Whispers of the Duchy
The carriage rolled to a halt at the grand gates of Brimton City, and Andrew Ignis lifted his face, cheeks still flushed with overwhelming emotion as he gazed upon the city’s ancient entrance.
For so many years he had been trapped in a half-conscious state, his mind flickering between oblivion and the faintest glimmers of reality. Yet even in that fractured existence, the city he had once known so well had never left his thoughts. As the carriage passed beneath the restored archway, a single tear slipped free and traced its way down his cheek before he could stop it.
“Mother… I’m finally home.”
……
Yet the woman who rested across his back, Duchess Rachel Ignis, had still not regained her consciousness. Andrew simply believed the doctor’s assessment that her life was not in immediate danger and waited with quiet patience.
“Hah… We’ve arrived.”
Alicia the priestess stepped down from the carriage a moment late, Rillu at her side. The elf arched a platinum brow and tilted her head.
“Huh? Why are knights guarding the gate?”
Andrew glanced back at the entrance. Normal sentries in plain armor should have been there, yet now the gate was lined with elegantly dressed, battle-hardened knights in gleaming plate. The air itself felt different, heavier with authority.
Alicia clapped her hands once. “Since Her Highness the Princess is currently stationed here, that must be why.”
“Even so, having knights stand watch over the city gates seems… rather unusual,” Andrew murmured, voicing the doubt that had been tugging at him since the moment they crossed the threshold.
Before he could press the point further, Rillu gave a decisive nod. “Then let’s go and see for ourselves.”
The four of them approached. The lead knight raised a hand. “Halt! State your name and purpose in the city.”
Andrew felt his pulse quicken, but he straightened his shoulders and spoke clearly. “Andrew Ignis, eldest son of the Ignis Duchy. I have only just… returned.”
The words still caught in his throat for a heartbeat, yet he managed to finish them.
The knights’ eyes widened in unison.
“Prince Andrew…?”
“…Wait just a moment.”
One of them darted inside without another word. The remaining guard kept his hand near his sword, but his voice softened with respect. “Forgive me. Please wait here for a moment, though it may be difficult for you.”
“It is quite all right. Still… has something happened in the city?”
The guard hesitated, then sighed. “Due to certain circumstances, the patrol soldiers inside the city are unable to move freely. The princess has issued special orders to restore order herself. As for what those circumstances are, I cannot disclose them at this time. Please pardon my impertinence.”
Andrew shook his head kindly. “It is no trouble at all.”
“Is… is one of the visitors you’ve brought a priest from the World Tree Church?”
“Yes, that would be correct. But… has something terrible occurred…?”
Alicia jumped at the sudden question. The knight scratched his cheek awkwardly. “No, nothing like that. The truth is… there has been a disagreement between the kingdom and the Church. Orders have been issued to exercise caution with Church personnel.”
“Oh… I see.”
Alicia’s expression tightened. She recalled the absurd outburst she had made before departing the Church, the one that had led directly to the covert unit being dispatched. Had they actually tried to kidnap Riel Ignis? But the kingdom itself was now on high alert, and if the attempt had succeeded, the situation would have escalated far beyond mere warning. No—most likely the covert unit had failed to complete the task and had been caught red-handed. That was the only explanation that made sense.
“Princess Alicia, you and your mother saved me. There is no need to worry.”
“Is that true?”
Andrew’s warm voice wrapped around Alicia like a gentle shield. The knight’s posture relaxed a fraction, and Alicia let out a relieved sigh.
Before long the messenger returned, breathless. “Her Highness requests your immediate presence!”
They climbed back into the carriage and set off once more, this time heading straight for the Ignis Ducal Estate. The mansion lay a short distance from the city center, yet when they arrived, not a single servant or soldier had crossed their path. The wrought-iron gates stood open and silent.
Andrew’s face grew rigid the moment his eyes took in the courtyard. The once-polished façade that gleamed under the sun had dulled with dust and years. Several walls were cracked, and patches of scaffolding rose where repairs were still underway.
“This… what is this?”
A voice answered before he could finish his thought. “Forgive me, Prince Andrew. I did try to have the staff perform maintenance, but as you can see, we are no match for true specialists.”
A tall woman with long golden hair and striking violet eyes stepped forward. Her uniform was ornate, embroidered with intricate royal patterns. Aine Guine Palajinia, second princess of the Palajinia Kingdom, had come to greet them.
“It has been far too long! Your Highness the Princess!”
Andrew dropped to one knee at once. Alicia followed suit, and Rillu, though clearly confused, managed an awkward bow as well.
“Indeed, you are Prince Andrew. And the lady you carry… is Lady Rachel?”
“Yes, Your Highness. She has been gravely weakened after being unable to eat properly for such a long time…”
“I see. Then first, allow me to help your mother rest. I will speak with you afterward.”
Aine turned to leave, but her gaze lingered for a brief moment on Alicia before she continued. “There appear to be complex circumstances at play.”
I received the urgent summons from the princess and hurried at once to the faculty office, Riel by my side. Professor Leonora was seated at her desk, pen hovering above a sheet of paper as she scribbled furiously.
“Professor Leonora!”
Riel’s loud call made the professor look up, eyes wide with sudden alarm. “Oh my, it’s Lady Ignis and Wentos! Is everything all right?”
She smiled brightly, already sensing the unusual nature of the visit. Riel answered without hesitation. “Yes! I need a short leave of absence!!”
The classroom temperature seemed to drop several degrees in an instant. The professor’s face paled. Several students stared, mouths slightly open.
“I… I don’t mean to skip class permanently. It’s just… a family emergency. I need to go home for a while.”
The professor’s pen froze mid-scribble. “Home…?”
“My mother… she’s returned. So I—”
Leonora’s expression cleared like dawn breaking. “Ah! Of course! That’s what you meant! Hahaha… I misread the situation entirely!”
She laughed, relief flooding her voice, then her gaze slid toward me. “What about you, Wentos? Are you also taking leave?”
“Eh? Me?”
“Yes, Lady Ignis is returning to a family that has just reunited, so of course she’ll take the time to rest. But the reason for your own leave is unclear, so I was simply curious.”
……
Ah. That made sense. This matter concerned the Ignis family alone; my connection was minimal at best. Still, the words “leave of absence” were tricky. I mulled over how to respond.
Before I could speak, Riel suddenly seized my arm and clung tightly to it. Her touch felt warm and surprisingly soft.
“We’re going together! To my home!”
“Eh? But Wentos is—”
“W-We’re practically family already, right? It doesn’t matter!”
Riel’s sudden declaration left the room silent for a few heartbeats. Then Leonora burst out laughing. “Ah! Ahhh!! I understand now!”
She clapped her hands, eyes sparkling with joy. “Of course! Then I shall issue both of you leaves. Just sign here, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
She rummaged in her drawer and produced two sheets of paper. Riel and I signed without hesitation. Leonora shifted the documents aside and turned to Riel, lowering her voice so only she could hear.
Riel’s cheeks flushed crimson, but she nodded vigorously. Leonora smiled and looked back at me.
“Well then, Wentos, take care. And please, take good care of Riel as well.”
“Y-Yes…?”
……What does that even mean?
Whatever the exchange between the two of them had been, the leave of absence had been approved. After that, the next few days were spent in a whirlwind of activity. I packed my bags with Luca’s help, and Riel spent time carefully explaining our sudden departure to Emilia and her sister Iris, both of whom had been surprised but understanding.
The train bound for the Ignis Duchy had already been reserved in advance by Phyllis. Although Brimton was not a metropolis, it was still the capital of the duchy, so trains ran frequently in both directions.
“I’ll be back soon!!”
Even as Emilia protested that we didn’t need to rush, Riel waved her hand from the train window. Beside her stood Phyllis and Luca, the two maids who had accompanied us as personal attendants.
Once the train began to move, Riel’s excitement seemed to wane. She turned to me with a faint, almost shy smile.
“It’s all right?”
“……Yes.”
Then her expression grew thoughtful. “I remember the time we went on that outdoor class. You told me a lot about your family.”
“……Yes. I only truly knew my brother, and even then it was from long ago.”
“What about your mother, the duchess? Have you seen her?”
“Unlike Father, Mother would visit from time to time… and when she did, she would hug me.”
Riel’s voice softened with a trace of wistfulness. “But… after a while, she stopped coming at all.”
“……”
“At the time, I thought Mother had simply lost interest in me… and I was genuinely sad.”
Deep down, I wondered what kind of tragedy had befallen the Ignis family. In the original story, only Eve had been mentioned. The grotesque events that had unfolded inside the ducal mansion must have been even more horrific than I could imagine.
“Still, I spoke with my sister afterward. She told me she doesn’t hate me.”
Riel offered me a small, hopeful smile. “And I’ll talk to Mother myself. Only by listening can you truly understand someone’s heart.”
“……Yes.”
The train raced southward, carrying the weight of family reunions and unknown futures toward the fields of the Ignis Duchy.