Retrace

Chapter Five

I don’t remember ever agreeing to Gil that I’d buy the newspaper for him. I hate myself for walking to the newsstand just to buy a newspaper.

The Southern Gazette is the official newspaper for those who live here in the south of Danior. But the thing is, they don’t usually distribute it here in Grubenvale Trail, being the southernmost tip and the small population and all. The copies are very limited so Gil made me buy them early in the morning.

What a pain.

Thankfully, when I reached the newsstand, there were still copies. I bought one quickly and walked back home. As I walked, I read the headlines. It said that someone from the  Northern Manor had come to the south for an inspection.

The  Northern Manor? That’s a first.

As I remember correctly, there are three manors in Danior. There’s the  Northern, Eastern, and the Western Manor. Though they point to three directions, all the manors are located in the  Northern part of Danior. They are all in one place. The only reason why they’re called as such is because of their arrangement. The  Northern Manor is, of course, in the middle, located at the back of the other two. The Western Manor is just in front of the  Northern Manor, located at the left side. The Eastern Manor is up front, the first manor in terms of location and is located at the right. They are arranged in that way because their rule over Danior works the same way. The Eastern Manor has the least power and the  Northern Manor is the ultimate monarch.

Usually, the  Northern Manor is very silent when they work. The Eastern Manor is everywhere, and the Western Manor is just as discreet. The  Northern Manor may be the ultimate monarch as they say, but it just doesn’t look like that. They all have their responsibilities.

The three manors all have their heads of the house. They head of the  Northern Manor is what people call ‘His Highness’ and the Western and Eastern Manor are who they call the ‘Lord of the West or East’. People were the ones who called them that, but there aren’t noble families here. Of course, the people of Danior recognize the families of the three manors as nobility.

I sighed. How come I know that much?

I handed the paper to Gil once I reached the house. Gil doesn’t usually read the paper so I don’t know why he suddenly wanted to read it.

“Did you read the headline, Keishi?” Gil asked, opening the paper on the coffee table.

“The header only.” I don’t know why I should be interested to that topic so I didn’t continue.

“Good then. The inspector from the  Northern Manor is here.”

The inspector’s here? For what business? If it didn’t concern me, Gil wouldn’t have let me know.

I didn’t notice the inspector when I came in. Then I remembered Eri saying that two men are finding for Kyreil Dyseige. Then the two men standing near Gil would be the inspectors. One is considerably younger than the other. The older, taller guy is wearing an overcoat buttoned completely and the other is dressed in the same way as Gil, only his collared shirt isn’t opened until the third button.

“We were waiting for you,” the younger said. He looked like a person who really came from the north. Well, they said that they look very proper. Even his posture is proper. His auburn hair was pulled back that I could completely see his forehead.

I sat down beside Gil. The two inspectors sat opposite us. Gil served them coffee after folding his newspaper.

I was silent for a while. I don’t even know why I’m nervous. They’re just inspecting for all I know.