Chapter 22 What a really nice weather

The journey lasted three days. Three incredibly long days. Not because the trip itself was hard. No. The real issue was with one of them.

“Brother.”

“No.”

“You answered before I asked.”

“It's still a no.”

Ambrosia huffed from across the carriage while Lisa quietly watched the exchange beside her.

“You do not even know what I was going to ask.”

“You were going to ask if we could stop at another bakery.”

“Maybe.”

“Then no.”

The countryside passed steadily beyond the carriage windows rolling green hills, quiet villages, rivers glittering beneath the afternoon sunlight. Far from the capital, the atmosphere itself felt different.

Lisa had spent most of the trip staring outside with quiet fascination.

“It’s beautiful.”

Amos glanced out briefly. “Yeah.”

The Kyros territory on the outer countryside lacked the imposing grandeur of the capital’s estates, yet somehow, it felt warmer. Ambrosia leaned forward once more.

“So.”

Amos narrowed his eyes immediately.

“That tone concerns me.”

“What were grandfather and grandmother like when you were little?”

“Too much.”

“That is not a real answer.”

Amos crossed his arms.

“My grandfather taught me how to cheat at cards.”

Lisa blinked.

“What.”

“My grandmother caught us immediately. She knows exactly when I started smiling”

Ambrosia grinned.

By the time evening rolled around on the third day, the scenery had completely transformed. The roads had grown quieter, then thicker, and finally— the carriage crested one last hill.

Ambrosia’s eyes widened immediately. “Oh.”

Lisa stared silently beside her.

The estate before them was beautiful, a bit smaller than the grand Kyros estate in the capital, yet full of taste. Warm light spilled from tall windows under the deepening evening sky, the manor perched on gentle hills with views of forests and far-off lakes, framed by vibrant flower gardens and stretching farmland.

Ambrosia pressed closer to the carriage window.

“It’s beautiful.”

The carriage slowly approached the front gates and then Amos immediately sighed.

“They’re outside.”

Sure enough—

Two figures stood near the entrance, an older man with blonde hair with white streaks stood proudly with his arms crossed, dressed far too casually for nobility. Beside him stood an elegant woman wearing deep crimson, posture flawless even from this distance.

Ambrosia immediately whispered.

“Grandmother looks mad.”

“She does.”

The carriage had not even stopped completely before the older woman started walking toward them with terrifying elegance.

“Three years.”

Amos immediately looked toward the sky.

“What a lovely weather.”

“Three years, Amos.”

“Grandmother, perhaps we should discuss the weather first.”

“No.”

The carriage door swung open, and as soon as Amos stepped out, Lady Maria seized his face with both hands.

“You became thinner.”

“I did not.”

“Did Aros not feed you enough?”

“I am literally bigger than ever.”

“You are too pale.”

“I got enough sunlight regularly.”

Amos now appeared truly overwhelmed, while beside her, former Lord Axios Kyros let out a booming laugh.

“Hah! He really came!”

“Grandfather.”

The older man immediately pulled Amos into a crushing hug anyway.

“You troublesome brat!”

“I need to breathe!”

Ambrosia and Lisa stood frozen, taking in the scene before them. Somehow, the chilling picture Amos had described on the way hadn’t come close to preparing them this. Lady Maria let go of Amos and quickly shifted her focus. Her piercing crimson gaze locked onto Ambrosia, and for a moment, the air was thick with silence.

“Oh, my goodness.”

Ambrosia blinked and before she could react, Maria had already crossed the distance and pulled her into a warm embrace.

“You’re adorable.”

“Eh?”

Axios laughed loudly again.

“She really is!”

Ambrosia looked completely stunned.

Meanwhile, Lisa quietly tried to slip away. Unfortunately, Maria noticed right away.

“And who is this precious girl?”

Lisa froze like prey spotted by a predator.

“I-I am Lisa.”

Maria’s expression softened immediately.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

***

Dinner had become this strange mix of overwhelming and comforting. Maria kept urging everyone to eat more, Axios burst out laughing every few minutes, and Ambrosia slipped right into the scene, ending up beside Maria and listening to old family stories with bright, eager eyes. Lisa, who out nervous, surrendered completely after Maria piled more food onto her plate three different times, insisting she was “far too thin.”

Amos was already tired, which was impressive given they had only been there an hour. After making it through dinner, they slipped outside under the pretense of “getting fresh air,” which, to be fair, was true. The cool night breeze was refreshing as they wandered slowly across the estate grounds, and for the first time since arriving, they actually took a proper look around.

“Huh.”

The place felt smaller than he remembered. The old home of the Duke and Duchess of Kyros should have been far grander. It sat quietly between rolling hills and thick forests, with only a few distant houses belonging to loyal servants and retainers who chose to stay after the exile. Just land, open skies, and nature. Fruit trees spread across much of the grounds—apples, pears, citrus, and even rarer varieties near the greenhouse. Gardens lined the paths lit softly by lanterns, while fields swayed gently in the evening breeze.

Amos slowly walked beneath one of the older trees. Then stopped.

“…Right.”

He remembered now. His grandparents had always hated depending on the capital, especially after the political mess near the end of Axios’s rule. Grandfather once said.

“If society vanished tomorrow, land would still feed people.”

The sound of footsteps approached slowly behind him.

“You remembered.”

Amos glanced sideways.

Axios stood nearby with his hands behind his back.

Amos looked back toward the fruit trees.

“You planted more trees.”

“A few.”

“A few?”

“There used to be less than half this amount.”

“That explains why the estate looked different.”

Axios hummed softly as the night breeze drifted gently through the trees.

“You really committed to this place.”

“Yes.”

Amos crossed his arms lightly.

“For a former Duke and Duchess, this place is surprisingly.....”

“Normal?” Axios offered.

“Yeah.”

The older man laughed softly this time.

“Your grandmother very much likes the peace.”

“You two used to control half the kingdom politically. This is an incredible life change.”

Axios grinned faintly.

“It’s quieter here.”

Amos looked around again and distant lights glowing warmly from the manor windows.

“You really never intended to return, huh.”

“No.” That answer felt heavier than expected.

Amos glanced toward him briefly.

“You’ve changed.”

Amos snorted lightly.

“I would hope so.”

“You smile more now.”

“I do not. I smile a lot too before”

“You do but for all the wrong reason.”

“That sounds like slander.”

“You also brought friends home.” Amos looked mildly offended.

“Ambrosia is family.”

“You know what I mean.”

Axios looked toward the manor windows where faint laughter could still be heard inside.

“Looks lively.”

“Yeah.”

“Good for your grandmother.”

“Though I must admit.”

“That expression concerns me.”

“You look a bit lonely without your favorite maid.”

Amos froze instantly.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes?”

“I am leaving tomorrow.”

“Hah, say that to your grandmother if you dare!”

“You are impossible.”

“She really handles you well.”

“I regret visiting already.” Axios laughed loudly into the quiet countryside night while Amos questioned every decision leading to this moment.