Chapter 56

Mariveil set out for the capital city. She had begged Eidan to come with her.

After all, if Eidan didn’t come, she would have nearly ten guards assigned to her.

If it were that many, she could only go as far as the central square.

When she said she would go with Eidan, the number of guards was reduced to three. She wore a hood to make her hair and eye color less noticeable as she walked through the city with Eidan. Mariveil was slightly irritated by Eidan’s attire, which seemed oddly familiar.

“—So, where are we going now?”

“I said ‘various places.’”

“Tell me what those various places are.”

When Mariveil had asked Eidan to come with her to the city, he hadn’t asked too many questions.

After all, he had spent a lot of time playing in the city when he was around Mariveil’s age. He was worried about his sister’s restricted life and wanted to fulfill her wishes as much as possible.

He promised to go on a day when he had no plans and even helped persuade their father, Rias.

At first, Rias had said he would come along, but Mariveil declined, saying she wanted to go out with just the children.

From that, Eidan thought there must be some purpose to the trip. Something she didn’t want to tell their parents.

“If you want my help, you should have said so beforehand.”

“I thought I might go see Aila.”

“Aila hasn’t been here since last month.”

“Really?”

“She’s on a training program at a winery that the Grape Pavilion does business with.”

Mariveil had heard it would take about a year for her to return.

“—That’s sad, brother.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m busy too.”

Eidan’s expression was unreadable. They were close, and even when they were apart, they seemed to be aware of each other.

Mariveil knew they used to play together at the Grape Pavilion, whispering and making eye contact. Over the years, Eidan had become more reserved, and sometimes she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“I was thinking of visiting the winery when winter comes. Do you want to come, Mariveil?”

“I don’t know.”

For Mariveil to move around, a lot of preparation was needed, which was quite troublesome.

“I have plans to go fishing at Lake Haginora with Grandfather in the winter.”

They would set up a tent on the ice and fish through holes they drilled. With the former king, security would be easier, and Grandfather would be happy, as would the other household members.

—She used to not have to worry about such things.

Eidan placed his hand on Mariveil’s head.

“I can protect you, Mariveil.”

“Are you going to carry me?”

She giggled, and Eidan laughed too. They linked arms and walked.

“Actually, about Alro—”

“Huh?”

It was an unusual tone for the usually calm and princely Eidan.

“Is it about him?”

It sounded like he was regretting coming. Mariveil tightened her grip on Eidan’s arm.

“I heard Alro’s family lives nearby, and I wanted to see it.”

Eidan stopped and looked down at Mariveil. Since her head was below his chest, it felt somewhat intimidating.

“What? You’re interested?”

“Did you know, brother? Alro doesn’t live in the castle but commutes.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you know he gives all his salary to his father?”

“...I didn’t know that.”

He wasn’t particularly interested.

“I’ve been wondering about it. The Ziek family isn’t that wealthy, but I don’t think they would pay such a low allowance to a page. I mean, it should be enough for a normal life.”

Mariveil explained earnestly, determined to push through even if she was told no.

“Alro is very thin, right? He always wears the same clothes, and they don’t fit him well.”

“Commoners usually wear second-hand clothes, so they’re not always the right size.”

“I know that.”

She didn’t like being spoken to as if she were a child.

“I heard Alro’s father doesn’t work because he’s not feeling well.”

“Did Alro say something?”

“No. He always says everything is fine and he’s not having any trouble.”

Mariveil’s face darkened, and Eidan sighed.

If Alro had said he was having trouble, Eidan could have easily banned him from the castle.

“Maybe the medical bills are high, or maybe his father is taking the money—”

“Even if that’s true, Alro says he’s not having any trouble. Don’t you think you shouldn’t interfere?”

“I don’t think so at all.”

Mariveil said firmly.

Alro had lightened her heart so much and always helped her. Now it was her turn to help him.

“The apartment with the blue roof, two streets past the fourth street from the main road.”

“Hey, Mariveil.”

“I don’t know the way, so please guide me.”

Her tone was so much like Cynthia’s that Eidan felt even more exasperated.

Both Eidan and Rias were against Mariveil’s interactions with Alro. It was only due to Cynthia’s pressure that they allowed it to continue.

“Hey, wait a minute. What are you going to do? Are you going to say, ‘Hello, I’m Alro’s friend’? Doing that without knowing the relationship between Alro and his father—”

“Brother.”

Mariveil put her hands on her hips and glared up at Eidan.

“I don’t think about such things. Just guide me, will you?”

“Mariveil.”

“I’m going to Alro’s house today. I’ll decide what to do when I get there. Unlike you, I don’t meticulously plan things, you know?”

“Meticulously...”

“If you don’t come, I’ll go with Tan.”

Tan, who was part of today’s guard, was suddenly chosen. Despite his expressionless face, he seemed flustered.

“Don’t put Tan in a difficult position.”

Eidan looked down at Mariveil, who met his gaze with a strong will. He had never won against those eyes.

He sighed.

“Alright. Let’s go. But if you do anything inappropriate, I’ll stop you.”

“...Do you really think you’re a normal person?”

“I’ve been told I’m well-behaved up until today.”

“Sure, people say that to your face.”

Thinking he might change his mind, Mariveil quickly started walking. It seemed she was already taking a different route, and Eidan had to pull her back.

“Mariveil. What did you mean by that?”

“What did I mean?”

“You said I think I’m a normal person.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You did say I think I’m a normal person.”

Eidan often said Mariveil’s ideas were outlandish.

However, Mariveil had started to understand what a normal noble child was like since she began attending the academy.

Noble children didn’t play with commoners in the city or volunteer to be their sister’s guard.

Recently, Eidan seemed to be trying to appear normal while hiding his light powers.

“You’re serious, but you’re not normal. You’re trying to appear normal, so you’re fixated on being conventional.”

“Mariveil...”

Eidan’s eyes widened slightly.

“You can use big words now. ‘Fixated.’ You must be taking your classes seriously.”

Mariveil looked surprised but then smiled broadly.

“I really like that about you, brother.”

No matter how much they talked, when it came to Mariveil, Eidan always ended up fully supporting her.

Mariveil clung to Eidan’s arm.

“I love you, brother.”

“Even if you say that... If I think it’s a bad idea, I’ll carry you back.”

“Okay, okay.”

The blue-roofed apartment complex was home to people who, while not in poverty, certainly didn’t have much to spare.

Mariveil could tell from the laundry hanging out and the general appearance of the residents.

“Alro’s house is on the first floor, the far right.”

“You know that much...”

He was a bit scared of his sister’s information-gathering skills.

He hoped she wouldn’t start following Alro or taking his belongings.

“Can I peek inside?”

“No way. A noble lady like you showing up suddenly would shock them.”

Wondering what to do, Mariveil walked around the house, went to the end, and came back. Eidan watched her, hoping she would give up.

If she tried to peek inside, he would take her away immediately.

“—Hey, brother, I just realized something amazing!”

Eidan had a bad feeling from the excited tone in Mariveil’s voice.

“Look, the house next door is empty.”

“...It seems so.”

“Tan, go buy it quickly.”

Mariveil said with a smile.

“Wait. Don’t use Tan.”

“What? Can’t I? Then—Sir Orenzia.”

Mariveil tried to hand a gold coin to Sir Orenzia, but Eidan quickly grabbed her hand.

“Idiot, don’t show that kind of thing here.”

“Idiot...?”

“—Okay, okay, you’re not an idiot. But Mariveil, what do you plan to do with the house next door?”

“Eavesdrop.”

It was a statement that didn’t fit a noble lady at all.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Brother, Alro will be home early today. We don’t have time for this.”

She knew that much too.

Eidan gave up, rubbed his temples, and asked Tan to buy the house.

Mariveil didn’t wait for the contract and went into the empty house.

Alro returned in the afternoon.

Mariveil sat on a piece of cloth that Eidan had laid on an empty box in the empty house. Eidan and the guards stood, not sitting.

Even without pressing her ear to the wall, the conversation was clear because the window was open and they were being quiet.

“I’m back.”

“You’re early.”

“I had an early shift today.”

“Well, you could have done another job, couldn’t you?”

“...Yes.”

Was this his father?

The tone was cold, but Alro’s voice was normal.

“Whatever. Make dinner.”

“I couldn’t go shopping.”

“What? You could have stopped on the way back.”

“I don’t have any money.”

“Huh?”

There was a sound of something breaking. Mariveil shuddered, and Eidan looked up sharply.

“I gave you money last time, didn’t I? What did you spend it on?”

“J-Just on food...”

“Did you eat it all?”

“No, I didn’t eat. I gave it all to Father. With 30 pennies, I could only make enough food for three days—”

Crash!

Another sound of something breaking. Eidan put his arm around Mariveil’s shoulder.

“Don’t talk back! Do you think you’re better because you work for a noble family?”

“No, I don’t—”

“The payday is still far off! I don’t have any money. It’s still early, go earn some money and buy food!”

“But, now?”

“Are you still talking, you useless brat! Who do you think made my leg like this?”

“—It’s my fault.”

“If you know that, go and get the money!”

More things were thrown, and Alro’s footsteps ran away.

Mariveil was frozen in shock, unable to move.

Eidan gently picked her up and whispered in her ear.

“—Let’s go home, Mariveil.”

“But... Alro—”

Her voice was trembling.

“It’s okay, leave it to me.”

—Ah, I’m no good.

Mariveil closed her eyes in frustration.

She was scared by the shouting and didn’t know what to do.

Feeling helpless and frustrated, Mariveil clung to Eidan.