yet resentful master, she headed to the princess’s room.

As expected, the princess was still asleep. Perhaps dreaming sweetly, a smile adorned her lips, but it seemed she was about to wake as she stirred while cuddling her fluffy pillow.

A light cough would be enough, yet Marisa waited. A mere handmaiden couldn’t boldly wake royalty.

“I… T-Tian… Hmm?”

The princess opened her eyes. Blinking sleepily, she suddenly sat up to bow in greeting but then broke into an embarrassed smile instead.

“Hehe… Good morning.”

“Yes, good morning, your highness.”

Marisa washed the princess.

She soaked a washcloth in the perfumed water and rubbed the princess’s pale skin as she took off her pajamas. The princess, seated in her chair, bowed her head and didn’t move.

At first, Marisa couldn’t understand why the princess acted this way. It seemed like she was embarrassed or perhaps unaccustomed to being washed by someone else.

But now, Marisa thought she understood.

Marisa asked, “How would you like your hair done today?”

“Hmm… Please braid it like last time.”

Every time she asked, she preferred it braided.

Marisa noticed that the princess only knew that hairstyle.

Gently, Marisa gathered the princess’s hair, taking small sections that fit into three fingers.

Starting from the right eyebrow area, she moved towards the left nape. The braids shaped like rice ears framed the princess’s face diagonally, while the hair that wasn’t braided flowed down naturally.

She dressed the princess in Lady Hirie Gaidan’s clothing. Naturally, this was with the approval of the marquis’s wife, and the princess, now in a fluttering dress, was off to meet her.

Lady Sierra Gaidan taught the princess something every day, primarily the basics of etiquette.

“That’s right. After greeting, be considerate of the other person. If you don’t tell them to disregard etiquette, they might feel uncomfortable.”

“What should I say?”

“You don’t need to say anything special. Usually, it’s standard to ask after the well-being of the married person and help them up, but if possible, ask about the latest happenings of someone less predictable.”

“And if I don’t know?”

“You must know! Understanding the social relations of the people you meet is essential.”

Marisa observed Lady Sierra’s stern warning and the princess eagerly learning, bobbing her head along.

With a complicated heart, Marisa followed the princess, who now held the book that Lady Gaidan suggested she read.

“Eek! What kind of writing is this…?”

The letters were so bizarre it was hard to make out. Marisa realized the princess only knew a very simple script used by commoners.

“That means ‘slave.’”

“Ah? Th-thank you… uh, thank you. Then what’s this next to it?”

“…That’s a particle.”

“What’s a particle?”

Ah, so she didn’t just know simple writing. Marisa briefly explained the concept of particles.

“Ahh, I get it now. I’ll read it, please check if I’m right.”

How much of what she had just explained could she possibly grasp? Marisa didn’t have high expectations.

“The Orun Kingdom, known for its abundant mines since ancient times, has been… referred to as the ‘smelting pot.’ What’s a smelting pot? Anyway, due to the rugged mountains, many barbarians in the Orun Kingdom are captured and utilized as laborers in the mines. Is that correct?”

That was quite surprising.

There were more mistakes than correct points, but Marisa couldn’t help but be astonished at how quickly the princess understood the simple explanation, correcting her errors along the way.

“Guh… this is difficult.”

– Scritch scratch.

The princess’s little hand diligently moved the quill.

But it didn’t last long.

As it was lunchtime, she had to eat, and after her meal, the princess began to doze off at the desk. Ultimately, she was looking for signs that she could sleep in her bed.

And inevitably, she fell asleep.

“……”

Marisa watched over the sleeping princess, her expression troubled. With a sigh, she neatly tucked in the blanket.

Yesterday, she had heard the names of the prince and princess who visited the lord’s castle. For security reasons, she learned their identities late, and surprisingly…

They were those who had served her husband.

Her husband never returned. It was over a decade ago since he went to the palace, and through investigations, she had only found out that he fled the Orun Kingdom with the prince and princess.

Marisa stepped outside. Steeling her resolve, she immediately sought the prince.

Prince Leo was spread out at a table, poring over a large map with his guard, Reb.

“Prince Leo de Yeriel.”

Was it wrong to ask such a thing?

“I’m the wife of Bart, who was a royal knight… do you perhaps know where my husband is… or… no, do you know where he is?”

She didn’t have the courage to ask if he was still alive.

*

Silence fell.

Recalling the map they saw in the previous childhood friend episode, Reb and Leo faced each other. Since it was the prince being questioned, Leo began to speak.

“Are you speaking of Sir Bart?”

“Yes! Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, is there any chance you know where he is… or even a grave, anything will do…”

In front of the weeping lady, Leo didn’t know what to do. He realized he didn’t even know if Sir Bart was married, and guilt engulfed him, but he also had no idea how to convey this information.

Bart is alive. For now.

Before they arrived in Gaidan Territory, he had already killed Duke Tertan’s grandson. And now, he was escaping by boat along the Irotashi River towards the sea.

Should he say he is alive?

It made sense that Leo didn’t know Bart’s survival status. Even if he revealed that he was alive, aside from whether or not he knew, questions like “Where is he?” and “Why hasn’t he returned yet?” would multiply rapidly.

But…

“Sir Bart is alive.”

“R-really? Did he come with you? Why hasn’t he… sorry. There must be a reason. Then where is he? Does he know I’m here?”

“No. He didn’t come with me. We parted ways a long time ago. He did his utmost to save me.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Marisa glared at the prince with fierce eyes. If he uttered some nonsense about her husband still being alive in his heart, she might just explode in rage, even if he was a prince.

“I’m telling you what I know. I’ve been staying in the Conrad Kingdom for quite a while. I even met Sir Bart.”

Fortunately, Reb stepped in.

“I also know Sir Bart’s whereabouts. What a remarkable coincidence! I was just thinking about how to inform him that the prince is alive. However, I’m worried that…”

Reb trailed off.

He had considered bringing Sir Bart along. However, having already gone to fetch Prince Leo de Yeriel, he wouldn’t have time to stop Bart from attacking Duke Tertan.

To be honest, if it weren’t for Prince Leo, there was no way he could persuade that slightly deranged knight.

“Sir Bart is being pursued right now. If anyone came to get him, they might mistakenly think they were being followed and kill them, which is why I haven’t been able to ask him…”

“So, where is my husband?”

Marisa cut off Reb’s words.

He spoke too much. Abruptly, she interrupted him, asking about Bart’s location.

Reb revealed where he was hiding.

He had made a forsaken warehouse on one side of Noyar Port his hideout, occasionally venturing out to sea, so if they waited there, he would return—

He spilled all the secrets that would surely cause an uproar if Bart heard them.

“Take this with you. It will serve as proof that I’m alive.”

Leo took off his necklace and handed it over. Marisa accepted it, her expression complicated.

Would it be okay to give this to her husband?

Her husband, blinded by loyalty, abandoned his family, and she hated him. Yet at the same time, she yearned to see him, fearing that if she handed this over, he might leave again.

“…Thank you.” Reluctantly accepting the necklace, Marisa left work early. She wanted to pack her things and head straight to Noyar Port, but her heart wasn’t in it.

She had a daughter-in-law who had just given birth. There was no way she could abandon the business her sons had built after years of hard work (the sawmill).

She considered leaving alone, but ultimately, she informed her sons that their father was alive. Her unmarried second son took the necklace and set off.

A resentful father.

To fetch Sir Bart.

*

For a time after that, peaceful days continued.

Reb and Leo had nothing particularly to do until Marquis Harvey Gaidan arrived. So, they merely recalled the locations of the barbarian settlements and occasionally sparred.

Reb was stronger.

This was beyond question. Leo struggled to even comprehend Reb’s movements, who had gained the skill {Swordsmanship.5v: Forteleru} as a reward from the scenario.

Although Reb taught him the Fortel family’s swordplay, it was clear that Prince Leo had no talent for swordsmanship. The fact that he was stagnant despite not having Minseo confirmed this.

Still, Prince Leo de Yeriel, with his {Swordsmanship.4v: Jacobru}, and Reb made for good training partners. The knights of the Gaidan Marquis family were no match for them.

“Reb, try this. I made it…”

“Is this an experiment?”

“It’s not!”

The first snow fell.

Wrapped up tightly, Lena, Leo, and Reb stepped out to enjoy the sight of the falling snow.

Lena, having learned to cook from the marquis’s wife, presented beautifully shaped cookies she had baked with care. True to her talent, the cookies didn’t fall apart and looked exquisite.

“Isn’t there one for me?”

“Just eat this.”

“…”

There was indeed a broken cookie. Taking it, Leo wore a hurt expression.

Chuckle.

Reb couldn’t help but laugh.

He found it immensely amusing, realizing Leo’s feelings were so straightforward. Unconsciously, he pinched Lena’s cheek.

How lovely the soft flesh of his younger sister felt…

“Ouch! What are you doing!”

Lena’s face turned red. “How dare you pinch the princess’s cheek!” She pretended to be angry, but Reb was flustered.

For a moment, he forgot he was Lena’s older brother, and the mix-up made him feel bewildered.

Reb said, “I’m a barbarian, so your status doesn’t matter to me. And Leo and I are friends, right?”

He looked at Leo, who was gazing at him with a strange expression.

“Why? Are you unhappy that I pinched your sister’s cheek? If she’s your sister, that makes her my sister too.”

A smile formed on Leo’s face as he realized something through the light snowfall.

“So that’s where your pinching habit comes from.”

Habits tying the three Leos together, and now he recognized where the habit of pinching Lena had originated.

He never dared to pinch Leah, his childhood friend aspiring to be a priest, merely flinching at the thought.

Reb remained silent, rubbing his thumb against his middle and index fingers, turning away towards the northwest.

“Reb, isn’t it my place to be your sister…”

– Hiiing!

At that moment, carriages arrived at the main gate.

Seeing the familiar faces of the handmaidens disembarking, they thought it was Marquis Harvey Gaidan arriving, but it wasn’t the marquis who got off.

It was Hirie Gaidan.

Disheveled and in tatters, the young lady staggered, muttering with hollow eyes, “Palace… please…” as she passed by Leo’s group.

“What’s wrong with her?”

The Leos couldn’t respond.