Ch#116
The road from Duke Kailun's territory to Marquis Ragselb's territory wasn't particularly difficult.
For one, the two territories were quite close together, and since it was a heavily trafficked area, the roads were very well-maintained.
Wide, sturdy roads, and even markets and villages formed along the sides due to the many travelers.
"Wow! Look over there!"
Whenever Evi pointed in amazement, Elishia moved toward it even before Ruska could pull the reins.
"Elishia, you're really smart."
Evi stroked Elishia's mane in wonder, and Elishia neighed happily in response.
Watching that, Ruska thought it was something else.
Horses were animals that drove people mad in proportion to their intelligence.
Especially a horse like Elishia—she chose her own rider.
When she first saw Marquis Ragselb, Elishia had rubbed against him as if urging him to ride.
But when she faced his four sons, she had scoffed with an expression that clearly said, 'You lot?'
Realizing the horse was genuinely sneering at them, the four brothers had competed ever since to be the first to mount her.
Naturally, Elishia kicked and bit them away.
"Doesn't it feel like Elishia is glaring at us like 'How dare filthy humans?'"
"Yeah... exactly."
Anyway, after six months of hardship, the brothers finally succeeded in riding her.
In truth, it seemed half due to the apples they brought daily, which made Elishia permit it.
Still, she was gentle with those she acknowledged, so he had brought her just in case.
'Somehow... she seems more excited than when I ride alone?'
Elishia had immediately nuzzled Evi upon seeing her and acted affectionately.
Arsel and even Duke Kailun had watched in surprise.
They both knew Elishia's temperament well.
'Elishia doesn't act rough toward small, weak opponents, but that's the extent of it...'
Suddenly, he recalled someone from long ago whom animals particularly followed.
Lilian.
Dogs that had barked ferociously stopped and wagged their tails when she passed, and birds that never approached people fluttered around her, hoping for scraps.
At first, he thought she just fed them well, but realizing even mountain beasts were friendly toward her proved otherwise.
Ruska pondered for a moment before asking Evi,
"Evi, do animals follow you well? Like sparrows trailing you without food?"
Evi's eyes widened as if wondering how he knew.
"Yes. Birds come close too. So the Poorhouse kids wanted to catch pigeons to eat, but the director said no. She said eating wild mountain things is dangerous."
"Uh, uh... yeah..."
It was a different example than he'd imagined, but it seemed clear animals followed her.
'Not just beasts.'
Ruska thought of Arsel.
He was friends with him since childhood, so they got along, but Arsel was never comfortable with others.
Excluding Lilian, there was no one.
No, now Evi had been added to that list.
"Evi."
"Yes?"
"You said before the Poorhouse, you lived at an inn."
"Yeees..."
At the mention of the inn, Evi's face fell. It hurt to see, but Ruska pressed on.
"Do you remember where it was? Or anything distinctive nearby?"
"I don't know where. I never asked the director... Oh, but there was something amazing near the inn."
"What?"
"There was a forest next to the inn with a spring of warm water even in winter. So in winter, we washed and drank there."
"A forest with a hot spring..."
'I need to check the military maps as soon as I get back.'
Springs that didn't freeze in winter were marked on special maps, even small ones, due to their wartime importance.
He didn't say it, but Ruska knew where to start looking.
The territory where Lilian died, and the surroundings first.
It might be nonsense, but it felt like it could help someday.
* * *
To avoid burdening Evi on her first horse ride, they switched her to the carriage midway, and Ruska galloped excitedly toward the marquisate.
'My brothers are waiting too.'
When he said Evi was coming, hadn't his brothers' eyes sparkled as much as his?
"A seven-year-old girl?"
"Small and cute?"
"Let's ditch Ruska and make her our little sister."
He'd protested their family meeting conclusion, but at least his brothers seemed happy to welcome her.
'Father even brought Elishia.'
Ruska hummed as he kept riding.
Irene had bought her pretty things, and Arsel had taught her instruments, studied, and played.
'Heh, think I can't keep up.'
Ruska was confident. By the end of this week, Evi would say her time in Marquis Ragselb's territory was the most fun.
'I'll play things you two couldn't even dream of with Evi! Haha!'
So full of himself, he entered Marquis Ragselb's territory.
Spotting the mansion in the distance, Ruska sped up excitedly.
But he stopped upon seeing an unfamiliar carriage in front.
"What's this, who..."
Then, as if waiting, the carriage door opened, and someone jumped out without the coachman's escort, pointing at him accusingly.
"Hey! Why are you so late!"
At the voice, Evi poked her head out from the carriage.
"Huh? Irene? Is that Irene?"
Recognizing the voice, Evi looked at her, and Irene ran over with the world's brightest smile.
"Eviiii!"
"It's really Irene! Irene!"
Evi got out of the carriage and jumped into Irene's arms as always.
It had only been a week apart, but it was as touching as a family reunion after forced separation.
Of course, Ruska couldn't watch warmly.
"Why are you at my house?"
"Well, I missed our Evi, so I came. I couldn't stand it."
Answering, Irene rubbed her face against Evi's cheek.
"Then go when she was at Arsel's!"
Irene looked at Ruska as if he were an idiot.
"But Arsel is scary."
"What? So I'm easy then!"
"You know it well?"
"Hey!"
Ignoring Ruska's shout, Irene pulled something from her pocket.
"If I had to give a reason, it's to deliver this, so welcome your guest properly. Ruska Ragselb."
"Ugh, that... but what's that?"
Grumbling but curious about the letter, Ruska approached to look.
"It's from Professor Males. Inviting Evi, you, me, and Arsel to the God's Natural Numbers gathering. The day before we return to the Genius Academy."
"Really? All of us?"
"Yes."
Irene handed him the invitation with his name from the envelope.
"See. Your name."
"Wow, it's real! A real God's Natural Numbers meeting! They're giving us all brooches too. Says cute juniors are waiting, and lots of snacks!"
"The last part's the best one."
Irene pinched Evi's cheek while watching Ruska light up at 'snacks.'
"Anyway, Ruska, you won't get alone time with Evi. I'm staying here a week too. Delivering the letter tired me out, so resting a week is natural, right? Hohoho!"
"What? Unfair! Why only me!"
Ignoring Ruska's protests, Irene ordered her maid to unload the luggage.
Then Evi, looking at her own invitation, muttered,
"It'd be fun if Arsel came too..."
At that, Irene and Ruska exchanged glances.
After a moment, they nodded at each other.
No words needed; they felt the same.
Down with Arsel Kailun!
How much fun did he have in just a week to make her so wistful?
As the two resolved to outdo him no matter what, hoofbeats approached from behind.
Turning, Ruska waved happily.
"Huh? Eric hyung!"
It was Eric Ragselb, the second son of the Ragselb family.
Approaching, he dismounted upon seeing Evi and Irene, smiling brightly and greeting them.
"Hello. I'm Eric Ragselb, second son of the Ragselb family. It's an honor to meet such cute and beautiful young ladies."
He politely kissed the backs of Evi and Irene's hands.
"Urk."
Watching, Ruska retched as if last week's soup was coming up.
Though called muscleheads, among the four brothers, Eric was the one especially cheesy with women.
'Who even likes that cringe stuff...'
Ruska couldn't fathom Eric's popularity.
But a few hours later.
* * *
"Eric oppa!"
"Eric oppa! This, this!"
Watching Evi and Irene cling to his brother calling him 'oppa,' Ruska felt existential dread.
What is this...?
