CHAPTER 8 - II -

 

The rest of our journey to the town of Coventry was quite uneventful.  Apart from the region around Cullen, the deeper we went into the Duchy of Braunhauer, the fewer signs of conflict came into our view, much like the lands near the royal capital.

 

It’s like the simmering war’s effects could be found and felt at the fringes of the territories of the key players in this conflict.

 

At the town proper of Coventry itself, life continued as usual.  It’s like a different world when we entered, and though the militia and the Ban’s soldiers were immediately moved-in to secure our path, the people still rushed in to peek at the Saint’s entourage.

 

“Hurrah for Her Holiness!” the shouts grew louder as we went down the main road that bisected the town.  Some even went as far as throwing flowers at us, and confetti came raining down as well.  Good thing that compared to Fen, Coventry had fewer people for its population, thus the escorts had an easier time in subduing them.

 

I was looking at Maddie from time to time.  Though she would occasionally wave at her adoring crowd, she kept a reflective distance from them.

 

I wonder what’s on her mind…

 

She looked so beautiful with that expression on her face.

 

“…”

 

Ahem.  Alright, moving on, soon a familiar person came into our view.

 

“Your Holiness, welcome!” the young maid—I mean, Duchess Eris was happily waving her hand at us.  Behind her was an armed contingent of men, possibly the Duke’s guards.

 

I guess we already arrived at our destination, huh?

 

 

“Hello, Duchess Eris!  It’s good to see you again!” Maddie’s mood quickly changed from prim and formal to friendly once she saw the young maidservant.  She alighted from her carriage and came to greet Eris on foot—a Chersean custom of showing ‘mutual respect’.

 

“Hello, Your Holiness!” Eris responded by giving the Saint a curtsy, “Welcome to Eris’ land, the Duchy of Braunhauer.”

 

“Glad tidings, Duchess Braunhauer!” Lily also greeted her subordinate, “It’s been a while!”

 

“Eris missed her Big Sis Head Maid!” the young duchess threw herself on Lily, at which the head maid caught without flinching, “She hopes Big Sis Head Maid, Her Holiness, and Mister Kuro be happy in their stay!”

 

“T-Thank you, Your…uh, E-Excellency!” I nervously answered.  Well, this was an unfamiliar situation compared to when we’re at the Holy Palatial Gardens.  Back there, Maddie would encourage her guests (including me) to treat her maids as what they were, servants (with due respect, of course).  It’s for them to know how it was to serve, she said.

 

However, here, Eris would be way higher in rank than me, a commoner.  So, I got to mind my tongue when talking to her, lest I intend to piss-off her family’s supporters.

 

“Uh…Mister Kuro, you don’t have to be formal to Eris!” the child told me, “Eris’ your friend!”

 

“Greetings, Your Excellency Lady Eris!” the Ban of Kistral approached her and kneeled to kiss her hand, but the young duchess quickly pulled her hands away and hid behind Lily.

 

Err…you don’t do that to a kid, you know?  It’s creepy.

 

“Hey, little squirt!”

 

“SIS!”  Eris’ face lit up, and she rushed toward her sister, the Marquise of Monfort, once she saw her.  Just like how she threw herself on Lily, the young duchess let her older sister caught her just as she was about to slam on her.

 

“Heh!  You really are used to this place!” the Marquise lovingly doted on her, “You got heavier than last time!”

 

“Well, Eris missed Mommy Hanna’s cooking!”

 

“Hehe…yeah, the old lady’s a superb cook.”

 

“Indeed!” Maddie backed the Marquise’s statement, “I tasted her food once when you brought some of it last time.  And it’s great!”

 

“Right!  Mommy Hanna cooked dinner this time, and it’s Her Holiness’ favorite too!”

 

“Oooh!” Maddie’s eyes suddenly sparkled, “It’s really nice to be the Saint sometimes…”

 

“Oi.” Lily’s iron hand gripped the Saint’s shoulder, “I know what you’re thinking; but if you overeat once again, I’ll have you run 50 laps, Your Holiness!”

 

Maddie said nothing back at Lily.  But well, from time to time Lily could get scary…especially with her friends’ well-being.

 

Just like a mother…

 

“Mister Kuro!” Eris turned to me, “Eris also taught Mommy Hanna about the food you cook for Eris before!  You better have a taste!”

 

“You mean that ‘adobo’ thing? Sure!”  Well, it really piqued my interest, hearing that a familiar dish from the world would be given an otherworldly twist.  I wonder how it tastes?

 

“…”

 

Oh, dear.  This isn’t good.

 

The other men who were with us were glaring at me as if they wanted to tear me apart.  It reminded me of those mercenaries whom I fought earlier.  A few of them were deliberately showing me their well-maintained blades, as if telling me silently that I’d better be watching my back.

 

Maybe they don’t like it I can talk so casually to these noble ladies?

 

“I’d mind my back if I were you.”

 

I turned and saw the Ban of Kistral was behind me, “You may have the Saint’s support with you, but the men of the House of Braunhauer aren’t pushovers, commoner.  I suggest you know your rightful place.”

 

I said nothing back to him, for I didn’t want any trouble for now.  Don’t worry, I don’t like you either.

 

My eyes inadvertently fell on Maddie, asking for help in this situation.  After all, I could feel daggers being thrown at me by the Duke’s men.  Good thing she was quick to pick up my distress call, “Anyway, Duchess Eris, shall we see your father now?”

 

“Ah, yes!” the young duchess pulled her hand, “Daddy prepared the family guesthouse, at the eastern side of the town, for Your Holiness.  He’s waiting there, together with Eris’ mommies.  Please feel at home!”

 

“Alright, lead the way!” Maddie cheerfully chirped in.

 

And with that, the second phase of our mediation began.

 

 

The Braunhauer guesthouse was like a typical remote French chateau in the middle of a grassy plain, not too far from the eastern side of the town of Coventry, which served as the duchy’s capital.  Outside, the walls surrounding the house were quite thick, perfect for keeping off some raiding parties who would try to sack the place.

 

However, with a determined attacker, I think I won’t like to be in this manor during that time.

 

“…”

 

But I guess the Duke didn’t even have to worry about that.  His primary residence was that mansion at the top of a mound constructed sometime earlier for defense, not too far off from where we were right now.  In case of a siege like the one in Cullen, the Duke and his family could also seek refuge at the tower that dominated the skyline of the town, and the town proper itself was surrounded by thick, high walls and a moat.

 

The Duke and his family could seek shelter in the town proper and direct the defense from there anytime.

 

A pretty clever arrangement, huh?

 

“Daaaad!!!” Eris called out to her father once we arrived at the doorstep of the guesthouse.  Fortunately, she wasn’t screaming this time, or it’d break our ears, “Her Holiness is here!”

 

A few moments of silence followed.  Maddie and Lily looked at each other awkwardly.  The Marquise came to me and whispered…

 

“Don’t worry.  This is normal.  Wait for it…”

 

“Huh?  What is it to wait for?”

 

“Heh…a comedy.”

 

“What?”

 

Soon enough, we heard the clanging of pots and crashing of plates.  And then, there were clucking chickens and some ladies screaming.  Finally, the door opened, and a slim, quite disheveled man emerged.

 

“Told ‘ya.” the Marquise silently laughed.

 

“M-M-M-My apologies, Y-Your Holi-Holiness!” he said, while trying to fix his pants’ buttons, “I was halfway done bathing, and Eris came shouting that you already arrived.”

 

“Err…no worries, Your Excellency, the Duke of Braunhauer.” Maddie answered, “I understand that you’re in the middle of doing…something.  But please, try to wear your underclothing under your pants next time.”

 

The Duke’s jaw almost dropped upon hearing that, and he stumbled back into his manor.  Eris was red in embarrassment, while the Ban of Kistral was shaking his head.  The next thing that happened, we heard someone hitting something, a man crying out in pain, and a thud.  After that, a dignified lady appeared—who quickly threw a wooden club away from our view, and greeted us.

 

What, is this some slapstick comedy?

 

“Uhm…our deepest apologies for my husband, Your Holiness!  He got too engrossed in choosing the best clothes for the occasion, that he forgot that you’re arriving soon.  I hope you don’t take his foolishness against him.”  I think we all heard that she emphasized that word, “If it pleases you, do come in our humble abode.  We prepared the most modest fare fit for a Saint, in case you haven’t had your dinner yet.”

 

“Thank you, Lady Braunhauer!” The girls curtsied while I took my bow, and one by one we entered the guesthouse.  I couldn’t help but notice that Lady Braunhauer was taking an eyeful at me from head to toe.

 

What?  I have done nothing yet!  Well, no matter.  I’d just stick around Maddie this time.

 

 

Since it was late for dinner when we arrived at the Braunhauer guesthouse, we were immediately led to the dining hall, where the Duke had prepared a modest feast for us.

 

Well, yeah.  A modest ‘feast’, because though they claimed it was humble fare, this could already feed a battalion of men.

 

The Duke of Braunhauer, now dressed like a true noble, officially welcomed us by introducing his entire household, “Your Holiness, these are my wives.  The Mistress of my house, Yasmin Johanna Braunhauer.”

 

The dignified-looking lady with auburn hair curtsied before us, “As the Mistress of the House Braunhauer, I gladly welcome you to our lands.”

 

Once the mistress sat down, the Duke continued his introductions, “This is my other wife, Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna Braunhauer.  She’s in charge of my daughters’ upbringing.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you once again, Your Holiness!” the lady with red, braided hair greeted us with a curtsy as well.  After her greeting, I noticed she cast a glance at me, before going to her respective seat at the dinner table.  Between the two wives, Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna resembled Eris more, so I guess she’s her true mother?

 

“And Your Holiness, I believed you know them already.  However, let me once again introduce to you my daughters, Dusis Luisa Braunhauer-Monfort.”

 

“…”

 

The Marquise of Monfort then came in the dining hall, all dressed-up formally.  Her noble gown was of light purple and had yellow roses on the fringes.  The goofy, sometimes tough-talking captain of the paladin guards was looking like a proper lady before us right now.

 

“…” I guess everyone present at the dinner table was flabbergasted.  I mean, for me, it’s the first time I saw her wearing a noblewoman’s attire.  And well, though she may be a known tomboy at the Holy Palatial Gardens, it’s easy to mistake her for a lady at this moment.

 

“As the lord of the March of Monfort, under the authority of the Duke of Braunhauer my father, I, Dusis Luisa Braunhauer-Monfort, welcomes Your Holiness to our humble land.” the Marquise of Monfort curtsies with all grace and dignity.

 

I’m really surprised by her transformation.  I didn’t know that the Marquise had this side to her personality.

 

“Here’s my youngest daughter, Eris Braunhauer.”

 

At that cue, Eris then entered the dining hall, wearing an elegant dress as well.  Well, it was also new to me, for I always see the young duchess in her maid uniform I forgot that she’s a daughter from the nobility.  I’d say they really prepared for this welcome for us, since these two Braunhauer children took the effort to fix their appearances here at the dinner table.

 

“As the duchess of the Duchy of Braunhauer, under the authority of the Duke of Braunhauer my father, Eris—”

 

“Eris…” the Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna gently interrupted her daughter, “I believed that’s the wrong way you introduce yourself.  You don’t have to imitate your older sister every time!”

 

“Eris is sorry, Mom!”

 

“Please introduce yourself properly.” the other wife, Mistress Johanna, told her, “You can do it!”

 

Eris then curtsied before us once again, “E-Eris…is…uh…E…Eris…is…”  Her cheeks were both red in embarrassment, and I could tell that she was shaking.

 

Well, I know it’s bad to think that way, but I think it’s cute.

 

“Hahaha!” the Duke of Braunhauer suddenly laughed, though he did not mean to mock his daughter with it, “It’s fine Eris, just come to the dinner table!  You’ll have plenty more time to practice that later, Chummy!”

 

Eris quickly dove into the arms of her other mother, Mistress Johanna, to hide her embarrassed face.

 

“My apologies for my daughter!” Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna told Maddie, “She’s still learning to do proper introductions.”

 

“It’s fine!” Maddie answered, with an amused smile on her lips.  She really enjoyed Eris’ cute way of introducing herself.

 

Well, at least I got someone who has the same opinion as me.  I’m not a lolicon at all!