Chapter 7

In this way, my exile was decided.

Ah, what a relief. My steps naturally became lighter.

As I walked down the road in a good mood, I noticed a carriage approaching from behind with great momentum.

I braced myself, thinking it might be pursuers, but I soon realized it wasn’t. It turned out the owner of the carriage was my beautiful younger sister.

She opened the carriage door with a burst of energy and charged towards me.

Her brother’s sword seemed to stop, but her body slam was very fast. I could have avoided it, but I chose not to resist and let her do as she pleased.

The young lady threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and leaning her full weight on me.

"Lord Rihito, Lord Rihito!"

She was teary-eyed, overflowing with feelings of farewell, but she didn’t seem to want to stop me. After witnessing the murderous intent of our stepmother, it was probably impossible for her to try to stop me.

She hugged me, her nose running. I allowed this for a while, then waited for her emotions to calm down before speaking.

"You must have seen what our stepmother did. I and she cannot be in the same place."

"...Yes, I understand that."

"Then, it’s goodbye."

"I don’t want that. I will go with you."

"The young lady of the Esterque family?"

"I have been practicing swordsmanship since I was a child. You must know my skill."

"Of course, but I also know that Elen can’t sleep if her pillow changes. Do you remember when we visited Aunt’s house, and Elen couldn’t sleep, cried all night, and returned home in the middle of the night?"

"That was when I was a child."

"Even a month ago, you were upset when a maid tore your favorite pillow."

"But... but..."

"What I’m trying to say is, going outside the castle means living a rough life. You have to be insensitive. But Elen, you are too sensitive. You can’t become an adventurer or a mercenary."

Elen, who knew me so well, couldn’t argue.

"...I don’t have the confidence to live without you, brother."

"Even if we are apart, our hearts will be together."

"...Is that true?"

"It’s true."

"Then, as proof—"

She closed her eyes and offered her lips.

It seemed she was asking for a kiss.

Her pink lips were tempting, but I hesitated to kiss my sister in the street.

So I pressed my lips to her forehead and said,

"For now, bear with this."

"...Yes."

Elen’s acceptance was so adorable that I decided to give her hope.

"I’m going on a journey. I might become an adventurer or a mercenary. I haven’t decided yet, but if I succeed and can settle down, I will call for you."

"Really!?"

Elen’s face lit up.

Her smile reminded me of a sunflower.

"It’s true. Then we can live together."

"It’s a promise!"

"Yes."

I casually did a pinky swear.

Whether as an adventurer or a mercenary, it’s not such an easy world. It will take a few years to be able to eat properly, and at least ten years to settle down.

It will take a considerable amount of time. By then, Elen will be of marriageable age. She might have already married someone and said, "We had such times back then," with a smile.

I want to be the kind of person who can laugh and talk with Elen about those times.

I want to create an environment where we can enjoy tea together with a smile.

That was my modest hope as I left the Esterque family.

My stepbrother and stepmother were mean people, but they were kind to family. They would treat Elen well even without me.

Moreover, my father, the head of the family, was a remarkable man. He doted on his only daughter, Elen, and wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her.

With these calculations, I made the promise, and Elen happily accepted it.

She returned to the carriage and went back to Esterque Castle obediently, but in later years, I would regret it.

Because I would gain a "base" much sooner than I thought. A few weeks later, I found a place to settle and lived there. Later, Elen, hearing the news, would move in with her bridal trousseau, but I didn’t know this fate yet—.

"It was interesting."

"I’m curious about what happens next."

"Keep up the good work!"

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