Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: A Day at the Benea River
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"Wow! It's so pretty!"
The moment I saw the Benea River, I gasped in admiration.
The river wasn't just pretty; it was breathtakingly beautiful.
It wasn't quite as vast as the sea I'd read about in books, but the river stretched out wide and far.
The water was so clear that the pebbles on the bottom and the clouds in the sky were perfectly reflected on its surface. What particularly caught my eye were the pink flower petals floating gently on the water.
The riverbanks were lined with flowering trees, and a fragrant scent wafted over whenever the wind rustled through them.
I stepped into the shallows and splashed my feet.
"Everyone, hurry up! It's so cool!"
"Don't go in too deep, Aileen."
"Okay!"
I replied obediently, remembering to bring out the camera I had with me.
"Daddy! Brothers! Look over here!"
I called out, mimicking Rosaria from when she used to take pictures, and Kaide, Set, and Arban all turned to look at me at once.
*Click!*
I seized the moment and took the shot.
It was funny how they were all standing in different places but had turned their heads in the same direction to look at me.
"When did you even pack a camera?"
"Rosaria gave it to me!"
*Click. Click.*
As I snapped away, Arban tried to cover his face.
But that, too, was captured in a photo.
Arban stared at me with a dumbfounded expression before finally giving up and raising both his hands.
Humming to myself, I searched for my next target. This time, it was Set.
"You're going to fall if you only look at the camera, Aileen."
"Huh? I'm walking caref—!"
Whoops. No sooner had Set's words left his mouth than my foot slipped.
All the pebbles and stones in the river were smooth.
I squeezed my eyes shut, holding the camera up as high as I could.
"You have to be careful."
"Phew, that was close."
The instant I started to fall, Kaide swooped in and lifted me up.
My legs, which had been dangling in the air, touched the ground again.
"I'm confiscating this for a while."
"Ah, no way!"
My camera! I flailed my arms, trying to get it back, but Kaide paid me no mind.
Just then, Arban, who was behind me, carefully approached and splashed water on me.
*Splash!*
"Whoa!"
"You can't just dip your feet in when you're in the water!"
"Hey! Did you just throw water at me?"
"Yeah. And I'm gonna do it again."
Arban didn't stop, continuing to splash water at me. Not one to be outdone, I waved my arms around and splashed back.
It was pure chaos. In the midst of it all, I noticed Set watching us with an expression that said, *Why are you playing like that?*
I called out to Arban in a small voice.
"Brother, wait. Truce, truce."
"What is it? If you splash me after this, I'm throwing you in."
"No, no. Let's push Set into the water."
"Him?"
Shh. Shh!
I made a hushing motion, worried Set might hear. Arban leaned down and whispered.
"How are we supposed to get him in? He'll notice if we approach."
"Hmm. I'll get Set's attention, and you grab him from behind. Got it?"
"Alright, I'll give it a try. You buy as much time as you can."
"Of course."
I smiled triumphantly.
Set didn't seem to have any intention of getting in the water, but since we were all here, it was only proper for him to get dunked at least once.
I cut through the water and approached where Set was standing.
"Set, what're you doing over here?"
"Watching you guys play."
"Really? Come in and play with us."
"Aileen."
"Yeah?"
Set called my name and smiled languidly.
...What's with that sudden smile? He looks like he already knows everything...?
My expression hardened slightly. I could see Arban approaching from behind, trying his best to conceal his presence.
Set pointed to where I had been.
"I already saw you two whispering over there."
No way. Our plan was foiled from the start? In that case, it was now or never.
I shouted at Arban.
"...Get him!"
"You're being too obvious!"
"Don't let him get away!"
We reached out to grab Set. He twisted his body to the side.
It seemed he already knew Arban was coming from behind.
As we stared in frustration, Set spoke with a look of disbelief.
"You two are so obvious. If you were going to trick me, you should have from the start...?"
*Thud.*
Stepping back, Set's expression froze as his back bumped into someone.
At the same time, I grinned.
"...Father?"
Set muttered blankly as he turned around. Kaide tilted his head, blocking Set's escape.
"Set."
"...Yes."
"It's a rare break. You should join in at least once."
"Gotcha!"
I hugged Set tightly so he couldn't get away. Arban clapped, saying I did a good job.
"Brother, let's play together. Okay?"
I said, looking up at Set.
"Do you not like the water?"
"It's not that..."
So that's not it. That was a relief. I was worried he might hate the water.
"Then you won't mind getting in."
Arban pushed Set with one hand. Caught off guard, Set's face filled with alarm.
*Splash!*
The water wasn't very deep, so Set quickly resurfaced, shaking his head.
"Come here, Aileen. Arban."
Set beckoned with a bright smile. I flinched and tried to look nonchalant.
"Brother, Set is calling for you."
"What are you talking about? He's calling for you."
"...Both of you, get in here. Now."
"Okay."
I trotted into the water. As if he'd been waiting, Set unleashed a torrent of water on us. And so, round two began.
We ended up completely soaked.
"Wahahaha! Hey, wait a minute!"
"I don't know what 'wait a minute' means."
"Ah, why only me!"
Arban cried out in frustration. Set replied as if asking if he really didn't know.
"I only target one person at a time."
It was a very Set-like reason. I giggled. Kaide was taking pictures of us with the camera.
"Daddy."
"Hm?"
"I wanna take pictures of you too."
I held out my hand for the camera. Kaide looked down at my hand for a moment, then shook his head.
"No, your hands are wet."
"Then how can I take a picture?"
I need to take lots of pictures of Kaide, too! Seeing my crestfallen face, he patted the spot next to him.
"Come here."
"Huh?"
"We can take it like this."
Kaide turned the camera around. But how could we see how the picture would turn out?
"I'm taking it."
"Huh?"
*Click.*
"Daaaddy!"
*Click.*
It was a peaceful trip.
***
The eastern part of the continent.
Aser walked down a long corridor with a grave expression. The hallway was dead silent.
He looked at Elvin, who was leading the way.
"You said you came to see the Gaju."
"That's right."
"It seems Lord Gray is away."
"Yes."
"Where has he gone?"
Even while guiding him to the Gaju, Elvin relentlessly fired questions. Aser felt a wave of exhaustion.
"Yes, he has gone somewhere for a short while."
"It seems my questions have offended you."
"Hah. It's not that..."
The questions were excessive. Couldn't the man give him a moment to breathe? Just as Aser was about to reply, Elvin nodded.
"Well, I understand, considering your state of mind must be in turmoil."
"...What?"
Aser froze, looking at Elvin. The man, who had been walking with his back to him, stopped.
They had arrived in front of the Gaju's audience chamber.
He spoke with a look of pity.
"It is regrettable what happened to Lord Gray."
"...How did you..."
"But from now on, it would be best to refrain from such playful answers. Especially in front of the Gaju."
A chill ran down Aser's spine.
It had only been two days since he had returned from the south and requested an audience with the Artban Gaju.
Furthermore, the details of the negotiations with the Astrofel family were known only to the elders, all of whom had sworn to secrecy.
Naturally, the fact that Gray was imprisoned had not yet been made public.
Aser's expression hardened frighteningly.
"If you value your life, you will heed my advice."
Elvin gestured to the person standing by the door. Soon, the man announced Aser's arrival.
"Gaju, a guest from the Roisar family has arrived."
*Creeak.*
The moment the outermost door opened, several inner doors began to open in unison.
Aser swallowed hard.
"You requested a meeting with me?"
Behind a long screen sat the Gaju of the Artban family. Elvin gestured for him to enter.
Aser slowly forced his feet, which felt rooted to the spot, to move forward.
He felt like he was walking into the lion's den. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Artban Gaju was scrutinizing him.
A cold sweat trickled down his back.
"I heard the news. Gray has finally been imprisoned."
The voice was a gentle alto, but it sent shivers down Aser's spine.
How could the Artban family possibly know this?
It was a fact that had been shared only with the family elders to prevent turmoil and had not been announced externally.
Aser held his breath.
There was a traitor in the family.