Kays Translations

Chapter 67: Tragic News

We finally reached the great outer wall.

The districts outside it were already busy. Roads were properly paved, and many people wore clean, well-made clothing. Farther away, however, I could see what appeared to be slums. They seemed deliberately confined to particular areas and closely watched.

Even the royal capital had its darkness.

A long queue waited to pass through the wall. It was around three in the afternoon. At that rate, we might not enter before nightfall.

“Lionel, should we stay at an inn outside the wall and return tomorrow morning?”

“That won’t be necessary. The queue is for common travellers. There’s a separate entrance for nobles.”

“I see. What an unequal world.”

The distinction was unmistakable. We proceeded to the nobles’ gate.

It was less crowded than the common entrance, though many carriages still waited.

“There are carriages everywhere,” Rosalia said, leaning towards the window.

“Yes. It seems they’re all entering the city.”

I held her securely while we watched. The line appeared to be made of carriages rather than people.

“This is strange,” Lionel said. “The social season hasn’t begun, and normally there would be far fewer.”

“Is some event drawing the nobility here?”

A terrible feeling settled in my stomach. I hoped it was unfounded.

Our turn came soon. Lionel handled the formalities while I stood beside him to observe for future journeys.

Entry required a document bearing a noble’s signature. Once the soldier verified it, he saluted and permitted us to pass.

We returned to the carriage and moved through a dim stone tunnel. Beyond it lay a broad cobbled avenue. Rosalia gasped at the orderly streets.

I had believed the Heine Margraviate compared favourably with the royal capital, but the sight made it clear how much work remained.

“It’ll still take some time to reach the townhouse,” Lionel said.

“Proceed carefully. Don’t rush or run anyone down.”

The streets separated pedestrians from carriages much like pavements and traffic lanes. People crowded the pavements and sometimes spilled into the road.

Poor traffic manners existed everywhere. In the packed royal capital, a careless driver could easily injure someone.

Small, closely built houses filled the first districts. Farther in, we entered a commercial area. Crowds thickened, the carriage slowed, and displays of goods appeared one after another before the shops.

“Big brother, I want to visit that shop.”

Rosalia pointed at a magic-tool store. My little sister was steadily becoming a magic-tool enthusiast. Most girls her age would probably have noticed flowers or stuffed animals first.

“Perhaps Father and Mother can take you later.”

We had no time to stop now. Once matters were settled, we might be able to return, but first we needed to reach the Heine townhouse.

Beyond the commercial district, the streets grew quieter. There were fewer pedestrians and more private carriages. We had entered the noble quarter.

“We’ll arrive shortly,” Lionel announced.

The view outside changed to grand residences. Some possessed gardens, while others didn’t. Land within the royal capital was limited, so only the wealthiest and highest-ranking families could maintain large grounds.

Our carriage stopped before a mansion with a garden. This was House Heine’s townhouse. One knight went inside to announce us while the rest helped us down.

“It’s smaller than our estate back home, but larger than most houses here,” I said.

“It’s lovely,” Rosalia replied.

The carriage continued towards the rear grounds, where there was apparently a coach house.

We waited briefly at the entrance. When the doors opened, Father, Mother, Brother Alex, and Brother Cain were all inside.

I hadn’t expected Alex, much less Cain. Both should have been attending the academy.

“You made it safely,” Father said with a strained smile. “The carriage journey must have been difficult.”

His voice was lifeless. Everyone else looked equally exhausted.

“It was, but… Father, how are Grandmother and Grandfather?”

Father closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. Mother and my brothers lowered their gazes.

“I’m sorry. They have both passed away. The private funeral rites have already been completed.”

We hadn’t merely failed to arrive in time. They had died before Father’s letter even reached us. That was why he had written come as soon as possible rather than hurry. No matter how quickly we travelled, we could never have saved them.

Rosalia began to sob in Mother’s arms.

“I see. I wish we could at least have attended their funeral.”

“A public memorial is being held at the royal castle,” Father said. “Your grandmother was a high-ranking magic pharmacist. People she helped throughout her life have gathered from across the kingdom.”

“Then we’ll attend.”

The unusual number of noble carriages at the gate now made sense. So many people had come to mourn Grandmother.

That was how many lives her potions had touched.

I could do nothing but grieve for both of them.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter