A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”Eric, come on, use that brilliant brain of yours and think of something. I know you always have some unorthodox trick to solve any problem.”

”You make me sound like a heretical Wizard.”

Eric took a stomach-soothing potion from his coat and handed it to Helia.

”See, I was right. You really are a Wizard. Too bad I didn’t bring a Bishop or someone along.”

The moment Helia finished speaking, Eric snatched the potion back.

”I think it’s better if you just stay in pain. It’ll give your tongue a rest and save more people from getting hurt by it.”

”Oh, come on, I was just joking with you. I’ll shut up, I’ll shut up, alright?”

Helia said, covering her mouth with her hands.

Eric handed the potion back to her.

”Don’t drink too much, just one sip—”

Before Eric could finish, Helia had already drunk the entire potion. She let out a burp and handed the empty bottle back to Eric.

”How do you feel?” Eric shook the bottle. Not a drop left.

”The pain seems to have lessened,” Helia said, clutching her stomach.

”What did the old man send you here for? To come back and see Uncle Ambel?” Eric asked, looking at Helia.

Eric had a pretty good idea already; he was just using this as a pretext to ask.

’His other brothers and sisters had never been to Normandy, let alone met Ambel.’

Helia didn’t answer, so Eric looked at Otto.

”The Duke has decided on a marriage alliance with the Duke of Milan. The partner is the Duke of Milan’s eldest son, Hugo, who is now the Count of Mann. For some unknown reason, he insists the engagement ceremony be held in Mann.”

”However, from what I know, his so-called title of Count is not stable.” Otto looked at Helia, worried about this unreliable marriage partner.

”Has Helia met this Hugo?” Eric asked, looking at Helia.

Helia stared off into the distance.

”No, the Duke made the decision on the spur of the moment...” Otto said, a bit awkwardly.

Helia seemed to be completely ignoring their conversation. She tilted her head, noticed the Knights behind Eric, and patted his shoulder. ”What are you doing here, brother? You even have Knights with you. Doing pretty well for yourself, huh?”

She always had a very pleasant scent of lavender about her.

”Oh, right. How about this? Since Helia isn’t feeling well, you can all rest for a night in my castle before you leave.”

”A castle? I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.” Otto laughed and clapped Eric on the shoulder.

”I bet there’s something else.” Helia leaned in close to Eric’s neck and sniffed. She caught the scent of roses.

”If you’d like to meet her,” Eric said, turning to the side.

”Of course,” Helia said with a smile.

”I’ll just wait here,” Otto said with a shrug, deciding not to disturb the siblings’ reunion.

Eric pulled Helia onto his horse and rode quickly in Eleanor’s direction.

Eleanor, on the other side of a small stream, had been watching Eric from a distance.

Now he was riding toward her with a girl.

She stood up, tossed the sweet flag she was holding into the stream, and, lifting her skirts, walked toward them.

”Helia, let me introduce you. This is my...” Eric put his arm around Eleanor’s shoulder.

Before Eric could finish, Helia leaped in front of Eleanor, grabbed her hand, and said, ”Oh, I know! This must be Aunt Margaret. How has my beloved Uncle Ambel been lately?”

”Wh-what?” Eleanor was clearly stunned for a moment. Once she processed it, anger flared up. She instantly clenched her fists, tilted her head back, and frowned at Eric.

”Listen, Helia, we barely get to see each other. I want this to be a pleasant reunion between a brother and sister, not you using that thorny tongue of yours to make everyone bristle like an angry lion.”

”I don’t like this, Helia, and I remember warning you about it many times long ago.” Eric shot Helia a glare.

”Fine, I’ll try, Eric. For the sake of the potion you just gave me.” Helia crossed her arms, looking unconcerned as she turned her face away.

”No, you will apologize.” Eric grabbed Helia’s ear and pulled, putting some force into it.

Helia cried out in pain, tears welling up in her eyes.

Only then did Eric let go.

”Alright, alright! I apologize, I apologize,” Helia said, covering her ear and pouting.

”Don’t be angry. She’s only fifteen, she just looks older.”

”Hmph, of course I look older,” Helia said, puffing out her chest.

Eleanor gritted her teeth.

Eric chose that moment to give her a karate chop on the head.

It was hard enough to squeeze out a few more tears.

”Apologize,” Eric said, his tone turning cold.

”I am sorry for my earlier behavior. I apologize and beg your forgiveness, my lady.” Helia lifted her skirts and gave Eleanor a low curtsy.

”Eleanor,” Eleanor replied coldly, not returning the courtesy.

”Let us reintroduce ourselves. I am Helia de Outville, daughter of the great Conqueror of Southern Italy, Robert Guiscard, Duke of Calabria and Apulia.” Helia lifted her smooth chin proudly.

”Baroness of Fougeres Castle, Lady of Loire Castle, Eleanor of Loire Castle,” Eleanor retorted, then shook off Eric’s hand and walked to the side.

”Hey, you’ve never been that respectful of him before,” Eric said, tapping Helia on the head, displeased with her attitude.

”It’s quite useful to bring him up at critical moments to build some prestige. It’s only right to show a little respect then. ’Put everything to its best use.’ You’re the one who taught me that, remember, Eric?”

”There’s no such thing as something useless. You can squeeze a drop of oil from a single sesame seed, and a pile of dung can fertilize a field. I’m a pure pragmatist.” Helia crossed her arms.

”You’ve never been able to control that tongue of yours, even as a child. I’ll bet your fiancé will come to regret it.”

”Of course. Ever since I left Italy, I’ve sworn to make miserable the life of whoever marries me,” Helia huffed.

”What did you eat today to be in such a foul mood, Helia? I remember reminding you several times already. I don’t recall you having such a bad temper before. Speak properly. If you keep this up, I’m washing my hands of you.”

”No matter how unbearable your negative feelings are, you shouldn’t take them out on your own family.”

Eric was very unhappy with Helia’s behavior today. He had thought that meeting her would be a joyous occasion.

”Alright, I apologize, I apologize, okay? So is she really your wife?” Helia raised her hands in surrender. ”Don’t tell me you’re that so-called Baron of Fougeres Castle she mentioned.”

...

Afterward, Eric led Helia and her party to Fougeres Castle. Eleanor didn’t say a word the entire way.

She was furious at Helia’s words. It was one thing to mock herself, but quite another to be mocked by someone else.

When they returned to Fougeres Castle, the Old Baron heard the commotion and came out.

’Eric had been thinking he should either sew Helia’s mouth shut or lock her back in the carriage, but the moment she saw the Old Baron, she transformed into a noble lady with impeccable manners.’

Using the tidbits of information she had wheedled out of Eric about the Old Baron, she charmed him and made him very happy.

Eleanor seethed with frustration.

The Old Baron loved a lively atmosphere, while Eleanor hated it.

But besides welcoming Helia, the Old Baron had other business. He handed Eric an invitation.

”Who’s it from?”

”The so-called Count Hugo of Mann. He now serves Prince William of England, and Prince William has ordered all the Barons and Lords of Mann to go to Laponti City tomorrow to swear fealty to the Count of Mann.”

”Tomorrow? Why the rush?” Eric was a little surprised.

”According to his envoy, Prince William crushed all resistance in Persh and eastern Mann yesterday, and also captured several small fortresses in the Alençon Region. He probably wants to use this to intimidate the Lords of Mann. Of course, it could also be a test of the Mann Nobility’s obedience.”

”This is an opportunity for you, if you are truly loyal to King Robert.”

”Yes.”

”Are you confident?”

”I’ll try not to bring the Knights of Fougeres Castle. I’ll have Eleanor represent Fougeres Castle.”

”What about your sister, then? Isn’t she supposed to be engaged to the Count of Mann?”

”Her... yes, I’ll need to talk to her about that too.”