TDVIATD 8

“At last, I am able to meet you.”

The elderly gentleman spoke those words.

“One glance is enough to confirm that the contents of the letter were true. My lady, please come with me to the imperial capital.”

He addressed Leah, who was still crushed beneath her grief.

Izaac, wary, asked,

“…Who are you?”

“I am a servant of the Arens ducal house.”

The man shifted his gaze from Izaac back to Leah.

“My lady. You are the orphaned daughter of the younger sister of the Duke of Arens. It is my lord’s wish to take you in. Please, come with us.”

Leah had suspected her mother had once been a noblewoman.

…Mother was part of a ducal family…?

But all Leah could feel now was the despair of having lost her father.

She stepped back from the man.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

For Leah, this village was everything.

All her memories of her parents—and of Paul—were here.

“I won’t leave this village.”

The man gave a faint, troubled smile.

“You are only eight years old. Having lost both your parents, how do you intend to live? We searched for a long time before finally finding you. Regrettably, we were too late for your mother… But you must return to the ducal house. That is my lord’s wish. And—”

His voice turned solemn.

“It was also the will of your late father.”

Leah’s breath caught.

“…Father’s?”

“Yes. Your father sent a letter to the ducal house. He wrote that his life would not be long, and asked that we take care of his daughter. He informed us of this place. To think you were living in such a remote village within the Empire…”

Before he died, her father had told her that arrangements had been made, and that she was to follow whoever came.

Was this the person he meant?

“You should listen to him, Leah. I’ll take care of the graves. Don’t worry.”

Izaac spoke firmly.

The man glanced at him.

“You are the boy who came to live here after your mother passed away?”

Izaac pressed his lips together before answering.

“Yes. I’m Leah’s childhood friend. I’ve been living in this house since my mother died.”

The man studied him closely.

“…I see the resemblance. As for you as well, it seems the letter was accurate…”

Izaac looked at him suspiciously, and the man continued in a calm, measured tone.

“You too are requested. I would like both of you to come to the imperial capital.”

“Only Leah is meant to go, isn’t she? I—”

“Your name was also written in the letter. However, as your matter involves another party, I cannot explain the details here.”

Izaac stiffened, confusion crossing his face.

The man smiled faintly.

“Does it not trouble you that I, a stranger, have appeared so suddenly to take the young lady away? Would it not ease your mind if you accompanied her? For your own sake—and for hers.”

Leah clasped her hands tightly.

If she were to go to the imperial capital, it would indeed be less frightening with Izaac by her side.

But surely Izaac did not wish to leave the village.

He had grown up here. His mother was buried here.

If not for her father’s will, Leah herself would never have chosen to leave.

After a brief silence, Izaac spoke with quiet resolve.

“Alright. I’ll go.”

And so, riding in a covered carriage drawn by black horses, Leah set out for the imperial capital—together with Izaac.