On the morning they’d all be heading for Alona, Mina went to Cummel’s official residence to greet him.
“Now then, Your Excellency,” she said, “I’ll be off.”
Despite the early hour, Cummel was properly clad in his official uniform. However, with the warm face of an uncle rather than a strict prefectural governor, he said, “All right. Do me proud.” It was clear that he wasn’t talking about her duties as his representative.
Mina’s face went red when she realized. “I-I didn’t invite Sir Zen for fun... Not at all...”
“You can do a good enough job of being my proxy, and that’ll be fine. All you have to do is flatter the immature, big-headed, attention-seeking prefectural governor and put him in a good mood anyway.” While her uncle was a little exasperated, wondering if she was going to make him say it out loud, he continued. “Instead of focusing on that, it’s much more important to deepen your connection with Sir Zen. Not just for yourself either. It’d be heartening for me if a man as great as him could become your husband and a member of our family.”
“Y-You’re jumping to marriage too quickly, uncle! I’m just a little interested in Sir Zen, that’s all...” she mumbled evasively. It was embarrassing to have to describe her exact feelings for a man to a relative.
However, with a serious expression, her uncle asked, “Supposing it were decided that you two would get married. Would you be opposed? Is it impossible to even consider?”
Being asked such an embarrassing question so bluntly made her squeak internally. “U-Um... I mean, uh... I wouldn’t say I’d be opposed...” No matter how she tried, she couldn’t answer in her normal brisk voice.
However, instead of scolding her, Cummel remained very serious as he nodded. “As your uncle, I was keeping an eye out for who you’d choose to be your partner at the soiree. It was of great interest to me. Since you’ve had no love interests in your life until now, I’d have understood if you’d simply chosen an acquaintance or coworker pragmatically. However, when you said you wanted to ask Sir Zen, I realized that’s what I wanted for you too.”
That was probably why her uncle had cooperated with her to have Zen agree. The travel expenses and such for Elysia and Keel were actually coming out of Cummel’s pocket. If they used the prefectural government office’s funds to cover the expenses for anyone other than Zen, it’d be crossing the line between business and personal affairs. Her uncle, who was firm even with himself, couldn’t let that slide.
“Listen well, Mina,” he said. “When deciding on a husband, the kind of man you should choose is someone you’re not repulsed by and who has more than enough good qualities—like Zen. If you seek a relationship based on love and affection, it won’t last long.”
At Cummel’s thorough advice, Mina was speechless.
He’s a great man who doesn’t act on his emotions, always approaching his work with reason and logic, but...I didn’t think he’d approach even marriage that way. It was kind of funny, but also not.
However, it was precisely because it made sense that her uncle spoke with conviction. “Sir Zen has his own mind and his own circumstances, so I won’t be so absurd as to say you absolutely must have him marry you. But on this trip to Alona, I at least want you to use that chunk of pocket money I gave you to deepen your bond with Sir Zen and his daughter.” Essentially, Cummel was asking if he could expect that much of her.
“Y-Yes, uncle.” She had to answer, even though she still felt a little anxious inside.
I do want to get to know Sir Zen more, though. And I’d rather not create an awkward rift between his daughter and me either. She decided to think that Cummel had said these things as a way of supporting her.
They would travel to Alona via carriage. It was a fine, two-horse carriage with more than enough room for three people to ride comfortably inside. The design itself was fairly spartan since they’d borrowed it from the army, but it had outstanding functionality. The seats themselves were quite cushiony and especially comfortable to ride on. Their butts wouldn’t hurt during their three-day journeys each way. The coachman was also a veteran army civilian.
Mina went to Todd Village in high spirits to pick up the group in person, feeling grateful for her uncle’s consideration and preparations, but they quickly ran into a problem...
“It’s a little too cramped for Keel...” Zen mumbled.
“I apologize... I’d heard he was big, but I didn’t know he was this big...” This was Mina’s first time seeing Keel’s massive size. He was so big that it was honestly funny that the horses weren’t spooked at all. Mina was both surprised and full of remorse. It was her own fault for not checking. It was times like these when she really felt just how much of a militaristic person she was (in short, inconsiderate).
It was probably fine for “knights” in foreign countries to behave this way; however, just like what the official title of “military officers” implied, they were essentially government officials in the empire. It was desired for them to do well in their studies, including social etiquette, in addition to military arts. Mina was getting away with not being good at both only because she was low in the ranks, being located in the countryside. She hadn’t grown at all since Cummel explained that to her.
“What should we do, Keel? Maybe we’ll have you ride on top of the roof?” When Zen asked Keel, the white wolf nodded as if to say, I’ll do that. With a nimbleness you wouldn’t expect from such a large body, he lightly jumped on top of the carriage.
What a smart wolf! It was like he completely understood human speech! She could understand why Zen said he was practically a part of the family.
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Sir Keel!” Mina called an apology to the rooftop like she was speaking to another human.
Keel nodded back to her as if saying, Don’t worry about it. It seemed that, just like his big body, his heart was big too.
Mina then formally exchanged greetings with Zen’s daughter. “I’m Mina Houck, His Excellency Cummel’s guard. Thank you very much for your cooperation and your accompanying us, Madam Elysia.”
“I’m Zen’s daughter, Elysia. Thank you for your invitation to this trip and your kindness, Lady Mina.”
They both deeply bowed their heads before speaking at the same time:
“Please relax a little when speaking with me. You don’t have to call me ‘lady.’”
“It’s much too embarrassing to be called ‘madam’ by such an honorable knight.”
Glancing at each other, they both giggled.
“I’ll call you Miss Elysia, then.”
“And I’ll call you Miss Mina.”
They nodded to each other.
Mina’s first impressions of Elysia were She’s pretty, elegant, and above all else, I feel like she’s a good girl. Just what I’d expect of Sir Zen’s daughter! She really was Zen’s kid all right. (Well, not actually, but Mina didn’t know that.)
Mina smiled as she took Elysia’s hand, and with a bow that knights would use toward a young lady, she escorted the girl into the coach.
Zen also boarded, and he sat together with his daughter on the bench across from Mina.
After Mina had a brief word with the coachman, the carriage swayed as it departed.
“Barring any unexpected delays, we’re set to reach Alona City in three days. The party is in six. If things go as planned, let’s enjoy some sightseeing and treat ourselves while we’re in the city,” Mina said, promptly explaining the details of their upcoming schedule.
This is necessary, of course, she thought. I’m not talking about this because I’m so militaristic that I don’t know how to come up with conversation topics. No one was criticizing her, but she made excuses for herself.
Elysia smiled and listened quietly, but as soon as Mina had finished with all the explanations, she leaned in as if she couldn’t wait.
“I’ve heard from father that you’re a wonderful and reliable female knight. Now that I’ve finally met you in person, I see that you truly are so gallant. When did you decide you wanted to become a knight? Were you aiming to become one since you were a child?” On top of Elysia’s praises, there came a barrage of questions marked by intense curiosity.