Whispers in the Mountains, A Life Unfolding
"The monsters have been acting strangely lately."
Short-cropped, deep crimson hair. A striking scar near one eye that only heightened her allure. It was Isabel, guildmaster of the Franz adventurer guild. She had wanted to deliver her report on the recent incidents directly to Franz Castle, but I had dissuaded her and come to the guild myself instead.
"What exactly do you mean by strange? In what way?"
Chloe sat beside me, using the visit to tackle the backlog of reports. I ignored the guild clerks watching us with faces drained chalk-white and took the seat across from Isabel.
Suddenly, Isabel's red hair caught my eye. Those flowing locks possessed a natural vibrancy no dye could replicate. Though I called it red, it leaned closer to the rich hue of aged wine. I reached out and ran my fingers through it.
"Hiiik! L-Lord Leoric?"
"So, what's been strange about them?"
"W-well... it is..."
Well-managed, I see. Far silkier than I expected. They must use something like shampoo here. As expected of a fantasy world. Then again, in a romance-fantasy setting like this, greasy hair or the brittle results of crude soap would only ruin the atmosphere.
I stroked her hair again, slowly. "Y-yes, my lord. It seems the monsters' activity zones have shifted."
"Hmm. Not just ordinary territorial disputes?"
I twisted a lock around my finger. It curled beautifully, finer and softer than I'd imagined. The texture pleased me. I leaned in a little closer. Beyond the strands I toyed with, I could see the flush creeping across Isabel's earlobe and the nape of her neck.
"Correct. Our observers confirm it. This doesn't resemble any normal turf war. They aren't fleeing in any single direction, nor are they descending the mountain."
"I see."
I extended my hand further, brushing the warm skin of her nape. Isabel gave a tiny jolt. Her body temperature seemed to be rising; the heat of her skin bled into my fingertips.
"Could it be a large-class monster?"
"The number of fleeing monsters was too low for that. In fact, the observers reported that monster sightings near the entrance to the Great Mountain Range appear to be decreasing."
"Usually creatures scatter to avoid a large predator, yet this time the numbers are dropping as if they're hiding deeper within their own territory."
Isabel's hair tangled gently around my fingers.
"For now, we're waiting on more detailed reports. Still, we're preparing for the possibility of a large-class threat by dispatching additional observers to the Great Mountain Range and adjusting our quest allocations. All monsters currently sighted belong to the established local ecosystem."
"Good work. There's also the chance of a stealth-type creature, so send more people and don't be afraid to make them work. Tell them the domain will increase their allowances accordingly."
"Is that... really alright? Monitoring the Great Mountain Range is already part of the guild's regular duties..."
"No. If someone performs their job well, I believe they deserve proper compensation."
Ugh. Memories from my previous life suddenly surged up. Damn it. That cursed salaried overtime system. Thinking about all those unpaid late nights made genuine irritation flare inside me.
Squish!
"Eep!"
Without realizing it, I'd put too much strength into my hand and pinched the earlobe I'd been caressing. Seeing Isabel freeze in shock, I felt a pang of guilt and slowly stroked her cheek to soothe her. My fingers then brushed against a different texture. The scar running from her eye felt distinct from the surrounding skin. I traced it gently, almost unconsciously.
"Ah..."
This time her entire body stiffened in a way it hadn't before. Trauma? Sensing her discomfort, I withdrew my hand at once. I had no interest in forcing anything on someone who disliked it.
"Haa..."
Only then did Isabel finally release a long, shaky breath, as if the tension had drained from her shoulders. Come to think of it, she really had been working hard lately. Managing adventurers, cooperating with Zeke to handle the Red Blood—she deserved a proper reward for everything she'd done.
The fingers that had been stroking her cheek drifted lower. The tip of my index finger brushed her crimson lips.
"Haa..."
I felt the soft give of her mouth and the warmth of her breath against my skin. At this close distance, her lashes trembled visibly. The way she kept her gaze lowered, simply accepting my touch, revealed a fragile, delicate charm that made it hard to picture her as the wild, mature beauty she usually seemed.
Was she feeling excitement beneath the shame and humiliation? Her face burned with a deep blush. Every so often I caught her eyes flicking toward me, only to drop again the instant our gazes met. How cute.
"I really should give you some kind of present. What would you like?"
"That isn't necessary, my lord. I only do what is... what is expected of me."
How dutiful. I gave her cheek a light, approving pat.
"Still, a reward is a reward."
"Thank... hya! you."
I wasn't sure what she was thanking me for. She blushed furiously at my gesture and lowered her head. I traced the elegant line of her neck with one finger, savoring the silky hair and smooth skin. The sensation never failed to please me, no matter how many women I'd touched.
"U-um... Lord Leoric."
"Yes?"
I enjoyed the way she flinched and shivered with every brush of my fingers. While I savored her reactions, Isabel finally lifted her eyes to meet mine.
"Is there perhaps some matter at the castle...?"
"Ahem."
I let my expression harden just a fraction. I didn't particularly mind, but when I glanced toward Chloe, I felt her sharp gaze boring into me. Isabel immediately looked down again.
"I came out for other reasons as well."
"I... I see."
Was there something at the castle? Of course there was.
"Hmm."
Just thinking about the castle brought that person to mind, and I barely managed to swallow the sigh that rose in my throat.
"You must be extremely careful."
"I know, I know already."
Lena was nagging me endlessly, which was rare for her. I nodded along to her persistent warnings, though they were growing tiresome. I understood the situation, yet a sigh still escaped me.
"It is not permitted."
"Haa..."
She wasn't usually like this. The fact that she kept repeating herself meant there was no other choice this time. The reason stood right in front of me—the building I was about to enter.
I had come here to see Grace.
I swallowed dryly, nerves tightening in my chest. In my previous life I'd never married, never had children. The realization that this would be my first child in either life left my head spinning. Strictly speaking, it would be my older brother's child with his wife, not mine. But that wasn't what mattered.
"Hooo."
I walked slowly toward the distant building, scanning the surroundings. The area had been cleared of people; only those granted explicit family approval could approach. The security had been so strict that even I had been kept away until now, in case of any unforeseen complications. I had helped reinforce the perimeter myself—though my efforts focused on the castle grounds rather than the residence itself.
This level of protection was not excessive. The baby would become the next master of the Franz family. If anything went wrong and the child was lost, countless people would face execution regardless of how strict or considerate my father might be. Moreover, many nobles who suffered the physical and psychological trauma of losing a child never conceived again. Pregnancy was already difficult for nobles compared to commoners; to lose a hard-won heir after such infertility would leave deep, lasting scars.
"Lord Leoric. Forgive me, but..."
"It's fine."
My own position was awkward as well. Although Aidan had been named successor, the fact that I—a potential rival—was visiting the child of the next family head would normally have been impossible. Access would have been flatly denied.
If the child hadn't been mine.
I waited while the maids performed their formal body search, trying to let the tension bleed from my shoulders.
"Lord Leoric. As you know, you must refrain from using magic power if at all possible."
"Yes. I've heard it so many times my ears are ready to bleed. I'll be careful."
"...Understood. Then."
After enduring Lena's final round of warnings, I finally stood before the door.
Gulp.
Swallowing once more, I raised my hand and knocked softly.
Knock. Knock.
"It's Leoric. Lady Grace."
"...Come in."
The faint voice from within made my heart thunder. I grasped the handle and eased the door open. Those few seconds stretched like eternity, the scene inside unfolding in slow motion. My pulse roared in my ears as I looked at her sitting upright on the bed.
"Is your body alright?"
"Yes. They say I'm perfectly healthy."
With the same gentle smile she always wore, Grace welcomed me.