Chapter 9: Lilac

“Hmm.”

In the guest quarters assigned to visiting nobles.

While the cries of the nobles echoed through the halls—thanks to the brutal training they endured—Isaac was busy choosing what to wear, all by himself.

‘It’s a bit disappointing.’

Since he’d been invited to a dinner hosted by Caldias, it was necessary to dress with a certain formality.

But none of the clothes Isaac had brought seemed like the sort they would appreciate.

‘Maybe I should kill some time writing while I wait.’

He was itching to hold a pen, and his eyes kept drifting toward the manual he’d placed neatly on his desk.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Isaac-nim, I’ve brought it.”

It was Jonathan’s voice from outside.

Inviting him in, Isaac naturally fixed his gaze on the clothes draped over Jonathan’s arm.

“I’ve brought what you asked for, but... are you sure it’s okay to use my clothes? Most of them are training outfits or gear we use for exercises—comfortable for movement, that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, that’s what I needed.”

“Really? Haha! I’m glad I could be of help!”

Jonathan smiled brightly, happy as a child.

Seeing this, Isaac found himself smiling along without realizing it.

‘What a curious fellow.’

He’s as guileless as a child.

Isaac thought he didn’t fit in with Helmut’s knights at all.

“How’s your lodging? Gotten friendly with the others there?”

Isaac asked, rifling through the clothes.

Jonathan responded immediately, as if he’d been waiting for the question.

“They’re all very kind. Maybe it’s because I’m here under the Helmut name? They’re polite, good people. Except the snoring at night is a bit intense.”

“Is that so? That must be annoying.”

“But it’s all right. It’s much easier than training with my seniors!”

“Yeah, I can imagine.”

Back then, he probably barely got any sleep, constantly getting pummeled or forced to stay awake.

“Haha, I’m really glad I was sent here. To be honest, I was worried at first, but Isaac-nim, you’ve been so good to me.”

“What have I done?”

“No, really! I’m so grateful. That’s why I kept my mouth shut when other people complained about the nobles they serve!”

“Is that right?”

Haha, at least this kid is loyal.

“As a Helmut knight, training is important, but so is taking a brief respite like this, right? My seniors must’ve sent me here with that in mind.”

As Isaac listened, his fondness for Jonathan grew.

‘…….’

But suddenly, a strange doubt crossed his mind.

‘The knights of Helmut.’

Isaac basically hates Helmut.

No need to explain that further.

But when it came to the knights of Helmut, it was slightly different.

They were known as the kingdom’s finest knights.

A true knight cannot be recognized solely by skill with a blade.

They must adhere to the code of chivalry—ethical and moral standards.

‘Of course, the direct line of Helmut are practically thugs, but…’

Could the knights be rotten as well?

After all, they serve under Arandel, the head of the house. Would they be so corrupt?

“How about this outfit? I’ve barely worn it.”

“…….”

No matter the reason, it’s unacceptable for knights to bully or ostracize someone.

Especially in Jonathan’s case—what he suffered was so cruel that no excuse could justify it.

However…

A question suddenly arose in Isaac’s mind.

If there was a reason those knights treated Jonathan so harshly, what could it have been?

****

It was the dinner time.

Soft candlelight gently illuminated the dining table, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Due to the northern climate, fermented, salted, or dried foods were common, but—

There were also rich, fatty meats and hot soups prepared, each tempting in its own way.

‘How’s Milli doing?’

Isaac found himself missing Milli, the Helmut cook of his own age, for a moment.

“Sorry to keep you waiting after inviting you.”

At that moment, the master of the house Uldiran, and his only daughter Silverna entered.

Despite Uldiran’s massive build, his footsteps were surprisingly quiet.

“I am Isaac Helmut. Thank you for inviting me to dinner this evening.”

When Isaac greeted them with proper courtesy, Uldiran instead clapped him on the shoulder as if to downplay the formality.

“Alright, let’s eat straight away. I’m hungry.”

“Oh, come on, don’t stand on ceremony,” said Silverna with a mischievous grin.

Isaac understood.

He knew they weren’t the type to fuss over formalities.

Even so, maintaining at least a semblance of formality was crucial for a first impression.

He needed to show them respect in this way.

“Not much, but eat your fill.”

Seated at the head of the long dining table, Uldiran dispensed with any pretense and invited Isaac to dine.

Right from the start, Uldiran grabbed a bone-in piece of meat with his bare hands and tore into it, looking like a barbarian who cared not a whit for manners.

Isaac, in turn, began eating in a similar fashion.

When at the Malidan Outpost, it’s only right to follow their customs.

Seeing this, Uldiran smiled contentedly and asked Isaac:

“Why are you wearing a gambeson? Are you protesting about having a hard day or something?”

A gambeson was the padded garment knights wore under their armor, made of multiple layers of cloth. It prevented the hard armor from chafing the skin.

At Uldiran’s question, Silverna, who was also dining with them, looked over at Isaac.

Wiping his mouth, he answered with a smile:

“This is the front line, isn’t it?”

“Haha.”

“Oh.”

At those words, the corners of the father and daughter’s mouths curled upward.

Even though invited by the Margrave, Isaac had chosen not a formal outfit, but a gambeson that could be armored at a moment’s notice.

It seemed the father and daughter thought highly of that choice.

It was a good call to have borrowed Jonathan’s clothing.

Not having ever worn armor himself, Isaac had no gambeson of his own.

‘Thank you, Jonathan.’

With silent gratitude, Isaac continued the meal.

Their conversation mostly consisted of the father and daughter asking questions and Isaac answering.

“Your encouraging speech today was truly memorable. It felt like you were cheering us on, not just the nobles.”

“It was a personal impression I had. If it seemed rude, I apologize. I only hoped other nobles might share my thoughts.”

“Helmut must feel quite different, eh? Our rough edges must’ve surprised you.”

“Actually, I find it more comfortable. To be honest, back there all that etiquette and protocol felt suffocating.”

“How did you meet Rihanna?”

“I worked as a ferryboat operator. I got to know her while we talked during her crossings, and before I knew it, we were married.”

As the meal went on and the conversation ripened—

“So, you spoke as if you know a lot about Caldias spear techniques.”

Uldiran, as though he’d been itching to ask, eyed Isaac.

After taking a sip of the strong liquor Anna had poured, Isaac nodded.

“I have a broad interest in various martial arts. In particular, Caldias spear techniques always amaze me when I read about them or see them firsthand.”

He paused to catch his breath, then continued:

“Everyone who has learned Caldias spear techniques seems to have a very high ‘minimum standard.’ They are people you can reliably expect to be at least competent.”

“Haha! That’s right. Our spear style is no ordinary technique.”

“You’ve got a good eye.”

As the father and daughter laughed, seemingly satisfied, Isaac smiled wryly to himself.

‘Yes, Caldias’s spear techniques are indeed remarkable.’

That was beyond dispute.

‘But you must change.’

Caldias spear techniques could elevate an ordinary person to greatness.

However.

They must not settle for that alone.

To avoid the death awaiting them in the future—

‘I will help you.’

He would make their spear style several times more magnificent than it was now.

They would no longer be mere common folk.

They were born into a great position,

They must become even greater.

Just like…

Helmut.

****

At daybreak.

Recently, Rihanna had been going through her days somewhat sluggishly.

A haggard appearance and dry, brittle hair.

Though Helmut was seldom plagued by minor ailments, even the attendants worried if she might be ill, as she clearly didn’t look well.

Still, she stepped out of the mansion for personal training.

“Hoo! Hoo!”

“Haaa!”

Some of her siblings were already deep into their training, but strangely enough, Rihanna didn’t feel like holding a sword.

‘This is a first.’

Listless.

That word seemed to describe her current state perfectly.

Perhaps that’s why.

Instead of heading to the training ground, Rihanna deliberately went to the garden.

As she strolled through a rose bed yet to bloom—

“Ah.”

A single purple lilac caught her eye.

At that moment, the fragrant memories steeped in lilac scent welled up in Rihanna’s mind.

It was shortly after the wedding.

[“Riha, come here.”]

An empty garden.

With a playful grin and a finger pressed to his lips, Isaac beckoned her quietly.

[“Look at this—hasn’t it bloomed beautifully?”]

Isaac pointed to the lilac and smiled.

In contrast, Rihanna frowned.

‘What are the gardeners doing?’

She disliked seeing a flower other than roses in the flowerbed and was about to call the gardener immediately, but—

[“I planted it. I asked the gardener to turn a blind eye.”]

‘…You planted this? You did?’

Rihana glared at Isaac, as if demanding what nonsense he was up to.

Facing her gaze, Isaac smirked mischievously.

[“Riha, this is me.”]

‘You?’

[“The lilac blooms earlier than Helmut’s roses and will wither by the time the roses bloom.”]

‘…….’

[“People say I’m a shameless man who managed to marry into a noble family. That I schemed to take advantage of Helmut and live large.”]

Rihana knew this.

While some praised their marriage as romantic, many did not.

[“But Riha.”]

With a gentle smile, Isaac took Rihanna’s hand.

As their hands touched, the wedding ring on her fourth finger brushed softly.

[“Helmut doesn’t matter to me. I married you, and you alone.”]

[“Even if Helmut ceased to exist, I would remain by your side. Like this lilac that blooms alone, even when there are no roses.”]

Slowly, Rihanna turned her head.

Reflected in her eyes, the lilac now felt precious.

‘…….’

At the time, she hadn’t known what to say, so she stayed silent.

Isaac, smiling, had then whispered softly:

[“There’s another secret about the lilac. Curious?”]

‘…Curious.’

With a playful grin, Isaac gestured quietly.

Rihanna, after checking that no one was around, leaned in and offered her ear.

In a secretive hush, as if sharing a clandestine meeting, Isaac whispered:

[“The purple lilac’s meaning is ‘first love.’”]

‘…….’

[“Oh? Riha, are you embarrassed? Are you trying to hide it now?”]

Isaac teased her with a bright laugh.

She remembers that so vividly.

As she reached out longingly—

Isaac’s image vanished,

Only the lone lilac remained, tickling her fingertips.

“Ah.”

Those words.

That smile.

In truth, her heart had pounded so violently she couldn’t speak.

Sensing her plight, the way he’d gently embraced her was sweeter than any floral fragrance.

Nestled in his arms, the small smile she secretly wore made her feel like a young girl again.

And that’s why the warmth that once made her want to cast everything aside now felt so—

“Ah, Isaac.”

—dearly missed.

Her legs lost strength, and she sank to her knees.

She had held it in and held it in,

But before she knew it, tears spilled from her crimson eyes, blurring her vision.

No matter how much she cried,

He had already gone.

Only the solitary lilac remained,

Proof that the time they shared was not a fleeting dream.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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