Kays Translations

Chapter 237: Returning to the Territorial Capital

We had to return before heavy snow closed the roads. Many nobles remained in the royal capital after the social season ended, but families with northern territories needed to hurry home. House Heine was no exception.

“Brother Cain is back.”

“Cain, you are late. What were you doing?”

Perhaps reluctant to part from Sister-in-law Meeka, Brother Cain returned from the Royal Academy only the day before our departure for the territorial capital.

“I am sorry. Um…”

Brother Cain fell silent. Brother Alex and I exchanged glances. What was wrong? Surely he was not about to announce that he would remain in the royal capital. If so, he should have told us much sooner.

While I wondered, Sister-in-law Meeka stepped out from behind him.

“Brother Alex, Lord Julius, thank you for taking care of us.”

“What?”

“Eh?”

Ah. Sister-in-law Meeka intended to accompany us to the territorial capital. They should have told us sooner. What would Brother Alex do?

Unlike me, Brother Alex wore a perfectly pleasant smile. It was terrifying. The room seemed to freeze, and Brother Cain's mouth visibly twitched.

“Cain, you should have told us something this important earlier.”

“I-I am sorry.”

Brother Cain apologised. How would we handle this? We would need another carriage. Or would five people be squeezed into one? We could move Nero to Lelie's carriage… Oh? Two more carriages were approaching.

They bore the crest of Count Crystal, the identity used by the royal family when travelling discreetly. That meant a member of the royal family was inside. Surely not.

The carriages stopped and a step was placed immediately. Princess Daniela descended with a smile. It was only her, was it not? No additional surprises?

“Am I late?”

“Not at all. Something unexpected has arisen, but it presents no problem.”

The unexpected development was Sister-in-law Meeka. The important lady who had just left the carriage bowed to Brother Cain and her, and I hurried to bow as well. Familiarity with Princess Daniela sometimes made me forget that she was royalty. Soon she would truly be my sister-in-law, which only made the proper response harder to judge.

“Please raise your heads. I cannot speak with you like that. As you know, I will accompany you to the Heine Margraviate to train for my future duties as its lady. I hope you will all look after me.”

I had known nothing about this. I whipped my head towards Brother Alex. His expression said, Did I not tell you? Sister-in-law Meeka had already surprised me, but this was even greater.

At least the carriage problem was solved. Was that why Brother Alex had looked so relaxed?

We would leave the following morning. Despite the two unexpected additions, preparations were completed quickly. Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka carried little because most of their belongings remained in the academy dormitories, though one trunk seemed devoted entirely to swords.

The carriage assignments were settled at dinner. Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela would use the Count Crystal carriage, while Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka would ride in House Heine's. Nero and I were to move between them. How had that happened? Was I some kind of chaperone?

After breakfast the next morning, we departed for the territorial capital. The steward and servants waved from the townhouse as the carriages moved away. I leaned out to wave back, and Brother Alex immediately scolded me because it was dangerous.

It was fine. I had always wanted to try it.

“We will stop at the hot-spring town on the way. When we travelled to the royal capital, the springs had dried up, so we could not bathe. I am looking forward to it.”

“Did something happen there?”

“Julius became involved in a small incident.”

Wait, Brother Alex. I had certainly caused the miracle, but there was no need to tell Sister-in-law Daniela. Ignoring my silent plea, he happily recounted the 'miracle of the hot-spring town'. I wished people would forget it, but it had probably become a legend. I wondered how the Spirit of the Lake was doing. Its new appearance had been rather alarming.

“Lord Julius truly is amazing.”

“It was nothing, Sister-in-law Daniela.”

She smiled happily. Apparently, she liked being addressed as my sister-in-law.

At dinner the previous night, Princess Daniela had noticed that I called Lady Meeka 'Sister-in-law Meeka' and insisted I do the same for her. I had eventually surrendered.

After that, Sister-in-law Daniela began hugging me whenever she saw me, copying Sister-in-law Meeka. Was this some sort of rivalry? I only hoped they would get along.

Brother Alex and Brother Cain watched with jealous expressions, as though protesting that their fiancées were stealing all my attention. None of this was my fault.

That afternoon, I moved to House Heine's carriage. When I repeated Brother Alex's plan to stop at the hot-spring town, Brother Cain's face became complicated. Perhaps his previous visit had not left pleasant memories.

Had Father sent him a letter of reprimand after that incident? If so, I felt a little guilty.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter