Chapter 39
The first morning Caron spent in the capital dawned.
Compared to the mornings at Azureocean Castle, it was a hectic start to the day. Caron's maternal grandmother was excited to have her grandson visit after so long, and directed the servants to prepare a grand feast. Thanks to her efforts, Caron and his group were able to enjoy a hearty breakfast.
After the lavish meal, Caron, Leo, and Hugo headed straight for the boutique district. It was located in the heart of the capital. The streets of the capital were as lively and bustling as those of Thebe.
"New arrivals are here! From enchanted brooms with built-in cleaning spells, to a variety of household goods..." one of the merchants called out.
"The Sixth Prince himself occasionally visits to see our shows! There aren't many tickets left!" another merchant cried.
"Get your portrait painted here!" still another called out.
The streets were filled with vendors advertising their wares, busy passers-by, and people heading to work. The city was full of energy.
As Leo looked around, clearly fascinated, he muttered under his breath, "The capital really is called that for a reason."
Caron smirked and replied, "Stop acting like a country bumpkin. It's embarrassing to walk with you."
"You're also from the countryside," Leo countered.
Hugo, who was walking beside them, chimed in, "But Caron's right, Leo. As a member of the ducal family, you should carry yourself with a bit more decorum. And Caron?" he continued, turning to his younger cousin.
"Yes, Hugo?" Caron responded obediently.
"When we're in public, speak more respectfully toward your older cousin. Every little action reflects on the honor of the family. I hope you understand that. Got it?" Hugo disciplined Caron in a soft voice.
Caron chuckled and nodded in response, then said, "I'll be more careful. But does that mean I can speak casually when it's just the two of us?"
"Of course. I've heard you two trained together at Azureocean Castle like real brothers. With that kind of relationship, that should be fine," Hugo replied.
"Oh, then maybe one day, I can do the same with you," Caron said.
"Haha! With the age difference between us?" Hugo laughed.
He was twenty-eight years old, while Caron was only thirteen, making him more than twice Caron's age. Though they were cousins, the age gap was so large that Hugo could practically be Caron's uncle. That was because Fayle and his wife had had Caron relatively late.
"I want to be as close to you as a real brother, like I am with Leo!" Caron said enthusiastically.
"I'd like that too. If we all get along, it'll make the family head very happy," Hugo agreed.
"In that case, how about you and I—" Caron began, but was cut off by Hugo clearing his throat.
"Ahem. Isn't the weather nice today? The boutique district is just ahead. Follow me. I've been here a few times with my father," Hugo said, brushing off Caron's comment as he continued walking ahead.
Caron watched his cousin's retreating figure and thought to himself, He's a bit different from his father.
Though the previous night's first impression had been irritating, Hugo didn't seem like a bad person at heart. Caron also liked how Hugo valued the household.
It was clear that Hugo had exceptional talent, considering that he had already reached the early stages of 6-Star at the age of twenty-eight. However, compared to Halo, his skills fell significantly short.
Wasn't Halo already at the early stages of 8-Star by that age? Caron thought.
In his previous life, he had also reached a similar level, but that was only because of the demonic power granted by the Malevolent Emperor. Halo, on the other hand, had achieved such a level purely through his own talent. While most people struggled throughout their entire lives to even reach 7-Star, Halo had done it in his late twenties. There was a reason he was hailed as the greatest talent since the founder.
Let's just keep an eye on things for now, Caron thought.
For the moment, Hugo had likely been held in check because he believed that his father would become the next head of the family. But if circumstances changed, so could his attitude. Caron thought watching that transformation might provide him some amusement.
As they continued walking, they eventually arrived at a street that exuded an air of luxury. It was quite different from the lively streets they had passed earlier. The place was noticeably less crowded, filled with elegantly-dressed noblewomen and stores displaying high-end goods. This was their destination for today, the boutique district.
The outfits and cloaks Caron and his group had donned, which they'd considered quite fancy, suddenly felt modest by comparison.
"This street is mostly frequented by nobles and high-ranking officials. And the items here are incredibly expensive," Hugo explained.
After Leo listened to the explanation, he asked, "Are commoners not allowed to come into this district?"
"Not at all. As long as you have money, you can buy whatever you want. But... the nobles in the capital are so refined that they don't like mingling with commoners," Hugo replied.
There was a touch of bitterness in Hugo's smile as he continued softly, "By the way, it seems like my younger cousins are quite popular."
"Huh?" Leo responded, confused.
"Take a look around," Hugo suggested.
Following Hugo's advice, Caron and Leo glanced around and immediately noticed many people looking at them. Most of the stares came from noblewomen and young ladies. Their gazes were almost predatory.
"It seems word of your arrival in the capital has already spread. No wonder there are more people here than usual," Hugo remarked.
"S-So all these people are here just to see us...?" Leo stuttered.
"Anyone connected to the Leston household is highly sought after. To give you guys a bit of advice, tomorrow's royal banquet will be quite intense. You should prepare yourselves," Hugo warned them.
The royal family had organized the banquet to honor the young heroes, with Caron and Leo being the main spotlight. However, Caron returned the stares directed at him with an indifferent expression. This life was different from the last. In his previous life, whenever he came here to mend his uniform, everyone had looked at him with nothing but contempt.
As Cain Latorre, he had been nothing more than a lowly slave, a dog of the emperor. But now, the gazes that fell upon him were filled with warmth and admiration. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and yet it stirred something strange within him.
As Caron looked around the surroundings, his gaze settled on a particular shop among the dazzling boutiques. It stood out not for its grandeur, but for its simplicity. It was a shop with a weathered exterior and an old, faded sign that read "Asel."
Memories flooded back into him. It was one of the few remnants from his past, and he hadn't expected it to still be standing after all these years. Pointing toward the shop, Caron asked, "Hugo, how about that store?"
Hugo shrugged as he glanced at the shop, then replied, "It's an old store. Is that okay? This kind of place isn't really for someone your age. It's where older folks go to get suits tailored..."
"I'd still like to check it out. Don't we have a lot of time?" Caron insisted.
"Alright, if that's what you want," Hugo agreed.
This was the store where Caron had tailored his first suit after being knighted by the emperor. The memory of the young tailor, who had always greeted him with a warm smile, came to mind. With that, he led the way inside.
The old hinges of the door creaked as they walked in. An elderly man, who had been sitting on a chair, stood up with a welcoming smile. He said softly, "It's an honor to serve such distinguished guests. Are you here to have a suit made? I must apologize in advance, but I'm afraid I might not be able to craft something that suits the taste of such young noblemen."
Caron returned the smile and replied, "Is the suit really what matters? It's the person who's most important."
The old man bowed respectfully before responding, "I'll prepare some refreshments. Please wait a moment. I'm the only one here, so I hope you can forgive the delay."
With that, the old man went into a small room at the back of the shop. Caron slowly took a look around the store. He looked at the suits displayed on the mannequins. Although the interior, like the exterior, was worn with age, it was impeccably clean. It seemed the place was meticulously cared for and cleaned every day.
"Are you thinking of getting a suit made?" Leo asked cautiously as he stepped into the shop after Caron.
Caron nodded with a faint smile on his lips and replied, "Why not? Since we're here, I might as well get one."
Leo hesitated, then said, "This place is a bit old-fashioned. Maybe we should..."
Caron lightly patted Leo on the back and said, "It's alright. That's exactly why I wanted to come here."
His gaze lingered on the small room where the old man had gone.
***
When the elderly tailor came back with refreshments, Caron requested for him to take his measurements. Though the old man hesitated at first, he didn't refuse Caron's request.
"I'm not as skilled as the younger tailors, so I can't craft those stylish suits that are in fashion now," the old man said as he began measuring Caron.
"This shop seems to have been around for quite a while. You must have been here for a long time," Caron remarked.
"Please speak comfortably. I'm just a commoner, so it feels strange to be spoken to so formally by a noble," the old man replied.
"Since I am the noble, I will speak in the way I find comfortable," Caron said.
The old man nodded with a smile and said, "As you wish, sir. I've worked here since I was seven years old, so it's been sixty-four years now. I took over the shop from my late father about thirty years ago."
After hearing the old tailor, Caron's mind recalled a voice from his past, one he hadn't thought of in a long time.
"Sir Cain! How many times do I have to tell you not to fight in your suits? Do you have any idea how much work it takes to repair them? Is it because you make a lot of money? Honestly, if you're going to ruin them anyway, you might as well just get new ones! I thought today would be a quiet day, but here we are..."
A faint smile crossed Caron's face as he recalled one of the few meaningful connections he'd had in his previous life.
"Sir Cain Latorre, a close friend of Duke Halo, was a regular customer here," the old man continued as he took Caron's measurements.
Caron scratched his head as he chuckled, then replied, "So you figured out we come from the Leston household?"
"It would be a waste of my years if I couldn't recognize the Azure Wolf emblem," the old man replied in a voice filled with nostalgia. "Only the blood descendants of the Leston family and the members of the Oceanwolf Knight Order bear that symbol."
"So, Sir Cain was a regular here," Caron remarked to the old tailor.
"He was a good man. Although I'm not sure about others, in my memory, he was always a warm person. He just had a hard time showing it," the old man said softly. He expertly retracted the measuring tape and bowed, then said, "Ah, I suppose old stories aren't very interesting. As I age, I've started to talk a lot. My apologies if I've bored you. The measurements are all done."
"No worries, it was nice," Caron replied.
He realized that he couldn't recall the old man's name. Back in the day, he had always called him "kid" or "suit kid." The once-scrawny boy had now become this elderly man standing before him.
It was a different feeling from seeing Halo or Sabina. Perhaps that was because, in this city he'd once despised, this shop had been one of the few places where he could have a peaceful conversation.
"Now that I think about it, it's strange. I spent eight years with Sir Cain, but I never once told him my name," the old man said with a gentle smile.
Caron looked at the old man and asked, "Why did you not tell him your name first?"
"I thought he'd ask me eventually. If I had known he would pass away like that, I would have told him," the old man replied with a chuckle.
"What a strange person," Caron remarked.
"I admit, I can be a bit peculiar," the old man said with a grin.
"Ah. Not you, sir. I meant him, Cain Latorre," Caron said.
He had once wished to be forgotten by everyone. But now, he realized that being remembered by someone wasn't such a bad feeling after all.
Although this was an acquaintance whom he had never even asked the name of, standing here and reconnecting with that memory made Caron feel a sense of welcome and gratitude. How could he not be thankful to someone who remembered the man he used to be, even when he had given nothing in return?
And so, Caron asked the old man with a smile, "May I ask your name, sir?"
It was late, but he finally asked the question he had never thought to ask in his previous life.
The old man's soft smile deepened as he answered, "It's Luhon. My name is Luhon."
Caron committed that name to memory, the name he had never asked for in his previous life. He silently repeated "Luhon" to himself.
"My name is Caron Leston, sir," he replied warmly.
"Ah, so you are indeed the grandson of Duke Halo. It is an honor to meet you, Young Master Caron," Luhon said.
"When do you think the suit will be finished?" Caron asked.
"My hands have slowed with age, but since I have no other orders, it should be ready in about a week... I believe that should be enough," Luhon replied.
Caron figured that he would likely still be in the capital by then, barring any unforeseen issues.
"Where should I send the finished suit?" Luhon inquired.
"I can come here to pick it up myself. I should try it anyway, right?" Caron replied.
"If you could do that, I would be most grateful," Luhon replied as he bowed.
Looking at Luhon, Caron said sincerely, "Thank you."
Luhon waved his wrinkled hand dismissively and said, "No, it is I who should be thanking you—"
Bang.
At that moment, the door to the shop burst open.
"Grandfather! Did you hear the news? The Leston territory! Duke Halo's grandsons are here in the capital right now..." a young female knight shouted as she burst into the store in the uniform of the Imperial Guards. She looked to be in her late teens at most. Her light green hair flew behind her as she entered the store.
She noticed Caron and his group standing inside. She quickly bowed, then apologized, "Oh, I didn't realize you had customers. I'm sorry for the disturbance..."
Her gaze fell on the cloak Hugo was wearing, particularly on the Azure Wolf emblem embroidered on it.
"...The Leston territory... Sir Cain's enemies..." the female knight muttered words that were hard to decipher. Then, she reached the conclusion and added, "...Bad people."
Another strange person had appeared.