Chapter 16

Once again, I casually glanced outside and saw my brother Albes leading a horse right next to the carriage.

My brother on horseback, holding the reins... I’m pretty sure he’s sleeping.

His bangs are falling over his eyes, so I can’t see, but he must have his eyes closed.

They say that dozing off while leading a horse is one of the special skills of a seasoned knight. Today, my brother is impressively steady.

It seems like he would sleep better in the carriage, but my brother insists that he sleeps better on the horse.

It’s a resting method he uses only when there are companions, but I can’t quite understand it.

Every time I see him like this, I think that if we stay at an inn in the capital, my brother would be a bit more comfortable. He wouldn’t have to make the return trip in a day.

Since inns for nobles are expensive, my brother usually comes back home unless it’s absolutely necessary.

If we had more money, I would want to do that much for him.

...Would it be so bad to use my dowry, which I no longer have a use for, to rent a house for a limited time?

Besides, I think my brother should get new clothes soon.

The clothes he wears for going out were made when he inherited the viscount title. Although they are well-maintained and don’t look old, a light purple, which is in fashion, would suit his dark blonde hair well.

He is a bit tanned, but my brother is very tall, broad-shouldered, and has a well-built physique. His features are also well-defined.

He is a hard worker, and when he wields a sword, bandits run away. He is also very emotional, and even considering his lack of wealth, he is a worthy candidate for attention.

The reason he doesn’t have a lover is that he is always holed up in the territory, working on farming and management. If he had more opportunities to be seen, he would surely receive many marriage proposals...

“Lady Lucia. There’s Lord Fil.”

Just as I was lost in thought, Tiana gently called out to me.

We had already left the Laguren Viscounty and were close to the capital. A little further down the road, there was someone who had dismounted and was waving.

There was another person in a knight’s uniform standing nearby, looking tense.

The carriage slowed down and stopped.

My brother, who had been leading the horse, finally woke up and came back to the road. In the meantime, the carriage door opened, and Fil got in.

“Wow, Lucia, you look even prettier!”

After a light greeting, Fil sat across from me, looked at me carefully, and smiled contentedly.

“Your hard work until the last minute paid off. I got more into it than when we were chasing bandits. ...Hey, Albes, you look like you’re about to die.”

“Die from this? I just took a nap and feel much better now.”

My brother, peeking through the carriage door, yawned widely.

Seemingly understanding the situation, Lord Fil smiled wryly.

“Well, leave the rest to me. More importantly, you’re going to deal with the finance people, right? Take that young one with you. His sword skills are unreliable, but he’s the son of Baron Balois, so just his presence will have an effect.”

“...I thought you were the horse recovery officer, but it’s something like this?”

“I couldn’t help at all this time. At least let me do this much.”

With that, Fil closed the carriage door.

The carriage started moving again, and my brother led the horse. Behind him was a young knight leading an empty horse, looking a bit dejected.

...Could it be?

Did Fil abandon his work halfway through...?

I couldn’t help but look at him suspiciously, and Fil started to make excuses in a hurry.

“I finished my work properly. My subordinates cried to me, but that’s not my job. My useless colleagues were grumbling, but I ignored them and threw off the pursuers!”

“...You really didn’t abandon your work, right?”

“It’s true! Originally, the work in the capital wasn’t in my jurisdiction! It’s strange that they’re trying to give it to me just because of some formalities! The right person for the job is capable, but they’re trying to give the work to me because of their low birth, which is the real mistake!”

He gave a passionate speech.

But, well, isn’t that... different from being relied upon? Or... is it just a matter of passing the buck?

As usual, when it comes to Fil’s family, I get confused.

Subtly, or perhaps considering Albes’s reaction, I hesitate to know.

Still.

The mantle Fil is wearing is a bright yellow, which is for the kingdom’s army.

Yellow... that would be the Third Army, right?

Come to think of it, he said his recent duty station was in the north.

“Lord Fil. Please take off that mantle.”

“Oh, right. I was wearing it to fool those noisy people.”

At Tiana’s quiet reminder, Fil skillfully took off the mantle in the narrow, swaying carriage.

Underneath was a blue outfit similar to my dress.

Tiana carefully compared the color of the outfit to my dress, then checked the silver edging and the modest small collar, and nodded slowly, looking satisfied.