The night before our departure turned out to be very short and hectic, not only for me but for everyone else in the manor as well.

Matheo, in particular, had to cook for twice as many people as usual.

Now that I think about it, I wonder what they ate on their way here.

It was decided that Syrus would be the one to accompany me, while Maa would stay at the manor and look after things until a replacement arrived, which she estimated would take three to four weeks.

My package was completed in no time; after all, I didn't have much to pack, just a few sets of clothes.

After dinner, which I must say was the first time I shared with a member of my family, I asked Maa if I could go to the library one last time before we left to find a book to read on the road, and she agreed.

As soon as I got her okay, I headed for the forest instead of the library.

It was confirmed that I would be gone for at least three months, regardless of how this whole thing ended.

I couldn't leave Martha and Olga in their usual hiding place for that long, so I decided to return them to where I first found them: the secret room.

With the new moon, twilight provides the perfect cover. It's never been easier to escape the manor.

This is the first time I've gone into the woods this late at night. I usually return to the manor as soon as the sun begins to set.

I quickly reached the barrier and witnessed something that can only be described as breathtaking.

The barrier was illuminated with blue, red, yellow, green, and orange lights that shifted and changed shape gently, like softly blowing curtains.

I placed my hands on the barrier, as I did every day.

I've been going into this forest on a regular basis for almost two years, and I've never seen anything like this happen.

This wasn't in the books either, and I doubt a book could capture the beauty of what I'm seeing right now.

"This must be a nighttime phenomenon, or perhaps only on a new moon."

After a few moments of thought, I went to finish what I had come here to do in the first place.

It took me less than a minute to reach the hiding spot because it wasn't far from the forest.

That happened after I put on my backpack.

A strange sound came from deep within the forest, sounding like a perfect blend of a long growl and a snake hissing noise.

My brain was unable to muster a logical response to the noise, but my legs did.

I dashed to the barrier as soon as I heard the sound. This time, I didn't pay any attention to the lovely display provided by the barrier.

I sped through it and ran straight to the manor, never looking back.

❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀

We left the manor, right after breakfast.

According to Lord Emilien, we should arrive in the Duchy's main city in three days.

Our carriage procession was made up of three-lined carriages.

Lord Emilien and I were the only ones in the middle carriage, with Syrus in the carriage behind us.

Our seats were facing each other, and next to both of us was a tray full of different types of fruits.

To pass the time, I attempted to read a book that I had brought with me and discovered something strange about myself.

The problem is that I can't concentrate on a book when someone is staring at me.

I could feel Lord Emilien's gaze on me when I had my head down trying to read.

I knew it wasn't his fault; after all, there wasn't much else to do inside this carriage.

After several hours of futile attempts to adapt to the hostile environment in which I was forced to read. I decided to abandon the idea of reading a book.

Instead, I decided to engage Lord Emilien in a staring contest.

Just kidding.

I just sat there, sweeping my gaze around aimlessly.

Lord Emilien decided to break the ice, surely because he sensed my boredom.

"Boy, the road ahead is still long; let's talk a little to pass the time. Everything happened so quickly that we didn't have much time to get to know each other. Don't be shy, boy, I'm sure you have a lot to ask. " Lord Emilien said this as he shifted his posture to a cross-leg over-the-knee position. "Feel free to ask your questions."

question, huh? I sure do have a lot of them.

"It's about this journey; I've just gone with the flow, but I'm not even sure of what exactly we're going to do. I do know that we’re going to the Beaumont main city, but what exactly are we going to do once we get there? "

"Ooh, that. It's true that I barely mentioned anything about it. It's quite simple. We're on our way to the duchy's capital. Once we arrive, you'll live in my castle until your great-grandfather arrives in three months. "

When Maa was packing my belongings yesterday, I asked her everything she could tell me about Lord Emilien.

It goes like this:

There are five great noble houses in the Beaumont Duchy.

Each of these five great noble families has immense power within the duchy, and each of these families actively contributes to the duchy's prosperity.

As evidence of their majesty, each of these five great families owns a castle scattered throughout the city.

These are the five families:

The Aubrechts: the duchy's ruling family, led by Charle Aubrecht, my grandfather. Their castle was right in the middle of town.

The Bartolomeos: Their castle is located on the city's northwestern outskirts, and their family is involved in anything related to forging and smithing.

The Laurences: Their castle is located in the west, and they are involved in cattle raising and agriculture.

The Fauchers: Their castle is located in the city's east part, and they were in charge of all trade and other matters.

And the Edouards: They were led by Lord Emilien Edouard. The Edouard family's activities were entirely devoted to medicine. They own every hospital center throughout the Duchy. And now we're on our way to their castle, which is located in the city's south.

In terms of my family ties with Lord Emilien, he introduced himself as my grandfather, but the truth is that he is more of a granduncle.

He is the older brother of my grandmother, the current Duchess of Beaumont.

He and my great-grandfather were both well-known for having a soft spot for my father.

This must be why even Maa and Syrus believe that my great-grandfather would accept me as Lord Emilien did.

If the four of them believe he will accept, I guess it must be true.

In any case, it's pointless to question their decision now that the dice have been rolled.

"Does living in your castle mean living or hiding?" I wondered aloud.

I've been thinking about it since yesterday. If the goal was to introduce me to my grandfather, I guess I'll have to stay hidden for the next three months.

"You won't have to hide in my castle, but you won't be able to move around the city as freely as I do. But you won't have to hide inside my castle. There you'll be Ronandt—just Ronandt—the son of a friend of mine, whose dream is to meet the great Armand Aubrecht, one of the seven holy paladins. Understood?"

"Yes, I understand."

"If anyone insists on knowing your identity, Don't respond; just tell me his name. I'll be glad to show him that, despite the fact that our family is mostly made up of doctors, we are not to be trifled with. " He said ardently.

Hearing him say that was strangely reassuring and heartwarming.

"Okay," I said, giving him a thumbs up.

"Anything else?"

Well, I do have another thing to ask.

"Am I normal?"

"Normal? What do you mean? "

"I mean, you said yesterday that I was born of a commoner and a noble, and that it had never happened before, so what about if there is something different about me from the other nobles?"

"According to Mathilda, you're quite normal, and you look exactly like a noble at your age. However, based on what I've heard and seen, you've grown at a slightly faster rate."

Is Lord Emilien of the opinion that it is because I was born from both my mother and father?"

"Who knows? Personally, I believe you should not give it much thought. As far as I'm concerned, you're a true noble through and through, as much as I am and your father is. " After a short pause, he added, "And, it’s Grandpa or Grandfather for you, Boy."

"Thanks."

"What are you thanking me for?" Is that all you wanted to ask?"

"No, actually, I have another question—no, it's more of a demonstration that I'd like from Grandpa."

"A demonstration?"

"Yes. You know how to use magic, don't you? "

"Well, of course, yes."

"Can you then show me what you can do with it?"

"You want me to demonstrate my magical abilities to you?"

"Yes, if possible, I would appreciate it if my dear grandfather could also clearly explain and feel how he does it." All these years, all I've done is read books about magic; this is my first chance to see what it truly looks like. "

"I thought Mathilda was exaggerating when she said that living alone in the manor without anyone your age had turned you into a complete nerd and bookworm, but it appears I was wrong."

"She said that?"

So, I guess she's not entirely wrong after all.

"Yes, and as for your demonstration, I can certainly do that."

Something strange began to happen in the carriage as soon as his sentence ended.

The fruits in the tray were now dangling in the air in an unnatural manner.

Before I knew it, my body was floating in the same manner as the fruits.

I wasn't flying very high because the carriage ceiling wasn't very high, but it was still impressive.

My body was suddenly turned upside down.

"This is the only thing I can do here that isn't unsafe." So, how is it going? " Impressed? Aren't you? " In a proud tone, he asked.

"Ah, yes, this is very impressive," I said, my head still turned upside down.

"You don't seem to mind having your head turned upside down, do you?"

"No, not at all. In some ways, I'd even say it's quite amusing. "

If this had happened two years ago, I might have been bothered, but having the head upside down has now become as commonplace as walking.

"How far can Grandfather do this?" I inquired.

"I can do that in a 5m area; it's not very impressive compared to other nobles in my ranks, but I'm catching up elsewhere." As he said this, he gently flipped me back into my seat.

" Elsewhere?"

"I have a very special magic." I can't use it right now, but as soon as we arrive at my castle, I'm sure you'll be able to see it. "

"I'm looking forward to seeing that."