Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Because You Are Like a Wildflower
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"Haena-nim. A messenger bird has arrived."
"From where? Merelrof?"
"No. It seems to be from the capital. The seal is similar to the one the master sent before."
Haena received the letter with her gloved hand. Her hair was tied back tightly without a strand out of place, and her clothes were clean and neat. It had been a long time since the image of the starving child living near the brothel had vanished cleanly.
Haena smiled happily and gave the servant an order.
"Give the messenger bird cool water and feed, and prepare a comfortable spot for it."
"Yes, Haena-nim."
As the servant bowed and disappeared, she hurried up to the office. She thought she had become quite composed, but apparently not yet. The fact that her steps were uncontrollable with joy at news from her master proved it.
"Is Lord Nersarn inside?"
"Yes. But Lady Philia is with him."
"Please inform him right away. I've brought a letter from Ian-nim."
The Cheonryeo Tribe warrior guarding the door nodded.
Who could have known that Nersarn and Philia would end up like this? Shortly after Ian left for the capital, Philia had even returned to the forest.
Knock knock.
"Lord Nersarn. It's Haena. A letter from Ian-nim has arrived."
But just a few days later, Nersarn, who had only tread on desert sands, personally came up to the forest and brought her back. He let her use the newly renovated master's room, gave her tasks like tending the garden to add weight to her life. Weight to keep her from flying off anywhere, for a stable existence.
At first, Philia seemed burdened, but at some point, she blended perfectly into the estate, becoming an indispensable presence. To them, and to Nersarn.
"Come in."
"Excuse me."
Nersarn was sitting at his desk, flipping through documents. Expressionless, without the slightest disturbance. It was a stark contrast to Philia's face, flushed red as a beet where she sat on the sofa.
"A letter from Lord Ian?"
"Yes. Quite a few are bundled in one envelope. There's one for Lady Merelrof too, but since the messenger bird seems tired, I'll deliver it in person."
"I hope nothing's wrong."
Nersarn muttered worriedly. This was only the second contact since Ian left for the capital.
The first had informed them that he had been granted the surname 'Hielo,' so the territory name had changed too. Not a single personal line, so Philia and Haena hadn't hidden their disappointment back then.
"What do you mean by something wrong..."
As the color drained from Philia's face, Haena calmly called her name to soothe her.
"Lady Philia. No need to worry. There's one from Berik-nim too. Not a letter, but a drawing, colored quite diligently. If it were urgent, he wouldn't have done that."
"Yes, Philia. Relax. There's one for you too."
"For me?"
Nersarn naturally called her name and pulled her arm. Sitting her on his lap and reading each character aloud, he looked so tender. Haena stared at distant mountains as if her eyes were open but saw nothing.
"He's asking if she ever noticed any mage talent in him when he was little. Besides the golden eyes."
"No. I... I had no idea Ian had such talent. I just..."
Philia's words grew longer as she rummaged through the past. The word 'talent' had sparked something. Nersarn gestured for Haena to prepare pen and paper.
"When Ian was very young, he went on an errand to the merchant group. He came back with a red flowerpot—"
"Silask."
"Ah, yes. Right. As he brought it, he said the person who gave it praised him greatly, saying he had 'talent.' I thought it was about chores, but thinking back, the nuance wasn't quite that."
The woman furrowed her brow, as if squeezing out even a drop of dried memory.
"That's all."
"It will likely help Lord Ian."
"Any other words? Like... greetings."
"There are. Philia, he says to please live comfortably at the estate. Though contact is sparse due to palace affairs, know that his heart is near. That's what it says."
At Nersarn's words, Philia's face bloomed brightly.
Every time he saw her smile, Nersarn thought of the desert monsoon. The spectacular sight of white flowers blanketing sand dunes after the downpour that came once every few decades. He had been drawn to her wildflower-like nature, but now she had overtaken him like those flowers.
"Shall I help you write a reply yourself?"
"Yes. I'd love that."
"And I'd like to announce our union too."
"...That too."
Haena raised a hand as if dazzled by Philia's bashful smile. She had been beautiful even in the slums, but meeting love had made her light itself.
"But what if Ian objects?"
Philia asked cautiously, fiddling with the pen. She liked Nersarn too much, but if her son opposed, she lacked the confidence to stand against it. Nersarn chuckled and shook his head firmly at her words.
"Absolutely not. Lord Ian is wise."
Seeing Philia relieved, Nersarn felt relief too.
But he couldn't shake the deep-seated worry in his heart. He had said it was unlikely, but strictly speaking, this had nothing to do with 'wisdom.'
'What will Ian think...'
Feeling this strange emotion for the first time in his life, Nersarn tightly grasped Philia's small hand.
* * *
"Lady Philia is getting married? To Lord Nersarn?"
Romandro's mouth hung open, showing no sign of closing. And who could blame him? This was just...
"Why not? They suit each other. Philia's pretty, Nersarn's handsome. Sure, he's a bit scrawny compared to Kakan, but he's a warrior among warriors!"
Romandro's expression grew even stranger at Berik's words. 'Scrawny'? Even as a strategist, was 'scrawny' remotely appropriate?
"Look after your own body, you runt."
"What's wrong with me?! This is all battle muscle!"
"Ian, anyway, how shall we reply?"
Romandro ignored Berik and subtly gauged his expression. No emotion showed in the way he flipped through the letters one by one. The atmosphere made him feel like he should watch his step, leaving him inexplicably anxious.
"...Ian?"
"...Nersarn."
"W-Well, it's not for me to interfere, but... Lady Ph-Philia has suffered so much, so wouldn't it be great if she met a good man and found happiness? And now we're close with the Cheonryeo Tribe, um. I truly think it's auspicious. Of course, the palace might look down on it."
The father of Ian Hielo—Magic Department Minister and lord of Hielo territory—a barbarian. He had already been scorned as lowly when first stepping into noble society.
And if the new father-in-law was Nersarn? The gossip was predictable. Ian and Romandro knew they were true warriors, but the central nobles neither knew nor cared to.
"It's surprising, yes."
"But Hielo territory is quite far from here. If we keep quiet, no one in the capital need know."
"Lord Romandro seems to hold Lady Philia—no, my mother—quite dear."
"Of course! Hasn't she lived so hard?"
Romandro cleared his throat repeatedly before adding.
"And honestly, I saw it coming."
"Huh? Liar! You were totally shocked earlier!"
"No, that time at the estate entrance when Lady Philia and Lord Nersarn met. I sensed that spark! That electric vibe!"
"Ian! He's lying. He didn't know and is pretending."
"You punk! I really did!"
After a moment's thought, Ian dipped his pen in ink. He had decided on the reply. Romandro, bickering with Berik, craned his neck to check.
"If the nobles find out, it will surely become gossip. But would that cause any real problem?"
He was no longer the newly entered palace 'Ian,' but 'Ian Hielo,' Magic Department Minister. No matter the talk behind his back, it would just be idle chatter.
"In fact, it's for the best. True alliances are sealed by marriage, after all. Especially the Cheonryeo Tribe, with their deep family bonds, no? It will be great happiness for Mother too."
Not just any warrior, but the clan leader's brother and strategist, Nersarn. It would forge an unbreakable link of trust between Hielo and the Cheonryeo Tribe. A foundation to recover from Bratz and central army losses.
"We should sincerely congratulate them. It's auspicious."
"Yes, auspicious! So auspicious! I'll send my own telegram too."
"Me too! Grill again!"
Hearing Ian's positive response, Romandro grabbed Berik's hand and cheered. Honestly, when Haena had tearfully sent off the warrior, he had expected some marriage alliance eventually.
'Just never thought it'd be Philia.'
Anyway, it was good. Yes. Setting aside politics, it was worth celebrating humanely. Ian knew well how much Philia had suffered. He smiled softly at the crookedly written letter.
-Ian, my son. I love you. I miss you. Haena, Lord Nersarn, everyone at the estate is happy and well, thanks to you. I'm happy too, Ian. And you? Are you happy? Never forget your mother is always there. Stay healthy and safe. I want to hold you. My baby. I love you.
A mother's love was so fervent. Ian found it strangely novel, almost unfamiliar.
'Father died when I was so young, and the remaining memories aren't much anyway.'
Was it because of noble arranged marriages? To recall his birth parents' faces, Ian had to think of the faded family portrait in its frame. He had no other memories.
"Ian, what's wrong? The ink's drying."
"No. I'm pondering how to start. And curiously, Mother's letter doesn't mention the marriage. I thought she'd seek my permission first before proposing."
Philia probably just thought of announcing the relationship. At Ian's playful remark, Romandro burst into sentimental laughter.
"Oh ho! Ho! Even warriors become adorable in love."
"By the way, Lord Romandro. Did you look into that?"
"Ah, the Haiman House?"
Romandro slapped his cheeks to calm his excitement, then nodded, confirming Ian was right.
"The Haiman House is proceeding with an informal engagement. It's taken as fact. With all the curse rumors and scandals, the official one will wait till things stabilize."
Romandro twisted his mustache, frowning.
"But there's a strange rumor lately."
"About the Haiman House?"
"They've ordered an unusually large batch of magic armor. Remember? The ones bank guards use, taking on a hundred foes."
"Me! I want one so bad!"
Berik punched the air, yelling. Who wouldn't be shocked seeing them lift heavy gold-filled chests with one hand? Ian twirled his pen lightly, tilting his head.
"Isn't it for branch expansion?"
"They usually add two or three per year, but this order's apparently for a hundred sets. It delayed the palace guard delivery, they say. Still just rumors. Probably mana stone supply too? The Acorella captain said nothing?"
"They're busy focusing on Luron Stones lately."
"The mana stones for armor are mid-to-low grade, but I've heard complaints they're running dry. Check it out."
"Yes, I will."
Ian smiled brightly, thanking him for checking. He could roughly guess what the Haiman House preparing magic armor meant.
Ian finished the letter to Philia and took out new paper.
Scribble.
-Lord Nersarn. I received your letter well. Please take good care of Mother. As you vow eternal love, may eternal alliance dwell between Hielo and Cheonryeo.
And, preparing for any contingency, he added.
-When the weather warms someday, the thin ice here will break. Then, can you help me? In the name of alliance, and in the name of father.