Chapter 5 - II -

 

Anyway, I thought our troubles were over by then.  The people graciously let us pass and the journey to the Rubinforth estate was nothing else but pleasant from that point onwards.  But when we reached the gate of the aristocrat’s manor, everyone heard a loud and long trumpet blast.

 

Lily stared at Her Holiness, “Isn’t it the horn of your father’s entourage, Maddie?”

 

“Indeed, it is.” However, the Human Saint remained unmoved, with a stoic face.  She looked like she was having a rocky relationship with her father…

 

“Well, make that ‘not pleased’.” Her Fluffy Holiness spoke as an answer to my thoughts, “It’s more like, Maddie’s going ‘Uhh…Here we go again.’.”

 

“Hmm?  Her Holiness has a feud with her father?” I couldn’t help but ask.  I turned to her and was surprised that Her Holiness was already staring at me.

 

“You’ll get what the Great White Wolf means sooner than you think, Kuro.” Her Holiness told me.

 

Why do you guys keep on hiding things from me instead of just answering right away?  I’m getting annoyed, but well…why do I care?  I just got dragged into this vacation thing, anyway!

 

“Well, if we tell you right away, there would be no suspense in this stupid story, don’t you think?” Her Holiness replied.

 

Huh?  What are you saying?

 

“Nothing.”

 

Lily ordered the carriage to stop at a wide clearing just a few distances away from the manor.  The guards who rode before us then moved aside as another coach—an elegant one, appeared, and out from behind its doors, a man was helped down by a butler.

 

Oh, good lord…here comes the asshole from the Seasonal Mass…

 

As usual, Her Holiness’ father had a stern but dignified look on his face.  He was flanked by two servants as he walked towards us.  Several other men were following him; all were wearing flashy armor and carrying bright flags.  In contrast, our group could be mistaken for some ragtag band of commoners with two aristocrats leading them.

 

“I have arrived, father.”  Much to my surprise, Her Holiness bowed respectfully before her old man.  Well, you couldn’t blame me.  Ever since I came here, they gave me the impression that being a Saint was the highest existence available for a mortal.  I’m kind of pleased that the people of Chersea still look up to their elders, even though their existence was almost equal to that of gods.

 

“Welcome to Fen, Your Holiness!” The father welcomed his holy daughter in a dignified, official manner, “I hope you had a pleasant trip.”

 

“I do.  Thank you for your concern.”

 

Everyone became silent as both the Saint and her father seemed to eye each other for a few moments.  And then…

 

“Big sis, welcome back!”

 

Two kids with striking silver hair—a young boy and girl, emerged from the other carriage and ran at full speed towards Her Holiness.  The Saint smiled and quickly spread her arms as if to welcome them, and both jumped at her for a big embrace—

 

“Buh—”

 

“!!!”

 

Or so I thought.

 

“Geez, what are you doing, old man?” the boy snapped at the Saint’s father.  The old guy prevented the kids from getting near their sister by yanking at their clothes.  Naturally, with that kind of speed at which they run, they would stumble and eventually fall.

 

“William, Sophia, is that the proper way to give a welcome to Her Holiness?”

 

Wow, this guy must be a party-pooper.

 

Realizing their mistake, the two children straightened up, dusted their clothes, and returned to their old, aristocratic selves.  They stood behind their father and bowed in reverence before their sister.

 

“Welcome to Fen, Your Holiness!” they formally greeted her.

 

You know, I honestly think I’m watching a strange scene.

 

And then another round of silence followed.  Is this a Chersean custom?  They have a lot of time to waste; I guess?

 

“Maddie!” the old man suddenly softened up on his tough exterior and ran dramatically towards his daughter.  Some tears were being shed as he made his way to her.

 

“Papa!”  Likewise, the daughter also broke into a dramatic run, and they were to meet in the middle of the road between the carriages.

 

The kids just watched them with an uninterested expression.  I bet they’re kind of pissed right now because, hell; they did the same thing earlier, and they got an earful from their father.  I would think of the same, too.

 

Honestly, what the hell am I watching?  Some sort of awkward reunion movie?

 

“Maddie!”

 

“Papa!”

 

“Maaaaaddddddiiiiiiieeeeee—ouuuueeeeerrrrrrhhhhh!!!”

 

“Oh, my!  Papa suddenly vomited again!” the Saint was quick to step aside to avoid her father’s incoming goo.

 

Yeah, what the hell did just happen?

 

 

Duke Albert Matthew Marcus Sidney Rubinforth, Duke of Rubinforth and Chief Counselor of the Council of Royal Ministers, the advisory body to the king.  One of the most influential and powerful politicians in the Kingdom of Nerfes, and also in the entire world inhabited by humans.  He was widely known for his dedication to his duties, as well as his staunchly reactionary views towards the relationship between nobles and commoners.  His sobriquet, ‘Iron Counselor’, was the proof of his stubbornness in defending and proclaiming his views.  

 

To the people of Nerfes, his voice was equal to the voice of God—which was, coincidentally, his daughter.  Or so I heard…

 

“…”

 

But yeah, with all those impressive titles and tall stories, the Duke of Rubinforth that I’m looking at right now was far from those.  For all that they said about him, I guess there were a few ironies.  For one, I could tell that the Duke was way too doting towards his daughter.  I mean, what the heck, just look at those banners that were hanging at the manor…

 

‘Welcome home, Maddie!’

 

‘Papa’s waiting for his baby!’

 

‘Bow down before my holy daughter, peasants!’

 

Honestly, how far would this man go to show his contempt for others?  Just because his daughter was the Saint, he’s showing everyone how superior his family was…

 

Now I’m getting the idea that the reason everyone here at Fen knew about Her Holiness’ arrival was because of those banners and streamers.  Like what?  Baby?  Do you call your daughter ‘Baby’ at that age?  That’s freaking creepy and awkward!  And second, though he may have tried to make himself appear to be tough, the Duke was currently being tended to since Her Holiness appeared; he began vomiting the moment they came too close to each other.

 

“Err…i-is your father okay, Your Holiness?” I worriedly asked the Saint as she just stood aside and was reduced to staring coldly at her old man from a considerable distance.

 

“Don’t worry too much about him; he’s fine.” she quipped.

 

He doesn’t look fine to me, though.

 

“You worry too much, Master!” Her Fluffy Holiness seconded, with the same coldness in her eyes.

 

Come on, guys!  The old dude is getting paler and paler by the minute!  How about you, Lily?

 

My eyes turned to the Head Maid, but she also kept her unusual distance.  She carried on her duties as a normal maid should.  The paladin guards didn’t even care.  His other children also maintained their aloof expressions.  The only ones who were doing something were the Duke’s guards; however, they’re just fanning him like he’s hot or something…

 

What the hell, guys?  That isn’t how you administer first aid to a collapsed man!

 

I looked around to look for water for him to drink.  But everyone’s busy unloading and unpacking things; no one’s bothering to help.

 

“Pah!  You’re too noisy and fussy, young man!” I suddenly heard the gruff voice of the sick fellow behind me.  I turned and was surprised to see that he’s recovered from being deathly pale to a healthy pink color.  The Duke’s now stood on his feet!

 

That is quick!

 

“Told you, Papa is alright.” the Saint nonchalantly commented.

 

Wha—how?

 

Her Fluffy Holiness chuckled, “How come you didn’t notice, Master?  You’re supposed to be a sharp person!”

 

Well, you girls kept your weird distance from him, even if the Duke seems like he’s about to die?

 

“That’s correct, though only ‘half-correct’, I’d say.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Haa…” Her Holiness then let out a long, exhausted sigh, “Papa has inherited the ‘Curse of the House of Rubinforth’.”

 

“Hah?  A curse?”

 

“Yes, it began with my ancestor, the noble knight Jimmy Nee Rubinforth.” the Human Saint explained, “As you may have heard from Ruro, he’s allergic to big breasts.”

 

What—

 

“And my father had the same curse passed down on him.”

 

Oh, so that ‘common enemy’ that the two Saints are telling me before is…

 

Her Fluffy Holiness continued my words, “It’s because the Duke and his ancestors before him hated big breasts.”

 

“I hope I won’t get that.” I heard the young Rubinforth boy say.

 

“Don’t worry William, I’m sure you won’t!” Her Holiness reassured her little brother by patting his head, “Or you’ll be wasting your life unable to touch one of a woman’s greatest assets.”

 

I’m surrounded by idiots.