Geumui’s Return (2)
Rosstaylor’s territory is located in the heart of the empire, in the most desirable land, and is incredibly large. The location is truly exquisite.
If you want to enter the imperial capital Cloeron from the western coastal area of the continent, which is full of many bustling cities, you almost always have to pass by the Rosstaylor territory.
The situation seemed to embody the image of the Rosstaylor family protecting the Cloel imperial family, so the people of the empire used to call this Rosstaylor territory the Imperial Shield.
In fact, anyone who has passed by Rosstaylor’s territory understands why it is called the land of imperial gold.
A meadow where warm sunlight falls languidly. The gentle road stretches straight out. The scenery that spreads out so wide that it feels refreshing is like looking at paradise.
As you lean against the wall of the carriage and look at such a peaceful road, all the worries in your head will disappear and you will be able to relax while listening to the sound of the carriage wheels rolling.
The same goes for Tanya, who has spent almost her entire life in this Los Taylor estate.
As the carriage entered the Ross Taylor estate, familiar scenes came into view. Normally, it would be a time when the peace of mind comes from being intoxicated by the peaceful scenery of Ross Taylor’s estate.
“… … .”
However, Tanya’s complexion turned pale blue. He could feel the chill that could only come in winter, and was looking straight ahead as much as possible.
A carriage that can seat up to four people. It has two long seats facing each other.
Excluding the coachman, there were only four people in the group, so there was exactly as many seats as there were people.
However, one seat is empty. Because Lucy Mayril is not sitting in the seat.
“Uh… .”
To Tanya, a senior named Lucy Mayril seems like a person with four-dimensional tendencies that is difficult to understand in many ways.
From Tanya’s point of view, who witnessed both her drowsy appearance as usual and her angry appearance… It’s really hard to figure out how to treat Lucy.
Normally, his older brother, Ed, was able to control Lucy, but this time, the situation was slightly different from usual.
The image of Lucy sitting on Ed’s lap, exhaling vigorously like a small baby bird. The sight of her lying curled up is a stark contrast to her usual stretched-out appearance, and Tanya can’t get used to it.
And Jenica, who was sitting right in front of Lucy and staring intently at her, was sitting right next to Tanya.
Seeing that it wouldn’t be strange if a ray of light burst out of her eyes at any moment, Tanya straightened her back and even took a deep breath.
As I kept my head down so as not to show the cold sweat pouring out, the memory of being scolded by Yenika once seemed to come back to me.
“… … .”
All the women around Ed Rosstaylor are fearsome.
Yenikana looks like a heavenly girl, Lucy looks like a fluttering feather, Lortel looks like an adult… For Tanya, who has seen the behind-the-scenes look once in a while, her body trembles when she remembers that time.
Even though who Ed gets involved with is a major issue that could change her family relationships, Tanya was unable to say anything due to the accumulated trauma.
-wickedness.
Yenika slowly stood up from her seat.
In fact, Ed Rosstaylor himself is asleep, leaning against the wall of the carriage.
It was a long journey that required two nights spent outdoors. Gradually, the group became quite tired, so everyone started talking less and had no energy.
It’s not that strange to be asleep in a carriage. However, Lucy, who was asleep, turned her body around and talked in her sleep, and while in a half-asleep state, she naturally climbed onto Ed’s lap and wrapped her body around him.
Yenika, who was watching that, must have been unable to bear it any longer… She gently pulled Lucy’s body out and sat her back in her chair.
“Yes, Senior Yenika… .”
“It’s dangerous to sleep like this… .”
After saying that, she sat down again, but Lucy quickly turned around, looked around with a half-asleep look, and got back on Ed’s lap.
It doesn’t seem like he’s just talking in his sleep, it feels like he’s regaining consciousness a bit.
Jenica tried several times to pull Lucy down and sit her down on the chair, but Lucy crawled onto Ed’s lap and tried to sleep. I thought it was really poisonous.
“eww… urg… .”
In the end, the only way to prevent Lucy from climbing onto Ed’s lap is to block the path at the source.
Jenica stamped her feet, and then she climbed onto Ed’s lap and sat down.
“… … .”
He then makes eye contact with Tanya and lowers his head as if embarrassed, but does not get off Ed’s lap.
When Lucy raised her eyes and looked at Yenika, Yenika straightened her back as if wondering what to do.
Compared to the diminutive Lucy, Yenika is taller. In addition, the space in the carriage is not that generous, so I am worried that she will end up touching all over the place as she moves her curved body around.
Still, Yenika gritted her teeth and defended Ed’s knee. It seemed like this was her last pride, and Tanya was unable to do anything to stop her.
“… What.”
Immediately after that, Ed woke up, was so startled and jumping up and down that he had to hit his head on the ceiling of the carriage.
* * *
“It will arrive sometime tomorrow.”
Although we have just entered Rosstaylor’s territory, we still have a long way to go to reach the mansion.
Lucy is clinging to Ed’s back, and Yenika is glaring at Lucy mercilessly.
Meanwhile, Tanya was biting bacon with her teeth chattering.
encampment… That being said, it wasn’t that hard thanks to all the luxurious tents and camping equipment the driver brought with him.
Between four people sitting around a campfire having dinner… Even though it was the middle of summer, there was a cold chill going around.
Tanya knows how powerful Jenica and Lucy are. From her perspective, the situation where two people are sparking fire like that is fear itself.
In the first place, the two girls were objects of fear to Tanya even before they fought like this. It’s like starting a fire next to a gunpowder keg that looks like it’s about to explode at any moment.
Ed, on the other hand, looked embarrassed, but managed to mediate between the two and maintain the situation.
“Oh, brother… .”
Tanya’s fatigue had already reached its peak. This atmosphere continued throughout the journey. All I could do was tremble between them.
“Two, you two are very close… .”
Tanya’s sharp political sense captured exactly what needed to be done right now.
You have to be good at walking the rope.
Which of the two can survive by clinging to… We must make that clear. In the end, the key is who Ed has a crush on.
“… … .”
Ed stuffed bread into his mouth and looked at Tanya.
We talked a lot while riding in the carriage.
How did Ed get to know people like Yenika and Lucy so well? What kind of life did he live after his excommunication? What trials did he have and how did he overcome them?
It was a journey worth admiring just by sitting still and listening, and in the process, Tanya was able to deeply understand what Jenika and Lucy meant to Ed.
Yenika is Ed’s best friend and peer competitor, and they have built up a lot of affection while living together.
In particular, there is an image of Ed as Jo Gangjicheo, who has always supported and supported him since his bare-knuckle days when he had nothing… There were many times when Tanya would momentarily lose her mind.
On the other hand, Lucy often becomes Ed’s strength or provides a solution when he is in a difficult situation… He is a trustworthy helper. Ed is the only person who deeply understands Lucy’s feelings and the ups and downs of her life story, and to Lucy, who is immediately searching for a reason to live, Ed’s existence means more than she thought.
Although he pretends not to, Ed also seems to depend a lot on Lucy emotionally. That’s why it was hard to imagine the two of them being apart, since they meant so much to each other.
The problem is that there is one man but two women. In fact, if you look at how the school goes, there are more than just two.
It was hard to even imagine what kind of mess it would be if Lortel got involved, so Tanya sighed. Fortunately, Ed was at his best right away and these two were the only people he brought with him.
While I was immersed in the atmosphere, the coachman spoke to Tanya.
“Miss Tanya, when you return to the mansion tomorrow, I think we will start talking about seal negotiations.”
“Oh, that’s right. “It has been almost a year since the seal was transferred, so even if we pursue the purchase of the seal, it will not arouse public suspicion.”
If the wise man’s seal is handed over to Lortel and he repurchases it, thinking it’s good, the connection between the Elte Company and the Rosstaylor family will be revealed too clearly, and there is a possibility that he will be suspected.
Therefore, the Ross Taylor family was assessing the appropriate time to purchase the royal seal. Now, Elte Trading Company will begin to want to realize the profits from Bonseo… The time has come to actively negotiate the purchase.
“I heard that Roland, one of the people in power at Elte Company, is participating in this social event, so let’s talk about it.”
“Actually, the fastest and clearest way would be to talk to senior Lortel… There’s no telling what kind of rumors would spread if you held the position of student council president and met privately with the top decision-maker of Elte Chamber of Commerce… .”
“It would be easier to just set a rough estimate or conclusion and move forward with it after school starts.”
When the coachman said that, Tanya nodded.
And the moment I was about to take another sip of the herbal tea the coachman gave me――
“Yenica Failover.”
A voice was heard saying that name.
Attention was instantly drawn to Lucy, who was sitting with her arms wrapped around Ed’s back.
Lucy Mayril, this is the first time I’ve seen her call someone else’s name directly. That guy, that kid, that guy, that grandfather, that person. Wasn’t she a girl who always referred to someone using only pronouns?
The established theory was that you don’t remember other people’s names because you’re too lazy, but now was the moment when that theory was shattered.
Ed seemed curious as well, raising his eyes and looking at Lucy.
Then Lucy spoke straight while looking at Yenika.
“Just do it in moderation. “There are a lot of spirits around here too.”
At the end of this difficult standoff, a preemptive strike was finally launched.
Tanya took a deep breath and couldn’t let it out because she was so nervous.
“… “What?”
“There are always spirits gathered around the camp, and whenever something happens, they run to you and report to you.”
I think I can guess what Lucy is going to say. Jenica narrowed her shoulders for a moment, and she broke into a cold sweat.
“Just looking at it, you can see that this kid’s every move is being reported. I don’t think I’d ever feel like I was being watched day and night… ?”
At those words, Yenika took a deep breath and glanced at Ed’s expression from the corner of her eye.
From the beginning, Ed Rosstaylor was always aware of the fact that there were spirits around him.
Of course, the northern forest is not full of spirits wherever you go, but at least the spirits were always coming and going near the camp.
Ed wasn’t paying much attention because he wasn’t doing anything that would be overlooked by anyone.
However, Lucy, who frequents the camp like Ed, seems to have been bothered… I clung to Ed’s back and spoke straight to Yenika.
“Insidious.”
“that… that… The spirits do as they please… .”
“You could have made it worse, but you didn’t. While pretending to be innocent… .”
Tanya raised her eyes and glanced at Yenika. Yenika seemed to be under Tanya’s gaze, so she wiggled her fingers and averted her gaze.
Ed, who was worse off, said while putting bacon and bread into his mouth.
“are you okay. I don’t really care. Well, since I am in the same position, there are safety reasons, and the spirits are very talkative, so it doesn’t happen for a day or two. In fact, I received a lot of help from the spirits in one way or another.”
“look… ! They say the person involved doesn’t care… !”
“But, that… I never thought it would be at the level of reporting every move… .”
When Yenika gasped again, Lucy turned around and took a seat on Ed’s lap. Even as Jenica narrowed her eyes, she couldn’t help but look at Ed’s eyes.
“Gigigigi… “Did you feel bad?”
“It’s nothing to feel bad about, but… Well, I just didn’t know. “Don’t worry too much.”
“Ugh… .”
Yenika pursed her lips and was unable to refute anything further.
There was no order to report on Ed’s every move, but that didn’t stop the spirits from talking about him.
Since the crime was not ameliorated because it was intentional and negligent, Yenica had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.
“It’s dark, it’s dark, it’s dark… .”
Lucy was just sitting on Ed’s lap and continuing to talk. As always, she opens her blank half-moon eyes and speaks in a sleepy voice, but there is a strange feeling of smiling mixed in.
Jenica found Lucy so obnoxious that she couldn’t stand it… Unfortunately, these are all facts. It is said that it is impossible to refute it.
“If it were me, I would feel sorry and stay as far away as possible.”
Ed thought it was time to grab Lucy’s cheek while she was talking wildly, and Lucy’s small cheek was pulled away.
“Just do it in moderation. “You know better that he couldn’t have done it because Yenica had bad intentions.”
“Ed… !”
When Yenika nodded with a voice full of emotion, Lucy puffed out her cheeks and tugged on Ed’s tie. His face is full of dissatisfaction, but he can’t use force against Ed, so he protests in his own way.
Ed continued his story while pressing Lucy’s head.
“Anyway, after arriving at the mansion, we will have a quick lunch and then meet my father right away. “We could even have lunch together.”
Now that we are getting closer to the Ross Taylor mansion, we had to talk in advance about how we will move starting tomorrow.
“After introducing you guys and having a little chat, we’ll talk about the social church… Each person will be assigned a room. “I think it would be better for Lucy to be assigned to the room closest to me.”
“to… why?”
Yenika asked in surprise.
“Yenika needs to get a room a little further away. “Use the spirits as secretly as possible to check the overall structure of the mansion.”
“I am well aware of the structure of the mansion, brother.”
“Hearing it verbally and actually seeing it are very different. And check the flow of magic carefully and look for unnatural or suspicious areas.”
While gently stroking Lucy’s hair, Ed spoke firmly to the group.
“We came to find evidence that could expose Crepin Rosstaylor’s true intentions. Let’s not forget that fact. “If we, as insiders, find evidence that is just right to show, Crepin’s position will also be shaken in its own way.”
“… … .”
Jenica and Lucy didn’t react much to those words, but Tanya’s expression was especially dark.
Tanya is a girl who has admired Crepin all her life and lived for the glory of Ross Taylor.
Over the past few months, I have heard the truth about the story behind it, and have even personally experienced being accused of murder, so my perception must have changed a lot… Still, as the daughter of the Ross Taylor family, her feelings would inevitably be complicated in a situation where Crepin was to be taken down.
The human mind is not so easily organized. Ed wanted to make sure Tanya won his heart, at least while she was in the Ross Taylor household.
At that time, Lucy opened her mouth.
“There’s no need to go to the next room. “I have to keep an eye on you all the time.”
The Ross Taylor mansion is actually quite small.
That’s why it seemed like Lucy was always trying to protect me.
Lucy hugged her knees and spoke in a dazed voice.
“Just, let’s share the same room. “You can just ask me to do that.”
There was silence again.
Tanya got goosebumps and couldn’t bear to look at Yenika’s expression.
“W-what are you talking about… ?”
“You have a job to keep a close eye on the inside of the mansion, but my job is to keep him safe.”
“Eh, Ed… Such foolish words… .”
Yenika could not finish speaking. This was because Ed could be seen resting his chin on hers, seriously contemplating it.
No matter what anyone says, Ed himself is risking his life right now. The stakes were too high to take numerous risks for various reasons.
When Yenika saw that, she became distraught.
* * *
The outer wall surrounding Ross Taylor’s mansion was visible from a long distance away.
It was so large that it looked like a village rather than a mansion.
There is a small hill nearby, and a clock tower with a huge family crest is rising.
From the main building of the mansion, to the shabby building used by the residents, to the warehouse building, to the building erected for garden management… There are only five or six buildings that are immediately visible.
This is the hometown where Ed and Tanya Rosstaylor were born and raised, and it is also the headquarters of the Rosstaylor family that rules the continent.
A mansion of a size befitting its grandeur. It was much larger than the Ofilis Hall, where the bachelor’s VIPs lived.
Actually, it’s natural. If the mansion of the most powerful family is smaller than a bachelor’s residence, there is no prestige.
The mercenaries guarding the main gate of the mansion greeted them politely and opened the gate, revealing a beautiful path decorated with roses and street trees leading to the mansion.
When the coachman led the horse into the mansion, all the residents and vassals who stopped by on business politely bowed their heads to the carriage.
Here, members of the Rosstaylor family are both emperor and god. This is a place where the power of Duke Rothtaylor, who commands the territory right in front of you, is stronger than that of Emperor Cloel, who sits far away on the ecliptic.
After riding the carriage for a while, I saw a large number of maids and servants lined up at the entrance to the mansion.
“We’ve finally arrived.”
As the coachman politely opened the carriage door, the entrance to the huge mansion came into view.
The marble stairs decorated with flowers are magnificent. A procession of workers lined up on both sides with their heads bowed. Jenica, a commoner, took her breath away when she saw that sight.
Of course, Lucy doesn’t seem to care at all.
“Thank you for your hard work on the long journey.”
When the coachman said hello and moved out of the way, Tanya was the first to nod. She was naturally escorted out of the carriage and handed her luggage to the servant.
After that, Lucy and Yenika, who were sitting in the seats outside, got off.
Lucy jumped down without a care in the world, and Yenika was struggling as if she felt burdened by the attention around her.
He looks embarrassed because he has never been treated like this in his life. She walked out while fiddling with her fingers, but when the employee politely asked for her luggage, she was startled and took a step back.
Anyway, a nobleman is a bad person.
Next, I got off and naturally handed my personal luggage to the attendant.
―Kwakang! Kang!
At that moment, the small wooden bag containing my luggage rolled across the floor. It seems that I relaxed my hand too early when I handed it over.
For a moment, the noise spread through the front door, creating tension among the occupants. Tension spread among everyone, as if a great disaster had arrived.
“S-sorry… ! Master Ed… !”
Suddenly, the worker who was taking my luggage fell with his head on the floor.
“Oh, I was nervous to see you after so long… ! The sight of the golden return was so dazzling that this lowly being made a mistake… !”
He apologizes with all his might and begs as if he still has some trauma.
You can get a sense of what Ed Rothtaylor’s words and actions were like on a regular basis.
I didn’t try to say anything, but just picked up the wooden bag myself. Then the servant trembled and took a defensive stance. He probably thought I was going to swing the wooden bag and hit him.
When I looked around, I saw that the workers lined up were not moving at all. However, if you look closely, you can see him pouting and sweating.
“Okay. “I will lift it myself.”
After saying that, I picked up the wooden bag and followed him to the front door.
Among the people with their heads down, that strange silence continued to be maintained. Because I think I know the identity of that strange feeling of discomfort… I didn’t really make a fuss.
* * *
The first thing I saw upon entering the front door was a huge portrait.
Behind the eagle statue that symbolizes Ross Taylor’s glory, there is an enormous portrait occupying the huge wall.
This is usually a place to hang a photo of the family’s progenitor or current head of the family.
This is to clearly inform people who visit this mansion about the origin of this family.
However, the portrait hanging in the lobby of the Ross-Taylor family is of a young woman.
His wide-open eyes are alive with moisture, and his flowing blonde hair is as rich as his benevolent heart.
The gentle smile was also so old-fashioned that I felt warm when I saw it.
The name was written politely beneath the portrait.
“Arwen Rothtaylor.”
“It’s been a while since you’ve seen Arwen’s portrait. Brother. When you’re at the mansion… “He strangely disliked this portrait.”
After talking to that point, Tanya took a deep breath again. She was worried that she might have made a mistake.
I shook my head and just looked up at the large portrait again.
I am a person who no longer exists in the world.
I’m not even in a position to talk about it in detail.
It’s just that Crepin’s intention in hanging Arwen’s portrait so large… I was just a little curious.
Is it longing for the daughter who left first? Or, is it to pay homage to her exemplary life as the daughter of the Ross Taylor family?
Unless you are involved, you probably don’t know.
“Are you here?”
At that time, the large wooden door at the top of the lobby stairs opened, and a man appeared, leading about four or five employees.
“You had a hard time coming this far.”
He was wearing extravagant clothes made with all kinds of expensive fabrics and a thick cape.
The reason why you look younger than your age is not that complicated. Because he is a wealthy man.
I looked up at Crepin, who was standing right on the railing, and spoke slowly.
“It’s been a while, father.”
What will you say to that?
In the midst of silence… Finally, Crepin opened her mouth.
“Yes, I was really worried about you. I missed you. Ed, my son.”
The sight of Crepin relaxing and smiling brightly.
No one in the group felt a sense of family solidarity even when looking at those affectionate faces.
The fact that everything draped over that face, layer after layer, is a mask… Because I know it well.
