Chapter 575 – The Lord and the Heir

As for Carter… after coming to the house and explaining the circumstances, he spent a relaxing time drinking tea with Harold and the others while being introduced to Princess Stephania, Elliot, Pietro, and their familiars.

They seemed to start by getting him accustomed to the smaller, less intimidating-looking familiars like Ortona, Ramriya, and Eclair, then gradually moved on to larger or more intimidating ones like Lavigne, Flamia, followed by Corulis and Belius…

“See? They’re gentle.”

“Mmm… you’re right. N-nice to meet you, Belius.”

Cynthia lightly patted Belius while Carter greeted him in a somewhat timid tone. As for Belius, he remained lying down with his chin on the floor, front paws crossed, and moved his head slightly in response. That might have been Belius’s consideration to avoid being intimidating.

Harold and Cynthia… having heard Carter’s story, seemed to have formed a relatively favorable impression of Carter and the others.

The two were already accustomed to the familiars, with Harold feeding ore to Corulis.

“The discussion is finished,” I said to Carter, telling him about the conversations with everyone and what had been discussed with Father and Daryl in the carriage.

I needed to clearly convey that we intended to meet and talk with Carter’s parents, and regardless of the content, we weren’t considering any punishment, so he could feel at ease.

“But… my parents have gone somewhere…”

After hearing my explanation, Carter said this while lowering his eyes.

“I don’t think they’re running away – they probably went to the neighboring town to discuss things. Well, Father might know something about it.”

While we were having that conversation, a carriage carrying Father and the others arrived in front of the house.

“…I’m sorry, Theodore.”

When I went to the entrance to greet Father and the others, Daryl got out of the carriage, ran over, and bowed his head.

“Huh? Why are you apologizing, Daryl?”

“Well… I was the one who went to talk with their parents. About what they think of your current relationship, future matters, and such. So… I think that’s what caused this current commotion.”

I see… From Daryl’s perspective, considering Carter’s demands, he must have realized they were coordinating their stories to protect him. That would make him feel responsible for the current disturbance.

“The fact that it’s become such a commotion means I should have acted more carefully. From your perspective—”

“I don’t find it bothersome at all,” I said, cutting off Daryl’s words.

Daryl’s eyes widened.

“That was something you did after thinking about it as the heir, right? If it were up to me, I probably wouldn’t have done anything. But as I said in the carriage too, I don’t refuse to have conversations itself. So… this might actually be a good opportunity. Thank you, Daryl.”

When I thanked him again, Daryl looked surprised but eventually nodded quietly and closed his eyes.

“Understood. I won’t just regret what’s already happened. I think properly resolving problems that arise is part of a lord’s job—so that’s what I’ll do.”

Saying this, Daryl raised his head with a determined expression. Daryl’s words seemed to resonate with King Melvin, Queen Eldorene, Princess Stephania, and Father who had just emerged from the carriage. King Melvin and the others listened quietly to Daryl’s words.

When you make decisions and act, the situation changes for better or worse. Resolving or mitigating various problems that arise and searching for a resolution where as many people as possible can smile… that’s probably the work of a ruler.

It’s not as easy as saying it, and it comes with heavy responsibility… but it would be presumptuous for me, who keeps my distance from such matters, to comment too much. At the very least, Daryl’s thinking is commendable.

As if switching my thoughts, I turned back to Father. Behind Father—from inside the carriage, the children who were Carter’s companions were peeking out.

“Father, Carter is being protected here. I’d like to explain the circumstances of what I heard from Carter with the other children present too, so please come inside.”

“Right. I also… received consultations from the citizens. Let me share that story as well.”

Otherwise, it would be hard to imagine them coming to hear about it in the carriage.

First, as with Carter, I think the priority is to explain the situation and reassure them.

“Sorry… is it okay to say that?”

“Thank you… probably isn’t right either.”

I explained the circumstances, including the conversation with Carter and everyone, with the children present too.

The citizen children seemed unsure what to say to me. They came intending to apologize, but I had already told them the involved children didn’t need to apologize.

“It’s fine. I understand your feelings.”

When I answered like that, the children looked at each other, then turned back to me and nodded with serious expressions.

“So for these reasons, it would be helpful if you could overlook the escape along with those involved.”

“I understand. The escape was quite skillfully executed, I must say.”

When I said this jokingly, Father responded with a light laugh.

The soldiers too. The opponents aren’t criminals, and if they were criminals, I think they would have been confined somewhere where their condition could be monitored like a prison, so in that case they wouldn’t escape so easily. They’ll probably also consider measures to prevent recurrence if similar incidents happen.

“Now then… let me share what I have to say.”

Father said this with a serious expression after the conversation had reached a natural pause.

“As I mentioned earlier, the citizens came to me wanting to apologize for what they did to Theo and Lisa. Because you… are distant from me. They came to discuss whether it would be acceptable beforehand, concerned that if their actions ended up causing trouble for the county, they wouldn’t be able to take full responsibility… I promised them I would arrange some procedures and preparations after hearing their story.”

…Ah. So that’s why they went to Father.

That makes sense. There are matters involving demons with Father too, so externally we maintain the appearance of being distant.

I’m King Melvin’s direct vassal… if they were to displease a powerful figure who’s on bad terms with the lord, it could easily exceed the scope of what they could take responsibility for.

Seeking the lord’s permission beforehand is understandable and a natural course of action.

But, in that sense… their feelings must already be decided.

“I was speculating that the citizens had gone to the neighboring town to persuade the parties involved.”

“That’s correct. I gave the soldiers searching for the children varying amounts of information because I didn’t want them interfering with the persuasion efforts… but we do properly know their destination. Since the children are now protected, the notification being after the fact can’t be helped in this case.”

Right. The children running away was essentially a miscommunication caused by emotions getting ahead of themselves.

I think Father was quite flustered when problems arose at the last moment, but by the time we met, the protection had been completed. There’s also the dinner preparation, and if they were protected only to escape again, going back and forth between the town and Mother’s house… it does seem quite troublesome.

“Then, about contacting the neighboring town—”

“I already have people working on that. Since you came by airship last time, they might think you haven’t arrived yet.”

Ah. That might be true.

But well, after the conversation in the carriage, the basic path has been set, and since the children are properly protected this time, we can also notify them about my arrival.

After that, it’s just confirming once more whether they’ll meet with me, and the preliminary preparations should be complete.

“I see. Then they might return quite soon. If they’re in a state where they’ve mentally prepared themselves, I’m ready to meet whenever.”

“Understood. I’ll definitely convey those words.”

Father said this and nodded quietly.

I took a light deep breath. I still don’t know what they’ll say or how I’ll respond. At any rate, within a few hours at most, I’ll probably be meeting with them too.