Unnecessary and Not Urgent
“Hic, h-hic… Young Master… our Young Master…”
The middle-aged woman who entered Cael's room couldn't string words together properly and collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. She wiped away her tears endlessly with hands rough and cracked from hard labor. This was Mari, the wet nurse who had reportedly raised Cael like her own child when he was a newborn infant.
Cael sat leaning back on the sofa, silently watching Mari, her face streaked with tears. She held no place in Cheon Woo-jin's memories. Even the lingering remnant thoughts of the original body's owner, Cael, couldn't clearly recall her face after years of torment by illness.
But Cael knew at a glance. The tears flowing from this woman in her shabby, worn clothes contained not the slightest hint of falsehood or deception. Her heart brimmed with pure joy and relief, as if she'd gained the whole world just from seeing Cael alive and breathing so healthily.
“Stop crying and stand up. How can you weep so sadly when I'm alive and well like this?”
At Cael's calm voice, Mari startled and lifted her head.
“N-no, Young Master! How could I cry out of sadness? It's just… seeing our Young Master, who was nothing but skin and bones, grow into such a sturdy, handsome man—it's so moving, I couldn't help myself.”
Mari hurriedly wiped her tears with her apron hem and caught her breath. Ella, standing beside her, had also reddened her eyes and was sniffling.
Cael took a sip of the tea on the table and got to the point.
“So, there must have been circumstances keeping you away all these long years. And right now, just as I've returned from the annex to the main house—what urgent reason brings you to me?”
Mari's shoulders twitched at Cael's piercing question. She glanced anxiously at the door, then crawled forward on her knees toward Cael, prostrating herself on the floor.
“Young Master. Listen carefully to what I say.”
The voice that had been choked with emotion moments ago was gone, replaced by a grave whisper laced with resolve.
“It happened a few days ago… A criminal gang called Legnum raided our village.”
Cael's eyebrow twitched.
“Go on.”
“It was total chaos. But there was something strange.”
“What?”
“I swear on my life, I've never once told anyone in the village that I was the Young Master's wet nurse. Yet somehow, everyone there knew…”
“Ho… And then?”
“The villagers begged me to ask the ducal house for help… That's when I realized. This is a trap aimed at you, Young Master…”
Mari forced a smile as she spoke.
“Young Master… you mustn't come. I don't know who, but someone's targeting you. We can handle our village's troubles ourselves.”
Her hands trembled, her eyes filled with unease.
“Now that I've seen you healthy, I should go.”
Cael nodded, permitting her to withdraw.
“Very well. Since you're here, rest a bit longer before you leave.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Young Master.”
After Mari left, Cael gave Ella an order.
“Find out what happened to Wet Nurse Mari.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
A few days later, Ella returned with the information and reported in detail on what had befallen Wet Nurse Mari.
“Slum village? The ducal house's wet nurse is living in the slums now?”
Ella's face paled.
“Th-that's… I didn't know either. She said she was chased out of the ducal house right after you left, Young Master.”
“Chased out?”
“Yes.”
“Ha, would you look at that? So what happened in that village?”
Ella clenched her fists as she answered.
“Most of what Wet Nurse Mari said is true. Except…”
“Except?”
“Her family members were all kidnapped too…”
Cael tilted his head.
“Kidnapped? Why?”
“Probably to sell them into slavery. But it's weird.”
“What is?”
“The ones who want their family back were told to bring money.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It looks like they're waiting for someone. Just like Wet Nurse Mari said—a trap.”
Hmm. Can't touch me here, so lure me out and assassinate me on the road? Heh, they've schemed quite a bit in that short time.
Ella gazed earnestly at the silent Cael.
“It's a trap, Young Master. But we have to help.”
Cael glanced at her eyes.
“Haha, telling your master to walk into the trap himself?”
“Yes! You're not someone those scum can touch!”
Ella's eyes shone with unwavering faith. Cael chuckled at the sight.
“Good grief, can't refuse a maid like you. Fine. Since it's your order, Ella, I'll obey.”
Cael spoke playfully, and Ella's face flushed red.
“Eek!? Th-that's not what I meant, Young Master!!”
“Hahaha.”
In the acting family head's office.
“Ahahaha! Ohohoho!”
Silina's laughter echoed through the office for the first time in ages. She waved the report in her hand, her face alight with ecstasy.
“That fool bit the bait hard—with his own two feet! A formal expedition request, no less. Yes, it must have been too tempting to resist.”
Standing before Silina as always was the head steward, hands clasped, wearing his usual sly fox smile.
“Didn't I tell you I'd prepared a flawless script, Acting Family Head?”
“Yes, yes. Excellent work, Head Steward. A fresh-faced kid just risen from his sickbed, charging into the jaws of death without knowing his place.”
Silina hid her smile behind an elegant fan.
“You've already tipped off Legnum, I assume?”
“Of course. Since the Young Duke will walk right into their territory, we've struck a deal: clean it up without a trace, and we'll cover for them afterward. They won't refuse such a sweet offer.”
“Perfect. Everything must be tidied up before the family head returns from his subjugation. You can handle the aftermath, right?”
The head steward bowed deeply.
“I'll see to it personally.”
“Ahahaha, good. Time for a glass of wine after so long. It'll be the last day that wretch Cael leaves this castle alive—finally, a peaceful night's sleep.”
The next morning, at the Blue Wolf Knights' training grounds on the outskirts of the main estate.
Dozens of elite knights in gleaming silver armor sparred, sweat pouring down their faces. Cael appeared there, with Weger and Ella carrying luggage behind him, and Oliver yawning lazily and trailing along.
Truth be told, Cael had no intention of seeking out this armed force. He figured he, Weger, Ella, and Oliver were more than enough firepower.
But Ella had thrown a fit that morning while packing, nagging relentlessly until he was practically dragged here.
“The ducal house's eldest young master heading to that notorious hellhole with just a couple guards and maids? That makes no sense! It's a matter of the family's honor!! You need to requisition escort knights from the order right now!”
He'd come to appease her hysterics, but inwardly, Cael figured he'd take the chance to scout any promising talents among the ducal house's elite knights.
Before Cael could even mount the platform, however, the Blue Wolf Knights' vice-captain stepped forward with an awkward expression.
“My deepest apologies, Young Duke Cael. We wish to honor your noble intent and join the subjugation, but circumstances prevent us.”
The vice-captain bowed politely, conveying the refusal.
“Circumstances? What urgent matter keeps the ducal knights from escorting the ducal heir on his mission?”
Cael asked with arms crossed. The vice-captain looked visibly troubled as he replied.
“Acting Family Head Duchess Silina has issued orders. In preparation for the Duke's return next month, the entire order is confined—no outings or dispatches for one month. We must focus solely on castle defenses and security.”
A formal military order stamped with the acting family head's seal. With the Duke absent, no one in the territory could defy it.
“Oh? The family head is returning?”
“Y-you didn't know?”
“Who'd tell me?”
The vice-captain looked flustered at Cael's nonchalant reply. A typical noble would rage at the slight to their authority or throw a tantrum, but the Young Duke accepted it with eerie calm.
Hmm. Tying up the knights to eliminate variables? Going this far in advance. I'll give her credit for the petty scheming.
Far from anger at Silina's shallow ploy, Cael found it amusing.
“Well, can't be helped. Family defenses come first—carry on, everyone.”
Cael turned away without a shred of regret.
“Loyalty!”
The knights watched his resolute back with a mix of relief and strange guilt.
In the end, the party exiting the grand ducal castle gates was laughably small. The family's frail Young Duke Cael; Weger, a lowly guard; third-class maid Ella; and the panting dog Oliver with his tongue lolling out. It looked less like a criminal purge and more like a band of wanderers.
Ella, gripping the horse reins as they passed the gates, couldn't contain her indignation and erupted.
“This is too much!! Unbelievable! Sending us after those infamous thugs without a single knight? This isn't a mission—it's telling us to go die!”
“The formal expedition request was approved, so we go, Ella. You trying to embarrass me?”
“No!! But this is wrong! How are the four of us supposed to take down a huge crime syndicate!?”
Ella whirled on Cael in frustration, but the man supposedly marching to his death looked utterly relaxed, like he was off for a stroll.
“Don't get so red-faced and worked up, Ella. You'll ruin that pretty face.”
“Young Master! This isn't the time for jokes! They said there are dozens of Experts in that organization!”
Even as Ella nagged, Cael chuckled and lightly shook the reins.
“Experts, huh… Sounds perfect. Where else to gain real combat experience?”
Ella gaped at Cael's optimism. Beside them, Weger, quietly riding along, stroked the heavy iron sword at his waist, eyes gleaming.
“Young Master's right! If we smash those smug Legnum bastards ourselves, those stuck-up knights won't breathe a word—they'll look up to us! My sword's already humming for blood! Kraahaha!!”
Cael smirked.
“Good man, Weger! I'll leave one Expert to you!”
Weger's face drained of color.
“...Me? Nah, I'm just a grunt—I stick to grunts…”
Oliver barked at him pityingly.
“Woof woof woof!!”
“Haha, see? Even Oliver says you're not man enough.”
“But… an Expert's a bit…”
Cael laughed heartily, urging his horse slowly forward.
“Relax, everyone. Light hearts now. Beat up some alley thugs for training, grab their cash, treat ourselves to a feast on the way back. Got it?”
Ella asked incredulously.
“Wait… that actually possible? Young Master, you have some secret plan, right?”
Cael smirked enigmatically. Seeing it, Ella brightened.
“Ah! Of course! As expected of our Young Master—you had something up your sleeve! I worried for nothing!”
As if, Ella.
Cael just smiled and tossed out one line.
“Unnecessary and not urgent.”
Ella, of course, had no idea what it meant.
“Ooh… sounds like some genius plan name?”
It meant nothing like that was needed—or urgent.