The next day, my body felt as heavy as if I'd spent all day on horseback—especially my lower back and hips.
"This is why I hate carriage travel," Mother muttered, stretching beside me.
So this was what it meant to be unaccustomed to long carriage rides. Every muscle protested.
After breakfast, we left the Baron's manor and rode through his town, soon returning to the main road. Beyond the second village, the path split into two wide branches—one leading south toward the Southern Sea Road, and the other, the route we followed, stretching north to the Emmental Territory.
"This point marks the border of three territories," Cain-nii-sama explained.
From here on, we entered the Northeastern Nobility lands—vassals under the Emmental House's protection.
In the Baron's lands, the road had been firm and well maintained.
But once we crossed into the northern route, the surface grew rough, jolting the carriage. The upkeep of these highways fell to each lord, so clearly, something here had kept them from investing in repairs.
As the wheels clattered, Alex-nii-sama said, "We've entered Count Jetta Knight's domain. Heard in the salon they've had locust damage two years in a row. Still—this road's brutal. Spica, let's add more cushions."
He pulled emergency padding from under the seat and offered them to Mother and me.
We passed through several noble territories before reaching our inn that night. The difference between each lord's road was shocking—some smooth as glass, others nearly impassable.
Later, when I told Father about the journey, he took it to heart. Worried his daughter might hurt herself again during future visits, he ordered every road along the Northern Sea Highway to be rebuilt.
Over the next three years, workers laid stone across the entire route. Families who had struggled to afford maintenance wept with joy. With safer carriage travel and easier trade, the Emmental Territory prospered even more.
"Count Emmental has true foresight," people praised. "Only he would spend his own fortune to rebuild the roads—and earn it back tenfold."
No one knew the real reason was simple fatherly love.
Three days later, just before noon, we crossed the border into Emmental Territory.
"See that windbreak ahead?" Mother said with a weary smile. "Once we pass it, we'll reach our land. About twenty minutes to Big Bears, the first town."
At Big Bears, the local guard greeted us warmly and escorted our carriage toward the capital, Kiwa.
The town's size astonished me.
Compared to the small villages we'd passed, this felt like a city. Townsfolk bowed, waved flowers, and called out welcomes as our carriage rolled through.
An hour later, a towering gate rose ahead—so large it could have stood in the Imperial Capital itself.
This was Kiwa City.
Beyond the gate stretched a metropolis almost equal to the capital.
Centuries ago, an imperial princess had married into the Emmental line, prompting the city's grand reconstruction. Because of that, Kiwa earned its nickname, the "Sea Palace," and was hailed as the finest city in the eastern provinces.
We passed through the outer gate and the commoner district, entering the inner noble quarter.
Theaters, cathedrals, consulates, and elegant mansions lined the streets. Flags of foreign nations fluttered above their consulates, proof of Emmental's thriving diplomacy.
At last, on a raised plateau surrounded by a wide moat stood our destination—the Emmental lord's manor, Kiwa Castle. The drawbridge was already lowered, awaiting our arrival.
The carriage creaked as it rolled onto the bridge, but the structure held firm. Despite its groan, we crossed without a single jolt.
Beyond the gate, a perfectly symmetrical garden spread before us.
At the path leading to the central rotary stood two statues of Kelpies—stone horses gazing forward as if to welcome us. The Kelpie was the proud symbol of the House of Emmental, even engraved on our family crest.
When we stepped down from the carriage, Grandfather stood at the front of the welcoming party, with familiar faces lined behind him.
The former Count of Emmental, Elbam von Emmental—my grandfather.
Though only fifty-eight and still youthful, he had sustained a severe injury while commanding the vanguard during a pirate suppression campaign years ago. Because of that wound, he'd passed the title to Father and now relied on a cane to walk, as he had told me during our last visit.
Beside him stood my grandmother, Francesca Klaus von Emmental. "Klaus" marked her birth from a ducal house—she was a niece to the former emperor.
In her youth, she had served at court, renowned for her intellect and unflinching judgment. A formidable woman, even now.
Led by those two pillars of the family, everyone bowed as we approached.
"We're glad you've all returned safely," Grandfather said warmly.
Mother curtsied gracefully.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, we have returned to the territory. I apologize for leaving it in your care during our absence, and thank you for keeping everything in order."
"You must be tired," Grandfather said. "Your rooms are ready. Take a bath and rest first."
"Thank you, Father-in-law. But please, allow the children to greet you before that," Mother replied, giving Cain-nii-sama a gentle push forward.
Cain stepped ahead, knelt on one knee, and placed a hand over his chest.
"It's been some time, Grandfather, Grandmother. I'm grateful for your kindness and support in allowing this journey."
Alex followed, matching the same formal pose. "Likewise, it's an honor to see you both well."
Fret-nii-sama bent slightly at the waist in a knight's salute. "It's been a while, Grandfather, Grandmother."
When my brothers finished, I stepped forward, curtsied, and bowed deeply.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, it's been far too long. Thank you for receiving me."
As I began to rise, my eyes met Grandmother's. Her brow furrowed, her lips drawn tight.
My stomach twisted. Did I do something wrong?
"Spica-sama," she said sharply. "Once more. Greet us properly."
My heart sank. I repeated the curtsy.
Then again. And again, until she finally nodded.
"Very well. Also, you will address Elbam-sama as 'former Count,' and me as 'Francesca-sama' or 'former Countess.'"
"Grandmother!" my brothers exclaimed, but her single glare silenced them.
Mother tried to mediate.
"Mother-in-law, Spica is your granddaughter. May she not call you 'Grandmother'?"
Francesca turned her back.
"The household obeys my rules. If the greetings are finished, go inside."
And with that, she swept into the manor.
Grandfather sighed and placed a kind hand on my head. "Kekka—Francesca—can be a little rigid. Don't take it to heart. You may call me Grandfather, but be careful around her."
Inside the lord's manor, a vast hall opened before us. Twin staircases rose on either side, and a grand tapestry of our family crest hung on the far wall—a sailing ship crossed with a sword and framed by a Kelpie.
The first and second floors served official purposes—governance and diplomacy—while the upper levels and annex housed the private quarters. As we walked, my elder brothers explained each section.
Midway up the third-floor stairs, a maid approached me.
"Young lady, this way, please. Your room is prepared."
"Wait! That's the guest wing," Alex-nii-sama called from halfway down the staircase. "Why are you taking Spica there?"
The young maid flinched. "It's by order of the Great Madam..."
Notes:
• Cain - Eldest step-brother, eight years older. A magical genius, often traveling between home and the national academy. The heir.
• Alex - Second step-brother, seven years older. Suffers from the rare Monaza Disease, which robs both sight and holy power, but shines as a gifted musician and artist.
• Count Jetta Knight - Northern noble first mentioned when the carriage enters his damaged lands. His territory suffers locust infestations. Neighbor under Emmental’s protection. No direct tie to Spica. Unlucky landowner.
• Kiwa - The Emmental capital first seen on arrival. A grand metropolis rebuilt after an imperial marriage. Spica’s family home and center of diplomacy. Nicknamed “Sea Palace.”
• Elbam - Former Count of Emmental first appearing at Kiwa Castle’s welcome. He relinquished his title after a pirate-war injury. Father of Count Emmental, husband to Francesca, grandfather to Spica. Warm, gentle, uses a cane.
• Francesca - Former Countess, niece of an emperor, first appearing at the castle greeting. She enforces strict etiquette toward Spica. Wife of Elbam, step-mother to Spica’s mother. Stern, intelligent, rigid in rules.
• Fret - Third step-brother, five years older. Energetic, sword-loving, and determined to become a knight.