Albert-ji-sama, sitting on my back.

Fourteen years ago, Kai was born around the same time as that monster tempest.

Albert, newly married, made a promise to his wife—his wife and the child in her womb, the one he was sworn to protect, the one he had to defend. With resolve in his heart, he vowed he would return to her, no matter what.

"...I’ll show my face to the child that’s coming..."

A burden to be protected. The head of the Vanklyft Family, a knight commander, had been betrayed, his blood spilled.

After delivering his final words to the lady, she smiled through her tears. "Just like him," she said. How many times had that one sentence saved me?

Then Lord Lovell collapsed, drained of strength. Waiting ten years for a master who never returned from the Spirit World—ten long years, for Albert, that felt like a lifetime.

Albert, left behind, became fixated on the idea that he alone had to protect the house.

He couldn’t forget the regret of failing to protect them back then. Even now, the fact that he’s still here with his family, living this life—none of it would exist without the Vanklyft Family.

Because he hadn’t helped during that time, he was determined this time around to be useful—so determined, he nearly lost his footing. That was four years ago. The moment Elen saved him.

He’d been so caught up in the moment, so wrapped up in his feelings, he was about to lose everything important.

This time—yes, this time—he’d made up his mind. He sat down and spoke with his son.

***

A meeting was arranged to discuss identification emergency procedures. The newly decided protocols were relayed to the healer.

That day, we rode in a carriage to the clinic: Sauvel, his guard Albert, my father, me, Kai, and Van.

"Uncle Albert’s married, huh…?"

Peering through the small window leading to the driver’s seat, I stared intently at Albert, who scratched his head and looked downcast beside the driver, who chuckled at my words.

"...Do I really seem single?"

"Hmm, not so much single as… completely devoid of anything remotely feminine, you know?"

The driver and Sauvel burst into laughter at my comment. "Well, that’s a bit too on the nose," the driver said, which, in a way, was fair.

"Albert’s wife’s got nerves of steel. She’s got him completely under her thumb."

"Hey, wait—"

"Fact, isn’t it?"

Albert couldn’t retort, just sighed heavily as the driver cackled away.

I’m staring at it, clinging to the little window, utterly fascinated, ears perked up.

“Elen, you’re being terribly rude.”

Father scooped me up with a quick motion, settling me onto his lap.

The carriage rocked unevenly, but since I was on his lap, my backside was fine.

For reference, we’re all inside the carriage: Father, me, Sauvel, and Kai.

Van’s perched on top of the roof, keeping watch.

I can tell he’s giving the carriage a light boost with a breeze—Van’s a kind soul, so he’s probably easing the horses’ load.

Father rests his chin on top of my head. “You’re really that interested in Albert, huh?” He sounds a little put out.

Four years have passed since then. But Father’s the kind who holds grudges for ages. Can’t really blame him, I suppose.

"Come on."

My inner voice is buzzing with curiosity.

I'm imagining what kind of fearless, no-nonsense woman it must take to boss around that stubborn Albert.

"Um... hearing you say that about Mother makes me a little embarrassed..."

Kai seems slightly uncomfortable, too, even though his father's being teased.

"Is it really true that Albert-sama can't stand up to her?"

"Uuuuh..."

Kai slips up, then claps a hand over his mouth, but it's too late. I just smile sweetly.

"Ah, so that's how it is. But Albert-sama's the type who'd be perfect for someone like that!"

My mind races with possibilities. I really want to meet her someday.

Guess I must've shown it too clearly.

"Next time, will you come to our house? I’ll introduce you to my mother."

"Really!?"

I leap at the words—and the arms holding me suddenly go stiff.

"Introducing my daughter to my mother...?"

I gave my father a deadpan look—again, his thoughts had completely scattered. Kai, flustered, turned bright red and stammered.

"Not—no! That’s not what I meant!!"

"Too soon for you!!"

Papa’s shout rang in my ears—*kreeeek*—my ears hurt.

"Papa, you’re loud."

"Harsh!!"

He pulled me into a tight, squishy hug, nuzzling my cheek, as if to apologize.

"...Brother’s definitely got Elen wrapped around his finger."

Sauvel’s words echoed through the carriage.

Papa froze mid-nuzzle, but then seemed to go deep in thought.

"Elen? Well, she could handle it."

Papa beamed at me. I recoiled—hard.

＊＊＊

When we arrived at the clinic, the healers and nurses always came out in full force to greet us.

“Said he only needed the head healer to greet us… yet here we are, making a spectacle of it all.”

It was like announcing the lord’s arrival with fanfare.

From my father’s point of view—especially since they wanted to keep my presence hidden—it made perfect sense. But the healers genuinely admired them, so I couldn’t entirely blame them either.

“Today’s a serious meeting. Now, now, back to your posts.”

Sauvel snapped his fingers with practiced ease, and the healers bowed to the head healer before dispersing.

“Apologies.”

“Don’t worry about it. Important matters today. I’ll be taking the conference room.”

“Understood.”

And so we all filed into the room.

“Your Highness, I’ll keep watch over the surroundings.”

Van suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I’d asked him to do so.

“If anything comes up, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

"Yeah, be careful, Van."

Smiling warmly, I felt Van's hand brush my head. Then he vanished.

A little behind, Kai watched the scene, frowning deeply.

I want to reach that kind of trust too. That’s what Kai decided.

***

In a quiet corner of the territory, men were talking.

It was a back alley—dim, secluded, no signs of life nearby.

"A rumor says there's a famous apothecary in the Vanklyft Family?"

"Supposedly, a real monster when it comes to people. Some even say it's a spirit."

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"The evidence is solid: it's the Vanklyft Family's princess who produces the rumored medicine. They say she's made a pact with a spirit—something that brews the medicine and delivers it to her."

"..."

The rumor carried a chilling level of credibility.

There was a hero who made a pact with a great spirit in that household. It wouldn’t be surprising if that potential ran in the blood.

"So, we need the princess to make the spirit listen, is that it?"

"...That’s how it seems."

"But how? The Vanklyft Family’s practically a fortress. I’ve heard even their maids are skilled."

"No worries. The princess there personally delivers medicine to the clinic. Seems she’s been going out to town to bring it over..."

The man grinned at the report, and the one listening to it grinned right back.

＊＊＊

Raffilia, finishing her tutor’s assignment, was handed a letter by a maid—its seal familiar, pressed with wax.

"From Gadiel? What now?"

"...Miss, you really shouldn’t address the prince so casually."

"Ugh, really? Calling him 'Prince' just sounds like I'm confusing him with Rasel, doesn't it? We’re friends, so it’s fine. I’m allowed to call him that—Gadiel and the others have given me permission. Can you just… stop telling me what to do?"

Ignoring the maid’s sharp warning with a huff, Raffilia clutched the letter to her chest, beaming.

She shooed the maid out without delay, then sliced open the envelope with a paper knife.

Her eyes snapped wide open when she read the contents—and her cheeks flushed crimson.

"W-what should I do… what should I even wear?"

Even though she was alone in her room, her nerves had her darting her gaze all around like a trapped bird.

She frantically tried to recall every outfit she owned, scrambling to pick something cute.

"No, no—this is supposed to be a secret escape…"

Something simple. Something plain. Like a girl from the town.

Raffilia held the letter tight against her chest, her heart racing ahead of whatever came next.

＊＊＊

A sound caught in the wind’s flow, and Van’s ear twitched.

That direction—just beyond the edge of town. Van narrowed her eyes, ears straining.

After a moment, she furrowed her brow, lost in thought.

In the next instant, a gust tore through. Van let the wind take her, vanishing without a trace.