Chapter 8 - Return

Saint Gerald Castle

Castle Wall

From above the towering walls of Saint Gerald Castle, a long procession can be seen on the ground.

Men, marching in an orderly manner as they surround a carriage in the middle. This marching group is heading towards the direction of the castle itself. 

Ecish who have been dealing with matters regarding the visit of a member of House Zalbaag were alerted. Heading towards the castle walls to observe what is going on.

Seeing the men wearing the attire of the retinue of his lord and a carriage bearing his Lord's house sigil, he heaved a sigh of relief.

The lord's return was expected, but what was not expected was his Lord's entourage haste in their journey home.

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Inside the carriage

Madeline's eyes are drawn to the Saint Gerald Castle. From a far it looks small, but as one nears the castle that's when they will truly realize how enormous the castle was.

The walls filled with arrow slits, as above the walls battlements are constructed, in front of the gate a drawbridge is lowered, as moats surround the castle walls.

Any invader planning to siege the castle will have to think twice as the castle is filled with defensive fortifications, one cannot simply doubt the formidableness of Saint Gerald Castle.

It stands strong alone in this barren area, devoid of color other than the dull gray of the stone used in its construction. A castle one must conquer to master the barony of Zalsac, a proof of ownership and a symbol of power. 

Saint Gerald Castle is the seat of power of House Ih Leviathan. A castle founded to show the house's long and powerful heritage.

'Years ago, this castle still had that rustic atmosphere in it. Everything about it looks like it has been left through the passage of time. Now, although it looks the same, its atmosphere more solemn than rustic.

Soldiers can be seen around the castle walls watching its surroundings. Small attempts of repair and maintenance of the castle could be noticed by the uneven color of stones in the walls.

A fortified tower or two had been added to its defensive roster. Last time I was here, there were no moats or drawbridge in the castle.'

'The land around the castle was once nothing, but grass and inclines of dirt. Now the former grassland around the castle is being cultivated into fields. The bumpy dirt road, now flattened.'

Her eyes blinked with bright luster as she stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar sight.

'Yet all of this was achieved by a man around my age, keeping the barony from falling in disarray after Lord Arguile's sudden death.

Turning this once monolithic land into a developing barony. The soldier's armament standardize, their loyalty to the fief as high as when Saint Gerald still ruled this land.

Two bronze knights, and an earth mage, joining the roster of the barony. There's also an additional ship named 'Threading Hog', and another one still under construction.' 

'All of this happened in a short span of two years under the rule of this man in front of me.'

Madeline's eyes shifted from the castle to the person in front of her. With eyes as bright as the day's sky, looking at a familiar and unfamiliar man, like his castle, a lot has changed in her friend.

The Prewell of the old, would have not invited her to his Castle. Even if there is indeed danger, at most he would increase the amount of protection around her.

Maybe something in him changed, after all, it has been a long time since they've seen each other.

At most, they wrote letters to one another in secret, asking about each other's well-being and her reporting about updates on the task she was in charge with.

'No, not maybe, something definitely changed. I had my suspicion before in our correspondence.

This time him telling me to 'come home', is not something that he would have told me in such a direct manner.

Well, he still looks and acts the same. So what changed?' With a tilted head, the azure colored eyes stared at the man's profile. 

Back resting against the seat, hands holding a small book. Head leaning down as the man busied himself in reading important matters jotted down in the small ledger. 

Perhaps feeling a stare coming from across him, the man closed the small ledger and raised his head to meet the Azure eyed beauty's inquisitive gaze.

Just as Prewell was about to ask Madeline about why she was staring at him. Madeline quickly turned her gaze outside. 

Prewell blinked confused, Madeline's sudden action confused him. Before he could make an inquiry regarding her sudden action, the carriage stopped.

"My Lord, we have arrived." The voice of the coachman sounded from the outside.

Prewell opened the carriage door and left, as he got down, he turned and offered his hands to Madeline. 

Ecish, who had been waiting outside the carriage, blinked. He had been waiting for the entourage to enter the Castle's confines and assist his lord in getting off the carriage. But who would have thought that the Lord himself will get down the carriage on his own.

Watching his lord as he offered his hand towards the carriage, Ecish eyes widened. His heart thumped, as he was horrified and shocked by what he was seeing.

His lord, known for his lonesome nature, shared a carriage with another person, and from the way he is offering his hands. It seems to be a female companion. 

As a dainty hand reached for Ecish outstretched hand, Ecish eyes, which had been wide a moment ago, returned to their original look.

Seeing Madeline coming out of the carriage, his original horrified and shocked heart returned to calm.

'Oh, it's Miss Madeline' That's Ecish thought at the moment.

Seeing Madeline so close to Prewell is something the Ecish can understand.

After all, the two have been friends since their early youth. As the (only) friend of Lord Prewell it's understandable that she'll have some special privileges.

Even him a butler, a servant to the Lord, can sometimes joke around his Lordship. Although his Lord's response is more than often just a stare of judgement.

To Ecish it's still a privilege, ask people from 'Hatr', 'Reztel', 'Lawnberg', and 'Waldr' whether they dare to joke around his lord, most would shout 'Impossible!', but he Ecish could and have done it multiple times.

Well, back to the present regarding Lord Prewell and Miss Madeline.

Anyway, Lord Arguile did have the intention of matching the two when he was still alive.

Although Lady Madeline's background as a daughter of a merchant is not high, she is indeed the best match for his Lordship at the moment.

After all, who made Lord Prewell have that cold and indifferent attitude all day long, all other possible candidates for engagement backed off after seeing and hearing his lord's reputation.

In spite the fact that Lord Prewell does not look bad, his attitude and reputation are a source of trouble for the social aspect of his life. 

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"Thank you" Madeline expressed her gratitude to Prewell as his outstretched hand held her own. After getting off the carriage, the couple stood side by side. 

Ecish seeing an opportune moment, approached the two as he bowed and greeted. "My Lord, Miss Madeline, Welcome home!"

Prewell nodded to Ecish, acknowledging his words. "Prepare a room for Madeline. Have someone move in her belongings. After that, come to the study, you'll need to brief me regarding what had happened while I was away."

"As you wish my Lord" Ecish bowed as Prewell led Madeline inside the castle.

His eyes blinked as he went through what happened just now in his mind. His Lord acknowledged his greetings to him and Miss Madeline. No, not just that, his Lord did not deny that this was the home of Miss Madeline.

Not a slight change of expression, not even his Lordship's trade marked eye twitched. 

Touching his chin, Ecish mumbled in a low voice.

"Is it too early to prepare rooms for the young masters and miss's?"

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Saint Gerald Castle

Prewell's Study

Prewell led Madeline to his study, making her sit on a soft cushioned sofa while taking a seat opposite of her.

"So, why have you been staring at me oddly while we were in the carriage?" Prewell asked her what has been bothering him since they arrived in the castle.

"Just curious, my lord." Madeline answered Prewell not denying her moment of curiosity about him.

"There's no need to be so formal, it's just the two of us. As for your curiosity, I think may have an idea why." Expressing his wish for her to stop treating him as formally.

Reminiscing of their childhood, he asked her in his mind. 'After all, we were not so formal when we were young, right Madeline?'

"Well, you've piqued my curiosity even more. Before, you've always been cold and detached. Now…" Pausing in her speech. She leaned towards him, her eyes locked into his red eyes. Whilst his eyes stared at a certain part of her body that began to show.

Seeing his eyes changed where it's looking at for a split second.

She leaned back and covered her chest. Blinking at Prewell, a hint of red slowly showing from her neck up.

In a voice only the two of them can hear, she whispered. "You really did change, Prewell."