Worlds Between: A Traveler's Journey ( ORIGINAL)

"Uncle!"

Karl pushed open the door and greeted the chubby man with squinty eyes, Geralt. His gaze then fell on the young girl beside Geralt, and his tone softened.

"Evelyn, you're here too."

"Hello, cousin."

Evelyn, shy as always, responded softly. Today, she was dressed in an ornate gown adorned with lace, bows, ribbons, and floral patterns. Though beautiful, the outfit was overly elaborate, ill-suited for a girl of her tender age.

The landlord's daughter, Jenny, was also present. She had been entertaining the father and daughter but quickly excused herself to her room when Karl emerged.

"Karl!"

Geralt stepped forward, gripping Karl's hands tightly. His squinty eyes welled up with crocodile tears.

"I heard about your father's passing. I didn't expect… Let bygones be bygones!"

"Did you go to inherit the title today?"

"Yes," Karl replied with a blank expression. "Uncle, your information is as timely as ever."

His father had passed away some time ago, yet Geralt hadn't visited earlier. His sudden appearance now was… well, "timely."

"Heh…" Geralt chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his hands together. "Karl, I'm not sure if you know this, but your father once discussed your marriage with me."

"He wanted you to marry Evelyn, and I agreed back then."

As he spoke, he nudged Evelyn, who blushed deeply and lowered her gaze. He signaled her to say something.

"Um… Cousin Karl."

Evelyn twisted her fingers into the fabric of her dress, her voice barely audible but discernible.

"That's just how she is," Geralt said with a laugh. "Karl, you know this already. But it's fine; once you're married and get to know each other better, everything will work out."

"Uncle!"

Karl frowned, now understanding why Evelyn was so dressed up. It was all about the proposal. He explained, "I went to apply for the barony inheritance today, but the priest didn't approve it."

"What?!"

A gasp of shock followed, one of concern and the other of surprise.

"It wasn't approved?" Geralt instinctively pulled his daughter closer, his squinty eyes darting nervously. "Why?"

While baronies didn't have an explicit legal right of inheritance, the custom of passing them from father to son had stood for centuries. Unless there was a specific issue, this was unheard of.

"I was going to talk to you about that."

Karl took a deep breath, showing a sense of urgency.

"The priest asked for thirty gold coins to prove the Bergman family's piety to the gods. I don't have that much. Could you lend me some, Uncle?"

"Thirty gold coins?!"

Geralt nearly leapt in shock, pulling Evelyn even further behind him. "How much do you need?"

"I only have one gold coin," Karl said with a bitter smile. "The rest would need to come from you. But don't worry, Uncle. Once I inherit the title and start making money, I'll definitely repay you."

"Twenty-nine gold coins!" Geralt shouted, pointing at Karl. "I'd be insane to lend you that much!"

"No?" Karl's expression darkened. "Without the money, I can't inherit the title. Without the title, how could I possibly marry my cousin?"

"Hmph!" Geralt sneered. "No title, no money, and you still want to marry my daughter?"

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flashing. Then he added, "But… if you really need the money, there might be a way."

Karl raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

He knew his uncle's stingy nature well—tightfisted to a fault. The fact that Geralt hadn't fled at the mention of money but was instead offering a solution was surprising.

"Karl," Geralt leaned in conspiratorially. "Since you can't afford to claim the title, why not sell it to me?"

"Uncle!"

Karl was speechless. "Can titles even be sold?"

"Why not?" Geralt raised his voice. "I'll give you fifty—no, forty gold coins. Thirty for the title and the rest for yourself."

Karl snorted derisively. "Dear Uncle, how generous of you to leave me with ten gold coins!"

"Of course!" Geralt grinned. "You claim the title first, then marry Evelyn. Afterward, transfer the title to her. Eventually, it'll come to me."

Karl froze.

Strangely enough, his uncle's plan was… plausible. The kingdom did recognize female titleholders, and many women had inherited noble titles over the years.

"Heh…"

Karl chuckled bitterly, feeling drained. Dealing with his uncle was even more exhausting than fighting the undead.

"Forget it. I'm not selling the title."

"Wait!" Geralt hastily interjected. "If the price isn't right, we can renegotiate—fifty gold coins, then!"

"Get out!"

Karl suddenly roared, his voice booming like thunder.

Geralt stumbled backward, startled. His face turned pale as he caught sight of Karl's twisted expression, his burn scars writhing like serpents on his face. The sheer intensity of his glare sent shivers down Geralt's spine.

"Fine, fine! No need to yell!"

Geralt backed away, pulling Evelyn with him. He muttered under his breath, "Just like your father—stubborn to a fault. Let's see how you manage without the title."

Karl stood in stony silence until the sound of the door slamming shut marked his uncle's departure.

"Um…"

The door to the side room creaked open, revealing Jenny's worried face. "Karl, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Karl replied, shaking his head and regaining his composure. "I might need to go out again later. If anyone comes by, just tell them I'm not home."

"Okay."

Jenny nodded, hesitating as if to ask something but ultimately remaining silent.

No title?

How would Karl live without it?

***

As Karl prepared to hail a carriage, he saw a familiar figure running toward him.

"Evelyn?"

"Cousin Karl!"

Evelyn was out of breath, sweat beading on her forehead. Her dress hem was muddied, evidence of her hurried journey.

She glanced back nervously before pressing a jade pendant into Karl's hand. Speaking softly, she said, "I don't have anything else. This was a birthday gift from Father. I heard it's worth something."

"Evelyn," Karl said, startled, "there's no need—"

"I have to go before Father notices!" Evelyn interrupted, waving him off. "Goodbye, Cousin Karl. See you next time."

She hurried away without waiting for his response.

Karl sighed as he watched her leave. Her gesture touched him, but the pendant was nearly worthless. Even to his own daughter, Geralt's stinginess showed.

Wiping the dust off the jade, Karl carefully tucked it into his pocket and flagged down a carriage.

"To Rue de Rouen!"

"Four pence."

(End of Chapter)