- Chapter 58
“Have you had a look at the scenery?”
Startled by the unfamiliar voice close by, she turned her head. Reflexively stepping back, she received an apology from the person who had greeted her. The sudden greeting, like an unexpected ambush, surprised her. When… were they here? Quickly collecting her flustered expression, she tried to calm herself. She hadn’t even noticed the presence approaching. Her mind had been elsewhere, lost in thought. She wasn’t fully alert. She had been careless.
“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t find the right timing to greet you… I couldn’t just pop out from behind you suddenly.”
“That’s all right.”
As she calmed her pounding heart, she finally took in the figure before her. Hair neatly combed, fluttering slightly in the breeze. The person furrowed their brows faintly, then lifted a hand to smooth their brown hair. The hair and eyes, like autumn barley, shimmered in the sunlight, almost appearing as golden as her own. They also resembled a tree with a deeper shade of light.
“You’re a bit late with the greeting. Greetings. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Olive von Carter, who will be guiding the Divine Kingdom’s delegation with you.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Isilia von Agnes.”
“You may call me Sir Carter. I serve as an aide to Duke Brangio. I’ve been in the Divine Kingdom for several years, so I haven’t had the chance to attend social events much; this is my first proper greeting.”
The man apologized with an awkward smile, saying he had been abroad for too long and had forgotten the etiquette of the Padivan Empire. Standing with his attendants by the carriage, he bowed slightly.
“Normally, I would refresh myself on the Padivan Empire’s etiquette before coming out, but the schedule was tight this time. I’m inexperienced in many ways. I apologize if I have been rude.”
“…It’s all right.”
“In our department, many travel to various countries and stay for extended periods before returning home. We are exposed to different cultures in a short time, so things get mixed up. It’s not just me—others in my group are similar—so if any problems arise, let me know. I will handle them.”
“…Understood.”
His words about inexperience were true; his expressions and actions were slightly awkward. It was an interesting story, yet his face, when claiming he would ‘handle’ any issues, was the most blatant she had seen, leaving her momentarily speechless. Silence settled briefly. Carter, who introduced himself, didn’t step closer, and the excellent attendants of the Agnes family didn’t seem to notice the unexpected guest standing beside them. They stood side by side. Watching this odd formation, Isilia stifled a laugh that threatened to escape.
“Sir Carter, you may call me Agnes. I’m hardly fit to guide a delegation, so I am, in fact, committing a rudeness myself.”
“If it’s about guiding the delegation, we are also far less capable than Duke Brangio. The scholars of the Divine Kingdom also need a formal excuse to wander around, so we take it as a sort of substitute holiday. We pretend to listen attentively beside the delegation, but in reality, we’re just trailing along, lost in thought.”
Though light and trivial, the conversation helped relieve the awkward atmosphere. She pressed her lips together, stifling a smile that threatened to slip out. The sudden humor was different from before and effective. Of course, they were likely truly focused on their work, but the lie born of goodwill was apparent. Isilia understood, and so did Carter, who had spoken first.
“I see.”
“Excluding the knights, there are about three of us under Duke Brangio, including myself. May I introduce the colleagues you’ll be working with for the next six months?”
The reason she could sincerely go along with his lie was that no one else here seemed interested in her. Neither at the Agnes mansion, nor in Endrianz, nor in high society. Free from the dozens of prying or dismissive gazes, she could finally breathe. It seemed that, aside from Carter, no one had noticed her arrival. They didn’t even seem interested.
“Excuse me for interrupting your discussion, but we’ll pass through.”
Following Carter, she joined the gathering by the lake, walking into one of the two groups that had split up. As she followed the path Carter made through the crowd, she glanced at the murmured complaints nearby.
“Carter, why do you always cut through the crowd in the wide plains?”
“I want to speak to your faces, not your backs.”
“It’s been years since we last faced each other—don’t you want to see backs too?”
“My etiquette mixes different countries’ customs, so it’s too late to argue now. It’s not just me; you’re the same.”
The man with golden hair and eyes, faint wrinkles at his mouth, shook his head. Were they people from Divine? They seemed to glance at her briefly… Right, they had witnessed the matter with Roden Node and that man firsthand. They were part of the party. They weren’t visible here. Perhaps in the opposite group. She decided not to seek them out. Her previously tense nerves were now soothed by cheerful laughter.
“True enough! But we differ from you. As people not bound by custom or formality, there are many ways to contest that statement.”
“We had sufficient debates back in the Divine Kingdom.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘enough for scholarship.’ Unlike Duke Brangio, you leave room for debate here, showing your lack of rhetorical skill, Carter!”
“Your words are understood precisely because you are from Divine… Let me introduce my party first.”
A middle-aged man stepped aside with a bold exclamation, clearing the path. Isilia passed among them without speaking, though a few golden-eyed individuals met her gaze. They remembered her from the banquet. The mix of relief and tension returned. Standing upright, she was introduced to the remaining two party members. Jeremiah and Ryan, as they were called, greeted her plainly.
“They are not nobles, but their exceptional abilities caught the Emperor’s attention. Jeremiah’s sister is a genius. Originally, they were part of our group, but…”
“Due to the Emperor’s arrangements, they were urgently assigned where manpower was lacking. Ryan and I have no titles, so it would be an honor if you addressed us by our names.”
Before Carter’s expression could darken, Jeremiah interjected. His gray, curly hair resembled clouds floating in the sky. His eyes matched, giving off a composed, non-threatening impression. He seemed to steer conversation gently but cut off topics about himself. His quick topic shift confirmed Carter’s statement that his closing lacked depth.
“Pleased to meet you, Jeremiah, Ryan.”
Isilia smiled gently, feigning ignorance. Normally, she was a troublesome presence—an aristocrat with personal ties to the Emperor. Yet, since it was Duke Brangio’s decision, she expressed no complaint. She handled the situation skillfully. In high society, disdain without cause is more common than disdain with cause. Compared to Jordan’s favor, this was the lesser problem.
“Now that greetings are complete, let’s introduce the delegation. We are also inexperienced, but we will do our best. If the Divine Kingdom is rude, let us know. We will handle it.”
“…Yes, thank you for your consideration.”
This man seemed eager to ‘handle’ someone. Keeping a slight distance from Carter, Isilia followed the three newly joined men toward the delegation. The gathering of blondes sparkled in the light. Even from a few steps away, it was mesmerizing, making her chest flutter. The strange sense of camaraderie was slightly uncomfortable. Acting out of curiosity and interest had led to undesirable outcomes. Bad habits never die.
“It’s because Sir Carter speaks frankly, but I agree about the Divine people. Be careful. Jeremiah and I will handle any emergencies.”
“…The knights are present, so it’s fine.”
Not only Carter but these men also seemed eager to ‘handle’ people. Their serious expressions were unreadable. Unlike Carter and Jeremiah, who were expressive, Ryan, who had introduced himself, confirmed several times that they should inform him of any rudeness, then walked ahead with Carter. All of Jordan’s subordinates were like this. Taking a few steps back, Isilia met the gaze of a golden-eyed man watching them from afar. He had spoken with Carter earlier. As soon as their eyes met, he narrowed them. She habitually returned the soft smile, then Jeremiah’s voice refocused her attention.
“Words can be sharper than swords. You, the blossom of high society, Lady Agnes, understand this better than we do. The Divine Kingdom makes excellent use of this.”
When had he gotten so close? Startled, she noticed Jeremiah preventing Carter and Ryan from turning back.
“I apologize for any rudeness. But be cautious of their goodwill. They know no shame.”
…Weren’t they gathered for peace and friendship? The whispered words were unexpectedly harsh. Right, Jordan had said something similar: about land and military strength. It’s wise to be cautious—a sentiment close to the Emperor’s true intent. …No rest at all. Even if she, inexperienced in these matters, didn’t clash directly with Divine, it was tiring. Roden Node and that man were in the delegation.
“Words are invisible; the knights are like a screen.”
“…I see. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll be careful.”
“Though we will likely perish before Lady Agnes does.”
