23 – 23. The Will to Make Anything Possible
“What’s going on?”
…Ah, well. To others, it might seem like I’m absentmindedly staring into space. I quickly waved my hand to let him know that I’m okay.
“It’s okay. It’s nothing. Just…something, makes me happy. Yes.”
“Happy, huh?”
“Well…it’s embarrassing, but I can’t help but feel grateful that someone like you is interested in someone like me, who has already passed the prime of youth… That’s what I think.”
Now, even these awkward words come out smoothly.
But Frederic seemed to be pleased with that response. He nodded slightly and then spoke.
“I actually thought the same way. Now that she’s past her prime, she’ll definitely be a suitable match.”
“Is that so?”
“…Yes.”
He took a deep breath, rested his arms on the desk in front of me, and placed his chin on his hands.
It’s definitely a good thing that he gave a positive response. But the problem is today. I have to go meet her today.
While he took a moment to think, I leaned against the sofa and wiped my face.
How can I convince him to go meet her today, just today?
Curious about who his fiancée is? Should I use the excuse of wanting to see the estate and show her my face if we get married?
There’s also the option of not going at all… But I’m too concerned about the rapid change in her mental state.
Besides, it’s been quite a while since the likability gauge has been empty, and I can’t see anything.
What if her mental state changes here? How will it change further?
Wait a minute. He was always there by my side in the previous chapter. So this time…
What does it mean to change? Is there such a thing as liking someone more here?
I haven’t experienced any of this before, and it feels like I’m asking too much from someone who has no experience and has never met a woman…
But still, what could possibly happen? Maybe I should ask Frederick once and if it doesn’t work out, just let it go…?
“…If you’re so curious, why don’t you go and see for yourself?”
“Wha-?!”
…Surprising. Was I really so lost in thought?
“…Repeti. What were you thinking about? Did I startle you that much?”
Scratching the back of his head with a puzzled look, he cautiously spoke to him.
“I mean… just now, what did you say?”
“Well, I asked if you would like to meet her. How about sometime tomorrow or the day after -“
“What about today?”
Right, that’s true. He was planning to send me away from the beginning. In that case, it’s better to strike while the iron is hot and go all out.
“Today? Repeti, there’s no need to rush -“
“But she’s my fiancée, Father!”
“…Have you always been so eager to reveal your feelings for a woman?”
Oh, did I seem that way…? But, isn’t it natural to be curious?
“How could I not be curious when a lady shows interest in me?”
“Fine…”
As if unwilling, he closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
…There’s no other way.
This direct approach might work for a foolish son.
Standing up and placing both hands on his shoulders –
“Father, it’s my wish as your son. Please, I beg you. Yes?”
Finally, his head tilted and a long sigh escaped him, soon followed by a nod.
“Yes… yes. I suppose there’s no helping it. If you’re that curious, it wouldn’t hurt to go and see. But – at the very least, write me a letter once you arrive there. And… Lepeti!”
He suddenly let go of my shoulder and stopped me from leaving.
Turning back to him with a wry smile, it wasn’t a kind expression he was giving me, but rather a worldly one.
“Don’t cause any trouble when you go. I believe you understand the meaning.”
“Yes, Father. Thank you.”
“Summon the carriage. We should be able to arrive around evening.”
“Yes. Then… I’ll be off!”
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Closing the door behind me, I quickly made my way to my room after asking a maid to bring my luggage.
I hastily picked out a few clothes and neatly folded them before quickly stuffing them into my already arrived suitcase.
Holding the prepared bag in one hand, I was about to descend the stairs and leave the mansion when suddenly…
“Lepeti!”
Frederick appeared, raising his hand from the upper floor.
“I’ll be back!”
As I vigorously waved my hand, he smiled widely, then lowered his arm.
With the suitcase in tow, I got into the carriage and urged the coachman.
“Quickly, let’s go!”
“You really seem to be enjoying this, my lord.”
The coachman chuckled and flicked the reins energetically.
Sure. That was supposed to be good enough…
*
“…Thank you for your hard work…”
“Please be careful as you enter. My goodness, if I had known you would struggle so much, I would have driven a little slower.”
“No, it’s alright… Ugh. I had to hurry, so…”
“Please rest your body, my lord. Wouldn’t it be better for you to go to the lady looking your best?”
“I think that would be best…”
I never thought a bumpy carriage ride could induce such severe motion sickness.
I had been careless, thinking I had never experienced motion sickness before.
Why is the coachman in such a hurry? Will the carriage not jolt up and down – I couldn’t even worry about that,
Just keeping my body firmly in place, with the thought that I must not vomit in the carriage, my whole body ached.
Will I even make it to the mansion like this…
“No, who are you people?”
A group of knights suddenly appeared from behind the carriage.
They all looked tense, inspecting the carriage from every angle, and soon enough, they were asking the coachman.
“By any chance… have you come to escort the guest from Gaile?”
“Yes… that’s correct. This person here is our lord. Lord Lepti Gaile.”
“Who are you to seek me out?”
Finally, the knights relaxed their expressions a little and then, unexpectedly, they bowed to me.
“Welcome to the territory of Melbus, Lord Lepti Gaile. We are here to serve you under the orders of our lord.”
“When you say ‘Gaju’…?”
“It’s Irene, the Countess.”
“Ah…”
So I’ve really taken the position of a count. In such a short time.
…The story is truly changing. It’s a story I don’t know.
But I was somewhat prepared.
“…Then, should I follow?”
“Yes. The carriage is ready. Once you get on, we’ll escort you comfortably to the mansion.”
“Then, please.”
“Take care, Your Grace!”
I waved to the groom who waved his hand to me, and then started walking with the heavily armed knights.
But… come to think of it, why are there so many crows on the path I’m walking?
Crows are flying in flocks in the sky, and it seems like there’s one on every rooftop of the houses.
Moreover, they’re all looking this way, giving off an eerie feeling.
…Well, there must be nothing special going on.
“Mr. Gail, this way.”
The knight extended his arm to me as I was silently watching the crows, guiding me towards the carriage.
I followed him and got into the carriage.
“…Tell the young lady the news. Hurry.”
Once I got on the carriage, the knight blew his whistle forcefully.
So, surprisingly, a crow flew towards him?
He tied a note to its leg, gave it a stroke, and let it fly away.
Even though he had heard about it before, it was the first time he had seen a crow being used like that.
Perhaps crows are intelligent too.
“Sir Gail, I will escort you comfortably to the mansion. If there is anything uncomfortable, please let me know immediately.”
“Yes, I appreciate it.”
“Originally… Lady Gaju was supposed to come in person, but we managed to persuade her to let the knights and us take care of it safely… I hope you understand.”
“Why did you stop her?”
“…Yes, just a moment!”
He swung the reins forcefully, causing the horses to move, and then continued his interrupted response.
“Now that the young lady has taken Lady Gaju’s place, she will officially be in charge of the family’s business. As there is a lot of work to be done, if you delay it by meeting Sir Gail, the work will continue to be postponed, and it seems that the peace of the territory may also be jeopardized.”
Enjoying the comfort of the carriage as it smoothly moved forward, he continued to listen attentively to his story.
“So, in addition to Lady Gaju’s strong objection, the butler and the housekeeper inside the mansion also earnestly requested… that we take care of it instead.”
“I see… Since our father spends most of his time in the office, it makes sense.”
“That’s what most noble people do. Thanks to that, the people of the territory can live more comfortably.”
Passing through the streets, he introduced several restaurants and shops.
It feels much more pleasant and comfortable than when I first arrived here… I wonder why.
Certainly, both the knights and the coachman seemed to be making an effort to pay attention to me.
In this enjoyable state, we finally arrived at the front gate of the mansion.
“We have arrived, Sir Gail. Welcome to the Melbus family mansion.”
The door opened, and the servants bowed their heads and took my luggage.
“The lady is waiting for you. We will guide you there. We will bring your luggage to the room you will be using.”
“I appreciate it.”
Such an elaborate welcome, truly… She took care of everything.
With that in mind, how exactly did Count Lambert plan to entangle me and kill me? I wondered.
Following the servants, I was led to a room and soon I was able to meet her.
When our eyes finally met, as I looked directly at the door… I felt a chill.
Her eyes pierced through me. Clearly.
I felt a strange sensation, as if something was being taken away from me.
The servants suddenly closed the door and disappeared, leaving me face to face with her.
She slowly stood up and approached me.
Step by step.
Her hair was neatly arranged, but there were blood vessels in the corners of her eyes.
Dark circles were prominent under her eyes, and her face became flushed rapidly.
When she finally reached out her hand, it felt like I saw something in her eyes.
Yes.
The eyes of that raven.