The dinner table of the Bellaf family had been set.
Dinner was a daily occurrence, but there were two differences from the usual dinner gathering today.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I truly feel at a loss.”
The first difference was that a merchant named Joseph was joining the family for their intimate meal.
“Don’t be so stiff; make yourself comfortable. Relax.”
The second difference was that Fritz, the second son of Lord Volpen, did not chase Joseph away, despite his presence.
In fact, it was surprising that Fritz had invited Joseph to the meal.
If it were the usual Fritz, he would have kicked Joseph’s behind without hesitation, scolding him for daring to intrude on the nobles’ dining.
However, the current Fritz was quite different from usual.
He behaved as if he had been waiting for Joseph for a long time.
“Try this as well.”
“The taste is truly excellent. This is food that a humble merchant like me could only dream of. I would dare say it is heavenly.”
“Our family’s food isn’t so bad.”
If Hilmor, who led the family, were not present, it would be appropriate for Fritz to welcome the guest.
Thus, Fritz’s current behavior could be seen as unassailable, but it came with the premise of “if Hilmor were absent.”
“Fritz.”
Hilmor, seated at the head of the table, wore a displeased expression throughout the meal.
Having finished half of his meal, he set down his utensils and called Fritz’s name.
His tone suggested he could no longer hold back.
“I can’t even guess why you invited that merchant… Joseph to our dinner.”
Mrs. Bellaf, sitting next to him, nodded in agreement.
She seemed deeply uncomfortable watching her eldest son, Hilmor, lose authority.
“Yes, Fritz. Hilmor is right. Normally, this dinner is a gathering for our family, isn’t it? Joseph, you seem rather unaware for a merchant.”
“I apologize, Mrs. Bellaf. I couldn’t possibly refuse Lord Fritz’s invitation.”
“Mother, isn’t it joyful to have a welcomed guest at dinner? Why ruin the good atmosphere?”
“Fritz! Choose your words carefully!”
Fritz’s behavior towards Hilmor and Mrs. Bellaf was reckless throughout the meal.
It was only natural for Hilmor’s voice to rise.
“I know you often act like a reckless fool. However, keep in mind that the only reason I overlook your antics is that you have not crossed the line.”
“Answer!”
“Ah, yes. Brother. I will heed your words.”
“Haah…”
With the clatter of utensils, dinner resumed.
Joseph, sensing the tension, kept silent, and thanks to Fritz, who would clamp his mouth shut when displeased, the remaining meal time seemed to pass quietly.
“And… Keldric.”
However, this was only Keldric’s thought, who quietly continued his meal in a corner of the table.
Hilmor’s scolding gaze shifted to Keldric, who put down his utensils with a sullen expression.
“Yes, brother.”
“I heard from Malcolm that you took your sword.”
“That’s correct.”
In an instant, Hilmor’s eyebrows twitched.
Keldric did not miss it, but others seemed oblivious.
The first to speak was Keldric.
“Brother, I don’t have any strange thoughts. Since it’s something I must take, I was merely trying to get accustomed to it as soon as possible.”
“You… Yes, I know you’re not the kind to have strange thoughts. However, if you leave even a small crack, a solid dam will eventually break.”
“No matter how pure your thoughts may be, there should be no exceptions to family rules. Especially within the lord’s manor, they must be strictly upheld.”
Keldric was left speechless.
There was no corner to counter Hilmor’s smart words, which he had known since childhood.
There was still no evidence regarding Fritz and Joseph.
Moreover, since both parties were present, bringing it up recklessly could lead to unpredictable consequences from Fritz and Joseph.
“After dinner, return it to the armory. I’ve instructed Malcolm to put your sword back in the armory before returning.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
Hilmor’s inclusion of Malcolm in his command was a wise move.
Smart Hilmor knew that Keldric, despite his size, was considerate of others, and he thought Keldric would have no choice but to return the sword because of Malcolm.
In response, Keldric’s expression visibly soured.
Towards this Keldric, Mrs. Bellaf spoke next.
“Keldric, don’t look so dejected. I will allow you to practice your swordsmanship during the day.”
“Mother…!”
“Hilmor, you should concede this. You know you’ve been too harsh on Keldric.”
Hilmor could only nod.
Though Hilmor had become the head of the family, he had not yet been officially recognized by Baron Volpen, allowing Mrs. Bellaf to maintain her strong influence.
“I will go in first.”
When dinner was nearing its end, Keldric, having finished his meal, stood up.
It would be best to move before it got any darker to return the sword.
Hilmor, aware of this, silently overlooked Keldric’s rudeness in leaving the table before himself and Mrs. Bellaf.
“Yes. Reflect on my words once more. Hurry and go in.”
“Yes, brother. Then…”
As the large Keldric left the dining hall, no one noticed Joseph and Fritz exchanging secret glances.
Nor did they notice Keldric’s sapphire-blue eyes catching sight of that exchange.
Once back in his room, Keldric let out a faint sigh.
“I really can’t return this…”
Though he had answered yes at the dinner table, the idea of returning the sword to the armory according to Hilmor’s words felt impossible.
If pressed for a valid reason, he wouldn’t have much to say, but Keldric’s instincts screamed that he shouldn’t return the sword in his hand.
Keldric had a strong trust in his instincts.
So, he did just that.
Standing in front of the door, he briefly pondered before throwing himself onto the bed.
‘Let’s not overthink this.’
Though the thought of Malcolm waiting weighed on him, Malcolm would surely return on his own when the time was right.
Keldric could always inform him directly.
However, if Hilmor found out and scolded Malcolm severely, that was a different matter.
Given Hilmor’s resolute personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if he followed through with a beating.
‘…I should at least say something to him.’
Ultimately, Keldric could not enjoy the comfort of the bed for even a minute before rising again.
Seeing the neatly arranged bedspread wrinkled, Keldric suddenly thought of Mariam’s face.
Speaking of which, Keldric had advised Mariam not to roam around carelessly after dark.
‘Would Mariam actually heed that advice?’ he wondered, but that was a separate issue.
“I can always check.”
With his sword strapped to his waist, Keldric left the room.
Due to the nature of the North, where the sun set early, darkness had already settled within the lord’s manor.
If he was going to move, now was the right time.
If he delayed, the outside would surely turn completely dark.
‘It’s already dark enough.’
Keldric began to walk slowly.
First, he planned to stop by the armory.
The mercenary Hans, with a scar on one cheek, scratched his rough beard.
He seemed restless, fidgeting like a dog desperate to relieve itself before a big event.
And the other mercenaries hiding around Hans felt the same.
“Shit… Is this really okay?”
“What, are you backing down now? Did you see the look in their eyes?”
Another mercenary replied.
In his eyes, only the Ducato gold coins were visible, but alongside that, there was also the fear of the cavalry they had seen moments earlier.
“Those eyes… They’re professional killers. They’re not in a position like ours, doing odd jobs.”
“What’s the difference? We’ve sliced through bandits a few times too.”
“Hey, have you ever seen a bandit in armor riding a horse?”
“…I heard that the demons from beyond the eastern plateau ride horses too.”
“Whatever. Anyway, those guys had unsettling eyes. If we had refused earlier, they might have attacked us right away.”
“That’s… well…”
Hans couldn’t find a solid rebuttal and clicked his tongue long.