I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 28

The day when Edgar and the Robeheim family set off to Hespania arrived in the blink of an eye.

From early morning, the carriage and servants sent by the Robeheim family arrived at the Billhark family’s mansion, bustling around to help with the insufficient manpower.

“I’m sorry for causing all this trouble, Sheffi.”

Included among the servants was Sheffi, Helene’s personal maid.

With her verdant hair bouncing, she busily accepted the water handed to her by Edgar.

Even though there was no need for such formalities, seeing her gulp down the water with her head turned made Edgar feel even sorrier.

“No, it’s something my lady asked me to do. Besides, to me, you are like a lady.”

“Thanks for thinking that way. By the way, did Sheffi’s daughter come along today?”

“Yes, she’s probably loading the luggage in the carriage right now.”

Oh, a surprise harvest I didn’t expect.

I want to act before Ariel gets to it, but I can’t just slip out while the other servants are struggling.

After all, I have a trump card of my own, so there’s no need to be too anxious.

I just have to be ready to punish that annoying foolish princess.

“Are you thinking of taking the black sword, Young Master?”

“Yeah, I’m not completely used to it yet. Even if I can’t carry it myself, I need to keep it at my waist.”

Even now, carrying a sword at my waist makes it impossible to manifest a significant amount of magical power.

At least, to show others, I’d need to be wielding it properly.

Especially lately, since I often had to show magic to Ariel, I always carried a sword with me.

“It must be bothersome for you. However, I heard from my lady that you’ve had some gains…”

“Thanks to Lady Helene. I’m always grateful.”

I thought I would live a life completely disconnected from magic.

To put it frankly, Lady Helene is like a benefactor who opened up a new life for me.

In fact, this time she even offered such a precious suggestion, making it feel like I’d never repay my debt to her at this rate.

If I can pay it all back before I die, that would be great, but will that even be possible?

Thud. Thud.

As I continued to praise Helene while packing the last bundle, Edgar made his way down the stairs.

At the bottom of the staircase, Ariel was standing with her hands perched at her waist, looking rather upset for some reason.

“You’re late, Ed! Everyone is waiting!”

“Come on, give me a break. There’s so much luggage; I can’t finish quickly.”

How come there isn’t a single calm day?

Sheffi, watching the bickering between the childhood friends, covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.

Every time I see them, they make such a good pair.

No matter how close you are as friends, how many can speak so cheekily to the heir of a duchy?

It’s proof that Edgar sees her not just as the young lady of the Robeheim family, but merely as Ariel, the girl.

“Tch, you could have prepared a bit earlier, like yesterday.”

“You’re not wrong.”

With no room to retort, Edgar shrugged his shoulders as he continued down the stairs.

As she said, there were some things packed in advance, but most of it was hastily thrown together this morning.

He had heard that the Robeheim family had sent out the carriage, but he figured it wouldn’t arrive until later and had lazed around instead.

That, along with deciding to take a break from training today, only made things worse.

“Hey, Sheffi! Say something too. Everyone babies that guy too much.”

Hearing this, Edgar was dumbfounded, but decided to let it slide for today.

Who brings up the topic of pampering around here, anyway?

Meanwhile, Sheffi, quietly transporting the luggage, shot a sly smile at Ariel.

It was as if she was asking, ‘Is it okay for me to say that?’

Ariel blinked a few times, and then her face instantly turned red, as if she had realized something.

“Sheffi, you wouldn’t…!”

Seeing her pupils shaking as if she felt betrayed made Edgar tilt his head.

‘Is something going on?’

Regardless, with her playful spirit kicking in, Sheffi approached Edgar with a lively step that didn’t match her age and brought her mouth close to his ear.

“Edgar, may I tell you something? Although the lady says that, in truth, this morning…”

“Shh! Why are you doing this, like your mom!”

On top of having Edgar, who could be considered her maximum adversary, the formidable foes of her mother and Silvia seemed to have lined up behind him, and now even the reliable Sheffi had joined their ranks.

Lamenting this dreadful reality, Ariel lunged at them, and the distance between the two naturally widened, leaving them unable to share the secret.

“If you ask her later, I won’t let you get away with it.”

“Alright, can we just put out that fire before I say anything?”

As the flames in Ariel’s hand grew larger, Edgar hurriedly tried to calm her down.

Fortunately, she huffed and scoffed, leaving the mansion first.

Edgar let out a deep sigh, realizing how a magic duel was nearly staged in broad daylight.

How could someone’s hands fly up just like that, and who could possibly take her later?

“Oh, Young Master. That child is my daughter.”

“That friend nearby the carriage who looks lost?”

“Yes, she’s still a bit clumsy, though.”

From a distance, the girl didn’t seem to share a resemblance to Sheffi at all.

It could just be her youth, but if Sheffi embodied the image of a composed woman, her daughter gave off the vibe of a little lively creature.

As they arrived at the front gate, following the path through the garden, all eyes were gathered on them.

“Ed, is that the last of the luggage?”

“Yes, there was more than I thought, so it took longer. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I brought the servants for that reason. Oh, and I guess this is your first time seeing her. Let’s introduce ourselves.”

Helene called over a girl with light brown hair who was politely holding her hands behind her back.

Though nervous, she approached and bowed her head, and the noble air around her was nowhere to be seen.

“I-I’m Shuri. I’ve heard a lot about you from the lady.”

“I’m Edgar Billhark. Nice to meet you, Shuri.”

Edgar typically used informal language with Sheffi, but he deliberately chose respectful speech since it was their first meeting.

In response, Shuri’s face went pale as she shook her head vigorously, as though flustered by his words.

“P-Please, lower your words. I can’t accept respect from my lady’s friend.”

“Right, Shuri. Oh, I heard you’re a year older than Ariel and me, is that right?”

With her character and appearance aside, she looked significantly smaller, making it difficult to see her as a year older.

Perhaps Shuri noticed this too, as she responded with a sullen expression, making her look like a dejected squirrel.

“Y-Yeah, that’s right… But, don’t I look younger?”

“Hmm.”

What should I say so that she doesn’t feel too hurt by this?

As Edgar pondered, he responded in the most nonchalant tone possible.

“You seem too friendly for someone older. It was a compliment.”

“Hehe, if that’s the case… Thank you.”

With that short greeting with Shuri wrapped up, Edgar turned to his parents, who were by his side.

His father smiled calmly, as if no words were needed, while his mother looked at him with a complex expression.

Seeing the two of them made Edgar’s heart feel a little tight.

“Did you pack everything?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Take care of yourself. Write letters often.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll come back frequently if I can manage it.”

After all, it’s not like he’d never see them again.

It was only a chance to step out into a wider world for a while.

Even an ordinary fish returns home after exploring the vast ocean; being born human, he should show his face often.

“Alright, let’s get going. Ed.”

“Yes, Madam.”

With that, Edgar exchanged hugs with his parents before climbing into the carriage.

It seemed that Ariel had already hopped in first, claiming her seat.

“I want to sit widely, so Shuri, sit next to Ed.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

This wicked young mistress is demanding her personal maid to sit beside a man she just met today.

Edgar clicked his tongue internally as he shook his head, and at that moment, his eyes met Ariel’s, who stuck out her tongue mischievously.

‘Oh!’

And just like that, it felt like a powerful catalyst had passed through Edgar’s mind.

‘Now’s the time.’

The moment he had been meticulously planning for the past two days had finally come.

Edgar’s eyes shone with keen intensity.

“Hey, Shuri. Can I ask you something… is that okay?”

He suddenly turned to Shuri next to him and spoke in a gentle tone.

Although her sudden request might have thrown her off, she surprisingly responded calmly with a nod.

“Please, ask me anything.”

“Yeah. It might be a difficult question, but I hope you’ll answer truthfully.”

“? Y-yes.”

A difficult question; what might it be?

For a moment, thoughts of inappropriate questions popped into Shuri’s mind that a man might ask a woman.

While she trembled, wondering if she had responded too hastily, Edgar finally spoke up.

“Is your master treating you badly?”

“Excuse me?”

Shuri blinked in surprise, looking at Edgar’s face before glancing over at Ariel sitting opposite her.

With her arms crossed and seemingly uninterested, it was hard to see the abyss behind her narrowed eyes.

Why? Why is he asking something like that when his master is right here?

Does he somehow intend to play a trick on her with Ariel?

I’ve heard he has a playful personality, after all.

“Oh, if I’m asking this because Ariel asked me to gauge your feelings, don’t worry.”

“…!?”

For a moment, it seemed like he was reading her mind.

She felt a chill running down her spine.

Does he think she would honestly tell him anything?

What maid in any household would dare say, ‘My master torments me too much,’ directly in front of their master?

Especially not when the other person is a girl who is soon to be the head of a ducal family.

“Well, um… my lady always cherishes me…”

“Shuri.”

Thud.

The moment she was about to shout some flattery, Edgar’s hands rested on both of her shoulders.

And without giving her the space to worry about her contact with a man, he continued in a monotone voice.

From opposite her, Ariel bit her lip tightly.

“I promise one thing. Even if you completely expose that foolish princess’s true self here, you will never face any repercussions.”

“W-What do you mean…?”

Of course, this meant he was asking if she was sure about that.

That was a perfectly valid question.

Even if Edgar is Ariel’s childhood friend, he has no authority over Shuri’s formalities.

After all, Shuri’s master is Ariel and the Robeheim family.

Yet, Edgar’s smile was filled with confidence. As if he believed he had something to rely on.

‘What could it be.’

From Ariel’s perspective, she held Shuri’s fate in her hands; only moments ago, she could suppress her anxiety, but with Edgar’s bold demeanor, her unease actually intensified.

What on earth has he done to act with this sort of confidence?

And this question didn’t linger for long.

“Actually, Lady Helene said she’d do me a small favor since she’s impressed by me. If you speak the truth here, that wish would stop Ariel from pulling any tricks on you.”

“…!”

It wasn’t just Shuri who was surprised by the unexpected response.

Ariel, who had leaped up from her seat in the speeding carriage, seemed poised to grab Edgar by the collar while demanding if that was true, to which he only laughed mockingly.

“Shu, Shuri! Can you trust that statement!?”

“Come on, Shuri. Just tell the truth. All the things that princess has done to tease you, and how she normally torments you.”

Caught between her master’s threatening voice and her friend’s gentle tone, Shuri’s lips trembled as her eyes darted around.

Should she risk the gamble of telling the truth right here?

Or should she safely hide the truth and return to her usual position?

She still wasn’t sure whether this boy could protect her or not.

What she needed was only a firm resolve. Nothing more.

“Whew.”

She managed to hold back the tears that were rising and steeled her heart.

She had thought she would never have anyone on her side, but where did this lifeline suddenly come from?

Tears of gratitude were about to spill over, but she had to tell this boy the truth.

About that wicked master of hers.

“Ugh… the truth is, on the days when Miss plays with Lady Silvia…! Ugh! She gets so angry and…!”

“It’s alright, take your time. You can ignore that guy.”

“And… on days when she’s in an especially bad mood, she complains the temperature of the tea isn’t right…!”

“Shuri, that’s enough. Stop crying….”

Edgar, while pulling out a handkerchief he often used, handed it over to her and then turned to lock eyes with Ariel.

“It’s not true! I-I may have made some mistakes, but that much…!”

Ariel stammered in a panic as if she had been dealt a direct hit, but Edgar merely laughed, as if her words meant nothing.

“Consider it your just desserts, Ariel.”

Thanks to Shuri’s active participation, the journey to Hespania was never dull.

Only the mournful screams of Ariel, who was facing punishment by Edgar, echoed through the carriage.