Episode 58

It was some time after Alicia and I had confessed our feelings to each other.

It seemed a letter had arrived for me.

I was told the letter was now with Lord Goral, so we headed to his office.

Because Alicia had been summoned as well, we walked side by side, holding hands.

“Alicia, it’s the usual invitation to the social season.”

Saying that, Lord Goral first handed the letter to Alicia. After she took it, she glanced at me.

“A letter has arrived for Faik as well. Of the two, one reached me, so I had a look at it.”

What could that mean?

Puzzled, I took the letter from him.

My cheek twitched for a moment. Alicia glanced at the letter and widened her eyes.

The sender was the royal court’s blacksmith division.

…What on earth could they want now? I opened the letter to check its contents.

The sender was Morgan. The content was a request to return.

[At present, domestically, the blacksmith division is in disarray. Because we cannot supply satisfactory weapons to the knights, there is almost no time for rest. Return quickly.]

…In summary, that was the gist of it.

“The letter that reached me was an apology in case Faik was no longer in this manor.”

“…I see.”

Without my talent, I would have been driven out of this house, so sending such a letter was understandable.

“I’ve heard you were made to do unreasonable work at the court; what did the letter say?”

Since Lord Goral asked, I handed the letter to him.

After reading the letter, he sighed softly.

“If you go back, won’t they make you work you to the bone again?”

“…That will probably be the case.”

“Do you plan to return?”

“…For the sake of this household, would it be better to hold the title of royal court blacksmith?”

Lord Goral looked at me intently in response to my question.

…Having married in, I am a noble of the duke’s house. As a noble, one must to some extent be mindful of power.

The position of the Levanand Empire’s royal court blacksmith should carry a certain weight.

“It’s not wrong to have such considerations as a noble. But nobles don’t pursue power alone.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. You balance power and your child’s happiness when deciding a marriage and such. At least I have no intention of sending my child to a place where they can’t be happy.”

That’s why Alicia could choose me, I suppose.

“Understood. However, I don’t possess anything. If there’s anything I can do—”

“I told you earlier. There’s no need to go somewhere you can’t be happy. Of course, my opinion isn’t a command. In the end you should decide for yourself.”

At Lord Goral’s words, Alicia flinched slightly.

“Father. Do you perhaps think of Faik like one of your own children?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t go that far.”

Lord Goral stared at me intently.

Why me…?

“I’m sorry, but I don’t wish to return to being a royal court blacksmith.”

When I stated that clearly, Lord Goral nodded.

“In that case, I’ll write a refusal letter. They seem to be neglecting Faik. A letter from me will carry more weight.”

“…Thank you.”

After I bowed, Alicia stepped closer to Lord Goral.

“Father. We will deliver the letter ourselves.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’ll attend the social season and deliver the letter then.”

At Alicia’s words, Lord Goral raised a brow.

“The social season—are you going? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to participate much?”

“Yeah. Well… Now that Faik is here, so there’s no point in going, but… I’ll directly and clearly inform the people of the blacksmith division that I recognize him as my fiancé.”

Lord Goral seemed to understand Alicia’s intent and looked over at us.

“…I see. Faik, is that alright?”

Lord Goral glanced at me. Since Alicia had said all that, of course I would go.

I, too, wanted to give the people of the blacksmith division a ‘status update.’

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Understood. Then I’ll prepare the letter. You two should get ready to depart.”

“…Yes, please.”

After bowing, we left the room.