To Tora

Chapter 5: To Tora

"I am never going near women again. They are too mean."

— Casper (LS 1212)

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Year 1212, 14th day of the 7th month – Vicinity of Tora Bridge~

[Spike]

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We have almost arrived at the Tora Bridge. Lord Mavis said that once we cross the bridge it is only three days journey to Rorengar.

I couldn't believe we are returning to Rorengar. It is my motherland, but the way I was treated there… And how my lord was treated there. I couldn't find it within me to forgive them…

As I pondered about what my lord said to us a few days ago.

I took out a parchment with a new identity written on it. I couldn't help but smile.

Reflecting back on my life,

An orphan, then a slave, then was sold.

Luckily I was sold to the greatest master, someone like me could hope for. And now I am part of his party.

I have gained many things in this journey.

A friend in Gikko, a little brother like Casper and moral support from everyone else.

Even our lord treats me like family, he greets me when he sees me and asks about my day if there is time. I have never seen a lord treating a butler like that...

I haven't been as contented, for a huge part of my life. Glad I can move forward now.

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As I was musing on my thoughts, the horses cried out and the carriage stopped. I calmed them down and Sir Julian came out to check the issue.

I told him, "Sir, there appears to be a congestion up ahead."

Julian studied the crowded road in front of us and nodded. By this time Lord Axel and Lady Celine had already approached us.

They have told me many times, to call them by their names. But it's really embarrassing for me.

"Spike you and Gikko take care of the horses. I will go check what is the problem." Sir Axel said and started moving. I nodded in understanding and called for Gikko.

As we were waiting for Sir Axel to return, Lady Celine was getting impatient.

She shouted in her usual voice, "AAAAH! I WILL GO FOLLOW AXEL!"

She didn't even look at us and just ran in his direction. I could only sigh. Sir Julian simply chuckled at their mischief and excused himself to go talk to Lord Mavis.

All I could do was calm the horses and wait for the two of them..

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After about ten or twelve minutes. I saw them returning with 2 ladies on horses. I wondered where the horses came from.

From behind Lady Celine came down a woman, gazing at whom I deemed thunder strike me.

She had beautiful brown hair and a noble appearance. She was wearing one of the elegant dresses sold at 'Yearning'. I have seen that dress many times before… And now in front of me was an angel, wearing that dress. I gaped at her as she and her party passed me, and went towards my lord's carriage.

If it wasn't for Lady Celine's nudge.. I would've stayed like that for a while.

I glanced at Lady Celine and asked her in a desperate voice…

"My lady…. Who was that?"

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[Axel]

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As I approached the cause of the congestion, I heard many people wailing about it. Apparently a noble's carriage broke down a bit away from the current position.

The road we are on at the moment is quite narrow. As it's through a mountainous path. Two carriages barely fit side by side.

The ironic part is, the royal road was only one or two miles ahead… Breaking down here was quite unfortunate.

I started walking towards the collapse as I heard a redhead calling out my name. I couldn't help but smile as Celine followed me.

"Sigh!" I couldn't help but sigh to this… I didn't understand myself at the moment. Celine was always a constant in my life since the time in the academy.

But now with all the changes… She changed too. She is still childish from time to time. But she is gentler, sweeter and acts more mature… Well tries to at least.

*Chuckle*

Celine caught up quickly. I smiled at her to greet her, and we started walking together.

We arrived at a broken carriage within minutes.

There, we noticed a noble lady arguing with a man. The man appeared to be a mage, I judged by his robes.

There were six other men, dressed in guard uniforms and one other lady that seemed like her maid.

As we approached, I heard the lady say, "No Jerkas! I rather start walking than ride with you."

"Why are you being like this, my dear? I am simply giving you a solution! Your carriage is broken and I have a carriage up and running. Just join me inside."

"I can just ride with one of my guards! Why do I have to go with you?" The lady shouted at the mage. She seemed to detest the man.

"Oh but my dear, I don't think your guards will take you on their horses." The man said with a disgusting smile…

I surveyed the carriage and the wheel that was broken.

I frowned, as I realized this wasn't due to an accident. It was more like someone deliberately cutting a few spokes slightly, so it will break after a while.

It feels a bit too calculated. A normal warrior or bandit can't do this, so my bet is on this mage.

Then I saw the lady staring at her guards who all dropped their heads. She surveyed them with disbelief.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" She shouted frantically.

But her guards could only look away. Only her maid supported her and whispered something in her ears.

The lady looked depressed. She seemed like a little girl who lost everything. And right then~

I felt a rush of wind as Celine rushed towards the girl and hugged her.

I was alarmed and so was everyone else. The guards were barely normal journeymen and the captain was barely an intermediate rank, so their reaction was to get their heads around the matter before they could draw their swords. The mage seemed still stunned. I can't sense mana, so I don't know his rank unless he casts a spell.

I stepped in as they were about to draw their swords. While invoking my aura.

"Stop, no need to get agitated." I said with a low voice.

Every one of them shuddered and stopped their action.

The lady who was being hugged, erm, crushed by Celine, was stunned by the new arrivals.

She glanced at Celinel, who was hugging her and looking sad. She had a questioning gaze, as she had never seen the lady before. But before she could ask.

Celine stated, "Don't feel so sad. You don't need to go with THESE STINKIES!! You can come with us. I am sure Lucian wouldn't mind helping you!!"

The lady was stunned by the offer of help. The mage wanted to butt in, but I concentrated my aura on him and shot him a glare.

My blood-red eyes are more than just decoration, you know.

As I watched, the lady hesitated due to Celine's behavior.

"Sigh!"

When will the girl learn the decorum to approach a noble…

So I stepped in and did a noble's courtesy. Then stated, "My lady, what the noisy girl says is true. We believe our lord would be more than happy to provide you a ride.

You can rest assured that you will only ride with ladies in a carriage if you feel uncomfortable in any other way.

My lord is a gentleman and would not mind giving a helping hand."

The lady still hesitated, but looking at her guards then at the mage she felt a bit of hope. She really detested the mage it seems.

Her maid whispered something to her, and then she looked at the downcast Celine.

She asked her. " Why do you want to help me?"

Celine responded in an instant: 'I was once in a situation where no one liked me and I didn't have any friends. But then Lucian extended his hands towards me.

You reminded me of that day. And now, I am returning his favor by helping you as well."

Celine gave the most innocent and beautiful smile I had ever seen her give. I couldn't take my eyes of this girl… My struggles…

I smiled… Struggles huh?…

I guess I was just fooling myself. I know what I want now. Apart from seeing Lucian on the throne, moving the people of our country up the ladder of prosperity.

I now also want to see this redheaded idiot smile. I want her to smile beautifully like that, for me…

I looked at the lady, and she seemed too stunned by Celine's words and her smile.

But she then smiled herself. And said, "Thank you!"

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[Casper]

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Brother Axel and Sister Celine brought back a lady with brown hair. I was puzzled to see her, but I was more puzzled to see Brother Spike appearing all weird and drooling…

'Should I ask for Uncle to check on him?'

I wondered when I saw his behaviour.

But after a while our Lord came to our carriage and said smiling, "Casper, can you be a dear and ride with the ladies?

I will ride with the others on this carriage."

I was stunned. I knew that both carriages were the same, as Lord Lucian never discriminated between us. So why did he need to ride with the guys and I need to go to that carriage?

Looking at my questioning gaze, he replied: "The lady who came earlier seemed to be worried. And a man staying there might have made her feel uncomfortable. So I came here.

As the carriage might feel a bit crowded here, also to give them an extra layer of protection. I am appoint you, fledgling squire Casper to aid the ladies on that carriage."

He chuckled and winked at me.

I was... happy to hear him giving me some responsibility.

I felt like, everyone was babying me since I joined them. But now I have a real job.

"YES MY LORD I WILL MAKE YOU PROUD!!!"

I answered loudly which made him laugh lightly. I didn't know why he laughed though. But he seemed happy and that made me happy too.

He ruffled my hair. Aww, why does all the grown-ups either do this or pull my cheeks? It hurts sometimes.

I wanted to complain. But the touch of my lord ruffling my hair… Felt, really warm.

I really liked it.

I smiled and said goodbye as I made my way to the Ladies Carriage.

And

My nightmare started…

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After a while~

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"AWW, HE ISH SO CUTE~!" A lady who dressed like a maid said in a high-pitched voice that hurt my ears as she continued to pull my cheeks.

"I TOLD YOU RIGHT! HE WOULD BE A CUTIE PATOUTIE!" Said Sister Celine.

The noble looking lady then said, "Emma, don't hurt the child…"

But that lady was blushing and her hands were twitching. I wanted to cry seeing that.

Only Madam Mira was not trying to pull my cheeks and was looking at me worriedly.

Yes, at least my lord's wife is decent….

Hmm…

Erm…

Why is Madam's hand pulling out dresses from her bag. Umm… aren't those too small for anyone here?

Then when she pulled out a pink dress and showed everyone, making all the ladies look at me with interest.

I then realized.....

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""NOOOOOOOO""

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