Chapter 15

As soon as Elcia repeated Ian’s words, she could immediately grasp his true intentions.  

Ian Kypris, the promising leader of the Holy Knight Order in the capital, a young Count with a brilliant future ahead. Had things gone as they should, he would have become a Marquis and left his mark on history as an outstanding man. Even though he bore the disgrace of being the Holy Knight who failed to protect the Saint, just as Conrad said, he was a gifted talent of the Empire.  

It had already been three years since he couldn’t accept reality and completely collapsed, now entering the fourth year.

Such a big event had happened… How could he simply return as if nothing had happened?  

Ian himself, as the person involved, must have felt too ashamed to make any other choice.

“Well, first of all… I’m truly sorry to His Highness, but I’d like to quietly meet my parents first.”

“So, are you going to the Kypris mansion?”

“No, I’m planning to set up a meeting somewhere near the capital where there aren’t many people. Our family owns a villa-like house, and meeting there would help avoid attention.”

“Huh…? Why? If you just get off the carriage and go straight in, wouldn’t no one notice?”

Ian, wearing a bitter expression, gazed into the distant sky.

“Elcia, I have a younger brother. His name is Alteon, just a year younger than me, and before coming here, we were close and got along well. He was quite skilled at swordsmanship, received a knight’s title, and was the pride of our family.”

Elcia couldn’t understand what he was trying to say. What did secretly meeting his close younger brother and parents have to do with anything? Ian continued.

“For that reason… Alteon’s chances of inheriting the Kypris Marquis’ title have risen quite a bit since I was ousted. It’s rare for the second son to inherit the family, but it’s not impossible, so he might be hoping for it.”

“W-What?!”

Was this what it meant to live as a member of a noble family?  

Elcia’s mind went blank.

Her father had met her mother, a dancer from the Liwein Kingdom, married her there, and had Elcia. Unfortunately, her mother was a commoner and didn’t have an ID, so she couldn’t get permission to enter the Empire. Because of that, Elcia was entrusted to her grandparents living in the Empire as a baby.  

The family tried everything to live together, even asking border guards for advice, but in the end, spent all their meager savings on futile efforts.

When they finally had to give up, both sides of Elcia’s family ended up poor, making communication difficult.  

So, as a commoner with no inheritance, Elcia couldn’t even imagine such things.

Whatever the status, if the whole family could just live together, that would be the greatest happiness.

Elcia felt a bit sorry.

So, because of the fierce nature of noble society, Ian couldn’t even see his family freely? Just to avoid possible trouble?

“It’s not that I don’t trust Alteon. No, even saying that is ridiculous. I’m not even worthy of being called a noble, and Alteon has never once disappointed anyone’s expectations.”

“That’s not true! Ian, be strong. I don’t think your brother would feel that way!”

“Even if Alteon, disappointed in me, says he won’t support the family’s affairs or authority, I’d understand. But… I must see my parents. I need to confess my wrongdoings and ask for their forgiveness. That’s something I can’t let anyone interfere with, even if Alteon objects. As a flawed son, it’s something I must do.”

Ian spoke very seriously.

“…Ian!”

Tears welled up in Elcia’s eyes. She had thought Ian only suffered from the pain of losing a precious love, but that wasn’t all. Conrad hadn’t even been mentioned, yet Ian had to think ahead about the trials to come, step by step!

“I’ll send word to my parents next week and try to arrange a meeting.”

“S-Send a messenger right away! They’re your precious parents, you should see them as soon as possible!”

Elcia, her eyes moist, shouted loudly, and Ian smiled faintly.

“No.”

“Why…?”

He gently handed her a handkerchief.

“You said last year you wanted to see hummingbirds, remember? Next week is when hummingbirds flock near the castle. Hmm… I’ll hang up some juice bottles, and we can watch their cute antics before you leave. Otherwise, wouldn’t you be disappointed?”

“Ian, you’re such a fool…! How could that be important right now? Hummingbirds will come again next year, but seeing your family isn’t something you can compare!”

Elcia sobbed.

“Why are you crying so much? You begged to see them, so of course I should show you. So wipe your tears, Elcia. No matter how much you insist, I won’t go before you see the hummingbirds, okay?”

At his warm words telling her not to cry, Elcia wept even harder.

‘Why, why.

Why are you so kind?

Is it because we’re friends?

But…  

You treat me so gently.

Don’t make me misunderstand…’

Even when Ian was completely broken, he tried not to cross the worst line, doing his best even as he destroyed himself. That’s why she could understand the rough mistakes he made.  

During that harsh time, Ian had grown so close to Elcia, even setting aside his natural desire to see his family and caring for her first…

Elcia’s subtle hopes grew a little more, like the leaf of an orchid holding water.

Even if she was called a bad woman, Elcia wanted to create one more precious memory with Ian. The next Monday, she lingered in the place Ian mentioned, watching to see if the hummingbirds would come.

“Ah!”

Near the roof where three juice bottles were hung, several hummingbirds, small enough to fit in a child’s hand, fluttered in. Their wings moved so fast she felt sorry to reach out and touch them. Elcia, who had never seen such a marvelous sight, was amazed. In her hometown, the only birds she saw were crows, sparrows, and a few fat chickens that waddled around until they were caught and eaten.

“Shh, let’s just watch quietly.”

Ian approached from behind Elcia, pointing at the hummingbirds flying near the juice bottles. The hummingbirds, with their long beaks, expertly sipped the nectar dripping from the bottles.

“They’re so beautiful… Ah!”

Elcia, genuinely impressed, accidentally stepped on a stone and lost her balance for a moment. Ian, standing behind her, quickly grabbed her shoulders.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes…”

“It’s nice to watch the birds, but be careful, Elcia. You could get hurt if you twist your ankle.”

Thump, thump.

His small concerns, his passing advice, were so precious to her. When she was with him, even if she fell again, would it be okay? Because Ian would catch her.

Ian’s gentle kindness danced before her eyes, more lovely than the red juice the hummingbirds drank. The two enjoyed the thrill and comfort the tiny birds brought for a long time.

Making such a small spring memory, Elcia soon found herself packing at Usley Castle, tilting her head.

“Hmm…”

「What are you worrying about now? If you can’t organize your bag, just ask Udis to help or hurry up and finish.」

“I might come back here, so I’m thinking of leaving my heavy coat in the closet…”

White Bunny, clearly annoyed, snapped.

「Leave it? Elcia, get a grip. As a third party, I don’t think you’ll ever end up with that man, so forget him and find someone else. Just cleanly forget, and this time ask the Crown Prince to find you a good unmarried knight as a reward. Someone with a gold or silver-rich mine, or an Count with a large estate.」

“W-What are you saying, Bunny!”

Elcia, frowning and angry, made White Bunny smirk.

「Hmm, why? You said you’d never love him again, you’d completely given up, cried and wailed, but it was all a lie? Ugh, whatever. But Elcia? Get your head straight. Starting tomorrow, you won’t be the only one by that man’s side. If you want to keep other women away, you’d better handle yourself well. After all your hard work, are you going to let someone else take him?」

At those words, Elcia’s shoulders slumped.

“I know… And Ian was never my man to begin with…”

Of course she knew. Once Ian recovered, he’d instantly be at the center of attention. Even if this trip to the capital was unofficial, eventually he’d return to the marquis’ mansion and reappear in society. Would there be a lot of pretty noble ladies at balls and tea parties?

When that time came… Would Ian even remember Elcia existed?

Maybe it was better to just remain a friend…

Feeling a bit down, Elcia shoved all her belongings into her bag and sighed. Even though she had to go for his sake, she wasn’t happy about it. Not that she’d stop him from going.

Still, Elcia never showed her hesitation in front of Ian. She decided to inform the Crown Prince of the situation herself, through an audience rather than a letter, and chose to travel with Ian to the capital. Fortunately, Ian’s parents, after receiving the message, happily agreed to see their flawed son.

As Elcia was about to board the carriage to the capital, someone rushed over.

“Miss Elcia! Huff… Huff… Please wait!”

“Oh, Haden!”

During her time at Usley Castle, there had been many happy and sad moments. Among them, meeting the sincere and kind Haden was one of the best. Out of breath from running, Haden grabbed Elcia’s hand tightly.

“Huff, I’m sorry. We said our goodbyes yesterday, but I wanted to see you one more time, Miss Elcia.”

“…I’ll miss you all the time after I leave, Haden.”

Seeing Elcia’s apologetic face, sweet Haden held her hand and closed his eyes.

“Um, would it be alright if I prayed for your peace, Miss Elcia? I’m sorry I can’t do more.”

“Sorry? Haden, your heart is beautiful…”

“Our world’s protector, Lord Tyr, gentle goddess Vanir. Of all the people I’ve met since I was born, my master and Miss Elcia, who came to heal him, are truly good people. Please protect these two kind souls…”

Haden, eyes tightly shut, began praying. Seeing how serious he was, Elcia, wide-eyed, unintentionally closed her eyes too.

As they held hands and prayed, Haden’s holy power quietly radiated from his body. The gentle force swirled around him and, before they opened their eyes, quietly entered Elcia.

Finishing the prayer, Haden regretfully escorted Elcia to the carriage.

“Take care.”

“See you again, Haden.”

“Were you saying goodbye to Haden? Haden, see you next time.”

「Ugh, hurry up and close the door. I hate getting wind on my body.」

“I’ll really miss you. I love you both.”

As Ian and White Bunny, already in the carriage, greeted and teased, Haden smiled and gave his final farewell. As Haden’s waving hand disappeared beyond the window, Elcia’s shoulders drooped a little.

“Sigh.”

「Hmm? Elcia, what did you do just now?」

Suddenly, White Bunny hopped from Ian’s seat onto Elcia’s lap.

“What?”

「Here, here. Where did you pick up such clean holy power? Did you pay for it?」

White Bunny poked Elcia’s belly with her furry paw, making Elcia giggle unexpectedly.