Chapter 20

The next afternoon after leaving the capital, Viela caught sight of a familiar landscape.

Unique white-barked trees and fields of crops known for their resilience to cold environments spread out, with small houses with triangular roofs scattered among them, and further back, buildings clustered together to form a town. Beyond that, on a small hill, stood a modest mansion—Viela's family home.

"We're already here."

It had taken just one night to reach a distance that would normally take a week by carriage from the capital. Viela was grateful for the fortunate opportunity to travel by air on the divine beast, the Griffin, a means not usually available.

"Lord Lucash, thank you so much. I don't know how to thank Lady Tina either."

"Then I'll make a request later. First, tell me where to land."

"I'll do my best to fulfill your request! As for the location, let's land directly in the backyard of the mansion."

"Understood. Viela, change your position to the side."

"Yes. Excuse me."

Viela moved her legs, which had been straddling Albertina's back, to the left side and turned her body sideways. She then slowly wrapped her arms around Lucash's torso and pressed her cheek against his chest. Her palms felt the firm, elastic muscles of his back, and her ears picked up the steady beat of his heart.

(The tension is completely different when you're pressed against someone from behind compared to when you're facing them. But if I don't do this, I might end up damaging Lord Lucash's and Lady Tina's eardrums.)

Although she had become accustomed to flying in the air with each trip, landing still made her scream. Even though she knew it would be fine, her body instinctively recoiled from the rapidly approaching ground, and the fear turned into a scream that escaped from her throat.

So Lucash suggested a side-landing.

If she faced him and didn't look at the scenery, it would be easier. Since this position was not suitable for long-distance travel, they decided to use it only for landing.

"It's okay, don't hesitate to get close."

"I will!"

Embarrassing. Very embarrassing, but she couldn't overcome her fear. Viela clung tightly to Lucash with all her might.

She could feel the altitude decreasing. Since she couldn't see, not knowing when they would land added to her fear, but it wasn't enough to make her scream. Just as she was bracing herself, she felt a sudden weight.

"We've landed. How was it?"

"The side-landing strategy was a great success. Thank you."

As she looked up, Lucash's radiant face was right in front of her. He looked extremely pleased.

Blinded by the light, Viela quickly lowered her head.

Then, from the direction of the mansion, a creaking sound of metal was heard. Looking in that direction, she saw her mother, Camilla Yubert, standing in the back door, stunned.

"Mother! Viela is back!"

"Viela!? What? What!?"

Her mother's scream echoed through the backyard.

"Camilla, what's wrong with Viela!?"

"Viela has come back! And on a divine beast!"

"What, what, what!?"

Even from his wheelchair, it was clear that her father, Thomas Yubert, had fainted.

Viela was let down from Albertina first and ran to her parents. She knelt on the ground and placed her hands on her father's knees.

"Father! What happened to you in a wheelchair!? Your letter didn't specify whether you were sick or not! Please explain!"

"Did you worry? Well... I sent the magic express while drunk, and later realized I had sent something terrible. The next morning, I tried to send a letter to correct it, but I was still drunk and slipped on the stairs, falling and injuring my back... Fortunately, there was no bone damage, and I'm just using the wheelchair to be safe and recover faster."

"Then you're not sick!? You will recover, right?"

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry for worrying you. I have indeed aged, but as you can see, I'm fine except for my back!"

Father Thomas smiled and flexed his arms.

Viela let out a deep sigh of relief. Then, anger began to boil up inside her.

"Really. The magic express was so unusual, and Emma was very worried. After that, there was no news, and when I finally came, the content was completely different... Don't play around!"

She stood up and looked down at her father, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

"If the content of the magic express was wrong, you should have sent a correction immediately! This is a matter of succession, so consider the impact of the content. Tell me how many people you've affected. I won't let you run away. You will reflect properly."

"O, okay... I understand. I'm really sorry."

The Viscount Yubert, running his hand through his graying hair, smiled wryly. This was a smile that didn't fully grasp the seriousness of the situation.

Viela's temples twitched as she thought, "What should I do?"

Then, Lucash stood behind her.

The Viscount and Viscountess Yubert blinked in surprise and then smiled warmly.

"Welcome to the Yubert family! I am the lord, Thomas, and this is my wife, Camilla. We are very sorry to have caused such a situation that even a Griffin had to be sent. As a Griffin rider, you have a noble presence."

"It's my first time seeing a divine beast up close. Your appearance is truly impressive. Since it's a matter of succession, did you manage to make special arrangements for Viela? The treatment at the palace is truly wonderful. We can't offer much, but please rest at our mansion. Viela, you're so lucky to be brought back by such a handsome person♪"

Her parents seemed to think Lucash was an escort selected from the palace.

Indeed, there were people who, unable to become Griffin riders, worked as patrol guards or transported valuable items on Griffin, but...

Her parents greeted him with smiles, not showing much tension.

In response, Lucash also smiled beautifully.

"Nice to meet you, I am Lucash Herring, a member of the Griffin Knights. This time, I am not only here as an escort but also to greet you as Viela's fiancé."

"Fiancé? And a Griffin Knight... Herring... Could you be from the Ambrosch Dukedom? The King of the Skies?"

As expected, even a poor and remote viscount could recognize the name Herring and correctly guess his lineage.

However, Father Thomas's expression seemed to hope that his guess was wrong...

"Yes. I am the third son of the Ambrosch family and the captain of the Griffin Knights."

As Lucash deepened his smile, her parents let out a silent scream.