Ch.89Epilogue – Fight On, STL! (1)

“About 7 years have passed since those tumultuous days.

During that not-so-brief period, numerous events both big and small had transpired, among which the most notable was undoubtedly the wedding of Rahilt and Serin. The couple, who seemed to have existed solely to become one, united amidst brilliant blessings.

As a result, the Grand Duchy of Literion—now transformed into the Grand Duchy of Elhader—had become prosperous thanks to the Dragon’s Authority. Not only that, but they had even reached the point of exporting food beyond the northern region.

Eshtiel, who had grown into a 16-year-old girl, was proud of her brother.

Unlike Rahilt and Serin who remained in the Grand Duchy, Eshtiel stayed in the capital, enjoying leisurely days. Normally, it would have been difficult to spend such carefree time under Rodrick’s watchful eye, but unfortunately, he had become the husband of Baroness Raden and now resided in the Raden Barony.

Thus, Eshtiel was free but somehow experiencing monotonous days.

“Tesha, I’m bored.”

Eshtiel looked askance at the robust woman from her chair.

Knight Tesha, who had been dismissed by her lord, had changed professions to become a maid serving Eshtiel.

“You should not have quit the Academy, my lady.”

“But it’s no fun. Without brother Rahilt, sister Serin, brother Luca, or sister Kanarin…”

And brother Tesser had long since returned to the imperial palace…

Eshtiel swallowed the rest of her words.

“Would you like to go get fitted for some dresses?”

Tesha asked as a desperate measure. However, Eshtiel was particular and shook her head.

“I already have too many.”

Eshtiel stared blankly at the ceiling. The decorative engravings of leaves and stems remained motionless, making even that tedious.

“Ugh. It’s so unfair! I’m the only one who’s bored. I’m almost tempted to study more.”

“Well… I can’t say I don’t understand how you feel.”

Since escaping her life as the outcast at the washing place, Eshtiel had always lived surrounded by people.

Rahilt, who was strict but indulged all her whims, and Rodrick, who was even stricter with a sharp tongue. Furthermore, there were Luca and Kanarin whom she met in the Carnar Kingdom. Every moment with them was novel, leaving no room for boredom.

But they had all returned to where they belonged.

In that sense, Eshtiel’s life was unprecedentedly peaceful, but also lonely.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

“If that’s the case… would you perhaps like to go north? The Grand Duke of Elhader and the Grand Duchess are there.”

“Hmm, it’s not that I haven’t thought about it… but at my age, constantly seeking out my brother and sister would seem like a nuisance.”

“Really…?”

Despite it being her lord’s assertion, Tesha couldn’t help but tilt her head. After all, from a third-person perspective, Rahilt’s love for his sister had long been known to be excessive.

In fact, literally, Rahilt would do anything Eshtiel wanted. As long as it didn’t harm her health.

His devotion was so intense that she received the envy of noble ladies her age. How many times had Tesha heard exclamations about how lucky Eshtiel was to have such a wonderful brother while serving her?

They joked that the Grand Duke of Elhader would even destroy the world for Eshtiel… such a terrible jest.

‘In this situation, there’s no way he’d find it bothersome if she knocked on the Grand Duke’s door…’

Rather, with the reduced interaction, it would be fortunate if he didn’t feel distant from his sister.

But today, Eshtiel’s complaints were fewer.

Because soon, she would have time to converse with connections from the Academy.

“Still, it’s good that you’re going out with Lady Epentel today. Your boredom will soon pass.”

“It’s still far from noon…”

Eshtiel stared intently at the clock, which pointed to 10:30 AM.

Who knew time could be this slow? Eshtiel newly realized her turtle-like sense of time.

“Anyway, my lady, when did you become so whiny?”

“…I’m not whining.”

“Complaining about things that can’t be helped is what the world calls whining, my lady.”

“Tsk…”

“Oh my, no bad words. If Rodrick were here, he’d be shocked.”

“Ugh…”

Eshtiel pouted at Tesha with a hint of distress. Tesha responded with a slight smirk and a playful gesture.

“My goodness, my lady. Are you trying to kiss me? That would be nice, like the old days, a little peck…”

“I am not!”

“Ouch, my ears. Your voice has become so shrill…”

Tesha turned her back to Eshtiel and grumbled in a disgruntled voice.

“Maybe it’s because you haven’t been to the imperial palace lately…”

“It has nothing to do with brother Tesser!”

“Oh my, who said anything? Calm down, my lady. You’ll ruin your pretty face.”

“Ugh…”

Eshtiel finally reflected on her oversensitive reaction. Like a thief with a guilty conscience, she had become agitated, and now it was time for shame to flood in like the tide.

“Tesha… I really hate you.”

“Would you like some candy?”

“Do you still think I’m a child?”

“Well, no, I just happened to get a limited edition candy collection from ‘Sweety Garden.’ If you’ve outgrown candy, I’ll just have to pour them all into my mouth.”

“…”

“I’ve been craving something sweet lately, so this works out.”

“…”

At that moment, the color drained from Eshtiel’s face.

A limited edition candy collection from Sweety Garden? Wasn’t that the work of Master Chef Rohan, who wouldn’t yield even to noble status?

Moreover, she hadn’t actually outgrown candy. She had just haughtily refused because she was annoyed at Tesha for trying to appease her with candy as if she were a child.

Eshtiel’s mouth watered. She found Tesha, who was about to pour the candy into her mouth alone, vexing. Even though she knew that if blame were to be assigned, she would hold 100% of the shares…

“…If you eat that much, your teeth will rot.”

“As long as you take care of them afterward, it’s fine.”

“You’ll gain a lot of weight too.”

“I was a knight, you know? Weight control is as easy as eating cold stew with my eyes closed.”

“Can’t you just give me some too?”

“Oh my, you should have said so from the beginning.”

“I really hate you…”

Eshtiel found the grinning Tesha extremely annoying.

It was always like this.

Despite having grown older, the way people treated her like a child hadn’t changed at all.

Just how much older did she need to be to be treated as a proper young lady?

Her brother treated her like a fragile vase that could break at any moment, and Rodrick still called her a youngster. At times like these, she felt like a tiny child and resented time.

When would she become a proper adult like Rahilt? How could she become a dignified woman like Serin?

Eshtiel wondered about that.

‘Quickly… I wish I could become an adult sooner.’

Holding this small wish in her heart, Eshtiel endured until the approaching appointment time.

◇

“Lucia!”

“Eshtiel!”

A reunion of two women took place in front of a carriage parked before Count Elenot’s Estate.

The guest’s name was Lucia Epentel.

She was the daughter of a junior baronial family and also Eshtiel’s classmate who had studied with her at the Academy for several years. However, unlike Eshtiel who had withdrawn from the Academy midway, Lucia was still continuing her studies there to become an official.

As a result, it was quite rare for Lucia to spare time. And today was one of those rare days.

“Let’s go, Lucia!”

“Hmm? What about the guards?”

“They’ll follow us discreetly.”

“As expected of the Windmill Knights. They’ve become even more impressive.”

“Hehe…”

The Windmill Knights, which had started as a mercenary group and grown into a knightly order. Given that they were originally a private organization formed by Rahilt and Rodrick, their skills were exceptional.

They were also the most important personnel responsible for the income of the Elenot County. Therefore, Eshtiel always respected and encouraged the knights.

Above all, they were a gift left by her brother, so they needed to be cherished.

“It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, how’s the Academy? Is it enjoyable?”

“Hmm… a bit annoying, I’d say.”

“Ah.”

Eshtiel quickly deduced the culprit behind Lucia’s sentiment.

“Is Shturn still visiting you often?”

“Well, occasionally…”

“Hmm.”

Lucia’s lips were slightly pulled back as she answered with feigned indifference. Regardless of the past, she seemed to quite enjoy the situation of Shturn’s persistence.

Was it a sense of superiority? Or perhaps elation?

Although Eshtiel lacked the ability to distinguish precisely, there was no doubt that ‘pleasure’ lingered on Lucia’s face.

‘Still, it’s unexpected… Shturn was quite sincere.’

Even if not the eldest son, Shturn was a son of a marquis family. From a cold perspective, there was no reason for him to cling to the daughter of a junior baronial family.

Despite years having passed.

Even as he should be maturing.

If he continued to persist, the reason ultimately converged to one.

“He must really like you.”

“Like me…”

Lucia chuckled and turned her eyes to the narrow window of the carriage.

“He’s a real fool. After all I’ve been through.”

Indeed, when Eshtiel had just entered the Academy, the first scene she witnessed was Shturn bullying Lucia.

Although it was misconduct stemming from his feelings for her, forgiving it was solely the victim’s prerogative.

Therefore, Eshtiel had no intention of encouraging their feelings.

“Hmm.”

Just then, Lucia narrowed her eyes and leaned towards Eshtiel.

“Eshtiel.”

“Yes?”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

For Eshtiel, who couldn’t understand with subtle words, Lucia asked directly.

“Don’t you have someone you like?”

A question thrown so lightly.

A topic half-reflected with mischief, no different from a joke.

However, Eshtiel’s casual response that followed made Lucia doubt her ears.

“Someone I like… of course.”

She declared.

“I do.”