Visit to the Sick — To the Emmental Territory — Final Part

The next day, my body felt as heavy as after horseback riding. Especially my waist and hips.

"I always say, that's why I dislike traveling by carriage..." Mother, who had shared the room with me, stretched her limbs.

Indeed, I now understood that traveling by carriage was painful for those unaccustomed to it.

Immediately after breakfast, we left the baron's manor.

We passed through the town of the baron's territory, then emerged onto the main road.

Beyond the second village, the path split sharply into two.

The southern route was the Southern Sea Road; the northern one, the Northern Sea Road, leading to the Emmental territory we sought.

"This is also the boundary between three lordships," Cain Elder explained.

Beyond this point, the lands of the northeastern nobility stretch on—those noble houses allied with our family, the Emmentals.

The main roads in the direct territories and the Lordship of Liston were well-paved, but as we entered the northern route, the road began to feel increasingly uneven.

Road maintenance was the obligation of the lord who held jurisdiction over it; this region must lack the funds to afford such upkeep.

While pondering this, the carriage jolted forward. Alex Elder said, “This is the Jetta Knight Barony. I heard from Salon that it suffered localized locust plagues for two years straight. Yet this road endures—Spica, let us add more cushions.” He spoke, then pulled cushions from beneath the seat and offered them to me and Mother. Emergency camping gear, he said. Before reaching our lodging that day, we passed through several noble estates. The difference between good roads and bad was so stark it left me astonished.

Later that day

When I later spoke of that day to my father, he declared that I must not suffer discomfort in my seat when visiting the estates, and thus the entire northern road network was reviewed. Over three years, a road paved entirely in stone was completed. Households that had struggled to fund road improvements wept with joy. With fewer accidents and easier transport of goods, the Emmental territory grew even more vibrant. “Truly, the Count of Emmental! So foresighted. To invest one’s private fortune in road construction and earn back tenfold—something ordinary folk could never achieve!”—such praises were spoken in the streets. Yet only those within the family knew the truth: it had begun with nothing more than a parent’s indulgence.

To return to our journey,

By midday on the third day, we set foot within the Emmental territory.

"Once we pass through that windbreak, we shall be within our Emmental territory. I expect we shall reach the first town, Big Bears, in about twenty minutes," Mother says, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. At the town of Big Bears, along the road, the local garrison greeted us, then escorted and guarded us from there onward to the lord’s manor in Keiwa.

What struck me first was the size of the town. Big Bears felt immense, far larger than any town we had passed through before—almost like a village in comparison. It was the first time the lord’s family had returned in some time, and the townspeople bowed as we passed, tossing flowers in welcome. We waved in reply, and as the carriage jolted forward, we left the town behind. After another hour of travel, the gates of a city, grand as the imperial capital, came into view.

The capital, Keiwa.

Beyond the city gates, a metropolis of grandeur rivaling the imperial capital came into view. It is said that, centuries past, the capital was rebuilt when a princess of the imperial line was wedded to a foreign noble.

Thanks to this effort, the city is known as the "Seaside Palace," surpassing even the great southern domain, and regarded as the foremost city of the east.

Passing through the outer gate, traversing the commoners' quarter, and slipping through the inner gate into the noble district, one sees consulates, theaters, great cathedrals, and rows of manor houses.

Many visitors come from foreign lands, and thus nations with which the city maintains diplomatic ties have established consulates here. Flags bearing the emblems of foreign countries—familiar from the illustrated guide—flutter in the breeze.

And upon a raised platform, the true symbol of the Emmental domain, the ultimate destination, stands the lord’s residence: the Kiwā Castle.

Around the castle, a moat encircles it entirely, its drawbridge raised so that entry is impossible unless lowered—but now, as if anticipating our arrival, or perhaps by rule during daylight hours, the bridge is lowered and greets us.

The carriage creaked as we entered, yet the bridge proved sturdy, carrying us across without so much as a tremor.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, symmetrical gardens flanked us on either side, welcoming us with their precise order. Along the path leading to the central rotunda of the lord’s residence, two statues of kelpies stand sentinel, gazing toward us as if in greeting. The kelpie is the symbol of our domain, etched into the crest of the Emmental family.

Descending the rotunda steps into the entrance hall, we are met by familiar faces, led by Grandfather himself.

Grandfather, Count Emmental, Lord Elbam von Emmental. Though only fifty-eight, he is still remarkably youthful. Yet, decades ago during a campaign against pirates, he sustained a wound while leading from the front, and since then has passed the family title to my father. He once told me, during our previous meeting, that even now, due to that old injury, daily life remains difficult without the aid of a cane.

And Grandmother, Lady Francesca Kraus von Emmental. The name Kraus indicates her noble lineage, and she herself is a noblewoman of exceptional blood—her great-aunt was the niece of the late Emperor. During the reign of the previous Emperor, her wisdom earned her a place among the court officials, managing state affairs within the palace. She was renowned as a woman of great intellect and remarkable talent.

At their head, the entire household has gathered to welcome us.

“Glad you’ve all returned unharmed,” comes Grandfather’s voice.

"Your Grace, Your Ladyship, we have now returned safely to the estate. Though it weighs heavily upon my heart to have been away from the estate during the Lord's absence, I am deeply glad to have returned unharmed this day." Mother offers a graceful curtsy in reply.

"Hmm, you must be weary. The chambers have been prepared; first, bathe and rest at your ease." Grandfather speaks with gentle concern.

"Thank you, Your Grace. But first, allow me to present my siblings' greetings," says Cain Elder, gently guiding his brother forward.

"Forgive our long absence, Grandfather, Grandmother. This time, I have asked you to accompany my whims, and for your kindness and aid, I am most grateful."

He bows upon one knee, placing his hands upon his chest in the noble’s salute. Alex Elder follows, assuming the same posture.

"Likewise, I have been long absent, Grandfather, Grandmother. It is most pleasing to see you both in good health." She offers the greeting.

Fret Elder bows slightly, performing the knight's salute.

"It has been a long time. Grandfather, Grandmother."

Once the three greetings have concluded, I too perform a curtsy, lowering my head.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, I have been most remiss in my visits. Please accept my apologies, and grant me your favor this day."

As I begin to rise from the curtsy, my gaze meets that of Grandmother.

Her brow is furrowed, her mouth drawn tight in stern disapproval. A pang of anxiety stirs within me—had I committed some offense?

"Miss Spica, repeat your greeting."

The voice of Grandmother cuts through the air, sharp and unyielding. Indeed, it seems my greeting was lacking in proper form. I bow once more. Before my body reaches its full depth, I am told to begin again. After two such corrections, she remarks, “Well then, that will do. And as for Lord Elbam, address him as the late Earl. As for me, you may call me Lady Francesca, or the late Countess.”

“Grandmother!” The elder brothers exclaim in unison—but their voices falter instantly under Grandmother’s single, piercing glance.

“Your stepmother, Spica, is also my granddaughter. May I not be called Grandmother?” I venture, timidly.

“You will not decide what occurs in this household,” she replies. “Now that your greeting is concluded, enter quickly.” She turns and steps inside the manor.

Our grandfather placed a hand gently upon my head and said, “Spica is a little too quick to take offense. Forgive her. You may call me Grandfather, but be careful before her.”

As we entered the lord’s manor, a grand hall stretched ahead, flanked by staircases extending to either side. A large tapestry bearing our family crest hung upon the wall directly ahead. To us, the ship, sword, and kelpie motif was familiar. As Elder Brother explained, the first and second floors were used for official matters—administration and diplomacy—while private spaces were confined to half of the second floor, all of the third floor and above, and the annex.

On our way to the third floor, where Elder Brother and Mother were headed, a maid called out to me. “Your ladyship’s chamber is this way,” she said, offering me guidance.

"Hey! That's the guest chamber, isn't it? Why are you leading Spica there?" Alex Elder descended the stairs halfway.

It is the command of Her Highness the Inner Palace... The young maid answers, trembling.

Elder Brother, surely it is the kindness of Grandmother—her consideration for the former lady. She understands how difficult it must be for me, unaccustomed to such a long journey, to climb these stairs.

So saying, I was led by myself to the guest chamber on the second floor.