Chapter 27

After descending the mountain, Alvis and the others stayed overnight before returning to the mansion.

"Welcome back, Master Alvis."

"Thanks, Elina."

Elina, as usual, greeted them. When Alvis raised his hand in response, Elina stared at him intently, as if searching for something. The familiar gesture made him smile wryly.

"I'm fine. I didn't get hurt or anything."

"Really?"

But Elina didn't ask Alvis; instead, she turned to Din, who was standing behind. Surprised to be questioned, Din hesitated for a moment before regaining his composure and nodding.

"Yes, Your Highness. There's no need to worry."

"Good."

"...You don't trust me, do you?"

"Rex."

Alvis turned his gaze to Rex, who was laughing beside Din. Rex, despite being glared at, just grinned without a care. Knowing himself, Alvis couldn't deny it. Elina was also smiling. The unusually warm and friendly atmosphere made Elina think everything was fine. She let out a relieved sigh. It was understandable, given that something always happened whenever Alvis went on a long trip. While nothing major occurred this time, it was a good opportunity for Alvis to release some energy, and in a way, it was convenient.

After entering the mansion and taking a quick shower, Alvis relaxed in the guest room. It was still early in the afternoon, and he had no plans for the rest of the day. This trip to the duchy was part of an inspection, but the schedule was quite flexible. This was partly because of Elina's health, but also because Alvis himself wanted to tour the capital, not as a prince but as Alvis. He hadn't decided whether to bring Elina, but he suspected she would insist on coming.

While thinking about this, Alvis idly looked at a map of the capital. Then, Elina and Sara entered the guest room.

"Master Alvis, would you like some tea?"

"Sure, thanks."

Sara efficiently set out the tea, while Elina sat on the sofa where Alvis had been sitting, holding a book he hadn't seen before.

"What's that?"

"Yes, this is... the diary that Naris kept."

"Diary? Naris's... Why do you have it?"

"Well, it... has information about your childhood."

"...You read it?"

"Yes."

Alvis hadn't expected such a thing to exist. On second thought, it made sense that it wasn't something that would be thrown away. As the second son of the duchy and a legitimate heir to the throne, it was natural for it to be kept. But why would Elina have it? Alvis thought, but then he imagined Naris eagerly showing it, and he slumped his shoulders.

"Ocvius also said that knowing about your childhood might help when the baby is born, though I thought you might not be happy about it."

"Ah, I see."

Naris had shown it to Elina for the sake of the birth. It made sense. Even if Elina wasn't the same person, knowing how Alvis grew up could be useful for her. Given this, Alvis had no choice but to accept it, though he wasn't particularly happy about it. In fact, he would rather she didn't read it. However, the bookmark in the book suggested she had already read quite a bit.

"Preferably, I'd rather you not read it in front of me."

This was the compromise Alvis could make. Why should he have to show his precious woman his childhood records? At least if she read it when he wasn't around, he could accept it more easily. Elina chuckled.

"Understood."

"Thanks."

Elina put the book down on the table. Despite being thick, Alvis felt a bit guilty, knowing how much effort Naris must have put into writing it, not just for Alvis but also for Ocvius, who couldn't be by his side.

"Master Alvis?"

"It's nothing."

Alvis took the cup Sara had prepared and sipped the tea. Elina also reached for the table. As he listened to Elina's stories from his absence, she suddenly clasped her hands as if remembering something.

"By the way, Master Alvis. If you have time this evening, Kiara said she wants to talk to you."

"Kiara?"

"Yes. She wants to talk to you and also go somewhere together."

Since coming to the duchy, Alvis and Kiara had often gone their separate ways. He didn't expect her to need anything from him. Rather, he had let her be free, as the duchy's people were used to Rithine, and Kiara, being Rithine's sister, seemed to be enjoying herself.

"She also seems to have become friends with Miralia and wants to go somewhere together."

"Even in the capital, Miri doesn't go out much. But with the guards, I think it would be fine for Kiara to go alone."

"I don't know the details, but it seems Kiara told Miralia that she could go if you were with her."

"Ah, I see. Got it, I'll talk to her later."

"Thank you."