I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 26

That evening at the dinner table, Edgar revealed to Helene his intention to leave for Hespania.

Helene was pleased by the surprisingly swift decision but knew they would need to have further discussions, so she arranged to gather in the reception room after the meal.

Once their stomachs had settled a bit and Edgar arrived at the reception room, everyone, including his parents, was already gathered there.

“You’re late, you fool.”

True to her impatient nature, Ariel hated waiting for others and being made to wait herself.

As if to prove this, the moment the door to the reception room opened and Edgar appeared, Ariel reprimanded him in a sharp tone.

Edgar didn’t want to keep everyone waiting, so he awkwardly smiled and offered his apologies.

“Ariel, we didn’t set a specific time. You can’t go off on your friend like that.”

“Ugh… I’m sorry, Mom.”

To be fair, when you looked at it, Ariel hadn’t planned to arrive early either.

She was just wandering the hallway when she happened to follow her mother, who was entering the reception room, and had been waiting.

Had she not done that, she might have been the one in Edgar’s position right now.

Ariel often got scolded by Helene for speaking without considering her position, so this time she obediently lowered her head and expressed her apologies to Edgar.

“No, it’s my fault. Don’t be glum; just have some snacks. They’re delicious.”

“Yeah…”

Edgar already knew that he didn’t like sweets.

Ariel felt a quiet warmth seeing him munch on snacks he wouldn’t normally eat, just to comfort her.

The adults watching them shared a warm gaze as well.

“Every time I see you like this, I think about it. Edgar, deciding to keep you close to our daughter has been the third best decision of my life.”

“The first must be meeting the lord, and the second is giving birth to Ariel, right?”

“Haha, sharp as always.”

Taking a sip of tea and sensing the mood had relaxed, Helene officially brought up the topic.

“Well then, you’re really going to Hespania with us?”

“Yes.”

“It might be silly for the proposer to ask this, but let me ask just one thing. What made you decide to leave this place?”

Why he chose to leave was simply a matter of pure curiosity.

It wasn’t that she doubted his decision or worried he might change his mind; it was just a genuine question.

For a boy who hadn’t even reached adulthood, deciding to leave the home he had lived in was not an easy conclusion.

Though she had promised him three days to think, depending on his answer, she intended to give him even more time.

However, only a day passed before his response came back, and it was shockingly clear and definite, with no hint of trembling or uncertainty.

It was as if he had captured an opportunity he had anticipated, exuding calm confidence.

What reason could he possibly have to make such a major decision so quickly?

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Even if I take over the Billhark family in the future, there will come a time when I need to leave this place and learn more.”

“That makes sense; a child like you would have thought that through.”

Helene nodded, understanding, and smiled with satisfaction.

Not to undervalue the Billhark family, but she thought this place was far too small for this boy.

From what Helene had seen, Edgar was someone with great potential who didn’t seem to want to fill it; to put it positively, he lacked ambition, and to put it negatively, he had no greed.

However, she believed that if he ever set his mind to it, he could certainly achieve something great.

She had offered this suggestion on that faith, and it coincidentally matched Edgar’s wishes, leading to this outcome.

“Helene, may I ask you a few questions as well?”

“Of course. That’s your right.”

There must have been a mountain of questions he wanted to ask.

This was no trivial matter; it was about his future. So naturally, he would be curious.

Helene nodded, promising to answer whatever question came her way with utmost sincerity.

“If I go to Hespania, may I ask where I will be staying?”

“You will stay at our family home.”

“Does that mean I will be living in the same place as Ariel?”

“That’s how it will be.”

Edgar’s brow furrowed slightly at the answer he was most worried about.

Not good.

While he appreciated her generous regard, there was no way he could achieve what he set out to do under those circumstances.

He needed to at least find separate quarters to minimize his encounters with Ariel.

“Would it be possible for you to arrange that I stay somewhere other than Robeheim’s castle?”

“Is it uncomfortable?”

“Something like that, but it’s a bit different. If I explain in detail, it might take a while… Is that okay?”

“Of course. Don’t worry; just tell me.”

She couldn’t handle matters haphazardly without listening to the crucial party’s opinion.

In response to her answer, Edgar briefly glanced at Ariel and exchanged eye contact before nodding slightly.

This was to signify he intended to convey what he had mentioned to her earlier.

Afterward, Edgar’s explanation continued for a reasonable length, but the gist was similar to what he had told Ariel.

However, there were additional prerequisites he hadn’t mentioned to her.

Haphazardly admitting someone unproven into the Robeheim family would negatively impact both Helene and Ariel.

He didn’t plan on giving them much time, so he asked only that a space be arranged where he could prove his abilities.

Somewhere he could hardly run into Ariel. But a place where, if Ariel desired, they could meet without arousing others’ suspicions.

As he fervently laid out his ideas, Helene, who had been listening with wide eyes, suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Amazing. Did you come up with all this by yourself? Edgar.”

“Yes. Of course, I’m sure there are many gaps in my reasoning.”

“No, even if there are gaps, they can’t be too big. But how did you even come up with such thoughts…?”

This was far beyond what you’d expect from a fourteen-year-old; it was remarkable enough to seem wise.

It was as if he had put himself in the shoes of the Robeheim family’s central figures and also understood Helene and Ariel’s perspectives to devise his plans.

Even if a young talent stood out, the hardest thing to grasp was often the human relationships.

Most situations regarding people’s feelings and differing stances tended to lead to disaster if one jumped to conclusions.

It wasn’t uncommon for heirs of specific noble families, who had been well-known from a young age, to struggle with social relationships once they finally took the position, vanishing quietly into the annals of history.

‘He’s foresightful.’

While she had considered the potential issues that could arise if he were to be taken into the Robeheim family, she initially thought any noise would settle down soon enough.

After all, she was the current lady of the Robeheim family and had the power to quell any disturbances.

She naively thought that if he demonstrated his abilities one day, everyone would simply quiet down.

But Edgar was even more far-sighted than she.

He understood that the potential clashes stemming from differing views between Helene and the officials within the Robeheim family would likely become lingering burdens on his shoulders, not easily resolved even if he proved himself.

He was observing the reality with even more clarity than she had assumed.

“My son, isn’t it a bit too much to think about so many things at such a young age?”

“I can’t help but agree with your father. I understand your intentions, but wouldn’t it be wise to stay with the Robeheim family a bit longer for now?”

But perhaps that was just the nature of parents.

Even if their child was heading for a distant land wrapped in golden blankets, they would worry. The thought of him deciding to live separately, cut off from the Robeheim family’s support was far too troubling.

Helene understood their feelings as a mother and didn’t immediately agree with Edgar; she took a moment to ponder before continuing.

“Your parents do have a point, Edgar. You don’t have to bear all of that at such a young age.”

Though fourteen wasn’t that young, it was common for children of prestigious families to learn the family business at that age, and in some cases, even enter society early to familiarize themselves.

However, the ones who genuinely chose it for themselves were few.

Most simply took on their duties as heirs out of obligation.

In contrast, he wasn’t burdened with such duties, nor responsibilities that required him to enact the conditions he mentioned.

So why was he considering so much? That was merely a question in Helene’s mind.

To this, Edgar smiled gently, gazing at his childhood friend sitting nearby before speaking.

“It’s not a sense of obligation. It’s not out of a desire to repay the kindness you’ve shown me, Helene.”

“Then why?”

“It’s simple. No one wants to be left behind while their friends forge ahead.”

Friends are those you walk alongside, sharing your shoulders.

But the relationship between Ariel and Edgar looked like a friendship on the surface but had many differences lurking beneath.

The disparity of their families, their birth, their talents.

If you included all those factors, the gap between him and Ariel would only grow wider.

Edgar choosing this path wasn’t an action motivated for her benefit or out of a desire to repay Helene.

“I want to stand beside my friend. That’s all I wish for.”

At least, he didn’t want to just stand shoulder to shoulder; he wanted to reach a level where he wouldn’t feel ashamed to walk alongside her.

“It’s settled then. If your wish is so firm, it wouldn’t be polite to try and stop you. Edgar, let’s proceed as you wish.”

After Helene affirmed his intentions, she subtly glanced at his parents, who silently nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, her daughter, who had been nibbling on cookies laid out on the table like a squirrel, suddenly froze, burying her face almost into the table.

‘Isn’t she adorable?’

Helene felt as if her daughter’s unspoken emotions were being conveyed to her and gently turned her gaze away.

The thin, crescent moon hanging that night felt brighter than usual.

Perhaps this was the most satisfying night of her life.