Chapter 4
In the far distance, a train was curving in like a parabola. It was a steam locomotive that had departed from the capital, Yukon, and had this place, Emmerville, as its final destination.
Humphrey disliked the object known as a locomotive.
Not only did it look like a pitch-black snake, but it also spewed out white steam above its head, and how shallow and flighty its cry was.
To think that from this year onward, people would also ride that object, which used to carry only goods—how mind-boggling this was. It was incomprehensible why people kept making useless things and putting them out into the world.
How beautiful and elegant old things were.
The train came to a complete stop, and people began to get off. Upon seeing the crowd rushing out, Humphrey frowned and stepped aside to one side.
It was because he was afraid that people carrying luggage might accidentally brush against his body while passing by.
Around the time almost everyone had gotten off, a conspicuous man stepped down onto the platform while knitting his brows.
A man wearing a neat hat with a luxurious suit and tapping the ground with a stylish cane. His well-groomed eyebrows and sharp yet elegant eyes stood out.
Beneath a straight nose bridge that looked as if it were sculpted, lips with fine lines were firmly closed. Although Humphrey had met various figures in the prestigious Campbell family and had seen quite a few cool men among them, it was his first time seeing a person so exceptionally handsome.
“That is the person.”
Humphrey, who had become quite capable of reading people as much as the time he had lived, realized that that man was the King’s aide.
Although he possessed a sleek appearance like a finely raised flower, an aura like a harsh wind sweeping through a wasteland at will coexisted within him.
He was a man who seemed like he would be fastidious, yet gave off a dangerous feeling.
The railway workers laid down several pieces of luggage at the man’s feet and disappeared. Humphrey, along with the coachman who was beside him, approached toward the man.
“By any chance, are you Spokesperson Tristan Miller?”
“I am.”
As if the man had also recognized Humphrey’s identity, the reply was short. Even so, it was not an ignoring attitude, so it did not feel bad.
“Welcome. I am the sub-butler of the Campbell family, and I am currently serving the young lady at Rosevale House. A carriage is prepared, so let us go. The coachman will move the luggage.”
“Thank you. And I will hold this trunk myself. It contains something fragile.”
Tristan did not set down only the trunk he was holding. Unlike his cold-looking tone, his attitude in gripping the trunk and walking was extremely delicate and cautious. Like a person who was worried that someone might steal it.
Thinking that he was a somewhat peculiar person, Humphrey guided him.
The carriage left the station and entered a secluded countryside road. Tristan sat with his back straight against the seat, looking at the scenery outside the carriage. Befitting a region famous for its beautiful scenery, the landscapes visible outside passed by like a single painting.
Humphrey, who was sitting opposite him and watching him, frowned. It was because he saw a folded newspaper lying on Tristan’s lap.
The Libertas Newspaper. The conservative Humphrey subtly disliked the damn newspaper company that sided with the southern rebel forces. Moreover, since the royal spokesperson was reading such a newspaper, it was also puzzling.
“Is there, by any chance, any good news?”
“It is always the same.”
Tristan replied in a nonchalant tone.
“At any rate, we ought to wipe out those southern Elcasus bastards quickly.”
“……”
“I do not know why they are only dilly-dallying. As for the southern bastards, they are fellows who used to catch fish and farm, so they probably do not even know how to fight.”
“That is a visible part of it. There are many mines in the south. That means there are many resources to make weapons. Furthermore, Duke Hezelkaiser is an excellent military commander, and those who follow him consist of many young people and scientists. If they systematically train soldiers and possess advanced weapons, we cannot be confident that we will win.”
For some reason, Tristan replied quite sincerely. In truth, fatigue had overlapped with the long-distance travel, so he did not want to answer, but since Humphrey showed considerable interest, it was also not polite to cut him off heartlessly.
“Even so, can their military power still not covet our Estonia?”
“Who knows. How much that side is preparing.”
As much as information kept coming in steadily, he knew many things, but he did not want to speak up to that point. If he did, there was no telling how far Humphrey’s questions would fly.
Right before Humphrey’s mouth opened again, Tristan unfolded the newspaper and covered his face. He would read the meaning that if he had a brain, he should not talk to him.
Fortunately, as if he was quick-witted, Humphrey did not ask any further.
The carriage finally entered upon the bridge of a river stream leading to Rosevale House. Travelers dressed in various clothes were seen along the roadside, on the riverbank, or crossing the bridge. Humphrey’s pupils, which were looking outside nonchalantly, widened greatly at some point, and he pulled the rope connected to the coachman’s seat.
“Stop the carriage for a moment.”
Thud, thud, thud. As he raised his voice while striking the wall, the coachman pulled the reins and stopped the horses. Tristan looked at Humphrey with puzzled eyes while lowering the newspaper. Humphrey, who was showing an awkward smile, opened his mouth.
“Ah, I am sorry, Lord Aide. An acquaintance of mine is behind us, so would it be alright if I go and share a brief conversation?”
“As you wish.”
Although it was an impolite behavior as a sub-butler receiving a guest, Tristan replied without much emotion.
As if he had been waiting as soon as he heard the answer, Humphrey got down from the carriage and walked toward the back of the road.
Tristan poked his head out slightly and looked at Humphrey’s retreating figure.
He was sharing a conversation with a woman holding a parasol, but since she was going in the opposite direction of the carriage, even her back was not properly visible.
Seeing that her clothes and parasol were worn out and shabby, he wondered if she might be an employee of Rosevale House or an acquainted local resident.
Tristan, whose interest had vanished, brought his body back inside the carriage and focused on the newspaper he was reading.
After a while, Humphrey returned inside the carriage while wiping the sweat off his forehead. Inside the carriage, which began to run again, he let out a breath, phew, imperceptibly.
Seeing that the signs of anxiety did not vanish despite his efforts, it seemed that a considerably embarrassing thing had occurred.
“I am sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“It is fine.”
Fearing that asking what the matter was might become a link for conversation, Tristan turned his head, pretending not to know.
The scenery outside the window was still as beautiful as a painting. However, unlike earlier, it felt as if a scratch had been drawn heavily across the painting.
Why is this?
At the unpleasant feeling that came suddenly, Tristan frowned and pressed his forehead.
☆☆☆
Rosevale House, built with orange bricks and a roof of the same color, contained a neat yet classic beauty.
The building, consisting of three floors, had about 10 rooms, with the central staircase as the axis, the first and second floors of the west side were used by the employees, and the east side and the third floor were spaces that the master and visitors could use.
Normally, he should have entered the mansion in a good mood, but Tristan’s face was terrifyingly distorted.
“Just now, what did you say?”
“The young lady has left on a journey.”
At Tristan’s question, the head maid, Dorothy Gibson, replied. She, whose hair was grizzled with grey and whose face looked fastidious, was calm, unlike the restless Humphrey.
“Does that make sense? She surely must have received His Majesty’s letter?”
“I am sorry, but I do not know.”
“When did she leave?”
“It has been a while.”
As if she were a frozen human, there was no warmth at all in Dorothy’s gaze and voice.
Her calm appearance despite the young and frail master having left the house was strange. She seemed to know something, but naturally, there was no sign of her explaining it.
“Where did she go?”
“I do not know.”
“When will she return?”
“She stated that there is no promise.”
Tristan, whose speech was blocked, gripped his cane tightly. Although he was angry, as it was not the old servant’s fault, he could not vent his anger. As he turned his head, Humphrey was looking elsewhere with a thoroughly stiffened face.
Could it be that this fellow also knew? No. If that were the case, he would not have thrown questions so serenely when meeting him at the station and coming in the carriage.
What that meant was that Ibella had been staying until Humphrey left this house, but…
“Shall I guide you to your room? Or…”
Dorothy asked with her gaze whether he would go back.
Implied within it seemed to be the meaning that since you can never meet the young lady, you should just go back.
While he was getting annoyed at the unwelcome situation for a moment, Tristan was a man who knew how to enjoy this kind of situation. After staring at Dorothy for a long time, he smirked and handed over his cane.
“Guide me. Because I will stay in this house until the young lady returns.”
At his leisurely smile, Dorothy Gibson flinched and knitted her brows. It seemed she was surprised because he showed leisure, whereas she thought he would deeply agonize and get angry even if he did not go back right away.
Just how much had this woman, Ibella, shown signs of hating the King in front of them that the subordinates treated the King’s messenger like this.
Even so, he does not get angry. Rather, it is interesting, so he only wants to play around.
“You may rest in this room. Breakfast is at 7 in the morning, lunch is at 12, and dinner is at 6. however, if it is unnecessary or if you need anything more, please tell me. The study is on the first floor, so you may use it to your heart’s content.”
The voice of Dorothy, who guided Tristan to the room, was stiff like the sound of a machine running.
Tristan looked around the inside of the room without a reply. Although it was not large and flashy, the luxurious furniture and the paintings by famous artists were impressive.
“Do not go up to the third floor. Because it is the young lady’s space.”
“…I shall do so.”
Tristan’s reply was also emotionless. While staying as a guest, he intended to observe the manners of a visitor. Though he did not know whether he would end up staying merely as a ‘guest’.
“Ah. Could you send a letter for me? Because I must report to His Majesty that the young lady has run away.”
“…Ah, understood.”
The pupils of Dorothy, who had been upright, shook noticeably. Since he said he would tell the King, it seemed she was worried about the young lady who left the house.
“And from now on, please place the letters coming to me straight into my room. Since there are many important contents, do not open them carelessly.”
“Of course. We absolutely do not open another person’s letter…”
“Leave.”
Tristan turned around as if there was no need to hear further. After the sound of footsteps receding a beat late was heard, the door closed.
☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆
