The Mansion Awaits Spring
Chapter 79
Pezin’s expression remained grim, his suspicion of the small vessel lingering. However, April, who was to cross the strait on that very boat, seemed quite pleased that it was just the two of them. Compared to the ship full of police officers she had taken to get here, it was incomparably more comfortable.
“Thanks. I’m off. See you in the Grand Duchy.”
She waved to Pezin from the harbor.
Dressed in white with a matching hat, April tilted her head in confusion when Pezin, hands stuffed in his pockets, failed to return her wave. She called out to him.
“What are you thinking about that you can’t even wave back?”
“…….”
“Pezin?”
“Did you know you look good in white?”
“Where did that come from?”
“I figured you wouldn’t know unless I told you.”
“I didn’t.”
“The night sea suits you, too.”
Pezin let out a dry, incredulous laugh as he looked at April on the boat.
He had seen her so frequently, yet it was only now, as they were parting, that he realized how beautiful she was.
He was reminded once again of how much he loathed the winter sea.
He didn’t want to send April Runos out onto it.
“April.”
“……Yes.”
“You’re pure white, you sparkle, and you’re a bit of a brat.”
April feigned a glare at the added remark, but she couldn’t help but laugh.
Pezin smiled along with her and continued.
“But you’re still pretty decent, April Runos.”
Taking in a deep breath of the night sea air, April replied.
“I think you’re mediocre.”
“Yeah, I expected that answer.”
“But you’re not bad.”
“I’m honored.”
“And I like you a little.”
“…….”
“Just a tiny bit.”
With that, April waved her hand.
Just then, the boat began to move. Pezin stood frozen, unable to respond, and only after the boat had vanished from sight did he cover his face with his hands.
The tension left his body all at once.
For once, the weather was fine.
April knew that sailors didn’t talk about the weather, so she refrained from mentioning it.
She felt strangely light, as if she had dumped all her burdens back in the Empire.
She knew she would likely have to go to prison upon her return, but she didn’t want to ruin the current moment with that thought.
Irsa Joyce was a skilled sailor.
April sat close to Irsa and spent her time handling various tasks as instructed.
As she worked, she learned a few things. She learned that the right side of a ship was called starboard and the left was port, and that ships always carried ballast—water used to make the vessel lighter or heavier, or to balance it from side to side.
Irsa had a loud voice and a strength that matched her powerful lungs.
Once the voyage had stabilized, April brought over two cups of tea brewed in a teapot worn by the sea salt.
As Irsa took a cup, April wrapped her hands around her own.
“I remember my father saying his favorite kind of captain is one who is brave but not reckless.”
“If that’s the kind of captain the shipowner prefers, I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“I meant that you seem like that kind of captain.”
“Oh, a compliment.”
Irsa chuckled and took a long sip of her tea. Then she added,
“But you’re wrong. I’m reckless, too.”
“Are you?”
“Think about it. To sail a Runos family merchant ship these days, being just brave isn’t enough. You have to be reckless.”
“Is that so?”
“Seven years have passed. The only ones who’ve done long voyages are the retired sailors. Lately, every ship has only traveled to the Left Island, because that was enough.”
“Hmm.”
“I want to go further. To the Great Ocean. This is just a strait, not the real sea.”
“You’re right.”
April found herself smiling with genuine pleasure. Then she asked Irsa,
“By the way, aren’t sailors incredibly superstitious? Is it okay to have a witch on board?”
“We are. But everything’s been fine so far, hasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re not a witch.”
“Well, if I’m not a witch, what about the fog?”
“To a sailor, fog has always meant something close to death. It’s always been scary. It’s not especially scarier now.”
April nodded at her nonchalant reply.
“You’re certainly brave.”
“And reckless, I told you. You don’t listen, do you?”
“It’s because I lived alone for seven years. I didn’t have many chances to talk.”
“Well, I’ve got nothing to say to that.”
Both women felt comfortable talking to each other. There was a sense of stability, like friends who had known each other for a long time.
Inwardly, they both knew why they had taken a liking to each other from the start.
A sailor cannot help but like a member of the Runos family, and a Runos cannot help but love a sailor. They admired each other and accepted that fact naturally.
As the Right Island began to appear at the end of the voyage, April asked,
“Where are you going to dock?”
“Lunos Port.”
“I have to go to the Grand Duchy Police Station.”
“No, that young master specifically told me to go to Lunos Port.”
“But nothing’s been resolved yet.”
April muttered, but for now, she had no choice but to trust him and wait to dock.
When Irsa completed the docking quickly and precisely, April spotted Bauman, Hannah, and Fred waiting at the harbor.
Her eyes widened, and she waved her hand toward the three of them.
Having dropped the anchor, Irsa teased her.
“My only crew member is getting lazy. Aren’t you going to help with the boarding?”
“Ah, right.”
April hurried to help Irsa carry a large wooden plank.
She grabbed one end, and the weight was so heavy she felt like her arm might pop out of its socket. Still, they successfully connected the harbor to the ship, and Irsa remarked,
“You’re scrawny, but you’ve got decent strength. I guess you really are a person of the Right Island after all?”
“You’re stating the obvious.”
April replied as she gathered her things.
“Where will you go now?”
“This fishing boat was borrowed from the Left Island, so I have to return it. I’ll have to head back there.”
“And your home?”
“The ship is my home.”
“Then where can I find you?”
“Go to a Port Tavern and ask around. You can find any sailor by asking two people.”
With those words, as soon as April stepped off the boat, Irsa left the harbor without even a goodbye.
The moment April’s feet touched the ground, the children rushed over and hugged her.
“Lady April!”
“I was scared to death…….”
As April listened to the two children take turns chattering about how frightened they had been, she turned to Bauman and asked,
“But what happened? What about the gas bill?”
“That was settled quite suddenly.”
“Suddenly?”
April’s brow furrowed.
“That’s impossible. That gas merchant isn’t the type to back down without getting his money.”
“I thought so as well……. Regardless, you have nothing to worry about. Young Master Pezin made it clear that everything has been resolved.”
As he spoke, both Bauman and April realized at almost the same time how she had been able to return to the estate instead of going to the Grand Duchy Police Headquarters.
Bauman let out a groan and muttered,
“The Young Master paid it himself. The entire bill.”
