Chapter 51

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After talking with my father, I relayed the content to Laura, who had been waiting.

Laura's serious face gradually brightened, and in the end, she said with a lively, energetic voice:

"You've made up, haven't you!"

"I'm not sure if we've made up—"

It's something that will start from now on. We'll gradually fill in the ten-year gap over a long period of time.

"I guess I've decided to try to make an effort to reconcile."

"That's great! Really!"

Laura was genuinely happy for me.

Laura's family was very close. For Laura, that was the norm—and she knew it was a happy thing.

That's why she felt pain for my situation, which was different.

"…So, Laura, I have something to talk about."

"What is it?"

"I've decided to go on a journey."

"A journey?"

"I plan to travel around the lands of Luminous during the summer break. I want to learn more about the territory I grew up in—the territory I will inherit."

"That's a good idea!"

"…If you'd like, would you come with me, Laura? Of course, if you want to return to the village—"

"I'll go with you!"

Laura answered before I could even finish my sentence.

"I want to see it too! Albert's hometown!"

"Thanks. I'm glad you said that."

It was a heartfelt response.

When I told my father I was going on a journey, the image that came to mind was not a solo trip but a trip with Laura.

Laura and I have been together through thick and thin.

It felt strange to think of going without her.

"Let's leave tomorrow. It will be a poor man's journey, so enjoy the luxurious life of a marquis today."

"No problem! I can sleep under the eaves or in the grass!"

Laura said this with such determination.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

"Here's your travel money."

Sebastian said this as he placed a bag full of gold coins in front of me with a loud 'clunk'.

...This is far from a poor man's journey; it's like a suite room everywhere.

The next day, while I was preparing to leave in my room, Sebastian visited me and, without much greeting, presented this.

"...That's a huge amount."

"It's a parting gift from your father. He said to see the Luminous territory well."

...I feel like his concern for me has become overly protective...

"I can't possibly take this much."

When I lived alone, I used to go to the capital to buy daily necessities myself. My sense of money is closer to that of a commoner.

"Lord Albert, you have an obligation to accept it."

"Huh?"

"You are the heir to the House of Luminous. It would not do for you to die somewhere on the road."

"...Still, it's too much..."

I reluctantly accepted it. Refusing would only lead to an argument.

"Also, please take this."

Next, Sebastian placed a board in front of me.

The board had the Luminous family crest carved into it.

I recognized it. I had one before I was kicked out of the house.

It proves that you are a member of the noble family.

It might seem easy to forge just by carving the crest, but it has a mechanism to be identified by magic, so it would be immediately detected if examined. Moreover, if you show it, it will be reported to the noble family, and if they have no record of you, an investigation will follow.

If it's found to be a forgery, the penalty is death.

Impersonating a major noble, a pillar of the country, is that serious.

"If your travel money runs out, show this to the local administration in the territory, and they will provide additional funds."

"...I don't think it will run out, but I'll take it."

I accepted the board with the crest carved on it.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, that's all I was told to give you."

After a moment, Sebastian continued.

"This is not from your father but from me. I have a question."

"What is it?"

"About your classmate—Lady Laura."

"Laura?"

"Yes. I understand that she is just a friend. Is there any correction to this?"

"…Sorry, I don't understand what you mean?"

"Let me rephrase it."

Sebastian looked me straight in the eye and continued.

"Are you lovers?"

...Huh?

...Huh!?

Bang! I slammed the table and raised my voice.

"No way!"

I immediately calmed down and hurriedly bowed to Sebastian.

"Sorry... I got carried away..."

"It's fine. I realize I asked an impertinent question."

Sebastian said this without changing his expression.

"Is it really just a classmate? Is that understanding correct?"

"Yes, that's fine. We are really just friends."

Laura and I were both lonely. We both had difficult pasts.

So, we made a pact.

To always be friends.

To help and trust each other no matter what.

If there's a word to describe our relationship, it's 'friends.'

"I see... I understand."

"Why did you ask that?"

"Because you are the heir to the House of Luminous."

When he said that, I finally understood what Sebastian was getting at. He waited for my words to sink in before continuing.

"Needless to say, the top priority for the head of the family is to maintain the bloodline. In other words, to have children. A marriage partner must be chosen carefully—someone suitable for the bloodline of a marquis family."

That's all Sebastian said.

The unspoken meaning is this:

Laura, a commoner, can never be a suitable partner—

"There's no problem if she's just a friend. Please be careful not to let it become more than that. I will introduce you to a suitable partner in the future."

With that, Sebastian bowed and left the room.

Alone, I realized my heart was filled with an indescribable emotion.

I thought it might be anger, but it didn't feel right. After all, Laura and I are just friends.

"Don't date."

"No, we're really just friends."

That's all we talked about. There was no reason to be angry.

But somehow—

An uncomfortable feeling lingered in my chest.

What does this mean?

I finished my travel preparations with a sense of unease and headed to the front door.

At the end of the large hall, a white-haired girl stood with her luggage at her feet. She waved at me when she saw me.

"Albert! You're late!"

With a bright face and a bright voice, she called my name.

At that moment—

The cloudy sky in my heart cleared like a summer day.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Laura."

I stood in front of Laura.

"What's wrong? You looked down."

"No, it's nothing. It's not a big deal."

I shook my head.

"…Laura, we are friends, right?"

"Huh? Of course we're friends! What a strange thing to say, Albert!"

Laura laughed.

Of course. We made that promise.

And Laura wants it too.

Friends.

That's right. There's no problem.

Laura and I are friends—and we will be together.

Even if some noble lady appears by my side one day, our friendship will remain unshaken.

But that wasn't enough.

I couldn't convince my heart.

The unease wouldn't go away.

I couldn't imagine anyone other than Laura by my side.

Who should be by my side—

I shook my head.

There's no need to think about it. Laura and I are friends.

"Alright, let's go on our journey, Laura!"

"Okay!"

We pushed open the door of the House of Luminous.

By the way, Laura is the heroine, so please believe that.

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