Chapter 9

 (Asher’s POV)

“Now he trains swords?”

          I repeated what Aran had just said to me. Aran nodded his head and continued, “Not only that, but the knights in the household were surprised to see that his sword style also changed.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean it as it is. He changed from a dual sword to a one hand sword user.”

“I see.”

Interesting. Suddenly I feel like having a duel with the Baron to test his strength. I smirked.

“And? Anything more?”

I asked and Aran’s eye twitched.

“Well...”

He tried to avoid my gaze.

What now? Did she said anything strange in her letter?

“In this letter, Maria also stated some weird words at the end of it.”

Aran finally spilled it out after I glared at him for a full minute.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“It said ‘I am master’s family’ something like that.”

I looked at him blankly.

“Wait, she heard that? I thought the servants were busy with their own shenanigans that night?”

Aran shrugged as a response.

“She is keen, after all.”

          All of a sudden, I remembered the words that Lancelot spoke vividly that one spring night.

“Dear stars... Please, give me strength...”

          Those words, although simple, I know it holds many meaning for Lancelot, as before he speak those words, his eyes wavered, as if his feeling were mixed. I never realized that his figure while he was hugging his knees looked so vulnerable, so fearful of this world that it made me want to protect him.

Wait?

Protect?

Me? Protect him?

          I frowned while I caned my forehead on the desk. What is wrong with me? Am I too nervous to execute him? Am I having hallucinations for being overworked? I have to remember, he was the one who tried to hurt Cecilia and he also did many crimes, he doesn’t deserve to be given chance to live.

“Sir?”

Aran’s voice snapped me out from my daze.

“I’m sorry. Continue with your report.”

          I massaged my temple. Yes, I must have been too tired. The Spring festival for Tristan Kingdom will happen in a week, including the time where Louis declare to annul his engagement with the Marquis’ daughter and declare marriage with Cecilia. By that time, many things needed to be done so I have been pulling all nighters in these past few days, that must be why I am tired and are having hallucinatons.

          ...Cecilia, huh? When we met for the first time, I was entranced by her beauty and her gentle and kind behavior and fall in love with her. I gave up on pursuing her though, because Louis was also in love with her, and I thought that they suited each other better than if it was me. It was just a few days ago that I decided to shut away my feelings for her, I shouldn’t move on this fast. Yet, in my mind, thoughts of Baron Constance overflowed, that it almost became too scary to think about him.

“Hmm...” Aran pursed his lips.

“...Are you anxious for our plan, sir?”

Aran finally spoke after a few moments of silence.

“That too. It’s just... I don’t know if I am able to kill Baron Constance now...”

The secretary heaved a sigh.

“Your highness, let’s have some break, okay?”

“...Okay...”

***

          (Lancelot’s POV)

          I stared listlessly at the land that was stretched far beyond what my eyes can see. This vast land, is my fief. Finally, after almost 20 days of working together with the townsfolk to help burying the dead soil, we had finished burying it yesterday and started planting the seeds soon after.

          Of course, because of the vast land, the crop seeds that were kept were not enough, so we called the trading company again to buy more crop seeds and if possible, flower seeds too.

“My Lord, have you finish planting the seeds of this section?”

The chief trotted towards me as he speak.

          Mysteriously, after I gave some assistance for the soil problem and even started helping them at the cropland, the townsfolk started calling me My Lord. I wonder why...?

“Yes, I have. I’m sorry if I am a bit slow, I can’t use magic.”

I scratched my cheek.

“It’s alright! We are grateful enough that you lend a hand in managing the crops. One more helping hand is useful, you know~”

The chief said and laughed loudly.

          Surprisingly, many townspeople actually know how to use magic, mostly inferior ones. Well, make sense that the novel’s setting is in a magical world, it would be more strange if people can’t use magic.

Like me sob sob T-T

          After spending another few hours of helping them with the crops, I spotted the merchant cart from afar.

“Ah! They have come!”

I stood up and immediately ran back to Ildian, the black stallion that I usually rode.

“If you will excuse me!”

I said to the chief and the townspeople nearby as I pulled the reins and they waved at me. I came right on time to change myself in a suitable attire before the merchants entered the estate.

“They are here, Master.”

Taylor showed me to the guest room where the merchants was at.

“Alright. Thank you, Taylor.”

I said before I stepped in.

          In my first step, I took a glance at the merchant’s face before I came to a halt suddenly.

***

(Lancelot’s POV)

W-What is going on right now?...

“Hello, my name is Suna. I am the leading merchant for today’s group. Nice to meet you.”

A young, long dark blue haired man said and reached out his hand to shake mine as he introduced himself.

Why are you here?!

          Suna, Suna Raikan! One of the male leads in the novel! Why is he here? Wasn’t he supposed to be managing the rural crystal flower that Cecilia had requested him in the far South? How can he be here in the Northeast?!

“Its nice to meet you...”

I tried to smile and took his hand.

          I need to make myself not look suspicious or surprised, but I’m really curious as to why he was here yet I shouldn’t ask, because the rural flower is supposed to be a secret between Cecilia and Suna.

“Shall we go straight to the topic?”

He said, snapping me back to reality.

“Yes, sure.”

I replied.

          Well, whatever. Him being in Isaia right now is not my problem. I should expect some changes in the plot, especially because I also made some changes in my life. But as only a side character with insignificant role, would me changing really did change the plot that far?