Volume 13 Chapter 20 Baroness Tabasa Again
Al had a long day. After returning to the mansion and having breakfast with Naresh and the others, he still had one more thing to do.
It was about Baroness Tabasa. She wanted to talk to Patricia after visiting the research tower yesterday evening.
To find out what happened in their conversation, Al went to Baroness Tabasa's room. He asked Doris to keep watch and then used his magic to teleport to the research tower.
"Good morning, Sir Al."
Maybe because he had contacted them in advance about the teleport, Baroness Tabasa, Joanna, and Patricia were waiting for him in the square in front of the tower. Malachi, the golem, was there too.
Malachi had no expression, so it was hard to tell what he was feeling. But the three women were smiling happily. They must have had a good chat together.
"Good morning. You all look well. I wish you had waited for me upstairs."
As Al said this with a smile, Baroness Tabasa stepped forward and bowed deeply to him.
"Sir Al, thank you for saving Lady Patricia."
"Huh?"
Caught off guard, Al couldn't help but exclaim. Soon, he realized that Baroness Tabasa must see Patricia as a daughter. She wanted to express her gratitude after hearing their conversation.
Even though they weren't far apart in age, Baroness Tabasa's sense of responsibility made it feel different.
"No, I just couldn't leave Patricia behind. It seems like the talk is over."
From the looks of the 3, it seemed that Al had not said anything resentful to Patricia, as he had worried.
"Yes. But, I have something I want to discuss with Sir Al. Is it okay to do it up here?"
At Patricia's question, Al nodded. The various issues in the border city of Parker should have settled down for now. Naresh and the others were probably already asleep, so it was fine if they didn't return right away.
Al and the others moved together to the 8th floor of the tower.
On the dining table on the 8th floor, there was a bowl of water with flowers arranged in it. Three white petals spread out from the center like rays, and a sweet fragrance gently wafted through the air.
"Wow, this is nice."
Al couldn't help but exclaim, and Patricia nodded enthusiastically.
"Isn't it? I found them while taking a walk with Mama Tabby this morning. There's a spot just inside the outer wall of the tower where they bloom, and I picked them from there."
While some renovations had been made inside the outer wall of the tower, they mainly focused on the farms and gardens facing the research tower and corridors.
The place the two found was likely still undeveloped. Just having the flowers displayed made them feel very gentle inside. Al smiled.
"For safety, I had a guardian golem escort them. Please don't worry."
Malachi the golem added.
"Even though you say it's fine, one of them always follows us as soon as we leave the research tower."
Patricia looked a bit dissatisfied. However, judging by the condition of the guardian golems in the tower, it seemed there had been battles with magic beasts or those using magic in the past.
It was understandable that they couldn't guarantee complete safety.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Al sat at the table as he spoke. Patricia, Baroness Tabasa, and Joanna also took their seats.
"Um, there are two things," Patricia said. "The first is about Joanna's father, His Excellency Baron Quenner. It seems that the First Knight Order of the Tempest Kingdom is staying in the Viscount Parker territory. They are continuing to resist the Marquis Prentis family. Of course, this is said to be with the permission of His Majesty King Sylvester. His Excellency Baron Quenner is also a member of that knight order. I want to let him know that Joanna is safe."
Of course, it would be necessary to contact her. However, if the Tempest Kingdom learns that Joanna is alive, it would mean that Patricia is also likely alive.
Al wanted to ask for discretion, but he knew he needed to be prepared for that possibility. He hesitated for a moment but quickly nodded.
"Yeah, I'll let him know. I'll ask Naresh to take care of it."
"And there's one more thing. I want to bring Mama Tabby and Doris here to the tower... I need to confirm with you first, but what do you think?"
Al wondered how Baroness Tabasa's family was doing. According to what Craig, Naresh's servant, said, many of the main relatives and knights serving the Baron family either died in battle or scattered.
Noticing that Al looked uneasy, Baroness Tabasa spoke up.
"Almost half a year has passed since I escaped from Count Senet. I don't expect much from my relatives coming to find me. You don't need to worry about me."
She should be lonely, but she seems strong. Al had heard that she couldn't even eat because she was worried about Patricia, so he thought she was weak, but maybe that's not the case. She continued speaking.
"Near the border, the surviving knights of the Tempest Kingdom are working to restore the kingdom," Baroness Tabasa said. "However, I understand, even without knowing much about war, that it is still dangerous for Lady Patricia to show herself in the current situation. Also, there are many things Lady Patricia still needs to learn. Considering all of this, I would like to serve as Lady Patricia's tutor."
It seems she agrees to hide in the research tower until the restoration of the Tempest Kingdom becomes more concrete.
However, Al wondered what she planned to do if the restoration happened. He was a bit curious about that, but living in this research tower would be good for Patricia. Al couldn't think of things like decorating with flowers.
As Al was thinking about this, Baroness Tabasa suddenly had a serious expression and stared at Al.
"Doris heard that the Tempest Kingdom is in a pretty chaotic state," Baroness Tabasa said. "The Marquis Prentis family took over the royal family, along with the Tagard Marquis family and several Count families who are watching from a distance. They are joined by the former leader of the kingdom's knight order, who opposes the actions of the Marquis Prentis family. Even in this Viscount Parker territory, the captain of the Tempest Kingdom's First Knight Order, Viscount Powell, is stationed here with the approval of the Sylvester Kingdom. He continues to resist the Marquis Prentis family."
At that, Baroness Tabasa paused for a moment. What was she trying to say?
When Al looked at her, she stared back at him intently. Al instinctively looked away and glanced at Patricia. She was also looking at Baroness Tabasa with a slightly worried expression.
"Sir Al, what do you think we should do? If Lady Patricia becomes queen, will you become her consort?"
At Baroness Tabasa's words, Patricia gasped in surprise. A consort is the spouse of a queen. Patricia is the only surviving member of the Tempest royal family, so it might not be impossible for her to aim for the revival of the kingdom as queen.
However, if she brought that up now, it would likely be crushed immediately. First of all, she probably has no intention of becoming queen... right?
Al stared at Patricia's face. Patricia stared back at Al's face.
"Does Sir Al wish for that?"
At Patricia's words, Al shook his head vigorously. He had never thought about such a thing. Al lost his younger sister Ingrid when they were kids. To make sure such a tragedy never happened again, he sought answers in ancient ruins, worked hard to learn spells, and honed his skills as a scout.
Recently, he had also been studying magic tools. His grandfather Dean served as a magician for the Margrave family, so he couldn't deny that he admired that. But having power as a royal consort was something entirely different.
Seeing the two of them, Baroness Tabasa lightly shook her head.
"I apologize. I understand that neither of you is interested in such matters." Baroness Tabasa continued, "However, Lady Patricia, even if that is the case, there may come a day when you will have to stand in public as the last surviving member of the royal family. To prepare for that, and for the sake of Sir Al, as well as to honor the names of your late father and mother, you should study various things."
"Mama Tabby?"
At Patricia's words, Baroness Tabasa shook her head.
"Yesterday, I accidentally called you Patricia, but I will refrain from doing so. Lady Patricia, please call me Tabasa."
Patricia looked thoughtful for a moment but then slowly nodded.
"I understand. Tabasa... It's unfamiliar, but I will try. I can't stay weak forever, right?"
"Yes."
Suddenly, Patricia seemed to have gained a sense of determination.
"Got it. I think it's a good idea about Baroness Tabasa. Decorating with flowers like this is nice, too."
"Sir Al, I also want to meet Sir Naresh directly. Is there a chance for that?"
Al nodded. He thought Naresh would probably wake up in the evening. Al briefly explained what had happened from last night to this morning.
"I see. So, Sir Al, you didn't sleep at all last night? I'm sorry for talking so long without knowing."
Patricia said in a flustered manner.
"It's okay," Al said. "We took turns napping before dawn, and I'm used to staying up all night. For now, when Naresh wakes up, I'll ask about the schedule and let you know again using the Ring of Pact's 'Telepathy.' Until then, I'll leave this 'Teleport' magic tool with you, Patricia. You still have a lot to discuss with Baroness Tabasa, right?"
The 'Teleport' magic tool probably wouldn't be needed while they stayed in the border city of Parker.
"Thank you. I'm so happy. So, when Sir Al goes back to Baroness Tabasa's room, please take the golem for the 'Teleport' test with you."
Al nodded at Patricia's words.
"Okay, then I'll head back for now. What about Baroness Tabasa?"
"Yes, I'll go back once, too. I need to talk to Doris."
After that conversation, Al and Baroness Tabasa returned to their room for the time being.
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