Chapter 173: Chapter 8 - Terremore, the Holy Sword

Edward's affection for Yelena had grown recently for some reason. His eyes became wet again at the mention of his younger sister.

"Yelena got married."

"Pardon? Married? To whom?"

"Duke Mayhard."

"Duke Mayhard? That would be..."

The man's expression hardened soon after.

"So where is Yelena now?"

Edward, seized by his own sentimentality, didn't notice the man's expression change.

"She's at the dukedom, of course."

"The Mayhard Dukedom, I suppose you mean."

"Yes."

"...I'm so disappointed."

"What?"

Edward belatedly came to his senses and looked at the man. The latter glowered at Edward as if they were sworn enemies.

"I thought you and the count were different... How could you...?"

"Huh? What are you saying?"

"Are your family's gains and wealth that important? I'm truly, utterly disappointed in you."

"Wait a minute. Aendydn, wait!" Edward called urgently. He had realized Aendydn's misunderstanding a beat late.

Aendydn ignored him and got back in his carriage. The carriage took off. Edward watched the carriage as it grew more distant, forlorn. He opened his mouth.

"...Oh boy."

-

Chapter 8 - Terremore, the Holy Sword

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Ben entered Kaywhin's study. Kaywhin sent the servant who was in the room away after seeing the look on Ben's face. Ben approached Kaywhin's desk.

"Any updates?"

"There is no sign of Rebecca around the Marezon estate or the surrounding territory yet."

"How about the academy?"

Arcan Marezon, the youngest son of Viscount Marezon, left home several years ago to study at an academy. Kaywhin had sent people not only to the Marezon house in the capital and their territory, but also to Arcan's academy, since there was a chance that Rebecca would make contact with Arcan.

"There is no sign of her there either."

"...All right."

"Several factions of the Capital Guild have also been on the move. Soon, our search area will expand to the entirety of the capital."

"Very well. Don't stop searching and surveilling until we find something, even if it's a corpse."

"Understood."

Ben stepped away.

A cold look fell on Kaywhin's face. Then, another knock was heard at the door. The door opened after Kaywhin gave whoever it was permission to enter.

"Kaywhin."

It was none other than Yelena.

"Are you busy?"

"No, I'm not busy."

Kaywhin immediately put his quill to the side of his desk.

"That's good. Then would you like to eat some tarts with me? The head chef made them. They look absolutely delicious, so it feels like a waste to eat them alone."

Behind Yelena, a maid was carrying a tray topped with pastries that looked like tarts.

Kaywhin got up from his seat. He had a soft look on his face, warm like spring, as if his expression had never been cold.

"Yes, I would."

***

Ten days had passed since Yelena returned to the castle.

The knights were in substantially better condition and they slowly eased themselves back into training. It also seemed as though Kaywhin had more or less resolved the matters he had been swamped with after vacating the castle.

'All right.'

Yelena was sitting at the table in the castle's back garden. She smiled radiantly. It was time to get ready.

'For my wedding!'

Second wedding, to be exact.

Yelena was determined to have a new wedding ceremony at the ducal castle. It was now time to make that determination a reality.

Yelena looked around the garden with leisure. It was the perfect place to hold a reception.

'We'll have to organize and decorate the banquet hall for the ceremony. Ben will be the officiant. And my dress..."

At that moment, a friendly voice spoke up urgently, as if something was going on.

"Madam, Madam!"

"Merry?"

Merry, who was now able to refer to Yelena as Madam with ease, hastily entered the garden.

"Come see who has come to the castle."

"What?"

"Hurry, hurry, Madam."

"Just who is it..."

"It's better if you see for yourself rather than have me tell you in advance," Merry said with a smile on her face. She led a clueless Yelena to the parlor.

The moment Yelena arrived in front of the parlor, the door, which she hadn't touched, burst open. The first thing Yelena saw was a man's shirt collar and his chest.