LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 9 - Lilac
✦ Chapter 9 — Lilac ✦
「Translator – Creator」
᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃
“Hmm.”
The dispatched nobles’ quarters.
While the dormitory echoed with the groans of nobles exhausted from the intense training, Isaac was alone, choosing his attire.
‘A bit disappointing.’
Being invited to dinner by Caldias meant he needed to dress accordingly.
However, among the clothes Isaac had brought, there wasn’t a single outfit that would meet their standards.
‘I suppose I could do some writing while I wait.’
His fingers itched to grasp his pen, his gaze constantly drawn to the training manual placed neatly on his desk, when…
*Knock, knock, knock.*
“Lord Isaac, I’ve brought the clothes.”
It was Jonathan’s voice from outside.
Isaac called him in, his eyes naturally drawn to the garments draped over Jonathan’s arms.
“I’ve brought them as you requested, but… Are you sure it’s alright to wear my clothes? Most of these are either comfortable training wear or garments meant for practice.”
“Yes, that’s right. Those are what I need.”
“Really? Haha! I’m glad I could be of help!”
Jonathan beamed with joy, his smile bright as a child’s, and Isaac couldn’t help but smile back.
‘What a curious fellow.’
He seemed like a simple, innocent child.
Isaac thought he didn’t match the image of Helmund at all.
“How’s the quarters? Getting along with the others?”
Isaac asked while rummaging through the clothes.
Jonathan responded eagerly, as if he had been waiting for the question.
“They treat me well. Maybe because I carry the name of Helmund? They’re kind and good people. Except for the loud snoring when they sleep.”
“Really? That sounds troublesome.”
“But I’m alright. Compared to training under the seniors, it’s much more comfortable!”
“I see, it must be.”
Those times likely involved little sleep, beatings, or being forced to stay awake.
“Haha, I’m glad I got dispatched here. To be honest, I was a little worried, but I’m having a great time thanks to how well you treat me, Lord Isaac.”
“What do you mean, how well I treat you?”
“No! Really, thank you so much. That’s why I kept my mouth shut when others started badmouthing the nobles they served!”
“Is that so?”
The lad had some loyalty in him, after all.
“Training is important as a knight of Helmund, but it’s also necessary to rest like this once in a while. I’m sure my seniors sent me here with that in mind.”
Growing more fond of Jonathan by the minute, Isaac couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in brief suspicion.
‘Knights of Helmund.’
Isaac fundamentally disliked Helmund.
It goes without saying, but let’s move past that.
When it comes to the knights of Helmund, it was a bit different.
They were known as the Kingdom’s finest knights.
Being a knight was not just about wielding a sword skillfully.
One must adhere to the code of chivalry, an ethical and moral guideline.
‘Of course, the direct lineage of Helmund may be little more than rogues.’
But could the knights themselves be so corrupt?
Especially under the leadership of someone as esteemed as Lord Arandel?
“How do you like those clothes? I haven’t worn them much.”
“…………….”
No matter the reason, bullying and harassing someone as a knight was unacceptable. Especially considering the treatment Jonathan had endured — cruel and brutal to the point where no excuse could justify it.
However,
Isaac couldn’t help but wonder…
If there was a trigger, a reason why they treated Jonathan so harshly…
What could it be?
𓇘
It was Dinner time.
Candles flickered around them, casting a warm glow upon the dining area and creating a cozy ambiance. Due to their location in the North, many dishes were fermented, salted, or dried.
Still, there was also an array of rich meats and hearty soups prepared.
‘I hope Mili is doing well.’
Isaac suddenly felt a pang of longing for Mili, Helmund’s chef and his peer.
“Sorry to keep you waiting after inviting you.”
At that moment, in walked Lord Ulderan and his only daughter, Silvernia.
Despite his large frame, his steps were surprisingly quiet.
“I am Isaac Helmund. Thank you for inviting me to this dinner tonight.”
When Isaac greeted him with courtesy, Ulderan simply patted his shoulder, brushing it off.
“Alright, let’s eat. I’m hungry.”
“Ah, no need to be so formal.”
Silvernia advised with a sly smile.
He was aware.
They weren’t ones to put on formal airs.
Nevertheless, maintaining a minimal level of formality was crucial for a first impression.
It was important to convey that he respected them.
“There’s not much, but please help yourself.”
Sitting at the head of the long dining table, Ulderan, unconcerned with formalities, offered Isaac a meal. From the outset, tearing into the meat’s bones with his hands, he appeared as a barbarian who didn’t bother with etiquette.
Isaac also began to eat in kind.
Being at the Malideen Walls meant following their customs was appropriate.
Noticing this, Ulderan smiled contentedly and asked Isaac.
“Why are you wearing a gambeson? Are you protesting a hard day?”
A gambeson was a quilted garment worn under armor by knights.
It prevents the hard armor from injuring the skin.
At Ulderan’s question, Silvernia also turned her gaze to Isaac.
After wiping his mouth, he answered with a smile.
“It’s the frontline, after all.”
“Huh.”
“Oh.”
The corners of the father and daughter’s lips curled upward in unison.
Despite being invited to dinner with Margrave, he had chosen to wear a gambeson, which would allow him to quickly don armor, instead of formal attire.
It seemed they found that quite favorable.
Borrowing Jonathan’s clothes had been a good call. As someone who had never worn armor himself, he naturally didn’t own a gambeson.
‘Thank you, Jonathan.’
Internally, Isaac thanked Jonathan as he continued eating.
The conversation mostly consisted of the father and daughter asking questions, with Isaac providing answers.
“Your words of encouragement today were quite impressive. Although, it felt more like you were encouraging us rather than those nobles, haha.”
“It was simply my personal sentiment. I apologize if it came across as disrespectful, but I hoped the other nobles would share in it.”
“It’s quite different from Helmund, wouldn’t you say? Their roughness can be rather jarring.”
“On the contrary, I find it more comfortable. Frankly, all that etiquette and decorum back there was rather suffocating.”
“How did you meet Rianna?”
“I was a ferryman. We started talking while she was crossing the river, and one thing led to another, and we got married.”
As the meal continued and the conversation flowed.
“So, you seem to know a lot about Caldias’s spear technique.”
Ulderan, clearly eager to discuss, asked, looking at Isaac. After taking a sip of the strong liquor Anna had poured, Isaac nodded.
“I have a broad interest in various martial arts. I found myself particularly fascinated by Caldias spearmanship, both through books and observing those who practice it.”
After a brief pause, he continued.
“Those who trained in Caldias’s spearmanship always had a high ‘minimum standard.’ They were people you could expect to meet a certain level.”
“Haha! Indeed, our spearmanship is nothing ordinary.”
“You have a keen eye.”
Seeing the satisfaction on their faces, Isaac inwardly gave a bitter smile.
‘Yes, Caldias’s spearmanship is remarkable.’
That was an undeniable fact.
‘But you must evolve.’
Caldias’s spearmanship, which elevates the ordinary to greatness.
However,
They must not stop here.
To avoid the impending doom that the future held.
‘I will help you.’
I will ensure your spearmanship becomes several times greater than it is now.
They were different from ordinary people.
Born into a position of greatness, they had to strive for even greater heights.
Just like…
Helmund.
𓇘
As dawn broke…
Rianna had been feeling sluggish lately.
Her face was pale, her hair lackluster. The servants, though Helmund residents were usually blessed with robust health, were worried she might be ill, noticing her decline.
Despite her visibly unwell state, Rianna stepped out of the mansion for her personal training.
“Hup! Hup!”
“Haa!”
Though several of her siblings were already engrossed in their training, strangely, Rianna had no desire to hold a sword.
‘This is a first.’
Lethargy.
It seemed to perfectly describe her current state.
Perhaps that was why.
Rianna deliberately headed to the garden instead of the training grounds.
While walking through the rose garden that had yet to bloom.
“Ah.”
She spotted a single purple lilac.
Seeing it, a fragrant memory of lilacs naturally surfaced in Rianna’s mind.
It was shortly after their wedding.
[Ria, come here.]
An empty garden.
Isaac playfully beckoned her over, signaling ‘hush’ with his finger.
[Look at this, isn’t it blooming beautifully?]
Isaac pointed at the lilac with a smile.
In contrast, Rianna frowned.
‘What’s with the gardeners?’
Disliking the non-rose flower’s presence in the flower bed, Rianna was about to call the gardener.
[I planted it myself. I asked the gardener to turn a blind eye.]
‘…You planted this? Yourself?’
Frowning in disapproval, Rianna stared at Isaac.
Isaac, looking at her, smiled slyly.
[Ria, this is me.]
‘You?’
[Lilacs bloom faster than Helmund’s roses and will fade by the time the roses bloom.]
‘………….’
[People say I’m a spineless man who managed to marry into a prestigious family. They say I’m trying to hitch a ride on Helmund’s coattails.]
Rianna knew this too.
While some praised it as a romantic marriage, many did not.
[But Ria.]
With a gentle smile, Isaac held Rianna’s hand.
Their fingers touched, brushing against the wedding ring on her fourth finger.
[Helmund means nothing to me. I married you only because of you, Ria.]
[I’ll stay by your side even if Helmund disappears. Just like this lilac that blooms alone even when the roses haven’t.]
Slowly, Rianna’s gaze shifted.
The lilac reflected in her eyes now felt precious.
‘…………….’
At the time, unsure of how to respond, she remained silent.
Then Isaac, smiling, whispered softly.
[There’s another secret about lilacs. Are you curious?]
‘…Curious.’
With a playful grin, Isaac gave a small gesture.
Rianna, after checking her surroundings, leaned in to offer her ear.
Isaac, as if sharing a clandestine secret, whispered,
[The meaning of purple lilacs is ‘first love.’]
‘…………’
[Oh? Ria, are you embarrassed? Are you holding back?]
She recalled Isaac teasing her with a radiant smile.
Reaching out instinctively in her longing,
Isaac’s figure disappeared,
Leaving only the solitary lilac to gently brush against her fingertips.
“Ah.”
At that moment.
With those words.
And that smile.
Her heart had raced so much that she couldn’t say a word.
Sensing her feelings, Isaac held her gently, and his tenderness was sweeter than any floral fragrance; embraced in his arms, the small, secret smile she wore turned her into a girl again.
So much so that it made her want to abandon everything.
“Ah, Isaac.”
I miss you.
Her legs gave way, and she sank to her knees.
No matter how much she tried to hold back,
Her vision blurred as tears spilled from her red eyes.
No amount of crying would bring him back.
Yet the lone lilac remained.
To assure her that those moments were not just a dream.
END of CHAPTER
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