ASDM 30

Chapter 30

In the Amanta Empire, the high-ranking nobles split their lives neatly into two halves of the year.

During the social season of spring and summer, they lived noisily in the capital.
During the non-social season of autumn and winter, they retreated quietly to their territories.

Even Bastion, who only participated in social activities as much as he felt like it, wasn’t an exception.

After all, he was still a duke of the Empire with various connections. At the very least, propriety dictated that he stay at the townhouse during spring and summer.

But suddenly…

“We have to go back to the territory?”

What kind of bolt from the blue was this?

And the reason was…

“A monster wave?”

In the middle of summer?

I blinked in confusion and continued.

“From what I know, monsters usually cause trouble when it’s cold.”
“That’s right. They tend to overflow especially in winter.”

Exactly. So why in the height of summer?

Benjamin furrowed his brows as if it was giving him a headache.

“It’s rare, but there are times when a monster wave occurs regardless of the season. Honestly, even the claim that they follow seasonal patterns is based purely on statistics with no solid evidence… Strictly speaking, monster appearances are still in the realm of the unpredictable.”

…In other words, a natural disaster with no warning.

I stood there with my mouth open when Wolfgang, who had been quiet until now, cut in.

“So, we’ll probably have to postpone the wedding.”
“Oh, but right now, the wedding isn’t—”
“Objection.”

Right. It was important to him.

Levi, with swift and certain emotion, spoke again.

“We could just hold the ceremony right away and then head to the territory.”
“And the bride would be so thrilled, I’m sure. The venue and dress would both be shabby, and the whole thing would be rushed like roasting beans over a flash fire.”

Levi’s shoulders twitched.

Well, if that’s the only problem, I’m fine with it. It’s not like I’m expecting a grand, luxurious wedding.

I was about to say that just a single marriage certificate would be enough for me, but Levi agreed first.

“…We’ll postpone it.”

Even though his face was expressionless, the gloom was palpable.

Feeling like he was getting easier to read by the day, I tugged on his sleeve.

“You know, Lapidem said she’d make me a pretty dress. Even a wedding dress.”
“…”
“I’ll look super lovely in a beautiful wedding dress, won’t I?”

When I poked my cheek with my finger and whispered, Levi slowly blinked once. That was probably a yes.

Okay, his mood’s improved.

When I looked forward again with a sigh, Wolfgang and Benjamin had their heads bowed, shoulders trembling slightly.

What. Why. What. Never seen kids in love before?

Well… probably not. I’d be dumbfounded too.

Before the self-awareness could fully set in, I just took Levi by the arm and left the office.

I’d heard all I needed to hear, anyway.

“Phew. Let’s not go far—just the garden for now and head back in soon. They said we’re leaving this afternoon.”

As we trudged through the hallway, the air was clearly busier than usual.

We passed servants bustling about with the sudden preparations for departure and stepped into a garden with moderately ornate landscaping.

We probably wouldn’t see scenery like this in Bastion territory—it was famous for being cold and barren.

I gently stroked a fully bloomed summer rose and asked,

“What’s the weather like in Bastion territory right now?”
“About late autumn in the capital.”

Ugh. That’s really chilly. Summer would be cool, but winter would be brutal.

Shivering at the thought, I clapped my hands.

“Oh right! I’ll finally get to meet him!”
“Who?”
“Your little brother. Franz, right?”
“…Yeah.”

His answer wasn’t exactly bright.

Still, it didn’t seem like something to worry about immediately. What mattered now was gathering information on my next “target.”

“What does Franz like? Dislikes? You said he’s got a personality—what kind? Smooth but sharp? Prickly like a cactus? Abrasive like steel wool?”

Levi gave me a slow, puzzled look as if to ask, What’s the difference?

“I don’t know.”

It’s your only brother—how do you not know?

Before I could call him out, he turned and walked away with long, quick strides.

What was that about?

I didn’t think long.
Ah, I see. Smirking, I hurried after him.

“I hear your brother’s good-looking too. More of a delicate, handsome type?”
“…”
“Hmm, I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure we’ll get along well.”

I really should stop here.

I knew that in my head, but I couldn’t stop talking.

Maybe it was an illusion, but his small, round, black head looked extra cute today.

“Can’t wait to see him!”

He stopped dead.

Oh.

Right. For someone who’d once run out of school just to see me after I said something similar, this was… careless.

Realizing I’d messed up, I tried to take it back—but it was too late.

Levi used a high-level movement technique, clearly not planning to let this slide.

“Wait—!”

I reached out, but not even an afterimage was left.

Standing alone, I muttered with a half-laugh, half-sigh,

“I’m screwed.”

See? I told myself to watch my mouth.

“Benjamin, you’re noisy.”
“…I haven’t even said anything yet.”

Your eyes are noisy.

Ever since we got in the carriage, Benjamin had been staring at me, talking nonstop with his eyes.

Did you fight? You fought, right? Why’d you fight?

I ignored his exploding curiosity and stuck my head out the window.

In the near distance, I could see Wolfgang and Levi among the knights.

Really? He’d rather ride all that way on horseback?

Clicking my tongue, I muttered,

“What, he doesn’t even want to ride in the same carriage with me?”
“His Grace and the Young Master have always preferred riding.”
“If we hadn’t fought, he’d be sitting next to me.”
“Well… probably.”

So they did fight.

Benjamin silently nodded with knowing eyes.

Though really, “fight” was a stretch—it was just me making a mistake.

And Levi…

Got sulky.

I let out a small, exasperated laugh.
Sulking—so childish. Well, he was a child.

“By the way, Lady Asha, can you even see ahead like that?”
“…It’s hard enough already, so please be quiet.”

Ugh, this hair! It’s impossible to manage!

After fighting my hair out of my face, I found myself locking eyes with a pair of crimson ones.

Then he looked away, looked back, looked away again.

I was wondering if he’d get into the habit of being shy when his lips silently formed, Danger.

Blinking, I quietly pulled my head inside.

“Is there something interesting out there?”

Benjamin leaned out the window to check, but I pulled him back with a cough.

“Ahem. Nothing at all. By the way, did you say it takes two weeks to get to the territory?”
“Yes, probably.”
“…What do you mean, ‘probably’?”
“When you weren’t with us, it took about ten days.”

Two weeks down to ten days… Oh.

Benjamin pointed silently at Bastion and his son, and I understood.

Having an overpowered commander was a problem in itself. My condolences to the countless subordinates who’d probably split their legs trying to keep up with Bastion.

Soon, we left the complex capital behind and entered sparsely populated mountain regions.

It was full summer now, lush greenery everywhere. Still, my eyes most often strayed to a certain back riding Ignate ahead.

By the time we reached the middle of a mountain range, the carriage stopped, and someone knocked on the window.

Benjamin exchanged a few words with the knight outside.

“We’ll rest here for the day.”
“Mmh, alright.”

Half-asleep, I stretched out my stiff body.

Traveling like luggage in a carriage was exhausting—especially over bumpy, unpaved roads.

Rubbing my sore shoulders, I opened the carriage door and saw a hand offered to me.

“Oh, Sir Kyle. Thank you.”
“Not at all.”

Cold, but polite. And handsome. No wonder he was the most popular in the knight order.

I smiled warmly and was about to take his hand when—prickling on my left cheek. Then my right.

Seriously, I was going to get a hole in my face with two people staring at me like that.

Sighing, I hopped down on my own two feet.

“I appreciate it, but I’ll pass.”

For everyone’s safety.

I whispered to Kyle and quickly stepped away. I didn’t need more jealous glares.

But despite my effort, Wolfgang approached and said something ridiculous.

“No flirting, daughter-in-law.”
“Of course not.”

What did he take me for?

Snorting, I glanced behind him. As if on cue, my eyes met Levi’s—only for him to look away again.

Still sulking, huh?

“Sulky boy…”
“Who?”
“Your eldest son!”

I snapped, then leaned in to whisper.

“By the way, Father, were you like this with Mother?”
“Like what?”
“Jealous and holding grudges?”

Wolfgang rubbed his chin and muttered,

“…Well, I did kill a few things.”

…Did he just say “kill”?

A chill ran down my spine, but then he smirked.

“If someone deserves it, hit them.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Then they’ll listen.”

What was he teaching his son?
No, wait—

So he’s not just a devoted husband who gets hit—he actually likes it?!

…Could that taste have been passed down?

Frozen in place, I watched him stroll off to where the knights were lighting fires and setting up tents.

It was a fairly large entourage, but not everyone had come. Hugo and a minimal guard stayed behind to protect the townhouse.

Joan, Kim, and Sarah were also among those left behind, waving handkerchiefs at Winston and Benjamin as we departed.

I’d also had to say goodbye to Lapidem, whose boutique was in the capital.

Though dealing with her was exhausting, I’d grown fond of her in a way, so I felt a bit sad.

The tailor left me with a bright farewell:

“I’ll send your outfits with the utmost care, miss. With Lapidem, the cold of Bastion will be no concern at all. And don’t be too sad—we’ll see each other quite often. After all, you and the young masters are still growing.”

Instead of a hug, she offered a handshake. I gripped her gloved hand as firmly as I could.

“Woof, woof!”

Just then, a pack of blue wolves burst from the bushes.

Ah, so they had been following along.

I petted the ones still reluctant to leave my side and asked Betty, who’d just stepped down from the maids’ carriage, to get them some food.

“You should eat too, miss.”
“After I take care of something first.”

I jerked my chin toward Levi. This was getting ridiculous.

When he handed Ignate over to Queensberry and Cami and went off somewhere, I knew my chance had come.

Finally—some alone time. We’d been too busy for any real reconciliation, but if I pushed just a little, I was sure I could fix things.

“Hey.”
“…”
“You there, handsome guy in front.”

He didn’t even look back at that one.