Chapter 87

"Edi, I'm really sorry for running away back then!"

With the drinks all gathered, Fred-san bowed his head vigorously.

I had thought he had been fidgety ever since the waiter with the drinks came in. Still, I had only sensed that "something seemed off," and I was a bit surprised by the sudden apology.

"I suddenly disappeared and caused a lot of trouble for everyone, including Edi. I'm really sorry. You must have searched for me... and it must have caused a commotion."

"No, Lord Frederick, given the situation you were in, you had no choice. Rather, I and my family were under surveillance at the time and couldn't help you... I'm the one who should apologize."

"Edi, there's no need for such an apology..."

"But I did think that after a few years, I would have wanted at least a message to know you were safe."

"Ugh... Yeah, I'm sorry for worrying you."

Ugh... Listening from the side, a sense of guilt ran through my chest. After all, I had also run away from home with just a note, causing Anna a lot of worry. And I had also reflected on the trouble I had caused my family.

But Edward-san, emphasizing only that he was "worried" rather than "troubled," must have been speaking from the heart.

"I knew you were safe, but I'm glad to see you well. It's reassuring to know you have trustworthy friends."

"I'm glad you're safe too. How are Petra and Elka...?"

"My mother and sister are doing well. They were more worried than I was."

...I sensed an ominous background to their conversation. A situation where Fred-san's safety was a concern...?

Fred-san had only said he had left home to let his excellent younger brother take his place, but it seems there was a situation where his life was in danger. I had vaguely sensed that he came from a noble background, but I hadn't imagined that he was in a position where he had to flee for his life.

"I was thinking about contacting you, but I wasn't sure if it was safe... Anyway, how did you figure out it was me just from that newspaper article?"

"...You deflected the question rather casually, so I'll pursue this point later. Everyone here looks puzzled, so I'd like to confirm and explain first. How much have you heard from Lord Frederick?"

It was then that Fred-san, who had been completely lost in the conversation, let out a small "ah" in response.

"Well... I've heard a vague story about leaving home to let his excellent younger brother take his place... But I just heard your real name, Fred-san, for the first time, so I think I don't know anything. Can you start from the beginning?"

I honestly conveyed that I didn't have enough information to say I had heard much. Anna also nodded, so she must have heard about the same level of information. Even Kohaku, who commented, "So Fred ran away? Not part of the group, huh," seemed to have heard nothing.

However, seeing the slightly heavy atmosphere and the exchange of glances between Edward-san and Fred-san, I anxiously added, "Should I not have asked?"

"Of course, just within the range you can talk about! You can omit your family's name and such..."

"Huh? Lord Frederick didn't even talk about that? ...Really..."

"No, that's not it! It's not that I was trying to keep it a secret. I thought that if I told you, I might get you involved in danger, and I missed the chance to tell you..."

Fred-san's defense seemed sincere. If he had a reason to hold back, I could understand. I also had things I hadn't told Fred-san yet. I wanted to support him, but the conversation had moved on, and I couldn't interject.

"Anyway, I'll give a broad explanation first. I'll go into the details of the more complex parts later."

With that preface, Edward-san began his story. The story we heard was surprising not only to us but also to Fred-san.

"First... Lord Frederick, the person everyone calls Fred, has a rather complicated situation at home. I'll explain the details later, but to escape the danger that threatened him and those around him, he had no choice but to abandon his identity and name and live in hiding."

"..."

I nodded to show that I understood the story so far. It was also a way to support Fred-san, who had been pretending to be someone else out of affection.

So, I deliberately didn't comment on Fred-san's embarrassment and continued the conversation.

"The reason I contacted Lord Frederick this time is that his younger brother, Lord Clovis, noticed him in a newspaper article."

There was a brief, unnatural pause before the honorific. I could think it was because it wasn't his native language, but I also wondered if he almost used a different honorific.

Maybe Fred-san was... more than I thought. I swallowed the thought. No, I'll hear the rest of the story first.

"The fact is, I had already located Lord Frederick quite early on."

"Really?!"

"Of course, it took us about six months to find the person we suspected was Lord Frederick after he went missing."

"Only six months..."

Fred-san, embarrassed that he had been found so quickly, hugged his head.

"However, since he was living as an adventurer without any major issues, even with some minor troubles, I didn't make contact. I wanted to minimize the risk of the enemy camp finding out."

I see, at that time, the environment that forced Fred-san to abandon his identity hadn't improved, and if his location was known, the danger might have returned.

"Also... there was a fear that Lord Frederick might cleverly hide himself again. It was ideal for us to know his location without him or the enemy camp being aware."

Ah, yes...

From Edward-san's previous words, I could infer that the people who wanted his younger brother to succeed had put pressure not only on Fred-san but also on those around him. I imagine that if Fred-san had known his location was discovered, he would have quit being an adventurer to hide himself to protect those people.

Fred-san's past was more complicated than I had vaguely imagined, and I had no idea how to react.

I saw Fred-san with a troubled smile.

"The reason I contacted you this time is that Lord Clovis found Lord Frederick."

"Found...?"

The way he said it suggested that his younger brother wasn't among those who knew Fred-san's location. Still, from what Fred-san had told me before, he didn't seem like someone who would initiate a succession struggle, so I wondered why he was left out.

Moreover, the way he said it... it sounded like "it would have been better if he hadn't found out."

There must be a reason. Anna and I waited tensely for Edward-san's words. Kohaku, on the other hand, looked completely lost. Yeah, I'll explain it to Kohaku later, so just wait a bit.

"Lord Clovis is a very talented and excellent person, a genius in every field, and a person of character who doesn't let his talent go to his head..."

I nodded in agreement, waiting for him to continue.

"However, he is... well, quite a strong big brother complex."

"...Quite a strong big brother complex."

I repeated the words slowly, savoring them. Edward-san solemnly nodded in confirmation.

"Yes... So, if Lord Clovis found out where Lord Frederick was, he might bring him back immediately, and the problems could start all over again... That's why I kept it a secret."

The shocking words left me speechless, but I managed to digest and understand the following words. I had been wondering how he found Fred-san in the not-so-clear photo in the newspaper, but it seems there were special circumstances. I see.