Chapter 101

Chapter Seventy-Four: Belonging

The three of us left towards the direction of the battlefield.

It seemed that the goat cheese found the scene somewhat boring and flapped its wings to fly into the sky.

At this moment, the Duke had just finished speaking with Lafayette and stepped forward, coming closer to me and the Lady.

“Pepé, why are you standing here eating? Come sit in the carriage.”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

After we all got into the unicorn-drawn carriage, the Lady sat next to me, still feeding me pastries. She then took out a water flask from inside the carriage, unscrewed the lid, and handed it to me. I was quite thirsty, so I reached out and took it, gulping down several big mouthfuls.

Across from me, the Duke had a serious expression, bowing his head slightly. Lafayette, sitting beside him, looked somewhat constrained.

“Pepé, this time we owe much to your presence. Otherwise…” He didn’t finish his sentence, sighed softly, and there was a glimmer in his eyes, “It was truly a rare reunion… I feel ashamed as a brother.”

He seemed somewhat disheartened, and I wasn’t sure what the Duke had told him. I quickly waved my hand at him.

“Mmm, mmm—”

I intended to say it was fine, that I was happy to see him, but with my mouth full of food, it came out as meaningless grunts. The Lady then scolded me.

“Don’t talk with food in your mouth.”

“Alright, this time we owe Pepé a lot. It ended up being a close call, but let’s not dwell on it now. Lafayette is back,” the Duke patted Lafayette’s shoulder. “These past three years… Suntel Castle hasn’t had a proper celebration. It’s rare for everyone to gather like this. Pepé, stay until after Christmas?”

I tilted my head, swallowing the food in my mouth.

“Christmas?”

I hadn’t heard of this before. What kind of holiday was this?

“The sixteenth of January is when the deity was born. According to the customs of the Valen Empire, families should gather at this time… This silly child, even Christmas doesn’t remember?”

I understood; it was New Year’s Day.

I remembered Carlos mentioning that the Royal Academy starts in mid-February, taking about a month to get there. If I stayed until after Christmas… I would have enough time.

The first New Year in another world…

My gaze swept across the faces of the Duke, the Lady, and Lafayette. In their eyes, I could sense their eager desire.

In fact, I had always felt somewhat uneasy.

This unease stemmed from this unfamiliar world, from the completely unknown people and life, from that evil force within me that no one understood. Just like long-term wanderers, no matter what they appear to be during the day, at night they silently bear the loneliness and anxiety that others don’t know.

Even at Grandma Claire’s place, this feeling didn’t diminish much. At that time, I had just arrived in this world, and everything around me was strange. Even though the villagers were friendly to me, and Grandma took care of me meticulously, treating me like family, and I tried hard to integrate into that small family, to consider that house as home, it couldn’t dispel my unease.

[I am different from them.]

Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, such thoughts lingered in my mind like a persistent disease, never leaving.

However, at this moment, I looked at the person in front of me.

I looked at the Duke and Lafayette, who shared the same black hair and eyes as me. I looked at the Lady, who resembled me and carried the same scent.

Ah.

This is my family in this world.

Warm liquid flowed from my heart, rushing through my veins to every part of my body, warming my fingertips and hair.

Something called “belonging” settled in my heart.

The corners of my mouth curled up, and my eyes curved into crescents.

“Good.”

I nodded slightly.

“Then it’s settled.” The Duke also smiled, then looked at Lady Catherine, “Catherine, thank you for your hard work. The banquet must be grand.”

“I don’t mind much. I’m happy doing this, but…” She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking out, “but now Edward has died by our hands, His Majesty… I’m sure the palace will take action soon, right? We probably won’t have it easy…”

The Duke understood her worries and held her hand.

“It won’t be known so quickly. You don’t need to worry about these things. Leave it to me and Lafayette.”

“Mother, Edward deserved to die.”

“I know… he dared to harm Pepe, he deserved to die, but…” She looked at the many deaths today… such matters…

“Don’t think too much,” the Duke looked into her eyes, “I’ll handle everything.”

I thought for a moment, then asked, “Will there be a war?”

“Not for now. However, who can predict the future? We need to prepare thoroughly.” The Duke released Lady Catherine’s hand, turned his head, and stared at me seriously, “Pepe, maybe this is redundant, but I must remind you, after going to Isenbell, be careful with your safety.”

“Mm.” I nodded again, then asked, “Will the Church intervene?”

“Yes. But… as you saw today, they stand on Schantel’s side, not to mention the traces of heresy appearing now. That fool Edward, choosing to cooperate with the Gate of Truth, truly… doesn’t know his own life. This is something the Holy Church cannot tolerate, and just because of this, my brother is already in a precarious position.”

“So, there won’t be a war?”

The Duke smiled and patted my head.

“Pepe, are you worried about the war?”

“Mm, many people will die.”

Looking at my serious little face, a sparkle appeared in the Duke’s eyes, then he sighed deeply.

“I wish I could tell you it won’t happen. But at this point, it’s difficult to solve things peacefully. So, perhaps… maybe…”

My heart sank.

The meaning behind the Duke’s words was clear. How could I not understand? War was likely to happen next.

Would things ultimately develop in the worst direction?

“If the war starts, the longer it drags on, the more disastrous it will be for this country. I don’t want to see such a situation… Pepe, you’re a kind child, always have been. I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, things might not be as bad as you imagine. Trust your father. I promise you, once it really starts, I will end it as soon as possible, without involving those innocent civilians.”

These words, spoken by the Duke, were not particularly stirring, even somewhat plain. But in my eyes, his originally towering figure instantly revealed its sharpness and confidence. The imposing aura that naturally emanated from him, showing no anger yet still commanding respect, was displayed in full force, making me unable to help but trust him.

“What do you need me to do?”

His soft voice made the Duke smile.

“After you go to the Royal Academy, write home at least once a month.”

I shook my head upon hearing this, gazing steadily at the Duke.

“Let me, do something.”