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Chapter 116
The road from the Duke of Kaylen’s territory to the Marquisate of Ragselv wasn’t difficult at all.
For one, the two territories were fairly close to each other, and since it was a well-traveled route, the road was impeccably maintained.
A wide, solid path, bustling with people coming and going—markets and villages had formed naturally along its sides.
“Wow! Look over there!”
Every time Evie pointed at something in wonder, before Ruska could even tug the reins, Elisha the horse would already move in that direction on her own.
“Elisha, you’re so smart.”
Evie stroked Elisha’s mane in fascination, and Elisha snorted happily in response.
Seeing that, Ruska found it amusing.
Horses—no matter how smart—were also creatures capable of driving people insane.
Especially horses like Elisha, who chose their riders themselves.
When she first met the Marquis of Ragselv, she had pressed herself eagerly against him as if urging him to get on.
But the moment she saw his four sons, she visibly sneered with a look that clearly said, “You little brats?”
Knowing full well that the horse was genuinely mocking them, the four brothers burned with determination to be the first to mount her.
Naturally, Elisha kicked and bit them all.
“Doesn’t it feel like Elisha is cursing at us with her eyes?”
“For real… like, ‘Filthy humans dare?’ Something like that.”
Still, after six months of hard struggle, the brothers finally succeeded in riding Elisha.
Realistically, it was probably half due to the apples they brought her every day.
Still, she tended to act gently toward those she had accepted, so Ruska had brought her along just in case.
…But somehow… she looks more excited than when she’s carrying just me?
The moment she saw Evie, Elisha had pressed her face against her affectionately.
Even Arsel and the Duke of Kaylen were surprised.
They both knew full well what kind of temper Elisha had.
Sure, she doesn’t roughhouse with things weaker than her… but that’s usually where it ends…
Then suddenly, Ruska remembered someone from long ago—someone that animals had always followed.
Lillian.
When she passed by, even vicious dogs would wag their tails, and birds—who never approached humans—would circle close, flapping their wings as if hoping for food.
At first, he thought it was simply because she fed them well, but when he saw that even wild beasts in the mountains favored her, he realized that wasn’t it.
Ruska fell into thought, then asked Evie,
“Evie, do animals follow you well? Like… even if you don’t feed them, do sparrows trail behind you?”
Evie’s eyes widened as if wondering how he knew.
“Yes! Birds come close a lot. The kids at the orphanage wanted to catch pigeons and eat them, but the director said no. She said eating wild animals could be dangerous.”
“O-oh… right…”
It wasn’t exactly the example he was expecting, but at least it confirmed that animals did follow her.
Not just animals either.
Ruska thought of Arsel.
The only reason Arsel stuck around was because they’d been friends since childhood—otherwise, Arsel had never been comfortable around anyone.
Except Lillian.
No one else… until now.
Evie had been added to that list.
“Evie.”
“Yes?”
“You said before the orphanage, you lived at an inn, right?”
“Y-yes…”
Evie pouted slightly at the word inn. It pained Ruska to see her expression, but he didn’t back down.
“Do you remember where it was? Or maybe something unique around it?”
“I don’t know where exactly. I never asked the director… Oh! But there was something strange nearby.”
“What was it?”
“Next to the inn, there was a forest, and inside it was a spring with warm water—even in winter. So we washed and drank water there during winter.”
“A forest with a hot spring…”
I’ll check the military maps as soon as I get back.
Even the smallest unfrozen springs were marked in wartime maps because of their strategic importance.
He didn’t say it aloud, but Ruska already knew where he would start searching.
The territory where Lillian had died—and its surroundings.
Maybe it was pointless… but he had a feeling it would matter someday.
Since he didn’t want to wear Evie out on her very first horseback trip, Ruska eventually put her in the carriage and, excitedly, raced the rest of the way to the Marquisate.
My brothers are waiting, too!
The moment he said he was bringing Evie, his brothers’ eyes had sparkled just as much as his.
“A seven-year-old girl?”
“Small and cute?”
“Let’s ditch Ruska and make her our sibling instead.”
They had concluded their “family meeting” with those words. Ruska had protested, of course—but in the end, he was relieved that they were happy to welcome her.
And Father even brought Elisha, too.
Humming cheerfully, Ruska spurred the horse on.
It seemed Irene had bought Evie lots of pretty things, while Arsel had taught her instruments, studied with her, and played together.
Hah! Like I’ll lose to them.
Ruska was confident. After this week, Evie would no doubt say that her time at the Marquisate of Ragselv was the most fun of all.
I’ll play with her in ways they never even imagined! Hahaha!
Overflowing with confidence, he rode into the Marquisate.
Seeing the mansion in the distance, Ruska urged Elisha faster—
—but stopped when he saw an unfamiliar carriage parked in front.
“What? Who—”
Right then, as if waiting for their cue, the carriage door burst open, and someone leapt out without even accepting the coachman’s escort—pointing straight at him.
“Hey! Why are you so late?!”
At that voice, Evie poked her head out of the carriage.
“Huh? Irene? Irene!?”
Realizing who it was, Evie lit up. Irene, beaming like the sun, ran toward her.
“Evvviiieeee!!!”
“It is Irene! Irene!”
Evie hopped out of the carriage and, just like always, leapt straight into Irene’s arms.
It had only been a week, but they were reuniting like long-lost family.
Naturally, Ruska did not view this sweet scene kindly.
“Why are you at my house?”
“Mmm, I missed my Evie. I couldn’t bear it.”
Irene rubbed her cheek against Evie’s affectionately as she spoke.
“Then why didn’t you go when she was with Arsel?!”
At that, Irene looked at him as if he were the fool.
“Because Arsel is scary.”
“What, so I’m easy to mess with?!”
“Glad you know?”
“Hey!!”
Ignoring his shouting, Irene pulled something out from her pocket.
“If you need a reason, I came to deliver this, so be polite and welcome your guest properly, Ruska Ragselv.”
“Ugh… And what is that?”
Grumbling, Ruska still stepped closer, curious about the letter.
“It’s from Professor Malles. He’s inviting Evie and you, me, and Arsel to the Divine Natural Numbers Club. The date is the day before we return to the academy.”
“Really? He invited all of us?”
“He did.”
Irene pulled out an invitation with Ruska’s name and handed it over.
“See? Your name.”
“Whoa! It’s real! The Divine Natural Numbers Club! They’re giving us all brooches! And cute juniors will be waiting! They said there’ll be lots of snacks!”
“Figures that was the selling point.”
Watching Ruska light up at the mention of snacks, Irene squished Evie’s cheeks again.
“Anyway, Ruska, you won’t get Evie all to yourself. I’m staying here for a week. Since I came all this way to deliver the letter, it’s only natural I rest for a week, right? Hohoho!”
“What?! Not fair! Why me?!”
Ruska fumed while Irene ordered the maid to unload her luggage.
Just then, Evie, still looking at her invitation, murmured softly.
“I wish Arsel could come play too…”
Hearing that, Irene and Ruska looked at each other.
After a silent moment, they both nodded.
They didn’t speak it aloud, but their thoughts were identical.
Down with Arsel Kaylen!
What did that guy do in just one week to make Evie that attached?!
No matter what it took—they’d make sure she had more fun here.
While they silently vowed their mission, the sound of hoofbeats came from behind.
Ruska turned and waved happily.
“Huh? Eric-hyung!”
It was Eric Ragselv, the second son of the family.
He approached, saw Evie and Irene, dismounted immediately, and greeted them with a radiant smile.
“Hello. I am Eric Ragselv, second son of the Marquisate. It is an honor to meet such adorable and beautiful young ladies.”
With perfect etiquette, he kissed the backs of their hands.
“Ew.”
Watching this, Ruska gagged as if the soup he’d eaten a week ago was coming back up.
Though all four brothers were known as “muscle-heads,” Eric was particularly infamous for being ridiculously flirty with women.
Seriously, who even likes that cringe-worthy act…?
Ruska never understood why Eric was popular.
But just a few hours later…
“Eric oppa!”
“Eric oppa! Look at this!”
Watching Evie and Irene both clinging to Eric’s arms, calling him oppa, Ruska fell into existential despair.
…What is happening to my life?
