Chapter 86
Chapter 86
"The Grand Prince has passed MacLaine Castle!"
"Oh? He'll be arriving soon then."
Upon hearing the report, Patrick couldn't suppress his smile.
Everything in the territory had been going well lately.
The news that his son—who had accomplished all this—was returning couldn't possibly be unwelcome.
The only thing weighing on his mind was the movements of their sworn enemy, Vifros, but there had been no notable changes yet.
'Well, even that was only manageable thanks to my son's master.'
His son had gone to the capital, claiming he would prepare countermeasures.
Patrick couldn't help but feel eager to see what kind of answer he had brought back.
"It seems His Highness will be slightly later than expected."
"Hmm?"
"He's arriving by carriage."
"A carriage? Not on horseback? Why? He shouldn't have much luggage."
"Well, I'm not entirely sure either..."
The messenger, who had ridden like a madman from MacLaine Castle, wiped his sweat.
Since this wasn't an emergency, Patrick saw no reason to press the exhausted soldier further and dismissed him with a nod.
But after hearing the news, he found it impossible to focus on his work—his thoughts kept drifting to his son.
'Since when did I become such a warm-hearted father?'
A bitter, self-deprecating laugh escaped him, though he didn't feel particularly displeased.
'A carriage... Is he bringing a guest?'
If so, he couldn't just sit around waiting.
Patrick set aside his work and swiftly left his office.
Outside, an unusual commotion was already unfolding.
"The Grand Prince is returning soon!"
"I heard he's bringing a guest!"
"Let's go see!"
Somehow, rumors had already spread, and the servants bustled about, echoing his own speculations.
Despite being the lord and having given no special orders, the manor was already buzzing with excitement.
It was a strange situation, but Patrick found the liveliness pleasant.
'I could hand over my position right now, and there'd be no issues.'
For some reason, a swell of pride rose in his chest, quickening his footsteps.
"Loyalty! To the castle!"
"Well done."
After briefly greeting the soldiers guarding the town's entrance, Logan closed the carriage door—only for an awed gasp to reach his ears.
"Wow, it's much cleaner than I expected!"
"It hasn't been built for long."
Though his words were modest, the corner of Logan's mouth had already curled upward.
"All of this was accomplished under His Highness's plans. Isn't it splendid, My Lady?"
"Incredible, Your Highness. Our lady has chosen well!"
The two attendants, perfectly in sync, chattered away.
By any measure, it was rude to interrupt their masters' conversation, but neither Logan nor Eileen scolded them.
Thanks to the attendants' relentless efforts throughout the journey, the two had at least managed to exchange some words.
Not long after Logan chuckled at the sight—
"My Lady, Your Highness. We've arrived at the lord's manor."
The coachman Henry's voice rang out, and the carriage door opened.
"Hmm?"
As Logan stepped out, his eyes landed on a massive crowd—his father, retainers, and countless others.
For a moment, his face stiffened, wondering if something had happened, but seeing their smiles eased his worries.
'Right. Not yet. There's still time.'
Calming his momentarily tense heart, Logan smiled back at the sea of gazes fixed upon him.
"I'm back."
Naturally, he expected greetings in return, but despite the crowd, not a single word reached his ears.
Puzzled, Logan noticed their stares shifting behind him—and instantly understood.
Thud.
"So this is MacLaine."
A light exclamation accompanied the descent of a single figure from the carriage.
Clad in unadorned full-body armor, they stepped forward with effortless grace.
Long hair, brighter and glossier than MacLaine's signature red, framed striking features and beautiful blue eyes—undeniably a woman.
—The Grand Prince brought a woman.
The pupils of every onlooker dilated.
"Wow, she's pretty."
"Who is she?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Murmurs erupted.
After a brief silence, whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
At the forefront, Patrick blinked before speaking, his smile already widening.
"Well. Welcome back, Logan. But... who might this young lady be?"
'I thought he had no interest in women.'
Hadn't he, a mere baron, presumptuously relied on his son's master—just that one fact—to even request the Sword Duke's favor?
But seeing this, his worries had been needless.
'He's handling it fine on his own. I overstepped.'
The armor was slightly concerning, but women could arm themselves for long journeys too.
With a buoyant heart, Patrick gazed at the woman who had already become his son's lover in his mind.
And the response he received splendidly met his expectations.
"My fiancée, Lady Eileen Floyd."
"OHHH!!"
"The Grand Prince's fiancée?!"
"Incredible!"
The crowd erupted.
In an instant, the surroundings grew chaotic, and Patrick beamed as he looked at his future daughter-in-law.
"Oh! Welcome, My Lady. I am your—"
"And she's also a new recruit for the MacLaine Knight Order, Father."
"—future father-in-law, Patrick Mac... What?"
"Lady Eileen Floyd. My fiancée, and a new recruit for the knight order."
"Eh. Hahaha. My ears must be acting up lately... Could you repeat that, son?"
"I said she's joining the knight order. She's also my fiancée."
"A fiancée and a knight? Hahaha. My ears... Huh? Dwain, what did Logan just say?"
Patrick shook his head in disbelief and turned to Dwain.
"As expected of His Highness."
"What?"
"The moment I saw that armored lady, I knew something abnormal was coming. Of course! It's the Grand Prince we're talking about."
"Huh..."
Realizing he hadn't misheard, Patrick's expression went blank.
"Eileen of House Floyd. As both your daughter-in-law and a knight, I'll do my best. Father."
"What in the...?"
Eileen's clear voice perfectly shattered his already tangled thoughts into further chaos.
"What's going on?"
"His Highness's fiancée is his fiancée, but..."
"She says she's a knight...?"
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know either."
As the murmurs of the crowd grew louder, Patrick was the first to regain his composure.
"Wait. Floyd... The Count Floyd family?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"A count's daughter as your fiancée... Fine, but the knight order?"
"Yes. I'm having her join the knight order."
"So you're saying... You're enrolling your fiancée in the knight order—WHAT KIND OF NONSENSE IS THAT?!"
Patrick's near-shout reverberated through the surroundings.
"Hahaha. Sir Heinkel, is this even possible?"
"There's no precedent, but..."
"But?"
"If His Highness says it's happening, who in our territory would stop him?"
Knight Commander Heinkel answered Dwain's question with a hollow laugh.
Understanding his plight, Dwain nodded sympathetically and patted his shoulder—
Meanwhile, a dwarf who had arrived late and observed the scene from a distance clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Human woman, run. Whatever this is, you're being tricked. Tsk tsk."
That poor girl's life is about to be turned upside down.
Hamal clicked his tongue again—only to lock eyes with Logan and hurriedly turn away.
'What? There's no way he heard me from this distance.'
Feeling cold sweat trickle down his back, he awkwardly schooled his expression.
Fortunately, applause suddenly erupted beside the lord, diverting the demon's gaze.
Clap clap clap.
"Welcome! Sister-in—Ugh. M-Mother?"
"Ronian. Now isn't the time for you to speak."
Patrick stared blankly at his younger son, whose cheek was pinched by his grandmother, before turning back to his eldest.
"...Why?"
A single word, dredged from the depths of his chest.
Though brief, it carried a torrent of emotions.
But whether Logan was oblivious to those feelings or deliberately ignoring them, his reply was calm.
"Exactly as you heard. She's an exceptionally talented individual."
"A woman? And your fiancée?"
"That's partly why I proposed. She's an incredible asset."
"An asset?! Hahaha. Unbelie—Wait, huh? She does have a strong presence... Hahaha. She's impressive, but still..."
The overwhelming aura radiating from Eileen only deepened Patrick's confusion, but he held firm.
"Even so! How can you make a noble maiden into a knight? Let alone your fiancée!"
"I see no reason why not."
"You've truly lost your mind. Hahaha. What am I supposed to..."
As Patrick laughed helplessly, Dwain cautiously interjected.
"Perhaps His Highness has some plan...?"
"Does this make sense to you, Dwain? Am I the only one finding this bizarre?"
"...Well, it is Prince Logan we're talking about."
"Ughhh. This is frustrating. Logan! Let's talk privately. Do you realize how absurd—"
Patrick struggled to remain composed, but Logan cut him off, steering the conversation elsewhere.
"Ah, we should inform House Floyd of our safe arrival. You should come too, Father. We ought to pay our respects."
"W-What?"
Still half-dazed, Patrick was dragged into the communication room.
[Good. You've arrived safely. Are you well?]
"It's only been a week, Father."
[To this father, that week felt like a month...]
"Baron MacLaine is listening too!"
[Ahem. Ah. Ahem. Baron... MacLaine? A pleasure. I am Roberts Floyd.]
"Count. The pleasure is mine. Patrick MacLaine. To be honest, I'm still a bit flustered by this sudden contact, so I beg your forgiveness if my demeanor seems lacking."
[Hahaha. The feeling is mutual. This is a significant matter between our houses, but the children were so insistent that we couldn't reach out first. My apologies for making you initiate contact.]
"Haha. Not at all. Isn't this a fortunate union? Unless there's strong opposition, respecting the children's wishes is fine. Though, while this is good news, I've heard something rather unusual—about your daughter becoming a knight..."
[Haaaah...]
Patrick had tried to broach the topic carefully, but an immediate sigh burst from the other end of the communication line—so deep that even Logan and Eileen, watching from behind, flinched.
[...We've given our permission. My daughter has wanted this for so long. But she's still my precious girl. Please...]
"Father! You're not crying, are—"
"Count. You are opposing this, and the children are being stubborn, aren't they?!"
Patrick cut Eileen off, his face brightening—
[We've agreed. My daughter's wishes come first. But... cough. Please take care of her, in-law.]
"Hahaha! Of course! If you're unwilling, there's no need to break tradition. I'll handle it—"
"FATHER!!"
A sudden shout from behind made Patrick turn in bewilderment toward his future daughter-in-law.
[...It's what I want. Cough. Please take good care of her, in-law.]
The count's expression made it clear he was anything but willing.
"Huh?!"
Patrick could only stare blankly at the couple.
Unlike his future daughter-in-law, who at least had the decency to offer an awkward smile, his son wore an utterly shameless grin.
"As you heard, the count has given his permission. Father."
"Let's... discuss that separately later."
With a stiff expression, Patrick changed the subject, and the conversation moved swiftly.
Within thirty minutes—
[Thank you. We'll select an auspicious date and contact you soon. I look forward to meeting in person.]
"As do I."
After exchanging formal pleasantries, the communication ended.
Bzzzt.
Despite the amicable conclusion, silence lingered in the communication room.
"Even if the count permitted his daughter to become a knight, I still oppose it."
Patrick's parting words drew sighs from the two left behind, but they soon nodded resolutely and exited together.
"Well, we've cleared one hurdle."
"You must be exhausted from the long journey. Thank you for your efforts."
"Not at all. You've worked much harder, Your Highness."
"We don't know when the date will be set, but things should proceed as planned now."
Even as he said this, Logan didn't truly believe everything would go smoothly.
The civil war's onset, and the actions he intended to take before and after—
The fallout would leave no room for leisurely wedding preparations.
Fortunately, his oblivious counterpart didn't seem overly concerned either.
"Yes. I won't disappoint you. The knight order... Finally..."
Her interest lay far from marriage.
For some reason, Logan found that attitude strangely charming—then shook his head in alarm.
'Get a grip! Now's not the time!'
Slap!
"...Your Highness?"
Eileen stared wide-eyed as Logan struck his own cheek.
Flustered, he laughed awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Haha. So, when do you plan to start training? You should rest for a few days first—"
"No need to test me. I'll begin tomorrow."
Eileen answered without hesitation, her resolve unwavering.
Logan could only chuckle at her stubbornness.
She was overflowing with talent and determination.
But Logan couldn't be certain that would be enough.
'Will that alone be enough to overcome everything?'
Eileen's challenge was, in a way, his own as well.
And time was not on his side.
'Two months at best. I must complete final preparations and start the war within that timeframe.'
Even if Eileen hadn't adapted by then, he couldn't afford to wait.
"Does this mean I'll be staying in the knight barracks?"
"...That might be difficult. The other knights could find it uncomfortable."
"That's a shame."
"Instead, I'll arrange a room near the training grounds."
...Given her enthusiasm, adapting likely wouldn't be an issue.
If she succeeded conventionally, great. If not, he'd simply make the Steel Rose bloom through other means.
With that thought settled, Logan guided Eileen to the room he had prepared.
Having been seen by many, rumors about Eileen spread quickly.
However—
"His Highness is starting another strange endeavor, I hear?"
"Huh? What?"
"He brought a woman into the knight order! A noblewoman! His fiancée!"
"Whoa! And?"
"And? His fiancée joining the knight order...!"
"That's it?"
"Huh?"
"I thought he was planning to... I don't know, carve through another mountain or something."
"Ah..."
"Not a big deal then. Let's eat."
"...Yeah."
The impact was far weaker than anyone had feared.