The Empty Seat
Even though I'd been so thoroughly disgusted by it, now that I was suddenly left alone like this, feeling like I'd been shoved aside to eat cold leftovers, I suddenly missed that annoyingly clingy and gullible brother-in-law like crazy.
The grand dining hall on the first floor of the Arteta Grand Ducal Mansion was already aglow with the soft light of candles, and the long table was set with a feast no less lavish than the one from the previous night. Karin and I, freshly washed and changed into casual clothes, had arrived early and were waiting in our seats. Dressed in a neat navy-blue everyday outfit, Karin looked every bit the dignified and graceful knight—except for the invisible thorns still pricking in the way she looked at me.
“.......”
“.......”
An awkward silence hung between us.
Veronica! Come out already! You two... no, our instructor now. Make our instructor's eyes sparkle a little!
Just as I was staring at the wood grain of the table in the silence, the door to the dining hall opened.
“I'm sorry, I was a little late, wasn't I?”
Rebecca entered with quick steps, Veronica in tow. Whether it was from rushing to finish last-minute administrative work or something else, her breathing seemed slightly quicker than usual.
“Not at all, my lady. We only just arrived ourselves.”
As I rose to greet her politely, something about Rebecca's face struck me as odd.
Huh? Why is her face so red?
The Grand Duchess's fair cheeks, usually so elegant and refined, were flushed a delicate pink. Her eyes looked somewhat hazy and unfocused, darting about restlessly.
Maybe she's putting extra effort into her makeup because it's a welcoming banquet?
That was about as far as my brain—having spent an entire year at the Wall surrounded only by sweaty men—could speculate.
Ah... what do I do... I still can't stop thinking about it...
Rebecca's mind was still burning with the vivid scenes from that problematic book—the explicit illustrations and descriptions from the imperial capital's bestselling erotic novel—that she had secretly peeked at between administrative tasks. What had begun as a noble effort to restore her husband's lost masculinity had flooded the innocent Grand Duchess's mind with an overwhelming rush of dopamine. And now, of all times—
『The knight with rough scars licked the beads of sweat from the young lady's nape and pulled her waist into a strong embrace......』
The aftereffects of the novel still lingering, Rebecca's eyes fell upon the two figures who had just finished training and showered: Karin's toned, alluring form as she swept back her slightly damp hair, and me standing beside her with my rugged scars and large, sturdy build.
Oh my......
Like mother, like daughter—Rebecca's imagination exploded in that instant. While her daughter had mistaken a sparring match for a dance between husband and wife, the mother overlaid the two with the romantic filter of her novel's protagonists.
K-Karin looks so different without her armor...... She and Sir Bayle strangely suit each other, don't they? A rugged northern man and a strong yet beautiful southern lady knight......!
Rebecca's eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between us. Her cheeks flushed twice as red as before.
Completely unaware of the Grand Duchess's secret and absurd fantasy, I simply assumed she was hesitating because she missed Gareth's empty seat, just like yesterday.
Since the Grand Duke was absent, the highest seat at the head of the table was either to be left empty or occupied by Rebecca as the lady of the house. But I vividly remembered the disastrous seating incident from the previous banquet—Gareth's suffocating obsession and the deadly jealousy it had sparked in Veronica.
If I mess up the seating again, life at the mansion is going to get really exhausting.
I decided to take the initiative. Just as Rebecca hesitated over where to sit, I spoke up in a considerate tone.
“My lady! Isn't tonight's banquet meant to welcome Sir Karin as Veronica's sword instructor? Wouldn't it be best to seat Sir Karin and the young lady on either side of you, the stars of the evening?”
If the little lady and her new teacher sat side by side with their mother at the center, there would be no repeat of yesterday's seat-stealing conflict. However—
“What?! Ah, ah! Y-Yes, of course!”
Startled by my sudden suggestion, Rebecca jumped in place. She shrank her shoulders like someone caught doing something they shouldn't and answered in an excessively flustered voice.
“Oh my! S-Sir Bayle! To suddenly say such a thing...... Ahem, ahem! Yes, that does make sense!”
Rebecca quickly opened her fan to half-cover her reddened face and averted her gaze.
“.......”
“.......”
Another silence fell. Rebecca's exaggerated reaction drew sharp glances from both Veronica, who had just entered holding her mother's hand, and Karin, who had been standing by the table. Karin's eyes seemed to accuse me: How dare you be so rude to the Grand Duchess? Veronica puffed out her cheeks as if to say, Don't startle my mom, you scarred uncle!
Oh come on...... I seriously didn't do anything......
I wanted to grab the back of my neck in frustration but held it in. All I'd done was kindly suggest a seating arrangement, and now I was being treated like some rude lout who had startled the Grand Duchess.
Rebecca, belatedly realizing I was receiving glares because of her, hurriedly cleared her throat.
“A-Ahem! I was simply a bit startled because my mind was elsewhere after finishing my administrative work. Sir Bayle's words are correct. Let us properly assign the seats.”
Finally calming herself, Rebecca began rearranging the seating.
“While Sir Bayle's suggestion has merit, even in His Grace's absence, the head seat must remain empty as it belongs to the master of the North. That is the etiquette of the Grand Ducal house.”
She touched the empty chair at the head of the table.
“And...... I am well aware that Sir Bayle was put in a difficult position yesterday because of His Grace's excessive favor. So, to prevent any confusion even after His Grace returns, I shall assign clear seats for future banquets as well.”
I let out a sigh of relief inwardly. Unlike the oblivious Gareth, the perceptive and thoughtful Grand Duchess was personally offering to secure my place.
Rebecca first sat in the seat immediately to the right of the empty head chair. Then, partially accepting my earlier suggestion, she placed Veronica to her right, followed by Karin beside her.
“Now, Sir Karin. Please sit here. The young lady will be delighted.”
“It is an honor, my lady.”
Karin bowed politely and took her seat beside Veronica. Veronica beamed as if she owned the world, sandwiched between her favorite instructor and her mother.
“Then...... where should I sit?”
When I asked cautiously, Rebecca smiled and gestured.
“Since you are His Grace's sworn brother, etiquette dictates that you sit in the first seat to the left of the head chair.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
I walked around the long table and sat in the seat to the left of the head chair as instructed. But the moment I settled in and looked to the side, the situation became painfully clear.
“.......”
The empty head seat belonging to Gareth. To its right sat Rebecca, Veronica, and Karin, radiating a warm and cheerful atmosphere. On the left side, however, I was the only one seated. A long row of empty chairs stretched out beside me. I had been completely isolated, left to watch the three of them enjoy their meal from afar.
Huh...... It suddenly feels really lonely......
A small sigh escaped my lips. Just yesterday, Gareth had been glued to my side, cutting meat for me, peeling shrimp, and chattering endlessly. Now that he was gone, that suffocating presence I had wanted to escape felt enormous in this vast, empty dining hall.
If I'd known it would be like this, maybe I should've just stayed next to His Grace and let him peel shrimp for me......
Human hearts were truly fickle. Even though I'd been so disgusted by it, now that I was suddenly left alone like this, feeling like I'd been shoved aside to eat cold leftovers, I suddenly missed that annoyingly clingy and gullible brother-in-law like crazy.
But I quickly shook my head and steadied my weakening resolve.
No, that's crazy talk. Being lonely is better. This is much more comfortable for eating. No one is forcing crab legs onto my plate.
I quickly adapted to reality and equipped myself with a positive mindset. Being an observer watching the Grand Ducal family and their beloved instructor share a harmonious meal wasn't so bad either.
In contrast to my somewhat lonely position, the atmosphere across the table was lively and warm.
“Sir Karin, have you settled in comfortably? It must have been quite a journey from Libertry County to the North.”
Rebecca led the conversation naturally with a gentle tone befitting the lady of the house.
“Yes, my lady. Thanks to the thoughtful care of the head butler and the staff, I am staying without any major inconveniences. The northern air is cooler than I expected, but I believe I will adapt quickly.”
Karin responded with her usual crisp and polite manner.
“I'm glad to hear that. The South is known for its abundant and delicious seafood, so I had some southern dishes prepared especially for tonight. I hope they suit your taste.”
The moment Rebecca finished speaking, the servants lifted the silver cloches to reveal the main course—the very dish that had caused me trouble yesterday and thoroughly upset Veronica. It was grilled pickled shrimp, freshly caught from the clear southern seas.
“Oh! Shrimp!”
Veronica's eyes sparkled. Yesterday, her father's attention had been stolen away, and she hadn't gotten a single proper shrimp. Gripping her fork tightly with a determined expression, she stared at the plate of shrimp.
“Today, I'm going to peel them. Mom didn't do a very good job yesterday either.”
Veronica pressed her lips together and picked up her fork and knife, attempting to peel the shrimp. But her small, chubby hands and clumsy knife work made it difficult to handle the thick, slippery shells.
“Ugh...... Why won't the shell come off......”
As the shrimp slid around on the plate, Veronica's face reddened and she began to look like she might cry.
Watching her, Karin quietly set down her own knife.
“Young lady. With southern-style shrimp, if you hold the knife upright like that, you'll only crush the flesh. Instead of pressing down with force, you need to twist it gently along the grain.”
True to her southern origins, Karin leaned slightly toward Veronica and offered advice with the expertise of someone well-versed in handling seafood.
“Like this—use the tip of the fork to poke the second joint of the shell on the back, then press lightly on the tail with the flat of the knife and pull. The shell should come off smoothly.”
She was endlessly gentle and kind, like a reliable older sister looking after her little sibling.
“Like this? The second joint...... Hyah!”
Following Karin's instructions, Veronica pressed her lips together and carefully moved her fork and knife. Pop. With a satisfying sound, the tough shell split cleanly in two, revealing the plump, white flesh inside.
“Wow! It came off! It really peeled in one go just like you said, Instructor!”
Overjoyed by her success, Veronica cheered. She proudly lifted the shrimp meat impaled on her fork, her eyes sparkling. Then the little lady's fork headed straight for her mother's mouth, bypassing her own.
“Mom, ah! This is the first shrimp I peeled myself!”
“Oh my......”
Veronica carefully placed the shrimp she had peeled with her own hands into her mother's mouth. Rebecca's eyes instantly grew moist at her daughter's small, loving gesture.
“Mmm...... It really is delicious. Maybe because Veronica peeled it, this is the sweetest, most delicious shrimp in the world.”
Rebecca, who had been weighed down by the memory of nearly letting her daughter hurt her mouth on the clumsily peeled shrimp from yesterday amid her husband's neglect, now found herself moved beyond words. Her daughter had peeled a shrimp and offered it to her first. What could be more touching or lovely?
Smiling happily, Rebecca picked up her knife.
“This time, Mommy will peel one for you! I watched Sir Karin's technique very carefully. Now, poke the second joint of the shell...... press the tail and pull...... Hyah!”
“Wow! Mom did it too!”
“Hehe, Mommy can do it well when she tries. Now, open wide, my little lady.”
Rebecca also succeeded in peeling the shrimp in one go after absorbing Karin's lesson. With a joyful face, she popped the shrimp meat into Veronica's small mouth.
“Munch munch...... It's really good! Instructor, you peel one and eat too!”
Veronica grinned widely at Karin as she chewed with her cheeks puffed out.
“Yes, young lady. I'll enjoy it as well.”
Karin also smiled softly at the lovely sight of mother and daughter and began to eat her own meal with practiced ease.
“.......”
Sitting alone at a distance, I fiddled with my wine glass and quietly watched the scene. The warm and gentle lady of the house, Rebecca. The prickly but affectionate and lovely little lady, Veronica. And the outwardly cold but endlessly reliable instructor, Karin.
Ah...... It's nice.
Though I was physically a little lonely sitting apart, a corner of my heart felt as warm as if it were being heated by a fireplace. After spending an entire year at the Wall facing only cold snowstorms and the bloody screams of barbarians, this ordinary, warm evening banquet scene itself was a comfort to me.
I smiled contentedly where no one could see and cut a small piece of potato from the table to eat.
I have to protect this no matter what. I need to save this warm family from that uncle's clutches and make sure these smiles last forever.
I felt like I could willingly endure both Karin's wariness toward me and my somewhat lonely seat at the table.
Just as the cheerful welcoming banquet, filled with blooming smiles, was nearing its peaceful conclusion—
“Shepherd.”
Having finished her meal, Rebecca elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin and quietly called for the head butler, Shepherd, who stood nearby.
“Yes, my lady.”
Rebecca stroked Veronica's head as the girl continued to munch on shrimp and gave Shepherd a subtle glance.
“Veronica must be quite tired from today's training, so I'll take her upstairs to bathe and put her straight to bed. Please escort Sir Karin and Sir Bayle to that place. Once Veronica is asleep, I'll join you shortly.”
“Understood, my lady.”
Shepherd bowed respectfully.
That place? Where is that?
I paused mid-sip of my wine and perked up my ears.