Chapter 77: Promise to bring back souvenirs!

Chapter 77: Promise to bring back souvenirs!

Kein's POV

It was the morning when I had to leave. After the school opening I've been busy preparing for the trip and mostly been trying to finish my leftover paper works regarding some of the estate's business.

Alfred was left with the task of preparing everything that I would need after I listed them down. "Milady, I've gotten every single item you've requested for the trip and added a few extra that might help."

We were in my office and he walked forward in front of my table.

I offer my hands to take the ring being glad I have Alfred tending to me the minor tasks I needed to do.

"Thank you, Alfred." I tell him and Alfred nods right after.

He gives me the [Storage Ring] and a worried look, looking over Vivienne who was still sleeping peacefully in her bed. We're actually currently in my old room all cleaned.

The little one has taken a liking to it and I guess I need to ask for father to make this place her new bedroom. "You will be gone for quite a while." (Alfred) bows his head a little to me and continues. "I shall continue to look after both Master Hills and the young lady while you're gone, upon your journey I will hope for the best, Milady."

Hearing Alfred's words of promise when it comes to vows, hearing that he'll protect our family made me feel safe too. I smiled and patted his shoulder, "Thank you, Alfred. I promise to come back alive from my exploits and try to send a letter ensuring my safety when I can."

Alfred would go on to leave first letting me wear an outfit that would be perfect for the occasion.

An adventurer's clothing line from the capital shop, some leather gloves, light armor plates that I've wrapped my weak points in and a chestplate to the front. I stretched my body a bit with these on and it felt comfortable to wear, more freeing than the usual heavy armor I wear.

If my other knight companions would see me in these, I would either become something they could laugh and tease for the year back at the military academy.

The rank one commander is considering retiring so early to become one of those silly adventurers?

Being an adventurer is actually respectable work, however there's been a minor clash between the two factions and now they make fun of one another.

The knights being insulted as the royalty's obedient lap dogs and the adventurers being reckless as well as chaotic breaking the rules of conduct outside the cities.

I checked myself out in the mirror looking a bit haggard, in my defense I couldn't have much time to myself these days. I was either focused on work or participating in some events being held, and spending time with my family.

My lips unconsciously formed a smile on their own as I stared into the reflection of the mirror. An image of several figures popped up in my mind, it was all of those whom I treated as family, being with me and laughing together.

"I did pretty alright these past years. I hope wherever you are Kein, you think the same."

Even if I wasn't Kein.

I was hoping that she would agree that I made use of her body for good.

Even if I made so many wrong decisions and regrets using her body… the people I've killed while being on duty… doesn't haunt me anymore but it makes me feel regret and guilt.

My hands clenched into a fist, feeling disgusted with my hands.

I have to confess… I have murdered some people while being under a mission. These hands were smothered in blood, and the swords I carry bear the burden too.

I was not expecting such a traumatizing memory from the military academy.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"???"

My negative thoughts stopped running, noticing someone had knocked on my door. I fixed myself first before letting whoever it was in.

"What's the matter? Did something happen?" My hands were on the door knob, swinging the door open to see the same maid from last time that thanked me for letting her little brother into the school.

Her face was casted down.

"Milady, someone is waiting for you at the gates. The hero has arrived as you requested. She relays a message and I quote, 'Hurry up adventure buddy you're late'."

Adventurer buddy?

I blinked at the realization of who it was. Ah… Avery, she's already here. I can picture her grinning face already even if I haven't seen the kid.

I have to leave so soon.

I stared at the maid for a little bit noticing that she was still here- I forgot to get her name before, knowing she's a recent hire and there's bound to be dozens of them this time.

"Um… Thank you- I actually never got your name." I scratched the back of my neck a little embarrassed to say that.

Her features of long bright brown hair and brown eyes reminded me of the beauty standards [Puronia] would have. Thin waist, rosy lips how come I never noticed a beauty roaming around our estate halls?

"It's Lilianne Fidel, Milady. I am honored to have my name known to y-you…" She meets my eyes before looking away quickly being all red.

Weird, is the weather getting to her?

"Oh! Right Avery is waiting! Lilianne, please tell Avery that I would be right there with her soon." I instructed and she nodded quickly leaving the scene.

I double checked, packing everything needed and was ready to depart.

"Moma leave?"

Vivienne walks up to me while holding a pillow that she got from my bed. I must've woken her up due to my loud voice before. The little blonde girl frowns, making little puppy eyes, "Moma… no leave."

She pulled my pants and my heart squeezed in pain.

Not again, now I don't want to leave. Those silver eyes of hers remind me too much of Rose's and how she does her little puppy eyes whenever she wants something to work.

Slump!

I put my bag over to the side and I kneeled up to Vivienne's level giving her an affectionate gaze. I pat her head and she giggles in response. "Hehehe Moma no leave?"

"Oh Vivienne…" I sigh, feeling so attached to the little one.

" I need to leave... not only for your mommy and I to be together but also for the princess- um… your auntie." I tell Vivienne who tilts her head in confusion.

"Auntie?"

She asked and I chuckled. "Yep, your mommy's elder sister. You can call her Auntie Cecilia next time we visit again, remember her? The grumpy princess that we visited at the castle?" I told her and I even took out an old sketch of Cecilia to which she immediately recognized who she was now.

"Auntie?!" (Vivienne) gasps pointing at the sketch of her.

"Yes, that's Auntie Cecilia the grumpy aunty. If you remember the nice princess that played with you, that's technically Auntie Catherine if me and mommy get married." I tell her, she seems to have remembered who Princess Catherine was after all she took care of her when we escorted Rose to the castle and she understands a little nodding to my explanation.

"Married?" she asked ever so curiously and I answered as clearly as I could.

I looked at my left hand, staring at my ring finger.

"Mm marriage is something you do with someone you really love. I love your mommy Rose, so I plan on marrying her once everything settles down." I tell her and she places a finger on her chin humming.

"Moma me get married too?" (Vivienne)

Another follow up question and I was stretching my time with Avery, I messed Vivienne's hair softly pulling in for a little kiss on the forehead.

"Moma! Nwo!" (Vivienne) calls out to me and I hug her.

"Ahhh you ask so many questions I can't answer in the morning but if anyone is going to marry you they'll have to get through me!!!" I growled a little, tickling her sides.

"Hahaha! W-Why Moma?! Me wants to be married!" She dared to declare wanting marriage at such a young age. I stopped tickling her and faintly smiled.

I stood up and carried my back putting it behind my back. "Moma will explain when she gets back, so until then be a good girl and behave. Listen to grandpa and Alfred okay?"

"If only there was another way to have the princess healed of her sickness- it seems that they have tried everything." Well almost everything if you don't count in surgery because of how risky it is.

Vivienne watched me as I pulled my leather backpack up to my shoulders and had my [Storage Ring] in place with my middle finger.

The same old ring I've had all this time, staying with me quickly fitting into a mold.

"Hahaha… I don't know when I'll be able to come back home again actually."

"!!!"

"Moma no leave take me!" (Vivienne) wasn't too keen on my words on behaving and captured my leg just like the first time we met. "Nwo!"

"Vivienne no! Behave! Let go of my leg!"

I tried my best shaking her off and even pulling her away.