83. back east (3)

East, the estate of Count Agon.

The morning of the count’s family was busy again today. The bustle of servants fetching water, lighting a fire in the furnace, and pulling handcarts around filled the mansion. The atmosphere of the count’s house, which had been stagnant for a while due to the battle with the Behemoth, was regaining its original vibrancy thanks to a visitor from the west.

“Marion, can you help me with this here?”

The guest, Marion Bordain, was currently going through what might be called the busiest time of her life. Marion was trying to capture everything that was going on in the kitchen with those blue eyes.

“Yes, I will help you.”

It was the wife of Count Agon and the wife of Baron Louis Appart, that is, Maxim’s mother, who took on the same role as Marion’s teacher.

“You’ve learned how to unload tea well, so why don’t you give it a try?”

Countess Agon’s wife, Irina Agon, gave Marion tea leaves and asked in a friendly voice. For the past few months, Marion has been bringing a gentle warmth to the otherwise stark mansion. Countess Irina really liked Marion. The mask covering half of her face was not of much importance to the Countess.

It started with Marion’s request.

When asked if it would be okay to help out with the work, saying that she wanted to be of any help, as she was indebted to her, the Countess was puzzled.

A child with a dark expression covering half of his face with a mask. The first thought I heard was hesitant, but I couldn’t refuse and allowed it.

Even so, it was unlikely that Marion, who had grown up without knowing much about her father’s harshness, could be of great help. Therefore, the Countess recommended that Marion learn housework from her. After that, the Baroness and Countess Irina, who had been helping the Countess without Marion’s knowledge, became Marion’s new tutors.

And before I knew it, the Countess had become Marion’s friend and biggest supporter.

“right. You remember very well that if you brew tea leaves right away while the water is too hot, the taste of the tea will change to be too bitter.”

Watching Marion wait for the water to cool to a suitable temperature, the Countess praised. Marion’s face turned red. Servants passing by were sending warm glances at the two people who looked like mother and daughter.

“Please give me too many compliments.”

“No, Marion. I am learning really well. My daughter and I didn’t have time to talk about lyrics like this. When I teach you, I think that my daughter and I should spend time together like this.”

Countess Irina raised the corners of her mouth gently. Marion didn’t know what to do with the kindness approaching her. The Countess was not unaware of this fact, and moreover, she cared for Marion so that she could get used to the attitude of kindness.

How did Bordenga make a decision that was tantamount to kicking a child like this? Countess Irina’s face changed one after another: pity, then slight anger, then delight.

Finely chopped tea leaves were placed in the sieve. Today’s black tea seemed to be a lovely cup that would be a shame to give to my husband.

It was filtered through a strainer, and water was poured. The tea leaves were soaked, and the faint aroma began to waft.

“Of course, you can entrust the servants with the count’s hospitality, but… I prefer to prepare myself like this for breakfast. Others would ask me what housework I was doing as a countess, but… .”

square, square.

An apple was being peeled from Marion’s hand. Seeing the neatly cut apples, the Countess nodded lightly.

“It was an arranged marriage, but we were happy. At least I don’t think I’m unhappy that my marriage was cut off for political reasons. My husband has always been true to me and I have been true to him.”

Countess Irina was reminiscing about the past and even briefly telling Marion the story of her marriage. Marion’s eyes were fixed on the apple that was being cut away, but the moment she heard the Countess’ story, her blue eyes began to light up with interest.

“Don’t you have someone like that, Marion?”

A question I hadn’t asked before. Marion’s shoulders trembled at the surprise question and her face blushed. Like the peel of an apple, the blush spreads over that pale face again.

“Yeah. I don’t know if I dare to deserve it.”

The Countess’s hand was placed on top of Marion’s head, who uttered it like an excuse and lowered her head without confidence.

“It’s okay, if it’s Marion, you don’t have to think about qualifications like that.”

How dare you not like such a lovely child. I thought that if there was a man like that, I would be able to show off the spicy taste right away. Marion involuntarily brought her hand to the mask and hurriedly lowered it again, perhaps realizing that she was doing it unconsciously.

“That’s a small matter. Could it be that a man like you cared about that mask?”

Marion shook her head vigorously.

“No, absolutely not.”

Marion remembered Maxim’s face. And at the castle ruins at sunset, she remembered what he had said to herself. They were holding each other’s wounds, and rather than removing the bandage over the wound and showing it, they decided to wrap it more gently and make them forget the pain.

The feelings Maxim showed to Marion were never shallow and one-sided like sympathy. Marion knew him, but she didn’t know if she was really helping Maxim.

However, Marion remembered Maxim’s warm smile, the cheek that blushed for a moment at her actions, and the expression he made as he put the ring on his left ring finger. Marion looked down at my left hand for a moment.

that ring. The ring that contained their promise was still shining on Marion’s ring finger.

Seeing Marion’s resolute attitude, Countess Irina’s smile deepened even more. No matter who saw it, Marion’s eyes were those of complete trust in the person she loved.

“yes. Then there is no reason to be frustrated, right?”

Just a little certainty. I had to see it as the fault of my fiancé who left this child alone and didn’t even see a peep. Countess Irina thought that if she saw her fiancé, she would be a little mean.

“Yeah… .”

Various memories ran through Marion’s head. Maxim, who said he was leaving. Maxim, who did not come back for a long time after hearing the news of the no-man’s land. The horde that attacked the apartheid, and the people who came to protect Maxim’s family.

“It will be fine.”

Marion raised her head and faced Countess Irina. Since the Countess was a bit taller than her, Marion’s head was slightly raised.

“If you have any concerns, you can tell me, Marion. You don’t have to be sick inside.”

“I hope you are safe.”

Marion uttered the words she hadn’t said before.

“Maxim… I hope my fiancé will come back safely.”

The Countess was not ignorant of the circumstances. The fiancé of that child who suddenly disappeared after fighting the Behemoth.

According to what I heard from my husband, it was this child’s fiancé who cut off the Behemoth’s head. If so, she is the benefactor of herself, her husband, and this Yeongji. The Countess also wanted Maxim to be safe. There’s no way Marion would know that.

I had no choice but to say vaguely that it would be okay. The only thing that can reassure that child is that the fiancé himself will appear.

Marion closed her eyes. When this worry struck, Marion always thought of the ring on her left hand.

Seeing her sink down in worry again, she didn’t want to worry others, and she hated herself being helpless in the same way. I tried not to fall. So, Marion decided not to lean. Instead of whining, I decided to stand up alone.

“Are you okay?”

“… Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

Marion shook her head and straightened her expression. Contrary to appearances, Marion’s core was straight. Something definite that sustains oneself. Marion clenched her left hand. The Countess did not ignore Marion’s determination. Instead, it was just a consideration so that she could turn her eyes elsewhere for a moment.

“Now, let’s try this next… .”

The Countess’s hand was on the butter. Marion secretly thanked Countess Irina for her consideration and concentrated on her touch.

The preparation of breakfast was finished shortly thereafter. Praising Marion, who has now become quite proficient, the Countess smiled.

“Thank you for helping me today.”

The Countess put the lid on the finished breakfast. The early morning sun was shining into the kitchen. The meal prepared by Marion and the Countess was placed on top of the cart.

“I’ll let you carry it.”

Mrs. Beckzak bit off the servants and raised her hand over the cart. Then, as if he had just remembered, he turned his head towards Marion and added. Marion was tidying up her apron.

“Oh, a procession of merchants from the royal road heading to the uninhabited land is arriving this morning.”

“merchant… What?”

The Countess nodded.

“yes. The famous guild of the royal capital is a procession in which everyone participates. There will be quite a few items that will arrive in our territory as well. My husband and I must be pretty busy today.”

The countess laughed softly as if she was having fun.

“So, since the baroness doesn’t have to help today, how about going together to see the caravan procession? There must be a lot to see in such a large procession.”

Marion smiled at Countess Irina, who winked.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Caring. Our family is nasty for making our guests work.”

The countess laughed mischievously. I heard the sound of the wife pushing the cart and moving away. Marion stared blankly at the countess as she walked away saying good morning to her servants, thinking of the merchant procession arriving today.

—

“It’s a merchant procession, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Baroness Catherine Appart, who had heard the news, put down her scissors and became bright. Dirt and cut leaves were all over her clothes as she worked in the garden. Her easy-going smile, uncharacteristic of an aristocratic wife, suited her well. Looking at the gold eyes, Marion thought that Maxim and his wife were very similar.

“Madam, why don’t you take a break today and go sightseeing with Lady Marion?”

The gardeners who were tending the garden together next to them raised their heads and said. Their expressions were all friendly. Even though she was an aristocratic woman, she didn’t hesitate to help with this and that, aside from helping her with this and that, it was because her skill was quite good. No average gardener would be able to match her skills.

“but… .”

“We are fine. Rather, it was strange for us to have her help.”

“I’m sorry to always ask for help, so please feel free to visit the estate today.”

The gardeners held her back. Catherine took off her straw hat, unable to hide her apologetic expression.

“Then, I’ll make sure to come and go today.”

The gardeners nodded and laughed. Catherine glanced at them and headed for the mansion with Marion.

“I must get ready to go out.”

Perhaps embarrassed by the little dirt on her cheeks, Katrin said with an awkward smile.

The preparations after that did not take long. When Catherine had finished her grooming and was getting ready to go out with Marion, word reached the mansion that a procession of merchants had arrived.

“Then, let’s go.”

Accompanying Marion and Catherine in the carriage together was a female knight who was escorted by Countess Irina. She was also told that it was okay to come and enjoy today like a vacation, so she was only wearing very simple weapons.

The carriage rattled off. After a long outing, Marion’s expression became lively.

“Are you learning well from the Countess?”

Marion nodded at Catherine’s question.

“It’s okay if you teach me a little more strictly, but I’m worried that I won’t get used to it because I just praise it too much.”

“I don’t know if there is anyone in the world who can teach you very strictly.”

Catherine laughed. Being a mother-in-law, that position didn’t matter. She genuinely liked this Marion child.

“How’s the damage recovery situation?”

As if he hadn’t expected the question to come back to him, Howie answered with a slight raised eyebrow.

“It is smooth. If you only have the items arriving this time, you can think of it as almost restored to its pre-battle state.”

The escort shrugged, saying that the departure of some of Young Ji-min was unavoidable.

“There was one big battle like that, so it’s not unreasonable to want to move. Even the Count was expecting this to some extent.”

If it was a territory located close to the periphery, he had to be prepared to do so at any time. Howe came to that conclusion.

“… I was with the Count and Countess fleeing, so I couldn’t see the battle myself, but I was shocked to see the aftermath.”

Howie laughed bitterly.

“Surely, this territory was able to be kept intact because the knights, including your wife’s son, fought hard.”

The escort did not know that Maxim was the one who cut down the Behemoth. However, knowing that Maxim was included among those who desperately stopped the march of monsters, he had no great complaints about protecting his family in this way.

Catherine smiled faintly. Although Maxim’s whereabouts were still unknown, he couldn’t help but smile proudly whenever positive stories about his son came out.

“Oh, I see a procession.”

The escort looked out the window and said. Katrin and Marion’s eyes widened. Dozens, maybe even hundreds of caravans and wagons were passing through the castle gate and entering the manor. Merchants were laying down their bags, talking to the guards, shouting and giving orders to the handymen, creating a great commotion.

The carriage slowed down slowly. The stop was in front of a hill with a bridge where the procession of merchants could be seen clearly.

“Then, I will be waiting for you here in the afternoon. You can come back when it’s convenient for you.”

“Yeah. Thank you for your effort.”

The escort sent a coachman and stood next to Marion and Catherine watching the procession.

“That’s a lot. When I just heard the words, I didn’t realize it.”

“Looks like you did well to come and have a look.”

Marion looked at the procession with a small admiration. A wooden box was constantly coming out of the caravan of merchants whose final destination was Count Agon’s estate. The adventurers escorting the wagon were each wielding weapons and glaring fiercely at the approaching people.

‘Scared-looking people… .’

Marion could see one person among the rugged adventurers.

‘… uh?’

A tall adventurer wearing a black hood and wearing a long sword next to a bald adventurer. He seemed to be looking towards the bridge, where Marion and Katrin were standing. For a moment, the wind opened the hat slightly, bringing it face to face with Marion. Black eyes appeared.

Marion involuntarily frowned and stepped back,

‘… person who is abnormal.’

Marion struggled to calm the strangely deteriorating feeling.