The one who opened the door and walked in was a woman who looked exactly like Sarah, Cain's mother.
Upon closer inspection, the resemblance is similar but different, and she appears to be slightly younger than Sarah.
'Excuse me. I made a mistake. She looked a lot like my mother. ...
Cain cringes and bows his head to them.
When he turns his gaze back to Santos, he looks at Cain with a serious look on his face.
'Cain, may I ask your mother's name?'
Cain swallows his spit at Santos, who gives him a serious look.
'Yes, my mother's name is Sarah.
At Cain's answer, Santos and the woman who entered the room with him widened their eyes.
'Sit over here first, and I'll introduce you two. You are still Sarah's child. ... It's no wonder you feel so close to them.
Cain didn't quite understand what Santos was saying, but he addressed the woman and the girl sitting next to Santos.
'My name is Cain. The name of my family is withheld as I am an adventurer. I've met Santos-sama on the road, and I'm happy to accompany you.
Cain bows his head politely and introduces himself.
'My name is Lara von Guerretta. Her name is Leela. Leela, say hello.
At Lara's words, Leela stood up once, plucked at the hem of her skirt and sat down lightly.
'I'm Leela. It's nice to meet you, Cain-sama.
After a polite greeting, Leela sat back down next to Lara.
'And yet, you know my mother?'
At Cain's words, Santos nodded, wrinkling his brow.
'Sarah, ..., is my son, an eagle. She's also Lara's sister.
Cain was surprised by Santos' words.
'What? My mother told me she met my father when she was an adventurer: ...
At Cain's words, Santos began to speak.
'She's, you know, ... I told you earlier that the Guerretta family is of female descent. I wanted to get a son-in-law to marry Sarah, but he didn't want to, and ran away from home. I haven't been able to go back to ... ever since. It's been more than fifteen years since I ran away. I didn't expect to find a boy like you. ... How is Sarah? If you're an adventurer at that age, maybe Sarah is already ...
Santos has tears in his eyes. So is Lara next to him. Leela is tilting her head because she doesn't know what she's talking about.
''No, no, no, my mother is doing well. I think she's in her mansion in King's Landing now.''
Cain thought they were mistaken, and he was in a hurry to clear up the misunderstanding.
Then he decided to reveal his identity and speak as a nobleman, not as an adventurer.
After taking a breath, Cain began to speak.
''I will be honest with you. My name is Cain von Silford Drintle. I have now been appointed Viscount and I rule the city of Drintle. My father is Garm von Silford Gracia. He will be the Earl of the Gracia Frontier. My mother, Sarah, is my second wife there.
Cain placed the viscount's certificate on the table.
Santos couldn't hide his surprise at Cain's words.
''Well, well, well, it can't be that Viscount Silford! Is that Viscount Silford, who rescued His Royal Highness and Lady Silk at the age of five, was knighted, destroyed the examination hall at the King's Academy and was the head of the school in academics, that Viscount Silford is Sarah's son? ... I've always heard stories from Sir Eric! Sir Eric will always pass through this city on his way back to the estate, you know.
Cain hadn't expected his past to be that well known. Moreover, he didn't expect to have to explain his embarrassing past to anyone.
(Yes, he's right, but it's embarrassing to be told to his face.
Huh. .... Well, that's about it: ...
Cain scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
'But then, I didn't know Sarah was married to the Earl of Silford Frontier .... You say you don't want to be a nobleman, but you married into a nobleman's family. It's because she's been active since she was little. That's right: .... It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. I'm not going to be able to get it right.
Leela nodded, wondering if she understood Santos' words.
'So you are your brother, Master Cain?
Cain's cheeks loosened at the fact that he was the youngest child, and that this was the first time he had been called 'brother'.
'Can you tell me about Sarah: ...
As Cain was looking loose, Santos called out to him.
With those words, Cain was brought back to reality.
'I don't know the details. But if it's something my mother told me, I can tell you.
Cain begins to talk about what he heard when he was little.
When he was little, Cain had asked Sarah how she met Garum. Of course, Garum had told him about it.
At that time, Cain had just recovered his memories of his previous life, and in order to gather various information, he had asked Galum, Sarah, and Silvia many things.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.
"Mother, why did you marry father?
Cain asked Sarah as she lay in bed and read to him.
'I was, you know, an adventurer in the first place. I got up to the C rank. On a commission, I met Garum while I was hunting in the demon forest with the adventurers who were in my party at the time. Garum said he was hunting with a small group of adventurers for training purposes, and I met him while he was retreating from the forest, carrying an injured member on his back. I was able to use my recovery magic, so I was able to help Garum's friends recover on the spot. And that's how we got to know each other. And then he asked me to marry him, and we got married.
Sarah begins to speak, recalling stories from the past in her head.
'Your mother was a commoner and yet she was able to marry a nobleman?'
''--Yes. She was dressed as a knight, but I didn't know she was a nobleman either. I couldn't be the first wife, but they gave me permission to be the second wife. It's like Garum said, "I'll definitely take you as my wife" and called home. Garum was quite proactive in those days. You wouldn't understand if you told Cain about it, would you?
Sarah blushed as she remembered.
Garum had said the same thing to Cain. He said it was a mistake to have gone deep into the forest recklessly. And that he had been saved by Sarah and the others while he was retreating with the injured. He was supposed to be an adventurer, but he was attracted to the fact that he had a dignified elegance and asked her to marry him. At first, his parents were opposed to him when they introduced him to her, but Garum told me with pride that they approved of his marriage after seeing Sarah's graceful appearance, not unlike that of an adventurer.
''--it seems to be something like that,''
Santos listens to Cain's explanation with tears in his eyes. Lara, too, is wiping her tears away with a handkerchief to her eyes.
''--Well, thank you, Lord Silford. At the party in the royal capital, if nothing else, his rightful wife will accompany him. That's why we've never met before: ...
'No, you can call me Cain, since you are my grandfather. My mother wasn't much of a partygoer. ...
Cain bowed his head lightly and said.
''-- I'm sorry. But I didn't expect my grandson to help me today. ... You are welcome to stay with us tonight. I don't care how long you stay as long as you are willing to allow Sir Cain to stay.
Santos spoke to Cain with a smile, but as expected, he couldn't take it as a lord.
''Thank you for your kindness. I am indebted to you for your kindness today, but I must return to the king's capital immediately after I travel to Malbeek territory tomorrow. I will tell my mother what I have met with you all today. And of course to my father.
'Mmmm .... Now, I'm writing a letter to Sarah and Lord Garm tonight, and I'd appreciate it if you could deliver it to me.
Cain nodded pleasantly at Santos' question.
''Of course. You are welcome to meet my mother when you come to King's Landing. Right now, I'm with my sister at her residence in King's Landing.''
'I asked for it then. Thank you, I'm really glad Sir Cain was able to help me.
'It is my pleasure, my paternal grandparents have already passed away, so I didn't expect to have a grandfather. Thank you for your continued support.
After that, we were still chatting, when the maid came to call out that the meal was ready.
'Then let's have dinner. There are mountains nearby in this city, and the wild vegetables are delicious.
Cain cleared his throat at Santos' words.
Then he arrived at the dining room he was led to and was introduced to his returning stepson and ate with him.
On the table were carved steaks and fried wild vegetables. There were many other things on the table that were beautifully arranged.
'Today, I'm grateful to have met my new grandson. Cheers.
Cain takes a little bit and eats it up.
'--tasty.'
The sweetness of the wild greens and the salt were a nice combination, bringing out the flavor.
Hearing Cain's words, Santos nodded with a smile.
''Both Sir Eric and Miss Silk like the wild vegetables in this city, and they always stop by when they go to and from the territory.
You like silk too, don't you?
Cain can picture in his head Silk eating wild vegetables with gusto.
'Silk' or .... The fiancée of Sir Cain you mentioned earlier is Sir Eric's second daughter, Miss Silk?
Santos asks with a big smile on his face.
'Eh, that's ...,'
Cain wiped his face with his handkerchief, sweat pouring down his forehead, as if he were upset.
'Well, that's good. The fact that it hasn't been announced yet means that there must be some reason. We'll wait for the time to come.
It would be nice to hear you say that.
Cain bowed his head lightly at Santos' concern.
'Good! Today is a happy day. Let's have a drink! Cain, you drink too!
Santos emptied his glass vigorously.
'Father ..., Master Cain is still a child, isn't he?'
Santos smiled and continued to empty his drink, despite a sharp nudge from Lara.