I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 31

After the conversation ended, Edgar moved somewhere under Creed’s guidance.

Helene and Ariel headed to their respective places, with a promise to receive further instructions about the detailed locations later.

“By the way, you’ve got quite the physique. Have you been trained by someone?”

“I’ve only been dedicated to training every day.”

“Every day, huh? You’ve got some grit.”

It’s easy to say, but training consistently through rain or shine isn’t exactly a walk in the park, especially at a young age when one is easily swayed by the surroundings.

In that light, Creed’s first impression of Edgar, the boy, was rather favorable.

Though his stiff speech sounded somewhat off for his age, that was something time would likely resolve.

“You’re taking quite the roundabout route.”

“Well, it’s a bit far from the main building. But, hey, at least it’s good for not being noticed by others.”

As they followed Creed out through the back door of the main building, several smaller buildings appeared.

Continuing to explain, Creed pointed to the smallest building on the far right, stating it was the servants’ quarters and the annexes.

“That’s the house you’ll be staying in. I heard you’re the heir of a barony, so are you disappointed it’s so shabby?”

“No, not at all. I feel relieved it’s even better than I expected.”

I was told it was a place for kids without somewhere to go, so I imagined it would be nothing but a ramshackle hut, but the exterior looked like an ordinary house you’d find anywhere.

Actually, it appeared to be a bit sturdier and larger.

“Haha, I like your honesty. It’s a reasonable thought to have just by hearing about it.”

Creed laughed heartily and ruffled Edgar’s hair roughly.

His hand was so large it felt more like a blanket being tossed on Edgar’s head.

‘What a mess.’

If it hadn’t been for a moment longer, he might have hurled.

His head was still spinning from the force.

If this continued, wouldn’t he wake up to an unfamiliar ceiling?

“We’ve arrived. Come on, let’s go inside.”

“Yes.”

Without needing a key, Creed pushed the door open and strode confidently into the building.

Edgar followed behind him, keeping his steps neutral.

‘The air feels pretty warm.’

Thanks to the influence of the Symbol of Dominion, the climate here was relatively warm, but inside the building felt even cozier.

It seemed there was hardly any cold draft.

This indicated that the building was constructed with some consideration.

As it was two stories high, Edgar immediately noticed the staircase leading up when he entered, with hallways branching off on either side.

He had heard there were two other residents, so maybe they just went out for a bit.

The place felt eerily quiet, to the point where it seemed too still.

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone else around.”

“Yeah, they probably went out for a bit.”

The atmosphere appeared to be more relaxed than he expected.

Since this was not any ordinary place, but the manor of a duke, he’d presumed meals and rest would be the extent of their activities.

After all, Helene was involved here, so things wouldn’t be left to chance.

Plus, the one in charge here was the former commander of the Royal Knights, so he had some pull.

“And here, don’t call me Lord Creed. You ought to tone down your way of speaking a bit.”

“Is there a reason?”

“The kids here don’t know my background. They just see me as a guy from the neighborhood who knows how to handle a sword.”

Who could have guessed there was such a backstory?

Edgar nodded lightly as if he understood, and immediately began pondering over what to call him.

“Can I call you Mr. Creed?”

“Call me whatever you like. It’s fine as long as my background doesn’t come out. You can even call me uncle.”

“Hmm…”

Even so, it was hard to address someone who was among the top five knights in the empire so casually.

Eventually, they agreed on ‘Mr. Creed’ as Edgar followed his lead to the room where he would stay.

The interior scenery was pretty ordinary.

There was a bed, a desk, and a closet for clothes.

He felt a bit disappointed there was no bookshelf, but considering how hard it would be to find books here, this was sufficient.

“If you need anything, just let me know. Like, if there’s a book you want to read.”

“Do you really provide that kind of help?”

As if reading Edgar’s mind while he scanned the room, Creed casually threw that out there.

When Edgar blinked up at him, eyes wide as he looked at Creed, the latter smiled as if it was an absurd question.

“Believe it or not, the kids who live here are like my own. You really think it’d trouble me to get a few books for my children?”

“Even so, there aren’t many places to find them…”

“If it’s a rare book, that might be a stretch, but thanks to the relationships I built up in my youth, I can get my hands on most regular books in no time. Feel free to ask without any hesitation.”

As he ruffled Edgar’s hair again, Creed paused and cocked his head as if feeling some déjà vu.

“By the way, didn’t you say you were the heir of the Billhark Family? You’ve got black hair for that.”

“Yes? Ah…”

“Did you inherit mostly from your mother? Even then, it’s unusual.”

As Creed mumbled with curiosity, Edgar chuckled and took off the pendant hanging around his neck.

What an odd day it was for him, someone who normally avoids jewelry.

The reason was soon to be revealed.

“Huh? Your hair…?”

As he removed the pendant, his hair started to change color from the ends, turning red as if it were dipped in paint.

Creed realized that what he was witnessing was a transformation spell, as if seeing a mirage.

It must belong to a class of magic that directly influences others’ perceptions.

Unlike transforming one’s appearance, things like voice wouldn’t change, which made it less commonly used, but it certainly shone in moments like this.

After all, using transformation magic takes time and isn’t easy to enchant onto jewelry like this.

“Oh, actually, I wore this necklace to subtly change my appearance because I was worried my hair would stand out.”

It was something he’d put on just before entering the castle.

While hardly anyone knew his true identity, it was good to keep this precaution in mind, just in case.

Only then did Creed fully grasp that with satisfaction, nodding approvingly.

He was apparently paying quite a bit of attention to details, regardless of whose idea it was.

If this was indeed Edgar’s plan, it was admirable.

“Oh, good thinking. So, during your stay here, will you keep it like that?”

“For the time being, yes.”

“You’re going to be uncomfortable, huh? A pendant isn’t like a ring.”

Rings can be made of metals that won’t corrode in water, so you can always wear them, but a pendant can be cumbersome when you’re running around.

After contemplating for a moment with his hand on his chin, Creed snapped his fingers and spoke up.

“I’ll ask a friend to create a similar item in ring form. That way, you can wear it without it being bothersome.”

“You don’t have to go that far…”

“I’m just uncomfortable with it. It’s better than carrying something around that could reveal you at any time.”

Though he said that, it was clear that Creed was genuinely concerned for Edgar.

Edgar thought it would be rude to continue declining, so he bowed his head in gratitude.

With a satisfied smile, Creed warmly patted Edgar’s back before leaving him with a parting reminder to unpack his things.

‘If I get hit a few more times, I might break a bone.’

He might think he’s being gentle, but from Edgar’s perspective, it was quite a painful experience.

After shedding a small tear, he began properly unpacking, starting with his clothes.

Soon after, he pulled out his favorite books and frequently used items, filling the room quickly.

“Wow, this is exhausting.”

Once he was somewhat settled, Edgar flopped down onto the bed.

Did someone know he would be arriving and clean it beforehand?

Despite being a room that hadn’t been used, there wasn’t a speck of dust.

He felt a strong urge to take a nap right then, but since it was his first day, he wanted to explore around a bit.

Should he go with Creed, though?

He felt too alone, but at the same time, wouldn’t that attract attention?

‘Hmm?’

As he pondered while staring at the ceiling, a sudden tremor made the floor shake, and a loud noise echoed from outside.

‘An earthquake?’

As the vibrations grew closer and the noise louder, Edgar jumped up in surprise.

At that moment,

Clunk.

“Hey! Are you Edgar!?”

“Ah, hi…”

“…?”

Suddenly, a boy and girl barged in, cheerfully greeting him.

Actually, to clarify, it was the boy who greeted him cheerfully, while the girl peeked out from behind him.

‘Are these the kids who live here?’

There seemed to be no other reasonable conclusion.

Then heavy footsteps plodded in behind them, and the tall figure of Creed appeared at the door with a wry smile.

“These kids have been dying to see you. Go ahead and introduce yourself.”

“Ah, I’m Edgar. I’ll be staying here for a while.”

In response to Edgar’s straightforward introduction, the boy in front of him thumped his chest and, with his brown hair flaring, replied,

“I’m Leonel! I’m fourteen, so just call me Leo!”

‘He’s got good social skills.’

He was a race Edgar had never seen before.

Just talking with him brightened the room it felt like.

He seemed like a boy who would be well-liked by everyone as he grew up.

“Hey, Enya. You should introduce yourself too.”

“U-um, okay…”

After Leo had finished his introduction, he pushed the girl who was hiding behind him forward as if to nudge her.

The orange-haired girl, seemingly unsure where to put her hands, looked down shyly and muttered her name.

“I-I’m Enya… I’m thirteen.”

Looks like she’s younger.

Since a one-year difference isn’t much, it would be easier for Edgar to think of her as a friend, so he casually nodded in acknowledgment.

“Nice to meet you, Enya. So what’s the relationship like between you and Leo?”

“W-what do you mean by relationship…?”

Enya’s face instantly brightened red as she lifted her head to ask back.

Edgar had sensed something from earlier, so this confirmed it.

Grinning, he teased the timid girl.

“I just asked because you and Leo seem really close. Could he be your boyfriend?”

“Leo and I…? W-well, that’s…”

Enya couldn’t deny it nor affirm it, waving her hands in the air.

Seeing this unfold, Leo jumped in front and cut Edgar off ever so sharply.

“We’re just friends! Right, Enya?”

“Y-yeah… We’re just friends.”

As Leo insisted emphatically that they were simply friends, Enya’s expression darkened.

Watching this unfold, Edgar shook his head internally.

‘That poor kid. It’s obvious to anyone watching.’

People’s love lives are always interesting to hear about, but that didn’t mean he could intrude recklessly.

After all, which was more absurd than doing that to someone he just met?

Anyway, they seemed like nice kids, which put his mind at ease.

He didn’t think they’d be territorial just because he arrived first.

Above all, he figured there might be some fun just observing the relationship between these two.

Thus, this new beginning at his newly established home turned out to be even merrier than he had anticipated.