Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Departure [PS Bonus]

Noel sat in the guest room.

It had been about three hours since breakfast. The house had grown quieter, the heavy rush of earlier fading into a more subdued calm.

In about two hours, the ship would leave port—departing from the western docks of Estermont. Which meant Noel had only about thirty minutes before he needed to head out by carriage to make it in time.

He was already prepared.

Now dressed in a sharp black suit, with a perfectly knotted black tie at his neck. The lines of the jacket fit clean against his frame—formal, but practical. Just appropriate enough for the kind of presence he would need to carry on this next part of the journey.

He checked the last few items, gaze flicking across the room.

’I have everything ready.’

The system still displayed a quiet line of text in the corner of his vision:

[Noir — Evolution in progress.]

’Revenant Fang is on the bed.’

He glanced at the sleek black blade lying neatly atop the covers, inert and resting.

’And since I used all the frostpetals… and cleared out all the food I packed for Frostspire Peak… I’ve got plenty of space now for new clothes and water.’

A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

’Honestly… probably the best purchase I’ve made since coming to this world.’

He leaned back in the chair slightly, taking in the sight before him.

’Now… What do I do with my feelings? Can I have relationships in this world? Should I? Polygamy is also a thing in this world. Wouldn’t I put people in danger because of my selfish desires and what I have to fulfill?’

A lot of thoughts crossed Noel’s mind.

The floor of the room was scattered with frostpetals—the remnants of the mission. The whole space looked almost like a garden now, soft glimmering petals lying across the polished wood, shimmering faintly in the light.

A small moment of quiet.

Until—

Tock. Tock. Tock.

A knock at the door.

Noel straightened.

“Come in.”

The door opened slowly.

Elyra stepped inside—wearing an elegant, slightly revealing dark red dress, its lines hugging her figure just enough to catch the eye. The deep red of her house color seemed even richer in the soft afternoon light.

Her hair was styled simply, falling loosely past her shoulders.

She met his gaze calmly.

“It’s me, Noel.”

He arched an eyebrow faintly.

“You’re knocking? What’s the occasion?”

Elyra smiled lightly.

“Didn’t you tell me before that you preferred if I knocked first?”

Noel blinked, remembering.

“Ah… right. I did. But honestly, if it’s you, I don’t mind.”

Elyra tilted her head, a small playful spark in her eyes.

“Oh? Are you trying to flirt with me now?”

Noel’s expression shifted ever so slightly—a flicker of awkwardness he couldn’t quite hide.

He wasn’t great at playing along with Elyra’s teasing, and she could see it clearly in the faint color rising to his face.

Trying to change the subject, he cleared his throat.

“So… what brings you here?”

Elyra’s gaze softened.

“I came to say goodbye. I know you’re leaving in about half an hour to catch your ship.”

Noel nodded. “You wanted to come with me?”

“Yes.”

His eyes widened slightly. “Really?”

Elyra smiled faintly.

“I do want to… but right now, I’d rather stay with my mother.”

Noel exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“I see. That’s the logical thing to do. Not something I would do… but it makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Elyra laughed softly.

“I know you don’t exactly get along with your family, Noel. But not everyone is the same, you know.”

He let out a breath.

“I know… honestly, I’m not looking forward to seeing them again. But I guess I don’t have much of a choice.”

Elyra stepped a little closer.

“You know… there’s a solution to everything.”

Noel glanced at her, curious.

“What do you mean? You know I can’t exactly skip the wedding, right?”

She smiled gently.

“Not that, what I mean… you can always have another family. Or better yet—start one from scratch.”

Noel stared at her, mouth slightly open.

For once… he was speechless.

Elyra’s voice was calm—yet firm.

“I already told you I like you, Noel. And I know you attract other girls too. But let’s be clear—I’m the first.”

Noel opened his mouth… but no words came.

Before he could find something to say, Elyra stepped closer—until only a few centimeters separated them.

Almost a head of height between them.

Noel’s face flushed deeper, but… he didn’t move away.

Something in the air made him let go, for just this moment.

Elyra reached up, took hold of his black tie, and stood on tiptoes.

Without hesitation—she kissed him.

Noel felt her lips again, soft and deliberate. A different, sweeter taste this time—likely from the lipstick she wore.

He didn’t resist.

When she finally pulled back, Elyra’s eyes gleamed.

“You don’t seem to dislike the idea—considering how easily you accepted.”

Noel smiled faintly, still catching his breath.

’Fuck it, you live once… Wait, maybe twice?’

“I already told you—being with the daughter of the most powerful house in Valor… well, only second to the imperial family, doesn’t sound so bad, and I think now I’m ready.”

Elyra grinned.

“Good. That’s how it will be from now on. Like I said—I know I won’t be the only one. I’m fine with that. But remember—if you ever neglect me for even a second, my father is ready. And most importantly—I’m the first.”

Noel arched an eyebrow.

“Why do you think there will be others?”

She laughed softly.

“You think I haven’t noticed how Elena’s been looking at you these past few months? You’d have to be blind not to see it.”

Noel sighed.

“I see… well, I suppose we’ll meet again in about two months when classes resume?”

“That’s right. We’ll be second-year students by then. And… forgive me—I didn’t congratulate you for your birthday.”

Noel blinked.

“How do you know when my birthday is?”

Elyra smirked.

“You think the vice president of the council doesn’t have access to the students’ information?”

Noel stared at her. “… Since when have you been looking into me?”

“Since the second week of classes, maybe. Since I first asked you to help me with the students sneaking out.”

“I see… I didn’t notice.”

“That’s normal. I’m good at hiding what I want.”

Noel glanced at the clock.

“Well… it’s time for me to go. I don’t want to miss the ship.”

“I’ll come with you.”

The two of them walked together through the grand halls of the Estermont estate.

Noel had Revenant Fang at his side, his dimensional pouch secured. Everything else—clothes, supplies—was safely stored inside.

When they reached the front courtyard, the carriage was already waiting.

Two towering black horses, larger than ordinary steeds, stood at attention.

’Figures. Magical familiars, most likely. Money’s not a problem here,’ Noel thought.

Standing near the carriage were Lady Elissabeth von Estermont and Lord Caeron.

The driver waited patiently at the front.

Noel stopped before them and inclined his head slightly.

“Thank you for your hospitality. But I must be going now. I hope we’ll meet again soon, Lady Elissabeth von Estermont, Lord Caeron von Estermont.”

Elissabeth smiled warmly.

“Come visit whenever you like. You’re like a son to us, aren’t you, dear?”

Lord Caeron didn’t look thrilled, but he gave a reluctant nod.

He had no choice—his wife’s word was law here.

’Yeah… I know exactly what that feels like,’ Noel thought, watching the couple.

Before climbing into the carriage, Noel stepped toward Elyra first.

Elyra smiled.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Noel gave a faint smile. “I was getting to that… though I can’t say I’m thrilled about your father watching me.”

“Don’t worry,” Elyra said with a wink. “My mother keeps him on a leash.”

Without waiting, Noel leaned in and kissed Elyra.

This time—he initiated.

It didn’t last long—but long enough to hold them both over for two months.

When they broke apart, Noel whispered:

“See you soon.”

Behind them, Lord Caeron raised a single finger and ran it across his throat in a mock threat.

But before he could finish the gesture, Elissabeth caught him by the ear and tugged him away.

“Forgive my husband,” she said with a small smile. “He still doesn’t know how to behave around his future son-in-law.”

“See you soon too, father and mother.”

Noel chuckled softly, then climbed into the carriage.

The horses set off smoothly, heading west toward Estermont’s harbor.

The ride was calm, and after the long days of tension, Noel finally allowed himself to close his eyes.

’I’ll rest for a bit.’

Before long, the voice of the driver stirred him awake.

“Young Thorne—we’ve arrived.”

Noel blinked, straightened in his seat, and looked out the window.

Before him stood the sprawling port of Estermont—the gateway to the next Chapter of his journey.

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