73. Errand Boy Joy (1)

“Your Highness, I have something to report. Feeling our shortcomings lately, Handelson and I have decided to participate in the knights’ morning and afternoon training sessions on alternating days starting tomorrow.”

“Go ahead and do that.”

Larael fully understood that Berser and Handelson were acting this way because they had failed to catch the people who kidnapped the children. Their expressions had grown endlessly dark since then.

Without even asking for a reason, Larael’s permission made Berser and Handelson feel both sorry and endlessly loyal. After the two left, Sasha let out a deep sigh.

“No matter how I think about it, it’s such a waste of gold coins. We have no way to prove that the coins those men were fighting over at the murder scene belonged to Your Highness…”

She was lamenting the fact that they hadn’t been able to recover the gold coins found at the crime scene.

“I wonder if Joy is doing well?”

At Larael’s absentminded remark, Sasha and Joanna exchanged puzzled glances. Then Joanna clapped her hands.

“The boy you gave the gold coins to back then, his name was Joy, right?”

“Now that you mention it, that’s right. But Your Highness, why are you so interested in a boy named Joy? You only met him once.”

Sasha asked Larael after recalling Joy. Larael herself didn’t know why. She just wanted to help that boy. Somehow, it felt like she had to.

Larael sat in a comfortable chair, gazing into space, lost in thought.

“What’s on the schedule today?”

After a while, Larael asked Sasha.

“Madam Nora is supposed to visit this morning.”

Larael nodded. Nora, who sometimes brought meat pies, was scheduled to visit today as well. Since she was familiar with Sasha and Joanna, things always got lively with stories from the Hedway County whenever she came.

“I miss my father and mother.”

Thinking of Hedway County, Larael muttered to herself, her parents coming to mind. Sasha and Joanna exchanged glances.

“Your Highness, how about visiting them? I’m sure His Majesty would allow it if you asked.”

Sasha said, recalling the recent incidents. There was a limit to how much she and Joanna could comfort Larael. Meeting the count and countess would surely bring Larael some peace of mind.

Larael had thought the same. Usually, she would scold Sasha for saying something off-topic, but today she simply nodded quietly. Although there was no teleportation portal in Hedway County, there were ways to teleport using magical devices or scrolls, even without a wizard’s help.

Magic stones were rare in the Kazel Empire, but the mines in the Kayanman Mountains were producing a tremendous amount of high-quality stones. Of course, they were only being mined for now and not yet in use.

‘With that much, I should be qualified to use a magical device, right?’

Larael decided she would tell Edward she wanted to visit Hedway County. She remembered that Edward had once said he wanted to go with her. She wanted to go together, but with summer vacation over, it would be hard for Edward to make time. He seemed extremely busy these days, with so many things happening at once. Even his visits to Abella Palace had become rare; last time, when the main palace contacted her, she’d used her bracelet to teleport just to save travel time.

Thinking of how surprised Marquis Argen had been then, Larael couldn’t help but smile.

Knock, knock. Lillian, who had gone to the kitchen to fetch tea, returned empty-handed.

“Your Highness, a palace guard is here. A boy named Joy has requested to see you.”

At Lillian’s words, Larael slowly blinked her wide eyes.

“Joy?”

Larael repeated, not because she didn’t know him, but because his visit was so unexpected—and they had just been talking about him. Sasha stared anxiously at Larael.

“Your Highness, you must not meet him.”

“It seems he’s figured out you’re the empress consort as well.”

Joanna quickly added.

“You two called me ‘Your Highness.’ Anyone there could have figured it out, don’t you think?”

“Still, I have a bad feeling about this. Are you really going to let someone you barely know into the palace?”

Sasha pouted. She had a point—letting in a boy they’d only met once, just out of kindness, was risky. Still, Larael wanted to hear why Joy had come.

“Call in Sir Berser and Sir Handelson for a moment.”

At her words, Lillian summoned the guards waiting outside.

“I’ll have to go near the palace gate for a bit. Get ready.”

Larael stood up. If she was uneasy about letting him in, she would just go out and meet him herself. As she left her room with the knights, Sasha and Joanna shook their heads and followed.

It was still too hot to walk from Abella Palace to the gate, so they decided to take a carriage. While the carriage was being prepared, Sasha and Joanna tried to persuade Larael again. They were anxious that another outsider might be added to their household. Now that the boy knew the empress consort had helped him, he might take advantage of Larael’s kindness and try to get more gold.

The carriage quickly reached the front of the palace gate via the well-maintained road. Berser and Handelson, who had followed on horseback, got down first and escorted Larael. The gate guards, not expecting the empress consort herself, bowed hurriedly in surprise.

Standing calmly beside them, without a trace of nervousness, was Joy. When he saw Larael, he grinned and bowed along with the guards.

“Joy?”

Larael asked the boy who greeted her. He looked completely different from the last time, when he had been dragged away, covered in dirt, with tangled hair and only his dark eyes shining. Today, he looked quite neat. His hair, once a bird’s nest, was cut short, revealing his face. His eyes, slightly upturned and sharp, still glittered. His jawline and well-shaped nose hinted that he wouldn’t remain a mere boy for long.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Empress Consort.”

“I really wouldn’t have recognized you like this.”

“Thanks to Your Highness, I got a haircut and bought nice clothes.”

Larael nodded. He had acted bravely in the face of injustice, so he deserved it.

“So, why have you come to see me?”

“As you know, I lost my job. In return for the gold coins you gave me, I would like to work by your side.”

Sasha and Joanna, who had been listening quietly, both frowned and urgently called out to Larael.

“Your Highness!!”

Larael gave Sasha and Joanna a pointed look, then turned back.

“If you’re willing to run errands or do odd jobs…”

Joy looked briefly surprised, but quickly changed his expression and answered.

“I’ll do anything!!”

“Sir Berser, would you take Joy to Kali? Joy, if you go to Kali, she’ll give you work.”

“Is there nothing I can do by your side, Your Highness?”

As Berser stepped forward, Joy quickly asked Larael.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to work in the palace yet. Instead, Kali is my aide, so learn from her. Her office is also mine, so if you don’t quit, you’ll see me when I visit.”

Joy hung his head in disappointment.

“I’ll be going, then.”

“Your Highness, may I go instead of Berser?”

Just as Berser was about to walk Joy away, Handelson asked for permission.

“Anyone is fine.”

At Larael’s words, Berser looked at Handelson, smiled, and stepped back. Handelson’s face lit up as he strode over to Joy and put an arm around his shoulders. He led Joy to his horse, lifted him up, and set him behind him. Joy looked around with a very displeased expression. When he met Larael’s gaze, he quickly lowered his head.

“Kid, you’ll fall off. Hold on tight!”

“I’m not a kid, you know?”

Joy grumbled, but reluctantly put his hand lightly on Handelson’s waist.