Chapter 23

Gorman-sama and Irena's wedding has concluded, and peace has returned to the Laguren household.

My brother is still busy traveling back and forth to the capital, but since I can help now, it seems he has a bit more time, and the dark circles under his eyes have lightened.

However, they won't completely disappear because of my brother's hardworking nature, so I've given up on that.

And then.

...For some reason, the knights are still staying here.

"Hey, you guys. It's fine for you to return to the capital now, you know?"

Just before heading to the capital, my brother Albes stood at the kitchen doorway, glaring at the knights.

However, the knights just grinned and continued cooking happily, ignoring him.

"We still have some vacation time left, so we'll be staying here a bit longer."

"Hey, Albes. This place is super comfortable! The view is great, the climate is nice, and most importantly, your sister is adorable!"

"There are no noisy palace sparrows or loud nobles, and there are enough sparring partners for sword training. It's perfect!"

Laughing heartily, the knights didn't stop handling their knives.

They were quite energetic, considering they were tilling a large field not long ago. They are truly the knights of the kingdom.

...Is it okay to praise them like that?

While putting a pot of water on the fire, I tilted my head slightly.

Albes sighed deeply.

"I didn't think you guys liked farming and cooking so much."

"It's because of this house. If it weren't for this, we would have gone back already. Well, it's not just you who finds us a nuisance, Albes."

One of the knights, Yulius, twirled his knife and looked at me meaningfully.

"Is that Fil-sama coming today?"

"Probably. I think he'll arrive with me. So, you guys should be prepared for that."

"Got it. Man, he's been getting agitated lately. I'm not after your sister or anything. But I wouldn't mind having her as a sister-in-law."

"Hey, your brother is only fifteen, right?"

"Fourteen. He's young, isn't he?"

As the knights laughed again, Albes ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Please don't say that in front of him. You or your brother might end up on the front lines."

"That's a problem. Alright, I won't say anything."

When Yulius said this with a serious face, the knights burst into laughter again.

...Really, I can't understand what makes knights laugh.

I tilted my head and added the vegetables the knights had cut to the pot.

Albes returned from the capital after it got dark.

I was worried and thought about sending the knights to meet him halfway, so I was relieved. It was good that he returned before it got completely dark.

However, even if it had gotten dark, I might not have needed to worry so much. Fil was with him when he returned.

However, Fil looked extremely tired, his blue eyes vacant.

"I've taken three days off, so I want to stay here."

After saying that, Fil collapsed and fell asleep on the rug in front of the fireplace.

He's still wearing his sword, yet he can sleep so soundly.

I covered Fil with a blanket, but is he okay without eating? It's unusual for him to be this tired.

As I was looking at his sleeping face, with his long lashes casting shadows, Albes sighed.

"Don't worry. It's more mental fatigue than physical. He was apparently run ragged by his family."

"Really?"

"During the journey here, I heard a lot of things I didn't want to hear. ...That's why I told him to get married quickly."

Marriage?

Come to think of it, Fil mentioned that he had been approached about marriage by my brother.

Albes is single, and many of his fellow knights are also single, so I didn't think it was strange for him to be unmarried at his age.

But apparently, it's different for some families.

"...Is Fil going to get married?"

"If he were a man who would obediently get married, he wouldn't be this exhausted and asleep."

After saying that, Albes started eating.

He also seemed tired and finished eating incredibly quickly. He had only one glass of wine.

After clearing the dishes, he stood up immediately.

"I'm going to take a bath."

"I'll prepare the hot water, so wait a bit."

"No, it's fine. Cold water is good."

Saying that, he went outside in no time.

He's going to pour well water over himself.

It's not winter, but it gets cold enough at night to need a fire in the fireplace. I added more wood to the fireplace to warm the room.

After confirming that the flames were growing steadily, I turned to look at Fil, who was wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace.

He doesn't seem to be having a hard time sleeping, but is it okay to leave him here until morning?

When my brother returns, I'll ask him to take Fil to a room.

But before that.

"Fil, wake up."

I called out to him first.

Knights who are on active duty can wake up immediately when called, even if they seem to be sleeping deeply.

I thought he would at least open his eyes, but Fil didn't wake up.

"Fil. If you wake up, I'll make you some food."

He still didn't wake up.

I sat down next to him.

The silver hair spread on the rug was tinged with the color of the fireplace flames.

His perfectly shaped nose, his clear cheeks, his long lashes, and his slightly chapped lips.

...Is there a bit of stubble on his chin?

I reached out and touched the silver hair that was falling across his face.

As I brushed the smooth hair away from his face, his ear became visible.