Chapter 73

Upon receiving the news that Ilkark had arrived at Edward's house, Nona and I hurried to the mansion.

In the carriage, I realized, (I need to remind Nona.)

“Nona, I know you understand, but—”

“I do. I promise to behave like a lady in front of Uncle Edward.”

“Yes, that’s good.”

However, the moment Nona and Il met, it seemed like the promise was about to be broken. (Oh!) I thought, but Nona refrained from kicking in front of Lord Brides.

Thank goodness. It really was a relief. I hope Il understood the situation... I think.

Now, Lord Brides, Lady Courtney, Nona, Il, and I are enjoying tea and conversation. Lord Brides is mainly asking Il enthusiastic questions about Shen.

“Is there a noble system in Shen?”

“It’s similar to Ashbury. My family has been pharmacists for three hundred years and holds a position between nobles and commoners.”

“I see. Are you knowledgeable about medicine, Il?”

“I know the basics. My older brother was officially designated as the successor when he turned fourteen, so I’m allowed to live as I please.”

“It’s unusual in Ashbury for the successor to be decided at fourteen. Is there a reason for this?”

In Ashbury, the eldest son of a noble family is legally designated as the successor. There are many loopholes, but traditionally, the eldest son is chosen, and if there are no sons, the eldest daughter marries into the family. So, I listened to Il’s story with great interest.

“In Shen, we believe that ‘children can be called by the gods at any time.’ At fourteen, after completing the coming-of-age ceremony, it’s believed that they will likely survive the future. In my family, as pharmacists, there’s also the reason of ‘determining suitability.’”

“Indeed, by the age of fourteen, one has overcome most illnesses.”

“My father always told me, ‘You can choose any job you like, but you must bring benefit to the Enrocam family.’ Well, I think there’s a way out if I try hard but fail to bring benefit to the family.”

“Oh.”

Il calmly confessed that he had no intention of following his parents’ wishes. Lord Brides laughed in surprise, and Nona listened with a slight smile. I also smiled, finding Il’s second son-like toughness and freedom endearing.

Nona, who had been focused on the tea and snacks, spoke to Il.

“Il, would you like to come play at my house?”

“Sure.”

“Oh, Nona, are you leaving already?”

Lady Courtney looked disappointed. Nona stood up and knelt in front of Lady Courtney, looking up and speaking gently.

“Grandma, can I come play again tomorrow? I’d like to talk to you more.”

“Of course, Nona. You’re always welcome. We can chat and play ball together.”

“Yes. I’ll come tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’ll be waiting, Nona.”

Yes. Today, Nona is a delicate lady in every way. Edward entered the room with a small man.

“Hello, Victoria, Nona. Welcome. This is Mr. Dam, the new pharmacist who will work at the castle. I’ll accompany him to the castle as I send him off.”

I also stood up, thinking it was time to leave.

“Lord Brides, we’ll take our leave now.”

“Grandma, see you tomorrow.”

The three of us got into our carriage, and Il immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that Nona and Victoria’s martial arts skills were a secret in that family.”

“That’s right, Il. I was surprised when Nona suddenly threw a punch in front of Lord Brides.”

“Nona, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Il bowed to me. Since I hadn’t informed him beforehand, it couldn’t be helped.

“Nona and I haven’t told that family about our martial arts. Just be careful in the future. I’m sorry for my loud voice. I’ll be more careful.”

“I’ll be more careful in the future. Should I call you Victoria, or Mrs. Asher, or Anna?”

“I don’t like formal titles. My name is Anna Victoria Asher, so you can call me Anna or Victoria.”

“Understood. Then I’ll call you Victoria, like everyone else.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

We returned home, and Nona and Il started training in the garden. I thought I knew Il’s skills well, but he was even more skilled than I expected. Moreover, despite both being students of Mr. Kan, their fighting styles were quite different.

Nona uses her agility to the maximum, employing jumps and spins, while Il relies on the basic movements of Shen martial arts, combining strikes and kicks with extremely fast movements.

“Both of you are so young. You keep moving without showing any signs of fatigue.”

Impressed, I watched as our guards approached.

“Madam, may we join in the training with the young lady and the guest?”

“I don’t mind, but you should ask them.”

“Understood.”

Il and the 28-year-old Lewis, Nona and the 35-year-old Riley, paired up for training. However, it was clear that the children were holding back.

(If they hold back so obviously, the adults will lose face. They should be more subtle.)

I thought this, but then reconsidered, (It’s probably too difficult to be that subtle.)

Il trained for over two hours and came inside, saying, “I feel refreshed.”

“You’re drenched in sweat. Jeff’s clothes won’t fit you, but you can borrow them to change after you shower.”

“Yes, thank you.”

As Il headed to the bathroom, Elizabeth happened to drop by. She and Nona are such good friends that she visits without prior notice.

“Our chef baked some pastries that Nona likes.”

“Wow! I’m so happy! Elizabeth’s house makes the best pastries. I love them!”

“Of course. Our chef is a skilled professional my father lured away from another noble’s mansion with money.”

Elizabeth is always entertaining.

As Versa was preparing tea and plates, Il came in, wearing Jeff’s long shirt and pants, which he had folded up. His wet black hair was shiny.

When Elizabeth saw Il, she froze with her mouth wide open, then quickly closed it and put the pastry back on the plate.

“Nona, who is this gentleman?”

“This is Il. He lived with my family in Shen. Il, this is Elizabeth, my friend.”

“I’m Ilkark. Nice to meet you.”

Il greeted her with a smile, but Elizabeth remained frozen and silent. I had never seen her so speechless.

“Elizabeth, is something wrong?”

“N-nothing. Nice to meet you, Ilkark.”

“You can call me Il.”

“Then you can call me Elizabeth.”

“Nice to meet you, Elizabeth.”

Il ate several pastries in a row, saying, “They’re delicious.” Elizabeth watched him with a dreamy look.

Eventually, Elizabeth stood up, saying, “I should go. Thank you for having me.”

“Elizabeth, come again. Tell the chef the pastries were delicious.”

“Yes, I will. He’ll be pleased. Goodbye, Il.”

“See you again.”

Elizabeth’s face turned rosy at Il’s words. It was a charming and endearing moment. Nona saw her off at the door and ran back.

“You shouldn’t run in the house.”

“Hehe. Sorry. Il, these are delicious.”

“They are.”

“It seems Elizabeth likes you.”

“Does she?”

“I heard the sound of angels’ trumpets. Poo-poo.”

Il laughed, “What’s that? It sounds silly.”

I also laughed, nearly spilling my tea.

“You and Il don’t know? When someone falls in love, an angel comes and blows a trumpet in their ear. It’s in the Del Dorger.”

“Del Dorger? What kind of fairy tale is that?”

Il chuckled. I thought, (She learns everything from the Del Dorger.) I sighed. When Clark proposed, did an angel blow a trumpet in her ear?

Later that night, Il left, and Jeff returned home, looking tense.

“Welcome back, dear. Is something wrong?”

“Hello, Anna. Things are about to get busier. The king has announced his abdication. He’s been planning to pass the throne to Prince Conrad, but he’s made his decision suddenly.”

Versa took Jeff’s jacket and left the room to brush it. Once we were alone, Jeff spoke in a low voice.

“The coronation will bring envoys from neighboring countries. Hagar will also send an envoy.”

“Yes, they will.”

“I’ll likely be busy with my duties until all the envoys leave. I won’t be able to be near you. What do you want to do? Should we go into hiding somewhere?”

“I’ll think about it. I’ll consider what’s best.”

“Thank you. The coronation is likely to take place in two months.”

“Two months? That’s so soon. Usually, it’s planned a year in advance.”

“The queen’s health is poor. That’s why they’re rushing.”

The queen, who had been rumored to be unwell for a long time.

“I understand. I’ll think about it quickly.”