~Chapter 87~
“Her reply has arrived?”
Christan stared at Gerard with eyes mixed with expectation, nervousness, and even a little jealousy. Just the other day, he had stubbornly refused to send any letters himself.
“Yes, that’s right. I was just about to open it… Shall we read it together?”
“…Alright.”
On the surface, Christan kept a calm expression as he stood beside Gerard to read the letter. In truth, even though the letter was addressed only to Gerard, Amel had written it while knowing Christan would also see it. So reading together was no problem.
Gerard unfolded the letter.
“…”
“…”
The two men quietly read the reply. After a long moment, Christan muttered:
“The Count and Countess are returning to their estate…”
Amel’s letter contained a simple greeting and, in very concise words, the news that Count Winterfall and his wife would soon leave the capital. Though she wrote carefully for security reasons, the meaning was clear.
“That’s good news. I don’t know the full strength of Winterfall’s forces, but surely it’s safer in their own territory than here in the capital.”
“I think so too. Was that her decision?”
In truth, it had been Count Winterfall’s choice more than Amel’s. But since Christan didn’t know this, he felt uneasy.
“I feel like I forced her family to separate because of me.”
“Not at all. Lady Amelie isn’t a child. She’ll be fine on her own—just like she was when she stayed at Bellerophon Castle.”
“…That’s true.”
At Gerard’s words, Christan drifted into memories of those days at Bellerophon. They hadn’t been long, but precisely because of that, they burned bright and unforgettable.
His new memories with Amel had covered almost all of his old ones. In the past, he might have thought himself spineless for letting go of deep feelings for someone else—but now, he accepted it humbly.
The past was finished. Whatever feelings he once had, that relationship had already ended. He was no longer bound to it.
And if he wanted to build new memories with Amel—
“…I must settle matters with that man as soon as possible.”
Sitting back down, Christan gripped his pen tightly and resumed writing the unfinished letter.
The usually quiet Winterfall residence was now full of activity.
Servants busily prepared for the Count and Countess’s journey home—packing the luggage they had brought to the capital, preparing food for the trip, and arranging wagons for what wouldn’t fit.
Amel approached Rosaria, who was supervising, and handed her a small box.
“Please take this with you.”
“What is this…?”
“It’s wine His Grace the Duke sent as a gift in return. I accepted it and kept it safe. They say it’s rare wine supplied to the Imperial Palace, so please enjoy it.”
“Oh my, then I’ll gladly drink it.”
Rosaria’s eyes sparkled as she carefully hugged the box to her chest, clearly planning to keep it close when she boarded the carriage.
As expected, she really loves wine.
Next, Amel pulled out a large bundle of potion bottles she had been making whenever she had spare time. Most were simple defensive or poisonous potions that were easy to use without drawing much attention. She had also managed to brew five healing potions, though the key ingredient—stone honey—had been scarce.
Luckily, she had found a peddler in the market selling a small amount.
She had asked where it came from.
“From Siad territory, miss. A merchant said he found it at White Rock Mountain. I couldn’t gather much, but he said it’s like a treasure trove of stone honey there.”
Siad territory… White Rock Mountain again.
With this information, Amel made plans: first, see her parents safely off, then head straight to Siad territory to collect stone honey herself.
I’ll have to gather it directly… though, ugh, bees are scary…
Her thoughts were interrupted as two armored knights approached—the Winter Branch knights, Lewis and Marc, who had been assigned to protect her parents.
Amel handed them potions as well.
“If you face danger, don’t hesitate to use these.”
Tears welled in the knights’ eyes as they accepted them.
“This… such precious things…”
“To think the young lady we once saw so small is now old enough to worry for us…”
…What nonsense?
Amel had only become Count’s daughter at fifteen, so they had never actually seen her as a child. She ignored their sentimental words with a sigh.
It would’ve been better if I had managed to hire mercenaries too…
For two weeks, she had visited every mercenary office in the capital, but without success. Some mercenaries hated witches, others made vulgar jokes—those ones she made sure to “deal with” herself. In the end, every single one refused.
She regretted not calling trusted people from their own estate instead. But it was too late now.
So Amel even gave away some of the potions she had originally kept for herself, pressing them into the knights’ hands.
“Sir Lewis, Sir Marc. I pray for your safety. Please… protect my parents without fail.”
“Even if we must risk our lives, we will bring the Count and Countess back safely.”
The knights saluted her. Amel forced a smile.
Just then—
“Count! Countess! Young Lady! Someone is requesting to enter the mansion!”
A gatekeeper ran over in a hurry. Everyone’s eyes turned toward the entrance.
The Count frowned.
“No one should be coming… Who is it?”
“We couldn’t identify them. They looked ordinary but carried fine swords. There are four of them.”
“Check their family name and rank. If they seem dangerous or unclear, do not let them in.”
“Yes, sir.”
The gatekeeper turned back toward the entrance—but froze. The strangers had already been let inside by another guard and were now approaching.
The Count spoke in alarm.
“We are about to depart… Who are these people, and why appear now?”
Amel also tensed and kept her eyes fixed on the approaching figures.
When they finally drew close enough for their faces to be seen, Amel gasped.
“How are they here…?”
