Chapter 9

Imperfectum

Lansius

The rainfall poured heavily. I looked outside and saw the ditches turned into a water canal. Some sections even formed a crude-looking irrigation system.

It would be considered a great success if it was designed to do so. Sadly, it wasn’t, but somehow people were praising me for it.

I had refused to accept the credit because it was just a happy coincidence. However, some people thought that I’m just being humble. Sometimes, this kind of thing happened.

Not a bad thing, but still, I don't feel like earning it.

The rain stopped around midday.

After finishing with the letters and planning for this season, I'm scheduled for a ride. The horses were restless after spending winter in the stable. It was my responsibility to take them out.

Today, I decided to visit Hugo. He was stationed at a mansion on the eastern side of town.

As the Marshall, he had accommodation in the castle, but it was very limited and without a proper fireplace. The same happened to Calub.

Their rooms were unsuited for wintering. At that time, they had said not to bother with that, they planned to sleep at the Great Hall. However, I didn’t want my colleagues to suffer.

Turned out that Korelia's Lord possessed a mansion.

The eastern mansion was old but had fifteen rooms, not including places for servants and guards. Before winter I had decided that Hugo and Calub would spend wintering in there along with their staff.

I reasoned that the castle would be overcrowded during winter with thirty staff, a dozen or so retainers, and a number of guards. So, comfort and personal space would be a challenge.

Also, access in and out of the castle may be impeded by heavy snow. From the mansion, Calub could reach the workshops easily. At least that should lessen his trouble.

However, I heard that Calub ended up sleeping at the workshop. The guy was such a workaholic.

My plan allowed more freedom for Hugo and his staff. They could socialize with the townsfolk. At least in between winter storms and heavy snowfall.

It worked in reverse too. Without Hugo, the castle staff could relax a bit since he was the stern one.

The high rankings left in the castle were Thomson and Audrey. Both could overlook small cases and avoid dispiriting the staff.

Winter was the most harrowing season of the year. So, I'm taking precautions where I could.

About Audrey, I had offered her to stay in the mansion, thinking maybe she wanted some freedom. But she didn’t seem to mind living in the castle.

When asked, she said that the castle’s cook was better.

The gluttony was strong in that one.

…

Our horses trotted along in the cobbled stone. It was a comfortable fifteen minutes ride.

All around us, the trees and wildflowers were blossoming. Spring had truly begun.

The earthen smell from the rainfall an hour ago, the lush scenery, and the whiffs of floral scents made the trip refreshing.

The rider in front galloped to the mansion’s gate, informing our comings. The men stationed there looked shocked while hurriedly pulling the iron bars gate.

I saw hints of fear in their eyes.

It seemed that Hugo was still too strict on his guys.

Despite his carefree attitude and boyish looks, the Marshall was rather dictatorial to the grunts.

Perhaps, I need to tell him more about the Art of War.

It had been a while since the last time I lectured him about wars.

While reminiscing about Anci and Hugo, I noticed a few silhouettes moving around the mansion's courtyard.

As we came closer, four young women hurriedly leave the courtyard. Soon there were more. Another pair and then another.

Now there were eleven women in total. All dressed up in rather colorful clothing, unlike the townsfolk's normal attire.

As I rode past, they stood on the sidewalk with uneasy faces.

I snickered to myself. “Halt,” I commanded.

The three riders in front stopped. The women seemed troubled, but I disregard them for now.

“Thomson, I’m thinking to visit the town's plaza first. Then we’ll return to the castle. What do you say about it?”

“An excellent idea, My Lord." Thomson grinned. He too seemed to understand the situation.

“Ladies, how’s the master of the house doing?" I asked the ladies to ease the tension and satisfy my curiosity.

Blushing and giggling, they muttered only words of praise.

Then a girl took a step forward, bowed, and spoke, “My Lord, while it is true that the master of the mansion is the one who invited us, we weren’t meant for him.”

“Then for the staff?” I asked casually.

“Indeed, My Lord.”

“The master of the mansion already had someone as a fiancée," someone else said and then they giggled in unison.

I chuckled. Then without making a scene, we turned around and left the mansion.

***

Lansius, Council Chamber

“My Lord, please. It’s a misunderstanding, I didn’t hold such a party.”

“I already said I believed you, Hugo." I chuckled.

Despite my assurances, he thought that I had meted out my judgment.

“Mercy, My Lord! I thought that I need to alleviate the men’s ‘needs’. Last winter, they long so much for their families and it’s becoming unsightly.”

“You should arrange for them to be sent home," I said without thinking.

“B-but, My Lord, please forgive us," Hugo said half-howling with sadness.

“Eh? No, you misunderstood me. I meant that you should fix their rotation schedule, so more people can go home," I clarified my intention.

“My Lord, that’s… a truly generous and brilliant idea.”

“Then do it. While I didn’t see anything worth condemnation, next time try to avoid the risk of sexual diseases.”

“My Lord, I’m assured that they’re clean.”

“Hah! Of course, you are. I’m sure you personally checked every one of them.” Audrey butted in mischievously.

“No, I didn’t. Never,” Hugo said, half pleading.

Probably his biggest fear was of this incident to be reported to his squire brother, Anci. Who in turn would troll him to death for such a mistake.

“Anyway, Goh. I heard you got a fiancée." Audrey came at him again.

“A would-be fiancée." Hugo corrected her.

“So, when will you let me meet her?” She seemed overly happy at the prospect.

“Soon…”

“So, who’s the father? I’m sure Lans-, I mean My Lord will want to know?”

“Of course, I meant to ask, My Lord for permission," Hugo said to Audrey.

He then faced me and spoke, “Dame Lucielle is from a baronet family. She lost his father last year from old age. Sir Callahan sent me a letter, persuading me to meet her since he’s still the girl’s uncle a few times removed.”

A baronet family, huh? That’s quite a catch. I must remember to thank Sir Callahan for his help.

“Is she pretty with a hot body?” Audrey pushed on before I could say anything.

It was quite the experience seeing her asking for another woman this way. Hugo looked at me for some reason and I shrugged.

“Well… she's good enough for me. Her family estate is quite large and would be in ruins if someone incapable is at the helm.”

“Goh, don’t marry because of money or sympathy," I warned him.

Many lower nobility estates in the surrounding area had vast manorial land but without the necessary capital to build it. Many fell into hardships after exhausting their savings.

“Your words would be in my mind, My Lord.”

“That clear, then invite her here at your convenience. But Hugo, we’ll get into war soon. Are you sure to wed her?”

It was a risky move, especially for the female side.

“I thanked you for the insight, My Lord. I’ll think this over.”

“Better to discuss it with her. We still got free time because of the frequent rain. Adjust the rotation schedule first and then you can invite her here." I finalized the order.

“My deepest gratitude, My Lord.” The Marshall then left with his head straight.

The door closed softly.

“I don't realize that you're that thoughtful," Audrey commented while standing behind her chair and leaning into it.

There were only the two of us in the council chamber.

“Oh yeah? And what exactly do you mean by that?”

“Nothing. Nothing much," she replied playfully. The chair she leaned into rocked slightly.

“So… how about us together tonight?" I shot my ace.

“Gaah...! Noo, Lans. How nasty of you to bring that up again?” Audrey ran from the chamber, leaving me in tears from laughing.

Because of my stupidity, Audrey proceeded to avoid me for two days.

I must resist my troll appetite; otherwise, this will put harm to our already complicated relationship.

***

Calub's House

“Please master, at least you need to take a rest and a bath.”

The alchemist laughed at Oscar's remark. “Am I that smelly, Oscar?”

“You’re not, master. But the place gives quite a bad stench.”

“Ok then, could you set a bath for me?”

That settled, the assistant returned upstairs to prepare a bath.

Calub had been living in the house next to the workshop through the winter. It was the people in the workshop who recommended the house to him.

The empty house was owned by a shepherd-turned merchant. The man gladly sold his old house for more capital.

It wasn’t big but had two stories, an attic, and also a cellar. Calub paid quite an amount of money for the purchase, but he deemed it well worth it.

As usual, he built an alchemy lab in the underground cellar.

At first, he lived alone with just Oscar, his assistant. Later on, he grew fond of some of the orphaned young kids at the workshops. He brought them home and let them have the whole second floor and attic.

One of the brightest kids was Timmy who excels in maintaining the house. The kid was unnaturally observant and meticulous with tools.

The other one who caught his attention was Tia. She walked with a limp, but she was good at many chores and her cooking was superb.

The two and Oscar took care of the house for him, while there were accidents and mishaps, but mostly they were doing fine.

That freed Calub to do his experiments to his heart’s content.

Knocking was heard on the door.

“A moment, Oscar, I’ll be right up.”

The door creaked open.

“Really, in a basement again?”

A female voice surprised Calub who turned around to see the speaker. “Hannei!" he shouted much to the girls’ delight.

“How are you old buddy?" the blonde asked while descending the stairs.

“Why are you here? I’m fine. I may even gain some weight." He grinned as he patted his tummy.

“I’m here to visit... But honestly, I heard your job is some high-ranking officer, but." She glanced at the basement.

The man laughed. “Let me show you my office in the castle then.”

“Haha, I’m just joking. You seemed busy, Calub. I can come back later you know?”

“What are you talking about? I’m just experimenting with some small stuff. Just lemme get a quick shower then I’ll guide you to the castle. I bet you want to meet Lansius as well.”

“Not really. Actually, never mind the castle. Let’s just get some nice food in town.”

“That’s good too." Calub agreed to the suggestion.

They went upstairs and Hannei waited while Calub went for a quick bath.

“So, Oscar was it?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“There’s no need for formalities, I’m not nobility.” Hannei smiled.

Oscar blushed. Ever since he had opened the door and saw the face beneath the hood, he was already love-struck. “Yes, master. Then would you like some drink while waiting?”

“Only if that doesn’t bother you too much.”

However, before Oscar could move, from the kitchen area a little girl brought an earthen jug.

“Please forgive my limp, master," little Tia said, acknowledging that most people saw her walk as unsightly.

“What happened to your leg? Please have a seat.”

“It’s not neede-“

“I insist!”

Hannei then examined the girl’s leg. “This is not from birth, is it?”

“Indeed, master. A wolf bit it last year.”

“I’m sorry to hear that." Hannei frowned.

At that point, Calub showed up from his room with his trademark broken-white leather coat with multiple pockets. His hair was neatly combed and there was an air of freshness about him.

“Ah, Hannei is it possible for you to help Tia?" Calub asked after spotting the two.

“Slim chance Calub and sadly it’s going to be very painful.”

Calub pondered his options.

“Master is it possible to cure my limp?" little Tia asked, full of hope.

“But it’s going to be very painful, my dear. And it may fail miserably," Hannei explained it to her in a soft voice.

“If it’s the pain, then we can have poppy milk and I have some pain killers.”

“Calub, that’s expensive, are you serious?”

“Well, old medicine loses its effectiveness, so I’m planning to make newer ones anyway.”

Hannei was doubtful, but she wasn’t going to push it further.

“If you’re serious then get a physician’s assistance. Depending on the examination, I could decide whether to do it or not. You also need to stock some supplies for at least two nights," she said after doing some mental calculations.

That made the whole house happy. There was no doubt that Little Tia was the primadonna. She cooked, knit, and mends things like new.

After some discussion, they settled to do it tomorrow.

Today, the two old friends were going to dine out in town. They wanted to fill each other with stories and stuff. They also stockpiled some necessary supplies.

During one of their chats, Calub remembered something important. “Hannei, I forgot to ask. Whom did you travel with?”

“Oh, darn it." Hannei frowned. "Remember Perugia and last time in Lutesia?"

“Not again..! For real, in Korelia?" Calub said in disbelief.

“Yeah, can't believe it happen despite precaution.”

“Well, don’t blame yourself. The way things work, it’s always beyond our power. Let’s just hope that nothing bad will happen this time.”

They both exhaled at the same time.

***