Chapter 111
My worry that putting the eccentric Yuimei twins and the oddball Drew together would lead to something outrageous turned out to be needless worry... for now.
The modular polearm has Drew utterly absorbed in a new toy called Spiral, and he barely pays any attention to the twins anymore.
The twins, for their part, perhaps feeling some sort of kinship as fellow eccentrics, repeatedly circled Drew warily, like wild animals asserting their territory.
In any case, our unusual group set out for Wickhart's family home.
"...So, why is Lapilia-sama here?"
"What? Got a complaint?"
"No, not at all. But I heard before why you don't want to go home. Is it really all right for you not to return until the end of the year?"
Lapilia-sama found matchmaking proposals a nuisance and disliked returning to her family home. She must have been even more reluctant at this time of year, when all her relatives gathered. Frein was staying away for the same reason, after all. The difference was that Frein merely avoided visiting during the season when his relatives gathered; he returned home normally at other times.
"I've already gone to show my face to the people close to me."
Apparently, Lapilia-sama had taken some time off early and secretly gone home. According to her, she outmaneuvered her relatives by changing the timing of her visits each year. As a result, a fierce psychological battle was waged between Lapilia-sama and her relatives every year.
"That's why I'm not going for fun; it's work. I'm here to keep an eye on you and survey the surrounding area."
"Keep an eye on us?"
"Yes. If the twins ran wild, you wouldn't be able to stop them, would you, Roa?"
"Well, that's certainly true."
In practical terms, what Lapilia-sama had said was a great help.
Although we normally treated one another casually, Wickhart, Frein, and I were all hesitant around the twins from another knight order. I had thought it might be difficult for us to stand up to them if something happened.
Lapilia-sama looked like she'd give them a sharp dressing-down without a second thought.
"Were you thinking something rude about me just now?" Lapilia-sama deftly kicked my leg from atop her horse.
And so, the party visiting Wickhart's family home consisted of me, Frein, the Yuimei twins, Drew, and Lapilia-sama.
We traveled along the coastal road. By now, snow must have piled up thickly on the Zetta Plain, but this area, at the southernmost point of the continent, received almost no snow.
The sea wind was cold enough, though. The whole bundled-up group, swathed in thick, puffy clothes, continued at an unhurried pace.
After spending several days enjoying the changing scenery, I was suddenly struck by a sense of déjà vu and cocked my head.
"...This area looks kind of familiar..." Even Arrow seemed to be walking with a lighter step.
"Wickhart, is your family home near Hauwers Ranch?" Frein's question made me realize why. Right—we'd taken this road when we went to that ranch.
"Oh, you've been to Hauwers Ranch?"
"It's more than just that I've been there... That's where Roa got his horse, you know?"
"I see. Then thank you."
"Thank me?"
"Yes. Hauwers is my family's home, a ranch in Hogbeck Territory."
Despite feeling an oddly meaningful connection upon hearing Wickhart's explanation, we eventually arrived in Hogbeck Territory.
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"Ah, Wickhart! Thank goodness you're safe!"
Wickhart's parents welcomed him with hugs as soon as we arrived.
Although they had been informed of the circumstances in advance by letter, hearing that Wickhart had been stripped of his post as knight commander and placed under the Tenth Knight Order—and that the Tenth Knight Order had fought a fierce battle on the Zetta Plain—must have left his parents extremely worried.
We watched their reunion warmly for a while. Even the twins, to their credit, read the room and stayed quiet.
"Father, Mother, let's talk later. More importantly, let's get our guests inside; it's cold out."
"Ah, yes, of course. Sorry to keep you waiting. Please come in. Make yourselves at home while you're staying with us."
"Got it!"
"We're home!"
The twins sure were quick to adapt.
Drew, by contrast, was muttering to himself again today, his mind somewhere far away. I wonder if this is what I look like when Rufa scolds me. It really is dangerous on horseback. I'll be more careful.
"What a lovely home."
"You must be Lapilia-sama? The size is rather embarrassing compared with the mansion of a great noble like yourself."
"Not at all. Bigger isn't always better. It's a shame it's winter, but the garden seems very well kept, and it's lovely. Did you tend it, Madam?"
"Indeed, as expected of you, Lapilia-sama. I hope you'll visit when the weather is warmer."
"Please do invite me."
Lapilia-sama was having a proper noblewoman's conversation with Wickhart's mother. I guess she could pull off the noblewoman act, too. Nearby, Frein was chatting with Wickhart's father.
"Now, everyone, come inside!" At Wickhart's urging, we went into the house.
Inside, two women were chatting in front of the fireplace.
"Opa! You're here!"
"Yes, Wickhart-sama. I thought I might intrude on your reunion with your parents, so I was waiting here."
The graceful woman spoke in that gentle manner. When Wickhart took her hand, she rose slowly and bowed to us. Her long, silky hair slipped down along her cheeks.
"Roa-dono, everyone, let me introduce you to my fiancée, Opa."
Fiancée... I thought Wickhart really did tend to leave out some important details when explaining things to us.