Volume 6 Chapter 47-2 Interlude - The Knight and the Young Lady I
A slender, gentle man with blonde hair slicked back like Cecilia's.
That was Alfred's first impression.
It's no wonder Randy was a bit worried.
Lady Katarina, who smiled in a similar way, was also a woman with a gentle demeanor.
Unlike the strong-willed Cecilia, her slightly droopy eyes conveyed more kindness than authority.
"Still, was it just me who was lucky?"
With a troubled expression, Cecilia thought of her younger brother Ferdinand, whom they had left behind at the mansion.
Ferdinand, 2 years younger than Cecilia, tended to keep his distance during his adolescence, but he had his cute moments nonetheless.
"No problem. He is still the heir. While I'm away, Ferdinand needs to step up a bit."
Cecilia pouted at Alfred, who smiled meaningfully, saying, "Please don't tease him too much."
While he was indeed a capable brother, Alfred's business partners were Victor and Braubelg.
Additionally, with the increased correspondence with the Church in recent days, it was true that even a brilliant brother would find it heavy for a 15-year-old child.
"It's fine once the necessary procedures are completed."
To her mother Katarina, who smiled leisurely, Cecilia glanced out the window, saying, "Then that's good."
There was Luke, running alongside the carriage.
Usually riding in the carriage, today Luke was mounted on a horse, running alongside as a member of the escort squad.
Gazing blankly at Luke, Cecilia heard Katarina chuckle, "Wouldn't a white horse have been better?"
"N-no, it's not like that."
Cecilia hurriedly turned around, her ears turning bright red.
Seeing their daughter's reaction, Count and Countess exchanged smiles... but Alfred tightened his expression and turned back to Cecilia.
"Cecily. About this trip, do you understand the purpose?"
With a serious Alfred, Cecilia showed a puzzled expression, mentioning that it was to strengthen connections to counter the Empire and the [Pilgrim of Truth].
"That's right. There is indeed that direction."
Cecilia furrowed her brows at her unusually vague father.
"Side connections are certainly important. But we need to make those connections stronger."
It's an abstract way of putting it, but Cecilia, who is traveling with him, cannot miss the meaning.
A noble's side connections are strengthened for the purpose of having a daughter accompany them.
Moreover, the Count's house that they are visiting has a son who is 3 years older than Cecilia.
"Could it be..."
"That's the 'could it be'."
Alfred nodded, and Cecilia reflexively stood up, shouting, "No way!"
Conrad, who was guarding behind them, must have thought her voice was loud enough because he came over to the side of the carriage and called out through the window, "Is something the matter?"
"No, it's fine."
Conrad seemed to have understood everything from Alfred's expression and returned to his original position, saying, "Understood."
Alfred sighed as the sound of receding hooves faded away and opened his mouth.
"Cecily. That's not something you would shout as a Lady."
Cecilia shook her head at Alfred's words and sat down, turning her face away.
"Indeed, we apologize for the deceptive manner, but you also know the situation of the house."
Alfred was right, Hartfield Estate had finally started to show signs of life recently, but it was still difficult to say that it was financially well-off.
Beauty serum ingredients, photographic paper.
Both were just starting out, and it was difficult to say that they were generating enough income to support the entire estate.
On top of that, there was the unsettling movement of the empire.
What Hartfield needs now is undoubtedly a strong side connection.
"I understand. But I'm──"
Cecilia instinctively turned her gaze towards Luke outside the window.
They had experienced many things together since they met.
At first, he was just a handsome knight, a slightly interesting person.
But now he was an irreplaceable existence.
"Do you like Luke?"
Cecilia nodded slightly without turning her face away from Alfred's words.
"But he's just a knight."
"Well, but he was once a young lord."
When Cecilia turned back, Alfred silently shook his head.
After all, Luke had already discarded his identity, and this was a foreign land.
In the kingdom, he was merely a knight.
Faced with this reality, Cecilia looked out the window again.
Upon closer inspection, Luke's expression seemed more severe than usual.
"Does Luke know?"
"I haven't told him. But, he's a sharp guy. He's probably figured it out."
Hearing that, Cecilia sighed, "I see."
"Oh come on. It's not like the engagement is set in stone yet."
Katarina clapped her hands and compared Alfred and Cecilia.
"Certainly, Katarina is right. We just had something similar happen. So this time, we are just going for introductions."
With a sigh, Alfred nodded in agreement with Cecilia.
Although it was just an introduction, given the connections involved, it practically felt like an engagement.
While romantic marriages are permitted among the nobility in this world, it's generally true that they are usually between nobles, which sets a high bar.
With a slightly heavy atmosphere hanging in the air, the carriage approached the Count's capital city.
Bathed in the sinking sun, the fortress city was dyed a striking red.
A mere knight and the well-bred Count's daughter.
Their love, blocked by high walls, was about to reach a crossroads ahead.
Would they part ways, or would they come together?
And what would Alfred, whom Lucian called "sly as a fox," pulling Luke into this, bring to their paths?
For now, no one knows.
The future of their love...
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