FCHTIB Chapter 27

“I... I’m not even a proper knight…”

“Well, you can become one starting now!”

“I might not have enough skill…”

“But you reacted that quickly without even holding a weapon, and you’ve awakened your aura. That’s practically proof of your abilities! Don’t you agree, Father-in-law?”

At the daughter-in-law’s words, Walter smiled and nodded.

He also knew well about Parnel and Yuan’s past and the thoughts they carried.

In truth, he had felt quietly regretful when Parnel gave up on becoming a knight and stayed shut inside the house.

Railey, using her father-in-law’s agreement as a weapon, declared confidently.

“That’s why there’s absolutely no problem with Parnel becoming my escort!”

“…”

“Of course, only if it’s something Parnel truly wants to do.”

“Well…”

“Parnel, ask yourself honestly. What is it that you want?”

It wasn’t just for the sake of her and Yuan’s future. Railey sincerely wanted Parnel to follow her own desires.

Even giving up her dreams to make things easier on her brother might be one possible choice for Parnel.

But is that really the right path?

Being trapped by what happened in the past, turning away from her dreams, and sacrificing herself for others, was that truly healthy?

With those thoughts in her heart, Railey looked straight into Parnel’s eyes.

Eventually, like someone who’d lost a staring contest, Parnel let out a helpless chuckle and replied.

“I can’t beat you, young madam…”

“Then…!”

“I want to do it. If it’s something I can handle.”

The hesitation disappeared from Parnel’s face.

As if she were finally breaking free from all the years she had spent suppressing her desires, the aura surrounding her became refreshingly clear.

“But first… I’ll talk to my brother.”

“Yes!”

Railey nearly jumped up with excitement as she grabbed Parnel’s hands.

It felt like, for once, powerless little her had managed to change something.

As if she had carved out a new path that could twist the sad fate written in the original story.

That small step forward gave Railey more courage than anything else.

The courage to change.

***

On her way to meet Yuan, a small shadow approached Parnel from the side.

Parnel blinked when she saw who it was.

“Young Master…?”

“Yeah.”

“Is there something you wish to say?”

Serge, his face obscured behind his glasses, asked her.

“Will you still become her escort… even if Yuan opposes it?”

At the unexpected question, Parnel tensed.

But soon, with a firm expression, she answered without hesitation.

“Yes. Even if my brother is against it, I won’t back down.”

“I see. That’s good…”

In a somewhat languid tone, he dragged his words as he looked up at her.

“If your determination could be shaken by something that small, I was planning to tell you to just quit before you started.”

“…!”

“You’re going to be protecting her even at the cost of your life. That’s the weight of this position. Isn’t that right?”

“…Yes.”

“Be the strongest ally for Lady Railey. She probably… hasn’t had anyone in her life who’s truly stood by her side.”

“…”

Parnel was a daughter of a vassal family, so she had occasionally looked after Serge. When he was very young, he even called her 'big sister' and followed her around.

But after his mother disappeared, this small master closed off his heart.

He grew cold and detached, utterly indifferent to the world. There wasn’t even a hint of childlike innocence left in him.

For such a Serge to say something like this…

It made Parnel realize just how much that soft and lovely girl, Railey, had changed him.

“Are you saying… I should prioritize her over even you, Young Master?”

“Yeah. Put her before even me or Father.”

“…Understood.”

Satisfied, Serge left without another word.

The weight of the expectation on her shoulders felt heavy… but Parnel also felt joy.

She had never truly taken responsibility for anything in her life.

She had always thought she’d simply drift through life like duckweed, grateful just to survive, content with uneventful days.

But Railey’s words had made her recognize her own desires.

And now, she realized, they were bigger than she had imagined.

Parnel opened the door and walked in to meet Yuan.

“Brother.”

“Parnel? What is it?”

Yuan, sitting at his desk handling a stack of documents in haste, looked up with a puzzled expression.

She got straight to the point.

“I’m going to become a real knight.”

“…!”

“I’m going to be Lady Railey’s escort.”

The pen fell from Yuan’s hand. Ink spread across the paper.

“I want to do this, Brother.”

“…”

Yuan, who had been silent for a long while, finally responded bitterly.

“…I see.”

“…”

“If that’s what you want to do, then you should. Yeah.”

Though his words seemed composed, the hand that tried to wipe the spilled ink was trembling.

With her sharp intuition, Parnel could not possibly miss her brother’s emotional state.

She stepped forward to the desk, lowered herself, and gently took Yuan’s hand.

“I’m not going to die.”

“Urgh…”

“I’m going to live a long, healthy, happy life. Sure, being a knight is a bit rough, but it’s not like it’s always life-or-death, right?”

“…”

“Are you crying? Come on, you’re a grown man.”

“Who said I’m crying?”

Yuan glared at her with reddened eyes. His voice cracked slightly.

“…I’m sorry, Parnel.”

“Huh?”

“I should’ve supported you in doing what you wanted, but I was just relieved you were living peacefully… so I pretended not to notice.”

“…”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, come on. If our roles were reversed, I’d probably cry and cling to your pants, begging you not to do something dangerous too.”

“…What kind of image is that?”

At his sister’s silly joke, Yuan let out a weak laugh. His once-shaking hand had finally steadied.

“I’ll make sure to go for regular checkups.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll both be busy, but let’s promise to eat together at least once a week.”

“Okay…”

“And no crying after I leave, got it?”

“I’m not gonna cry!”

Parnel gave her shouting brother a teasing smile, patted his hand again, and left the room.

Yuan stared at the door she had exited through for a long time before burying his face in his hands.

Thankfully, no tears fell.

“…Back to work.”

For the sake of his little sister, who would now serve this household with him.

To ensure no storm could ever threaten Elestine again.

The future of a man who, in another world, would have lived his life consumed by revenge over the loss of his sister…

Had been completely rewritten.

[Chapter 2]

That night, Railey couldn’t fall asleep until late.

It was the thrill of having changed someone’s tragic fate that kept her mind replaying the events of the day.

Parnel, who might have died a meaningless death like in the original story, had now taken up a weapon to protect herself and started working as a guard.

She had also completely severed ties with the family that had caused her to lose confidence in the first place.

With that layer peeled away, Railey found herself newly empowered with the courage to believe she might be able to navigate whatever future lay ahead.

'If I try to change things… maybe I really can change them.'

Up until now, she had been focused solely on surviving by herself...

But now, she felt like she could actively work toward a path where the Elestine family could survive as well.

Of course, the thought of dying still terrified her.

Changing one or two people’s fates was one thing-going against the massive tide of the original story was something else entirely.

'So maybe I should keep a Plan B escape route ready, while still working toward the duchy’s future.'

Railey wanted to gather every bit of information she had access to, and do everything she possibly could.

And if it didn’t work out, maybe there was even a way they could all escape far away together.

Thinking about different possibilities helped her feel a bit lighter.

'To do that, I need to meet with the informant!'

A solid source of income, preparations for the future, that meeting would be the first step toward it all.

However, because of the incident with Viscount Vitence, security had become tighter. It wasn’t the best time for Railey to be going out alone.

And it’s not like she could just tell her husband or father-in-law something suspicious like, "I’m preparing for a future disaster" or "I need to meet with an informant."

'So, if I want to meet the informant without explaining everything…'

As she absentmindedly shook a snow globe and watched the glitter swirl inside with satisfaction, an idea suddenly struck her.

“Ah!”

Railey had come up with a plan.

***

The next morning.

As soon as she finished breakfast, Railey hurriedly began preparing to go out.

As soon as she showed signs of leaving, Serge quietly asked.

“Lady Railey… Are you heading out somewhere?”

“Yes! I was thinking of stopping by the shopping district.”

“Then… I’ll come with you.”

As expected.