I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 128

The rendezvous point I’d arranged with Sir Shylo was an Empty Stable not far from Stone House.
The portable luminescent stones that Theon and I had brought emitted a brightness comparable to torchlight. Though dim, we could see the person standing right in front of us quite clearly.
“Aren’t you cold? What about your coat?”
“I left it inside the Sewers. There was a section where the walkway had collapsed and required repairs. I had no choice but to swim out. Since there’s a Fountain on the way back, I washed myself, so you needn’t worry about cleanliness.”
[Ugh. It’s not about being dirty! His sense of smell must be completely deadened from the Sewers! The stench of contaminated water is overwhelming! I’m leaving.]
Akum bolted from the stable like he was fleeing for his life.
‘Is it really that unbearable?’
The smell was noticeable, but I could tolerate it. Seeing that Theon remained calm, it seemed a water spirit’s sense of smell differed from a human’s.
But more than that—
‘Wow. He must be freezing.’
I was deeply concerned about Sir Shylo’s attire—just a shirt and trousers. The exit from the Sewers was near the eastern wall, and it was a distance that would take at least thirty minutes to walk.
He’d walked that distance in winter weather with a soaked body, yet he’d managed to bring his sword properly. Quite impressive for someone who’d been kidnapped into the Emperor’s Personal Guard immediately after receiving his knighthood at twenty. A true elite from a swordmaster family.
‘Since his family is renowned for swordsmanship, he probably respects the Grand Master. Later, when Father needs allies, I might be able to get his help.’
Keeping that possibility in mind, I observed Sir Shylo carefully.
Though he’d wrung out his shirt once, it still clung damply to his upper body, revealing every contour. Unlike his appearance—that of a young master raised without hardship—his musculature was quite substantial.
“No, I never thought you were dirty.”
I responded to Sir Shylo’s words and continued my thoughts. Considerable muscle, certainly, but it didn’t stir anything else in me. That was entirely because I’d grown accustomed to Theon’s physique.
I’d need muscles like Vice-Captain Rex’s—those log-like ones—to not know where to look…
Poke. Theon jabbed my waist. Before I could even turn my head, Theon lowered his first. His black hair moved, and the scent of cologne he’d applied after his evening bath brushed against my nose.
“Berry. Your gaze.”
It was barely a whisper, so Sir Shylo standing nearby wouldn’t hear. After Theon whispered in my ear, he straightened his head again.
Strangely, my ear continued to tingle even after Theon’s whisper had stopped.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I was staring, wasn’t I? It’s just that your clothes are soaked, and you look so cold. Why don’t you go to Stone House, wash up, and change into fresh clothes? The bathroom has heating stones, so it’s warm.”
“That won’t be necessary. My duty is to deliver the Emperor’s message in secret and return with your answer. I cannot impose such trouble.”
“Then at least bathe when you return, and I’ll bring you fresh clothes! Just wait here for a moment—”
“That’s also unnecessary.”
Sir Shylo hastily stopped me as I tried to leave the stable. I tilted my head at him in confusion.
“Your breath is visible every time you speak.”
“That’s a natural phenomenon from the cold weather. It’s not as cold as it appears.”
“Your hands are trembling too.”
“There’s nothing to be concerned about.”
Like a shield forged from adamantite, Sir Shylo deflected every word I said. A small cough escaped from between his tightly pressed lips. If he made it through tonight like this, Sir Shylo would undoubtedly be confined to bed for days.
‘Could it be that?’
A possibility flashed through my mind. When someone refuses this adamantly, there’s usually a reason. I spoke to Sir Shylo with conviction.
“Don’t worry—I won’t charge you!”
“…What?”
“No, Berry Quartz Trabel.”
Theon said.
“I’m worried my master might find out.”

***

Shylo Bin Bandemir was the type to leave nothing to chance, no matter how trivial. The greatest source of anxiety for this infiltration was the existence of Reytan Quartz Trabel and Jeffrey Hunt. By the time they reached the vicinity of Stone House, there was a ninety-nine percent probability that one of them would notice something amiss.
Fortunately, Jeffrey Hunt had external obligations—a trip to another city where he would spend the night before returning. It was information he’d gleaned from an acquaintance in the industry, so it was reliable.
That left Reytan Quartz Trabel.

“My master is scheduled to be away for the night.”

That’s what Prince Theon had said, but what if that schedule fell through?
The Bandemir Ducal Family worshipped the sword like a religion. Raised in such a household, Shylo could not afford to overlook even the smallest possibility when it came to matters involving the Grand Master.
Shylo lay in wait, keeping a watchful eye on the front gate of the Trabel Estate as night fell.

“He’s returned.”

His surveillance was not in vain. In fact, Reytan’s carriage had passed through the front gate of the Trabel Estate roughly three hours ago. It meant Reytan had come back.
Because of this, Shylo exercised extreme caution. That was why he had chosen the Sewers.

“Aren’t you cold?”

A successful rendezvous at the precise time and location agreed upon. Now I simply needed to relay the Emperor’s words to Berry Quartz Trabel, then return to that damp, foul-smelling, frigid sewer.
‘Cold is something only the weak feel.’
In truth, Shylo Bin Bandemir was freezing. So much so that Berry’s suggestion to bathe in the heated bathroom sounded impossibly sweet.
His toes inside his soaked shoes had gone numb with cold—he could no longer feel them at all. At this rate, they might simply fall off.
No, what nonsense. Reytan Quartz Trabel was at Stone House. Therefore, he was not cold.
“You’re refusing because you’re worried about meeting Father? Wait, Theon. Didn’t you tell Sir Shylo that Father was away on business today?”
“Yes, I did. But Sir Shylo seems to have seen Master’s carriage returning.”
Theon nodded and answered Berry’s question. When the truth was laid bare, Shylo Bin Bandemir admitted it readily.
“Indeed. Your kindness is deeply appreciated, but if I approach Stone House any closer than this, I shall certainly be discovered by Reytan. Since my duty is to meet with you both in secret from the Trabel Family, I must….”
He tried to speak calmly, but could not prevent his teeth from chattering. Shylo Bin Bandemir pressed his lips firmly shut once more. A body that refused to obey his will—he would need to train the muscles around his jaw when he returned.
Berry, who had been observing Shylo Bin Bandemir intently, spoke with even greater firmness than before.
“Come to Stone House.”
“I’m perfectly fine—.”
Clack, clack. As his teeth chattered and he prepared to refuse, Berry’s next words left him speechless.
“That was an empty carriage. Father isn’t coming until tomorrow. Theon, really. You should have told me sooner.”
“Sorry.”
“You weren’t certain, so you didn’t mention it?”
“Right.”
“Then can you lend Sir Shylo the bathroom and some fresh clothes?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Theon. Well then, Sir Shylo, the problem is solved. Shall we go?”
Berry nudged Theon’s arm with her elbow, then turned toward the stable exit with a suppressed smile. Theon’s gaze shifted to Shylo Bin Bandemir, who still held his lips sealed.
….
When Theon’s eyes met Shylo Bin Bandemir’s, his pupils were sharp and clear. These were the eyes of one accustomed to command.
In preparation for the day his identity as a prince would be revealed, Theon had spent years practicing the bearing of a prince alongside Berry, planning how he would conduct himself.
Thanks to this, there was no hesitation whatsoever in his demeanor toward those who served the imperial court. The reason Shylo Bin Bandemir had so readily accepted Theon as a prince, despite having known him only briefly, owed much to this very bearing.
To Shylo Bin Bandemir’s perception, Theon seemed like someone born a prince, raised a prince.
“You’ll come, won’t you, Sir Shylo?”
Even in so simple a question, the atmosphere of imperial blood was palpable.
Yet—.
“Berry said so.”
He was a prince, certainly, but a prince who seemed intent on placing his own leash directly into the hands of Berry Quartz Trabel. The signs had been evident each time Prince Theon spoke of the young lady of Trabel.
And now, watching Theon follow behind Berry—ostensibly at a leisurely pace but moving with unmistakable haste—Shylo Bin Bandemir became certain his suspicions were correct.
Even with such striking looks, it seemed one could not help but grow restless in the presence of the person one favored.
“Very well.”
In any case, recalling the heated bathroom, Shylo Bin Bandemir followed after Theon, who was pursuing Berry.
After bathing at Stone House and emerging, he found himself sweating profusely once more at Theon’s generous hospitality.
“For the shirt, there’s this one and that one, and….”
“Your Highness, I need only a single shirt….”
“No, it’s cold outside. You must wear more. Here, put this on over it as well.”
Theon retrieved a thick black fur coat from the depths of the wardrobe.

***

I had raided the kitchen without waking Anne and Sherry, arranged guest tea and refreshments on the table in the Second Floor Empty Room, and was waiting for the two of them to arrive.
Plop.
I startled at the sight of Sir Shylo entering the room and dropped the sugar cube I’d been holding with tongs into my teacup.
“…The Crown Prince has shown me his favor.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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