Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Road to the Capital
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Finally, the day to head to the capital had arrived.
I dressed up and stepped outside, only to find most of the household already waiting for me.
The knights, the servants—everyone was smiling from ear to ear.
"Young Master! Congratulations!"
"Do your best out there!"
"Make sure you pick a fine future duchess!"
Their cheerful cheers lifted my spirits on my journey.
Seeing that made me feel great.
Yeah, this is it.
Looks like I've done a solid job building up my favorability. People seeing me off like this.
I waved back in response.
"Thanks, everyone. I'll do great and come back."
Then I walked over and stopped in front of the carriage.
Standing there waiting by it were just my father and Ariel.
That caught me off guard a bit.
Huh, interesting. Ariel doesn't usually like our father much. What's got her sticking around?
As I approached, Father spoke up.
"Alfred will be joining you on this trip."
"Really? Do we really need the Knights Captain as an escort?"
"The Cluster of Stars is a stage where nobles stake their futures. Being looked down upon there is a disgrace to the family."
"Whoa, you're taking this seriously. Kinda intense."
"If you've decided to go, then accept it. Here, this is a gift."
He handed me a fountain pen.
It looked expensive and high-end at a glance—definitely not cheap.
"What's this?"
"A pen for magical mail. Any letter written with this one gets delivered to the person holding its pair. Use it well."
"Who's it for?"
"Do I really need to spell it out?"
Father's face was as stony as ever, but somehow I could tell he was paying attention to Ariel.
And then it clicked.
Ah, it's the matching pen for Ariel.
"What's the occasion? You hate unnecessary spending."
"For my son, nothing's off the table."
"Hmm. Since when were you so thoughtful, Father?"
"I guess you don't want it then, Kline."
"Kidding. I'll treasure it. Thanks."
I took the pen from him and tucked it away.
Finally, I stood before Ariel.
"……."
Ariel looked up at me, her face unchanging.
Was that a flicker of resentment in her clear eyes? Or was I imagining it?
"Sorry for going alone. Wait up for me, okay?"
"Idiot. Leaving your little sister behind will curse you."
"Sounds scary."
"Scared? Then take me next time."
"Sure, sure. So, how'd you score the pen? Did you beg Father for it?"
"No."
Ariel slowly shook her head.
"He just gave it to me suddenly."
"Well, good for you. I was worried you'd get bored while I'm gone. This puts my mind at ease."
"Yeah. I'm happy too."
"Did you thank Father?"
"……No."
"Can't do that, Ariel. Say thanks when someone's kind to you."
I took her hand firmly and turned her toward Father.
"……."
"……."
Father and Ariel exchanged silent glances.
They really do take after each other. Their looks aren't similar at all, but their expressions scream father and daughter.
Father's as rigid as stone, and Ariel's the triple threat of blank, emotionless, and numb.
So when these two, who'd kept their distance for so long, finally faced each other, the air around them fell silent.
-Whoa…….
-First time seeing the Family Head and Young Lady face-to-face like this.
-What happens now? They're both the silent types—no one comes close.
-I bet the Family Head speaks first.
-Nah, the Young Lady.
The household whispered among themselves.
This was new for them too—Father and Ariel staring each other down.
"……."
"……."
The silence dragged on.
Neither side budged to speak first.
The heavy quiet stretched out endlessly.
Finally, Father broke it.
"Do you like the gift?"
"……Yeah."
"Good. I thought you hated it since you didn't react earlier. Glad both you siblings are satisfied."
"I didn't hate it. Thanks."
"Alright."
"……."
And that was the end of the conversation.
Neither Father nor Ariel knew what else to say.
To Ariel, Father was family in name only—someone who'd ignored her since birth.
To Father, Ariel was a paradox: his own daughter, yet a disaster.
But I call this progress.
It's better than nothing. I figured they'd never exchange a word till they died.
If this mends even a little of their broken bond, I see it as the day our family starts coming together.
'It'd be even better if Mother were here.'
The Leonhart Duchess, my mother, Ash Leonhart.
She's currently away in Aonia for recovery, nursing her frail health.
Her condition's so severe she's in isolated treatment—no contact.
I worry she'll be shocked when she hears about their relationship later.
"Go on then, Kline."
"Yes."
I opened the carriage door and climbed in.
Alfred sat inside, wearing his usual friendly smile.
He'd clearly overheard the father-daughter talk.
"Copsen, let's head out."
"Yes sir! Hyah!"
Alfred called to the coachman, and the carriage lurched forward.
Clop-clop—clop-clop—
As the horses started moving, the household faded into the distance.
I pressed my face to the window for one last look at Ariel's expression.
She stood rooted to the spot, watching me until the end.
'I love you.'
I mouthed the words and gave her a bright smile.
She nodded back with a soft "Yeah."
Two days into the trip to the capital, with the household's send-off behind us, I was deep in conversation with Alfred inside the carriage.
Boredom played a part, but really, I wanted to know what was going on in the world.
No telling when the Crimson Blood Cult might show up. Better prepare ahead.
"A bloody smell in Aonia?"
"Yes. Especially around the graves—the stench of rotting corpses and blood is foul, they say."
"Isn't that normal for a burial ground?"
"No. Even the gravekeepers say it's worse than usual, so something's off."
"Hmm."
New intel logged.
Blood smell in Aonia.
The location bugs me. Hope it doesn't harm Mother.
Guess I'll swing by Aonia later.
"By the way, Young Master, what made you want to go to the Cluster of Stars? You've never cared for those noble events before."
"Just felt like it. I'm the heir to a ducal house—might wanna meet some ladies. Worried I won't snag a fiancée."
"Haha! Good one. If you can't find a fiancée, every young lord in the empire's doomed to spinsterhood."
"I'm that good?"
"Of course. Eldest son of the empire's top noble house, Leonhart. Genius who beat the White Wing Knights at eleven. And without me saying it, everyone thinks you're set."
"Haha."
Busted.
I awkwardly stared out the window.
Yeah, I think the same. No way I won't land a fiancée.
Even now, families keep sending letters to meet their daughters, from what I hear.
Father's been turning them down since I wasn't interested.
Me voluntarily heading to a social event? The young ladies must be salivating.
I'm a bit of an arrogant prick, after all. Like college friends are cool, but high school types are my taste.
"Anyway, real reason's the capital's prophet. Wanna meet him."
"The prophet?"
"Yeah. Heard he spread prophecies about the capital. Curious what kinda guy badmouths my little sister."
"What a brother. Good on you, Young Master."
"It's nothing."
I shrugged.
People often call me the ideal big brother for stuff like this.
Isn't that just normal sibling stuff?
"Planning to carve out time to see him personally."
"The sooner, the better then. Can't let the Cluster of Stars eat up your schedule."
"Right?"
"Got it. Hey, Copsen."
"Yes sir! What is it, Captain?"
Alfred called to the coachman right away.
Copsen, who'd been quietly driving up front, responded promptly.
"Can you take a shortcut? We wanna get there fast."
"Shortcut? Possible, but it might be rough!"
"How so?"
"The inns along there are iffy. Bad security, poor facilities. Not recommended for the Young Master!"
"What do you say?"
Alfred glanced at me. I shrugged it off.
"Shortcut it is!"
Worst case, security's no match for Alfred alone.
Lumpy beds suck, but faster to the capital? Perfect.
For my little sister.
"Understood. Let's go! Hyah!"
With Copsen's hearty whip crack, our carriage veered toward the inn village of Mudridge.
Night fell as we reached our destination.
Mudridge lived up to its name—caked in mud and dust.
Poor hygiene and road maintenance screamed neglect.
I strolled the village, struck by the novelty.
If I'd been born a commoner, would this be my life?
Hard pallets over fluffy beds, coarse black bread over soft milk loaves.
Whoa. Imagining it already sucks.
Nobility's the best. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
"Copsen, know a decent inn?"
"Yessir. Best one around. This way."
I followed Copsen and Alfred, scanning the surroundings.
Armed men prowled with grim scowls.
Adventurers? Fits an inn village, but their vibes were too vicious.
Especially the stares aimed our way—far from friendly.
Like a swan amid ducks, all wary.
Some even gawked openly.
'What're you staring at?'
Yeah, I'm good-looking. Annoying, though.
"Here it is."
We entered the inn.
"What'll it be?"
"The priciest you've got. We'll tip extra—make it top quality."
"Got it."
I sat while Copsen haggled with the innkeeper.
Waiting with Alfred, I felt every eye in the hall on us.
More precisely, on me.
"What's their deal, Alfred? Why the stares?"
"Hmm. Word of you must've spread here too?"
"Doesn't feel friendly, though."
"Want me to flex a bit? Should quiet 'em down."
"Nah. No trouble. Don't wanna deal with the hassle."
"As you wish."
Copsen returned soon after.
His face was a tad stiff.
"Something wrong, Copsen?"
"Huh? No, Captain. It's just... they don't recommend staying here."
"What? We too good for it or something?"
"No, not that... Rumors are nasty lately."
"How nasty?"
"Kidnappers snatching children. Main guests are adult adventurers, so not much issue, but whispers say kids who stay get hit."
"And no one's reported it?"
"Places like this? They hate the noise. What now, Young Master? Think they warned us with you in mind."
"Your call?"
Copsen and Alfred looked to me.
I'd already pieced together the stares pinning me down and nodded.
Got it. Means kidnappers are lurking among them.
Normally, I'd have Alfred clear the trash and crash.
But Copsen's words jogged a memory.
"Copsen."
"Yessir, Young Master."
"Didn't the innkeeper mention a huge reward for kidnapping kids?"
"Whoa? How'd you know? Spot on—he said exactly that."
Figures.
Recalling a year ago.
The day Mari and Sofi were kidnapped.
Overhearing as I rescued them and headed back.
'Client ordering kid grabs.'
And suspecting that client might be Crimson Blood Cult scum.
If so, no reason to hesitate now.
"Alfred."
"Yes, Young Master."
"I'll take a room alone."
This was my chance to nab their tail.