Lilac

"Hmm."

Dispatch noble quarters. Amid the nobles' groans echoing through the lodging from the intense training, Isaac was dressing alone.

A bit disappointing.

As someone invited to the Kaldias family's dinner, he needed to dress appropriately. But none of the clothes he'd brought seemed like something they'd appreciate.

Maybe I should do some writing while I wait.

His hand itched to pick up the pen, his gaze repeatedly drifting to the cherished manual atop his desk.

Knock knock knock.

"Lord Isaac, I've brought them."

Jonathan's voice from outside. Ushering him in, Isaac's eyes naturally went to the clothes draped over his arm.

"I brought them as you asked, but... are you sure about using my clothes? They're mostly training gear or comfortable outfits for movement."

"Yeah, exactly. That's what I needed."

"Really? Haha! I'm glad I could help!"

Jonathan beamed with innocent joy, like a pure child, and Isaac found himself smiling back without realizing it.

What an odd guy.

He truly seemed like a simple, guileless boy. Isaac thought he didn't fit with the Helmonts at all.

"How's the lodging? Made friends with the others there?"

Isaac asked while rifling through ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the clothes.

Jonathan answered eagerly, as if he'd been waiting.

"Everyone's been great to me. Probably because of the Helmont name? They're all kind and good people. Except for the snoring at night—it's pretty loud."

"Is that so? That could be rough."

"But it's fine! Compared to training with the seniors, this is way more comfortable!"

"Yeah, I suppose so."

Back then, he probably couldn't even sleep properly—getting beaten or forcibly kept awake.

"Haha, I'm glad I came on dispatch. I was a bit worried at first, but you've been so good to me, Lord Isaac."

"What have I even done?"

"No, really! I'm truly grateful. That's why I kept my mouth shut when the others badmouthed their lords!"

"Oh?"

The kid had some loyalty, after all.

"As a Helmont knight, training is important, but a short break like this is necessary too, right? I'm sure the seniors sent me here for that reason."

As he listened, Isaac's fondness for Jonathan grew.

......

A strange doubt flickered through his mind.

'Helmont knights.'

Isaac basically despised the Helmonts. No need to explain that.

But the Helmont knights were different. They were called the kingdom's finest.

A true knight wasn't just someone who swung a sword well. They had to embody knightly virtue—ethics and moral codes.

Of course, the direct Helmont bloodline might as well be thugs.

But had their knights decayed that far? Under Arandel, the family head, no less?

"How about those clothes? I've barely worn them."

"......"

No matter the reason, bullying or tormenting someone as a knight was unacceptable. Especially Jonathan's ordeals—they were brutally harsh; no excuse could justify them.

But Isaac suddenly wondered.

What if there had been a trigger for their harsh treatment of him?

What could it have been?

Dinner time.

Candles softly illuminated the table, creating a warm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠atmosphere. Northern staples like fermented, salted, or dried foods abounded, but oily meats and steaming soups were prepared too.

Milli's doing okay, right?

Isaac missed the Helmont kitchen chef, his peer.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting after the invite."

Family head Uldiran and his only daughter Silberna entered. Despite his massive frame, his steps were remarkably quiet.

"I'm Isaac Helmont. Thank you for inviting me to dinner."

Polite bow met with Uldiran clapping his shoulder casually.

"Yeah, let's eat. I'm starving."

"Ugh, don't stand on ceremony."

Silberna grinned, advising him. He knew—they weren't formal types.

Still, basic etiquette mattered for a first impression. It showed respect.

"Nothing fancy, but eat up."

Uldiran sat at the head of the long table, urging him informally. Starting by tearing into meat bones with bare hands, he seemed like a barbarian ignoring decorum.

Isaac matched him. At Mallidan Wall, follow their ways.

Uldiran smiled approvingly and asked,

"Why the gambison? Protesting how tough today was?"

Gambison: padded garment knights wore under armor to protect skin.

Silberna glanced too. Isaac wiped his mouth, smiling.

"This is the front lines, isn't it?"

"Hmph."

"Oh."

The father-daughter duo's lips twitched upward.

Choosing practical gambison over formal wear for a border lord's dinner impressed them.

Good call borrowing Jonathan's. He'd never worn armor, so no gambison.

Thanks, Jonathan.

Isaac continued eating, inwardly grateful. Talk flowed: they asked, he answered.

"Your morale speech was impressive. Felt like it was for us, not the nobles."

"Just my honest take. Sorry if rude—I hoped the other nobles shared it."

"Different from Helmonts, eh? Their rough edges might unsettle you."

"Quite the opposite—more comfortable. Honestly, their etiquette choked me."

"How'd you meet Lianna?"

"Ferryman. Chatting with my wife crossing the river led to marriage."

As dinner and talk warmed,

"You seem to know Kaldias spear arts well."

Uldiran eyed him, itching to ask. After sipping strong liquor Anna poured, Isaac nodded.

"I follow many martial arts. Kaldias spearwork always amazes me—in books or practitioners."

Pausing for breath,

"Those trained in it all have a high baseline. Expect solid fundamentals."

"Haha! Exactly. Our spear arts aren't ordinary."

"Good eye."

Seeing them pleased, Isaac smirked inwardly.

Yes, Kaldias spear arts are great.

Undeniable fact.

But you must evolve.

Spear arts elevating mortals. Yet to dodge destined doom,

They can't stop here.

I'll help.

I'll make your spear arts several times greater. You're no ordinary folk—born to greatness.

You must be more. Like...

The Helmonts.

Dawn.

Lately, Lianna dragged through sluggish days. Haggard look, dry hair.

Helmonts never caught minor ills, yet servants fretted over her.

She looked unwell at a glance. Still, she headed out for personal training.

"Hup! Hup!"

"Haaah!"

Some siblings trained fervently, but oddly, Lianna felt no desire to grip her sword.

This is new.

Lethargy. Perfect word for her state.

So she veered to the garden, not the field. Strolling unbloomed rose beds,

"Ah."

A single purple lilac caught her eye. Memories bloomed: lilac scent thick.

Soon after the wedding.

Reaching instinctively from longing, Isaac's image faded.

Only the lone lilac tickled her fingertips.

"Ah."

That voice. That smile.

My heart raced so hard I couldn't speak.

Your gentle embrace, sensing it—sweeter than any floral scent.

Your arms turned me into a girl with a secret smile.

That's why this embrace makes me want to abandon all—now so—

"Ah, Isaac."

I miss you.

Legs buckled; she knelt. Holding back failed.

Tears blurred her red eyes.

Cry as she might—he was gone.

The lone lilac remained.

Proof that time wasn't a dream.