Chapter 337 – Autumn Forest

“Port side aft here. Can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you, Steph.”

Princess Stephania’s voice came through the speaking tube from the bridge. The one responding was Princess Adriana. Since they wanted to look around various parts of the ship, I thought we might as well test the speaking tubes while we were at it. As a result, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana were touring the ship during our journey to the Count’s territory.

Marlene was listening to her sister’s voice coming through the speaking tube together with Princess Adriana, smiling happily. Rosemary occasionally glanced their way, covering her mouth with her feather fan while maintaining a composed expression… but she also seemed to be in a somewhat cheerful mood.

Rosemary, Valentina, Charlotte, and Tephra were sitting near the pilot seats, observing my piloting. We were proceeding while occasionally taking turns to learn how to operate the ship through hands-on experience.

Grace, Ashley, and Claudia were doing needlework, while Alfred, Old Sigmund, Father, and Malcolm were playing cards while discussing Noble Leaf and farmland development, each spending time as they pleased.

In this relaxed atmosphere, the Sirius advanced while Irmhild and the others played gentle music. Eventually, Mother’s house came into view in the distant landscape.

“It’s coming into view. That particularly large tree,” I said, and everyone’s gaze gathered on the scenery visible through the crystal panel.

“Steph, I can see it. Can you come back to the bridge?”

“I’m coming now.”

After this exchange, Princess Stephania came up to the bridge with Mercedes a short while later.

Princess Stephania seemed captivated by the sight of Mother’s house.

“…It really is a big tree.”

It was tall enough to be immediately obvious without explanation, with a thick trunk. While glancing at Mother’s house from the corner of my eye, I parked the Sirius in an open area right by the lakeside, marking our arrival.

After descending and parking the ship, we decided to first unload the luggage and carry it into Mother’s house. While bringing the luggage out onto the Sirius’s deck, I asked Father.

“What will you be doing, Father?”

“You’ll be heading to Lisa’s grave first, I suppose? I have arrangements to make as well, so I thought I’d return to the mansion afterward,” Father said, looking at the bouquet in my hand.

“Understood.”

“I’ve also made preparations to welcome Her Highness and Marquis Broderick… hmm. Given this situation, Lisa’s house might be more suitable for hospitality than my mansion.”

“Perhaps so. If you have anything prepared, shall we do it at Mother’s house?”

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana had been quite excited ever since Mother’s house came into view.

“Then I’ll have the food brought here.”

“In that case, we’ll take it easy here.”

“Indeed.”

So we wouldn’t need to prepare meals and could all relax together.

“I plan to stay at Count Gartner’s mansion. There’s talk of technical cooperation, and I have some matters I’d like to discuss,” said Malcolm. That would be about farmland development and mine development, I suppose.

Apparently, there’s been discussion about mutually providing technical cooperation and coordinating with each other. The relationship between House Gartner and House Broderick seems to be good.

Had the previous heads of both houses also coordinated with each other? Rather than saying things have returned to how they were, it might be more accurate to say the trade has become proper.

As we were unloading luggage from the deck, the tomb keepers Harold and Cynthia appeared from among the trees. They must have heard about the wedding date from Father. When they made eye contact with me, the two smiled and greeted me.

“Good afternoon, Theodore-sama.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Ah, it’s good to see you both after so long.”

Harold and Cynthia not only tended to Mother’s grave but also seemed to consistently maintain the area around the house. The grass was properly cut, and fallen leaves and branches had been cleared away.

“It’s a great help that you always keep it so clean.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s our job.”

The siblings smiled happily.

“More importantly, that’s an amazing ship.”

Having spotted the Sirius from within the forest, Harold’s eyes were wide with amazement, and Cynthia was nodding vigorously.

“Thank you. Things are a bit hectic today, so I’ll give you a tour of the ship tomorrow or so.”

“Really!?”

“As thanks for tending the grave,” I answered, and the siblings’ faces lit up.

When we reached the base of Mother’s house carrying our luggage, those who were visiting for the first time looked up with admiration.

“This is—amazing. Just as Alfred said.”

“Truly… What a wonderful house.”

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana had shining eyes. I thought they might like this sort of thing, and I’m glad they seem to appreciate it.

“Yeah. It looked impressive from above too… but seeing it up close is something else. I heard about it from Theo-kun, but I’m glad I came.”

Alfred was also smiling happily.

“So this is… Patricia’s ideal house, I see. Indeed, the atmosphere around here is somewhat similar to the promenade at the Sages’ Academy.”

Valentina narrowed her eyes as she looked up at Mother’s house. That must be referring to when I spoke with Valentina at the Sages’ Academy.

“It’s a good place. The magical power is well-ordered, and there’s a cleansing air.”

“Being in this house makes me feel better.”

Tephra and Seraphina also seemed to approve.

“There appears to be a barrier set up.”

“…Indeed. That its effectiveness shows no decline whatsoever is likely due to it being the work of the Sealing Shrine Maiden. She laid multiple spell formulas from the construction phase onward, utilizing the terrain to reinforce the barrier.”

Old Sigmund nodded at Charlotte’s words.

The barrier around Mother’s house, combined and synchronized with contract magic, only permits entry to those invited by me, Grace, or Father. It’s similar to the barrier Claudia set up in the basement of Ashley’s mansion.

We climbed the stairs arranged to wind around the trunk, where a slightly wider landing had been created before the door. Opening the door, we entered inside. After setting down our hand luggage, visiting the grave was our first priority.

We passed through the forest path, all heading toward Mother’s tomb. The autumn colors would probably be at their peak a bit later… but they were already starting to show here and there, making it quite beautiful even now.

Seraphina, Balor, and Eclair were flying around, weaving through the trees and chasing each other in the air. Lavigne and Alpha were running after them.

“Don’t go too far and get lost, okay?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Seraphina seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the early autumn forest. Marlene was watching them with delight.

“This place is wonderful whenever I come.”

“Yes, I agree. I like it too. The autumn colors become very beautiful a bit later.”

As Ashley spoke while looking at the forest, Grace nodded happily.

“When we came in summer… the greenery and the lakeside were beautiful too.”

Claudia narrowed her eyes peacefully.

“Must be the season for mushroom picking. Mushroom gathering tomorrow might be nice.”

“That sounds lovely. We might be able to gather materials for magic potions too.”

Rosemary seemed quite enthusiastic. Magic potions, huh? Now that I think about it, I remember Mother saying things like “You can’t eat this mushroom, so don’t pick it,” yet she still collected poisonous mushrooms too… She must have been using the large cauldron in the hidden room to mix magic potions and such.

“Mushroom soup…”

Sheila seemed to be looking forward to mushroom dishes. Sheila was her usual self. Irmhild was smiling as she watched Sheila.

Eventually, we arrived at Mother’s gravesite. A well-maintained clearing with a gravestone enshrined in the center. The previously cheerful atmosphere changed somewhat, becoming serene while still retaining a certain warmth.

“I’m home, Mother.”

Placing the bouquet before the grave, I offered a silent prayer. One by one, everyone quietly offered their silent prayers.

“It’s been a long time. That day, I admired Lady Lisa whom I saw on the ship, and have lived until today with that as my ideal of how royalty and nobility should be. Please rest in peace. I too intend to fulfill my duties as royalty to the best of my ability. Please watch over Verdgar from now on.”

Saying this, Princess Stephania bowed to the gravestone and offered a silent prayer.

…That’s right. Princess Stephania had met Mother too.

“Indeed. This is… a good place, Patricia.”

Old Sigmund said this with a somewhat lonely smile.

“Your magic… brought Theodore-kun to us. It restored our memories. Thank you, Patricia.”

At Valentina’s words, spoken with a smile before she offered her silent prayer, Princess Adriana and Charlotte also seemed deeply moved.

For Princess Adriana, Mother was the person who left behind one half of the magic to解除 the memory seal she was holding. For Charlotte, she was the previous Sealing Shrine Maiden. They must have various feelings toward Mother.

Yeah. Having this many people come… makes me happy, I think. When my eyes met Grace’s by chance, she too returned a gentle smile.