Stein had come personally to the gates in order to bid his farewell to the two leaving for the capital.
"Are your preparations finished?"
"Yes!"
Iris replied before Ian and Sera could answer.
"Hm, there was no need for you to go too."
As if unsatisfied, Stein’s face crumbled as he looked at Iris and the carriage.
It seemed like Riley was already lying down inside the carriage, as he could no longer be seen.
"That was the condition right?"
Contrary to what Stein had wanted.
Unable to hide her smile, Iris began to console her husband to not be so down.
"It's my first vacation with my son, so please don't break the mood with your jealousy."
"Who's jealous…"
"You are jealous. Aren't you?"
"…Hng!"
Stein snorted with his arms crossed.
"Since you're going with him, make sure Riley actually competes…"
"Stein."
Iris narrowed her eyes and called Stein's name.
Stein, with his sentence cut short, looked at Iris' eyes and flinched.
For a woman who'd never practiced swordsmanship to have such charisma, it was not fair.
"I won't force him to do it. It’s a vacation. We're just going sightseeing. As I said before, wasn't that the condition?"
The condition for Riley to head to the capital; it was not for Riley to 'compete', but rather to 'watch' the tournament.
Thanks to Iris' negotiation, Riley could see the wide world, take his mother for a vacation, and leave the mansion.
It meant he didn't need to swordfight.
"Well, I will suggest it to him."
"Ugh."
Iris made a small laugh as she stepped onto the carriage.
All of the servants behind Stein began to bow simultaneously.
It was time to leave.
"Then, Ian. Sera."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"I leave their safety to you."
As Iris got onto the carriage, Stein called on the butler, Ian, and the maid, Sera, who were standing by.
Ian and Sera bowed and answered at the same time.
"Yes, even at the cost of my life."
"Yes, even if it will cost my life."
That was the servants’ determination to protect them.
Filled with loyalty, the two answered without hesitation and unsheathed their swords slightly to Stein, then began to move the baggage.
Even though it was a Count's family trip to the capital, the baggage was rather light.
"…Then we shall take our leave."
It seemed they decided to take turns leading the horses, with Ian on the driver’s seat and Sera inside the carriage.
With the crack of the whip, the two horses began to move.
***
The carriage heading to the capital had a simple design to it.
The current season was neither summer nor winter, but spring, and thus the windows were left open.
It was a carriage made just for spring.
It was designed so the passengers could feel the spring breeze as they travelled.
"It's been a while since I visited Solia, I'm excited."
"Solia?"