Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Colonial Clockwork Marine

Vol1: Chapter 6

When we returned to the manor, our group entered through the back gate of the estate, startling the guards. They exclaimed, "Young lord! You went out again without permission?! This really has to stop. What are we guards for if you come and go as you please without anyone knowing? The baroness will surely hear about this!" The lead guard, James, sighed deeply and rubbed the back of his head before shifting his suspicious gaze to my companions.

I interrupted James and apologized—likely for the hundredth time. I had lost count of how many times I ended up in this situation after discovering the hidden crack in the estate walls. Still, I explained my companions' identities to the guards and helped them sort out the situation. They called for a runner to inform my parents of what I had explained and asked the kitchen to prepare lunch for us. Meanwhile, they arrested Tom and escorted him to the manor's brig. They even made Tom carry Phil's body to the brig until the lord of the manor decided what to do after his investigation.

As a maid hurried to fetch us for our midday meal, James pulled me aside. "Say, Liam, did you actually kill a man?"

Karabelle turned to me, her eyes full of anticipation, but her expression soured with disappointment when I deflected the question.

"I'll tell you more when I visit the guard room, James. I hope your boys are ready for another game of Twenty-five—bring your fat purses!" I said with a grin as I walked away, waving to James, who stood baffled by my response.

While we walked to the manor with our maid escort, Karabelle exploded, "Liam, why didn't you answer the guard's question directly? What you did was extraordinary and quite chivalrous!"

"Ho! Chivalrous? Not exactly, my lady Karabelle," I replied with a playful sneer. "I was also being threatened, so naturally, I needed to defend myself, my house's honor, and you as well."

Karabelle raised an eyebrow but didn't rise to the bait. "Is that your sad attempt at teasing a lady? The soldiers from my house could do better, dear Liam." She ruffled my hair like I was a pet.

"Clearly, English is not your first language, my lady," I muttered under my breath, dodging her hand to fix my hair. As I straightened up, I realized that my attempt to downplay my actions had been misinterpreted as juvenile taunting. "Next time, I'll be more careful and deliberate in my responses to you."

"As should you, my dear Liam," Karabelle replied with a smile, her tone dripping with forced sophistication. We both laughed at the silliness of our exchange.

A kind, elderly voice greeted us as we approached the manor entrance. "My, what do we have here, my dear boy?"

"Father Remy!" I exclaimed. "It's been a while! And this, by the way, is Lady Karabelle Vellico, who will be our... um... guest for today." Karabelle took the priest's offered hand and received his blessing.

"Ah, is she the daughter of that Knight-merchant Vellico I've heard so much about during my travels?" Father Remy asked. "I heard she went missing yesterday near the lake shore. What an uproar it caused!"

"Yes, sir! She has been found and is safe now," I replied smartly, standing at attention like a soldier before his superior. Old habits die hard, I suppose.

Father Remy nodded but excused himself, apologizing as he had another appointment. "Bless you, Liam. I'm sure you had a hand in this. We'll chat more when I return. My lady, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Thank you, Padre, and safe travels," Karabelle said as the priest took his leave.

"That was Father Remy Odilard," I said proudly. "He was my first teacher after my parents. Although I've outgrown his academic lessons, he still visits to check on me and share stories about his travels. He spends his time working for the Cathartic Church, traveling across the barony and beyond."