Chapter 51
Elisa and Ethan both demanded an explanation, but the aide refused to open his mouth until the very end.
In the meantime, the carriage rumbled tirelessly onward until they finally arrived in the village of Belhaven.
“My goodness…!”
The moment she stepped out, Elisa couldn’t hold back a cry of awe.
Before her stretched an endless expanse of emerald sea, sparkling under the brilliant shards of sunlight. Even Elisa—who disliked water—was struck by its beauty.
As for Noah, who loved the sea, his joy needed no explanation. The boy’s face lit up in a radiant grin, and he ran toward the waves as though his small body might burst with happiness.
When they stepped onto the white sand, their feet sank deep. Grains slipped into their shoes, and every step was cumbersome—but Noah kept going, undeterred.
“That’s enough.”
Ethan caught up swiftly, lifting the boy easily into his arms.
“We didn’t come here to play today, so you can’t go into the sea. Besides, you don’t have a change of clothes.”
Though disappointed, Noah nodded reluctantly at his father’s words.
“Good boy. As a reward, I’ll take you to an even prettier sea next time.”
Noah moved his lips silently: Sea? It was still awkward for him to speak aloud, so he often relied on gestures and mouth shapes like this.
Ethan and Elisa both longed to hear his voice more often, but neither pushed him. They didn’t want to burden him further.
It was enough—more than enough—that he had spoken even once.
“This way, please.”
Following the aide’s lead, Elisa and the others entered the village. Low stone walls lined the path, dotted with nameless wildflowers. Wooden cottages stood here and there, simple but warm, giving the little village a cozy charm.
“Here we are.”
They stopped before a house with a blue roof. When they stepped inside, a faint scent of old wood filled their senses. The interior was neat and orderly: a living room, a kitchen, and a single bedroom. It was the home of a common villager. The worn furniture gleamed as though scrubbed daily, and the fireplace was stacked high with well-trimmed logs.
“And this place is…?”
“This is the home of Belhaven’s village chief.”
Answering briefly, the aide checked the rooms and clicked his tongue.
“It seems he’s stepped out for a moment. I was told he’d be here by now…”
Just as he turned to check the front door, footsteps approached from outside. A moment later, the door opened, and a middle-aged man with graying hair stepped in, a basket of unfamiliar herbs in his arms.
“Oh dear, you arrived while I was out gathering herbs.”
Startled to see them, he scratched the back of his head apologetically.
“If I’d known you’d be here so soon, I wouldn’t have gone out… Forgive me for keeping you waiting.”
“It’s quite all right—we just arrived ourselves. More importantly, have you prepared what I asked for?”
“Of course. That’s what I went out for.”
The man held up the basket of herbs with a proud smile.
“These are exactly what you requested.”
“That should be plenty.”
The aide, after exchanging words that Elisa and Ethan didn’t understand, turned back to them.
“This is Bram, the chief of Belhaven. He’ll be assisting with our plan.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“I still haven’t heard what this plan is,” Ethan interjected, ignoring introductions.
“I intended to explain everything now. Since it will take some time, let’s sit.”
“Please, this way.”
At Bram’s invitation, the four of them gathered around a round wooden table. The chief served flower-infused tea to the adults and a cup of warm milk to Noah.
“The greatest concern at present is that Derek Grenville might reveal Baron Esteban is alive. If that happens, the royal family may accuse us of deception.”
“Do we really need to restate the obvious?” Ethan muttered.
“Ethan.”
Elisa clasped his hand, cutting him off gently.
“Forgive him. He’s been on edge ever since… everything that happened earlier.”
Her apology earned a light laugh from the aide.
“No need. We already knew Baron Estevan’s temperament could be difficult.”
Elisa blinked. Ethan? Difficult? It was the first time she’d heard anyone describe him that way. As a child he’d always been praised for his courtesy and kindness. Perhaps the battlefield had changed him. The thought left her heart aching.
“As I mentioned, Derek Grenville doesn’t seem intent on exposing the truth just yet.”
The aide continued evenly.
“Still, we cannot rely on his silence. We must act before he does.”
“Act first?” Elisa echoed.
“Yes. Prince Howard intends to announce publicly that the missing Baron Estevan was discovered here, in Belhaven.”
The story would be simple: the baron had been swept away by the sea, found and nursed back to health by the village chief. Only today had he regained consciousness, at which point Seilport had been notified.
“But… so many saw Ethan fighting with Lord Grenville in Cando. Will this really work?”
Elisa voiced her doubt cautiously.
“Did anyone there call Baron Esteban by name?”
“No.”
“Did anyone in that crowd recognize him?”
Elisa searched her memory, then shook her head.
“It was chaos, so I can’t say for certain… but I don’t think so.”
“Then there is no problem.”
The aide spoke with firm conviction.
“Even if someone insists they saw Baron Estevan fighting, without solid proof we can dismiss it as rumor.”
His confidence swayed Elisa into nodding. Ethan, too, said nothing in protest.
After sipping his tea, the aide went on with a knowing smile.
“That said, we will require the cooperation of Miss Leslie and the child.”
“…Noah’s help?” Elisa repeated, taken aback. She had expected her own role, but for them to involve Noah—her son?
“I refuse.”
The sharp voice cut across hers before she could even form the question. Ethan sat with arms crossed, glaring coldly at the aide. At the sight of his father’s hardened expression, Noah flinched and buried himself in Elisa’s embrace.
“I haven’t yet explained what cooperation entails,” the aide said calmly, unfazed by the killing intent radiating his way.
“You don’t need to. Whatever it is, Noah will not be part of it.”
The aide sighed heavily.
“This concerns the baron’s safety.”
“My son’s safety comes first.”
“It concerns Prince Howard’s safety as well.”
“I hadn’t realized His Highness would stoop to using a child to secure it.”
“Watch your tongue, Baron Esteban!”
Their voices sharpened, the air between them taut as a drawn blade.
Elisa held Noah tight, unable to break into their quarrel. The boy clung nervously to her clothes, small fists trembling.
“If this fails, Miss Leslie will also be in danger. Are you willing to risk that?”
The aide turned Elisa into a bargaining chip. Ethan clamped his mouth shut, face grim. The aide smiled knowingly at his silence.
“Do not worry. I wouldn’t dream of placing a child in true danger.”
“Not words I’d expect from you,” Ethan muttered darkly.
“Hah. During war, it couldn’t be helped. But this is different.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed in distrust, but the aide carried on without pause.
“Noah’s role is exceedingly simple.”
At his gesture, Bram, who had been sitting quietly, set the basket of herbs down on the table.
“All he must do… is eat these herbs and pretend to be ill.”
