LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 3 - The Head of Helmund
✦ Chapter 3 – The Head of Helmund ✦
「Translator – Creator」
Mornings at the Helmund manor began early.
Every member of the family, without exception, was expected to commence their day with rigorous physical training, be it in the training grounds, the meticulously manicured gardens, or along the winding paths of their vast estate.
Following their exercise regimen, they would gather for breakfast, a tradition held sacred by the head of the family, Arandel Helmund.
It was the only time during the day when the entire family came together.
“……………”
This morning was no different.
The four sons and one daughter of the Helmund family assembled at their designated places at the grand dining table.
As soon as they sat, an empty seat became apparent.
The eldest daughter had not joined.
“Where is Rianna?”
As the eldest son, Roengrin, asked, everyone else began their mockery, as if waiting for this moment.
“She didn’t attend the morning training either.”
“Haha, is our big sister now skipping meals to play house?”
“What kind of wild night did she have to miss breakfast?”
“Isaac must’ve put in some effort despite his lanky appearance.”
“…………”
They continued their callous banter, targeting both Rianna and Isaac with their barbs, save for the youngest, Alois, who remained conspicuously silent.
“The master approaches,” announced a servant, effectively silencing the room.
A large man entered the dining room.
His eyes still held the tension of one who had spent time on the battlefield.
Flaming red hair and beard swayed as he took heavy steps to the head of the table.
His name was Arandel Helmund.
His eyes immediately fell upon his eldest daughter’s vacant seat, his brow furrowing in displeasure.
“Where is Rianna?”
“She hasn’t come down yet, Father,” Roengrin was quick to respond. “She missed morning training as well.”
Arundel’s frown deepened.
It might have been a simple breakfast by most standards, but to him, even the slightest breach of family decorum was a direct challenge to his authority.
*CREAK*
At that moment, the doors to the hall opened once more, interrupting the tense silence.
And Rianna entered.
“I apologize for being late.”
With a curt nod, she took her place at the table.
Servants quickly filled her plate with an assortment of breakfast delicacies, yet no one dared to touch their food until their patriarch had taken the first bite.
Arandel addressed his eldest daughter.
“Why are you late?”
His tone held no judgment, merely a quiet demand for an explanation.
He knew his daughter well enough to understand that this was out of character for her.
He believed she had a valid explanation and asked.
With dark circles under her eyes, Rianna’s lack of sleep was evident. She hesitated, unable to immediately provide a reason.
She knew that once she spoke, there would be no turning back.
Even after spending a sleepless night contemplating, she couldn’t find a solution.
“Isaac…”
She shut her eyes tightly and took a bitter breath.
“He wants a divorce.”
❖
“Well, well, well. Look at this! Things just got interesting.”
During breakfast at the Helmund manor, Isaac, despite bearing the Helmund name, was not allowed to join the family meal.
The family head decided that he did not have the qualifications.
As a result, Isaac often had breakfast alone.
“Wow, this is just… huh, it makes me laugh.”
Isaac mumbled with his cheeks puffed, eating breakfast in front of the kitchen.
Stuffing seasoned shrimp into his mouth, he marveled at the taste.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
The cooks, taking a brief break while their master dined, watched him silently.
“You know.”
Shaking another shrimp in his hand, Isaac continued.
“I didn’t miss anything much, but the food here—I missed it terribly. Nowhere else has food as good as this.”
“What do you mean miss it? You had it yesterday too.”
It was Mili, the tanned-skinned peer, who spoke to Isaac.
Despite being the youngest in the kitchen, she was mature in skill.
She was someone Isaac occasionally chatted with.
“Ah, a slip of the tongue. I mean, I will miss it.”
Brushing off his earlier words as a mistake, Isaac began eating other dishes. He thought having meat for breakfast seemed extravagant, but it made sense for a knightly family to have meat regularly.
“This is really delicious.”
“I grilled it.”
“Of course, it’s you, Mili.”
“You were eating silently just yesterday, but today you seem so cheerful. You seem like a different person.”
“I’ve come to appreciate the value of meals. Sometimes you realize things only after you lose them.”
“Wait, what do you mean you’ll miss it? Are you going somewhere? I heard something from the Malideen Walls, but…”
“I’m getting a divorce.”
“What?!”
Not just Mili, but all the cooks who were watching Isaac eat heartily were shocked.
“I’m getting a divorce. You know what kind of treatment I get here, Mili.”
“Well…”
“Not being able to join breakfast means I’m not recognized as family.”
No one could deny it.
Isaac had been treated worse than a servant under the pretense of being family.
Family.
The very word felt like a noose tightening around Isaac’s neck, a painful reminder. And they had all borne witness to it.
“Ahem.”
A portly man, dabbing at his hands with a damp cloth, approached Isaac.
It was the head chef.
His thick hands folded courteously.
“Is there anything you would like for dinner tonight, Master Isaac?”
Isaac couldn’t help but chuckle. “Trying to cheer me up, Chef?”
“Ahem.”
The inarticulate head chef simply averted his gaze.
“I never knew you had it in you, Chef,” Isaac said with a grin. “As for dinner, surprise me. Something with plenty of meat, I suppose. It’s not like I’ll be able to enjoy such delicacies once I’m gone.”
“It would be my honor, Master Isaac,” the chef replied, his gruff exterior softening slightly.
“I was tempted to make a run for it right this instant,” Isaac said with a chuckle, “but I suppose a proper last meal is in order.” He rose from his chair and extended his hand to the chef. “You run a tight ship here, Chef. I’ll never forget the meals I’ve enjoyed in this kitchen.”
And he meant it.
“I daresay it’s the only thing I’ll miss about this place.”
And miss it he did, in his previous life as well.
Moved by his words, the head chef and the other cooks struggled to hold back their emotions.
“It has been an honor to serve you.”
As they shook hands, the rest of the chefs began to offer their encouragement and support.
“You look great!”
“We never knew you valued our cooking so much!”
“Congratulations on becoming a free man again!”
“Don’t you worry, Master Isaac. With your looks, you’ll find yourself a lovely lady in no time!”
“Haha, you guys.”
He wiped his nose, feeling a strange sense of gratification.
In his previous life, aside from Mili, he hadn’t spoken much with any of them.
Running away recklessly, he hadn’t cared for the chefs, but their support now was heartwarming.
*THUD*
The door opened, and the heartfelt moment might have continued if Rianna hadn’t walked in.
And as soon as Rianna appeared, the chefs turned their gaze away.
It was as if ice water had been poured over the warm atmosphere. Rianna approached Isaac.
“Father summons you,” she stated plainly.
“Does he now? That was quick.”
Despite delivering the message, Rianna stayed put.
It was an excruciating moment, like having a thorn stuck in your throat.
The silence weighed heavily on everyone.
“You’re coming with me, right? He didn’t just call for me alone, did he?”
“Yes, I’m coming with you.”
“Let’s go. The family head shouldn’t be kept waiting.”
“You were eating. Finish your meal; I’ll wait.”
Rianna waiting for Isaac to finish his meal?
In the past, such a thing was unimaginable, but the chefs had no time to be shocked.
“…………..”
Because Rianna had crossed her arms and begun staring at the chefs.
‘She heard.’
‘She definitely heard everything.’
‘Oh, I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘Mother, I’m sorry. This might be the end for me.’
‘What did I say earlier again?’
Various thoughts swirled through the chefs’ minds. It seemed the powerful Helmund physique included excellent hearing, as she had clearly heard their chatter from outside.
“………….”
There was no other reason for her to glare at them so grimly.
“I’m already full.”
But the torture didn’t last long.
Isaac left his food unfinished and walked away.
“…..Alright.”
Rianna’s expression remained disgruntled, but she still left together with Isaac.
Just before the door swung shut, Isaac flashed a reassuring thumbs-up over his shoulder, a gesture that did little to ease the palpable tension in the room.
*THUD*
The door shut behind them.
Despite having enjoyed his meal, Isaac had left some food for the chefs, and seeing this, the head chef clenched his fist with determination.
“Prepare an absolutely lavish dinner tonight!”
“Yes, Chef!”
Amid the flurry of activity that followed, only Mili, her brow furrowed with worry, spared a glance towards the door through which Isaac had disappeared.
❖
In the family head’s office.
Located on the highest floor of the Helmund manor, this room was filled with books, yet the scent of iron was more pronounced.
Leaning on the large wooden desk that matched his build, the family head, Arandel, gazed at Isaac. Isaac always thought his father-in-law looked most out of place in this office with its book-laden shelves and chair.
“It’s been a while, Father.”
Though they lived under the same roof, it had been a long time since Arandel had directed his gaze at Isaac.
“You want a divorce.”
Arandel skipped the niceties and went straight to the point.
And Isaac inclined his head in a brief nod.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I do not permit it.”
The response was expected, and Isaac was ready.
“It seems you might be misunderstanding something, Father.”
Placing a hand on his chest, Isaac gently corrected the misunderstanding.
“I wasn’t asking for permission.”
Though his words contradicted proper etiquette, they obviously provoked Arandel’s ire.
“I am informing you of the decision. Given that our marriage is not harmonious, I think it best for each of us to find someone new.”
“………….”
“Fortunately, given our young age at the time of marriage, we’re not too old to find new partners.”
“………….”
“When you took me, a commoner, as your son-in-law, I knew you weren’t comfortable. You were right. I will leave and find my place.”
He didn’t mind degrading himself. All he cared about was leaving.
Arandel’s gaze turned to Rianna.
His eyes questioned her thoughts, and she replied softly.
“I will follow Isaac’s decision.”
“Hm.”
A brief sigh escaped.
A complex mix of emotions played on Arandel’s face as he looked at his daughter.
There was now no reason to refuse.
So he thought.
“I still do not permit it.”
Arandel’s response remained firm.
“And the reason is the Sword Festival.”
The Sword Festival was a traditional event and celebration of the Helmund family.
It attracted not only local villagers but also noble acquaintances and even royalty, making it a significant affair.
“This Sword Festival is particularly special as it will announce the Helmund successor, so many people will come to investigate Helmund.”
Of course, these guests weren’t coming to simply offer congratulations. They would be watching, assessing, taking the measure of the next successor of House Helmund. To announce their successor at such a momentous occasion was a bold declaration, a way for House Helmund to showcase their strength and unity to the world.
“If you were to divorce Rianna now,” Arundel stated, his voice heavy with disapproval, “it would cast a shadow over the entire festival. The only thing people would talk about is your failed marriage.”
It would make them a laughingstock.
‘Well, that’s no problem at all.’
Isaac thought it wasn’t a big issue.
After all, it wasn’t him who would be ridiculed.
“So, you’re saying it would be possible after the Sword Festival?”
“That’s right, after. If your intentions remain the same, you can do as you please.”
Although he received confirmation about the divorce, Isaac was disappointed since he wanted to leave the mansion immediately.
“I’m sorry, but I desire an immediate divorce. Therefore, I have another proposal.”
“A negotiation with me?”
Negotiations should be between equals.
That was the implication behind the question, and Isaac smiled.
“I heard that due to the increasing attacks by the demon beasts, the Malideen Walls has requested support from prominent nobles of the kingdom.”
“…………”
“Isaac?”
Arandel watched him with interest, resting his chin on his armrest, while Rianna, with a sense of disbelief, called out from behind.
However, Isaac ignored her and made his proposal.
“I’ll go. Bearing the Helmund name, my participation would signify Helmund’s substantial contribution.”
In truth, Isaac couldn’t wield a sword, a mere pretender.
But by Isaac, bearing the Helmund name, going, Helmund could assert that it had fulfilled its duty in the support request.
“With the preparations for the Sword Festival, you likely want your direct descendants here.”
The festival, with many prestigious guests, required the Helmund children to demonstrate their overwhelming prowess.
“If I’m dispatched to the Malideen Walls, I’ll be at the front lines, covered in the demon beasts’ blood instead of preparing for the festival. I’ll take care of that.”
He wasn’t asking for something grand.
He wanted to leave the house.
But he didn’t want to wait until the festival.
So, before the festival, he offered to take on the troublesome front-line dispatch.
“Hm.”
Isaac’s lips curved into a smile.
He already knew what Arandel’s answer would be, wearing a smug expression.
‘So you have this side as well.’
Arandel acknowledged that his son-in-law was much more resolute than he had thought.
“Very well.”
The old warrior nodded once, sealing the deal. Isaac was free to leave the Helmund manor.
END of CHAPTER