26 - Not Your Son, But Your Father
Chapter 26
Lord Procyon was excited, even mentioning another name that referred to the North.
“I see.”
“Aren’t you amazed? The one in the very center of the gate is a real Esmeralda gem.”
The gate, built with stones of a brighter hue than turquoise and adorned with a very large Esmeralda embedded in the mural, was the epitome of luxury.
Setting aside the cost of maintenance and upkeep, the installation costs alone would have been astronomical.
But the North had three more gates like this.
The Ruby Gate in the Northwest.
The Amber Gate in the Northeast.
And the Crystal Gate at the northernmost point.
The four gates built by the first Grand Duke Callakis had become landmarks of the North.
However, no one knew why the first Grand Duke had embedded jewels in the gates.
I glanced up at the Esmeralda Gate. The Esmeralda, decorated in the shape of the sun, was as big as my head.
You wouldn’t be able to get a jewel like that just with money.
“It is fascinating.”
Perhaps my reaction was more lackluster than he had anticipated, as Lord Procyon seemed slightly sulky.
“Oh, it’s not just fascinating! It’s on the path to the center of the North! In such a high-traffic area! There’s a jewel on display! And it’s never been stolen. Isn’t that amazing?”
Along with his excited voice, a cold wind rushed into the carriage.
Brr, it’s cold. Should I put on another coat?
Suddenly, Lord Procyon’s attire, which was no different from what he would wear in the warm capital, caught my eye.
He was even wearing a straw hat that seemed more suitable for a vacation.
A little annoying.
“Lord Procyon, you should close that window.”
“Ugh, then who will I talk to…?”
“It’s cold.”
As if cutting off his words, I slammed the window shut. Even so, I could hear Lord Procyon sniffling from beyond the window.
I lifted Edith’s arm and wrapped it around me like a scarf. Edith didn’t say anything.
The closer we got to the Ducal Palace, the less Edith spoke.
She would answer if asked, but she rarely initiated conversation.
I felt like I knew why, and also like I didn’t.
Soon, the carriage passed through the Esmeralda Gate without slowing down.
I could vaguely see the knights standing at attention with their swords, not moving an inch until the carriage had passed.
The Callakis territory, which encompassed the entire North, was more than half covered in glaciers that never melted, despite its pretty name, Esmeralda.
They say that if you go beyond the Crystal Gate, you can see all sorts of strange fish and wild bears as big as houses.
But not just anyone could enter. That’s where the largest Magical Beast habitat was located.
The Magical Beasts of this continent were few in number, but they were large and strong. There were also quite a few Magical Beasts with troublesome Supernatural powers.
But fortunately, each one was equivalent to a natural disaster, so they were too heavy to easily leave their territory. As long as you didn’t provoke them first.
Outside the Magical Beasts’ territory, in other words, in the human settlements, the environment was relatively decent.
There was at least one large forest, and there were also vast grasslands and granaries suitable for raising livestock, though not abundant.
Although, in the later part of the novel, it all gets devastated.
The Ducal Palace began to come into view little by little.
The old castle, named Cyclamen after the flamboyant flower that blooms in winter, was another pride of the Esmeralda territory.
I waited with excitement for Cyclamen Castle to be fully visible.
How wonderful, magnificent, and antique will the house I’m going to live in be… not.
“Am I dreaming right now…?”
I muttered blankly, completely stunned.
No, it’s supposed to be Cyclamen Castle, right?
If you name it after a flower, shouldn’t it be decorated in a way that makes you think of that flower as soon as you see it?
I heard that when Cyclamen Castle was first completed, the roof was as red as if it had been sprinkled with pollen.
That it was as beautiful as a painting and full of jewel decorations.
But now, uh, I think it should just be called the castle where demons live.
The roof is black, the walls are black, and the ramparts are black.
Cyclamen Ducal Palace, which doesn’t live up to its name at all, was hard to call beautiful or charming, even as a compliment.
I couldn’t accept reality. I turned around and looked back at the Esmeralda Gate, which was already far away.
…If they had put even half the effort they put into that gate into the castle, it wouldn’t have ended up like this.
First of all, all the jewels that decorated Cyclamen Castle seemed to have fallen off.
Also, the exterior of the castle wasn’t just discolored, it was as black as if it had been doused in pitch-black ink.
Haven’t they cleaned the ramparts even once in 500 years? How can a castle named after a flower become like that?
It looks like if you rub it with your palm, stains will come off.
No matter how close the Magical Beasts’ territory is, it would be strange if your aesthetic sense and sensitivity didn’t wither if you lived in a place like this.
Hey, seriously, apologize to the Cyclamen flower.
I understand why Rigen wears a blue blouse, a yellow vest, and green pants.
There’s no animal as easily influenced by its environment as humans, but this is a bit much.
The thought of having to fix that mess as the Grand Duchess made me gasp and sigh.
“Wow, really, wow, really…”
There were so few windows that I wondered if it would be properly ventilated.
I wanted to drag all the Magical Beasts living under the glacier beyond the Crystal Gate and tear it down, but.
Looking at the gloomy ink-colored castle made me feel depressed.
Ah, this is really hopeless. Hopeless…
I missed the Marquess’s Castle in Morgana territory, which sparkled with coral and spring sunshine.
Hoo. Let’s cheer up, Maybia. You can do it.
I quickly scanned the castle and made an estimate.
We definitely need to add more windows, rebuild the spires, completely tear off the roof, and the painting should be done first, right?
And…
…At best, let’s just build a new one. There’s plenty of empty land here, right?
“Edith.”
“….”
“Edith?”
“….”
“Hey.”
Only then did Edith turn to me.
“…Ah, did you call me?”
I waved my fingers in front of her watery eyes, which were full of other thoughts.
How many is this? Are you even focusing right now?
“What are you thinking about so much?”
After a long silence, Edith slowly spoke.
“Just.”
“Just?”
“I’m wondering if it was a good idea to bring milady here.”
Huh?
I don’t know Edith very well. But even I can tell that she’s acting a bit strange.
I put aside the shocking ink prison, no, the Ducal Palace, for a moment and focused on Edith.
“How did you come to think that?”
Edith nodded her head towards the approaching Ducal Palace.
“Doesn’t it seem like you’re heading down a path of hardship?”
So you do know.
“I’ve never seen such an outrageous building. Did a giant octopus Magical Beast appear and spray ink on the castle?”
The shock was so great that I was just saying anything, and suddenly Edith stroked her chin.
She seemed deep in thought.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s hard to guarantee that the interior is any better, so I don’t know how to comfort you.”
“…But why is the gate so shiny and the castle like this?”
“Indeed.”
Hey, that’s not a very sincere answer.
While I was at a loss for words, the castle gate opened and the carriage stopped.
Regardless, I had already completely lowered my expectations.
The harsh cold made my teeth chatter.
As I awkwardly got out of the carriage with Edith’s escort, I heard a cat meowing.
“Meow.”
“Meeeow.”
“Aeong aeong.”
Huh? I reflexively looked down.
Three cats wearing bell-adorned clothes and hats were waddling around at my feet.
Their fur, each a different color, was glossy, and they were all plump. They seemed to be very well cared for.
“Edith, does the Second Prince like cats?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then are they your Familiars?”
“They’re too clumsy to be of any use, even if you gave them to me.”
Who’s raising them?
Anyway, I’m sure it’s not Gilbert.
The cats circled around me, wary of Edith.
A cheese tabby with a body that stretched out like mochi rice cake looked up at me and had a pupil earthquake. Why is it doing that?
Lord Procyon, who had approached stealthily, greeted the tuxedo cat happily.
“Maximus! How have you been?”
I briefly wondered what the current Emperor’s name was.
The tuxedo cat, who had a name that wouldn’t be out of place for royalty, glanced at Lord Procyon.
Apparently, a greeting wasn’t enough, as Lord Procyon reached out and bent down. Then Maximus raised his tail high and hissed.
It was a clear sign that he didn’t want to be held.
“…I’m fine. I’m not, sob, any, hmph.”
I didn’t think he needed my comfort, so I left the wounded Lord Procyon behind and went into the castle.
The first thing that greeted me was a cheese-colored carpet.
No, um, uh.
“Doesn’t this look similar to the color of the cat we saw earlier?”
