Even If You Tear Me Apart - Chapter 25
The chapters are split like this so that the TL can update more consistently over time (✿ ＞◡❛)
Étienne began to fall seriously ill.
Ezekiel grew restless, but Missus Babbin only scoffed. She had plenty of experience raising a frail boy.
“A summer cold just needs some meat broth with plenty of pepper and a good night’s sleep.”
Just as she said, Étienne managed to finish the stew she had brought and fell asleep soon after. And because Étienne was sick, Henri was able to join them for dinner. Ezekiel sighed, thinking he really ought to find another chair for tomorrow.
“Isn’t pepper expensive?”
At that, Iris smiled softly.
“Henri gets sick often, so… While we can’t keep much in stock, we always have a little.”
“I see. Once we reunite with our group, I’ll make sure to repay you.”
“It’s fine. Father said he’d buy more on his way back!”
Henri, spooning up stew, spoke proudly. Ezekiel smiled. But Missus Babbin seemed reminded of something she had forgotten by Henri’s words.
“Come to think of it, it’s quite troubling how long the baron has been gone…”
Baron Quilluxia, it was said, made a trip to nearby territories every early summer to buy old barley. Iris added,
“It’s essential if we want to make beer for the winter. It’s cheapest this time of year.”
“Beer?”
“In winter, the well freezes,” Missus Babbin explained.
In the dead of winter, even the river would freeze, and drinking water would become scarce. Though they could break the ice, they also needed to replenish their energy throughout the season, so beer was a necessity. It really drove home the self-sufficiency of this estate.
Then Henri asked,
“I have a question. How does someone become a knight?”
“A knight… you mean.”
Iris smiled.
“Henri, I told you, you just need to get healthy first.”
“But it’s not like just anyone will come and make me a knight after that!”
Henri swung his legs restlessly in discontent. Missus Babbin shrugged at Ezekiel.
“Our baron used to be a knight in the capital when he was young.”
“Ez, didn’t you say you’re a knight of the Arbois Duchy? Isn’t it super hard to become a ducal house’s knight?”
Apparently, the sickly boy’s dream was to become a knight. Ezekiel gave a slightly awkward smile.
“If you train hard, it’s possible.”
“How?”
“…Properly?”
It seemed Étienne was right—Ezekiel didn’t have much gift for words.
“Boo, that’s no answer,” Henri grumbled.
Iris chuckled and pushed a bowl toward him.
“You need to get healthy first, Henri. That means eating your vegetables too.”
“I hate vegetables! They’re bitter!”
“But the knight eats them really well! Look—just in front of Ez…”
Henri and Iris’s eyes turned to him. Ezekiel, flustered, instinctively grabbed a bunch of the cooked greens in front of him and shoved them in his mouth.
Missus Babbin and Iris beamed, and Henri’s eyes widened. After a moment of hesitation, Ezekiel took another bite.
“Did you know that knights of the Arbois Duchy can’t become knights unless they eat lots of vegetables?”
“…That’s a lie!”
The boy scowled in disbelief, but Ezekiel shook his head.
“It’s true. Haven’t you heard the Duke buys vegetables from his people at high prices? It’s both for the benefit of the commoners and to make sure the knights grow stronger.”
“…Is that true, Missus Babbin?”
“Of course!”
Missus Babbin chimed in as if she’d been waiting for the moment.
“Think about it. Where else would the baron have gone to sell the spring vegetables we grew? The Arbois Duchy, of course!”
In the end, despite his suspicious expression, the boy chewed through his vegetables with tears welling up in his eyes. He cleared the entire plate, and Missus Babbin and Iris applauded with delight.
