Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 85

News from McLaine Castle, sir!” a soldier burst in, breathless. “The Young Master is on his way!

“Really?” Patrick looked up, a smile spreading across his face. “He’ll be here soon then.”

Things in the territory were peaceful lately. *Thanks to Logan,* Patrick thought with satisfaction.

Only one thing worried Patrick slightly: Vifroth. They were the family’s biggest enemy. But lately, Vifroth had been quiet.

*Even Vifroth being quiet might be thanks to my son’s teacher,* Patrick mused. *Logan said he was preparing something.*

Patrick wondered what plan his son had made to deal with Vifroth.

“Actually,” the messenger added, “he’s coming by carriage.”

“A carriage?” Patrick frowned slightly. “Not on horseback? He doesn’t usually travel with much luggage.”

“Well… I’m not sure, sir,” the messenger stammered, still catching his breath.

Patrick didn’t want to scold a tired soldier, especially since it wasn’t urgent. He nodded and dismissed the messenger.

But after hearing about the carriage, Patrick found it hard to focus on his work. His mind kept going back to his son.

*Am I becoming a soft father?* he thought, a small, wry smile touching his lips. But it was a nice feeling.

*If Logan is bringing a guest,* Patrick thought, *I can’t just sit here.*

Patrick put aside his work and quickly left his office.

It seemed rumors spread quickly. The staff were already bustling around, talking excitedly, just like Patrick had been thinking.

Patrick, the lord himself, hadn’t ordered anything, yet the residence was already full of energy.

It was unusual, but Patrick enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

Looking at all the activity, Patrick felt a surge of pride. *Even if I stepped down now,* he thought, *the territory would be in good hands.* His pace quickened as he walked outside.

“Welcome back, Young Master!” the guards called out.

“Thanks,” Logan replied with a nod.

Aileen leaned out of the carriage, eyes wide. “Wow,” she breathed, “it’s so much cleaner and newer than I expected!”

“It hasn’t been built for very long,” Logan said, a hint of pride in his voice.

“All thanks to the Young Master’s plans, Princess!” one attendant said loudly. “Isn’t he amazing?”

“He is!” the other agreed, grinning. “Our Princess is lucky to have such a clever Young Master!”

The attendants had been chattering excitedly throughout the journey, making it easier for Logan and Aileen to talk to each other.

Logan chuckled, watching his enthusiastic attendants.

“Princess, Young Master. We have arrived at the Lord’s Residence.”

Logan stepped out of the carriage and blinked in surprise. A large crowd had gathered – his father, and many important people from the territory.

For a moment, Logan’s face tightened. Had something gone wrong? But then he saw everyone smiling, and his worry vanished.

Logan took a breath, calming himself, and smiled back at the crowd.

“I’m back.”

Logan expected cheers and greetings. But even with so many people, there was complete silence.

Logan wondered why. Then he saw everyone staring past him, and he understood.

The carriage door opened again with a soft click.

Aileen stepped out of the carriage, letting out a soft gasp.

She wore full armor, plain and unadorned. She moved with a confident step.

Her long, bright red hair shone like polished copper, a shade lighter than Logan’s. She had striking features and bright blue eyes that sparkled with intelligence.

The eyes of everyone watching widened.

“Wow, she’s beautiful,” someone whispered.

“Who is she?” another voice asked.

“Look at her armor… she must be important,” someone else murmured. A ripple of whispers went through the crowd.

Patrick, standing at the front, stared, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Yes. Welcome back, Logan. But who is that young lady?” His face was already beaming with a smile as he asked the question.

*I thought Logan wasn’t interested in romance,* Patrick thought, surprised. *That’s why I felt comfortable guiding him, even asking the Sword Master for help with his training.*

But seeing Aileen now, Patrick realized his worries had been for nothing.

*He’s doing just fine without my interference,* Patrick thought with amusement. *The armor is a bit unusual for a noble lady, but perhaps it’s practical for travel.*

Patrick’s heart beat a little faster with anticipation. He looked at the woman, already picturing her as his future daughter-in-law.

And then Logan’s words confirmed his hopes.

“My fiancée, Princess Aileen Floyd.”

“Oh!” Patrick gasped.

“The Young Master’s *fiancée*?” someone exclaimed in disbelief.

“A Princess!” another voice whispered excitedly. A wave of excited chatter rippled through the crowd.

Patrick looked at his son’s fiancée with a beaming smile.

“Oh! Welcome, Princess. I am the Princess’s…”

“And she is also a talent I will newly recruit into the McLaine Knights, Father.”

“The commander will be Patrick Mc… What?”

“Aileen Floyd. My fiancée, and a new talent I have recruited into the Knights.”

“Wait… what?” Patrick chuckled nervously. “My ears must be playing tricks on me. Did you say… a knight?”

“I said she is a talent I will recruit into the Knights. She is also my fiancée, though.”

“A knight… and my son’s fiancée?” Patrick stammered, turning to Dwayne, his face pale. “Dwayne, did I hear him right?”

Patrick shook his head as if it couldn’t be true and looked back at Dwayne.

“Yes, Lord,” Dwayne said, a wry smile on his face. “That’s definitely something the Young Master would do.”

“What?”

“The moment I saw the lady in armor,” Dwayne continued, “I knew things wouldn’t be simple. Of course! It’s just like the Young Master.”

“Heh…”

Patrick’s expression turned blank as he realized that he hadn’t misheard.

“I am Aileen Floyd,” she said clearly. “I will do my best as your son’s fiancée and as a knight, Lord Patrick.”

“What on earth…?”

Aileen’s clear words only added to Patrick’s confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

“The Young Master’s fiancée is his fiancée, but…”

“She says she’s a knight…?”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know either.”

The crowd around them was getting louder. Patrick forced himself to focus.

“Wait. Floyd… Are you from the Floyd County?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The Floyd County Princess is your fiancée… that’s wonderful! But… the Knights?”

“Yes. I will have her join the Knights.”

“So… you’re saying your fiancée… is joining the Knights?” Patrick’s voice rose in disbelief. “Logan, what are you saying?”

“Heinkel,” Dwayne chuckled, “is this even allowed?”

“It’s… never been done before,” Heinkel admitted, shaking his head.

“But?” Dwayne prompted.

Heinkel sighed. “But if the Young Master wants it, who are we to argue? This is his territory.”

Knight Commander Heinkel answered Dwayne’s question with a hollow laugh.

Dwayne nodded as if he understood everything at the difficult expression and patted his shoulder.

A dwarf, who had hurried over and was now watching from the edge of the crowd, clicked his tongue and shook his head, muttering to himself.

Hamar watched the human woman. “Run away,” he thought. “Whatever they told you, it’s a trick. Tsk, tsk.”

Hamar shook his head. This woman’s life was about to change in a big, confusing way.

Hamar clicked his tongue, thinking this. But when he met Logan’s eyes, he quickly looked away.

‘What? There’s no way he could hear me from this far,’ he thought.

Feeling nervous, he tried to hide his expression. Luckily, applause broke out next to Logan, and Logan looked away.

Clap, clap, clap.

“Welcome!” Lonian started to say, then stopped when he saw his mother. “Oh, hello Mother!”

His mother pinched his cheek. “Lonian, be quiet now.”

Patrick watched this, confused, then looked at Logan. “Why?” he asked, his voice full of worry.

It was a short word, but it showed how much he was feeling.

Logan answered calmly, as if he didn’t notice his father’s feelings. “Like I said, she has great talent.”

“A woman? And your fiancée?”

“That’s also why I’m engaged to her. Because she is an incredible asset.”

“An asset?!” Patrick said. “This is absurd… A woman knight? [He looks at Aileen more closely] Wait… there is something about her… Impressive, yes, but still…”

The strong feeling he got from Aileen made Patrick even more confused, but he stayed firm.

“No matter what, you can’t make a noble woman a knight! Especially your fiancée!”

“I don’t see why not.”

“You must be out of your mind,” Patrick said. “What to do…”

Next to Patrick, Dwayne spoke carefully. “Maybe Logan has a plan?”

“You understand this, Dwayne?” Patrick asked. “Am I the only one who thinks this is strange?”

“Well, it’s what Logan does,” Dwayne replied.

“How frustrating,” Patrick said. “Logan! Let’s talk alone. How much of what you’re saying is…”

Patrick tried to continue, trying to stay calm, but Logan changed the subject. “We need to call the Floyd family to let them know we arrived safely. Father, you should come too. Shouldn’t we say hello?”

“Wh-what?” Patrick, still confused, was led to the communication room.

[Yes. You arrived safely. Are you healthy?]

“It’s only been a week, Father,” Logan said.

[This father feels like that week was a month…]

“Lord McLaine is listening!” Logan announced.

[Ahem. Ah. Aah. Lord McLaine… Nice to meet you. Roberts Floyd here.]

“Lord Floyd, nice to meet you,” Patrick said. “I’m Patrick McLaine. I’m a bit surprised by this sudden call, so please understand if I seem a little off.”

[Ha ha. I feel the same way. This is a big event for our families, but the children felt so strongly that I didn’t contact you first. I’m sorry for making you call me first.]

“Haha, no, it’s fine. Isn’t this a good match? Unless there are strong reasons not to, it’s good to respect the children’s wishes. By the way, I heard something strange. Your daughter wants to become a knight…”

[Haaa…]

Patrick tried to bring it up carefully, but Earl Floyd sighed deeply.

It was such a deep sigh that Logan and Aileen, watching from behind, flinched.

[Please take good care of her,” Earl Floyd said, sniffling. “I trust her to you.]

“Father, are you crying…?” Aileen asked.

“Future in-law,” Patrick said, interrupting Aileen. “Are these children insisting on this even though you’re against it?!”

[I’ve decided to allow it. It’s what my daughter wants so much. But she has grown up delicately. Please…]

“Hahaha, no, there’s no need to break tradition if you don’t want to. I’ll take care of it…” Patrick said.

“Father!!”

Patrick looked at his future daughter-in-law, surprised by the shout from behind.

[It is what I want,” the Earl said, changing his words. He clearly didn’t want it. “Please take good care of her.]

“Huh?” Patrick stared at his son and Aileen, confused.

Unlike Aileen, who smiled awkwardly, Logan had a bold smile.

“As you heard, Father, the Earl has agreed,” Logan said.

“Let’s talk about this later,” Patrick said, changing the subject. The conversation ended quickly.

Thirty minutes later:

[Thank you. I’ll set a date soon and contact you. I hope we can meet in person soon.]

“I feel the same way,” Patrick replied.

The call ended politely.

Buzz!

Even though the call ended well, the room was silent for a moment.

“Even if the Earl lets his daughter become a knight, I’m still against it!” Patrick said before leaving.

His words made Logan and Aileen sigh. But they nodded firmly and left the room together.

“We’ve passed one challenge,” Logan said.

“You must be tired from traveling so far,” Aileen said. “Thank you for your hard work.”

“No, it’s alright. You’re the one who worked hard, Young Lord,” Logan replied.

“I don’t know when the date will be set, but it seems we can move forward as planned,” Logan said. But he didn’t really believe things would go smoothly.

The civil war was coming, and he had things to do before and after it. There wouldn’t be time for a normal wedding.

Aileen didn’t seem to know this, and she seemed more interested in something else.

“Yes,” she said. “I won’t let you down. A knight order. Finally…”

She seemed more interested in that than the engagement. Logan thought she looked attractive and then shook his head, surprised.

‘Get a grip,’ he thought. ‘Now is not the time!’

Slap!

“Young Lord?” Aileen asked, surprised to see Logan slapping himself.

Logan smiled awkwardly and changed the subject. “When are you thinking of starting training? But you should rest for a few days…”

“I’ll start tomorrow,” Aileen said firmly.

Logan chuckled at her stubbornness.

She had talent and a strong will. But Logan wasn’t sure everything would go well.

‘Can she do it with just that?’ he wondered.

Aileen’s challenge was also Logan’s challenge.

And he didn’t have time.

‘I have two months at most. I have to finish the preparations and start the war then,’ he thought.

Even if Aileen couldn’t adapt by then, he couldn’t wait.

“Will I be staying in the knight order’s rooms now?” Aileen asked.

“That might be hard,” Logan said. “The other knights might not like that.”

“That’s a shame,” she replied.

“Instead, I’ll give you a room near the training grounds,” Logan offered.

She seemed very eager, so adapting wouldn’t be a problem.

It would be good if she could do it the normal way, but if not, she could become the ‘Steel Rose’ in a different way.

Logan organized his thoughts and led Aileen to the room he had chosen.

Rumors about Aileen spread quickly.

“I heard Logan is doing something strange again?” someone said.

“What is it?” another asked.

“He brought a woman to the knight order! A noble woman! His fiancée!”

“Wow! And then?”

“His fiancée is in the knight order!”

“Is that it?”

“I thought he was going to drill through the mountains again,” someone said.

“Ah…”

“It’s nothing special. Let’s eat,” one of them said.

“I guess so,” the other replied.

The news wasn’t as exciting as some people thought. Logan knew he had many challenges ahead as he prepared for the upcoming war.