HTDD 39

Chapter 39

“…W–well.”

“We’ve always allowed you to go into town freely, but… perhaps we can’t be so relaxed about it anymore.”

While Mother spoke in an anxious voice, Natalie remembered that strange old man she had encountered when she went out with Julius not long ago — the one who had given her such an eerie feeling when she heard about a “suspicious person.”

(He hasn’t come to Father’s office since then…)

She hadn’t seen that old man again after that day.

“It seems… even the royal castle is gathering information about that person.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. There have been reports of encounters, but everyone who met him somehow can’t recall his face at all…”

“What…?”

Father suggested it might be the influence of some sort of magic, but Natalie frowned suspiciously.
After all, if someone had met that old man, there was no way they could forget him — his appearance was far too unsettling.

And come to think of it, Julius had mentioned sensing magical energy that day…

“Father, I think… I might know who that suspicious person is.”

Back then, she had been creeped out but thought the man might be a guest, so she hadn’t reported it. But given that the old man had never come to their mansion and the strangeness of it all, she decided to speak up.

Father’s expression instantly turned to shock.

“W–what!? Were you all right!? A–ah, Natalie! You didn’t get hurt, did you!? From now on, Father will never leave your side—!”

“Dear…”

Whenever it came to Natalie, Father simply couldn’t keep his composure. He flailed in a panic while Mother gave him a calm, chastising look — the kind one gives a fussy child.

Encouraged by Father, Natalie began describing the eerie old man she’d met in town.

“I see… It’s truly fortunate that the Duke was with you that day…”

“Yes, indeed. It was such a relief he was with you, wasn’t it, dear?”

“Ghh… ngh…”

He looked as though he were fighting an inner battle with his own pride. Then, clearing his throat with a forced ahem, Father straightened his posture.

“We should report that he appeared within our territory. I’ll head to the royal castle immediately.”

“Father…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll speak to His Majesty about this and return right away. I’ll also tell them to strengthen the alert in Pettigrew.”

With that, Father stood up, prepared to leave, and soon departed — Natalie and Mother seeing him off as he boarded the carriage bound for the royal capital.

◆◇◆

That evening.

True to his word that he would “return quickly,” Father came home before long. The loud sound of the carriage wheels announced his arrival, and Natalie rushed to the entrance to greet him.

The door burst open with a bang! revealing Father’s flustered face. Behind him, the coachman was panting heavily, trying to keep up with him.

It seemed Father had hurried home so fast that even the coachman was drenched in sweat. Natalie felt a little sorry for the man.

“Father! Welcome home!”

“Natalie~~! Father’s back early!”

“F–Father…”

When Father saw Natalie’s face, his own softened immediately into a broad smile. His joy was unmistakable.

Behind her, Mother’s exasperated voice rang out — “Oh, honestly…” — and Natalie decided she would make sure to thank the poor coachman later for putting up with her father’s impatience.

Then, wondering whether everything had gone smoothly at the royal castle, Natalie glanced up at Father.

“Ah! I nearly forgot!”

“Wh–what is it?”

“Well… actually… n–no, it’s nothing to worry about, but…”

“Huh?”

Both Natalie and Mother tilted their heads in confusion at Father’s hesitant words. Prompted by their puzzled looks, Father finally began to speak—

“Well, you see—”

—but before he could finish, a golden light flared from within his coat.

Startled, Father hurriedly pulled out a glowing necklace — and the next moment, it shattered with a sharp crack! The fragments dissolved into a soft light and sank into the floor at their feet.

The three of them froze, staring at the strange phenomenon. Before anyone could speak, a glowing magic circle appeared where the light had vanished.

“W–what? Father… what is this…?”

“D–dear…?”

As Natalie and Mother turned questioning eyes toward him, Father looked flustered and stared at the light nervously.

“Well… they do work quickly, I’ll give them that…”

Before he could explain, the light from the magic circle grew even brighter, forcing everyone to close their eyes.

And then—

“…My apologies. Was I too early?”

(That voice… I know it—)

When Natalie slowly opened her eyes, the light had faded. Standing above the faintly glowing circle was a man with hair shining like the sun — bright red — and eyes as green as new leaves.

“L–Lord Edward…!?”

“Hello, Natalie. It’s been a while since our date, hasn’t it?”

There he was, Edward, waving elegantly as though his sudden magical arrival were nothing unusual.

At his words, both of Natalie’s parents turned toward him at once.

“D–date!? D–did he just say date!?”

“Oh my! My, my!”

Father muttered something about, “The royal’s guidance to the capital was supposed to be a courtesy from the king — what else happened besides a tour of the city…?” while Mother beamed with delight, clearly imagining all sorts of romantic possibilities.

But more importantly—

The fact that Lord Edward had appeared here through magic could only mean one thing.

If Edward himself had to come here… does that mean something serious has happened?

A dull ache began to throb in Natalie’s head as an uneasy thought crossed her mind.