Chapter 55

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 55

Chapter Title: A Hero's Welcome

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Agatha headed to the first-floor banquet hall alongside the servants, casting a glance at the knight standing behind her.

"Sir Leon. You'll need to lend a hand quite a bit."

The First Vice-Captain of the Knights, Leon Takran, who had been in charge of her escort all this time, along with the other knights, burst into hearty laughter.

"Madam, knights are simple folk. We don't fuss over how the banquet hall looks. As long as there's plenty of meat and booze to make us forget our hardships, and soft beds to crash on, we're good."

"......Really?"

"Would I ever dare lie to you, Madam?"

The knights standing behind Leon nodded in unison.

Was it really true?

Of course, Agatha had planned to provide overflowing amounts of meat and alcohol, along with plush bedding, as was customary.

And she intended to take care of everything else besides that.

Rumble—

As Agatha arrived, the servants swung open the massive doors to the first-floor banquet hall.

Multicolored light poured in through the transparent stained-glass windows.

The banquet hall, adorned with ornate chandeliers, stood impeccably empty.

"Let's get started."

"Yes, Madam."

Under the direction of her close attendant maid, the servants sprang into action.

This banquet was for the knights.

Flags of House Aratus and House Noblesse hung from every pillar.

Instead of flowers, battle-worn weapons served as decorations, and soft carpets were laid out everywhere to ensure no glasses would shatter if dropped.

On the raised dais at the head, they placed the lord's seat.

The center below was left open, with long tables arranged in two rows.

Between them, barrels of rich dark beer were to be set out.

The head steward had procured overflowing supplies of ingredients through merchant channels, and under the command of two head chefs, all manner of meats were put into aging.

The new mansion buzzed with preparations for the feast, its lanterns burning brighter and longer than usual until the break of dawn.

The next morning.

Agatha, who had risen early, began her full preparations. With Enoch returning, she had no intention of sitting idly in the mansion.

"You seem excited, Madam."

"I'm planning to go greet him all the way to the city gates."

From behind the curtain, the voice of the First Vice-Captain, Leon Takran, quietly ordering reinforced escorts for the knights could be heard.

Agatha smiled.

"Does that count as permission, Sir Leon?"

"It does. Just promise you won't go beyond the gates."

"I promise."

The maids trimmed her nails and styled her hair.

She chose a princess-line dress blooming with beautiful red roses.

Her golden locks were brushed down naturally, and she slipped on shoes of moderate height.

On her wrist, as always, hung the purple sapphire bracelet Enoch had gifted her.

And, without fail, her wedding ring.

"How do I look?"

With her makeup complete, Agatha opened her eyes. The mirror reflected a beautifully attired noblewoman.

"Not bad?"

"Of course. You look lovely, Madam."

Checking the mirror once more, Agatha rose to her feet.

"How far are they now?"

Leon, who had been tracking the knights' position via messenger birds, answered immediately.

"They should arrive at the city walls within the hour."

"We'd better hurry."

Stepping into the corridor, she saw the mansion abuzz with final banquet preparations.

Polished corridors and pillars gleamed.

Red carpets ran from the entrance all the way to the first-floor banquet hall, and the gardens had been neatly trimmed.

The savory aroma of roasting meat wafted from everywhere.

Allen, the head steward who had been briskly issuing orders, spotted Agatha and hurried over.

"Are you heading out, Madam?"

"Yes. To greet them at the gates."

Seeing the First Vice-Captain and escort knights behind her, Allen nodded.

"With Sir Leon accompanying you, it should be fine. Safe travels, Madam. I'll have the banquet perfectly ready."

"Thanks, Allen."

Agatha boarded the carriage waiting in front of the main mansion. Though security was always tight, twice as many knights now surrounded and followed it.

Under the clear blue sky, the flags of Aratus and Noblesse fluttered.

The carriage passed through the main road and exited the inner citadel, stopping before the outer south gate. The capital guard captain approached with a tense expression.

"Greetings to the Marchioness of Aratus."

"Nice to see you, Guard Captain."

With Leon's escort, Agatha gracefully descended from the carriage.

The appearance of the beautiful noblewoman drew the eyes of all passing through the gates.

Aratus knights naturally formed a perimeter, blocking the stares.

The guard captain was sweating bullets.

"It's an honor, Marchioness. What brings you to the walls today?"

"My husband will soon return to the capital. After such a long journey, I'd like to greet him. May I climb the walls briefly to look outside?"

"Of course, Marchioness. This way, please."

Leon, slightly caught off guard, quickly signaled his knights.

Half stayed with the carriage.

The other half, the elite of the elite, followed behind Agatha.

Leon, escorting her, whispered softly.

"Madam."

"Only imperial troops can climb the walls, so you can relax, Sir Leon."

"Of course, but......"

She usually heeded Leon's words whenever possible, but not this time.

It had been nearly a month.

'I have to see him return.'

She wanted to check from afar if he was truly unharmed, since he might act fine up close.

Ascending the towering walls, Agatha gazed far beyond the capital.

She could make out a distant cloud of dust raised by a herd of horses.

"I-I heard the news of the marquess's victory. Congratulations, Marchioness."

"Thank you, Guard Captain."

The guard captain, who had volunteered to guide her despite his unease, struck up conversation amid the hurried footsteps of passing imperial knights.

Before long, the Aratus house flag—embroidered with an eagle—drew close enough for Agatha's naked eye to see.

Among the gleaming silver armor, the man at the lead stood out immediately.

His slightly lengthened blue hair, the still-stark scar on his cheek.

His gray eyes locked onto her precisely, even from afar.

Agatha drew a shallow breath and hurried down.

She planned to meet him at the gates.

Soon after Agatha arrived, the Aratus knight order crested the main road.

Spotting her waiting, they quickened their pace.

The thunderous hoofbeats grew wilder.

The knights streamed through the central south gate, surrounding her.

Neigh—

His warhorse halted, filling a brief silence. At last, Enoch spoke.

"Come to greet me?"

"You've been to the battlefield."

The long-silent man dismounted.

His skin slightly tanned, lips chapped.

His iron-clad arm suddenly pulled her into his embrace.

"......Not a dream, then."

She heard him murmur softly.

"Ah......!"

The man lifted Agatha onto his horse and praised Leon and the knights beside him.

"You've worked hard guarding the madam in my absence."

"Not at all. Glad you're back safe, my lord. Looks like Huber did his job properly this time."

"What do you mean by that? Picking a fight right away?"

The bickering voices of First Vice-Captain Leon and Second Vice-Captain Huber rang out.

"Let's go."

Agatha, still dazed, startled at the man's voice suddenly behind her.

Enoch had already mounted, receiving the guard captain's welcome as they entered the outer citadel.

Though two-thirds of the knight order had returned to the territory, the hundreds of heavily armored knights drew plenty of attention.

All the more with the Aratus and Noblesse flags raised.

"Any trouble while I was away?"

He drew his cloak around her, blocking prying eyes, and spoke.

She felt his shallow breath above her.

Agatha nodded slowly.

"No, none."

"Attacks?"

"Those either."

The questions felt oddly inverted.

'Shouldn't Enoch be the one answering that?'

"And you?"

No visible injuries, at least on the surface.

But knights weren't the type to show wounds anyway, so even seeing him return unscathed didn't fully reassure her.

"I'm fine."

"......"

Agatha stared fixedly at the cold armor before her.

A low chuckle sounded.

"Want to check?"

"Yes. Once we're at the mansion, I'll have Allen tend to you. Please let him help you change."

"......"

Allen, the head steward who'd been with her for so long, wouldn't deceive her.

As Enoch let out a short grunt,

the procession passed the inner citadel and reached the new mansion.

Before the main building, retainers and servants of Aratus and Noblesse stood in formation.

They bowed deeply the moment Enoch and the knights dismounted.

"May the glory of Aratus and Noblesse endure forever!"

"The madam has prepared a victory feast as per tradition. Marquess, knights—we'll escort you to bathe before gathering in the first-floor banquet hall."

Ooh!

The knights roared fiercely. Earlier this year, upon returning to the capital, they'd been busy settling debts, so this was their first time enjoying a proper victory feast from their lord.

Agatha smiled sheepishly at the greater cheers than expected, though it had only been the expected courtesy.

"I've prepared plenty of drinks and food, at least."

"Meat! Madam, is there plenty of meat too?"

Huber shot his hand up and shouted. Leon, beside him, scolded.

"Of course. You think the madam would leave any gaps?"

"Wow!"