Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: It Took So Long
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It sure took a long time.
A few days later.
The Eisen Guard territory was fully bathed in the warm spring breeze.
Tension hung over the mansion's front yard from early morning.
Lonas checked his pocket watch with an anxious expression as he paced in front of the main gate.
'Good.'
He had just received word from a messenger that his father's group had entered the territory.
An earlier return than scheduled.
'If he only went to get the recommendation letter, there shouldn't have been any major issues. Looks like the Grand Duke surprisingly handed it over without much fuss.'
Lonas let out a sigh of relief.
He had been through a lot of mental strain lately.
Handling the territory's affairs was a breeze compared to recent events.
But nursing Alina and attending to Her Highness the Imperial Princess had left his body exhausted.
'Once Father and Barg get here, I can finally relax.'
Lonas straightened his clothes.
He, along with a few servants, was enough to greet them.
It was supposed to be a modest return with just his father and Barg, after all.
That was what he had thought.
Bwooo-!
The guard's horn blared, and far off, a procession of carriages came into view.
Lonas started to run toward them with joy.
But...
"......Huh?"
Screech.
The lead carriage came to a stop.
A knight jumped down from the driver's seat and opened the door.
His familiar father stepped out first.
"Father! Welcome back!"
"Yeah, Lonas. Everything alright?"
Eisen greeted his son warmly, despite his weary face.
The massive Barg followed.
"We're back."
"Glad you're safe. My wife was worried sick every day."
Up to here, it was as expected.
As expected...
"Now, please watch your step."
I politely extended my hand toward the inside of the carriage.
"Huh? Is there someone else?"
While Lonas looked puzzled, a wheelchair was handed to me from inside the carriage and lowered down.
And seated upon it, a pale but dignified young nobleman.
"......?!"
Lonas doubted his own eyes.
Though clearly ill, there was no mistaking that face.
The next ruler of the North.
Northguard Grand Duke's eldest son, Karl von Northguard.
"G-Grand Young Lord?!"
Lonas's mouth fell open.
"Oops, time for me to get down too. Come on, friend."
Following Karl, a blond handsome man hopped down with a beaming smile.
A man in splendid tails.
The Empire's Fourth Prince, Radians von Croatina, had arrived.
"......"
Lonas rubbed his eyes and looked again.
The Grand Young Lord and the Prince were standing in our front yard.
"F-Father...?"
Lonas trembled as he stared at the Eisen Baron.
"You went for Her Highness the Imperial Princess's recommendation letter, right? What on earth did you do to bring the North's next duke and imperial royalty... both of them?!"
"Heh heh, it's a long story. First, prepare to receive the guests."
Eisen spoke nonchalantly, but neither he nor I had anticipated things blowing up this big.
'I figured at most Karl would tag along...'
Lonas clutched his neck and staggered.
Hosting the Grand Young Lord and a Prince.
Lonas, who had been wilting under the sheer volume of work, was now about to dry up from the quality of it.
"Oh man... my fate..."
Radians spotted Lonas and his eyes lit up.
"Oh! If it isn't—!"
He strode over and slapped Lonas on the shoulders.
"Our very own junior Lonas!"
"Y-Your Highness...?"
"Don't you remember? Back at the academy, the legendary guy who yelled 'Theory can go to the dogs!' grabbed the dean's pant leg, and tossed in his resignation like a boss! Great seeing you here!"
"......!"
Lonas's face turned beet red.
That was the biggest black mark on his life.
He had boldly dropped out to learn practical skills, but ended up blacklisted by the professors, prospects ruined, opening a path of hardship—all youthful folly.
"P-Please, Your Highness... forget about that..."
Lonas bowed, sweating profusely.
"Nah, nothing to be ashamed of. I really admired that resolve of yours. Made me wanna drop out too."
"......"
"Well, somehow I ended up a professor and buddies with the dean now. Haha!"
Radians's mischievous joke left Lonas looking like he wanted to cry.
A Prince who dug up black history and reveled in it right on arrival.
While Lonas endured the Prince's torment, I quietly assisted Karl's movement.
The manor front yard was dirt, not ideal for pushing a wheelchair.
"Grand Young Lord, if I may."
I reached for the handles but paused.
Instead, I slid my hands under the frame.
"Hm?"
'Hyah.'
I lifted the wheelchair with Karl in it effortlessly.
"Oh..."
Karl marveled.
The exact same expression Kairun had shown in the grand castle storeroom.
'Brothers are alike.'
On Karl's lap lay my axe First Snow Fang, which he'd been fiddling with the whole way.
A crude iron axe, but Karl had been captivated by the tales of Norheim it had endured.
Just like his brother Kairun.
"Thank you, Sir Wintersword. Your strength is wondrous every time I see it."
Karl said, stroking the axe.
"This axe... looks rough, but perfectly balanced. A weapon like you—rough on the outside, delicate within."
"My thanks for the praise. I'll escort you the rest of the way."
I grinned and started walking.
Bang!
At that moment, the mansion's front door flew open as someone rushed out.
"Barg!"
A woman with silver hair streaming behind her.
It was Kara.
Trailing her was the little girl Alina, toddling after.
Normally, one would first pay respects to the Grand Young Lord or the Prince.
But Kara's eyes saw only one person.
"You're back!"
Kara shot past the wheelchair and threw herself at me.
I calmly lowered the wheelchair gently with one hand and caught her with the other arm.
Squeeze!
"I missed you!"
Kara clung to my neck.
"Missed you too, dear. No injuries?"
"Nope. You?"
"Me? Fine as ever."
The couple ignored the onlookers and confirmed each other's warmth.
Alina came running next.
"Daddy!"
"Ooh, my girl!"
Eisen knelt and spread his arms.
Alina snuggled right into his embrace.
"Daddy! I can see your face now! No blur! Even your glasses!"
"Yeah... yeah, good. Really good..."
Eisen hugged his daughter, his eyes reddening.
Seeing her clear eyes, fully restored, melted away all his recent worries like snow.
"Daddy smells. Didn't wash?"
"...Sorry. Was busy getting here."
The grumbling daughter burrowing into his arms, the father who found her adorable beyond words.
And the barbarian couple gazing at each other with honey-dripping eyes.
No hierarchy, no formality.
A scene filled only with familial love.
Karl in his wheelchair quietly watched the touching reunion.
'......'
It was beautiful.
The warm scene he so desperately wanted to protect and possess.
Warmth absent from the cold grand castle was here.
His chest throbbed—not from damage, but regeneration.
It was hope.
'Can I... someday have a family like that?'
With Father and Mother.
With his brother.
And with some future someone.
A faint smile spread across Karl's lips.
He turned to look at Radians standing beside him.
"Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"May I ask a favor?"
"Go ahead."
Karl smiled as he spoke.
"Here... drop the 'Your Highness' and treat me like a friend, like old times? That scene... stiff formality doesn't suit it."
A wish to blend into the warmth not as honored prince, but as one friend among equals.
Radians's eyes widened, then he grinned broadly and grabbed the wheelchair armrest.
"Haha! Exactly what I hoped for! Should've done this sooner!"
He patted Karl's shoulder.
"Right, Karl. We're friends. Here, forget status and just enjoy."
"Thanks, Radians."
The two friends smiled at each other.
The Eisen Guard front yard filled with warmth surpassing the spring sunlight.
Meanwhile, holding Kara, I sniffed her hair and whispered.
"Back quick, huh? Kept my promise."
"Yeah. Surprised it was sooner than I thought."
Kara looked up at me.
Her blue eyes gleamed seductively even in the spring sun as she pressed her lips to my ear and whispered intimately.
"...Strawberry juice."
"Huh? Craving some? Want me to make it now? Morning sickness still?"
I asked, concerned.
But Kara shook her head and nibbled my earlobe.
"No. Not morning sickness."
"Then?"
"The one you made... I want it at night. In bed."
"......!"
"One glass. Together."
Kara's hand trailed down my chest.
Ah.
The 12-week stability period had a bit left...
But after days apart, the temptation to cling tight...
'Ha... this woman.'
My heart pounded.
I'd missed Kara too.
This warm body and sweet scent—I craved it madly.
I pulled her deep into my chest, utterly charmed, and planted a deep kiss on her forehead.
Smack.
"...Welcome home, Kara. Not letting you sleep tonight."
"Looking forward to it."
"Oh my, oh my! Look at them! At it again!"
From behind, Elysia fussed and pretended to cover her eyes.
Of course, she peeked through her fingers today too.
"Such indecency in public...!"
Lonas turned away grumbling, but a smile played on his lips.
It was a happy reunion moment for all.
That evening.
In the Eisen Guard mansion's grand dining hall.
A formal banquet was held to host the Prince and Grand Young Lord.
The table groaned under gourmet delicacies.
But the mood was light.
At Eisen's consideration, they minimized formality and arranged seats cozy like a family gathering.
Karl held a wine glass, seated in a comfortable chair instead of his wheelchair.
"Thanks to everyone... I've regained the will to stand. My gratitude."
Karl proposed a heartfelt toast.
"Especially Sir Wintersword and Baron Eisen. Without your help, I'd still be lost in darkness."
"No need. It was your resolve that made it possible, Grand Young Lord."
Eisen replied humbly.
Everyone clinked glasses.
Clink-.
The clear sound rang out.
After a sip of wine, Karl spoke with a resolute expression.
"So... I've decided."
"On what?"
"In four days. Right on schedule, I'll personally visit the academy and demand our admission."
"......!"
All eyes focused on him.
Four days later.
The eve of Eterna Academy's entrance ceremony.
When the dean and professors would be at their busiest and most sensitive.
He declared he would barge in then.
"A patient—the frail heir of the grand ducal house—personally begging... They won't forsake their duty."
Karl grinned.
A shrewd gambler's instinct, turning even his weakness into a weapon.
"Wow..."
I said admiringly.
"Four days... eve of the ceremony. You've gotten sly, Grand Young Lord."
"A compliment."
Karl parried leisurely.
"I have to use everything. Pity, family prestige. Anything for my people."
He looked at me and added firmly.
"Then, I'll firmly push for the Wintersword couple's union. Using my name... and Her Highness the Imperial Princess's precedent here."
"......Pardon?"
Elysia, who had been giggling and catching up with her half-brother Radians in the seat next to her, widened her eyes.
Her knife scraped the plate as she cut her meat.
Screech.
"M-My... precedent? What does that...?"
Elysia blinked, baffled.
She must have missed the key strategy discussion while chatting recent events with her brother.
I grinned but didn't explain.
Instead, Eisen kindly did.
"Ah, Your Highness the Imperial Princess. To make the union of Barg and Kara possible, you decided to share special dorms with His Highness Prince Radians."
"......Pardon?"
Elysia's mind ground to a halt.
For the Wintersword couple to union...
I had to be the precedent?
That meant...
'Me... sharing a room with Brother?!'
Elysia's gaze shot to Radians beside her.
Radians feigned innocence, slicing his steak, but his ears were bright red.
'He knew!'
Elysia was aghast.
"W-Wait a minute! What about my opinion? I'm not ready... No, siblings living together? It kinda makes sense but... anyway, what about my say?!"
She protested desperately, but...
"It's best for imperial safety too."
Eisen drove the nail in.
"Agreed. Thanks to Your Highness, we can union. Much obliged."
Kara and I piled on.
"No, that's not it! Brother! Brother, say something!"
Elysia shook Radians.
But Radians chewed his mouthful of meat coolly.
"Hm? Sounds good to me. With you around, no boredom. I'll take good care. Cleaning, laundry—all me."
"That's not the point!!"
Elysia pouted, cheeks puffing out.
"What about my opinion!! Why does no one listen to me! Hmph!"
She sulkily stabbed her steak with her fork.
But no one comforted her.
Instead, everyone at the table burst into hearty laughter, charmed by her cuteness.
"Hahaha!"
"Don't worry, Princess. Our bro's a professor, lives in the research building mostly."
Even Alina's attempt at comfort dissolved into the laughter.
A boisterous but love-filled evening.
The Eisen Guard night deepened just like that.
All preparations for heading to the academy were now complete.
Only the real story at the academy remained.
It sure took a long time.
I sipped my wine, savoring the proper flow of time after escaping that dense stretch.