The Second Visit
Three months had passed since Rudell's visit to the Lagrind Dukedom.
And, as is often the case with humans, the memory of his encounter with the princess gradually faded from Rudell's mind.
Thus, on an ordinary Monday morning...
"Haaaaah..."
Rudell opened his eyes with a long yawn.
He blinked and got out of bed.
As he opened the window, the cold air, characteristic of the viscounty, awakened his drowsy mind.
"Ugggh..."
Stretching his body, he smacked his lips and muttered.
"Did I stay up too late again...?"
Recently, he had been staying up late studying magic theory, depriving himself of proper sleep.
Since he had already met the princess, it wouldn't be strange if their paths crossed again...
Just in case the worst happened, he needed to be able to protect himself.
"I'll definitely go to bed early today..."
Making a promise he wouldn't keep, he got out of bed.
"Good morning, Young Master."
"Good morning."
As he got dressed and stepped out into the hallway, the maids who were cleaning bowed their heads.
Nodding in response, Rudell walked downstairs.
"Where are Mother and Father?"
"They're waiting inside."
Nodding at the maid's reply, Rudell approached the door in front of him and opened it.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, my son."
"Come in."
His parents, Carlos Weinstein and Maria Weinstein, greeted Rudell as he entered.
With steady footsteps, he took a seat between them.
"Rudell, don't you have anything to say to your mother?"
"W-Well, I don't think so...?"
When Maria asked him as he sat down, Rudell pretended not to know and looked away.
At the same time, Maria reached out and pinched Rudell's cheek.
"Ouch! Mom! That hurts!"
"Didn't I tell you not to lie? I saw light coming from your room late at night."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch...!!"
Rudell couldn't say anything in response.
"Learning magic is certainly important, but getting enough sleep is just as crucial."
"Yes, Father."
"Well, you shouldn't stay up late doing your strange experiments either."
"Ahem!"
Embarrassed by Maria's sharp words, Carlos coughed awkwardly.
Looking at him, Maria let out a short sigh, as if to say he was hopeless.
"Honestly, I don't understand why all the men in our family get so absorbed in something that they lose track of time."
"M-My dear, why don't we have breakfast first?"
As if sensing that Maria's nagging would continue, Carlos changed the subject.
At the same time, the dining room door opened and the maids brought in a cart laden with breakfast.
Appetizing salads, soups, and bread were placed on their table, and as soon as the cutlery was set, they began their breakfast.
With the clatter of silverware and light chatter, the Weinstein family enjoyed a peaceful breakfast.
As they were finishing their meal and continuing their conversation over coffee and tea...
"Viscount, sir!!"
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed through the room, and the dining room door burst open as a man rushed in with a panicked expression.
A large man in a neat uniform.
He was Keston, the captain of the guards in charge of the mansion's security.
"Keston? What's going on?"
Startled by the sudden intrusion, the Weinstein family, including Carlos, looked at Keston.
"Please forgive my rudeness! I have urgent news!!"
"Urgent news?"
As Keston, who had been catching his breath, bowed his head, Carlos narrowed his eyes and asked.
What news could be so urgent that he was acting so frantically?
Rudell, watching the scene from the side, wondered the same thing as he waited for Keston's next words...
"People from the Lagrind Dukedom are here looking for the Young Master!"
As soon as he shouted, a commotion could be heard from outside the window.
* * *
A short while later.
Inside the carriage heading towards the Lagrind Dukedom.
"..."
"..."
Rudell was startled by the carriage's jolt and quickly regained his balance.
Sitting opposite him were two knights clad in thick armor bearing the Dukedom's insignia.
"Ugh..."
Rudell let out a low groan as he met their gazes, which seemed to pierce him with their intensity.
What on earth was going on?
No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't understand the situation he was in.
"E-Excuse me..."
Swallowing his dry saliva, Rudell cautiously spoke to the knights.
"..."
"Never mind..."
However, intimidated by the knights' menacing presence, Rudell trailed off and averted his gaze.
'I want to go home...'
Thinking this with all his heart, Rudell looked out the window.
If there was anything that would warrant the Dukedom searching for him, it must be related to the Dukedom's princess, Leje El Lagrind.
After all, she was the only person from the Dukedom he had any connection with.
Then the question became, 'Why?'
Did he commit some kind of blunder?
Or was there some misunderstanding?
Rudell continued to recall his memories and pondered for a long time, but no clear answer came to mind.
Meanwhile, the carriage passed through familiar paths and headed towards the city on the vast plains.
Passing through the gates, the carriage traveled along a familiar road and arrived at the Dukedom's mansion...
"Sigh..."
To think he would come here twice.
With a short sigh and thoughts about the unpredictable nature of life, Rudell stepped out of the carriage.
Just then.
"You've arrived. We've been waiting for you."
A woman approached him, bowing her head in greeting.
Neatly tied-up black hair and a maid's uniform.
A woman with striking ruby-red eyes and glasses perched on her nose.
It was Alma, the head maid of the Dukedom.
"H-Hello...?"
"This way, please. The Lady is waiting for you."
As Rudell gave an awkward greeting, Alma started walking.
"W-Wait a moment!"
"What is it?"
Alma turned her head at Rudell's urgent call.
"Well... I haven't been told anything. What exactly is going on...?"
Rudell asked cautiously, glancing around.
What he needed right now was an explanation of the situation.
"What? You haven't heard from them?"
"No..."
As Rudell nodded in response, Alma shot a sharp glare at the knights.
The knights flinched and avoided her gaze.
"You... Did you not explain anything to him?"
"W-We were only ordered to bring the Young Master of the Weinstein Viscounty!"
"Sigh..."
Looking at the flustered knights, Alma placed her hand on her forehead as if she had a headache.
Then, with a short sigh, she spoke.
"It seems there has been a misunderstanding. I apologize on behalf of their rudeness, Young Master Weinstein."
"Huh? Oh... Yes..."
Rudell was taken aback by Alma's actions.
Frankly, he hadn't expected the head maid of the Dukedom to apologize so readily.
"I'll explain everything on the way. Please, this way..."
"Oh, yes!!"
Alma started walking again.
Rudell followed behind her.
As Rudell walked through the empty hallway following Alma...
"The reason we brought you here, Young Master, is that the Lady wishes to see you."
"Yes...?"
Rudell's voice was filled with bewilderment.
What did she just say?
The princess herself wants to see me?
'But why?'
Rudell's mind was in turmoil, unable to grasp the situation...
"First of all, please forgive the rudeness of our people..."
"No, that's..."
It's not the time to worry about forgiveness or anything like that.
Those words almost escaped his lips, but Rudell wasn't foolish enough to blurt them out.
"We're here."
Alma stopped walking, and a large door with antique decorations appeared before them.
"Please refrain from any disrespectful behavior towards the Lady."
"Oh, I understand...!!"
The princess of the Lagrind Dukedom, one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom.
Anyone who dared to be rude to such a formidable figure would surely be suicidal.
With that thought, Rudell replied, and Alma nodded, opening the large door.
"Wow..."
A large garden adorned with all sorts of colorful flowers.
Rudell, forgetting the situation he was in, let out a gasp of admiration.
And then...
"What do you think? Isn't it amazing? I bet there's no place in the kingdom with a garden as well-maintained as ours, except for the royal palace."
Rudell turned his head towards the voice that came from beside him.
And there, he saw a girl with a mischievous smile looking at him.
"%()#*%)!#*)%*@)$#(@_)(%"
"Ahahahaha! What was that scream? You're so funny!!"
An indescribable scream escaped his lips, and the princess burst into laughter.
"Lady, please maintain your composure."
"Alright, alright."
Alma, who had been watching them, let out a short sigh and spoke, and the princess nodded, clearing her throat with a cough.
And then...
"Nice to meet you, Rudellheit Weinstein. I am Leje El Lagrind, the princess of the Lagrind Dukedom."
With an elegant gesture, the princess lifted her skirt slightly and bowed to him.
Then, slowly raising her head, she spoke with her blue eyes sparkling.
"This is our second time meeting, isn't it?"
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