A week had passed and Father was supposed to return today.
The House of Aleisters's territory was a sacred land up in the north of the empire. As such, it was surrounded by dense forests that were teeming with monsters.
Despite the territory being protected by a Holy dome, it is still necessary to conduct an expedition to get rid of the monsters near the edge of the forest before they become a danger to the people. Also because Aris was so far away to the north that traveling to the Imperial Capital takes a lot of time.
Those were few of the many reasons why the Archduke had to leave the castle frequently. This time, it’s related to an issue regarding the suspicious actions of the kingdom bordering the northeast.
Before Louis and Lucena’s return to the past, a war had broken out a few years after Louis’s death. It was on the battlefield as well, where the Archduke met his demise.
“Do you really have to go?”
Louis asked in annoyance as he wrapped me up warmly in several layers.
“Of course. I have to greet Father.”
“He wouldn’t mind even if you didn’t.”
“But I do.”
Sighing, Louis just gave up, shaking his head wearily and carried me on his back.
“Hold on tight.”
It was fortunate that Louis had been blessed with great physical strength despite his slender build and pale complexion. Carrying me, who is much smaller and thinner than my age, was as easy as lifting a feather. Though he wasn’t really happy about that, neither was I.
“You should eat more.”
“Say that to yourself.”
My weight and complexion is largely due to my illness. It’s not something I could help with, considering that I was born with it. If not, I would’ve been a fat girl with all the sweets I eat on a daily basis.
“I’m eating fine.” Louis said.
“And then throwing it up?”
I asked which caused Louis to flinch.
I don’t know the reason or when it started, but Louis was suffering from anorexia.
“..I thought you didn’t know.”
He spoke after a while.
“You aren’t doing a very good job at hiding it.”
It wasn’t that hard to spot signs if you know what you’re looking for. It was easier, since I had experienced it myself. The thought of it made me smile bitterly as I lamented our life.
“We’re really unfortunate aren’t we?”
I said with a sigh as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. It pains me that the two of us had to suffer like this. We could’ve lived normally like any other children, had it not been for the fate that was given to us, even before our birth.
“It’s not the worst. At least we had each other and Father.”
“I suppose so.”
Louis didn’t speak more after that. There was silence but it wasn’t awkward. I’m sure, both of us we’re just busy with our own thoughts.
“Cena? Did you fall asleep?”
Louis asked as he saw Father disembark from the carriage in the distance.
“No.”
I rubbed my eyes and blinked in daze. Louis only sighed.
Meanwhile, the servants of the castle all came out to greet the Archduke in neat columns and bowed simultaneously. It was as expected of well trained servants, but Louis only clicked his tongue.
***
“Cena, my daughter, Daddy has to leave again.”
The Archduke spoke in a sad tone as he looked at his daughter who had just come of age, and would be married off to the Imperial Family soon. In his hand was a crumpled letter and his glasses that were about to snap in half.
“It’s alright. I’m old enough to take care of myself, Dad.”
The girl had an understanding smile on her face. There was no anger or judgment in her eyes as she looked back at him. The Archduke felt a pang on the left side of his chest. He felt as if he failed her.
“I’m sorry. I had promised not to leave you again…”
“Dad.”
His daughter interrupted his words and wrapped her thin arms around him. The smile never left her face as she did so.
“Just promise me that you will be there for my wedding.”
“...Of course.”
Perhaps due to believing in her father’s strength, not once did she think that he might never return again. Oh how wrong she was. She couldn’t even kiss her husband, when a soldier, battered and tired, slammed the door open and delivered the news.
The Archduke wasn’t killed by mages.
***
“Why did you come home so early?”
Louis asked before Father even arrived in front of us.
“Shouldn’t you greet me first?”
Seeing Father after such a long time left me in a daze. To see him again, I thought I never would after I saw that brilliant white coffin be covered in dirt for the second time.
While I was buried in my own thoughts, Father took me from Louis and carried me in his arms. With his gentle and mellow voice, he spoke to me and planted a kiss on my forehead.
“I’m back, my daughter.”
“...Welcome home.”
Louis got his own share of hugs and kisses. Father had wanted to carry him as well, but he adamantly refused. I couldn’t help but giggle as I watched my brother walk away in embarrassment. It seems like his stay in the academy changed something in him. Before, it was normal for Father to carry us both around the castle.
Normally, a person with such a lofty position like the Archduke received only fear and awe from others. Even the Empress doesn’t dare to offend him.
Alexei Aleister was a great man, a hero and the strongest Holy Knight of the Empire, and the Lord of the powerful Household of Aleister who were owners of the Holy Grail and hailed as the richest and most powerful in the Holy Empire along with the Imperial Family and the Papacy.
But to us, he was nothing more than a kind and gentle father. For the longest time, he was the one who loved us and saw us for who we are, regardless of the titles we had at birth.
“Why is it that whenever I come home, the two of you are looking worse and worse? Are the servants not treating you well again?”
Father had a sad look on his face and he strengthened his hold on me. It wasn’t uncomfortable, in fact, it felt reassuring. I wrapped my arms around Father’s neck and rested my head on his shoulder.
“It’s fine dad. It’s nothing like that”
“Did you have another seizure?”
“...”
Father’s voice was grim when he said that, and Louis kept quiet. I couldn't see their expression so I just gave Father a pat and smiled.
“It’s alright. I’m fine.”
I heard Louis let out a disgruntled grunt while Father sighed.
“And don’t think you’re off the hook Louis, are you even eating properly?”
“I’m also alright, Dad.”
“Alright? But you look so thin, you might as well be made of sticks.” Father sighed. “You two really are siblings.”
Father shook his head defeatedly as Louis and I chuckled at his nagging.
“It’s cold out here. Let’s head inside.”
“Is that guy coming with us?”
The two of us looked at where Louis was pointing. Behind Father was a figure of a middle aged man dressed in garments worn by priests. Only, the robes he was wearing were lined with gold, signifying his high position.
“Unfortunately.”
Louis’s brows furrowed, and so did mine. Father chuckled in response and began making his way inside the castle.
“I have something important to do with him.”
The man was someone we’re very familiar with. He was the head of the papacy. The Pope. The man I hated the most, as well as the person who supported and defended me until the end.
With a benign smile, he bowed his head towards us, his gaze more eerie than usual.
“Did something happen in the Capital, Father? ”
Louis stubbornly asked as he walked besides us. I was curious as well, so I looked at Father and paid close attention to what he would say.
“Oh that. I quit my job.”
““Huh?””
I feel like I’ve seen this before.
“...”
It took us a second to even process what he said. Even then, Louis and I can only exchange confused gazes and shrugs. But as if not knowing any of that, Father continued talking.
“You two will never be alone again. I won’t be leaving again from now on.”
Father had a proud smile on his face as he said that.
“Aren’t you a noble?”
Nobles all have duties to serve in the Imperial Palace. Especially nobles who held important positions within the parliament. In times like this, where war is just around the corner, the Northern nobles who would be the first line of defense for the Holy Empire against the Magic Kingdom are required to attend meetings held at the Imperial Palace.
However, as if none of these matter for him, Father said.
“That isn’t important.”
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