episode_0036

Except for the fact that I became haggard as time went by, our journey went very smoothly.

Because there was no major danger and no major accidents.

Of course, there were minor incidents, such as encountering bandits along the way or people living a carefree life trying to attack the group.

However, they did not actually pose a threat to the party.

In that case, Estelle’s escorts took care of most of it in advance, and I took care of things that seemed to be a bit off-time.

Anyway, after more than ten days of such peaceful days.

It was long and long.

It was definitely a long journey, but the journey that felt longer than that had come to an end.

We finally arrived at Lakenwood, the city where the Bluenoa family is located.

In the distance, I could see Lakenwood’s castle walls, which seemed very familiar to me.

“Wow!”

Mary’s voice is heard screaming from the carriage running next to her.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen my hometown, so I’m sure I’m excited.

However, Mary was not the only one showing such an attitude.

The members in this carriage.

So, I could see Rachel, Ira, and Estelle each with anticipation in their eyes.

Instead of feeling happy at that sight, I felt a little worried.

I was wondering if I would be able to meet those expectations.

Although Lakenwood is called a city in its own right, it is a plain, perhaps even shabby place compared to where they lived and what they have seen.

Hoping that my anticipation would not turn into disappointment, I raised my head again and looked at Lakenwood’s walls getting closer.

Unexpectedly, I also started to feel excited.

When I see the tender longing passing through my heart, I think that Lakenwood is also my hometown.

So, Mary and I returned to our hometown after half a year.

***

After passing Lakenwood’s inspection without difficulty, the carriage finally entered and went straight inside without stopping.

After passing the entrance, passing the downtown area, and passing the private houses, a large building was clearly visible in the distance.

And, the gate that appears as the entrance.

The carriage gradually slowed down and stopped in front of the gate.

However, the stop itself was soon lifted, and the carriage immediately started moving again.

It was because the soldiers guarding the gate saw Carlson’s face, said a few words, and immediately opened the door.

So the carriage passed through the gate, entered the neatly organized garden, and finally stopped in front of the mansion.

When the carriage came to a complete stop, the group began to get off the carriage one by one.

And by the time everyone got off the carriage.

A large door matching the size of the mansion opened, and several people walked out from inside.

To me, very familiar people.

Someone in the group suddenly ran towards them.

“Father! Mother!”

Then, he opened his arms and rushed towards the man and woman standing in front of the gate of the mansion.

The man and woman looked a little embarrassed, but soon smiled softly and hugged Mary affectionately.

“It’s been a while!”

My daughter smiles while saying that.

“It’s been a while.”

Viscount Bluenoa and his wife welcomed their daughter with a smile that looked just like her.

“Mary, I told you that you shouldn’t run so carelessly. And that too in front of guests.”

Of course, he didn’t just say hello; he gently scolded his daughter for her hasty behavior.

“Sorry, hehe.”

Seeing Mary smiling without any sign of apology, I took a step forward.

“Long time no see.”

He then politely greeted the Viscount and his wife.

“It’s been a while, Wade.”

“How are you?”

The Viscount and his wife smiled softly at me.

A soft, bright smile that resembles Mary.

“It looks like you have grown taller in the meantime.”

“It’s true.”

The Viscount and his wife looked at me as a whole and commented like that.

I don’t know if this is just a common thing to say, or if I’m actually tall… I don’t know either.

If you look at it, it’s still a big age, but I don’t think there will be any dramatic changes.

Although I was a little concerned about the truth, it was not a situation where I could delve into the question in detail, so I immediately took a step back.

Naturally, so that other party members can notice.

“Welcome.”

Viscount Bluenoa welcomed the group with an attitude that conveyed the dignity of a family owner.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

In response, each of the party members politely greeted the Viscount.

The Bluenoa family is neither a very influential nor a wealthy family.

Although it is a family with its own history, honestly, considering the backgrounds of the group, there is no need to be polite.

Rather, it is true that the Viscount is embarrassed.

But that didn’t actually happen.

Because the party hid their identities.

Before leaving, I gathered my companions together and made a proposal.

Please keep your identity hidden in Bluenoa territory.

If people with this background revealed their identities without any hesitation, it was obvious how Viscount Bluenoa and his wife, as well as Bluenoa’s employees, would react.

Fortunately, the group readily accepted my offer, and we are here today.

For that reason, except for the parties involved, me, and Mary, no one knows the identity of the party.

I just think of him as a noble friend who became acquainted with Mary at the academy.

Since neither Viscount Bluenoa nor his wife had the personality to discriminate based on status or background, I was confident that this situation would not be a problem.

… However, it wasn’t that there was no one to worry about.

It bothers me… No, to be honest, there was one person I was very worried about.

The target was, of course, Estelle.

Although she readily accepted my offer, I honestly couldn’t help but worry.

I was wondering if she, who has never had anyone superior to her since she was born, would be able to use honorifics properly.

But in the end, it was a pointless worry.

Although there were some stiff moments, Estelle was still exchanging greetings with the Viscount and his wife in a normal manner.

As I was sighing in relief at the sight, someone came into my sight.

There is a person standing upright behind the Viscount and his wife, looking at them quietly.

Neatly groomed hair and a suit without a single wrinkle.

The rarely seen black hair and impressive black eyes.

But at the same time, the stiff expression gives off an inexplicable feeling of pressure.

At first glance, he had an impression that did not seem very gentle, but he was a very familiar person to me.

A butler who manages the major and minor affairs of the Bluenoa family and assists the head of the family, Viscount Bluenoa.

Lawrence Heblon.

It’s my father.

“… … .”

How should I say hello in this situation?

I don’t have the courage to rush over and say hello warmly like Mary did.

Above all, it’s just disgusting for a grown man to do something like that.

After thinking for a moment, I just bowed my head as a greeting.

Then my father responded by slightly nodding his head.

In that awkward situation, I was just scratching the back of my head.

“And this is Lawrence. The butler of the Bluenoa family.”

The Viscount suddenly introduced his father to the group.

As if it wasn’t planned, a moment of confusion flashed through my father’s eyes.

However, the time was not long, and immediately my father greeted the group politely.

“My name is Lawrence Heblon, butler of the Bluenoa family.”

Even though the situation was sudden, there was no flaw in his attitude or actions.

I found myself nodding my head, feeling a bit of relief at that sight.

“Heblon… What if?”

“Weh, Mr. Wade’s last name… This is it… … .”

The group reacted more surprised than expected.

They stared at their father’s face with their eyes wide open.

Then, they began to take turns looking at my face, which was standing awkwardly behind them.

“Definitely… … .”

“… They look alike.”

Alexis and Cedric nodded.

It must be similar.

Still, he’s rich.

… Well, it wasn’t planned anyway, but it turned out well.

To begin with, these people are not kind-hearted enough to hurt anyone, but if they know that you are my father, they will treat you more gently no matter what.

It was a time when I was sorting out my mind like that.

I made eye contact with Estelle, who was looking back and forth between me and my father with wide eyes.

Then, a smile immediately appeared on his face.

The playful smile I always see.

‘… no way.’

Probably not.

please.

I looked at her with earnest heart, but even when she saw my eyes, the smile on her face only deepened.

And then she took a step. To none other than my father.

Estelle approached her father with a dignified gait and greeted him quite politely.

“My name is Estelle Einfelds.”

A polite and dignified greeting without any violation of etiquette.

It may be too much of an example to show to a butler who is not even a noble, but that’s all. It was okay.

If you were to say that she was a noble lady who was kind to everyone, it wouldn’t be hard to understand.

If it had ended there, everyone would have moved on.

but.

“Nice to meet you, father.”

With the words that followed, the hall became quiet as if a bomb had been dropped.

““… … .””

In such silence that you could even hear the sound of the ants crawling.

Rachel and Ira’s expressions turned cold.

Looking at the faces of the Viscount and his wife, servants, maids, and father, who were looking at me with tired eyes, I could only feel an inextricable sense of injustice.