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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Lilac's Secret
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"Hm."
Dispatch nobles' lodging.
Amid the nobles' groans echoing through the lodging from the intense training, Isaac was the only one calmly selecting his outfit.
'A bit regrettable.'
As someone invited to dinner at the Caldias household, he needed to dress appropriately.
But none of the clothes he had brought seemed like something they would appreciate.
'Maybe I should do some writing while I wait.'
His hand itched to grab a pen, his gaze repeatedly drifting to the cherished manual atop his desk.
Knock knock knock.
"Lord Isaac, I've brought them."
Jonathan's voice came from outside.
Inviting him in, Isaac's eyes naturally went to the clothes draped over his arm.
"I brought them as requested, but... are you sure my clothes are fine? They're mostly comfortable training wear or things I use for practice."
"Yeah, that's exactly what I needed."
"Really? Haha! I'm glad I could help!"
Jonathan beamed with pure joy.
Seeing him like an innocent child, Isaac unwittingly smiled along.
'What an odd guy.'
He was straightforwardly pure-hearted.
Isaac thought he didn't fit with the Helmunt family at all.
"How's the lodging? Made friends with the others there?"
Isaac asked while rifling through the clothes.
Jonathan answered eagerly, as if he'd been waiting.
"Everyone's been great to me. Probably because of the Helmunt name? They're all kind and good people. Aside from the loud snoring at night."
"Is that so? That must be rough."
"But it's fine. Compared to training under my seniors, this is way more comfortable!"
"Yeah, I bet."
Back then, he probably couldn't even sleep properly, getting beaten or forcibly woken.
"Haha, I'm glad I came on dispatch. I was honestly a bit worried, but you've been so good to me, Lord Isaac."
"What have I even done?"
"No, really! Thank you so much. That's why I kept my mouth shut when others were badmouthing their lords!"
"Did you now?"
The kid's got loyalty, at least.
"As a Helmunt knight, training is important, but a short break like this is necessary too, right? I'm sure my seniors sent me here for that reason."
As he listened, Isaac's fondness for Jonathan grew.
'...'
A strange doubt suddenly crossed his mind.
'Helmunt knights.'
Isaac fundamentally disliked the Helmunt family.
No need to explain that.
But he viewed their knights differently.
They were called the kingdom's finest.
A true knight wasn't just someone skilled with a sword.
They had to embody the ethics and moral code of knighthood.
'Of course, the direct Helmunt descendants are no better than thugs.'
But had their knights decayed that far too?
Under Family Head Arandel's command, no less?
"How do those clothes fit? I've barely worn them."
"..."
No matter the reason, bullying and tormenting a fellow knight was unacceptable.
Especially since what Jonathan endured was brutally harsh—no excuse could justify it.
But...
Isaac suddenly wondered.
If there had been a trigger for their harsh treatment of him.
What was it?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Dinner time.
The surrounding candles softly illuminated the table, creating a warm atmosphere.
True to the North, preserved, salted, or dried foods were common.
But there were also hearty meats and steaming soups prepared.
'Wonder how Milli's doing.'
Isaac suddenly missed Milli, the Helmunt chef his age.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting after inviting you."
Family Head Uldiran Caldias entered with his only daughter, Silberna.
Despite his massive build, his footsteps were remarkably quiet.
"I'm Isaac Helmunt. Thank you for inviting me to dinner today."
After a polite greeting, Uldiran clapped him on the shoulder casually.
"Yeah, let's eat. I'm starving."
"Ugh, no need for formalities."
Silberna advised with a grin.
He knew they weren't formal people.
Still, minimal etiquette was crucial for a first impression.
It showed respect.
"Nothing fancy, but eat up."
Uldiran sat at the head of the long table and urged Isaac without ceremony.
From the start, he grabbed a bone with his bare hands and tore into the meat ruggedly, like a barbarian unconcerned with manners.
Isaac matched his style and began eating.
When at the Mallidan Wall, follow their customs.
Uldiran smiled approvingly and asked Isaac,
"Why'd you come in a gambison? Protesting how tough today was?"
A gambison was the padded garment knights wore under armor.
To protect skin from rigid plate.
Silberna, dining with them, also glanced at Isaac.
He wiped his mouth and replied with a smile.
"Isn't this the front lines?"
"Hmph."
"Oh."
The father and daughter's lips curled up at once.
Even invited to the Margrave's dinner, choosing not formal wear but a gambison ready for armor.
It clearly impressed them.
Good call borrowing Jonathan's clothes.
He'd never worn armor, so no gambison of his own.
'Thanks, Jonathan.'
Grateful inwardly, Isaac continued eating.
Conversation flowed with the pair asking, Isaac answering.
"Your morale speech today was impressive. Felt like it was for us, not the nobles."
"Just my personal feelings. Sorry if rude, but I hoped the other nobles shared them."
"Different from Helmunt, eh? Our rough side might unsettle you."
"Quite the opposite—more comfortable. Honestly, their etiquette suffocated me."
"How'd you meet Rianna?"
"She was the ferry operator. Chatted while crossing the river, and suddenly we were married."
As dinner and talk warmed up,
"You seemed to know Caldias spear arts well."
Uldiran eyed him, itching to ask.
After sipping the strong liquor Anna poured, Isaac nodded.
"I'm interested in many martial arts. Caldias spearwork especially amazes me—from books or watching practitioners."
He caught his breath and continued.
"Those trained in Caldias spear arts all had remarkably high baselines. You could always expect above basics."
"Haha! That's right. Our spear arts aren't ordinary."
"You've got an eye."
Seeing them smile satisfied, Isaac gave a wry internal smile.
'Yes, Caldias spear arts are impressive.'
An indisputable fact.
'But you must evolve.'
Caldias spear arts elevated mortals to greatness.
However.
They couldn't stop here.
To avert their fated deaths ahead.
'I'll help you.'
He'd make their spear arts several times greater.
They weren't mere mortals.
Born to greatness.
They must achieve more.
Like...
Helmunt.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At dawn.
Lately, Rianna had been dragging through sluggish days.
Haggard appearance, dry hair.
Uncharacteristic for a Helmunt never plagued by illness—servants worried she might be sick.
She plainly looked unwell.
Yet she headed out for personal training.
"Hup! Hup!"
"Hah!"
Several siblings were already deep in training, but oddly, Rianna had no desire to grip her sword.
'This is new.'
Lethargy.
The perfect word for her state.
So she headed to the garden, not the training grounds.
Strolling amid unbloomed rose beds.
"Ah."
A single purple lilac caught her eye.
Seeing it, a memory surfaced naturally, scented with lilac fragrance.
Shortly after the wedding.
[Ria, come here.]
Empty garden.
He playfully beckoned with a 'shh' finger.
[Look, it's bloomed pretty, right?]
Isaac smiling, pointing at the lilac.
Rianna frowned.
'What are the gardeners doing?'
Irked by a non-rose in the bed, she nearly summoned one.
[I planted it. Asked the gardeners to look the other way.]
'...You planted this?'
She glared, frowning—what nonsense?
Isaac grinned slyly at her.
[Ria, this is me.]
'You?'
[Lilacs bloom before Helmunt roses and wither by the time roses do.]
'...'
[They call me spineless for marrying into nobility, scheming to leech off Helmunt.]
Rianna knew.
Some praised the romance, but many didn't.
[But Ria.]
Soft smile, he took her hand.
Their rings brushed as hands met.
[Helmunt means nothing to me. I married only you, Ria.]
[I'll stay by your side even if Helmunt vanishes. Like this lilac blooming alone before the roses.]
Her head slowly turned.
The lilac reflected in her eyes now felt precious.
'...'
She'd stayed silent, unsure what to say.
Isaac whispered with a smile.
[Lilac has another secret. Curious?]
'...Curious.'
Playful smile, he beckoned.
She checked for onlookers, then offered her ear.
He whispered intimately, like lovers.
[Purple lilac's flower language is first love.]
'...'
[Eh? Blushing, Ria? Holding back laughter?]
His beaming, teasing smile came to mind.
Missing him, she reached out unwittingly.
Isaac's image faded.
Only the lone lilac remained, tickling her fingertips.
"Ah."
At those words.
That smile.
My heart pounded so hard I couldn't speak.
Your gentle embrace, sensing my feelings, was sweeter than any flower scent.
The secret smile I wore in your arms turned me into a girl.
That's why your embrace makes me want to abandon everything—now I miss it so terribly—
"Ah, Isaac."
Legs gave out; she knelt.
Though she'd held back.
Tears poured from her red eyes, blurring vision.
Cry as she might.
He was already gone.
The lone lilac alone.
Proved that time wasn't mere dream.