EIYTMA Chapter 3

Between Querluxia and the capital city of Renat lies the Lagoshri mountain range, which runs across the continent. Naturally, this meant they had to cross the mountains twice. Fortunately, the roads were well maintained. Though there were fairly large territories scattered along the way, there were times when they had to camp outdoors.

 

However, no one expected that they would have to camp out on the very first day after leaving Querluxia.

 

“Oh dear, our lord has a terribly bad back.”

 

The servant brought by the marquis, or rather, the mage, anxiously observed the holy knights. Having spent the entire day inside the carriage, the marquis complained about his aching back and requested frequent stops to rest.

 

Naturally, their pace slowed, and before they could reach the next village, night had fallen.

 

“It can’t be helped.”

 

There was no point in scolding the servant, as the marquis himself would never come out to apologize. In the end, it would only be the servant caught in the middle who would suffer.

 

Without much deliberation, Ezekiel instructed the holy knights to find a suitable campsite.

 

Soon, one of the knights who had scouted ahead returned, reporting a suitable spot just off the main road. The servant bowed repeatedly before hurrying back to the marquis’ carriage.

 

“Set up the tents. Milena, you will share a tent with Lady Querluxia.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Milena saluted crisply. Their group was far too large to all sleep on the ground. They had a six-horse carriage, a four-horse carriage, a supply wagon, and twelve horses carrying the knights. With the squires included, it was an unwieldy convoy.

 

“If we start slowing down on the first day, we should factor in an extended travel time.”

 

Shanka scratched his head. Ezekiel shook his head.

 

“The wedding is in two months. We planned the schedule with that in mind, so don’t rush.”

 

“Oh? Since when did the commander become so relaxed?”

 

“Even if it weren’t for the marquis, Lady Querluxia has never been on such a long journey before. From the start, she and we…”

 

Ezekiel trailed off. Shanka tilted his head and was about to ask something when, luckily, the marquis’ escort knight grumbled as he climbed out of the carriage. Otherwise, Ezekiel might have struggled to find a way to exit the conversation.

 

“Ugh, I’ve never done this before.”

 

“Oh dear sir, my apologies. I can’t set it up alone.”

 

The marquis’ servant bowed repeatedly to the grumbling knight. They seemed to be setting up a tent as well.

 

Technically, the holy knights had no obligation to help set up the marquis’ tent. However, as they were in the middle of pitching their own, Ezekiel gave an order.

 

“Go and assist them.”

 

“Huh? Why us?”

 

The holy knights were puzzled. Their duty was to guard Lady Querluxia, nothing more. The marquis had brought his own escort knight for that very reason.

 

But Ezekiel shook his head.

 

“Judging by how they’re struggling, it seems they’ve never camped outdoors before. If this takes too long, we’ll all be exhausted. Shanka, you help as well.”

 

It was a reasonable argument. The marquis’ servant and escort knight were struggling with a simple tent setup.

 

Moreover, the marquis, as a mage, was the most crucial person in this group. If his tent was poorly pitched and something happened to him, it would be a problem.

 

“Ugh, fine. Got it.”

 

Shanka and a few knights headed toward the marquis’ carriage. The relieved servant eagerly welcomed the holy knights. Ezekiel watched to ensure they secured the tent properly before turning to assist elsewhere.

 

“Commander! Bring that support pole over here!”

 

From afar, Milena, who was setting up the women’s tent, called out. The tent pole happened to be leaning against Ezekiel.

 

Just as he reached for it, someone else grabbed it first.

 

“Ugh.”

 

The hands were small. Ezekiel furrowed his brow slightly and looked down at the owner of those hands.

 

It was a boy. The young brother of the woman who had ridden in the carriage. His short silver hair, identical to hers, fluttered lightly as he grinned.

 

“I’ll help too!”

 

“Henri!”

 

And emerging from the six-horse carriage behind him—

 

Ezekiel quickly took the pole from the boy’s hands.

 

“That’s all right. This is our task, so you needn’t concern yourself.”

 

“Oh, come on! Right, sister?”

 

The boy turned to look behind him. The woman—Iris—flinched and glanced between the boy and Ezekiel.

 

For some reason, Ezekiel instinctively lowered his gaze. Because it seemed natural to focus on the boy, no one noticed that he was deliberately avoiding looking at the woman.

 

She watched Ezekiel for a moment before clasping her hands together and replying.

 

“…Alright, Henri. Then you may help.”

 

“Yes, sister! Will you help too?”

 

Milena intervened before she could answer.

 

“Hey, young master! If you’re going to help, bring that over quickly! Holding this tent up is really tiring!”

 

“Ah! Okay!”

 

Henri responded energetically, but the problem was that the pole was heavier and longer than he expected.

 

As he tried to run with it, he stumbled. Ezekiel instinctively reached out and supported him from behind. The boy turned around and grinned.

 

“Thank you!”

 

Naturally, the two of them carried the pole over to Milena together, leaving the woman behind.

 

“Heave-ho!”

 

They secured the central pole and tightened the ropes, forming a triangular tent. Since the other poles were lighter, Henri quickly darted around like a squirrel, fetching supplies.

 

He even seemed to know how to set up a tent, handing the right materials to Milena and Ezekiel at the right moments, speeding up their work. Milena was impressed.

 

“Wow, young master. Have you done this before? You’re really helpful!”

 

“You can call me Henri!”

 

The boy, Henri, beamed. His cheeks were flushed from running around.

 

“My sister knows how to do this too! Every summer, our family would set up a tent by the river in Querluxia!”

 

Then, he looked up shyly at Ezekiel.

 

At this point, there was no pretending not to know. Ezekiel pursed his lips before giving a faint smile.

 

“…Yes, I remember.”

 

“Wow, you really do?”

 

Henri’s face lit up. Milena tilted her head curiously, but the excited boy didn’t notice and clenched his fists eagerly.

 

“You’re the prince who visited when I was little, aren’t you?”

 

Milena’s eyes widened. Her gaze seemed to ask, “Captain, do you know this kid?” Ezekiel felt a headache coming on, but he didn’t let it show and simply nodded gently.

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Wow! I’ve been waiting for you to come back!”  

 

When will you come again?

 

Ezekiel also remembered the sickly boy who had once asked him that. He had certainly grown taller since then—his arms and legs had lengthened.

 

Had he also become a little healthier? Ezekiel tried his best to keep his smile from fading as he quietly apologized to Henri.

 

“I’m sorry. There were… circumstances.”  

 

“Oh, I’m not blaming you, Your Highness.”  

 

The boy waved his hand.  

 

“My sister told me that Your Highness is a very busy person. And…”  

 

At the mention of his sister, Milena’s gaze shifted toward the six-horse carriage.  

 

In front of it, Iris Querluxia, completely unaware of what was happening on their side, was chatting with her maid.  

 

Regardless, Henri cautiously continued speaking while glancing at Ezekiel’s expression.  

 

“…Because of what happened back then, I didn’t think you’d be able to come.”  

 

“Thank you for understanding.”  

 

Ezekiel let out a faint, bitter smile. Henri, perhaps trying to change the atmosphere, suddenly started rambling about unrelated topics.  

 

“The pregnant dog, Pepe, gave birth. Do you know how many puppies she had? Three! Actually, she had five, but two of them died. The nanny cried a lot.”  

 

“I see…”  

 

“And the bridge collapsed again. But maybe…”  

 

The boy’s chatter, full of excitement at meeting someone familiar after so long, showed no sign of stopping.  

 

It was likely also because he was comforted by having a familiar companion for their nearly two-month journey.  

 

Perhaps, deep down, he was looking for something—or someone—to rely on.  

 

Thinking that, Ezekiel simply nodded along to the boy’s words.  

 

It would take a long time for the group to finish setting up their tents and watering the horses. For now, it wouldn’t be too difficult to entertain a boy who was so happy to see him again.  

 

And watching that scene from afar—was someone else.