Chapter 38: Hermina
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▽▽▽ Side: Alexander Axel Bayerlein ▽▽▽
After a four-day journey by carriage from Axel Territory, I entered Ashud Territory, ruled by Lord Roxfall.
Ashud is a mountainous territory, and the lord’s manor is located at a high altitude, atop several hills. I’ve heard that the territory’s beginnings trace back to a village of miners who once extracted iron ore here.
"Alexander-sama, we are nearing our destination," announced August Kessler, the knight leading my guard.
The window glass in the carriage was a bit uneven in color. My reason for coming to Ashud as an envoy stemmed from this very glass. But it wasn’t just ordinary glass—it was flawless, without distortions or color imperfections, crafted into a beautiful bottle.
This exquisite glass bottle contained a premium variant of Horse King sake, a truly unique masterpiece.
When I arrived at Lord Roxfall’s manor, I stepped down from the carriage and straightened my posture... but then my gaze was drawn to the woman standing beside Lord Roxfall.
Impossible… she looks just like… my mother.
This woman bore an uncanny resemblance to my mother in her youth. And instinctively, I understood.
This woman is my sister.
My sister was kidnapped when she was thirteen. My father, mother, and I—our entire family—held onto the belief that she would return safely.
But she never came back.
Those responsible for her abduction were either killed or captured. The ones captured were tortured so severely that they begged for death. I still remember the terrifying, almost demonic fury my usually kind father displayed.
Twelve years have passed, and we’ve never forgotten her. Yet, we had no clues to her whereabouts.
Our family is responsible for intelligence within the kingdom; failing to find my sister brought us nothing but shame. I admit that, in the past, I took out my frustration on the intelligence officers, who had done all they could. I regret that now.
But my sister is alive!
I was so overwhelmed with joy that I didn’t know how to approach her.
Before I knew it, I felt nauseous, the joy twisting into physical discomfort.
"Sebas… did you see her?"
Lying on the sofa, I asked the family’s long-serving butler, Sebas, with a hoarse voice.
"Yes. I was so shocked, I thought my heart might stop."
"You believe she’s Hermina, too?"
"Lady Roxfall bore an astonishing resemblance to your mother in her youth. She appears to be around twenty-five years old, just as Lady Hermina would be, with that golden hair that glows in sunlight and her gem-like green eyes—both signature features of Lady Hermina."
Sebas, usually a man of few words, spoke at length.
It only affirmed his certainty.
"I’ll write a letter to Father. Send it with the fastest courier."
"As you wish."
I wrote the letter quickly, summarizing the critical points to save time. Two knights set off from Ashud with the message, each equipped with a spare horse.
Now, I needed to calm myself and think this through.
How should I approach Lady Roxfall?
Father will most certainly come immediately. As a duke, he might be criticized for abandoning his duties, but given that this concerns my sister, he will rush here without hesitation.
But should I mention our lost sister to her now?
Wait a moment—why didn’t my sister react upon seeing me?
Twelve years… is that enough time to forget the faces of one’s family?
Granted, I’m thirty now, but surely I still resemble my eighteen-year-old self in some way?
Why doesn’t Hermina say anything…?
"Alexander-sama, Lord Roxfall is here to see you. May I let him in?"
I nodded at Sebas and rose from the sofa.
"Alexander-sama, how are you feeling?"
"I apologize for the trouble I caused you, Lord Roxfall. I’m feeling much better."
"I’m glad to hear it. We’ve prepared a welcoming banquet for tonight. Would you be able to attend?"
"Yes, I’d be delighted to join you."
As I saw Lord Roxfall out, I called for Sebas.
"Sebas, look into how Lord Roxfall came to marry Hermina."
"I’ve already done so."
As expected of Sebas.
"Tell me."
"Lord Roxfall’s marriage to Lady Hermina resulted from the former Marquis of Lightstar’s retirement."
What I heard next only filled me with rage.
Lightstar enslaved my sister. How unforgivable!
Could he have orchestrated the kidnapping as well? That wretched old man certainly seemed capable of it.
Even if he wasn’t involved, our family’s search for my sister caused a massive stir back then. Normally, the abduction of a noble’s child would be kept quiet to avoid bringing shame upon the house, but my father didn’t care for that. He spread portraits of my sister throughout the kingdom, including to Lightstar.
And yet, despite knowing this, Lightstar kept Hermina as a slave and even made her his concubine? My anger is beyond words.
That family will pay for what they’ve done!
Taking a deep breath, I sipped the tea Sebas had prepared, trying to calm myself. How many times will I have to collect myself over this?
"The child standing beside Hermina—was he born of Lightstar?"
"Indeed, his name is Toma."
That silvery-blue hair and golden eyes are unmistakably traits of the Lightstar line. I may resent it, but he is still my sister’s child. Toma is blameless in this.
"And the baby is Lord Roxfall’s child, correct?"
"Yes, that would be Master Siegvalt."
Both Toma and Siegvalt are my precious nephews. I vow to protect them.