「Well then, It seems like you have some report. Juno?」
「Yes. There’s something that I have to inform Master and also Erika-sama about」
Although she spoke in a calm voice, it wasn’t in her usual slow manner of speaking.
「Even Erika?」
「Indeed. Since I was moving under the orders of Erika-sama」
With those words, all gazes other than Juno’s gathered on Erika. Receiving that, she lowered her head deeply.
「I’m sorry for mobilizing them on my own, Father. But there was something that I absolutely needed to confirm so I ended up borrowing Juno’s strength」
「Something you absolutely needed to confirm, means something regarding Harold-kun?」
「That’s right. Father, are you aware of the rumor that Harold-sama killed a servant and her daughter?」
「Yes, a report that some rumors like that were floating around the streets of the Stokes territory did come」
Even the scouts, who had disguised themselves as traders and travelers to infiltrate into the Stokes territory, had heard about the matter of how the mother and daughter were killed. Maybe because, since before there was hatred towards the Stokes family among the populace it was quite widespread.
「……….The possibility that it was untrue came up」
「False? In other words, the 2 who were killed in the rumors are still alive?」
「To ascertain the truth, I had Juno and the others cooperate with me」
「Regarding this time’s affair, the rumors being circulated are wrong. The servant Clara and her daughter Colette who should have been killed are still alive」
「Currently, the 2 of them are living in a small village called Brosch village which is under the jurisdiction of Viscount Ballack. Although it was quite difficult, I was able to obtain testimony from the person herself」
「What do you mean by difficult?」
「Since they hadn’t changed their names, it was easy to find them from asking the villagers, but she stubbornly refused to talk about what had happened during that time」
But even if that happened, Juno didn’t have the choice to hold her tongue. Stifling the bitter feelings, she continued on.
「……….What did she say?」
「It seems that it all began about 5 months ago, when Clara almost injured Harold-sama by mistake」
From there, Juno conveyed everything that she had heard from Clara accurately without any excess or deficiency to everybody in the room.
「………..She talked about it while in tears」
Erika stood up abruptly and extended her hand towards the sliding door. Tasuku stopped her by asking her.
「Erika, where do you plan to go?」
「……….No matter what, I have to apologize to Harold-sama. Without knowing anything, without even trying to know, I cursed at him just based on my emotions, and moreover I even raised my hand. Although it’s something that can’t possibly be pardoned, but still at least……..」
「That isn’t acceptable」
「Why?」
「He’s doing this much, putting everything on the line, to protect them. Now that we’ve come to know about it, the behavior we should choose isn’t sharing the secret but to scrupulously adhere to the secret. If he comes to know that there has been information leakage to the other party, when we still can’t completely trust each other, we’re talking about Harold-kun, he’ll become cautious of more leakage and become even more solitary than he is now」
「It is obvious that Erika wants to apologize. But is that really coming due to being aware that you have wronged him? Can you declare that you just don’t want forgiveness for the cruel treatment?」
「!」
「……….Then what should I do? What do you want me to do when I can’t even correct my mistake, when I can’t even apologize!?」
「Become a person who can support Harold-kun. He is exceptional, but he is too excellent. Sometimes that strength will isolate him」
「If you are thinking of wanting to repent for your actions, don’t beg for forgiveness, but whatever he’s trying to accomplish, watch over, support, get closer to him and try to become a person who truly understands him」
「Getting closer to Harold-sama, becoming a person who can truly understand him………..」
「That would be something very difficult to do. Because of how exceptional Harold-kun is, although he might want colleagues, he might not need friends. Can Erika accompany him, who can perform many things alone, and trust his arbitrary judgement?」
That is, no matter how much Erika tried to devote herself to him, there might not be anything rewarding. And that again would be walking on a harsh path.
「……」
「There’s no need for you to give an answer immediately. It’s fine for you to decide what you want to do by learning from his figure. Well, I do think that you have to apologize that you went too far for raising your hand against him」
「When the engagement was decided, she was considerably depressed, but this time too it’s the same」
「But the reason is completely opposite though」
「Children continue to mature like this………」
「What are you saying so seriously? Shouldn’t this be the first time you have personally experienced our child’s growth」
「It is especially so if it’s the feelings concerning your own daughter. By the way, Kiryuu, what was Itsuki’s reply?」
「It seems that he’ll be back by tomorrow morning」
Towards Kiryuu’s words, who had refrained from speaking and was silent for a long time, Tasuku again smiled wryly.
「Well it’s about him. I knew he would say that」
「Since that child loves Erika. Even if it’s training, wouldn’t it be too much to make Harold-kun fight against him?」
「It’ll probably be fine. From Juno’s report, it seems like Harold-kun is quite skilled. It shouldn’t become one-sided」
Nonetheless, even Tasuku didn’t think that Itsuki would lose. Anyway, those 2 clashing will be quite amusing- that sudden impulse which had a touch of youth flashed across his face.
「You’re making a bad face, dear」
「Unthinkable. It’s just that my heart is dancing looking at children who have a bright future」
「Master is also still youthful, is it?」
「Ha ha, no mistake」
「Haa, no matter how old, boys will be boys」
「That’s right, Harold-kun. About yesterday’s matter, I’ve prepared a fitting opponent for you」
While drinking green tea after the meal, Tasuku said so. At those words, Harold frowned.
「You act quite quickly even though I mentioned it just yesterday」
「It’s just that by some chance a strong person was nearby. As soon I asked about the bout, he immediately acknowledged」
「Who the hell is it?」
「That is an enjoyment that will have to wait until you meet him. He just came back this morning, but how about sparring right away?」
「Naturally. You’ve prepared the place, right?」
Without being able to suppress his impatience, Harold stuck on. Looking at that appearance, Tasuku deepened his smile.
「Obviously. We’ll travel in the carriage so can you make your preparations?」
「Even yesterday, but Harold-kun is fine with sitting in seiza」
「Even without listening to the servant’s explanation, he wore Japanese clothing. The way to use chopsticks and wearing garments too, it seems that his knowledge regarding the Sumeragi culture is quite deep」
「………..Come to think of it, he knew about the cherry-blossoms too」
The Sumeragi family gazed at Harold’s empty seat in wonder. A few minutes later, Harold’s figure with his usual outfit was present in the carriage. The ones who were riding with him were Tasuku and Kiryuu, and for some reason Erika too.
「Sorry for visiting all of a sudden. I’ll be borrowing the lower dojo for a bit. Has Itsuki come?」
「Yes. I saw him this morning」
「Itsuki」
「Ooo, Erika! In the short amount of time I haven’t seen you, you’ve become even more beautiful!」
Ignoring Tasuku, he rushed to Erika in a straight line, and gripping her hands, he earnestly started praising her. Erika turned eyes which seemed as though she was embarrassed, towards Itsuki.
「……..Oi, don’t tell me, this guy is my opponent?」
「Although I know what you want to say, his strength is real. Relax」
「I was sure that I told you to “arrange for a strong guy”. No matter how you look at it, he’s just a kid」
「Even you’re one, right?」
Nothing except Erika in his sight- although that was how Itsuki appeared to be, it seemed as though he had properly spared some of his consciousness towards Harold too. Completely different from the one towards Erika, with a somewhat dark smile, he turned towards Harold.
「First, let me introduce myself. I’m Itsuki Sumeragi, Erika’s elder brother」
「………Harold Stokes」
「That’s it? That’s not it, right? Aren’t you omitting the most important part」
With a plop, Itsuki placed his hand on Harold’s left shoulder.
「You’re Erika’s fiance, right? My! Prideworthy!! Sister’s!!!」
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