Chapter 79

My father was a man of remarkable action. As soon as he returned to the mansion, he summoned Norman and got straight to the point.

 

“Pack Lilithia’s bags.”

 

“The young lady’s bags, sir?” Norman tilted his head, puzzled by the command to pack with no prior explanation.

 

“I believe Lilithia needs to travel abroad for a while to handle some merchant guild business.”

 

“Absolutely not! Master, please reconsider!”

 

Faced with such an excessive reaction, both my father and I stared at Norman with bewildered eyes.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Norman’s habit of clearing his throat whenever he was awkward or trying to avoid a situation surfaced. My father narrowed his eyes and questioned him.

 

“I’d like to know exactly why I should reconsider.”

 

“Well, that’s… because the young lady is not in good health….”

 

“Lilithia said she’s fine, though,” my father countered.

 

I quickly chimed in to address Norman’s concern. “That’s right, Norman.”

 

“I’m sure the travel will be exhausting for her….”

 

“Not at all. I feel fine now. I can even use the Gate.”

 

“That is even more out of the question!” Norman’s shout was loud enough to burst one’s eardrums, making our eyes go wide.

 

“Norman…?”

 

Startled by his own outburst, Norman looked momentarily embarrassed. He quickly shifted his expression and spoke.

 

“The Gate is dangerous… I mean, it’s too expensive! And it’s far too dangerous for Lady Lilithia to go alone.”

 

“If it’s dangerous, I can hire mercenaries. If the cost is a concern, she can go by carriage. There are plenty of ways and means.”

 

“But, Master….”

 

“Norman, I know you worry for Lilithia, but coddling her like this isn’t good. It’s not right to keep her locked away from the world. Traveling to broaden her horizons is important.”

 

My father spoke with a firm, unwavering conviction.

 

“Since you’re making such a fuss, it seems I really must send her out.”

 

Norman fretted, unable to do anything, and in the end, he couldn’t sway my father’s resolved mind.

 

 

***

 

 

As usual, Derek was heading toward the Baimery mansion. The closer he got, the more he sighed with worry.

 

“What if I can’t get a hold of him?”

 

Prince Freyer was finding it difficult to make time due to visits from foreign delegations. Because of that, it seemed he hadn’t even been able to see Lady Lilithia often.

 

‘I might be worrying over nothing, but lately, our communications have been getting cut off…’

 

Derek clenched his fists and resolved himself.

 

‘No. This is exactly when I need to work harder.’

 

Since his duty was to guard Lady Lilithia, he just had to put in more effort so the Prince wouldn’t have to worry. However, as he entered the estate, Derek was taken aback by the scene before him.

 

“……?”

 

The mansion was unusually chaotic. It was teeming with porters loading carriages and servants moving about in a hurry.

 

Derek hovered near the entrance, unable to step forward easily. Just then, he ran into Winnie, who was carrying a heavy suitcase, and he hurriedly asked her.

 

“Miss Winnie, what is going on?”

 

“Oh, that’s right. I haven’t had the chance to tell you, Sir Derek.”

 

“What? Tell me what?”

 

“An urgent schedule came up last evening for the young lady to go abroad.”

 

“What?!”

 

Derek’s eyes widened so much they looked ready to pop out at the absurd, surreal news. Winnie gave an awkward smile and continued.

 

“I was quite startled too, but I guess merchant guild business is always unpredictable. Just like the Baron left so suddenly last time, now the young lady is leaving.”

 

“Y-you mean right now?”

 

Winnie nodded, tightening her grip on the luggage. “It’s a rushed trip, so there’s still prep to do, but we’ll be departing soon.”

 

‘Oh no.’

 

His fears had become reality. Derek quickly turned around and tried to contact Freyer using the communication device in his pocket.

 

‘Your Highness! You must pick up!’

 

The Goddess of Fate was truly cruel. With the Prince unable to return to the mansion last night due to Ministry of Foreign Affairs business, this situation was unfolding in his absence.

 

‘Please….’

 

The device didn’t show even the slightest vibration.

 

‘Is he perhaps in the middle of a meeting with the delegation?’

 

Fate’s prank was devastating. He tried the device several times, but the call wouldn’t go through. Derek’s desperate wish went unfulfilled.

 

“What are you doing, Sir Derek?”

 

Winnie tapped Derek on the shoulder as he stood hunched over, fidgeting. Derek reflexively spun around and grabbed Winnie’s hands.

 

“Are you going too, Miss Winnie…?”

 

Winnie blinked three or four times, staring down at Derek’s thick hands gripping hers.

 

“Miss Winnie?”

 

“O-of course. I am the young lady’s personal maid, after all.”

 

Derek’s heart was racing with anxiety.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

He glanced at the communication device and then at Winnie.

 

‘I should ask Miss Winnie to take the device with her.’

 

But that wasn’t a great idea. There was a specific warning he had received regarding Lady Lilithia.

 

‘The Prince told me never to place magic items near Lady Lilithia.’

 

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Derek’s mind.

 

“Could… could I come along as well?”

 

“You too, Sir Derek…?”

 

Derek nodded his head vigorously. Above all, his job was to stay by Lady Lilithia’s side.

 

‘Right, I’ll go with her and tell the Prince as soon as I can get a hold of him.’

 

He didn’t know when he would reach the Prince, but there was no other way.

 

“Don’t you need an escort knight! I may not look it, but I’m a talented individual who has been by Prince Freyer’s side for over ten years.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Faced with Winnie’s lukewarm reaction, Derek began to sell his merits even harder.

 

“I’m very strong. And I don’t need much sleep.”

 

Derek snatched the luggage Winnie was holding with both hands and hoisted it up with just one arm.

 

His face turned slightly red from the weight, but he forced an awkward, hearty laugh to show off his strength.

 

“Look! I can lift luggage like this with one hand!”

 

“Pfft.”

 

Winnie looked down, stifling a laugh. Derek, flustered by her reaction, ducked his head.

 

“Can I really not go?”

 

“Well, it’s not up to me, so I’ll have to ask.”

 

“I truly want to go! Please, Miss Winnie, I’m begging you.”

 

Derek looked at Winnie with the moist, pleading eyes of Puss in Boots. His gaze must have worked, because a hesitant Winnie finally spoke.

 

“I did hear they were having trouble finding an escort because the schedule is so rushed.”

 

A silver lining in the cloud. A smile spread across Derek’s face.

 

“Please recommend me as the escort!”

 

“I’ll go mention it to the Baron, so could you wait a moment?”

 

“Of course!”

 

In his excitement, Derek forgot about the luggage in his hand and threw both arms up in the air. The handle slipped, and the bag slammed onto the ground.

 

Thump— Crash!

 

The heavy luggage made a loud noise, and a startled Derek quickly scrambled to pick it up.

 

“I am so sorry! Really!”

 

“Pfft.”

 

Hearing her laughter, Derek looked embarrassed, while Winnie covered her mouth and giggled.

 

“It’s a good thing there were only clothes inside. While I’m gone, you mustn’t break anything, okay?”

 

“I won’t!”

 

“Please wait a moment.”

 

Winnie turned away with a smile and went to find the Baron and Norman.

 

 

***

 

 

As soon as my father’s decision was made, the schedule for going abroad proceeded at lightning speed. I realized once again that my father was a man of incredible decisiveness and administrative power.

 

“Father, what is all this?”

 

There were more wagons and carriages attached to the luggage carts than I expected.

 

“I ended up packing so many fabrics and goods from the merchant guild, and this is what happened.”

 

“I think it’s a bit much.”

 

“You never know what might happen in a foreign land. This could be a vital help to you.”

 

“I suppose so….”

 

It seemed excessive, but I knew it was just my father’s heart wanting me to succeed. He pulled me into an embrace and patted my shoulder.

 

“I trust that you will do well.”

 

“Thank you, always. For believing in me.”

 

“Of course I believe in my daughter.”

 

My father looked at me with a wide, bright smile.

 

“Send a letter once you arrive there.”

 

“I’ll call you often through the communication device.”

 

My father shook his head vigorously.

 

“I don’t want you to be preoccupied. Rest well while you travel. Understood?”

 

“Thank you for being so thoughtful.”

 

My father tenderly stroked my hair.

 

“Travel safely and have a good trip.”

 

“My lady, please board the carriage.”

 

“Okay.”

 

I got into the carriage with Winnie, opened the window, and waved my hand energetically.

 

“I’ll be back!”