Chapter 50

Chapter 50

By and large, our family routine has been repetitive on days like this. At this point, there wasn’t a single person in Gilette castle who didn’t know that my mom was a sword master and that my parents were a couple of lovebirds. While we were at it, Mom decided to make the most of her abilities and get a job at Gilette Castle.

“Leo, now that the kids are all grown up, I’m thinking about getting a job.”

“E-Elthea? What are you wearing?”

Dad stood there gawking at Mom dressed up in her uniform. I wasn’t sure if he was even listening, but Mom calmly explained the situation to him.

“I’ve been appointed as the countess’s personal guardian knight. Please call me Dame Elthea in official settings.”

“You... So you were a knight?”

“That’s correct, my good sir.”

“Ah!”

Mom gave Dad a quick peck on the back of his hand before taking off to report to work, leaving him in a daze.

There was nothing hard about her escort duties. Gilette Castle was very peaceful and the few knights that were already stationed at the castle did not dare haze the newcomer, considering her status as top grade expert aura user. My only concern thus far was whether she’d be able to match the countess’s fastidious temperament, but that proved to not be an issue.

“My goodness, Dame Elthea!” the countess exclaimed. “Just look at you! You look so dashing in your blues! Just wonderful!”

“You flatter me, milady.”

“Come, come sit down. I’ve prepared some fine tea to have with you.”

“I’m on duty.”

“Now, don’t be like that. Please? I’ve had no one to talk to all day.”

“Then perhaps just one cup.”

“Thank you!”

The countess, Sandra Gilette, had always been isolated from the rest of the aristocracy due to her commoner background. She’d been terribly lonely, confined within the castle walls without anyone to share a cup of tea with or extend invitations to.

Not only did Mom treat her in a kind, courteous manner as a knight, it was only natural that the countess would take a liking to another woman of similar age and great elegance. They had far more in common than one would expect. Both women were mothers, each with a son and a daughter.

“I am completely clueless about how to raise my children,” the countess said. “I’m worried that my eldest has been especially rebellious these days.”

“Everyone goes through a rebellious phase in their lives. I ran away from home when I was young.”

“You did? The honorable knight? Dear me, dear me. Please tell me! What happened?”

“Well, it’s a long story...”

And like that, Mom settled in just fine at Gilette Castle.

✠

Back in the present, I reflected on the turn of events with Bianca.

“Dame Elthea is amazing,” Bianca said. “I have never witnessed my mother being so sweet and agreeable toward anyone before.”

“I know right? I never realized the countess would take such a liking to my mom like that.”

“But if you think about it, it’s only natural.”

“Hm?”

“Since I like you too.”

“Ah.”

⟬The Eye Overseeing All Chaos smiles contentedly.⟭

We had gone for a walk around the dungeon farm and were chatting about random things. The dungeon had already gone through winter and was thawing into spring because of the accelerated time flow.

Helbwehross—I mean, Helveros—had been busy all throughout winter, keeping the farmland warm and toasty. Now that spring was around the corner, it could catch a breather and relax. Nowadays, Helveros spends most of their time lazing about in the small fireplace specially made for it by Epiden.

The demon’s soft, subdued flames undulated with the rise and fall of its breathing. As Epiden was setting a kettle on top of the fireplace to boil some water for tea, a few drops splattered onto Helveros. They flared up in surprise, scorching Epiden’s pearly, I mean bony white face.

Clack click claaaack!

“I-it’s not Helbwehross’ fault! Epi, you suhpwise me fuhs’!”

The flame demon and skeletal monster began to bicker. Another peaceful day in the dungeon farm. Bianca and I resumed our conversation. We continued to talk about my mom’s versatility.

She casually asked, “Allie, I heard Dame Elthea comes from a noble family. I couldn’t ask in detail because she said she’d cut off all ties with her family, but would you happen to know which family she hails from?”

It was only natural that the future count would feel the need to be aware of her knight’s identity. I nodded my head and replied, “You promise you’ll keep it a secret?”

“Of course.”

“It’s Heathfenrir.”

Her reaction was as I expected. Bianca’s eyes became as round as the full moon, crimson irises sparkling like rubies. A few seconds of silence passed before Bianca managed to open her mouth.

“Prin...cess? T-that daughter, Grand Duke Heathfenrir’s lost... daughter?”

“Not lost. She ran away. We actually met up with Grandpa a while back. He wanted her to return home, but Mom cut him off and said she didn’t need his family name or any of his wealth.”

“But still, she refused her position as Princess...” Bianca’s eyes wavered a bit. But her hesitation lasted only for a moment. “From what I remember, the grand duke only had one daughter, right? Then won’t she end up inheriting the family name and wealth anyhow?”

“Yes. I actually had all that in mind when I took Mom’s side when Grandpa asked her to return.”

“Good thinking.”

“I know, right?”

We both giggled at my frivolous joke. Bianca put on a serious face as she looked at me and said, “Promise me that you won’t give me the cold shoulder when you become a royal princess later on?”

“Aw, come on. Don’t be silly. I would never. Just keep in mind that my dad and my brother don’t know about this. Can you keep it a secret until my mom tells them?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

We were sharing some heartwarming moments when Agnes gave a great sigh and lamented, «I still can’t believe it. I’ve been mentoring the scion of Aaron Jake Heathfenrir.»

Agnes and Grandpa had long ago been rivals competing for first place at the knight academy. She grumbled as if she still held a grudge against him for besting her a few times.

I smiled playfully and consoled her, Aw, come on now. Respectable educators shouldn’t let personal grudges get in the way of mentoring students.

We wrapped up our break and headed back to our respective jobs. I went straight back to Dad’s lab. Mom seemed to have tidied up a bit after her disastrous cooking session, but it was still a mess. I planned to clean the place so that Dad wouldn’t have to once he got back from cooking in the annex kitchen.

While I was at it, I decided to refill the reagents back up too, but the extra stock was too high up on the shelf for me to reach. I dragged over a stepladder and reached for it, but I was still a little ways off from being able to touch it. An impulsive thought overcame me and I almost activated Divine Advent but I stopped myself in the nick of time. I stood on my tippy toes trying to reach the chemical when I sensed someone behind me.

“Is this all you need?”

“Ah.”

A slightly deep, but not yet fully resonant voice sounded directly behind me, as the owner of the voice took down the bottle of reagent with ease and handed it to me.

“Oh, Prinz.”

“Heya.”

I turned my head to see Prinz standing directly behind me, one step below the stepladder and supporting my back with one hand.

He was rapidly transforming with each passing day. Seeing him grow from a boy into a tall, handsome young man in the span of a month made me realize how mysterious the body of a boy in the midst of a growth spurt is.

“How are you growing so quickly? You’re a completely different person from who you were yesterday. Are you growing like a foot every other day?”

“Maybe you’re right. My joints hurt like crazy and I can’t get used to it. My voice is all squeaky and weird too.”

“You’re right. You kinda sound like you have a cold,” I said.

“It sounds bad, doesn’t it? They say it’s in the process of getting deeper, but...”

“No, no. Doesn’t your throat hurt when you talk?”

“Nah, it’s not that bad.”

“Oh, okay.”

I looked at Prinz with envy, envisioning the day that I would be as tall as he is now. His face lit up with a wide grin as he suddenly lifted me off the ground, catching me off guard.

“Ho! Here we go!”

“Hey! What are you doing?” I asked.

“I was going to help you off the ladder.”

“Then put me down.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Why!”

“Allie, I didn’t realize you were so tiny. I can lift you up so easily now.” Prinz hoisted my not-so-small ten-year-old body up and swung me around, showing off how tall he was and how strong he was. He seemed to be pleased about the fact that I was still so little while he had grown so much.

I could’ve easily escaped, but I let him do as he wished.

“Ah, when is my little sister going to grow up?”

“I’m gonna be even taller than you, m’kay? I’m going to drink twice as many growth acceleration potions starting today.”

“That’s too bad,” he said. “Then I guess I’d better carry you around with me while I still can. When will I ever get the chance to pick you up again?”

Watching Prinz smile felt like being wrapped in the embrace of a flurry of cherry blossoms. He had become even more charming as he grew taller.

“Rinz, are you happy, now that you’re growing taller?”

“Yup. I can pick you up and carry you around now.”

“Anything else, except that?”

“I’m happy that I can maneuver my sword more easily and execute a wider variety of sword techniques. I feel like I’m growing stronger every day. I’ll protect you from now on, believe me.”

Hmm, I dunno about that. That’s a little... Even right now, my Strong Body level is higher than yours.

«The little one has big dreams.»

Of course, I didn’t say anything out loud. “I believe you! You know, everyone’s expecting great things from you, since you’re the eldest. Keep up the good work, Rinz!”

“Sure!”

I pressured, no I mean, encouraged, him to go earn his knighthood. I think I’m just too nice of a little sister sometimes.

“What brings you here to the lab?” I asked.

“I came to get you.”

“Oh! I guess it’s already that time of day huh?”

“Yup. Mom and Dad are waiting for us. Let’s hurry.” Prinz was in high spirits at the thought of a picnic as he ran outside to where Mom and Dad were, ready to go but waiting patiently for their children.

Mom was beautiful as always, dressed up in a short dress instead of her usual uniform and holding a dainty little parasol in her hands. “How do I look, Leo?”

“You look stunning, Elthea.” Dad just couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

“I’ll carry the picnic basket!”

A basket filled with food might as well have been a treasure chest in the eyes of a growing boy. Prinz hoisted the picnic basket up and led the way.

“Let’s go, Allie. Mom, Dad, hurry up.”

I diligently followed Prinz. My eyes remained focused on the lunch box, I mean, the picnic basket, where the scent of delicious food was wafting out.

Hmm...

⟬The Critic for Balance asks why you’re looking at the picnic basket as if you’re harboring a terrible grudge against it.⟭