To Southcourt
“Sophia, it’s been so long. I was beginning to think you’d never come back with all that traveling in the Empire.”
“Caroline, it has been a while. I’m glad to see you looking well. I’d love to catch up, but first, let me introduce my grandchildren. The one beside me is Gerald—he’ll be enrolling in the academy next year. And next to him is Reinhardt. You were kind enough to invite us, so I brought them along.”
“What an honor to meet the famous sons of the Westland family. I’m Caroline Southcourt. Sophia and I have been close since our school days. This town is quite different from Westland, so I hope you enjoy your stay.”
We were taken to guest rooms on the third floor of a three-story annex, with my room right next to Brother Gerald’s.
Apparently, Lady Caroline lives in this annex, and Grandmother will be staying in a guest room on the second floor near Caroline’s room. They really must be close.
When I entered the room, I could see the sea in the distance from the window. The mansion was built on high ground, it seems. The room had a luxurious, open feel—like a VIP room in a resort hotel.
Not that I know whether resort hotels even exist in this world.
I took off the shoulder carriers containing Atre and the White Dragon and opened them up. They both stretched out after crawling from their bags.
Since neither of them would accept anyone else but me, I had to carry one on each shoulder the whole way here—it was exhausting.
If this keeps up, it’s going to be rough.
“This view is really different from where you live, Reinhardt.”
“Totally. The temperature is warmer, and the trees are completely different too.”
“This might be Atre’s first time seeing the sea, but what about you, White Dragon?”
“I have seen it from the sky while flying, so in truth, I’m no different from you.”
“Then we all need to go to the beach and play together!”
We chatted idly while relaxing in the room.
We were told to take it easy today since the journey had likely tired us out. Dinner was just the two of us, me and Brother Gerald.
Grandmother was dining with Lady Caroline and wasn’t present.
“Brother Gerald, did you get to rest a bit?”
“Not really. I felt like moving around, so I went for a run around the mansion with one of Southcourt’s knights.”
“If Ripka was with you, I bet they were surprised.”
“Probably. But he didn’t show it on his face. Seems like their knight corps is well-disciplined.”
Atre, Ripka, and the White Dragon were eating with us, too.
“These seafood dishes are delicious.”
“They are. We get seafood back home too, but with the sea right in front of us, the variety must be greater. The colors are vibrant, and everything tastes excellent.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” said a beautiful young woman with pale blonde hair and emerald green eyes as she entered the room.
“Sorry for interrupting your meal. I’m Diana Southcourt, eldest daughter of the Southcourt family. Our head—my father—is currently staying in the capital, and I only just found out we had guests. I’m terribly sorry for the delayed greeting.”
She bowed deeply.
We stood quickly in response, and Brother Gerald stepped beside me.
“Thank you for coming all the way out to the annex. I’m Gerald Westland, and this is my younger brother, Reinhardt Westland. We’re accompanying our grandmother on this visit.”
He bowed after introducing me.
“Please, continue your meal. I’ll stop by again after you’ve finished.”
Even as she spoke, I noticed Diana glancing at Brother Gerald repeatedly.
After dinner, we moved to a salon-like room. When Diana stood to greet us again, she looked a little downcast.
“My apologies again for interrupting earlier. I was just so flustered when I heard we had guests…”
Normally, a maid or butler would come ahead to announce visitors, so maybe she was regretting her hasty entrance.
“It’s fine. Lady Caroline has been very kind to us, so please don’t worry. I imagine things must be busy with the head of the house away,” Brother Gerald said kindly.
“That’s true, but… that’s not why I was flustered…” Diana stumbled over her words.
She looked like a cool, composed noble lady at first—beautiful and poised—but she didn’t seem that way now.
“We’re just here to accompany our grandmother. We’ve already been warmly welcomed, so—”
“That’s not it. I panicked when I heard that Young master Gerald was here,” Diana said, cutting him off and blushing as she spoke.
“I was just so happy to finally meet my fiancé…”
“… Eh?”
“What?!”
Brother Gerald and I both shouted in surprise at the same time.
What do you think about this chapter?
