We had set off for Dienin once again, the group of four had turned to six with now Dawn and Titania tagging along. Of course, Dawn still had a mission to get me to the academy, but we were going to use that as an excuse to hang out.
Keith had modified the carriage so that we could talk to him as well as he drove since he felt left out every time, now the interior of the carriage stretched over the driver as well.
"So, about those assassins," I said. "What were they up to?"
I couldn't think of it as anything but stupid for anyone to come after me. I knew that the Fonias had been after my life since I was born, but this was the first time I had encountered them personally. Nipping them in the bud before they could make a mess would be the best.
"It's probably because of your achievements, young master," Keith spoke.
Lily nodded and continued his words. "You're not only the hero of the Empire, but you're also rumored to be engaged to one of the strongest families in the empire. Of course, the nobles of the kingdom would want you in a position where they can control you."
"And the Halls can't be controlled..." I said. The Hall family was one of the pillars of this kingdom. Along with the Mirxa Margrave, the Hall family, and the Stein family of the east were the strongest military powers of Schwarz. They were all in a very good relationship as well, which made the nobles of the central and northern ends of the kingdoms deeply wary of them.
On the other hand, despite being a dukedom, the Fonias were corrupted and unlikeable. If the trash nobles of the central always sucked up to stronger groups, then the Fonias were their ringleaders. Always looking for their own benefit, which made others look at them only for their benefit as well. If anyone had the chance to stab the Fonias in the back, they would do it without a second thought.
"I don't get it," Dawn suddenly interrupted. "What does that have to do with you?"
"Young master is officially in the Fonias family registry too. He's the son of their eldest daughter."
"Oh? So you're qualified to be an heir, and they're worried you'll replace them and take over their house?"
I nodded at Dawn's words. "There's a matter of blood since my mother was adopted by them, but they never removed her from the family registry. They were strangely after her life too, so they should have removed her ages ago."
"They must have been too scared to do so, young master." Keith snickered and whipped the horses, going a notch faster on a more even road.
That did make sense.
The only reason my mother hadn't wiped them out was apparently because she 'didn't feel like it.'
I leaned my head back and rested against the wall of the carriage. Her way of doing things was quite strange.
"Don't take them lightly, young master," Maria said. "Even if they're trash, they've been trash for generations. There has to be some level of competence to manage that."
"That's right..." I nodded at Maria's words.
They had already tried to bother me.
I'll get rid of them whether I feel like it or not.
***
The trip came to an end when we reached Dienin city. Dawn was peeking out of the window as the carriage moved through the streets of the city and toward the castle of Dienin. This place was a much different sight from both Deep Down Town and the cities of the empire, even I was able to appreciate it more.
We soon stopped in front of the gates of the Dienin Castle.
"Keith, park the wheels," I said and jumped out of the carriage. Waiting for those damn guards to open the doors and then go inside was annoying.
"That's very rude," Keith snapped.
"What you gonna do about it?"
I left behind a grumbling Keith. Dawn decided to follow me while Maria and Lily spoke against it, they were worried about getting caught by the maids again.
Dawn and I stepped away from the carriage and moved through the gates. A few of the knights moved toward the carriage to inspect it while the two on the gate remained standing. Surprisingly, the knights didn't stop me and greeted me instead.
"Oh! Young Lord Eugene, you're back!"
"I always knew you'll make a big name, young lord!"
"Who are you guys again?"
"Ah, don't you remember us? We're of the Hall Knight Brigade! We helped with your Don Chiik event!"
"Oh, right right. I see."
I don't see, but ok.
At the same time, another person came rushing over to the gates. His tailcoat fluttered as the seemingly old man half-ran toward me.
"Young lord! It is my pleasure to have you here again."
"Who?"
"It's me, lord. Bartholomew, the head butler."
"Oh, Bartholomew, I remember you." Honestly, I had no fucking clue.
The butler took a look at the angel behind me. I quickly shook my head and smiled. "She's with me. She's a direct aide of the princess of Schwarz."
"O-oh!" Bartholomew bowed at her. "Pardon my rudeness, ma'am."
"N-not at all..." Dawn awkwardly waved her hands. She didn't seem used to such treatment at all, especially after being an adventurer.
I held in a laugh and turned to Bartholomew. "Is the Marquis in?"
"Yes, I'll prepare a room—"
"I'd like to meet him right away."
I was running out of patience with time. Now that I had mostly healed, I wanted to dive into action right away.
The butler nodded and showed me ahead. He took the lead and guided the two of us into the castle. Dawn, like a child, looked around the place. Even though she was staying at the Royal Palace out of duty, the moment the tag of 'work' left she became as curious as a child.
"Stop," I whispered in her ears. "You're acting too cute."
"W-what. Bastard, shut up!" She lightly pushed my shoulders and lowered her gaze. Right before entering the castle gates, my eyes fell on another carriage that was in front of us.
It held an emblem I had become quite familiar with the last time I was here.
It seemed there were some other guests to greet here.
***
A/n: Ok enough smut, we're going back to the story, fast-paced again. For people who were looking to see some Lily 'action' I'll just do it more naturally instead of focusing on the R18, so give it time.
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