Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: A Garden of Trust
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"...Huh? Isn't that too wasteful, my lord?"
"Wasteful, you ask? No, it's simply a tool that has outlived its usefulness being discarded. A better opportunity has appeared, so I must pursue that first. In any case, I will begin preparations to leave the capital in a week's time. I must negotiate with the Valderian family as quickly as possible."
"Why... exactly one week later? Couldn't we prepare and leave tomorrow?"
"When it's time to rest, one must rest properly. Once I meet the Valderian family and go to their territory, there will be many things requiring my attention... And while resting, I also have some work I must do briefly."
It seemed contradictory to say one would work while resting, but everyone thought, 'Well, it's Beonald,' and let it slide.
And since Beonald never did things half-heartedly once he started, he sent everyone off to rest, saying he would handle the cleanup himself, and finished all the tidying up and dishwashing.
He was a bit weary from cooking as soon as he returned, but he still felt immensely satisfied.
'Indeed, relieving mental fatigue is better than physical fatigue.'
Physical fatigue could be solved with medicine or aura one way or another, but mental fatigue was incredibly difficult to mend.
Frankly, Beonald, who greatly enjoyed the admiring, reverent gazes of people, was able to relieve his stress for the first time in a while thanks to them.
One might call it a bad habit, but by noble standards, Beonald had a very wholesome hobby suited to his abilities.
'Among nobles... those with proper hobbies can be counted on one hand.'
Most were born holding power, commanding people, and raised without want, but due to power struggles and territory issues, they accumulated much stress, and to control that stress, many developed extreme, insane hobbies.
'Like buying slaves to torture and then discard, or going to a commoner's house in broad daylight to slaughter an entire family, or wanting to hunt when it's not the season, so releasing people to hunt them. That bastard Felix's hobby was toying with us... Haaa~ Just imagining it makes my head throb.'
Beonald had directly faced all the decadent and cruel cultures of the nobles who enjoyed themselves in the prosperous world, the dark side of the glorious Unified Empire era.
Before becoming family head, he suffered under his psychotic father Felix; after becoming head, he was thrown into fierce power struggles, and witnessing and experiencing the insane hobbies of those opposing nobles was also a stressful affair.
"In that sense, the Valderian family... hasn't changed much over 500 years, which is fortunate. Even a great family can quickly change if they choose the wrong heir."
There were things like family traditions and temperament, but still, the Valderian family had maintained their house well for a long time.
Thinking this, Beonald dragged his tired body toward the laboratory to get some sleep.
Indeed, even a trained Grragon would feel quite fatigued after just returning from a long journey and cooking dinner. He'd probably wake up late tomorrow.
'I should sleep soundly for the first time in a while. Hmm?'
"...Y-you've worked hard, Lord Beonald."
"Ah, yes. Heidi, was it? Go get some proper rest. Here is... Ah!"
On his way back to the laboratory, Heidi was in the passage.
She wasn't wearing her usual armor but comfortable clothes; without the armor, aside from her tall, large frame, she gave off a distinctly feminine feel.
And when she met Beonald's gaze, she bowed her head deeply, hesitating, but Beonald quickly caught on and took her hand.
"Hek!"
"Let's see, I said tomorrow is a rest day~ You waiting here like this probably means you want to talk about something else, right?"
"......"
Heidi nodded silently. Beonald, who was perceptive in these matters, said no more and went down to the laboratory with Heidi.
Receiving love and bestowing it were both duties of the one who tended the garden. Thinking he'd sleep a bit later, Beonald headed down, but at the entrance, Sein was waiting this time.
"Ah......"
"Oh......"
"You too......"
They looked at each other, exchanging a short word and a glance.
Sein, who also loved Beonald beyond just serving him, had waited for this timing to receive affection, knowing he was back and taking a rest after a long time, but Heidi had been faster.
"I've... missed my chance."
"I'm... sorry. Tomorrow then......"
Seeing the hand holding Beonald's, Sein made a regretful face and greeted them; Heidi also bowed her head apologetically as they exchanged formalities. But Beonald tilted his head and spoke to both.
"Hmm... If you both agree, I don't mind three of us either?"
"...Huh?"
"...What?"
Both looked at Beonald with bewildered expressions, and he stared back with a very upright look, as if saying, 'It's only natural.'
'Three of us?'
'Three of us together?'
To Sein and Heidi, who considered one-on-one love between a man and woman as common sense and anything beyond that a forbidden realm, Beonald declared confidently.
"As I've always said, I love all who enter my garden. And I intend to always repay that affection. In the past... now... and in the future. Of course, if you both find it uncomfortable, that's fine. But I don't want jealousy to arise from personal feelings. So, I'm saying in advance that three is possible if you agree. You should know there's a third option so you won't regret it later."
"That... I mean... um......"
"What... should we do about this?"
"Anyway, I'll go down first. Come when you're done talking. Ah, don't forget~ 'amicably by agreement.' I really... really hate weeds that cause discord."
Thus, Beonald left the two behind and went down to the laboratory first.
Then he quickly took out some alchemy tools and reagents and began combining them.
Outwardly, he had spoken calmly and come down, but in truth, having just returned from a journey and being quite tired from the day, it was a situation where he felt a bit physically strained.
'...But I must live up to expectations, so it can't be helped. Hoo~ No time for mana breathing......'
So he hastily made and took a potion to recover fatigue and stamina. Honestly, Beonald hoped only one person would come if possible.
But worldly affairs never go as one wishes.
The sound of footsteps coming through the passage. Realizing it was for two people, Beonald thought, 'Let's do this,' and welcomed them.
***
The next day.
Beonald, who had finally fallen asleep only by morning after the fatigue from the long journey, yesterday evening's work, and then a night of revelry with two people at once, opened his eyes feeling as if time had passed in an instant.
And since it was underground and he couldn't tell the time, he picked up the clock left on the bed to check first.
"Three o'clock now means... afternoon? It's rare for me to sleep this long. Hooou~"
"Ah, you're awake? You should sleep a bit more."
What approached Beonald as he opened his eyes and looked around was Vesia, hiding her identity as a princess.
She wasn't going to work today, it seemed, wearing light clothing, but still carrying an armful of woodworking tools that didn't suit her.
"Ah~ It's Her Highness the Princess."
"Don't suddenly revert to that treatment. I'm finally forgetting my princess days and living happily."
As if she preferred now over her princess days, she puffed out her cheeks and retorted to Beonald.
Certainly, compared to when she couldn't escape the emperor's grasp, this free life now must feel like heaven for a human.
"Then will you continue living as Vesia?"
"Yes! That's the plan."
"That's good to hear. You'll be able to adapt to staying in this capital now. Ugh-cha...!"
"What does that mean?"
"Just as I said. Another path of choice has appeared for Your Highness. Whether to stay here in the capital and do what you want, or follow me and help with my work......"
Now the task was to discuss with the Valderian family, decipher the relics they possessed, find his remaining legacy on the continent, and leave the capital.
The princess had only temporarily accompanied him to achieve her purpose, so it was natural to ask about her next move.
"Of course I'll follow! Ancient ruins and excavations! Where else in the world would there be such an adventure? Letting go of this chance would be like losing half your life."
Vesia, no, Princess Zelcy, declared with sparkling eyes that she would join the subsequent journey.
Gaining freedom thanks to Beonald was good, and learning various things while working hard was also good, but she wanted to see and feel more of the world.
In such a situation, the excavation of 'ancient ruins' that could appear in myths or legends... Just hearing the words made her heart race. Following Beonald's footsteps, who had actually seen and excavated them, was a must.
"It won't be an easy path. There's a high chance of dangerous work, and sometimes there may be wars or fights."
"I'll still gladly go. Besides, looking at the current situation, being by your side is the safest. But that... what does 'garden' mean?"
"...It means my people, my allies. Those who entrust themselves to me and use their talents for me, whether as subjects, lovers, family... the form doesn't matter. For now, Heidi and Sein are in it. Even when all are together, I strictly distinguish between transactional partners and my people. It's something everyone... does."
"Aha! I think I understand."
"So, why are you asking about that suddenly?"
"Well... I woke up early at dawn to get tools from here and go to work. But that... um......"
Vesia couldn't bring herself to say what was happening inside.
Beonald also placed a hand on his forehead, realizing once again that this laboratory wasn't a place he used alone during his absence. He thought he had shown an embarrassing sight, but outwardly, he carried himself confidently.
"My apologies for that, Your Highness. From now on, I will properly consider places where others aren't present."
"That... I mean......"
"Ah, if you're asking about what happened with the two of them, I inform you again that it was done by mutual agreement. I definitely proceed after obtaining consent in such matters. Or perhaps... are you curious?"
"No no no no!"
The princess, her face bright red, shook her head vigorously in denial—quite cute.
The fact that she got this excited over something she could simply deny lightly suggested she was indeed interested.
Well, she was also a girl whose heart would flutter at romance or love, so seeing a sudden intense act of three people (?) would be shocking, and developing an interest wasn't unreasonable.
"Then that's fine. Anyway, those two... are bodies I've taken responsibility for. The marriage vow is postponed, but as you know, the political value and position of the first wife are very important. After that, if they permit it, I plan to take them as wives."
"Ah... That's good to hear. Taking responsibility, definitely. Many nobles ignore it, run away, or end it as a one-night amusement......"
"That is absolutely unforgivable. I swear by the Goddess I will never do such a thing."
His damned father, Felix von Neumel, always came to mind with such topics. As if negating him, Beonald swore by the Goddess's name with sincere eyes and tone.
A vow kept except for 'one time' in his past life. This time, Beonald resolved firmly not to allow even that 'one time' exception.
'...Oh, oh my? This... this......'
Thump thump thump.
And Vesia, seeing his gaze in this matter, felt her heart race at his serious demeanor.
Truthfully, she couldn't help but feel fondness for Beonald—he was the first friend she could talk to as a person to a person, he sent people and devised plans to save her, hid her in the capital, and was the first to respect her freedom and will.
'That's right. This... this is how it should be.'
More astonishing was that despite such actions, Beonald demanded or wanted nothing from her.
She thought Beonald would ask for something, but after saving her, he just coolly went off to do his own work.
'...Hoo~'
Of course, Beonald had a psychological reason why he had to save her, but Vesia, unaware of this, could only think Beonald had shown selfless goodwill. And within what seemed like promiscuous behavior, he still had a proper view of romance by this era's standards, so her favorability couldn't help but rise.