3 – 3. The Head of Helmunt

The morning in Helmunt comes early.

For they all rise at dawn to engage in morning exercises at the training grounds, gardens, or walkways.

After morning exercise, family meal.

The only time of day when the family is all together.

And the head of the family, Arandel Helmunt, held this time in high regard.

“……”

Today, as always, the morning meal is set.

Four sons and one daughter sit at their places.

Once seated, an empty space is noticeable.

The eldest daughter has not appeared.

“Where’s Rianna?”

The eldest son, Loengreen, asks, and as if they had been waiting for it, a torrent of mocking words is unleashed.

“She also missed morning training.”

“Haha, is the elder sister skipping meals now that she is doing her wifely duties?”

“What kind of fiery night did she have yesterday to miss breakfast.”

“Isaac must have put in some effort for her, considering how frail she seems.”

“…….”

Amidst the cackling, jeering at Rianna and Isaac – Alois the exception.

“The Lord arrives.”

A single word from the servant, and silence falls.

Into the dining hall strides a man of considerable bulk.

Eyes that have yet to leave the battlefield, still sharp with tension.

His name, Arundel Helmont, red mane of hair and beard billowing as he takes his place at the head of the table with heavy steps.

Arundel’s brow furrows at the sight of his eldest daughter’s empty seat.

“Where is Rianna?”

“She did not appear, nor did she attend morning training.”

Lohengrin, the eldest son, was quick to respond. Arundel’s eyebrow twitched.

It was but breakfast, yet such a breach of even a minor rule was an affront to the Lord’s authority.

*Creak*

Just then, the door opened, and Rianna Helmont entered.

“My apologies, I am late.”

She gave a short bow, and sat at her place.

Food was brought out quickly, but until the Lord took up his utensils, everyone sat still and poised.

Arundel turned his attention to his eldest daughter.

“Why were you late?”

It was not a reprimand.

The Rianna he knew did not create openings for criticism.

Rather, he asked, thinking there might be a reason.

Her eyes, hollow from a lack of sleep, hesitated – unusually slow to answer.

She knew once the words were spoken, there would be no going back.

Yet, even after spending the night contemplating, no way to resolve the situation had presented itself.

“Isaac…”

Her eyes squeezed shut, a bitter breath escaped.

“Wishes for divorce.”

* * *

“Huh? Look at this. No joke, eh?”

Helmont’s breakfast hour.

Isaac bears the Helmont crest, but he’s barred from the main meal.

The Lord deemed him unworthy.

Thus, Isaac often found himself eating breakfast alone.

“Wow, this is something else. Heh, makes me just laugh hollowly.”

Cheeks puffed out, Isaac stood before the kitchen, mid-meal.

He shoved a seasoned shrimp whole into his mouth, letting out an exclamation.

“Hwah, this is incredible.”

The cooks, on their brief break from serving the Lord, stared at him.

“You see,”

Isaac said, waving another shrimp.

“Nothing else had me longing, but this. This food. Couldn’t find this quality anywhere.”

“Longing? You ate it yesterday.”

The one who spoke was Millie, a girl with striking, sun-baked skin, the same age as Isaac.

She was the youngest of the kitchen staff, but her skill was mature beyond her years.

She’d sometimes chat with Isaac, being of similar age.

“Ah, my bad. Will be longing.”

Isaac glossed over his slip, diving into the other dishes.

It seemed indulgent to have meat at breakfast, but

being a knightly family, meat was a staple.

“This is really good.”

“I grilled it.”

“Figures, Millie.”

“You were so quiet at meal times till yesterday, but today you’re eating with such joy? Seems like a different person.”

“I’ve come to appreciate food. Some things you only learn once they’re gone, you know?”

“More than that, what do you mean by ‘will be longing’? Where are you going? I did hear there’s news from the Malidrian Wall…”

“Getting a divorce.”

“Huh?!”

Not just Millie, but even the cooks watching Isaac with their mouths full, were stunned.

“Divorcing. Millie, you know the kind of treatment I’ve been getting here.”

“That’s…”

“Not even being allowed at the breakfast table, that means I’m not recognized as family.”

No one could deny it.

Truth was, Isaac had been treated as less than a servant under the guise of family.

Because family.

For four years, how many times that phrase had choked Isaac’s throat.

Everyone here had seen it.

“Ahem.”

A fleshy man wipes his hands with a damp cloth, approaching Isaac.

It was the chef.

His thick hands fold together politely.

“For dinner tonight… is there something you desire to eat?”

“Chef, are you trying to comfort me right now?”

“Ahem.”

The chef, not good with words, just avoids eye contact.

“I didn’t know you had this side of you, Chef. I want to eat my fill of meat. Won’t get much of it once I leave here.”

“I will do my absolute best to prepare it, Isaac Helmund-nim.”

“I was thinking of leaving right this instant, but I guess I should at least stay for dinner.”

Isaac rises from his seat, politely extending his hand for a shake.

“The meals here, I won’t forget them for years to come.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

“It’s the only thing I’ll miss about Helmund.”

Because he truly wouldn’t forget them.

But, whether touched by that or not, the chef and other cooks struggle to suppress their choked-up expressions.

“It…it has been an honor to serve you!”

As they shook hands, the chefs’ comfort and cheers burst forth.

“You’re looking much better!”

“We didn’t realize you thought so highly of our cooking!”

“Congratulations on going back to being a bachelor!”

“You’re handsome, you’ll find a nice woman again soon!”

“Haha, you people.”

He sniffs, rubbing his nose, a strange swell of emotion rising within him.

These were people he hadn’t even exchanged a word with in his past life, save for Millie.

He’d been so focused on escaping that he hadn’t given the cooks a second thought, but to see them cheering him on like this, it felt rewarding.

*Clunk!*

The door swung open, and if Rianna hadn’t stepped inside, the flood of emotion might have continued.

The cooks, the moment they see Rianna, immediately drop their gaze.

The atmosphere turned cold, as if someone had poured water over them, and Rianna approaches Isaac.

“Father’s calling for you.”

“Oh? That was quick.”

Even after delivering the message, Rianna remains standing there.

A painful silence, as if a thorn were stuck in their throats, making it hard to breathe.

The silence, paradoxically, became the greatest pressure upon them.

“You’re coming too, right? It can’t just be me he’s calling for.”

“Yes, I’m coming.”

“Let’s hurry. The Lord is waiting, I’m sure.”

“We were eating. Go ahead, I’ll wait.”

Rianna waiting for Isaac to finish his meal?

It would have been unthinkable in the past, but those around them barely had the time to be astonished.

“……”

Because Rianna had crossed her arms and had started glaring at the cooks.

‘She heard it.’

‘She definitely heard it.’

‘Ah, I shouldn’t have acted up.’

‘Mother, I’m sorry. Looks like this is the end for your son.’

‘What was it I said just now?’

A whirlpool of such thoughts swirled through the minds of the cooks.

Did Hellmut’s great physique extend to his hearing? She must have heard them chatting outside.

“……”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have any reason to glare at the cooks so menacingly.

“I’m already full.”

But the torture didn’t last long.

Isaac had left his meal unfinished and just walked out.

“……Fine.”

Rianna, looking disgruntled, eventually followed Isaac outside.

Before the door shut, Isaac gave a thumbs up over his shoulder, reassuring them not to worry.

*Thud*.

The door closed.

And seeing Isaac’s plate, with food left on it despite how well he’d eaten, the chef clenched his fist.

“Tonight’s dinner, we make it *lavish*!”

“Understood!”

Amongst the bustling cooks.

Millie, same age as Isaac, only watched the door with concern as Isaac had left through it.

* * *

The head of house’s office.

Located on the highest floor of the Helmont estate, this was a place where the scent of iron lingered heavier than that of the many books lining the walls.

The head of the house, Arandel, arms propped up on a massive, fitting wooden desk, stared at Isaac.

Personally, Isaac thought his father-in-law was the person on earth who least suited a desk and chair.

“It’s been a while, Father-in-law.”

Though living in the same estate, it was very rare for Isaac to be in Arandel’s gaze.

“You want a divorce.”

Straight to the point, skipping any formalities.

Isaac gave a small nod.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Denied.”

The answer he expected.

“I believe you misunderstand, Father-in-law.”

With a hand to his chest, he softly corrected the misunderstanding.

“I wasn’t asking for permission.”

Though the words that came out of his mouth, contrary to etiquette, greatly agitated Arandel’s mood.

“I’m informing you that it has been decided. Since our marital relationship is not amicable, it would be mutually beneficial for us to each seek a new partner.”

“……”

“Whether it’s fortunate or not, having married at a young age, even if we were to divorce now, it’s not too late to find a new spouse.”

“……”

“I am aware that you were very uncomfortable when you accepted me, a commoner, as your son-in-law. My father-in-law was not mistaken. I will seek my proper place.”

He didn’t care if he belittled himself.

Since leaving here was all that mattered anyway.

Arundel’s gaze had already shifted to Rianna.

In that look, a question, *What do you think?* Rianna answered in a small voice.

“I will follow Isaac’s decision.”

“Hm.”

A short sigh.

In the way Arundel looked at his daughter, a sense of sorrow could be felt.

There was no reason to refuse now.

So he thought, but.

“I forbid it.”

Arundel gave a consistent answer.

“The reason being, it is due to the Sword Festival.”

The Sword Festival was a traditional ceremony and festival of Helmunth.

A massive event where not only the residents of nearby villages, but also nobles with ties, and even royalty, would come.

“This year’s Sword Festival, especially as it will be an event to announce Helmunth’s successor, many will come to explore Helmunth.”

Of course, it wouldn’t simply be people coming to celebrate, but many would also come to assess the next successor who would lead Helmunth.

To openly show them.

It was no different than Helmunth proclaiming its confidence in itself.

“If you were to divorce now, during the festival, only the fact of Rianna’s divorce would become gossip.”

Meaning, they would become a laughingstock to them.

‘Hmm, it’s really not a problem at all.’

Isaac thought it wasn’t a big issue.

Since it wouldn’t be him being ridiculed, at least.

“Then, you’re saying it’s possible after the Sword Festival?”

“Yes, after that. If both your intentions remain the same then, you are free to do as you please.”

Even with the divorce confirmation secured, Isaac, alas, yearned to leave the estate this very instant.

“I apologize, but I desire an immediate divorce. Therefore, I’ll offer a different proposal.”

“You wish to negotiate with me?”

Negotiation requires a matching caliber.

Isaac smiles, a meaning laced within his question.

“I heard that, due to the recent intensified attacks of demonic beasts, the kingdom’s prominent nobles were requested to send aid to the Malidian Wall.”

“…”

“Isaac?”

Arundel rests his chin on his fist, looking at him with an intrigued gaze.

And behind him, Rianna calls out, a sliver of doubt in her tone.

However, he ignores her, continuing his offer.

“I shall go. Since I also bear the name of Helmont, my presence there would be enough to say that Helmont contributed sufficiently.”

In reality, he’s a nobody who can’t even swing a sword properly.

But merely the fact that Isaac, who carries the name of Helmont, would go would mean that Helmont fulfilled their duty regarding this aid request.

“You wouldn’t want your direct heirs here during the preparations for the Sword Festival, would you?”

The Sword Festival, where numerous distinguished guests arrive.

It is their responsibility, at that festival, for the Helmont children to demonstrate overwhelming martial prowess.

“If I’m dispatched to the Malidian Wall, I’ll be drenched in demonic beast blood at the front lines instead of preparing for the Sword Festival. I’ll take that duty off your hands.”

It wasn’t as if he was asking for something substantial.

He just wanted to get out of this house.

And he didn’t want to wait for the Sword Festival either.

So until then, he’d just go and deal with the bothersome front line dispatch instead.

“Hmph.”

A smile crept onto Isaac’s lips.

A smug look that knows what response Arundel will give.

‘Did he have this side to him?’

Arundel, who honestly acknowledged that his son-in-law was a far more resolute man than he thought,

“Very well.”

He nodded, granting Isaac permission to leave Helmont.