Settling In
The Robeheim family castle they arrived at was a sight that instantly conveyed the grandeur of a grand ducal house. Its sheer size made one worry about getting lost inside, and the vast lands surrounding it only added to the impression. The structures did not end with a single building; within the expansive castle grounds stood countless others, as though a small city had been transplanted there.
It's overwhelming.
More than that, he hadn't expected to be brought inside the castle itself. He had assumed they would find him a discreet place outside to avoid drawing attention. Or perhaps there was somewhere suitable within these vast grounds after all.
"Ed, what are you doing? Come on."
"Ah, uh... I'll be right there."
After Helene vouched for Edgar's identity to the guards at the gate, they passed through without further procedure. Edgar, still dazed, answered Ariel's urging and followed after her. The view from outside had already been impressive, but stepping inside revealed even greater splendor. Crossing a long bridge, he noticed a massive waterway flowing directly beneath it.
Would anyone catch fish here?
While entertaining such idle thoughts, Edgar belatedly realized the others had pulled ahead and hurried to catch up.
"Well? Much bigger than the mansion you used to live in, isn't it?"
"Ariel, you shouldn't talk about a friend's house like that."
"B-but it's true, Mother."
Ariel tilted her head toward Edgar as if seeking confirmation. It wasn't wrong, and comparing the two places was meaningless anyway, so Edgar simply nodded and took her side.
"By the way, Lady Helene, where will I be staying?"
"I'll tell you soon. First, there's someone you need to meet."
Someone to meet?
He hadn't told anyone he was coming here. Aside from close aides like Shephy and Shuri, he had assumed no one else in the castle had been informed. If he had to guess, it would be the head of the family—Ariel's father. But he dismissed the thought. What reason would such a man have to meet him personally? Since it was Helene's arrangement, she would handle it.
"Ed, while you're staying here, you mustn't mention that you're the heir of the Bilhark family. Understood?"
"That I'm Ariel's friend as well... right?"
"Correct. You're quick to catch on."
When Edgar accurately guessed what came next, Helene smiled softly and patted his head.
That aside... one thing still bothers me.
Since this was what he had wanted, he had no complaints. But allowing him into the castle meant they had fabricated some identity for him. Would that not invite suspicion toward the grand duchess for bringing in an outsider of uncertain background? At the very least, people would be curious about the boy named Edgar. Yet she had still chosen to house him inside the castle. The excuse of making it easier to meet Ariel seemed far too risky.
Following her with these doubts in mind, they soon reached the main building.
"Welcome back, my lady."
While they waited at the first-floor entrance, Shephy appeared from somewhere and greeted them. Even Edgar and Ariel flinched, but Helene nodded calmly, as though she had expected it, and lowered her voice.
"Yes, Shephy. You've made the arrangements?"
"Yes. This way, please."
Shephy bowed deeply and led the way. The group followed. Edgar didn't know their destination, but he was certain it wasn't the usual route. No matter how large the castle, one would normally encounter people. Yet the path they took was eerily quiet, with no signs of life.
"He is waiting here."
Following her guidance, they arrived before a rather shabby door in a remote corner of the castle. It was surprising anyone lived there, yet no one remarked on it. Helene nodded slightly and took Ariel and Edgar's hands.
"Thank you, Shephy. Wait outside with Shuri for a moment. I'll only bring Ariel and Ed inside."
"Yes, my lady."
As Shephy stepped back with her daughter, Helene approached the door and knocked softly. The door opened at once, revealing a middle-aged man.
"Welcome, my lady. The young miss is here as well."
"It's been a while, Creed."
At Helene's apology, the man called Creed waved dismissively with a hearty laugh that matched his broad shoulders and imposing frame.
"Haha, think nothing of it. More importantly, this young friend is...?"
"Yes."
"He looks ordinary enough at a glance. But I like the look in his eyes."
Staring at Edgar, Creed rested a hand on his chin and hummed thoughtfully. His face was rather handsome, but nothing else stood out—except perhaps his sturdy build, which seemed mature for his age.
"As I mentioned, I'd like you to look after him along with the other children."
"Who knows about this?"
"Aside from the maids outside and the Bilhark family, no one. Even the coachman who brought us today is unaware."
Hearing the mention of the Bilhark family, Edgar realized this man was the one who would secretly assist him.
"I see. Quite the heavy responsibility, then."
Still, Creed nodded as though he didn't entirely mind and extended his hand. It was clearly an invitation to shake. After a brief glance, Edgar took it.
"I'll be in your care. My name is Edgar Bilhark."
"Creed Downer. I'll be looking after you for a while—though not for long."
Creed Downer? The name stirred a sense of déjà vu. Hearing it in full only intensified the feeling.
Downer, Downer... Ah!
Edgar's eyes widened as he recalled the name. The former 2nd Knight Commander of the Helvenia Empire. A legendary warrior whose valor had been recorded in history books, hailed as one of the empire's greatest heroes.
"Oh? You know my name?"
"I've heard of it. They said you were among the greatest knights in the empire..."
"The records are nothing but empty fame. Now I'm just an old man in the back room looking after children."
Creed shrugged as he released the handshake. Helene took the opportunity to explain further.
"He was the Knight Commander of the empire before retiring. Now he cares for children here."
"Children...?"
"Yes. It's both his hobby and mine. There's a small space within the castle that takes in abandoned children with nowhere else to go. He's in charge of it."
So that's why.
Edgar finally understood. Like hiding a tree in a forest, they weren't concealing his presence in secret—they were placing him openly among the other children. Since this was something Helene had done before, no one would suspect anything unusual. Moreover, there would be no need to assign him a separate teacher. Instruction from a former Knight Commander once considered the empire's finest would be more than sufficient.
"How many children are there now?"
"Excluding you, only two. This place can't handle many at once, and we quickly find suitable homes to send them to."
Being sent off likely meant adoption into reliable families. Two companions would make things lively without being too noisy—perfect, really. He had worried about suddenly being alone, but having others around would be ideal.
"You're similar in age, so getting along should help. One of them is a bit timid... but has a kind heart, so it'll be fine."
"I'll do my best. We'll be living under the same roof, after all."
He wasn't quick to befriend others, but shared days would surely create opportunities to grow closer. The remaining question was—
"But when can I meet Ariel? It seems like opportunities will be scarce."
Even if everything else was settled, being seen with Ariel would be problematic. They would need to meet while avoiding attention. Yet no matter how large the castle, too many people moving about would make discovery inevitable. When Edgar voiced his concern, Ariel's chin lifted proudly.
"W-what? You want to meet me that badly?"
She felt both pleased and smug that Edgar had said aloud what she herself had been too embarrassed to ask. Meanwhile, Edgar frowned as though she were speaking nonsense. He had come all this way because of her, yet she was acting so carefree.
"You're the one talking nonsense. I came here because I wanted to be with you."
"...Huh?"
Ariel's eyes widened like saucers at the unexpected directness. Helene and Creed, watching, smiled as though thinking, What's with these two?
"Because of me... you came?"
"Otherwise, why would I come all the way here? Hey, think about it. Think."
It had been Ariel who originally suggested he come to Hespania. Now she was acting like this, and it was maddening. Ariel, for her part, was equally flustered. She had known he came for her sake, but she hadn't expected him to admit it so honestly. She had braced for something like "Why would I come all this way because of you?"—not the complete opposite.
"You—listen when people talk."
"L-loud! You idiot! It's all because of you!"
"Wow, now you're blaming me?"
Until Helene finally intervened to calm them, the two continued their parallel argument. Unfortunately, there was no winner. One ended with a face flushed bright red, while the other ended by pounding their chest in frustration.