Chapter 167 - Return (2)

The restraint was released and I returned to my original position. I never did hear the name of the one who passed Zeldan Hart's test.

The awkward journey with Bibi's carriage continued all the way to the lodgings. Silveryn maintained her dissatisfied expression throughout the return trip.

She rested her chin on her hand and pouted while speaking, "That woman seems like she'll follow us even on the return journey to Eternia."

It might be a bit excessive, but I understood Duchess Bibi's feelings of regret. I was one of her few reliable companions, and once I left, she'd be lonely for a while.

"Teacher, are you returning to Eternia with us too?"

She shook her head.

"Then must we part now?"

"Yes. But I'll accompany you for a while on your return journey. I want to see you off. There's also... one place I'd like to go together."

"I'd like that."

Now that the schedule in the Principality was finished, I needed to return to Eternia. The semester was ongoing at Eternia, and if I dawdled, I'd miss precious classes.

And it was somewhat comforting to know I wouldn't be parting with Silveryn immediately.

The carriage stopped after entering the castle grounds.

And as if by agreement, Bibi's carriage stopped behind us.

When I got out of the carriage with Silveryn, Bibi also descended from hers. Bibi was alone, and she just stood there watching us, unsure what to do. Had she followed us without any plan?

She seemed intimidated by Silveryn. Silveryn glanced sideways at Bibi, who was hanging back. Perhaps she sensed Silveryn's hostility and couldn't approach readily.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

It was the first time I'd seen Bibi look so unsure of herself.

Silveryn folded her arms and spoke coldly, "It seems you have something to say to him."

"May I go for a moment?"

A cold current flowed between Bibi and Silveryn. Though I didn't know what history between them, judging by the atmosphere, I shouldn't keep these two close any longer.

Silveryn sighed and answered, "Go ahead."

When I walked toward Bibi, color finally returned to her face. It was like a prisoner meeting family.

Bibi met me with quick steps and grasped both my wrists tightly.

"You're dressed so handsomely. You seem like a different person."

"You look very beautiful too, Your Grace."

"I'm tired of empty compliments, but it feels different coming from you. I came because I have something to tell you. Father wants to see you."

"It seems he has more to say."

"It appears so. Don't worry too much, you've done nothing wrong. And... when do you plan to leave?"

"I'll leave tomorrow without further delay."

A momentary sadness crossed Bibi's face. But she tried not to show it too much.

"...I see. Though you're now welcome to stay here as long as you wish, and would be welcomed anywhere in the Principality, you must have many duties to complete. Father will come to this castle this evening. Be prepared. And..."

Bibi hesitated, unable to finish her words.

"Is there something else you wish to say?"

She glanced briefly at Silveryn with resentful eyes before speaking, "I thought we could be together until you left, but I was mistaken... Could you spare some time for me before you leave? Even just an hour would be fine."

I nodded. Though I was leaving early, it wasn't so urgent that every minute counted.

"I'll wait at whatever time Your Grace wishes."

Bibi smiled brightly, showing her teeth. Then she placed her palm against my cheek.

"Yes, that's enough... Let's meet under the Zelkova tree in the western garden of this castle at six in the evening. I hope it can be just the two of us."

Then she turned sharply and got into her carriage.

I returned to Silveryn after finishing my business. But Silveryn's energy felt unusual.

She stood with folded arms, glaring at Bibi's carriage with fiery eyes.

"...Teacher?"

***

Bibi took great care in brushing her hair and grooming herself. Though there wasn't much to fix after the appointment ceremony at Memorial Hall, she touched up here and there, wanting to stand out more.

Her goal was simply to be memorable. She needed to remain in his memory so he would think of her occasionally, and thinking of her would make him want to see her, and thus plant seeds for wanting to visit the Principality in the future.

As she finished preparing, a servant entered through the door.

"The kitchen seems to have finished preparations."

"Good. Let's go now."

Bibi and the servant left the room and headed for the garden. A cook was waiting there with a cart.

The savory smell of bread stimulated her nose.

She asked, "It hasn't... gotten cold?"

"It's still hot enough to burn your hands, we might need time to let it cool. Even if it cools, the taste won't change."

"Good. That's sufficient."

Bibi hurried her steps. The evening sunset was falling, and the appointed time with Damian approached.

The promised zelkova tree in the western garden came into view. Someone was sitting and waiting beneath it.

She personally carried the plate from the cart with both hands. Her heart was full of anticipation.

Then Bibi stopped briefly when she recognized the person from a distance.

Snow-white skin and dark red hair fluttering in the wind.

The person sitting under the Zelkova tree was Silveryn.

"..."

Bibi's heart turned cold.

And Damian was lying with his head in her lap. Silveryn was playfully poking his face with an innocent expression.

It was a beautiful, serene scene like a painting, but Bibi couldn't appreciate it comfortably.

Am I not allowed even an hour? 

Despite how she had asked. She became listless, all motivation draining away.

Bibi stood still dejectedly for a while before slowly turning around.

"Let's go back."

"My lady?"

She turned and walked back weakly along the path she had come.

The servants watched with sympathetic hearts. They had witnessed how hard she had prepared for this more than anyone.

Bibi repeatedly stopped while walking, lost in thought.

Then, with something welling up in her eyes, she suddenly turned around again. She strode purposefully toward Damian.

Despite Silveryn's hostile gaze piercing her sharply, she paid it no mind.

The servants followed and spread a mat next to Damian.

Bibi sat down demurely and opened the plate cover.

It was a Sankrotis-style apple pie that Damian had previously mentioned wanting to try.

Only then did Damian sense someone's presence and sit up.

"You've... come."

He showed an awkward expression upon seeing Bibi's face. Judging by his look, he, too, seemed to have had no choice but to be accompanied by the uninvited guest.

Heavy air flowed as no one spoke.

Damian sweated nervously between the two women engaged in their silent battle.

Finally, Bibi, filled with hostility, spoke, "Not even allowed time alone, it seems you're under quite oppressive guidance."

It was a sarcastic comment aimed at Silveryn. It was words that even the bravest wouldn't easily speak, but Bibi didn't fear because her remaining days were few.

Moreover, intruding on their private time was clearly improper. This point deserved criticism.

Silveryn answered calmly, "Well, I can't just let him go when handcuffs might be placed on my disciple's wrists again at any time."

Damian seemed to be racking his brain to lighten the mood, but apparently couldn't find an answer.

Bibi placed a slice of apple pie on a plate and handed it to Damian.

"I didn't come to trouble you, so please be at ease."

"Did you have something to discuss?"

"I only wanted to spend comfortable time with you. Also... I hadn't prepared anything special for you."

Then she glanced at Silveryn and reluctantly served her a slice of pie, pushing it forward.

"Please eat."

And so they ate in silence. For a whole hour.

After finishing breakfast, I groomed myself again and put on a tunic. I still had a schedule with Grand Duke Gainax.

Though I'd met him once the day before, I couldn't help feeling nervous. I was meeting the highest authority ruling a principality. Considering that just a few years ago I couldn't even look nobles in the eye, this was extraordinary.

I knocked on the door of the VIP room where Grand Duke Gainax was staying.

Soon after, a servant opened the door from inside.

Grand Duke Gainax, with his fighter-like appearance from yesterday, sat in a chair to receive me.

"Ah, I've been waiting."

"It's truly an honor to meet you again."

"Enough with the formalities, let's shake hands."

His tone and atmosphere were cold and emotionally restrained, like an exam supervisor.

When I shook his offered hand, firm strength transmitted through his palm. 

Is he trying to gauge my strength?

Grand Duke Gainax stared at me intently with eagle-like eyes. Just enduring that gaze made me feel stripped bare.

"Good. That's sufficient."

Fortunately, I seemed to meet the Grand Duke's standards.

"Sit down. I heard you've had a hard time dealing with Bibi's temperament."

"Not at all."

"No need to deny it. I know Bibi's personality well. Having lost her mother early, Bibi lacks many soft, feminine aspects. She's very stubborn, obsessive, and holds grudges with such intensity she'll remember them for life."

"The Duchess I saw was strong and upright."

"That's exactly how my daughter evaluated you."

"..."

"Half of what my daughter tells me is about you. Most of what Bibi knows, I know too."

"It's more attention than I deserve."

"No, you've earned it. Didn't you slay a phantasmal beast? Bibi says you have a special power different from others. Could you give me a hint about what kind of power it is?"

"..."

"I see, your cautious attitude suggests it's something that shouldn't be revealed to others. Don't worry, I'll maintain confidentiality about that matter."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"And you, too, should keep quiet about enjoying dates with my daughter."

"...?"

What did I enjoy...?

"Ah, and there's another reason I wanted to see you. You've achieved merits worthy of receiving the Platinum Shield. And such merits deserve proper compensation."

"..."

He touched his temple with his hand and spoke in a businesslike tone.

"Name the land you want."

This can't be. Is he going to grant me a fief?

Becoming a landowner had been my dream since childhood. However, I knew nothing about the Principality's geography and had never thought about it. Even if I received land, I didn't know how to manage it. And since entering Eternia, I'd lost interest in becoming a landowner.

"..."

"Seems it was too difficult a question."

If it was land... I'd like it to be close to Eternia, and somewhere that wouldn't cause problems even if left unmanaged. Also, it should have many hidden resources while not being coveted by other nobles to avoid political conflicts.

How would I know such a good place? I didn't even know the Principality's geography...

Then suddenly a region flashed through my mind. There was one area in the Principality I knew best. Before the opportunity passed, I quickly answered, "Actually, there is one place I've had my eye on."

Grand Duke Gainax's eyebrow twitched with interest.

"Tell me."

"I would like to receive part of Barbisia as my fief."

Barbisia preserved its primitive natural state, meaning it was an undeveloped region. And it was land that no one wanted.

He nodded repeatedly while looking at me silently.

"You're not just talented in swordsmanship, I see."