Chapter 2.2

“What? The Marquis went for an inspection?”

Herace’s face hardened as he got out of bed. Aaron, his attendant who brought the news, continued with a troubled look.

“Yes, I heard from a servant that he went to inspect the eastern district of Ford territory. It’s been about three hours since he left, so by now, he should be…”

He had a bad feeling. Herace half-ignored Aaron’s trailing words and urgently spread out a map.

The eastern district was where most of the territory’s residents lived. Herace glanced out the window and brushed back his hair, disheveled from the night.

“How many people went with him?”

With this weather, at least ten would be necessary for safety. Herace waited anxiously for Aaron’s answer.

“Well… just two. He didn’t take any knights with families, thinking it might be dangerous.”

It was enough to drive anyone mad. What did he expect to do with only two people? Herace sighed and tapped the table with his fingertips.

No matter how skilled a mage he was, there was nothing he could do about this.

Since ancient times, natural disasters were considered divine punishment sent by the gods to humans. Therefore, magic was not to be used recklessly for matters decreed by the heavens.

This had been a strict rule insisted upon by the Holy Kingdom of Roeta and the Demekia Temple since the founding of the mage associations in each country. If magic could prevent natural disasters, there would be no unfortunate deaths except for soldiers.

The fate set by the gods was not something mere humans could defy.

So, it was something he could not help with.

He could not, and should not, even think of helping.

It was a rule that had to be followed to avoid losing his mage qualification or being disciplined by the association alliance.

“…Ha.”

After a brief hesitation, Herace put on his outer coat.

He wanted to pretend not to know, wanted to believe there was nothing he could do.

‘But then Brienne would cry.’

He couldn’t stand the thought of Brienne Ford crying.

He knew it was crazy. The most promising mage not just in Rontiano but also in Roeta, and here he was, ready to break the temple’s rules for the sake of one woman.

“Sir Herace…! Are you really planning to go out now? You absolutely mustn’t!”

Aaron jumped in front of him in alarm. Blue light flickered at Herace’s fingertips as he sighed.

“Move.”

Aaron, who had raised his voice, immediately shrank back.

“S-still, it’s too dangerous… If you go out like this, the Duke will surely…”

“What about the Duke?”

“…”

“I don’t even know why I need a bodyguard who trembles at a bit of magic. I’ll be back before long, so just keep your mouth shut.”

“Sir H-Herace…”

The blue light at Herace’s fingertips grew clearer. Seeing this, Aaron finally closed his eyes tightly and stepped back. He knew all too well what kind of power that light held.

Passing the pale Aaron, Herace cast waterproof magic over himself, reduced his presence, and went down the stairs. Just before the front door, he looked back once. He could sense Brienne Ford’s anxious presence pacing inside.

He never wanted to see her like that.

Just one expression of happiness was enough for Brienne Ford’s face.

With that thought, Herace turned and left the manor.

* * *

“Didn’t he say he’d just take a quick look? Why isn’t he back yet? Could something have happened…”

Shylo nervously shook his leg as he stared at the clock. It was hardly gentlemanly, but no one thought to point it out.

Olivia and Brienne were also staring at the clock.

Three hours had already passed.

The three hours Marquis Ford had promised when he left home were up.

With every minute past the promised time, their anxiety doubled in size. With a worried face, Olivia patted her chest, then suddenly raised her head.

“Oh, what am I thinking? You there!”

At the lady’s call, a servant rushed in through the open door.

“Yes, Madam…!”

“Has Young Master Belif been served his meal?”

“Ah, w-well…”

The servant, looking uneasy, fidgeted and bowed his head. When Olivia pressed him, he took a deep breath and spoke.

“His close attendant asked us to keep it a secret, but I feel it’s not right, so I must tell you. He went out to look for the Marquis…!”

“…What?”

Olivia Ford stood up in surprise. Brienne and Shylo, who had been listening in a daze, also opened their eyes wide.

“What on earth happened?”

“I-I’m sorry… It was my fault for saying the Marquis had gone to the eastern district when asked where he went.”

“No, this is…!”

Even the famously calm Marchioness’ face cracked.

“Have you not been properly trained? Whatever the reason, as long as Young Master Belif is staying here, he is our guest! If anything happens to him…”

Her lips trembled as she scolded the servant.

But it seemed someone else was even more upset.

“When? When did he leave?”

Brienne jumped up and approached the servant.

“Tell me, quickly!”

“I-I just heard and came to report. It can’t have been long… M-Miss?”

Before the servant could finish, Brienne dashed out of the room. She passed through the back door and headed for the stables, only to find that the horse he brought on the first day was already gone.

‘What on earth is he thinking…!’

She ran straight down the path leading to the manor gates, rain pouring down on her. Her feet splashed into a cold puddle, but the chill soaking through her slippers didn’t matter at all.

Shielding her face with her hand and looking around, she saw Herace in the distance, about to mount a horse.

“…Hey! Stop!”

At her loud voice, Herace paused and turned to look at Brienne.

“Are you crazy?”

Brienne ran to him through the rain. What did her father’s disappearance have to do with him? She couldn’t understand why this man would throw himself into such danger.

“…Miss Ford?”

Seeing Brienne getting closer, Herace’s face showed surprise. As if realizing the situation, Herace immediately took off his coat and wrapped it over Brienne’s head.

“Why did you come out in this weather? It’s raining heavily. You’ll catch a cold dressed like that.”

“What about you? Why are you out in this weather?”

Brienne glared at him fiercely. Sensing her anger, Herace looked troubled.

“I’m… fine.”

“There’s no way you’re fine!”

He really was fine, though. Herace lowered his gaze and shook his shirt sleeve in front of Brienne’s eyes.

“I used waterproof magic. On the jacket you’re wearing, too.”

“…What?”

Waterproof magic? 

Brienne stared at him in disbelief. Herace gave a small laugh and pulled both sleeves of the jacket around her.

“So there’s no need to be so angry.”

With practiced hands, he tied a knot under her chin. As Brienne bowed her head in embarrassment, Herace fastened the jacket tightly and straightened up.

“If you distance yourself from me before we even get closer, it’ll hurt my feelings.”

At a loss for words, Brienne blinked and looked up at Herace’s playful face.

Now that she thought about it, not only his hair but even his shirt wasn’t wet at all.

‘Then why was he so drenched the first day he came here…’

“Miss Brienne…! Please, come inside!”

Marie, who had followed after, wrapped a large blanket around Brienne. Looking back, she saw her mother and Shylo watching from the entrance.

“You should go inside. Madame will be worried.”

Herace smiled softly and prepared to mount his horse again. Glancing back and forth between him and the house, Brienne hastily grabbed Herace’s sleeve.

“Uh, um, excuse me, just a moment.”

Herace obediently offered his arm to Brienne. Clutching him tightly, Brienne hesitated before asking,

“…Are you really going to go?”

“…….”

“I heard you’re going to look for my father. But no matter how much I think about it, I just can’t understand. If the choice you’re making now is in any way related to me…”

An inexplicable anxiety flickered in Brienne’s eyes. Herace, glancing between those clear eyes and the hand tightly gripping his sleeve, lowered himself as if to reassure her.

“That’s not it, Miss Ford. This is entirely my own decision, so you don’t need to feel any burden. I’m just repaying the Marquis for sheltering me from the heavy rain.”

To repay a favor for something so trivial—she wanted to argue that it made no sense, but Herace’s gaze was so resolute. Besides, since this was about her father, Brienne had no intention of quarreling with Herace.

Instead—

“…You’re going even if I try to stop you, right? Even if I beg you not to go?”

“That’s right.”

“Then take me with you!”

“…What?”

At the sudden request, Herace tilted his head slightly. But Brienne was serious.

“Young Master, you’re an incredible mage. Shylo told me you’re even considered for the next Mage Tower Master.”

“…….”

Herace seemed at a loss for words, his lips parting. It was awkward to admit, but it was the truth. Taking advantage of his hesitation, Brienne gripped his sleeve even tighter. If he refused, she wouldn’t let him go.

“Listen carefully. This is my family’s territory, and I’ve lived here a month every year since I was a child. Don’t you think I know this place better than you, Young Master Belif?”

“Miss Ford, that’s…”

Seeing Herace’s troubled expression, Brienne shook her head firmly.

“No matter what you say, I’m coming with you. If a guest who has nothing to do with this insists on going, then I have even more reason to go.”

“…It’s dangerous. This isn’t something you should decide so easily.”

“I didn’t decide easily!”

Brienne’s eyes sharpened. Pulling Herace closer, she pronounced each word with force.

“He’s my father.”