Chapter 7

The cold dawn.

Breathing in the crisp morning air, I took one last walk around the mansion. It wasn’t that I had suddenly become sentimental. I just wanted to see for the last time the place where I was born and raised.

People tend to take for granted what they’re used to, and thus fail to appreciate its value. Ironically, the familiar is often the most overlooked.

“The carriage is ready, Family Head.”

As I was taking a final look around the garden, the butler informed me in a more somber tone than usual that my stroll had come to an end.

I reached out toward the flowers blooming on the crape myrtle tree.

“Butler.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

“When I was very young, I once asked you to make a wooden horse because I wanted to give this flower to my younger sister.”

“Yes. You said you wanted to give it to the young lady, who was frail.”

“Back then, I couldn’t reach the branch, but now it’s so easy to touch.”

I turned my head toward the mansion.

“But the things I could reach back then are now out of reach.”

“Family Head…”

I had resolved to live only looking at what I could reach, but humans are naturally drawn to what they cannot.

“Do you know the meaning of this flower?”

“I’m afraid this old man doesn’t have such knowledge.”

“I see.”

I decided to break off a branch and smell the flower. Truthfully, I wasn’t skilled enough to distinguish the scent of flowers, nor did I particularly like their fragrance. It was just a meaningless action I did without thinking.

“Can I take this flower with me?”

“Everything in this mansion belongs to you, Family Head.”

“Not after I board the carriage.”

I patted the butler’s shoulder as he shed tears.

“Take good care of Rizel.”

“…Yes. If that is your command, Family Head.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as we finished our final conversation, we headed toward the mansion’s main gate. It was the last walk with someone who had served me since childhood, so I wanted to savor the moment a little longer.

But my adult stride didn’t allow me to enjoy it for long. What I could once reach was now out of reach, and the time I wanted to cherish had become disappointingly short. All I had in return was a flower branch in my arms.

I turned my head to take one last look at the mansion.

This was the place where I was born and raised. That was all, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I didn’t know why.

“It seems Mother and Rizel have no intention of coming out to see me off.”

I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t sad or disappointed either. My eyes just kept drifting toward the firmly closed door. I felt some kind of emotion, but I couldn’t name it.

“Rizel’s bedroom window is open. Have a maid close it. The morning air is chilly today.”

“As you wish.”

The fact that her window was open made me indulge in a futile fantasy. And even though I knew it was just wishful thinking, I felt a little better.

The image conjured by that futile fantasy was satisfying enough to be worth it. So, with that insignificant image of her secretly opening the window at dawn decorating a corner of my heart, I prepared to board the carriage.

“Wait!!!”

At the sound of a girl’s voice in the distance, I instinctively turned to see the source.

Pointed ears, tanned skin, silver hair, red eyes.

A little maid, embodying all the traits of a dark elf, was struggling to carry a bundle half her size as she ran toward me.

“That child is the maid who will serve you from now on. I told her to wake up early, but sigh…”

“…She’s very young.”

“She’ll be fine with household chores.”

I approached the girl and took her bundle, loading it onto the carriage.

“Th-thank you.”

“What’s your name?”

“Betty, Family Head.”

“Alright. But from now on, don’t call me Family Head.”

“Then what should I call you…?”

“Raul. Call me Raul.”

From the moment I board this carriage, I will no longer be the Family Head or a Berze.

Leaving behind my position, my castle, and my traces, I feel like I’ll finally be able to breathe.

I planned to leave everything here.

“Get on the carriage. We have a long way to go.”

“Yes, yes!”

I just realized it, but this girl is clearly afraid of me.

Given my infamous reputation, it’s only natural, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.

After helping Betty onto the carriage, I climbed in myself.

“Let’s go.”

Without hesitation, the coachman started driving the carriage.

Leaning my head against the carriage window, I decided to take in the sight of the capital one last time, even though I knew I’d forget it soon enough.

There was no grand reason. I just didn’t want to regret not seeing the capital one last time before I died. Of course, I didn’t feel anything particularly special. It just looked the way it always had.

The carriage, which felt more like a hearse, carried me as it passed through the capital’s castle gate. Beyond the gate, familiar faces were waiting to intercept us.

“Even so, not coming to see us before leaving is the height of disloyalty. Don’t you think?”

“I’m disappointed, Raul. Are you sure you won’t regret leaving like this?”

“You’re acting like a rich man’s concubine being sold off, moping by the window.”

I couldn’t help but sigh when I saw their faces.

“Can’t we just drive past them?”

Of course, the coachman had already gotten off the carriage and was bowing deeply to the Emperor, Empress, and the Duke’s daughter, so he couldn’t answer my question.

“…Annoying.”

I had no choice but to get off the carriage and face them. They were faces I’d seen so often that I was sick of them.

Yet, they had been waiting since dawn to see me, who was no longer even a Count.

“Was it worth it to see a face you’re so tired of?”

“Your face might not be worth it, but the time we’ve spent together is.”

“…That’s a bit cringey.”

His Majesty closed his eyes for a moment, chuckled, and then patted my shoulder.

“Stay healthy. Don’t catch a cold.”

“…Sure.”

“It’s nice to see male friendship, but could you pay attention to this side too?”

The Empress grabbed my hand tightly.

“Is it appropriate for the Empress to hold a stranger’s hand like this?”

“This is between you and me. Our relationship is far deeper and stickier than any scandal. Who would dare say anything?”

“You’re speaking quite boldly.”

The Empress held my hand tightly and cast what seemed like a curse or magic.

“If anyone troubles you, let me know.”

“Are you planning to kill them?”

“That would be too merciful. How dare they mess with the Empress’s friend.”

Watching this, Camilla and His Majesty started teasing us.

“Hey, your wife’s cheating on you. Isn’t that what they call netorare…”

“Empress. How bold of you to commit adultery right in front of me.”

Both of them nearly got sliced in half by the Empress’s slash, but they didn’t stop teasing her. The Empress, in her wheelchair, chased after them in anger, but the two rascals kept running and mocking her.

“They’re like wild colts.”

I didn’t know what was so amusing, but I didn’t mind this playful banter. It felt like I had returned to the old days, even if just a little.

“Camilla.”

I grabbed the wrist of Camilla, who was sitting and standing repeatedly beside the Empress’s wheelchair.

“…Cripple.”

“Take care of my fiancée. Well, she’s not my fiancée anymore.”

“Why should I? That woman only caused you trouble. Just thinking about how she treated you makes me want to break her legs with a spear…”

“She’s the sister of our friend.”

“…You’re a sly bastard.”

Then Camilla suddenly hugged me.

It was startling. She usually went for joint locks, but she rarely hugged anyone like this.

“…You’re a one-of-a-kind fool. A frustrating fool. A fool who’d give away his liver and gallbladder.”

“I guess I’m the right person to be friends with a battle maniac.”

“I’ll visit you later.”

“Sure.”

Even though we had said our goodbyes, she didn’t let me go.

“You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

Her voice, usually thunderous and noisy, was unusually soft.

“I haven’t had much appetite lately.”

“If you want, I’ll take care of that.”

“Sure. And give my regards to Master.”

“Got it.”

“…I’d like you to let go now.”

“Just a little longer.”

And so, the reward for leaving at dawn was lost.

Camilla didn’t let me go until the morning sun rose.

It was only after His Majesty exerted great effort that Camilla was finally separated from me, and she was dragged away by the Empress.

“…You’re going to become the lord of that small countryside town, at least in name.”

“Sure.”

“There will be conflicts and power struggles, but I’m sure you’ll handle them well.”

His Majesty was staring at me with an indescribable look in his eyes.

“And we’ll take care of those who hurt you, so don’t worry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Should I be glad you’re so oblivious…? Well, at least it’s unfortunate for the young lady.”

“I don’t understand. Could you explain?”

“……You’re such a frustrating bastard.”

His Majesty sighed, worried about me.

But I had no way of understanding what he meant.

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