CH 129

“Please, brother!”

“Oh, come on, how long are you going to follow me?”

I adhere to Gilbert like a duckling does to its mother.

Gilbert initially ignored me, but as I followed him, his patience wore thin and his tone became more irritated.

“I also want to go.”

“Everything is fine, but please don’t write in my notebook.”

“Is my desperate message considered scribbling? I’ll continue writing in your notebook, though, if you don’t give me permission.”

“Mary Conler!”

Unable to bear it anymore, Gilbert abruptly stopped and yelled.

Rex, who had been following us nervously, yelped in surprise. But I’m not scared of it.

I didn’t avert my gaze from Gilbert’s stare. Does he think I’m following him around because I want to?

“Oh, I wish father had given me authority.”

Aiden, who was standing close by, struck Theodore on the back of the head as he let out a loud sigh.

Gilbert won’t give up, whereas Theodore could have done so a little sooner.

“Aiden, please say something to Mary.”

“Do I have the right to do that? I didn’t know you had that much faith in me.”

Gilbert clenched his teeth in response to Aiden’s slightly sarcastic tone. He looked very annoyed, but I kept whining regardless.

“Please, I also want to go to Tahata!”

To put it another way, Gilbert’s approval was required for me to travel to Tahata.

***

“Since we have a month off, let’s take a side trip to Tahata.”

Grand Duke Estin, who was always busy, had recently become even busier, and even before this subjugation, he was constantly being called upon.

He had to manage the Grand Duchy’s affairs after handling the crisis. Grand Duke Estin seemed to only be able to relax while he was asleep.

This is why it seemed strange to hear him say the word “vacation.”

He hasn’t had much free time recently, so it would be best for him to get some rest. But something in me was tingling.

At most, I had only traveled to the hills near the castle or to the lakeside as part of my excursions. And it wasn’t even a trip.

It’s an overnight trip!

Since I arrived at Conler Castle, I have never spent the night anywhere other than the castle.

Besides, the destination we were talking about was Tahata. Cheroke occasionally told me stories about Tahata.

It is said that Tahata, which is at the very top of the mountain peak, is a serene location akin to one from a landscape painting.

He claimed that the locals were friendly and generally laid-back, making it the ideal setting for Cheroke to recover his body and spirit after defeating monsters.

Furthermore, he added that Conler’s villa there is also very lovely.

As a thank-you for his service, Conler permitted Cheroke to use the villa, but Cheroke declined and wished to remain near the villagers.

The Conler family villa, located at the summit of the mountain village, is encircled by a vast forest and resembles a fairy’s home with the forest serving as its garden.

Tahata was not well known because it was so isolated, but anyone who knew about it would love to visit it as a vacation destination if the circumstances were ideal, even the emperor.

Listening to Cheroke’s story made me want to go.

‘Did telepathy work?’

Everyone else was quiet, which made me want to speak out in favor of Grand Duke Estin’s opinion.

I bit my lower lip and gave Grand Duke Estin the thumbs-up sign with my gaze.

Aiden and Theodore appeared content as well, based on the atmosphere. It’s a little arrogant, but Rex will go along with whatever I want.

“Then shall we get ready?”

Lucas agreed as well. Cheroke is returning to his favorite village anyway, so there won’t be much argument, but our strict Gilbert is the issue.

In light of that, I cast a quick glance at Gilbert, who was looking at Cheroke with a troubled expression on his face.

What are they hiding?

Come to think of it, Cheroke was just about to say something but Gilbert cut him off. I began to peer in between them.

Why did Cheroke speak to Gilbert alone the day he arrived back in the Grand Duchy? Gilbert started huffing loudly as I was fixated on the two.

“I know Tahata is supposed to be peaceful, but do you really think we should go on a family vacation when monsters are appearing?”

“Hmm…”

“Someone in the family could be in danger.”

Gilbert gave me a quick glance as he said that, then quickly averted his gaze.

He probably tried not to be obvious, but I caught him. I’m the “someone in the family” Gilbert is alluding to.

The drawing room, which was already quiet, felt as though ice water had been poured in as a result of Gilbert’s words.

“The Conlers are unable to take a vacation because they are terrified of monsters.”

Gilbert began to look at me more directly after Grand Duke Estin’s remark. Part of me wanted to stand up and declare that I was not going.

But I wanted to go to… I’m really really desperate. When would we get another chance to enjoy the emperor’s gift of a month-long vacation if we didn’t leave right away?

He might be kicking himself for giving us a month off.

Even if I told Gilbert that I was fine, he would still worry about me… Would it even make a difference?

“Well…”

Rex then abruptly raised his hand. Everyone looked at him.

Rex paused for a moment before continuing to speak, possibly embarrassed by the pouring gaze.

“If you’re concerned that I’m too frail to travel, I’ll never leave Sister Mary’s side, even if I have to be carried by her; she’ll protect me. I… I really want to go to Tahata.”

“Rex…”

“Recently, whenever Sister shoots her bow, she always hits the target. Even during the hunting competition, she managed to capture a wild monster. We don’t know when we’ll get another opportunity like this, so I want to go with everyone this time.”

Rex bowed his head as he looked at me.

“So please take good care of me, sister.”

Grand Duke Estin nodded upon hearing the words.

“Rex and Mary ought to stick together, I agree. You good, Gilbert?”

“Oh, yes…”

Gilbert nodded, appearing to be at a loss for words.

After finishing his sentence, Rex rested his hand on his chest and exhaled a sigh of relief.

Did you cover me? He also preserved my pride on top of all that. Oh, how can there be such a lovely thing?

Everyone appeared to have consented to travel to Tahata. However, Cheroke’s expression worried me.

Please. If you don’t move, Cheroke, I’ll give you my dessert later.

“Something is bothering me,” I said.

I really did save the dessert.

“Are you sure we’re going to Tahata to check it?”

Grand Duke Estin said while frowning a little. I shook my head and lifted the teacup in front of me, feeling an unsettling foreboding that the conversation would go on for a while.

“The monster that visited the village at the time had the words “I’ll go find my fiancee” written on its body.”

Keugh~

I spilled my tea as a result of Cheroke’s words. Rex stood up and called for Bonita as his eyes grew wide.

Except for Rex, everyone was focused on Cheroke’s words and didn’t even look at me. Should I feel relieved?

“Fiancée”

“I’m just concerned that Miss Mary’s engagement and the monsters’ appearance happened at the same time.”

He’s crazy.

That guy is really completely crazy.

Why would he send a beast to a tranquil village with that phrase? He should have sent it to me instead!

“How come you’re telling me this now?”

“I’m sorry, father. You already have a difficult time, so I didn’t want to make things worse.”

“Master Gilbert suggested that it would be preferable if Miss and the other young masters were unaware of it.”

“That’s what you were talking about the last time you were alone in the room.”

Aiden muttered, appearing somewhat surprised that Gilbert had only discussed it with Cheroke.

“We have to go to Tahata.”

“So, let’s leave Mary and Rex behind for the time being.”

“I also want to go!”

Feeling like I was being left out, I raised my hand and spoke up. Gilbert looked at me with a troubled expression, but I had to go.

I was already concerned about Astina getting involved in my business.

Astina claimed in a recent letter that she was unwell for no apparent reason.

Whether she was attempting to allay my concerns or simply explaining that she was ill because she hadn’t exercised as much as her brother John advised, I remained concerned.

Does it have anything to do with what Cameron said?

“I’d like to go and see what happened.”

“No way.”

I winced slightly at Gilbert’s assertion. I turned and looked at Grand Duke Estin. If he said yes, I could go.

“Father, I want to go too!”

At my declaration, Grand Duke Estin kept looking at me without saying a word. Then, he stood up and stroked my head.

“I’ll take you with me if Gilbert agrees.”