Home/My Youngest Keeps Bringing Me Male Leads/ch 15

Chapter 15

"What do you mean?"

"Do I need to tell you?"

Cesenor returned Silmare's earlier words, yet he still readily opened his mouth.

"Given that you find this place desolate, I take it you have little knowledge of humans?"

"I never had any need to know."

"Indeed. We've been separated for so long."

He wondered if it was appropriate to bring up what was essentially her personal life.

But if he had no knowledge of this culture, he might unknowingly say something that would devastate her. Cesenor wanted to avoid that too.

"Lady Agnes's family is on the verge of ruin. No, the world already considers them ruined."

"Why? They have a decent house, and they don't seem to have trouble feeding themselves."

"Once people have their basic needs met, they pursue more. Things like honor and face. In particular, losing one's status as a noble is difficult to regain."

"Is losing that really so bad?"

"To nobles, yes. It is a very bad and miserable thing. For now, she might get a job as a governess in a noble household, but if she loses her status, she would have to do odd jobs for a merchant guild or something."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing, is it?"

"It isn't, but..."

As he spoke, Cesenor wondered why he was explaining such basic things, but it was something he himself had always questioned.

Was noble status truly necessary?

Was a king necessary?

Though he himself was a noble, his identity as a mage was stronger. He was more accustomed to using magic to accomplish things himself than to commanding others with a flick of his finger.

The reason he governed his territory was ultimately because labor and military power were needed to fend off monsters—otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered taking it on.

"At any rate, for her, the important goal is to restore her family so that her siblings can enjoy a respectable position."

"Not for herself?"

"She has already lost value in noble society. She came of age without ever entering social circles, and working as a governess will count against her."

"Why would that be a flaw?"

"Because it's unbefitting of a noble. Nobles may acquire knowledge, but it's thought that they should use it to rule."

At that, Silmare curled his lips into a smile, as if he understood.

"So because of that situation, you're the only one who can help her?"

"In other words, yes."

"So you do plan to help Agnes from now on?"

"For the time being, yes. I am also in a position where I need to make a good impression on Lady Agnes."

"What do you want to do? Do you want to become the World Tree yourself?"

"Whatever it may be, if it can control the world, I don't want it taken from me by someone else."

"If Agnes doesn't choose you..."

Just as abruptly as he had arrived, Silmare rose from his seat without finishing his sentence.

"You will leave her."

"..."

Wasn't that only natural?

For a moment, he thought so, but Cesenor did not answer.

He didn't want to see the unrealistically beautiful lips curl into a deeper, childish smile.

"Or would you turn against her?"

This time, too, Cesenor remained silent.

"I didn't expect anything anyway. You're a Celesta, after all—mages are all the same."

Leaving behind those cryptic words, Silmare opened the door and walked out.

It was only after a long while that Cesenor realized he had been clenching his fist.

Loosening his stiffened grip, Cesenor recalled Silmare's words.

"Celesta, mage—he keeps bringing those up. It's strange."

Was there some story tied to the family?

He thought he might need to look into it, and Cesenor gazed out the dark window.

It was going to be a sleepless night.

---

The next morning.

It was noisy outside.

Agnes, who habitually woke early, threw open the window to look outside.

A large white horse had come to the inn and was neighing softly.

The innkeeper and a stable boy stood beside it, looking flustered, apparently discussing where the horse had come from.

Just then, Silmare came out of the inn.

The horse, as if it had been waiting, ran up to Silmare and rubbed its face against him.

Silmare smiled and stroked the horse. It seemed like a joyful reunion between old friends.

The sight was so warm and lovely that Agnes, watching, found herself smiling too.

Breakfast time.

The three gathered around the table.

"What happened?" Agnes asked as soon as she saw Silmare.

Silmare smiled and explained.

"I don't like riding in carriages. But I can't fly either, so I asked if any friend who could help would come."

"Did you call them through the wind again?"

It was said as a joke, but Silmare nodded.

By now, she wasn't even surprised, and Agnes just laughed.

"Where did it come from?"

"I don't know. It said it's been wandering here and there."

"How fascinating. I've only ever seen horses tied up in stables."

"It's a wild horse. Horses naturally prefer to run free."

To be able to talk to and befriend animals like horses through the wind.

Seeing the deepening look in Agnes's eyes, Silmare smiled gently.

"Are you envious?"

"Pardon?"

"Is it me you envy, or the horse?"

As if her thoughts had been read, Agnes's cheeks flushed red.

Fortunately, Silmare didn't press further.

Soon, the three went outside to return to the Laverose estate.

Silmare naturally mounted the horse. Sitting on the white horse, bathed in the soft sunlight, he looked like a prince from a fairy tale.

'Are all elves so beautiful?'

As she watched in admiration, Silmare extended his hand to Agnes.

"Would you like to ride together?"

"Pardon?"

"Wouldn't it be better than a stuffy carriage?"

"But there's no saddle. And I've never ridden a horse before."

"It's all right, Agnes. I'll hold onto you."

Agnes hesitated, meeting the eyes of the white horse with its large eyes and long lashes.

'Honestly, I want to ride.'

There had been horses in the Laverose territory, but when Agnes was young, they were for her father and the knights.

By the time she was old enough to ride, the family's fortunes had declined, and they had all been sold.

She recalled the regret she felt when she had to send away the horse she had grown attached to, feeding it treats as a child.

The horse nudged Agnes's cheek with its nose. It was as if it were whispering to her to take courage.

Agnes laughed out loud, tickled.

"It says it would be happy to carry you."

"Even though it's the first time we've met?"

"I introduced you as my other half."

"Oh my!"

Her cheeks flushed for a moment, but since the other party was a horse, it wouldn't spread rumors to anyone else.

Agnes, looking nervous, clasped her hands over her skirt.

Would it really be alright?

If she rode with Silmare, who was riding skillfully without a saddle or reins, wouldn't it be fine?

But it was a long way to the Laverose estate.

She'd heard that riding a horse for the first time left your whole body sore.

However, Silmare seemed to have noticed that Agnes wanted to ride.

He reached out his hand.

"Come on, Agnes. Royce is waiting."

Neigh.

The horse neighed softly. Royce must be its name.

"But what about the Marquis...!"

"He'll manage on his own. He's a mage who can use teleportation."

When she looked back at Cesenor, he nodded from the shadows.

His face was expressionless, but it seemed there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

Agnes gathered her courage and reached out her hand to Silmare.

She was pulled up lightly onto the horse, wobbling for a moment, but with Silmare's help, she quickly regained her balance.

Her view was high.

There were no reins to hold onto.

Frightened, she hunched her shoulders, and Silmare's breath lightly brushed her ear.

"It's all right, Agnes."

To Agnes, who was awkwardly bracing herself on the horse's back, Silmare extended his arm.

It naturally looked as if he was embracing her, but the contact was not close.

Unless Agnes deliberately leaned in, it seemed unlikely their body heat would meet.

As she placed her hand on his firm arm, Silmare lightly patted Royce's back.

The horse began to move.

"Ah!"

As her body swayed, Silmare gently caught her.

It was only difficult to keep her balance at first.

Behind her, Silmare supported her firmly, even swaying gently with the horse's movements.

Matching her breathing to Silmare's, Agnes was able to settle more securely.

Now she could see the scenery passing by on both sides. People were looking at them with startled eyes.

Of course, most were looking at Silmare, not Agnes.

That was a relief.

No one would remember plain Agnes.

No matter how ridiculous she looked, all eyes would be on Silmare, and they would surely not even notice who was beside him.

That gave her a bit more courage.

The wind brushed her cheeks, and the complex scents swirling all around reached her clearly.

Finally, as they passed through the city gate, Agnes burst into laughter.

"Shall we run now, Agnes?"

"Yes, of course!"

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