“Conrad.”
“Co in.”
Conrad entered and hurriedly handed a letter to Duke Astra.
“What is it?”
“This year’s Harvest Festival will be held at the Astra estate.”
Marquis Debussy quietly set down his teacup.
It felt as if a clear, pure chi echoed sowhere.
A sound sharply breaking the peace.
The return of hellish overti.
The next day, the factory.
“Did you hear? This year’s Harvest Festival will be at Astra.”
At Dioneira’s words, I suddenly looked up.
“Harvest Festival?”
“Yeah!”
The Harvest Festival is a ritual where the royal family prays for a good harvest.
The location changes every year.
‘This year it’s at Astra?’
That was strange.
Normally, the festival at Astra only happens after Dalia cos.
Liangtin rested his chin on his hand and said,
“That’s good news. The area where the festival is held usually has a good harvest the next year.”
That mostly applies to agricultural regions.
‘We mainly do comrce, so... huh?’
Just as I thought that, I flinched and froze.
The ‘royal family’ coming to our estate to pray at the altar?
“Alexis!”
I hurriedly closed my notebook and stood up abruptly.
Dioneira’s eyes went wide as she looked at .
“Erilot, you’re leaving already?”
“Yeah!”
Dioneira looked really disappointed.
We used to see each other every day, but after I moved up to the advanced education room, we only t two or three tis a month.
Even then, only during breaks between classes.
Liangtin poked at the gloomy Dioneira.
“Focus on studying. You have a test tonight.”
“...”
“If you co in last again, you know you’ll be sent back to the lower education room, right?”
When Dioneira pouted, Liangtin thumped a book into her hands.
‘Liangtin really takes good care of Dioneira.’
“If you weren’t here, no one else would want to team up with !”
“That’s because Liangtin’s blessing isn’t much help in practical training...”
“What?! Kyaa─!”
...Well, whatever.
It’s nice that they look out for each other.
I said goodbye to the two of them.
“See you next ti.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah, Erilot! Take care!”
After their goodbyes, I quickly left the education room.
Just in case, I took out the communication stone from my pocket.
As expected, it was buzzing with ssages.
‘It’s Lady Gonallong!’
I glanced around and hurried to a quiet place.
Only then did I connect the communication.
[What should we do? Queen Ocellia is coming to the Astra estate!]
Lady Gonallong’s urgent voice ca through the communication stone.
“I heard.”
[Is it possible to avoid ‘that child’?]
“We have to. So, I need to confirm sothing.”
[What? Even with things this bad, you’re still using ...!]
“If we invest in Count Ajis’s estate this ti—”
[I’ll hear you out for now.]
She changes her attitude quickly.
‘Though quick, that’s good.’
“Who exactly is coming? Is it only Queen Ocellia among the royals?”
[Queen Ocellia, the First Prince, and Anatoly the Forr Princess (daughter of the forr emperor, sister of the current emperor) will attend.]
I closed my eyes tightly.
‘This is bad.’
I was hoping the Empress Dowager would co.
Then if Alexis and the Queen t, she might help.
Among the royals coming this ti, no one can restrain Queen Ocellia.
“Understood. Keep updated.”
[How much more do you plan to use ? But the Count Ajis investnt is real, right?]
“Have I ever been wrong?”
[...No. I’ll keep reporting.]
After ending the communication, I moved to leave the castle.
But I didn’t go to the carriage waiting area.
‘Because now I have this!’
The blessing stone.
Rishimund gave it to .
He said I could teleport hundreds of tis inside the Astra estate.
Passing through the unprotected second gate, I gripped the blessing stone.
I sent out magic...
Flash!
My vision turned pure white, and my body felt weightless.
Seconds later,
I arrived at the Egritz rcenary Corps’ base.
‘Still looks like a prison here.’
Even though the sign saying ‘Prison’ was taken down, the place was still eerie.
I shook my head and stepped into the building.
But my foot got caught on a deeply rooted tree root.
I staggered and leaned.
“Ah! My nose is going to break!”
I squeezed my eyes shut, and soone suddenly grabbed my arm tightly.
“You’re about to fall.”
Startled, I looked back and saw a familiar face.
Thick black hair with good texture.
Eyes a deep blue, like those seen only on a deserted beach.
He’d grown tall now, entering adolescence.
Thickened features.
A voice lowered after his voice broke.
...It was Alexis.
“When did you get here?”
I squinted and asked.
He thinks he’s so kind of folk hero.
Disappearing east and west in the blink of an eye.
No joke, he really did go from the Anantz coast in the east to Prong port in the west.
‘No wonder I can’t keep track of things.’
Alexis answered casually,
“Just now.”
That gave a bad feeling.
The Egritz rcenary Corps was supposed to be hunting monsters in the Black Forest until this week.
Coming back this early ant...
“So that disease broke out again this year.”
“Yeah, Captain Kali’s.”
“Right, that terrible...”
Hemorrhoids.
I rubbed my forehead.
Captain Kali’s eternal companion, hemorrhoids.
When his hemorrhoids flare up, he has to stay put for three or four months until healed.
‘We can’t expect help from the rcenary corps in an ergency.’
With Captain Kali, the rcenary corps’ strongest asset, lying down,
Heading out now would only make things worse.
I frowned, and Alexis asked,
“Why?”
“...”
I hesitated whether to talk about the Queen.
Alexis probably noticed.
His face tightened.
“That look again, like you want to protect her.”
I flinched.
‘He really is a ghost.’
I sighed and said,
“The Queen is coming.”
“Yeah.”
His expression was way too casual.
“The Queen is coming.”
“I heard.”
“Aren’t you scared?”
“Not really.”
He was so scared as a baby.
I counted Alexis’s age.
He’s four years older than , so now... 14.
‘Middle school angst still hasn’t hit him?’
Not even that, yet full of bravado.
Even though he used to have nightmares of being chased by the Queen.
Even if he pretends not to care, he heard everything from Captain Kali.
“Really not scared?”
“Your nagging scares the most.”
Alexis grimaced.
‘Even if he worries.’
I scowled, and Alexis smirked, lifting the corners of his mouth.
“I was just teasing!”
He shrugged.
‘He’s grown enough to tease now.’
This sister is so happy, Alexis.
I ruffled Alexis’s hair as he frowned again, clearly annoyed by it.
A month passed.
Two days before the Harvest Festival, news arrived that the royal carriage had passed the Astra estate checkpoint.
All the Astra relatives gathered at the factory.
Marquis Debussy looked much paler than a month ago.
“Are you alright?”
I asked, and he replied with a corpse-like face,
“I’m just glad I still have the strength to submit my resignation.”
He’d been suffering nonstop for a month and was apparently carrying a resignation letter.
I looked at Marquis Debussy with pity.
“Please endure...”
“You can’t treat an old man like this.”
“You don’t look old at all!”
I quickly waved my hand.
Then,
“Erilot.”
Soone called .
I turned toward the sound and saw Dad walking steadily toward the castle gate in the distance.
‘Wow...’
It had been a long ti since I’d seen Dad all dressed up.
He really looked amazing.
Dad wasn’t alone.
Three older brothers walked alongside him.
They all looked well dressed for the rare event.
Rishimund, with a side part neatly fixed back.
Joshua, calmly combed down with smooth hair.
Balzac, red hair swept to one side.
Dad and my older brothers strutted over to like models showing off their long legs.
The servants and employees watching from behind pillars sighed, eyes sparkling with admiration.
They slowly approached and stood by my side.
“You look pretty today, Eryl.”
Joshua smiled warmly.
Balzac yawned wide, looking utterly bored, then leaned on my shoulder and sighed.
“Ugh. So boring.”
Joshua pushed Balzac’s face away.
“That’s enough, brother.”
The twins shoved each other’s faces, bickering.
“Cut it out...”
I said with blurry eyes, and Rishimund skillfully separated the twins.
‘Hmm, having an older brother is nice.’
It’s convenient having soone to keep the twins in check whenever they fuss.
While I was thinking this, the royal carriage appeared in the distance.
It soon arrived at the castle gate.
The carriage stopped, and servants rushed to open the door wide.
Hair like the setting sun’s glow.
Blue eyes.
A beauty mark at the corner of her mouth.
I recognized her at once.
‘Queen Ocellia.’
She lightly approached my grandfather.
“Long ti no see, Duke Astra.”
“Yes. Indeed.”
The greeting seed perfectly ordinary on the surface.
But the looks they exchanged were terrifying.
The two were on the sa side because of the First Prince.
But it wasn’t a relationship you could call allies.
They were snakes using each other thoroughly.
Poisonous snakes ready to sink their fangs into the other’s neck at the slightest chance.
‘The atmosphere is intense.’
A boy got off the carriage and approached the Queen.
His hair was the sa sunset red.
Golden eyes, the symbol of royalty.
That alone revealed who he was.
The First Prince, Salvatore.
“Have you been well, Duke Astra?”
“Yes. And I trust you’ve been well, Your Highness.”
“Thanks to you.”
After greeting my grandfather, the prince glanced around.
His eyes t mine.
He smiled faintly when he saw by my father.
“Are you Erilot Astra?”
‘How did he know?’
We’ve never t.
I opened my eyes wide, and the prince said in a sweet voice,
“You might not know, but in the capital they call you the Rose of Astra. As beautiful as they say. Nice to et you. I’m Salvatore Calsoie.”
The First Prince seed relaxed and polite.
Even though he was the emperor’s only child, he didn’t have an arrogant air.
So I was speechless.
‘Such hypocrisy...’
He’s a huge playboy.
He pretends to be polite «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» and well-mannered in front of others, but behind their backs, he’s a total delinquent.
I knew well because I’d seen him in my previous life.
Back then, he was staying at the Astra estate for so reason.
Dalia was supposed to accompany him, but she suddenly got sick, so I went instead.
I hurriedly prepared after hearing the news and rushed to him.
I barely got to the social club in ti, only to find him kissing a maid, drunk.
His shirt completely unbuttoned,
Seeing my shocked expression, he ca over holding the maid in his arms.
“You’re the grandchild who was kicked out of Astra. Filthy blood.”
Then he grabbed my chin and spun it around as if appraising rchandise.
“Your face is decent... I like it.”
I went pale and didn’t know what to do.
It was the first ti sothing like that happened, and his drugged, glazed eyes were terrifying.
Back then, I was trembling and couldn’t say a word.
‘If it were now, I’d slap him.’
Finishing my mory, I looked at Salvatore who was still playing the friendly prince.
“I was invited to the Empress Dowager’s tea salon?”
“Yes. They kindly allowed to attend the winter tea salon.”
“Good. Let’s et often.”
‘What the heck. Future sexual harasser.’
But I hid my true feelings skillfully and smiled like a child.
“I’m honored you say so!”
Around the Queen were the second generation royals mingling.
As they exchanged greetings, another royal carriage arrived.
From a pink carriage stepped a lady with golden eyes.
Long pink hair down to her waist.
Anyone could tell she was a refined lady raised with care.
‘Anatoly the Forr Princess.’
Daughter of the forr emperor and sister of the current emperor.
Holding the coachman’s hand, the forr princess frowned.
“Sister, this carriage must be changed. The seat is hard, and I can feel every bump too much—”
She glanced at the Astra relatives as she spoke.
But then,
‘Huh?’
The mont she saw Dad, her expression changed sharply.
Her eyebrows lowered, lips bitten...
Her face was full of emotion.
If this were a drama, sad reunion BGM would be playing right now.
Reviews
All reviews (0)