TCRDG 04

Chapter 4

As Seniel was unbuttoning his shirt to change into something more comfortable, he heard a sharp tapping sound at his ear—kokok, the distinct noise of a beak knocking.

“What’s that sound?”

Perking up his ears, Seniel jumped in surprise and ran to the window.

Outside the glass, he saw Shell, frantically pecking at the window with his beak.

“Shell! Why are you here at a time like this…? Did something happen to my sister?!”

Seniel’s face turned pale as he quickly untied the letter from Shell’s leg.

[I’m staying at the Dawn Inn next to the plaza. Let’s meet if you have time. I’ll wait one week. – R]

As he read the letter, the color returned to Seniel’s face, but upon checking the date, his expression turned grave with worry.

“Today’s the seventh day?! No way!!”

Letting out a loud scream, Seniel dashed down the stairs, clutching the letter in hand.

“Young master! The bath is ready—where are you going? You haven’t even had dinner yet!”

“I’ll be late. Tell my mother that too!”

“Young master!!”

Seniel rushed out of the house in a flurry, disappearing like the wind.

The butler, who hadn’t even heard the reason for the sudden outing, stood blankly at the doorway, blinking in confusion.

***

I was sitting on a bench in a quiet corner of the plaza, reading a book, when I noticed the sun beginning to set. I lifted my head.

“He’s not coming today either?”

I sighed softly, turning my stiff neck from looking down at the book.

I had said I’d wait a week—and today was the final day.

Though disappointed, I hesitated to leave right away and wondered if I should wait a few more days. That’s when I heard loud footsteps.

“Sis—ter!”

I stood up quickly, closing the book in my hands.

Seniel ran straight toward me, a beaming smile lighting up his face, and hugged me tightly.

“What happened? If you had contacted me in advance, I wouldn’t have made you wait. I didn’t even know you were here and just came back from training in the capital.”

Seeing Seniel so overjoyed like a kid receiving a surprise gift brought a small smile to my lips too.

“Auntie died.”

Seniel had thought I had been adopted by a cantankerous old woman living in a far-off province.

“Huh? Then that means you’re…”

“Yeah. I’m on my own now.”

Seniel’s expression shifted subtly. He looked saddened, then furrowed his brows in thought, and soon spoke with determination in his eyes.

“Sis, come home with me. If I tell Mother, she’ll let you stay with us. She’s missed you.”

I let out a light laugh and teasingly replied, “You want me to live with you guys? What, should I ask to be adopted again?”

“Why not?”

Seniel’s silver hair shimmered in the sunlight.

Having lived my whole life in the shadows, that brightness was almost blinding to me.

I shaded my eyes with my palm and shook my head.

“What about your father? He doesn’t like me.”

“I’ll convince him.”

“No need. I’m an adult now. I don’t need a guardian anymore.”

At my firm rejection, Seniel’s gaze dropped again.

“Where will you stay, then?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t decided yet.”

“Perfect. How about my friend’s villa? It’s not far by carriage.”

“Would that be okay?”

“Of course. You can stay as long as you want. It’s a big house with lots of empty rooms. And I’d love to have you near me for a while.”

Since it wasn’t Seniel’s house, I figured it would be alright.

I hadn’t made any solid plans yet, and this was the first real break I’d gotten.

Honestly, I did want to spend a few more days with Seniel, without worrying about anyone else.

“Then I’ll stay just for a few days.”

“Really? You mean it? I can’t believe it. I get to see you for several days—I’m so happy!”

Overjoyed by my answer, Seniel cheerfully went off to get us a carriage.

Once aboard, I settled comfortably and spread a blanket over my lap.

“Wake me when we arrive.”

“Sis? You’re seriously going to sleep now? We haven’t seen each other in six months!”

As I leaned against the carriage wall and closed my eyes, Seniel poked his face close in disbelief.

“We already caught up, didn’t we? I’ve been waiting for you all day—I’m tired.”

I pushed his face away and let my heavy eyelids fall shut again.

“Come on, at least talk with your eyes open! I want to know what you’ve been up to. I’ve got a mountain of questions…!”

But I couldn’t tell him anything he wanted to know.

How I had lived was a secret I’d take to the grave.

Not wanting to lie, I simply closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.

…Though I didn’t expect to fall asleep for real.

I snapped my eyes open at the feeling of someone touching my shoulder.

Out of habit, I reached for the sword I always kept at my back—only to find, of course, that it wasn’t there.

“What’s got you so jumpy, sis? We’re here.”

Seniel, still sulking a bit about my nap, looked down at me with a pout. I relaxed.

For once, I was glad I hadn’t brought my sword.

Stretching, I looked out the window at a vast lawn and a stately mansion. It was far larger than I expected, and I frowned.

“Is your friend a noble too?”

“Yeah. A fallen noble—he doesn’t have a title. But he lives alone, so don’t worry.”

Relieved that I didn’t need permission from any fussy aristocrats, I nodded.

“Good.”

Did Seniel have a friend with a villa like this?

I didn’t recall reading anything about it in the reports. As I tilted my head in thought, the mansion doors opened.

An elderly man with graying hair and a young man stepped outside. Seniel smiled and held out his hand.

“Come on, sis. Let me introduce you.”

Though I could’ve easily jumped down from a carriage like this, I took his hand and got down quietly.

“Welcome, Lord Seniel. And the lady accompanying you is…?”

The distinguished-looking old man bowed politely.

Seniel stood between us and made the introductions.

“This is my sister. This gentleman is Pendelick, the caretaker of the estate. And this is my friend, Orbis.”

“Whoa, what a surprise! Seniel brought his sister… I’ve been dying to meet you. I’ve heard about you so much, I think I’ve got blisters on my ears. No, I’m serious—want to see?”

…Just how much did he talk about me?

The sparkle in Orbis’s eyes was a strange mix of awe and exhaustion.

Avoiding his curious stare, I held out my hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Feel free to speak informally. By the way… what do you think about younger guys?”

As Orbis bent to kiss my hand, Seniel yanked him back by the shoulder.

“Are you crazy? Don’t touch her.”

“What? I didn’t even do anything! It was just a polite greeting.”

“Even that’s not allowed.”

“Jeez, fine.”

Watching the two bicker put me at ease for some reason.

I already knew Seniel had grown up well, but seeing him so bright and carefree with a friend made me happy.

***

Rosia, guided by Pendelick, chose a room herself to stay in for the next few days.

After sharing a brief chat with Seniel and Orbis over tea, she excused herself and went upstairs, saying she was tired.

Seniel stood guard outside her room for hours as she slept under fresh bedding Pendelick had brought.

He leaned against the wall with arms crossed, occasionally sneaking a peek inside at the sleeping Rosia.

Eventually, Orbis came upstairs and tapped his shoulder.

“Aren’t you going home?”

“I already said I’d stay the night.”

“How long are you going to stand there like that?”

“You know why. I only got to see her once a year for ten years. And even then, just for an hour or two. This is the first time I’ve seen her asleep.”

“I get the sentiment, but I need to talk to you. Come downstairs.”

Seniel finally tore his gaze away from Rosia’s door, his expression hardening.

“…Alright. Be quiet with your footsteps.”

They carefully closed the door and tiptoed down the stairs so Rosia wouldn’t wake.

But inside the room, Rosia had opened her eyes at the sound—though neither of them noticed.

Downstairs, Seniel’s eyes had changed. Cold, like he was a different person.

Orbis clicked his tongue.

“You really do have two personalities. People who only see your cheerful side would never believe it.”

“Watch your mouth. Sis doesn’t know anything about what we do. She thinks I’m walking the straight and narrow.”

“Yeah, yeah. But we are walking the straight path, right? His Highness is our justice now.”

The two entered the study.

Laid out on the maple wood desk were all the reports from the past week.

“Read this. The Grand Route map was stolen.”

“…No way. His Highness personally went there.”

“He did. But it still failed. That Prince from the Raven Guild was better than we expected.”

“Damn it. His Highness worked so hard for that…”

Frustrated, Seniel slammed the desk with a bang, his eyes blazing.

“That bastard Prince—I won’t let him off. How can I get to him?!”