Chapter 49

The day I arrived at the family's Luminous Castle—

In the end, I didn’t see my father.

“It’s a message from the Marquis. He said to rest from your journey today. He would like to meet with you tomorrow afternoon.”

That was Sebastian’s explanation.

I had no objections.

“Understood.”

So, I decided to relax without any reservations.

On the first day, Laura provided a live report of what happened.

“Ah, Albert! I got lost... I mean, on the road? Or in the house? The castle? I got lost!”

“I found some sweet pastries I’ve never tasted before! They’re delicious!”

“Can I really have such a luxurious meal!? Oh, so many forks and spoons!? How do I use them!?”

“The bath is so big! I was surprised, but a servant came in with some strange liquid to wash me... It was embarrassing... but my hair is so smooth and my skin is so soft!”

Laura reported her surprise and delight at every turn.

It seemed that the life in the Marquis’s household was so far beyond her imagination that her nervousness had flown out the window.

Then, Laura spoke apologetically.

“I’m sorry... I came here to be of help to you, but it seems like I’m just causing a commotion—being a burden…”

“That’s not true.”

I shook my head.

Laura’s bright demeanor lightened my heart. If I were alone, I would have locked myself in my room, spent the day quietly, and fallen into a dark mood thinking about tomorrow.

Bringing Laura along was the right decision.

“Having Laura here is a great support. Just be yourself.”

“Hearing that... makes me happy.”

Laura smiled, blushing.

As we exchanged these heartwarming words, time passed, and eventually, the day turned into night.

The next day.

After lunch with Laura in the dining room, something happened.

“Master Albert.”

Sebastian, who never approached me unless I called him, stood right next to me.

“Your father, the Marquis of Luminous, is calling for you. He wants to talk now. Is it convenient for you?”

“...It’s fine.”

I stood up slowly.

Laura, sitting across from me, looked concerned. I smiled to reassure her.

“It’s okay. We’re just going to talk.”

With that, I left the dining room with Sebastian.

We walked for a while—

Then Sebastian knocked on the door of the room we reached.

“It’s Sebastian. I’ve brought Master Albert.”

"Come in."

Father’s voice came from the other side of the door.

Sebastian opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

It was Father’s study.

Father was sitting behind a large desk.

Nothing had changed in ten years. The arrangement of the furniture and the scent of the air were the same, except for Father’s aged appearance.

“Then I will take my leave.”

Sebastian bowed and closed the door.

Father and I.

We were left alone in the closed room.

The silence didn’t last long.

“Thank you for coming, Albert.”

Father’s voice was calm. There was no trace of the shock he showed when we met at the king’s court.

“It’s good to see you, Father.”

I bowed.

I felt the same. We had both armed ourselves mentally for this day.

Father reached out to a guest sofa.

“Sit there.”

I sat as instructed. Father remained seated at his desk.

The sofa I sat on was diagonally in front of the desk. I was in the corner of Father’s field of vision, and he was in mine.

We wouldn’t meet each other’s gaze head-on unless we consciously tried to.

This—

Was the distance Father had set for me.

This distance was also comfortable for me. Like Father, I was also unsure about the distance between us.

Father spoke.

“Albert, I was surprised to see you again at the king’s court.”

“Me too.”

“I thought you had been living in that house all along. When did you leave?”

“No, not really—this year, I re-enrolled in the Magic Academy. It was after that.”

Father nodded and said,

“...I see. I’m sorry, but could you tell me about the past ten years?”

I explained in chronological order.

Most of the time before meeting Laura was spent “locked in my room, reading the Magic Arrow spellbook.”

In comparison, the few months after meeting Laura were incredibly eventful.

We defeated goblins in Laura’s village, fought a water spirit with the water quality survey team, and participated in the Greasia Lake battle at Carlisle’s request—

Father, who had been listening silently, interrupted in a flustered manner.

“...Carlisle? The court magician Carlisle?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

A look of respect appeared in Father’s eyes.

...That court magician is really something...

“Why did Carlisle take an interest in you?”

“...I’m not entirely sure, but I think it’s because he received my Magic Arrow spell. He might have taken a liking to me because of that.”

“...I see. I don’t understand much about magic, but if your abilities are serving the country, I’m proud of you as a noble of the kingdom—proud as your father.”

Then, he murmured,

“Ten years have passed—Albert... you’ve become one of the pillars of the country...”

It didn’t feel like he was saying it for me to hear—

It was as if the words slipped out of his mouth.

Father cleared his throat.

“Please continue.”

“...No, that’s all. After participating in that battle, I came here.”

“I see... I see...”

Father smiled.

A moment of silence.

Then, Father started speaking again.

“Albert. Can you hear about the past ten years of the Luminous family?”

“I’m ready to listen.”

“...Even if I say that, there’s no point in telling you. The past ten years have revolved entirely around Allenzia. Allenzia, Allenzia, Allenzia. That’s all.”

Father’s face looked a bit sad as he continued.

“The past ten years were lost with Allenzia’s death. That’s the past ten years for us.”

I couldn’t respond.

All the words I could think of felt too light in the face of Father’s suffering.

Father sighed.

“...Allenzia is dead. You know that as well.”

“Yes.”

“After you left, the family was supposed to be inherited by Allenzia. But that future is gone.”

Here it comes—

I thought.

Father was getting to the main point. He was about to tell me the reason he called me here today.

I waited quietly for Father’s words.

“Albert. You are the only one who can inherit this family. I was the one who told you to leave—and I know I have no right to say this... but please, come back as the heir of this family.”

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