“Missing.”
At the words of Carl the messenger bowed his head.
“That’s right. Neither the dragon, or the Wolf Knights are nowhere to be seen…….”
“Is there any trace?”
“Well, there was a huge vitiated pit. Scholars say the vitiated pit was formed because of the high heat. Maybe it’s because the fire that dragon blowed…..”
“Okay. Is that all?”
When Carl asked, the messenger “That’s it.” he replied. The room become so quiet.
“I understand. Then is the dragon is gone too?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Is the command is over now?”
“Tha, that’s right.”
The messenger lifted his head. He was speaking with a puzzled face.
“The Emperor expresses his deep condolences about this incident, to the next Duke Carl—“
Carl raised his hand to block his word and rose from the black chair.
“I will tell you that it’s still too early for me.”
“Yes?”
“It’s too early for me to get the position of the next Duke. And it would be really awkward when my father comes back.”
“But…….”
“There’s no evidence of death, so there’s still a possibilities. Tell him like that.”
The messenger leaned back.
“Okay.”
Carl shook his hand to retire. The messenger stepped back as quickly as he can.
I dazed and watched the messenger go out.
Uh? So did he officially concluded that the Duke of Castiello already died?
Dad is dead?
Uh?
What?
Somehow it was not real. As my senses disappeared from my mind, it’s like i’m standing or floating in the air—
“Estelle.”
I looked down to the marble floor. The floor pattern become looked round and round.
“Estelle.”
Carl called me again with a little louder and i lifted my head. He said as he looked at me.
“Come on.”
But i couldn’t move, it stuck. Because i have no strength in my knees, it feels like when i moved one step forward my legs would be collapses.
Is just not only me and Carl in the parlor now, so i don’t want to show my true feeling now.
Carl kicked out his tongue lightly, got up from his seat and approached me. And hugged me.
“Carl?!”
As i grabbed his shoulder in amazement, Carl looked back.
“After ten minutes, gathered at my office.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Concise answers have been heard. When the people went out, Carl sat again on the black seat.
“It’s okay.”
Carl said in a low voice as he looked onto my eyes. At that moment my tears start to flow.
“Don’t, i don’t know, ho, how—uh, uh—“
Ugh, i start to cried and Carl patted my back. After crying for a while, the sound of my crying diminished.
“It’s really okay. He not a person who would die because of the dragon. Maybe something else happened.”
“Something else?”
As he buried my face on his arms, Carl “Umm….i’m not sure, but there must be another problem there.” he replied.
“It’s possible.”
“It is.”
Carl murmured and patted my back. I’m used to this act a lot.
“It will takes some time until he coming back.”
“Do, it, will took a long time—“
Tears began to come out again. Will i become a grandmother then? What if dad come after i die?
“Things like that can happen too.”
Carl lifted my head and smiled faintly.
“Crybaby.”
“No, i’m not.”
It’s understandable because i’m crying like this.
“You will be fine. So don’t cry. Or do you want to rest?”
At Carl words, i shook my head.
“I’m not crying now. And i want to work.”
I quickly answered. I hated being depressed while spending time in my room without working.
That’s right, if Carl say it’s fine it will be fine. Dad still alive, that’s it. I will work hard until he come back.
Oh—i realized after crying my mind was more clear and light.
I glanced up at Carl. The eye’s that like a crimson diamond didn’t even shake, or become cloudy.
“Brother.”
I stuttered.
“Brother, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then i will do my best.”
I quickly grabbed Carl sleeve’s. He raised his eyebrows slightly.
“So please tell me, if brother feel tired.”
In my words, Carl laughed.
“Okay.”
“Really.”
“Okay.”
He response, and stopped for a moment and continued.
“You already help me enough.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, especially the crying.”
At that point, my face was become red.
“What, is not a help?!”
“No, really.”
Carl smiled low, and touch my face lightly with his hands “Ugh.” And frowned.
“Now, handkerchief. You have runny nose.”
“—!”
My face really become burn at the end. He is took his handkerchief and squeezed my nose in a militant way.
No, it’s normal if someone crying it means the nose will become runny!
Roughly wipe my face, and asked.
“But Carl. Shouldn’t we try to find where dad is? If he have a problem, he might need help…..”
Carl shook his head.
“No, three-thirds of the wolf knights and three masters are already together. The help that we need—“
Carl laughed and continued.
“Was only wizard?”
At that, i frowned. I never like that idea. I never want to get involved with the wizard from the pagoda.
And even if we bow down and ask for help, they are more likely try to push my dad into the limbs.
There was nothing really helpful there. But i have to talk to Alpha again.
Suddenly i remember the other spirit that didn’t made a contract with me.
‘Should i go back there?’
Into the elemental cave.
While i was thinking about something, Carl get up from the chair and held me down. I always notice about it, that he always unusually powerful.
“Now go.”
“Me too, go to the meeting—“
“With that face?”
Carl asked, touching my face with both hands.
“Are you serious?”
“Uh.”
Staring at him for a decisive answer, i nodded.
“I understand. Then i will absent for today.”
Carl nodded and patted my head lightly.
Come out from the parlor, Anne was waiting.
“Anne?”
“Mr. Kelson want me to check on you. Are you okay, Estelle?”
Her tender tone seemed made my tears flow somehow, but i nodded.
“I’m okay.”
“Do you want to have a story with me?”
I looked around. It just less than a ten minutes anyway, but the news will spread all over the mansion already.
“Should we sit and talk? And i want to eat a sweet cake.”
I said that as i made a sigh, and Anne nodded to my words.
In the sun-room, i put a bite of cake in my mouth, and i remembered how Kelson sent Anne to cheer me up.
‘They are caring for me.’
Maybe he heard the story and considered that the news would make me shock. And he sending Anne on purpose.
‘Thank you, but what shall i say……’
“Anne.”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t here a little bit hot?”
“Yes?”
Anne opened her eyes. I briefly told her what i felt. Anne “Ah.” Nodded and said.
“It’s not that hot.”
“No?”
“Yes.”
Anne grinned and poured the tea.
“Are you mind if i told you some story?”
“……..Story?”
“You changed a lot lately.”
“Really?”
“Yes, you doing some administrative work now—trust and stability in Lady have increased. That’s how wonderful you are.”
“If so, that’s good.”
I said that as i chewy the chocolate cake that melted in my mouth, the heavy feeling i had felt before feels much better now.
Looking up at the ceiling of the sun-room, as i leaning on the chair. The sunlight was shining on the windows.
The red sun is not as pretty as Dad or Carl’s eyes.
‘Ah.’
I suddenly remembered Carl again. I think i will be strong just with myself, but i don’t think everyone will think that way.
‘But i can’t do that.’
Estelle Castiello.
I just remember when Dad often called me as he smiled on me.
Castiello.
Yes, i’m Castiello.
If dad not here on the Duke, Carl will be the one who supporting the Duke, so Carl will be my guardian!
Somehow the sense of thought come out.
“I’m really going to wok hard now.”
I mumbled, Anne “Isn’t you already work hard?” she said. I shook my head.
“No, i will work more harder then before now.”
I want to help Carl if it’s too hard for him. So the trails will find me naturally instead of Carl. As Lady of Castiello, and of course i will do what should i do.
“I will be strong.”
Anne nodded in earnestly at my humble words.
“Yes, i’m sure Estelle will be able do that.”
“Thank you, Anne. Oh yeah, and—“
“Yes.”
“Can you do some investigation about the dragon? We can’t entrust the wizard tower. So i want ask you some help.”
Anne grinned.
“I am Estelle wizard, so you can order me anything.”
After eating cakes i feel a little cheer up and quickly walked up to my room. Alpha following right next to me. The sounds of the claws of the big wolves that rubbing on the marble floor was gave a sense of stability.
When i entered my room, Annie jumped out of the chair. Jane and Stephanie were also anxious.
All of them, were waiting the news that the messenger bring from me. But i’m glad that i heard about if first.
Annie had no idea about it, Jane and Stephanie had an anxious face and if i was crying in front of them it would be a worst joke.
I feel sorry to made them waiting so long. I opened my mouth as calm as possible.
“Dad and all the Wolf Knights, are missing.”
Annie face become pale, Stephanie fall down on the spot. Jane quickly caught her.
“Stephanie!”
Watching Stephanie fall, i looked back at Annie.
“Annie, i want to remove all the decoration on my clothes.”
“Decoration?”
“Lace, ruffles, ribbon—all the decoration that made me look young.”
It may sounds absurd, but Annie just knelt down.
“Okay.”
I went into my room and took the rabbit doll out of the bed. It was a doll that has been together with me since the first time i came to the Duke.
I went inside the dressing room and opened a heavy box. It was a small place to put the clothes not to wear.
I hugged the rabbit doll tightly. I kissed the doll on the forehead and put it in the box. Closing the heavy box lid, i recalled a word i heard somewhere.
‘When we still young, we will talked like a child and thinking like a child—‘
I have to grown up and leaving that way of act behind.
I should be an adult now.
I knocked at the box lid and came out.
Annie asked when i came out to the living room.
“Would you like to change the clothes you wear now?”
“Uh, but is there any clothes without decorations?”
All i had was clothing with ribbons or frills to emphasize the cuteness.
“Yes, you have the clothes that haven’t been decorated yet.”
“Then i will wash and change clothes.”
“Okay.”
I took off my pink dress and washed my face lightly. Looking in the mirror, i didn’t look like the person who just cried.
‘Good.’
Annie brought my new clothes.
“This is the clothes.”
It was a blue dress that fell without any decoration. There was a gold button that made the dress look elegance, there wasn’t had a ribbon or ruffle.
“It’s good.”
I nodded, Annie and and Jane helped me change my clothes. I told Stephanie to go in and rest, but she soon returned with the jewelry.
“I think it would be better if i’m working.”
I sympathized with her words and nodded. It’s a bad idea to do nothing.
I wore a blue dark dress, and my hair was simply braided again. And not a colored gem as the ornament, but a platinum hair comb with a small diamond as an ornament.
I slowly looked at myself in the mirror.
It strange to look myself like this.
‘But i should get used to it from now on.’
I woke up and opened the door to the hallway, Roy stood there with a surprised face.
“Roy?”
“Lady? Where to….”
He was try to talking and noticing his behavior as he can’t finish his words. He stared at me.
I was awkward and shrugged.
“Is it weird?”
“No. Not that—“
Roy looked at me with a serious face.
“Roy?”
I called him again and he shook his head.
“Nothing. Where are you going?”
“Office. I have to listen the meeting decision.”
“……..Okay.”
“Is there something that Roy want to said to me?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Roy smiled faintly. I smiled and started walking. Roy stood behind me.
“Roy.”
“Yes.”
“Ellen will be fine.”
“Is that so?”
In his response, i stop and turned around. Roy who rarely looked nervous smiled at me. I wanted my face to be as confident as my brother.
“She will be fine, because she is with my dad.”
Roy smiled became more clearer as he heard my words.
“I see. If Lady say that, i will believe in you.”
It was a bit heavy. But i did what Carl did to me, so i nodded to Roy.
“Believe in me.”
“Okay.”
Roy nodded deeply. I gave him a grin and started to walked again.
The soldier that stood in front of me was looked at me and bowed as they opened the door. As soon as i entered, their eyes are focusing on me.
“I think i want to listened about the story too.”
I saw Carl as i asked him.
“Can i attend?”
“Okay.”
Carl nodded and knocked on his side. As i stood beside him, he whispered to me with small voice.
“I didn’t want my crybaby rabbit suddenly change become a doe.”
“I’m not a rabbit.”
As i talked, Carl smiled faintly and looked away.
“Okay.”
It was the first time that he was accepted me like that, so i felt a little bit strange. It was awkward, as coughed and turned my eyes to the table.
Kelson stroking his neck and said.
“So let’s continue the story—we were discussing whether we need to dispatch a separate team—“
He glance at Carl. Carl shook his head.
“We don’t need. It’s a silly decision to cut more power from here.”
Roy said in a relaxed voice, but distinctly a cool voice beneath him.
“It’s take ten days.”
“Ten days?”
Carl laughed loudly.
“I think it will take a half from that.”
“But, we need some preparation too.”
Kelson replied, Carl “We’ve already done it.” he said and looked at the map.
As i heard the story, i also looked at the map. Then i realized.
“From where the Marquis will come?”
“Uhm.”
Carl reached out his finger and dubbed at the border of the Duke and Marquis Raymond.
“Well, then where should we come from?”
“To arrived in short time, you can also using the public streets.”
Kelson shrugged and pointed to the widest and largest road.
As Hardel said to me before, the Duchy was very well polished. In particular, there were four huge boulevards leading to Berge as the center of the Duchy of Castiello.
And there another road leading to the street that crosses the border with Duke and Marquis Raymond.
“If we used the electric power that running there, it will help you to coming pretty fast. Now—then.”
Carl laughed. As if he is enjoying this situation.
“Will they coming alone? Or will they join with another Marquis? I will bet a thousand gold if the Jamon Marquis will come together.”
“Save your money.”
Kelson said with a low moan.
I turned my head to Roy.
“Just one third of the Wolf Knight are remain, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Is there a master in the Marquis?”
“Yes.”
I took a short breath and nodded.
“I see. Then waiting is stupid.”
We don’t have a master.
Oh, no. There is Carl. But does it mean that Carl can take the lead?
‘But otherwise we can’t stop the master.’
While worried, Carl finger ran down the road and pressed his finger at the first gate, Alta Gate on the boulevard.
“Stop it here.”
“Then what about Marquis Jamon?”
Kelson asked low.
“I will take care of it.”
I said quietly. Carl shook his head.
“No.”
“Why can i?”
“I don’t want to leave a war to people who have never killed people before.”
“There always a first to everyone.”
“Okay. But not now.”
“No, it’s now.”
I reached out and touched Alpha neck and said firmly.
Carl leaned back and said low.
“The Marquis will not move right away. I will see how Raymond moves and then i will move too. Because they never want to lose their money.”
“That’s right. Like an old fox.”
Kelson lightly evaluated.
Viper and old fox.
“Then we can go see and decide. We can’t take all the knight, so i will decide the matter first—“
After the big problem was sorted out, the small problem were would followed like a steamed sweet stems.
When a prerequisite arises, then they will born a minor way to solve the problem, solving them one by one will eventually solve a big problem.
‘It’s like take a big pancake in one bite.’
The military problem is nothing but a strange thing, it was quite difficult just to concentrate to it so i didn’t listened to it too much. In addition, the discussion continued until dawn, with a variety of stories being discussed, including the dissemination, stockpiling, and how long the war would last.
‘Sleepy.’
I listened to the meeting story as i biting my mouth inside to endure the yawn.
It was about 2 o’clock when all the discussions had been barely ‘arranged.’ the dinner plates and cups was remained intact in the trolley. Nobody had the strength to clean up.
I’m tired but nobody told me ‘Please go to bed first, Lady.’ and thank you for not to say that.
If someone said so ‘Me being here and not here is no difference.’ It would have be the meaning.
First Carl sent his servants out, he sitting in the office and swept his head up.
“You go and rest.”
At Carl words, i approached Carl and stood in front off him.
“Why?”
He looked up and looked at me, i reached out my hand and stroked his head.
“Thanks for your work, you did suffer a lot, have a good rest for today! Good job!”
With a completely messed hair, Carl looked at me blankly and burst into laughter.
“Ahahaha.”
Oh, it’s really rare to him laughed out loud like this.
I lowered my hand. Carl whispered.
“You, really.”
Carl pulled my arm and hugged me.
“Estelle.”
“Yep.”
After answered shortly, Carl closed his eyes.
“Thanks.”
“Thank you too.”
I also hugged Carl. And then said.
“And i love you so much.”
Carl laughed again.
“Yeah.”
“You don’t say ‘me too.’?”
“Me too.”
“Good.”
I was satisfied with his answer and nodded, he patted my back and let go of me.
“Then go and rest.”
“Yes. Brother too.”
“Okay.”
Carl replied with a happy face.
Oh, also. It’s good to be praised.
I nodded inward.
Actually an adult, children, everyone.
‘You are doing well!’ or something like that, ‘It’s okay, you’re doing your best.’ didn’t they need the same praise and support?
‘The only person who can do that for Carl is Dad, but Dad he doesn’t here now.’
So i did it for you, i enjoyed it because he seemed like it too.
As i leave the office with Alpha, he raises his head.
—Don’t you give it to me too?
“Uh?”
I looked back in surprised, i giggled and touched Alpha head and neck.
“Alpha, good, good. Pretty. Thank you for keeping me safe.”
Feeling good when i touched a big dog. Alpha large tail moved quickly from side to side.
I turned to Alpha and kissed both side of his nose and raised my body.
‘Alpha.’
—Huh?
‘I can’t keep End in touch, but he doesn’t destroyed.’
—Yes. I would have know if he was extinguished.
‘Can we ask about it to another spirit? To find him?’
—I’m already looking up in many ways.
“Really?”
I looked around and asked, and Alpha nodded.
—Because for us that’s a big problem too.
“I see……”
Somehow i lost strength on my shoulder. There was really nothing i can do for Dad.
‘No. No.’
I may can’t do anything. But i will watch the Duchy until Dad comes.
‘So we won’t being hit by the Marquis.’
Determined firmly, i clench my fist.
The time passed quickly.
Thanks to Annie, Jane, and Stephanie work, half of my clothes already change now. The ornaments were also taken out from the blue deer room, and it made a totally different atmosphere. The maids were glad because they can focus on something else, not the ominous news of the war.
Of course it’s a maid job to take care of my clothes, but i’m not the one who told them to do that in this quickly.
The three of them focused on work as if they wanted to forget about bad thoughts they had, and because of that my style changed faster than i expected.
Should i say that i already passed the feminine stage and become more femininity?
“Lady, your looks are really great now.”
Stephanie red eyes were looked at me as she smiled faintly, somehow it’s hurt my heart.
If you think about it, the Wolf Knights are a proud knight of the Duke of Castiello, so few people in the mansion are associated with the knights. It was a huge blow that third-third of the knights disappeared in one time. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of the mansion is not broken down thanks to Carl.
‘The existence of a successor is give a great feedback.’
Or maybe it’s just Carl was special.
Everyone, or everything naturally move around Carl. Well, of course it was a natural things—
‘I hope i can help him to ease his burden.’
It’s something that only Castiello can do.
“Oh yeah, what clothes that you asked for before?”
“A knight clothes?”
Stephanie nodded at my request. I should be prepared it early because i might get into war too.
I can’t wear dress to go to a war, right?
The second things is whether i can really wield a sword or not they can’t really saw it, but the clothes is important too.
It’s like wearing sport-wear even if you are not playing in an athletic game.
‘And i want it in all black. I don’t usually wear anything in that color.’
I can definitely got a sense of belonging. Not bad.
“Here you go.”
Jane come out with a knight clothes.
‘Yes, this black—‘
Uh?
“……Is it white?”
“Yes, because i don’t think black suits you.”
“But everyone is wearing black. Is white is too noticeable and that’s not good thing, right?”
“………Would i be hit by an arrow then?”
In my murmur, the face of the two freaking out.
“That, that’s right. It wasn’t good if you stand out too much.”
“But the Lady who stand in front if me already stand out……”
At the words of them, i start to laughed.
Well.
The white knight’s suit was made carefully without the decoration. Beside, even it’s in the white color i should say that it was gorgeous. If i get a hot of the dust, the dust will say ‘Im here.’ because the color is so bright.
‘But it doesn’t matter.’
I will a chain armor on top of it anyway, and i will put a black tunic on it again.
“What color is my tunic that i would wear over the armor?”
Tell if you didn’t make it in the white color too.
The two of them quickly brought the tunics. Haha, the tunics was white too.
The structure of the tunic on the armor is simple. There is a hole in the middle of the long rectangle, so you can put your head there. For finished the belt was around over the tunic made from a fabric like a leather hanging back and forth.
‘But it already made with a care.’
The edge was embroidered with gold yarn, and a winged black leopard was embroider in the middle. How long it takes for them to embroider that such a detail.
“Thanks. I will wear it well.”
“Are you okay with this?”
Stephanie asked carefully, and i nodded.
“Yes, i like it.”
As i smiled, Jane and Stephanie face seemed to relief.
Yeah, white isn’t bad either.
I was worried that there was no time to make a chain armor, but there was a female armor in the blue deer room. The chain armor was so fluid so i decide to try to wear it……..
Annie sighed while trimmed the armor, but still i did not bend over.
“Should i cut my hair…….?”
My hair is too long and it’s a little disturbing…….
As i looked at the mirror and asked that, Jane screamed.
“No!”
Stephanie screamed as if she was upset.
“Right! Don’t cut it! Unfortunately! Don’t said something like that!”
“But if it’s too long, it’s cumbersome……”
Obviously now my hair is so long that long enough to reach my butt.
“Pretty hair is money, so don’t cut it.”
Annie said firmly when she came in. I wondered and asked.
“Is it money?”
“To make a wig.”
“Ah—!”
So it was like that. I think i also read it at some book before too? Some wife sold their hair so they can help their husband…….
“Right. Long hair can makes money too.”
Isn’t it the same as saving money?
I convinced and nodded. If that the case, it’s a waste to cut it off. No, i shouldn’t cut it until that happened.
“Then i will continue to grow it.”
“Yes, you should.”
Annie replied with a grin. Jane and Stephanie nod their heads as they agree.
Then there was a knock on the door.
“Lady.”
“What? Roy?”
I jumped up from my seat. Roy has been busy these days too. Indeed he is the head of the Wolf Knights.
So he won’t come finding me until there is anything special happen.
Opening the door, Roy was stood at the door and said succinctly.
“A messenger came from Marquis Raymond.”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
Roy smiled as if he is revealing the blade and said.
“I’m ready in case he is come here to made a mess with the Lady too.”
I blinked my eyes. A laughed came out without knowing.
“With me?”
“Yes.”
“So? Is he still talking now?”
“No, probably he is being kicked out now.”
“I see.”
“That’s it. So, i come here as soon as possible, to told you the story.”
At the end of Roy words, i said “Ah.”and nodded.
“I will go right to the office now.”
“Yes. I have to go back too.”
“Yes, thank you for coming on purpose.”
As i greet him, Roy stared at me.
“Why?”
“It’s strange.”
“What?”
“When i listening to what Lady say, it doesn’t feels like before.”
“What is it.”
“That’s, from my eyes you look…..Uh? Should i say that i was surprised?”
“Surprised?”
“I thought you was as a small bud until yesterday, but today it feels like you are a peony in a full bloom?”
I burst into laughter.
“What is that. Roy, that something you should say to Ellen.”
“I don’t care because i like you too. Anyway, i should say that you looked different day by day. Everyone will be surprised to see you when they come back.”
“Is it a compliment?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
I greeted him with a smile, and headed straight to the office.
Ichigoisstrawberry 