Chapter 79
***
The train sped along before finally halting at the Ronfei Station.
“You may get off now!”
Following the attendant’s guidance, Ethan stepped down from the train, carrying a bag in each hand.
Elisa had insisted on holding her own luggage, but Ethan had stubbornly refused to let her.
The station bore clear scars of battle — cracks ran along the walls, and faint stains of blood lingered where they hadn’t been fully cleaned.
This was the mark of a fierce fight against the Empire.
Half the platform had collapsed and was under reconstruction.
Few people passed through, leaving an eerie stillness hanging in the air. Yet, the soft afternoon sunlight wrapped the platform in warmth, easing some of its desolation.
“Baron Estevan.”
As soon as Ethan’s group stepped out of the station, a strange voice called his name.
Turning his head, Ethan saw a group of men in blue uniforms approaching — the emblem of an eagle embroidered on their chests.
“It’s an honor to meet you, my lord,” said the man at the front, saluting sharply. “I’m Lector, vice-captain of the Karsten Knights.”
His appearance was rugged — unkempt hair, a deep scar running across his face, and sharp, predatory eyes. He looked more like a mercenary than a knight.
Seeing him, Noah immediately ducked behind Elisa’s skirt in alarm.
Ethan, on the other hand, tilted his head slightly as he studied the man.
“The vice-captain has changed, it seems.”
Ethan’s division had fought near Ronfei during the Empire’s invasion. The Karsten Knights had joined the battle then — but the man who had served as their vice-captain at that time wasn’t this one.
There were no familiar faces among the group either.
“Ah, yes. That’s right,” Lector replied, his expression turning somber. “Sir Baroque, our former vice-captain, retired due to injury. I was appointed to take his place. I may be lacking, but I’ll serve you to the best of my ability.”
Ethan studied him. The words might have been a lie, but Lector didn’t look deceitful, so he gave a short nod.
Lector went on to introduce each of the knights accompanying him, then politely extended his hand.
“Allow us to carry your luggage, my lord.”
Ethan handed over not only his own bags but also those belonging to Elisa and Noah.
The knights, only now realizing who the two were, exchanged uneasy glances.
Lector, representing them, finally asked — and Ethan responded casually.
“My apologies for the late introduction. This is Elisa Leslie, soon to be my wife…”
He looked down at Noah and paused before continuing.
“And this child is my son, Noah Leslie.”
Lector and the other knights froze. Officially, Ethan was unmarried — though rumors had once linked him with Giselle Brianna. Now, to introduce another woman as his fiancée and declare he had a son? Their jaws nearly dropped.
Elisa, equally startled by his sudden announcement, grabbed his arm in surprise.
Ethan only smiled softly, squeezing her hand in reassurance.
“You seem quite shocked,” he said lightly — but as he turned back to the knights, his smile faded.
“I intended to marry as soon as I returned from the battlefield, but as you know, circumstances delayed me. For now, I’d appreciate your discretion. When things settle, I’ll make it public myself.”
“Ah… yes, of course,” Lector stammered, still dazed.
Ethan patted his shoulder. “Good. I’m counting on you.”
“Will we be departing for Karsten immediately?”
“No, my lord. If we leave now, we’d have to camp in the mountains. We’ll spend the night here in Ronfei and depart early tomorrow.”
“I recall Karsten being only about five hours away,” Ethan said thoughtfully.
Lector’s eyes flickered for a moment.
“Ordinarily, yes. But during the last war, the bridge connecting Ronfei and Karsten was destroyed. It hasn’t been rebuilt yet, so we must take a detour — it takes more than twice as long.”
“I see.”
If he were alone, Ethan would have pressed on through the night.
But with Elisa and Noah — especially with Elisa still recovering — he decided to stay in Ronfei for the night, just as Lector suggested.
Lector promptly led them to an inn. It wasn’t luxurious like a hotel, but far better than the one they’d stayed at in Kando.
The building was tidy, the marble floors polished, and the soft lighting added a touch of elegance.
After collecting the keys, Lector spoke briefly with the clerk, then returned wearing a troubled look.
“I wasn’t informed that you’d be accompanied, my lord. I only reserved one room. I tried to secure another, but the inn is fully booked. Please wait a moment — I’ll see if another inn nearby has vacancies.”
“No need,” Ethan said simply.
“Are you sure, my lady?” Lector asked, turning to Elisa instead. Even for lovers, it was scandalous for a noblewoman to share a room with a man before marriage.
Elisa hesitated only briefly before nodding.
“It’s fine.”
Lector’s gaze lingered meaningfully, but he handed Ethan the key and arranged for their luggage to be brought up.
The reserved room occupied the entire top floor — spacious, elegant, with two large beds and a bath big enough for three people.
“I’ll return at dinner time,” Lector said politely before leaving.
As soon as the door shut, Noah jumped gleefully onto one of the beds.
“Take off your coat before lying down,” Ethan chided, though the boy seemed too delighted by the soft mattress to listen. With a sigh, Ethan walked over.
“…Are you really okay with this?” Elisa asked quietly, worry in her voice.
Ethan paused, mid-motion, and looked back at her.
“What if he tells everyone?”
“Don’t worry. He won’t.”
“And if he does,” Ethan said calmly, removing Noah’s coat, “I’ll deal with it. A knight who leaks his lord’s affairs isn’t one I need.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about!” Elisa raised her voice, frustration bubbling up.
“Noah’s registration hasn’t been settled yet, and your own identity issues were only just resolved. If rumors about another woman and a child spread now, your reputation will be ruined!”
“I don’t care about my reputation.”
“Ethan!”
Her tone grew sharp enough to startle Noah, who looked at his mother with wide eyes. Elisa bit her lip, instantly regretting her outburst.
“It’s alright,” Ethan soothed, helping Noah out of his coat before walking toward her.
“It doesn’t matter what others think of me,” he said softly.
He gently slipped her coat from her shoulders and straightened the ribbon at her collar. His words — simple yet full of conviction — struck deep into her heart.
“I’ll finish Noah’s registration before the month ends,” he continued. “Once that’s done, let’s register our marriage.”
Marriage registration?
Elisa’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“I know weddings usually come first,” Ethan said with a faint smile, “but I’ve waited long enough.”
He had realized it earlier — when he introduced Noah as his son.
Noah Leslie. The surname bothered him. If Noah had been listed under Elisa’s name, it would have been one thing — but he wasn’t. It felt wrong.
“I want to be able to tell everyone that Noah is my son — openly, proudly. So let’s make it official.”
Elisa just stared at him, stunned into silence.
Was she hesitating? Perhaps she couldn’t understand his urgency.
To many women, a wedding was a dream — something to anticipate.
For him to suggest skipping straight to legalities… it must have sounded cold.
“I’ll start preparing for the ceremony soon,” he went on earnestly. “We can hold it before spring—”
“…What about a proposal?” she interrupted softly.
Ethan froze. “A… proposal?”
Elisa narrowed her eyes slightly. “You weren’t planning to skip that part, were you?”
“Of course not!” Ethan blurted out, visibly flustered. “I’ll give you the grandest one anyone’s ever seen! Or—do you have something in mind? Tell me. Whatever it is, I’ll—”
“Pfft.”
She couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. His panicked expression was too adorable.
Noah, sensing the change, giggled too.
“You…” Ethan began, realizing she was teasing him — but Elisa silenced him with a soft kiss.
“There’s no need for a proposal,” she whispered with a smile.
Her gaze gleamed with warmth.
“Because you coming back safely from the battlefield… that’s the most beautiful proposal in the world.”
