Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 150: The Foolish Prince’s Mother Sheds Tears (2)
“Eek…!”
The carriage jolted violently, and the sounds of shouting and fighting came from outside. Could it be that we were being attacked by someone?
This carriage is supposed to be marked with the royal crest and protected by the kingdom’s knights.
(A mere bandit wouldn’t attack such a carriage… So could it be…!)
Emerald sensed a faint hint of dark conspiracy, but just then, the carriage door opened from the outside, and a bloodied man appeared.
“Hiiiiiii…!”
“Oh, pardon me. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Ad
A young man in blood-stained armor gave a broad, friendly smile. It had been years since anyone had given me such a straightforward, friendly smile.
“Ah, you are…?”
“I should have introduced myself sooner. I am Brad Catreya, a knight of the kingdom.”
The young man introduced himself. Catreya… That name was familiar to Emerald; it belonged to a prominent noble family in the kingdom.
The knight named Brad wiped the blood off his armor with a cloth and threw it outside the carriage.
“Earlier, someone attacked this carriage, but we successfully repelled them. Please don’t worry. I will escort you to the border.”
“I-I see… Thank you?”
Is it appropriate to say thanks in this situation?
Emerald’s face tightened.
“Um… Who were the attackers?”
“Well, they might have been from the Empire. They might have planned to kill you and make it look like it was the kingdom’s doing.”
Ad
“……!”
“Oh, pardon me. Let’s disregard that statement.”
Realizing that he had said something unforgivable, Brad hurriedly waved his hands.
“Um… It might have been just bandits or possibly some nobles from our country. There are people in the kingdom who want to go to war with the Empire!”
“That excuse also seems questionable…”
“Ah… I see. Again, my apologies.”
Brad cleared his throat. It seemed he was not very skilled in diplomacy.
Despite the situation, Emerald almost burst out laughing.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear your earlier comment.”
“I’d be grateful if you could! My father would be quite upset!”
Ad
Brad laughed and slapped his chest armor.
“I guarantee that you won’t get a scratch until we cross the border! Once we enter the Empire, the main faction… no, the attackers will have no reason to target you. Please rest assured!”
“Rest assured… Is there a point in my returning to the Empire?”
“Hm…? What do you mean?”
“If there’s no one waiting for me, would it be okay for a useless troublemaker like me to return?”
Emerald inadvertently revealed her inner thoughts. Brad blinked in surprise, then muttered thoughtfully.
“Does Emerald have any siblings?”
“Huh…?”
What was this about?
Confused, Emerald answered Brad’s question.
“I have two older brothers… but we’ve only exchanged letters and haven’t met in twenty years.”
“Oh, then it should be fine.”
Brad puffed out his chest confidently.
“A brother’s duty is to protect his sister. I’m sure they are waiting for your return in your homeland.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s right. No matter how old they get, older brothers remain older brothers. They always think about their younger sisters, whether they’re eating, sleeping, taking a bath, working on paperwork, or killing enemies on the battlefield. Their minds are always occupied with thoughts of their sisters, and they always carry handkerchiefs embroidered by their sisters. That’s what being an ‘older brother’ means.”
“I-I see…”
“So, you should return home with your head held high and confidently.”
“……”
Emerald fell silent. She couldn’t be so optimistic, thinking about her deceased son… but perhaps, just a little bit, she felt a slight easing of her heart, like a feather from a waterbird.
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
“Of course, it’s no trouble. Well then… let’s depart once again!”
Afterwards, Emerald returned to the Empire without facing a second attack. She never learned who had attacked her.
Emerald had her royal status stripped away and was reunited with her family and friends after twenty years.
After rekindling old connections, she entered a convent, where she dedicated herself to mourning the souls of those who had died in the rebellion her son had started.