Chapter 228: 228 Unrest in the City
The next day, early morning.
When Reiger arrived at the entrance of the Franzer home, not only was the carriage ready to depart, but also a group of fully-armed knights were neatly lined up, poised to leave at any moment.
Yuri and Marilyn had even arrived at the doorway before Reiger, accompanied by Ai En and Ian, engaging in conversation.
Seeing this scene, Reiger’s steps faltered slightly. After a moment, he sighed and continued walking forward.
"Good morning."
Yuri, having noticed Reiger’s arrival, greeted him with a light laugh.
Marilyn, Ai En, Ian, and the knights around them all immediately paid their respects to Reiger in unison.
Reiger responded with a nod of his head before approaching Yuri.
"I was planning to go back alone."
Reiger sighed softly again towards Yuri.
Seeing the entourage, how could he not realize that Yuri intended to accompany him?
"I know," Yuri lifted her gaze, looking at Reiger. "But I’m not at ease."
Yuri did not intend to beat around the bush; she plainly expressed her concerns.
"Then you’re underestimating me," Reiger replied with a calm smile. "After all, it’s not often I get to go home, away from the capital. You could stay at home a while longer."
Yuri wasn’t particularly fond of the capital, so naturally, Reiger didn’t want to drag the young mistress back into that mire because of his decision.
"Besides, there’s the aftermath of the War Festival, the follow-up with the Demon Swordsmen, and the management of the territory. Don’t you have to attend to all these?" Reiger said. "Your father is in no condition to handle these matters. Won’t there be a problem if you leave now?"
"Don’t worry," Yuri said calmly. "The Franzer house is not completely without people. I have arranged everything, so you don’t need to worry about these matters."
Hearing this, Reiger wanted to add something, but Yuri interrupted him.
"Alright, let’s decide on this," Yuri said. "Since you have the courage to face it, why should I avoid it? Let’s go back then!"
Hearing her words, Reiger no longer had anything to say.
At that point, he could only nod, showing his understanding.
The group was ready to board the carriage and leave the Franzer house.
At this moment, someone came to see Reiger and Yuri off.
"Sister! Mr. Reiger!"
"Yuri sister!"
Accompanied by these two voices, a young boy and girl ran over from the house.
It was Mistis and Isu.
"Why have you come?"
Yuri stopped, turned around, looked at her younger siblings, and hurried to meet them.
Reiger also stepped forward to face Mistis and Isu.
The siblings appeared to have just found out about Reiger and Yuri’s plan to return to the capital, running as if in a hurry, looking quite breathless.
"Why are you suddenly going back to the capital?" Isu protested. "I thought you wouldn’t go back!"
Mistis nodded in agreement, sneaking glances at Reiger. After Reiger noticed, her face subtly reddened, and she quickly turned away, retracting her gaze.
"Plans have changed," Yuri didn’t explain much to her siblings, simply patted their heads, and said, "Sorry, but I have to leave the house to you guys for now. Be good and obedient, okay?"
"How about I go with you to the capital?"
Isu’s eyes darted, immediately offering this suggestion.
"Isu! Don’t bother Sister and Mr. Reiger!"
Mistis frowned slightly, scolding Isu in a soft voice.
"What’s the big deal?" Isu pouted, clearly dissatisfied. "I haven’t been to the capital for a long time. The last time I was there, I was only six, and it’s been two years."
"It’s been three years since I’ve been to the capital, and you don’t see me complaining, do you?" Mistis shook her head. "Sister and Mr. Reiger are going on important business, not for fun. You’d just be a nuisance if you went along."
"But..." Isu began to mumble. "Father has become like that, and ever since the War Festival ended, our brother has disappeared, and now Yuri Sister is leaving too. Doesn’t that leave only Mistis Sister and me at home?"
Mistis fell silent.
Reiger, observing the siblings, suddenly felt a sense of pity for them.
Their father, Eredman, was clearly negligent. Not just now, but probably also in the past, he might have never really considered these children’s daily lives.
Safaz was always sneaking around, rarely at home, a brother who was anything but responsible.
Since Yuri had become the court’s chief magician, she often had to stay in the capital to deal with affairs.
And the Franzer family’s eldest daughter, the second miss, had been driven away by her own despicable father, taken back to her mother’s home by her mother, and had not returned for many years.
As a result, Mistis and Isu, the siblings, had ended up as the ones left behind, often abandoned at home with only knights, guards, and servants for company.
It was only natural that they would feel lonely.
"No wonder Mistis seems so precocious, and the youngest is always causing a fuss. A lack of adult presence and loneliness must have shaped their personalities, right?"
Reiger pondered to himself.
Yuri looked even guiltier, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Seeing this, Reiger thought for a moment and simply decided for Yuri.
"Actually, it’s not impossible to take Mistis and your brother with us," Reiger suddenly suggested, surprising Yuri and brightening up Mistis and Isu.
Reiger gave a slight smile and said, "We’re not going to war, and since such a major incident just happened last time, I doubt anything that brazen will occur again so soon. It wouldn’t be bad for Mitis and Isu to stay in the capital for a while, would it?"
"This..."
Yuri hesitated.
Her hesitation immediately gave Mitis and Isu hope.
"We promise to behave ourselves and not cause any trouble!"
Isu immediately raised his hand to signal.
Mitis, concerned with her image and dignity, didn’t want to seem as childish as Isu, but the way she eagerly looked over still softened Yuri’s heart.
"Well... alright then."
Yuri pondered for a while and finally agreed.
"Yay!"
Isu cheered, and Mitis also wore a smile that visibly radiated happiness.
"Let’s set off, then."
Reiger smiled inconspicuously and then spoke.
Only then did Reiger, Isu, and Marilyn lead the delighted Isu and Mitis into the carriage, while Ian and Ai En sat in the driver’s seat, steering the vehicle.
As the carriage made its way down the thoroughfare, the rows of knights began to run, following behind the carriage in a neat, rhythmic trot, creating a resounding sound of footsteps.
And so, Reiger and Yuri embarked on their journey back to the capital.
This piece of news spread at the speed of light, reaching various people’s ears and making its way back to the capital.
......
Traveling from the Vendini hometown in the Fransel territory to the capital took roughly four days.
Three of those days were spent on water routes, from Vendini by boat to Trantia, and one more day was spent on land, traveling by carriage from Trantia to the capital.
Not long ago, Reiger and his party had left the capital for the Fransel territory in the same manner, and now, naturally, they were returning to the capital in the same way.
At this time, it had been less than half a month since Reiger and the others had last left the capital.
Less than half a month later, Reiger and Yuri had returned to the capital once again.
This was beyond everyone’s expectations.
No one could have guessed that after leaving the capital, Reiger and Yuri would return so soon.
But their return was undoubtedly a good thing for certain individuals.
So when the luxurious carriage, bearing the emblem of the Fransel family and leading a procession of knights, grandly appeared before the capital’s gates, there was likewise someone riding in a carriage from within the city to meet Reiger and Yuri.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Ai En and Ian were the first to notice the incoming carriage, exchanging surprised looks before informing those inside the carriage.
"Miss, a carriage bearing the Charlero family emblem has stopped up ahead."
Ian’s announcement silenced the conversation that had been going on inside the carriage.
"Meet with them," came Yuri’s voice from inside, leaving Ai En and Ian with no further hesitation as they drove forward.
At the same time, on the Charlero family’s carriage, two figures who had visited the Fransel home not long ago alighted.
Who else could it be but Philippe and his Attendant Griman?
The pair, along with a large entourage of guards, greeted Reiger and the others.
Reiger and Yuri promptly disembarked from their carriage, coming face to face with Philippe.
"We meet again, Lord Charlero."
Yuri gave Philippe a noble’s greeting.
"We meet again, Lord Fransel," replied Philippe with a courtesy smile, yet a wry one as he said, "You only just declined my invitation to return to the capital, and now here you are, back so soon. It truly is puzzling."
"It’s just a change of plans," Yuri replied calmly, "We have some matters to deal with here, my apologies."
"No trouble at all, as long as you’re back," the bitterness vanished from Philippe’s face, replaced with sincere joy, "Since you’ve returned, I suppose my previous mission was not a failure after all."
Saying this, Philippe seemed to remember something and turned to Yuri.
"By the way, the reconstruction of Lord Fransel’s mansion, with the assistance of court magicians dispatched by the palace, has been completed. Are you planning to go there first, or...?"
Philippe’s question was met with an immediate response.
"I’ll go there first," Yuri said lightly, "My younger siblings have all come with me, and the mansion has just been rebuilt; it also needs time to be set up again. I’m afraid I can’t host Lord Charlero."
"Alright then," Philippe nodded in understanding, "In that case, I won’t disturb you further. The palace should summon you after some time, so you can come to the palace then."
Yuri nodded without another word.
Philippe then turned to Reiger with a smile, and after a sign, departed with Griman and the guards.
Reiger watched them go, pensive.
"Let’s go, we should head back," Yuri called to Reiger, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Okay," Reiger nodded in agreement and got back into the carriage with Yuri.
Before long, the Fransel family’s carriage was on its way again, driving into the capital toward the direction of the Fransel mansion.
Reiger once again returned to the capital, causing a ripple of unrest within it.