Chapter 54
“This is strange. There’s no way the head of the family would break his promise.”
Even though it had been four days since the family meeting, I hadn’t heard any particular news.
“The festival is the day after tomorrow… could it be that I won’t be able to go?”
I sat in the main hall near the entrance, letting out worried sighs.
There was so much to do once I went outside.
I had to locate the positions of the castle and temples, then check the area around the house to figure out escape routes for my next outing.
And I also planned to secretly make friends and observe how the political situation was developing…
“Miss, it’s perfect timing! I was just on my way to call you.”
“Huh? Is something happening?”
“A delightful guest is visiting today.”
Someone I would be happy to see.
‘Could it be the Fire Legion has returned?’
They had left last summer for the eastern campaign, so it had been over half a year since I last saw Ancus.
Before I could even speak, the maid seemed to read my thoughts and smiled gently.
“Please head over that way!”
I quickly ran toward the main gate. Beyond the walls, familiar military banners were fluttering.
‘So today is the day they return!’
Among the welcoming crowd, waving from the front was Ancus himself.
“Ancu!”
“Miss!”
Even from a distance, he recognized my voice immediately.
“My goodness, you’ve grown so much!”
“Ancu! I really, really missed you!”
He looked at me, far taller than before, and seemed on the verge of tears from emotion.
“Now I won’t be able to roll you around in one hand!”
…He used to roll me around?
“Thankfully your tongue is still short. If even your way of speaking had changed, I would’ve been very disappointed…”
Just then, Abelus, who had just descended from Mount Ardeo, appeared.
“Ah, fortunately, I’m not too late.”
Two close friends followed him, bowing deeply to the Fire Legion.
Tophus and Exsi would soon be joining their ranks in a few years.
“Ah, Mamercus Explosius! It’s been a while. Tophus is here too? Ancu, what did you say? I couldn’t hear over the sound of your hooves.”
“…….”
For some reason, Ancus stared blankly at me.
Then he suddenly burst out laughing loudly.
‘Why is he laughing?’
But he didn’t explain and merely greeted the two young men.
“Tophus and Explosius. Proud heirs of their respective families. This is the first formal introduction.”
Ancus had dealt with their fathers until now.
“Abelus, will you introduce these two to Ancu?”
“If you wish, you may do it yourself.”
“How did you know I wanted to?”
Tophus nudged Exsi playfully.
“It’s written all over your face…”
‘Does it show that much?’
Well, it didn’t matter.
I happily introduced them regardless.
“Ancu, this is Explosius, and this is Tophus. They’re our friends and often visit the training grounds!”
“Friends… it’s an honor.”
Exsi bowed slightly, smiling.
Ancus dismounted and shook their hands.
Just as he was about to remount, he suddenly pulled me onto his horse.
“But Ancu belongs to me, Miss.”
“Huh?”
“Now, Miss, let’s go!”
Ignoring the crowd, Ancus rode off.
Though the distance from the gate to the mansion’s main hall was short, so soon we had to awkwardly dismount.
“Miss defeated the head of the family in one go, hahaha!”
Ancus laughed heartily as he recounted what had happened a few days ago.
Having served in the military, he had grown considerably in size, and his laughter seemed to match.
“So what am I supposed to do? Escort you to the Temple of Goddess Yuno and back?”
“Yes, Ancus-nari.”
“I could grant that request a thousand times over.”
‘So they’ve been waiting to send Ancus with me?’
Indeed, the head of the family never made promises lightly.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived two days later.
“Hehe, I’m so excited! I want to wear the laurel pin too.”
“Of course. It has already been prepared. You’re really happy about this, aren’t you, Miss?”
“Yes, I’m thrilled!”
The maids who cared for me seemed genuinely happy, as if it were their own joy.
‘Would it be nice if they came along?’
It would be good for an outing.
“Do you want to come along?”
At my suggestion, the maid’s face momentarily showed hesitation.
“Oh, I’d love to. Shall we go to the temple together?”
As she spoke and turned, Pardia was limping slightly, probably due to her knee.
“No! Don’t push yourself!”
“I can go along just fine.”
“Suddenly, I feel like eating the cookies Pardia baked.”
Her face brightened at that.
“Then I’ll prepare them for your return.”
“Yes!”
I forced a bright smile.
‘They’re all old enough to rest, yet they keep working to care for me.’
When the household was in turmoil over what they thought was my incapacity, the head of the family had assigned maids who had served this house for a long time to me.
Even Pardia had worked since the head of the family’s youth.
Time had passed unknowingly, and I had overworked them.
‘I should tell the head of the family after we return.’
I thought as I stepped out in the pretty outfit the maids had prepared.
At the main gate, a large unfamiliar carriage stood.
It was massive, with protective runes covering its walls—so menacing that anyone might mistake it for a cannon.
“This carriage is for you. Don’t be surprised; for the heir of Ignitus, it’s normal.”
Suddenly, the head of the family stood behind me.
“Normal…?!”
Indeed, Ignitus was spectacular in his prime!
Abelus, who had come to see me off, looked wide-eyed, as if seeing something like this for the first time.
“U-Uncle… what is all this?”
Caught in a small lie, the head of the family quickly changed his explanation.
“The road to the temple is full of dangers, so it can’t be helped.”
“The Temple of Goddess Yuno is near the castle and the council. What danger? If that’s dangerous, then nothing in the world is safe…”
“Choose your timing and place to voice your opinions, Gordio.”
The head of the family said firmly.
‘He was worried for me.’
I smiled, pretending not to know, and stepped into the carriage.
Ancus and a few others surrounded it on horseback.
“Offer your prayers and return immediately.”
“I’ll take care of her, leave it to me, Head of the Family.”
With everyone seeing me off, I took my first steps outside.
Once the carriage left the mansion and curved along the road, Ancus suddenly stopped the group.
He dismounted and spoke to me, who was straining to see outside.
“Miss, you’d really like to ride a chariot, wouldn’t you?”
I nodded.
The curtains of the carriage had blocked my view.
“Tell me, Ancu. Do I show my desires on my face a lot?”
“Your face tells epics, more or less.”
I groaned and patted my cheeks.
In my previous life, it probably wasn’t this obvious.
I got down from the carriage and climbed into the chariot beside Ancus.
Its speed was far greater than the carriage.
“I can see!”
Before long, the forest ended, revealing a city paved in marble.
“Yes, this is the capital of Eterna.”
“It’s so close.”
“We should thank our ancestors for choosing such a location to build.”
The city was filled with massive, magnificent buildings, rivaling even the Ignitus mansion.
I was completely dazzled, unable to stop staring at the glowing buildings.
I had only heard that the kingdom was grand, but I had never imagined it would be like this!
