Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Flowerpot
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“How much farther is it?”
Chel wiped away his sweat as he asked. They hadn’t walked long even in the cool weather, but the boy kept lagging behind, as if it was too much for him.
Ian, on the other hand, felt lighthearted from the fresh outdoor air he hadn’t experienced in so long. The unfamiliar street scenes were quite enjoyable too.
“We’re almost there.”
“If it’s too hard for you, Young Master Chel, would you like to head back?”
Chel shook his head at Mac’s kind words.
It would be different if Deo were here. Going back alone now would mean he couldn’t follow his father’s orders. He had to remember as much as possible of what they discussed with Ian.
“Oh, here we are.”
“The landscaping in Fortroga is beautifully done, befitting its status. The lake is crystal clear too. On nice days, that mountain reflects perfectly on the surface.”
Molin’s praise wasn’t just empty words. Even to Ian, who had seen the splendid gardens of the imperial palace, it looked impressive.
But that impression didn’t last. Ian concealed his unease as he looked around.
“How big is the area?”
“Well, I haven’t explored all of it myself.”
“It would take about thirty minutes to walk around slowly.”
The park was larger than expected.
Since he hadn’t specified an exact spot, the question was whether he could meet the child’s mother. Even as he talked with Molin, Ian kept his senses sharp on every passerby.
‘Ah.’
There. In the distance, he spotted a beggar draped in cloth with a makeshift stall. Not a single strand of hair was visible, so it was impossible to tell if they were man or woman. But among the items scattered on the ground was one familiar thing.
‘It’s the same.’
A flowerpot of the same type as the dried flower the mother had sent.
Ian stopped walking and turned to Chel. Fortunately, the boy was sweating profusely, his hair a total mess.
“Since Brother Chel looks so exhausted, how about we rest here for a bit?”
“Shall we?”
“If it’s all right, could I trouble you for something to drink?”
“Just a moment. Ri!”
Mac called over a servant walking behind them to fetch drinks, and the group sat at a nearby table bench to catch their breath. Ian kept stealing glances at the stall, biding his time.
“While the servant’s getting it, I’d like to look around over there a bit. Brother, want to come?”
“…No. I’m fine.”
Chel waved him off, panting heavily. Ian stared silently at the three men, seeking their consent without words. Since it wasn’t far from where they sat, Mac nodded lightly.
“Go ahead. Not like there’s much to see.”
“Thank you.”
Ian approached the stall and crouched down to examine the items. The beggar, nearly prostrated on the ground, showed no reaction. Surely they hadn’t collapsed? Ian tilted his head the other way and gathered his mana. His absinthe-colored eyes turned golden, and the brooch stopped glowing red.
“Mother.”
The beggar flinched at his voice and lifted their head. Beneath the black cloth, golden hair like desert sand rippled. Green eyes just like the child’s. It was Ian’s mother.
“…Ian.”
“Don’t react too much. Just listen to me.”
Ian’s mother, Philia, was remarkably beautiful. It was easy to understand how she had caught Deruga’s eye.
Philia started to lift her head but hesitated at Ian’s words. With her vision blocked by the cloth, she could only see up to the child’s chest.
“Ian. Ian….”
“Mother, I’m doing well. I got your letter too. Don’t worry about me.”
Tears fell in drops. Ian watched silently. He was sorry, but there was no time. The men behind wouldn’t take their eyes off him.
“I know I can’t send word through Hanna like before. And I have a favor to ask.”
Ian pulled a gold coin from his pocket.
“Did you perhaps put this in?”
“Put what? The gold coin?”
Philia seemed completely unaware. It was as expected, but the count lived up to his reputation. It was a device to subtly emphasize that he was materially supporting the mother.
Ian smiled brightly and placed the gold coin in the woman’s hand.
“Use the money to prepare a secure hiding place. I’ll let you know the timing through Hanna.”
Whether he wanted it or not, Philia was currently Ian’s obstacle. To carve up Deruga, it was best to eliminate all predictable variables.
The woman clutched the coin quietly and lifted her head. She looked utterly confused by what the child was saying.
“Ian. Your eyes….”
“Promise me. Do it for me.”
Eyes shining like a lion’s. Phlia blinked in surprise, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Ian. If you want to run away, then run.”
“Mother. I’m sorry, but….”
“Young Master Ian!”
The servant had placed drinks and snacks on the table. Mac called out to Ian, but the boy couldn’t turn his head. He couldn’t show his golden eyes to the others.
“I’m already so sorry for sending you there like that. So if you want, run away without hesitation.”
Mac was approaching slowly. The closer he got, the more puzzled his expression became. The woman seemed to have come to convey her resolve to Ian. Unable to grasp the child’s hand, she clutched tightly at his sleeve instead.
“I won’t run away.”
Ian added in a low voice, resolute.
“Whenever you can, gather gula seeds. They’ll surely be a big help later. And forget the lullaby you used to sing me—the lyrics I send in letters will be our code from now on.”
Mac stood right behind him. Ian released his mana and gave a small smile. The golden eyes and red brooch lost their glow in an instant.
“I’ll take the flowerpot. This should cover the price.”
“Young Master Ian? Is something wrong?”
“Sorry, Lord Mac. I took too long deciding whether to buy it.”
Ian picked up the flowerpot with a smile. Mac scrutinized the boy’s face carefully but detected no emotion beyond calm composure. He glanced at the beggar and guided Ian back.
“Young Master Chel’s stamina is weaker than I thought.”
Then, in a whisper, he gossiped and chuckled about Chel. Ian laughed along and glanced back briefly. Phlia had collapsed face-down under her cloth. She knew how to cry without a sound.
“You bought a flowerpot, Young Master Ian.”
“What kind of plant is it?”
Ian just smiled at Drgor’s question. What did it matter? He wasn’t knowledgeable about plants anyway, but from the letter, it was clearly the one the child had been raising.
“Who knows. I bought it because the flowers were so pretty.”
“I’ve never seen it before… Mac! Don’t you know?”
“How would I?”
“Isn’t giving flower bouquets your specialty?”
“Drgor! Really!”
Surprisingly, no one present seemed to know what the flowerpot held. The vivid red petals, like watercolor paint, were so striking they were unforgettable.
Ian carefully cradled the flowerpot and looked back. The woman had already vanished.
* * *
Clack.
“We’ve arrived.”
The coachman opened the door, and Deo stumbled out. He was clearly still drunk. Servants waited at the front gate, holding lanterns.
“Young Master, you’re back?”
“You must be tired. Please come inside.”
“Young Master Ian says to go straight to the study.”
They efficiently took his coat and handed him a damp towel. Ian entrusted the flowerpot to a servant and headed upstairs.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Permission came almost simultaneously with the knock. He must have been waiting impatiently. As Ian entered, Deruga stopped writing with his quill.
“Brooch.”
Checking the brooch came before greetings. Ian approached the desk and removed the brooch from his chest.
“What did you talk about?”
“Nothing special. Lunch was in the guesthouse parlor, and we mostly talked about the capital. Afterward, we went to a nearby park for a scholarly discussion.”
“I see? That’s all?”
Deruga stroked his mustache and picked up the brooch. Beside it was a glass vial of transparent liquid—a potion to activate mana stones.
Plop.
The submerged mana stone glowed. Just like when Ian infused it with mana. Moments later, a voice echoed like waves rippling from a slow pulse.
[…Is this the guesthouse?]
[Capital officials… are dispatched… …to use it. It’s clean… feels just like… home.]
“What did she mean by ‘just like home’?”
“Something like she’s living there just like at home.”
Being a low-grade mana stone, the audio wasn’t clear. Ian swallowed a sigh inwardly.
‘So he nitpicks the imprecise parts like this.’
He was tired—should he just pour out his mana and smash it? As Ian seriously considered it, footsteps approached from outside. It was Countess Mary.
“Come see me for a moment.”
“What is it?”
His hardened lips held anger. The count frowned as he fished out the brooch, and the countess strode forward, glaring at Ian. She clearly hated this situation.
“Do you plan to assign Chel to follow that lowly thing every time it goes out? Skipping lessons just to trail and watch it!”
“Who are you yelling at right now!”
“Do you think I won’t?”
Chel’s state upon returning home was pitiful. Soaked in sweat like a drowned pig, staggering along—it was a sorry sight.
Mary declared she’d never send the boy as a watcher again, and Deruga raised his voice. Their relationship was already strained, and now it felt like a spark had ignited.
“Um.”
Ian watched quietly before interjecting. There was no reason to listen to their ear-grating spat any longer.
“I’ll take my leave first. Father. See you tomorrow.”
He slipped out of the study like melting away. It happened often enough that the servants huddled and scurried down the hall. Hurrying downstairs, Ian ran into Hanna.
“Hanna.”
“Young Master Ian, I put the flowerpot in your room.”
“Thanks. I finished the errand well thanks to you.”
It meant he’d met his mother safely. Hanna followed behind, chattering.
“When I passed on the message, I realized how big the park was. So I told them the entrance closest to Block 3 of Fortroga, where the guests are staying.”
Ian opened his door and turned to the girl. No wonder it had been so easy—she’d handled it perfectly. What a sharp, helpful kid.
“Yeah. Thanks. Tell me if you want anything to eat.”
“Yes, Young Master. Thank you!”
Hanna tidied the lantern and bowed before leaving.
Ian wasn’t as drained as Chel, but his legs ached with fatigue. He flopped onto the bed and muttered.
“This won’t do…. Maybe use Chel as an excuse to go to the training grounds?”
Time to build some stamina. Turbulent times were surely coming.
For the first time in his life, Ian passed out face-down.