Chapter 63: An Unexpected Event (10)
“It seems I was late in introducing myself.”
The pale blonde maid once again greeted me with a precise, disciplined bow.
I had felt it when I first saw her, but just facing her made me tense up without realizing it….
She was the kind of person who made me wonder if she truly was just a mere maid.
“I am Artemia Russelant, the Head Maid in charge of the freshmen dormitory here at Arpentia Academy. Please feel free to call me Artemia.”
“Ah, yes. Pleased to meet you, Miss Artemia.”
After finishing her greeting, Artemia cast a sidelong glance at the light brown-haired maid standing beside her.
At that, the young-looking maid flinched pitifully in surprise and hastily bowed her head to me.
In stark contrast to Artemia’s formality, there was no discipline at all—just pure panic.
“M-my name is Lislin! Please, just call me whatever is comfortable!”
“…Lislin.”
Her cold voice rang out.
Lislin flinched and trembled.
“Is that all there is to your introduction?”
“…Ah, ah! I-I am an apprentice maid here at the freshmen dormitory of Arpentia Academy. N-no, I am assigned to… um, that is….”
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you as well, Lislin.”
If I left her any longer, she would only become more pitiful.
So I cut off her fumbling self-introduction at a reasonable point. Artemia shot Lislin a sharp glare before turning her gaze back to me.
“We have come here today to offer our deepest apologies to you, Sir Lian Gwendil.”
“Apologies?”
“Yes.”
Her words made me tilt my head in puzzlement.
There shouldn’t have been anything for me to receive an apology over from the Academy maids—that is, the staff.
“Did you perhaps damage something in my room while cleaning? I’m sure I left a sign up that said there was no need for cleaning….”
“No, with respect, it is nothing of the sort.”
Artemia shook her head.
Then she looked at Lislin, and the trembling maid silently shuffled forward, carefully pulling something from her bosom.
“That’s….”
It was a letter.
She was clutching the crumpled and dirtied letter tightly with both hands.
On the sealing wax was stamped the crest of my family—the Gwendil family.
“Once again, we sincerely apologize. We are without excuse, Sir Lian Gwendil….”
Her explanation was this:
After some time working only on small chores and errands as an apprentice, she was finally given a chance to advance.
As part of that, she was entrusted with handling letters exchanged between the students of the freshmen dormitory and the outside.
At first, she seemed to be doing well. But then, she found a letter that had fallen into the corner of a workroom.
That letter was addressed to me—and should have arrived long ago.
In the end, she came with her supervisor, Artemia, to apologize to me directly.
‘So this is the reply from the Countess.’
I had already been thinking that it was about the time for it to arrive.
‘Still, even with the distance and delivery time, it couldn’t have made me wait that long.’
As I thought that, Artemia spoke in a solemn voice.
“Since it was an express letter, it must have contained something urgent. Yet despite such importance, our negligence and carelessness caused you distress and confusion. We can only beg your forgiveness.”
“…Wait, did you say express letter?”
“Yes, we confirmed it was indeed an express letter sent via the Magic Tower.”
Express letters referred to correspondence sent through the Magic Tower.
Compared to normal methods, they could be delivered with astonishing speed, but the cost was likewise exorbitant—far beyond that of ordinary mail.
‘She sent me an express letter? To me?’
…Honestly, it was hard to believe.
At this point in time, there was no reason—no value in me—that would warrant such a thing.
Not even when my family was on the brink of being branded as traitors had there been an express letter.
So why now…?
“As the one responsible for her training and guidance, I deeply feel the weight of my failure. Therefore, I swear to devote all my effort to ensuring such a situation never occurs again. And furthermore, to take full responsibility for this matter, I…”
“…Please wait a moment.”
Still dazed, I interrupted Artemia and turned my gaze to Lislin.
I held out my hand toward her, and after a moment’s hesitation, she respectfully placed the letter into my hands with both of hers.
The letter was indeed a little crumpled and dirty, but that was all.
There was no sign the seal had been broken, and more importantly, I could still feel something solid inside.
“If I may be presumptuous, here….”
“Ah, thank you.”
Artemia tactfully handed me a letter opener.
Taking it, I opened the letter and found several sheets of paper—slightly wrinkled but perfectly legible—and a small box.
Inside the box was a brooch of a strange design I had never seen before.
I didn’t know its meaning, but it seemed unharmed as well.
After carefully examining both the letter and the brooch, I nodded slightly.
“Mm, it seems fine to me.”
“…Excuse me?”
“It’s just a little crumpled, but I can read it without trouble. And people make mistakes sometimes—it happens.”
“But still—”
Artemia spoke firmly, as if such a thing was unacceptable.
“Even with an ordinary letter, this would be inexcusable. All the more so with an express letter—”
“Truly, it’s fine.”
I paused for a moment.
Was what I was about to say truly right?
[…She worries about you very much.]
The words that surfaced in my mind were from a single line in my second brother Artiac’s letter.
“…She worries about me. Quite a lot.”
Unconsciously, the words slipped from my mouth.
“I think that’s why she sent it by express mail, even though it was just a simple letter of regard. As you said, it wasn’t an urgent matter. So there’s no need for you to feel so guilty about this.”
“But—”
“We’ll continue to see each other here, won’t we? I’d rather not have us turning red-faced over something like this.”
That wasn’t lip service—it was the truth.
I had already skimmed the letter, and just as I expected, there was nothing urgent or critical written in it. The enclosed item was intact as well.
More than anything, right now, I wanted to focus on the contents of this letter above all else.
“More than anything, since Miss Artemia herself came directly to apologize so politely, I think that is more than enough. And I’m sure Miss Lislin will never make such a mistake again. …Isn’t that right?”
At my gently tossed question, Lislin nodded so hard her head made a buzzing sound.
“Y-yes! That’s right, I’ll never make such a mistake again!”
After hesitating for a moment, Artemia then nodded as if she understood.
“…Very well. If that is Sir Lian’s wish, then insisting further would indeed be discourteous.”
Artemia glanced sideways at Lislin, then lowered her eyes and spoke.
“It would be improper to act as though this matter never occurred… but since Sir Lian has spoken, would it be acceptable to conclude this with only a light disciplinary measure?”
She added by way of explanation.
“She will write a statement of reflection and then help out in the kitchen.”
“That should be more than enough.”
I nodded and cast a glance toward the dormitory door.
Seeing my intent, Artemia stepped back and spoke.
“Thank you for sparing your precious time, Sir Lian Gwendil. We will take utmost care so that such a thing never happens again. And furthermore….”
She paused here.
“…I will also gratefully remember today’s matter. If you ever need my help or wish to ask for anything, please do not hesitate to tell me.”
With those words, Artemia bowed to take her leave, and Lislin, standing at her side, bowed deeply as if performing a full prostration.
As I watched their retreating figures vanish with hurried steps, I immediately opened the door and stepped inside.
Originally, I had intended to simply gather what I needed and then head out….
“Mm….”
I looked down at the letter in my hand, let out a faint sound, and sat down.
The letter was written in neat and upright handwriting.
[To Lian Gwendil.
I have received the letter you sent.
I am relieved that, contrary to my worries, you seem to be taking a liking to the Academy.
Quirian and Artiac both received excellent grades in their time.
I expect the same from you.
Not only I, but the head of the house as well, and also the household staff, all share that expectation.]
The beginning was detached.
It was hard to see it as the sort of letter exchanged between parent and child, but I read through it calmly.
[I do not know if you are aware.
In truth, perhaps not Artiac, but Quirian was not fond of either his dormitory or his career path.
Yet in the end, it was there that he discovered his own talent and aptitude.
I know that you too, Lian, are not fond of Crooks….
That is, the career path chosen for you by the head of the house.
But Crooks is an excellent place.
And whether you accept it or not, it is also a place well suited for you.
I hope that there you will discover your talent, your aptitude, and what you truly wish to do.
I have also heard somewhat from Artiac.
Frugality is a virtue, but in excess it can harm both your reputation and that of those around you.
At times, it is right to invest boldly.
And now is exactly such a time.
It may be meddlesome of me, but I will pass word to Quirian.
If you reach out to him, he will no doubt prepare whatever you need without hesitation.
By chance, he will be staying near the Academy for a while on business. So if you are comfortable, I think it would not be a bad idea to visit him.
Whatever else, Quirian is your elder brother, and to him, you are also his youngest brother.]
“…Hm?”
Though much space remained on the page, the first part of the letter ended there.
Flip.
The next sheet was written in a more hurried, almost scribbled hand.
[I heard that a great incident occurred at the Academy.
I have not yet heard the details.
Fortunately, I heard there were no fatalities or serious injuries, but lingering aftereffects often come without warning.
If anything seems wrong, seek treatment immediately.
Even if you feel fine now, it would be wise to see a physician or priest.
I would also like you to explain what happened.
If you cannot, then at least tell me that there are circumstances making it difficult to explain.
If writing to the family feels burdensome, then at least tell Artiac.]
[Furthermore, I understand that a senior I knew during my own student days is currently working at the Academy.
…It is hard for me to speak much of that senior, but that person was truly wise, and at critical times gave me proper counsel and great strength.
If you go and mention my name, I believe they would gladly help you as well.
Should another major incident occur at the Academy, or if you find yourself in difficulty, I encourage you to seek that person’s advice.]
[Did you receive the brooch enclosed with this letter?
It is a token of friendship once given to me by that senior.
That person once told me that if I brought it, they would surely help me at least once.
If you wear it, then perhaps they will see you as my—]
From this point onward, the text was smudged and unreadable.
I stared at it briefly, then moved to the final page.
[…If they believe that I sent you, they will surely treat you favorably.
If you ever find yourself in dire need of that senior’s aid….
At that time, it is fine to hand over the brooch.
I am late to say this, but that senior’s name is….]
“Hm?”
A sound slipped from my mouth before I realized it.
The name written in the letter was one I already knew well.
[Amaruah Atillipel.]
Amaruah.
She was the one working as a librarian, with whom I had already exchanged names.
“Oh, so you finally came.”
The Forest of Secrets, sealed off by barriers and wards.
At the lone entry gate into the barrier, Yeriel, dressed casually, greeted me knowingly.
“Then let’s go.”
Without waiting for my answer, he turned and started walking.
I followed in silence.
It was the first time in both my past and present lives that I set foot inside the Forest of Secrets.