TRIM Ch 1

Dear Lancelot Hayes, Duke,

I don’t know how long it’s been since I last wrote to you. Don’t feel too bad that I haven’t been able to send my regards only to you. As always, I believe you will understand with the long-standing affection of a close friend.

I returned home three days ago. When I left, Windburg was frozen solid, but now it’s summer. Though in three months, winter will begin again.

This southern trip was very enjoyable. As you said, my wanderlust is innate, so it’s nothing new, but I can swear this trip was by far the best experience. If you don’t believe me, I’ll wager the two-handed greatsword my grandfather left me. You know how much I cherish that sword.

Lance, have you ever heard of Treecen Mansion?

Even you, who are oblivious to rumors, couldn’t not know that. Even a deaf person would have heard of that family’s unfortunate circumstances at least once.

Pervrante el Treecen. The Reclusive One of Light. The ill-fated boy lord.

Ah, the lord of Treecen is no longer a boy. At least, the lord I met wasn’t a boy. Duke Pervrante invited me to his mansion and hosted a dinner. I can picture your surprised face right now.

There were many impressive things that day, but I keep thinking about the portrait of his mother. Oh my Gods, she was a beauty like no other. If I compare her beauty to our Lorelia, the most beautiful woman alive, would my lovely goddaughter be a little upset?

Lance, there’s so much I want to tell you about this trip.

So, if you’re willing, I’m thinking of making your territory my next destination, so please send me a reply soon. A bottle of newly harvested wine would be more than enough hospitality for this wanderer. Although, even a bathtub full of Mendelsan wine wouldn’t be enough for me.

I’ll be packing my bags, expecting your hospitality.

July 3, 1582

Cedric Glen

The wind blowing from the south swayed the swing. Lorelia tilted her head back with delight. The wind brushing her cheeks was refreshing and fragrant.

She was in the back garden when the northern guest arrived. With a wicker basket on her left arm and pruning shears in her right hand, she was buried in a mound of golden flowers. Marigolds were everywhere, welcoming August. She loved those bright, sun-like flowers.

“Miss! Miss Laurel!”

Even after hearing the call, Lorelia didn’t take her eyes off the flowers. She was focused on selecting the largest and most beautiful blossoms and snipping their stems with the shears. The sun was about to set, so she had to hurry and finish picking the flowers.

“Oh dear, Miss, right now, here…”

“Alicia. You came at the right time. Can you hold this for a moment?”

Lorelia abruptly held out the basket without even looking at her panting maid. Then she looked up at the reddish sky with a serious expression.

“The sun will set soon. I have to finish making all the flower arrangements. My godfather will be here by tomorrow morning.”

The maid, catching her breath beside her, took the flower-filled basket and said,

“Sir Cedric has already arrived!”

She finally revealed the reason why she had run here at full speed.

“What? Already?”

“Yes, Miss. He just entered the castle.”

Alicia looked at the girl, whose eyes widened in surprise.

Standing in the field of blooming flowers, awash in golden light, Lorelia looked like a painting. Her light green eyes and rich auburn hair shimmered in the twilight. Even though it was a face she saw every day for years, there were times when she was captivated like this.

Once again admiring that enchanting beauty, Alicia recalled the song of the minstrel who was called to Lorelia’s eighteenth birthday feast.

Oh, newly blossomed flower.
The most beautiful among all living women.
If this song is false, may the Gods blind my eyes.
Oh, beautiful lady.
Lorelia.

“Alicia, put those flowers in vases and take them to the guest room.”

“Should you go see him now?”

“Yes.”

The answer was quick. Lorelia handed the shears to the maid and quickly walked out of the flower garden. After untying the reins from the oak tree trunk where the swing was tied, she lightly stepped on the swing with her right foot and neatly sat on the saddle. Her movements were light, as if she had done this many times before.

“Let’s go!”

She lightly kicked the mare’s flank, and the chestnut mare began to trot. Lorelia was too small a woman to ride such a tall horse alone. Her long, flowing dress and the beautiful hair draped down her back looked even more out of place against the horse’s strong muscles.

If Madam sees her like this, she’ll get scolded again.

Alicia made a troubled face as she watched the horse and woman moving away towards the castle. But she soon changed her mind. It’s alright today. Even if Lorelia gets caught riding without permission, nothing bad will happen.

“Well, the lord is here too.”

The maid smiled as she murmured, and then assessed the flowers in the basket with her eyes.

The unique scent of marigolds filled the air. The setting sun cast its light on the beautiful blossoms. The long summer day was receding. Soon the sun would set.

Lorelia was a land occupying the central-eastern part of the continent and had been the territory of the Hayes family for hundreds of years.

The entire territory of this kingdom belonged to King Delmas, but only under the premise that the oaths of loyalty of the great nobles to the royal family remained valid. Lorelia, close to the royal capital of Kingsburg, was a land that especially enjoyed the king’s trust.

The lord’s castle in Mendel, the capital of Lorelia, was bustling in anticipation of its distinguished guest.

“You haven’t changed a bit. You look exactly the same.”

“Look who’s talking. Cedric, you look exactly the same as you did two years ago.”

“Two years ago! Has it really been that long since we last saw each other?”

Lancelot Hayes laughed at his old friend’s banter. Cedric Glen hugged him tightly, confirming their unchanging friendship, and then, as a natural next step, bowed and kissed Marilyn Hayes’s hand.

“You are as beautiful as ever, Lady Hayes.”

“You must be tired from your long journey, Sir Cedric.”

“Thank you for your kind words. It was my horse, not I, who bore the brunt of the journey.”

“The stable master will take good care of your steed, so please come inside.”

“You have my wine prepared, I trust?”

“I’ve prepared enough to fill a bathtub.”

“Oh, my Gods. Does Mendel have a well that spouts wine?”

Cedric chuckled and began to walk alongside Lancelot. The dark blue cloak draped over his back fluttered.

The three men and women walked down the hallway, engaging in light conversation. Behind them, the butler, the head servant, and two other servants followed in step. It wasn’t often that the lord and his wife came out together to the entrance of the mansion to greet a guest. It was usually limited to the heads of great noble families, those with royal titles, or when their eldest daughter, married into the north, visited her family home.

Furthermore, it was even rarer for the lord’s youngest daughter to join them like this.

“Godfather!”

At the shout from behind, the group stopped in unison. The face of the woman who ran towards them with light footsteps was flushed with excitement. The northern guest, wearing a large cloak, looked down at the small woman.

“Lorelia.”

Lorelia, her eyes meeting Cedric’s, took a breath, her face beaming. Then she held the hem of her dress, bent her knees, and performed a curtsy.

“Sir Cedric Glen, honored knight of Windburg. I am pleased to see you in good health.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Lorelia Hayes el Lorelia.”

The middle-aged man replied with exaggerated formality, as if joking. He looked down at the young woman with a gentle smile.

“I trust your wife and children are well?”

“They are all doing very well.”

“Is Sister Ellen well, too?”

“I believe our future Lady of the manor is preoccupied with educating her heir.”

Lorelia’s older sister, Elenia, had married the heir to the North and recently gave birth to her first son. She was also the niece-in-law of Cedric, the lord’s brother. Heir education. Lorelia giggled, imagining her sister fussing over her newborn. Her godfather was a man who told good jokes.

“You’ve become even more beautiful while I was away, Laurel.”

“I heard you went to the south, Godfather?”

“Oh dear. Now I see you were waiting for the news I brought, not me.”

When Cedric pretended to glare, Lorelia responded with a light laugh. The group, now four in number, began walking towards the banquet hall again.

“Yes, I went to Treecen.”

“And to Isen, too?”

“Do you think I would skip the capital city after traveling that far?”

“How was the weather in Isen?”

“Fantastic.”

“I hear the south is sunny all year round?”

“Quite the opposite of my home, where half the year is midwinter.”

“Did you visit the lord’s castle? Treecen Mansion?”

“Lorelia, Sir Cedric hasn’t even had a sip of water yet.”

Marilyn cautioned, and Lorelia closed her mouth. It took three weeks to travel from Windburg, the northern capital, to Mendel, even at the fastest pace. This barrage of questions was certainly rude to a guest who had just arrived after such a long journey.

“That’s very kind of you, Madam, but I’m quite alright. I plan to fill a bathtub with wine and drink it soon. Isn’t that right, Lance?”

Lancelot chuckled at Cedric’s banter. As expected of my godfather. Lorelia smiled.

“Goddaughter, do you know anything about Treecen?”

And as if waiting for it, she began to answer.

“Treecen is a very developed region with abundant resources and a large population. The people of Isen, the capital city, are also known for their pride. The great noble family of Pervrante is particularly so, and it’s said they rarely allow outsiders into their castle.”

“It seems you’ve found a decent tutor for your youngest, Duke Hayes.”

Cedric Glen offered his compliments just as the group reached the entrance to the dining hall.

The thick, massive oak doors swung open. A large round table was placed in the center of the banquet hall, decorated with drapes, candlesticks, and flowers. Centered around the high-backed lord’s chair, the table could seat eight people.

“I don’t see your dependable heir.”

“He’s in Kingsburg. He was invited to the Crown Prince’s hunting trip.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“All three princes will be attending. It seems they’ll be traveling in a small group with their peers.”

The godfather showed interest in the princes’ hunting trip, and her father seemed proud that his son had been invited. Anxious that the conversation would drift in that direction, Lorelia spoke again as soon as she sat down at the table.

“Godfather, I heard that Treecen Mansion hasn’t opened its doors for thirteen years?”