Chapter 10 - The Flight of the Marquess's Daughter Ariarein
Early afternoon the following day.
The Marquess's royal capital residence was in a state of extreme uproar.
Even if they were vacating the house, it wasn't as simple as just walking out. There were many things that had to be taken, things that couldn't be left behind, and the preparations of those who were leaving.
Even in this house, where making loud noises was forbidden in the areas where Ariarein was present—starting with the floor containing the study—the situation was now such that those rules could not be kept.
"It seems the final arrangements will be left to you, Stuart."
That study, too, was now empty after the scribes had finished their paperwork.
"Please leave it to me. I handle the organization of documents on a regular basis, after all."
The butler replied with a smile on his aged face, and Ariarein smiled back in turn.
"Sister—Big Sister, the preparations for the servants' wagons are complete."
Kurtfried poked his head through the door and spoke, then hurriedly corrected himself upon seeing the butler.
"You can stay as you usually are, Kurt. It's only us here.
If the preparations are done, tell those who have finished packing to load their things in order."
Replying with a "yes," Kurtfried caught one of the servants walking briskly down the hallway and gave instructions.
"—I'm sure you can hear it, Big Sister, but it's quite a commotion."
"It can't be helped. We're trying to vacate the residence in a day and a half."
Ariarein responded to Kurtfried's words, who had entered the room and closed the door, with an attitude that could be taken as somewhat reckless.
"More importantly, how are the preparations at the Mares Knight Corps?"
"They're having a hard time over there too, though."
Kurtfried replied with a shrug to Ariarein's question.
"They're used to preparing for war. If something happens, they're ready to move out in an hour or two, let alone a day. However, since this time it involves everyone and is on the premise of not returning, it seemed like things were being handled differently."
Ariarein nodded and urged him to continue.
"As of this morning, everything is going smoothly. They said they can vacate and join us as scheduled."
"In that case, we'll proceed as scheduled here as well."
"The young lady's luggage is ready. All that remains is to wait for the rendezvous and depart."
The elderly butler who was standing by announced, and Ariarein nodded once more.
"It's about time to leave this place. I suppose I've conducted my duties here for about two years? I quite liked it."
She let out a small sigh and looked around the room.
"Stuart, this is goodbye to you as well. You have served me well until now."
"I was but an inadequate old man."
To the words of the elderly butler who bowed formally, Ariarein shook her head and said, "No."
"There are many things that could only be done because it was you. Many things. And that will continue, Stuart. I feel bad for leaving only the trouble behind."
The elderly butler kept a serious face but raised one eyebrow. Ariarein knew that was his habit when he was making a joke.
"Cleaning up the aftermath is a servant's job, after all. I am quite used to it."
Kurtfried let out a small chuckle, and Ariarein also wore a smile.
"It is the once-in-a-lifetime blunder of the daughter of the master's house, after all. In that case, Stuart, I'll leave the cleanup to you. That way, I can flee with peace of mind."
"With pleasure, young lady. —Please give my regards to the Lord Marquess."
"I will."
Ariarein stepped forward and wrapped the elderly butler's wrinkled hands in both of hers.
"Stuart, please look after everyone who remains. If anything happens, do not hesitate to rely on His Eminence the Archbishop. I am sure he will be of help. —You too, stay well."
She said only that without looking up, released his hands, and turned her back to the elderly butler.
Ariarein started to open her mouth as if to say something, but she met Kurtfried's eyes and stopped. Only Kurtfried saw her eyes avert slightly.
"—Kurt, let's go."
Kurtfried silently opened the door, and Ariarein left the study.
"Well then, Stuart, stay well."
"Young master, young lady, please, may you be without incident."
While Kurtfried and the elderly butler exchanged brief parting greetings, Ariarein was already walking down the hallway. Kurtfried closed the study door and followed her with quick steps.
*
At the same time, at the Royal Guard training grounds located on the outskirts of the royal capital.
The Mares Knight Corps was enveloped in a quiet tension.
"Preparations for withdrawal are complete. All members are ready to depart at any time, Commander."
A middle-aged knight announced. The knight called Commander, whose hair was streaked with white, nodded in silence.
The two knights looked out over the empty hall from the entrance. The tables and chairs, which were the same as always only in that spot, felt cold instead. On the table, more than twenty daggers were lined up.
"The locks?"
"All of them. Only here and the front of the building remain. My subordinates and I have checked twice."
"Good work."
With a short word of appreciation, the knight called Commander stepped toward the table. With a careful motion, he placed the dagger he held next to the daggers lined up there.
He walked slowly to the entrance of the hall and tapped the shoulder of the middle-aged knight who was waiting.
"Close this place too. We depart. First to the royal capital residence."
"Yes, sir!"
When they stepped out from the front door, horses had already been brought around. The knights who had completed their preparations for departure were waiting. The knights all bore the flag of the Marquess's house and held spears with covers over their tips.
With the help of a groom, the Knight Commander mounted his horse with practiced movements and gave a short command to the lined-up knights.
"Depart. Head to the royal capital residence and rendezvous with the Representative."
He advanced his horse slowly, passing through the ranks of knights to take the lead. Proceeding at that same speed, they soon reached the gate of the training grounds.
To the two gatekeepers who came out wondering what was happening, he announced, "Open the gate."
"Knight Commander of Mares, what on earth is this?"
One of them asked, looking bewildered.
Even if they were to move out by royal order, the custom was usually a few riders at most from a single Knight Corps. For more than twenty knights and their attendants—nearly a hundred in total—to attempt to pass through the gate fully armed was unprecedented.
"We depart by order of our lord. Open the gate."
"No, but..." the gatekeeper started to say under his breath, but he exchanged glances with his partner and ultimately succumbed to the pressure of the Knight Commander and the knights. Between two lightly armed soldiers and nearly a hundred people including fully armed cavalry, there was nothing they could do anyway.
The gatekeepers who opened the gate watched in a daze as the Mares Knight Corps departed leisurely.
"What was that all about?"
After everyone had left, one of the gatekeepers muttered, leaving the gate open as it was.
"Who knows? I've never heard of such a number leaving all at once."
At the words of the other who responded, the gatekeepers looked at each other.
—Had they just seen something incredible?
"Hey, I'll close this up, so you run over to the main building for a bit!"
One said in a panicked manner, and the one spoken to dashed off with barely a reply.
The news of the departure of all members of the Mares Knight Corps was soon conveyed to the Royal Guard Headquarters.
[Author's Note]
It can't be helped because she was exiled (deadpan).
It can't be helped because the Representative was exiled (deadpan).