Now then. My school life finally began two months after the rest of the students, but I didn’t feel like it was a brand new experience, since I did the same things no matter where I was.
I handled the administrative documents brought in by Oscar, Claudia and appropriate fief soldiers, checked the reports on the irrigation work in the west and gave instructions, checked the food production status in the fief and estimated how much food the fief imports… Sometimes, for some reason, I’m summoned to stand at the peace negotiations between the Rindarl ambassador and the members of the Upper House of Lords.
Peace negotiations are something that should only be done by people who are in the Upper House of Lords or have a higher position… Apparently, I was being used as something to threaten Rindarl, as a ‘whip’ who is conveniently in the royal capital.
Because of this situation, I haven’t been able to concentrate on my studies. If someone was wondering how I’m able to handle all the lectures every day, and the large number of assignments that are given out in those lectures, ――― then it’s simple: there are two of me.
“Hey, my hair was pulled today as well by someone who was passing by. They stepped on the hem of my mantle and explained the outline of the Advanced Academy (?) course to me since they said I’m smart. What’s up with all these incidents?”
“It’s the northern nobles.”
That was the only thing I could say to Radka, who was working on assignments next to me as I silently pressed the seal of approval.
It seemed that the harassment from the northern nobles was carried out quite publicly at the Academy since adults couldn’t see. Although I was disgusted that they would use children to do something like this, unlike Agren’s unreasonable request, there was no real harm, so I left them alone for now.
… I mean, they’re doing completely useless things like pulling hair and stepping on mantles.
A child, huh. They’ve already turned 13… no, 13 is still a child.
“What do you mean by the outline of the course?”
“Hmm? Well, apparently there’s a lecture that uses the law books of Artolas. They explained that the laws were the same at a glance, but there are differences between the Artolas and Axian laws which are based on the same Sacred Code. They also explained why they were so different, their impact, and predictions on what would happen if they were adapted.”
“Comparative law? What’s the title of the book?”
“『Investigation of the Difference of Law in Another Sect』. It’s a church book.”
“Oh, I’ve read that before. It’s fine. You should read it later.”
“Understood,” Radka nodded and went back to his task.
I know it’s wrong to have someone else do my schoolwork for me, but I made an exception since Radka is my spare. I just have too much work for one person to handle. I’m not forcing Radka to do all the work; I do attend classes as much as I can, but… I tell myself that I had no choice.
Even so, I glanced at the side profile that was next to me. I had always felt that our complexion and facial features matched very well with each other even as a child, but as he grew, his face became more and more like mine to the point that even Claudia mistakes him as me. If someone were to compare our faces side to side, then Radka’s face is slightly more feminine than mine, but no one would doubt he is me unless they see him on a regular basis, since he mimics my movements and facial expressions.
That was why he impressively acts on my behalf…
“… What is it?”
I’m not sure if it’s because of Claudia’s training, but Radka asked me why I was looking at him, even though he wasn’t facing my way.
“Nothing,” I replied and looked away.
I still hadn’t found the person who I have been looking for since the day I entered the Academy, even after a month of living this way.
It would have been easier to find them once the practical classes started, but I couldn’t make any progress at all since I was stuck in the lecture from start to finish.
The person who I was looking for should stand out from the crowd and be easy to find, but when I try to look around the lecture hall, the Crown Prince’s violently good looks usually block my view and get in the way of my search.
Today, my eyes were drawn to the luxurious blonde hair that shone in the light as soon as I entered the lecture hall and my eyes met with the Crown Prince’s eyes. His frighteningly conspicuous appearance really drew one’s gaze regardless of one’s intention… I wonder if it would be different if I got used to looking at him.
I greeted him with my eyes and quickly sat down on an empty seat. I didn’t want the Crown Prince to invite me to sit with him because he thought there were no seats available. I can easily predict that the hall would become noisy if I were to sit next to him.
I couldn’t help but think about the Crown prince, who is friendly towards me without regard to my circumstances, while listening to the lecture that had already been drilled into me by Madam Marechan.
… I understand why Ergnard and the others are concerned about me. It’s because I’m useful in battle. And since the King had given me their House name, I guess I have to treat him like family even though we aren’t related by blood. However, I don’t know what the Crown Prince’s intentions are. I will be going back to my fief after I graduate from the Academy. He is in a position where he will rule the entire Kingdom from the royal palace, so what’s the point of keeping a Junior Earl who is a feudal lord of one of the fiefs?
Even if I only have to put up with it for three years, it isn’t pleasant to be used as a pawn in the games of nobles. It’s alright if they were only using me, but if it affects my fief then… Since there’s no way to control the Crown Prince, it might become necessary to somehow shut up the nobles of this Kingdom.
I clenched my hand into a fist. Then, I heard an unpleasant sound come from inside of my hand.
“…”
Dammit, my pen broke.
No, I knew that the pen barrel had become old and had reached its limits, but I kept using it since it was still working. I didn’t crush the pen’s barrel because I had superhuman strength like Claudia.
The problem was that I didn’t have a spare pen with me. I glared at the pen in my hand while thinking, I did break it, but did it have to break right now?
… What do I do about the lecture? Should I just hold the barrel and finish writing? I would like to write down what the professor teaches as long as I’m sharing information with Radka.
“Excuse me, Earl Kaldia.”
I finally looked away from the broken remains of the pen when someone quietly spoke to me from the right.
I turned my head to the owner of the voice and almost shouted. The boy who had spoken to me was the same person who I was looking for.
He looked just like Margrave Moudon ――― and yet he didn’t stand out like Margrave Moudon, even though he looked like a copy of him. Margrave Moudon’s beloved son was sitting next to me.
“Please use this.”
Why hadn’t I noticed his distinctive silver hair when I sat down? The boy held out a brand new quill to me while I was feeling dazed as if I had been shown a magic trick which I didn’t understand.
“――― Thank you.”
I had planned to meet and greet him but the shock of finding someone who I hadn’t found before in the same class as me, and sitting next to me, made the words that finally came out of my mouth rather stupid.
… Why aren’t my eyes drawn to him like they are towards the Crown Prince and his father when he has that complexion and looks?
“You know my father? No way. Really?”
“I do. Your father has been very nice to me. I’ve also sent you birthday presents before.”
I conversed with the boy I was looking for, Zephyr Moudon, Margrave Moudon’s son, as we walked down the Academy’s brightly lit corridor towards the cafeteria.
He had beautiful silver hair and eyes greener than his father’s. The more I looked at him, the more I wondered why I hadn’t noticed him before. Did I overlook him because the impact of the Crown Prince was too strong?
“… Oh, were you the person who sent the box of baked sweets?”
“Yes. I’m surprised you remember.”
“Father is always in a good mood whenever it arrives every year and told me that it was from a dear friend of his. I thought it was from a noble in the capital…”
“It’s because my fief doesn’t have any specialties. And, I have to go to the capital if I want to buy an assortment of baked sweets.”
“Ah, I see,” Zephyr smiled gently and replied. That expression doesn’t look like something his father would do; I couldn’t help but compare him to the person I know… The gentle smile on his face, which didn’t seem like there was a hidden intent behind it, reminded me of someone who was much closer to me. Their auras were so similar that I felt like I was going crazy.
More and more students appeared in the corridor as we approached the large cafeteria.
Zephyr didn’t seem to mind, but his friendly conversation with me, someone who has a bad reputation, was clearly attracting a mixture of curiosity and ill feelings.
“… Oh, right. I’m sorry but I have a few things to do in the library before lunch. I’ll see you later.”
I said at a suitable corner and stepped away from him. I knew we would attract too much attention if I were to enter the cafeteria with him.
The Moudon House didn’t have a strong presence or influence in the capital. This was because they were geographically too far away from the capital and because the time Margrave Moudon can stay in the capital is limited.
However, as a major producer of gems, the Moudon fief makes money by trading with merchants who are based in the capital. They probably wanted to avoid having a bad reputation in the capital if they could. It was hard to tell how the impression Zephyr made in the isolated environment which is the Academy would affect him after he graduates, even if the Margrave has solidified his position among the merchants.
“Really? Ah… Okay. I’ll see you later, Earl Kaldia… I mean, Earl Einsbark.”
Zephyr tilted his head slightly in confusion, but he must have noticed the other students’ gazes on us. He nodded his head in understanding and waved his hand.
“Moudon, you can just call me Kaldia. I won’t be able to distinguish who you’re talking to if you call me Einsbark.”
“Oh, you’re right. Alright… I’d like it if you’ll call me Zephyr. Moudon is my father.”
“I’ll do that.”
I nodded and turned my back towards him.
I suddenly realised that the way he spoke to me was vaguely familiar. He spoke like his father, and yet it felt strange. I wondered if it was because their auras were similar or if it was because they spoke the same.
I pondered as I walked down a deserted corridor.
I suddenly saw a familiar face. The girl who was walking down the corridor across from the courtyard was Feyria Roguesia.
Next to her was a boy who looked nothing like Viscount Agren. The two were walking intimately next to each other while paying attention to their surroundings.
Suddenly, Feyria’s gaze found me. Her eyes widened and she ran down the corridor and the boy next to her quickly chased after her.
――― What was that? I felt an emotion similar to irritation and just as I was about to chase after them…
“――― Einsbark.”
I reflexively swept the hem of my coat as the owner of the voice approached me from behind. I turned my body and jumped about two steps away, then removed the hand that was extending to my shoulder with a cloth.
“Wah?!”
The owner of the hand shrieked. I avoided them, but although my actions were light, they could be seen as an attack.
“… Oh, I’m sorry, Lorenzorell! I was taken by surprise ――― it’s a habit from being on the battlefield. I’m sorry.”
I felt like I was breaking out in cold sweat. I really did move on reflex. It seems that the spinal reflex against surprise attacks that was drilled into me by Gunter had deeply ingrained themselves into my bones.
Sieghart, Marquis Lorenzorell’s grandson, blinked and looked at me as he clutched his right hand which had been brushed away.
“I-it’s alright… I’m sorry to have startled you, Earl Einsbark. It was a great move… as I would have expected from someone who fought alongside grandfather.”
“It’s absurd to compare me to the Commanding General. I was only running errands. The fief army I led was also small and was barely the size of a royal army battalion.”
I wasn’t being humble as I told this to the serious Sieghart. The Commanding General’s grandson seemed to have understood my words and nodded.
“But I heard you played an active role in the war.”
“Yes, thanks to your grandfather, my foster father and his brother, I was able to play an active role.”
“I see. That’s fine since war isn’t something you can do alone.”
I see, I can catch a glimpse of the education given to someone in the Lorenzorell House. I was a little relieved to hear that.
A lot of people had been treating me strangely after I returned to the capital.
I was treated like a hero ――― which was a bit intense and had been praised unnecessarily.
As Sieghart had said, war wasn’t something to be waged alone. Even when I acted alone, there were dozens, hundreds and even thousands of people who had carried out their missions.
There weren’t many in the Academy who understood this. That was why I felt a little disappointed. If Sieghart wasn’t a close aide of the Crown Prince ――― and had he not been a character in the otome game, then I would have loved to be his friend.
“I see you’re not with the Crown Prince today.”
“Yeah, His Highness Alfred has a bit of political work to do today… Well, I think he’s not feeling well right now.”
I raised my eyebrow at the last words he had added in a hush tone. It wasn’t a good thing for the Crown Prince to be in poor health.
Unlike the dreamlike otome fantasy in my previous life, there are many people who lose their lives from colds here. Although there are a few superstitious medicines in Arxia, there aren’t many effective medicines or treatments for diseases.
“I see. I’m a little worried.”
“You’re worried?”
“Of course. What vassal wouldn’t be worried about their future King?”
If anything, that was all… Alfred was the only prince left in this kingdom. Prince Albert had been sent to the convent and couldn’t attend the Academy, and he had even been the cause of the war, so he wouldn’t be able to become the Crown Prince even if Alfred died.
“… Yes, in any case, it means that I can feel joy from seeing His Highness’s healthy face from afar.”
“What’s with that? That sounds really fishy.”
Sieghart laughed as if he couldn’t hold it in.
“Enough about that. What is it you want?”
He hadn’t stopped me for no reason. When I asked him what he wanted, Sieghart reverted to his serious expression and said, “Oh,” as if he had just remembered why he had called out to me.
“I’d like you to do sword training with me this afternoon.
“… Oh. Sure, but me…?”
This was the first sword training session at the Academy since I entered. The girls observe, but the male students and those who have peerage must attend, therefore I also have to attend. Even though we were required to attend the training session in pairs, I always assumed that the Commanding General’s grandson would be paired with one of three good friends, so I was greatly surprised.
“… Alfred is on holiday and Grace is accompanying him. Eric also has official duties to perform in the afternoon… Well, Eric didn’t train from the start.”
A dry laugh escaped from both our lips. I also knew that Eric wasn’t athletic since I went with him to Jugfena Fortress.
“Of course, I’m also interested in you. None of the other students have any real combat experience except for you.”
“Oh, I see. Alright.”
I quickly nodded at Sieghart who was laughing boldly after he had said that his curiosity was piqued.
It’s his blood. He looks calm but he’s also a member of the Lorenzorell House. In other words, he’s Claudia’s blood relative.
“Then, meet me in front of the arena five minutes before training starts.”
I said as I glanced at the corridor across from the courtyard for a moment. Of course, Feyria wasn’t there anymore, and I no longer wanted to follow after her.
I held my rapier horizontally with the edge of the blade set towards the throat of the Commanding General’s grandson.
I usually used wide swords so my skills with a rapier was really limited to what I had learnt.
In contrast, Sieghart, the Commanding General’s grandson, who held his rapier gracefully in front of him, was given special education in the arts of the rapier, a court sword technique, in order to join the Imperial Guards in the future.
“Here I come.”
“By all means.”
The fight between rapiers was a high-speed battle.
Sieghart’s sword was gradually aiming for my weak spots as he said, “Here I come,” and he didn’t rush at me straight away.
Even though a rapier was light, it took a lot of muscle strength to hold a stance. If we continue to stare at each other like this, then I would be at a disadvantage because of my inferior strength. I rushed forward while thinking that.
My rapier was repelled and avoided its still shaking point. I dodged and counter attacked. I continued striking while trying to maintain my distance. My sword let out a clung even though it had been mangled. I brushed away the tip of the sword which was aimed at my shoulders with my coat hem, distanced myself and regained my posture.
… He really is the heir to this Kingdom’s top military family.
His sword form is flawless. It was evident that he knew how to use his sword.
“Your movements are clean, Lorenzorell.”
“I’ve been practicing for a while now, after all!”
I avoided the tip of his sword as he thrusted it at me and used my own sword tip to repel his sword. It was the way of the Imperial Swordsmanship to repel his attack and step back, ――― but I reflexively aimed for his heart.
“Wah?!”
A harsh metallic sound echoed in the air. Sieghart, who had more strength than me, put more strength into his rapier which was crossed with mine. I stopped resisting and pulled back, which caused him to lose his footing.
I stepped forward diagonally again to make him fall faster, ――― then parried my rapier with Sieghart’s and swung down from the top.
The force behind my attack caused the Commanding General’s grandson to fall face-first onto the thick mat. As he was putting both his hands on the floor to stop his fall on reflex and I was aiming the tip of my rapier at his back, the instructor shouted, “That’s enough!”
Sieghart is the grandson of the Commanding General and his skill with the sword was probably the best at the Academy.
“Then why couldn’t I win…?”
The grandson groaned. He had lost all five fights and was sitting there slumped with mental exhaustion.
“Perhaps the difference between us is actual combat experience.”
The grandson attacks with beautiful and honest strikes but I do not. The amount of force I needed to use when locking swords with someone, how to pull back, striking timing and how to aim for the opponent’s weak spot, ――― I had cultivated all these skills in actual battle, so I was a very bad matchup for Sieghart who wielded his sword in a pattern.
“Don’t worry, Sieghart will win against me in the practice tournament. And perhaps in time, I won’t be able to win against you with the sword.”
Sieghart’s physique was similar to mine right now, but once he goes through his growth period, he will be stronger and faster than me, and will probably get ahead of me in terms of skill.
I said that to encourage him, but he was staring at me for some reason. I wonder if he’s listening to what I’m saying.
“… That sounds kind of nice.”
“Excuse me?”
“When you called me Sieghart. I’m sure His Highness Alfred will be jealous, but I prefer you call me that rather than calling me Lorenzorell.”
Apparently, he hadn’t listened to what I had said.
“Earl Einsbark, you know a lot of people from the Lorenzorell House, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do…? Well, not a lot of people from the Lorenzorell House, but I do know a few…”
The Lorenzorell House, a prestigious noble military house, is a rather large family. I am acquainted with quite a few people from that house: Claudia, and her father, Viscount Lorenzorell, the Commanding General, Marquis Lorenzorell and his son, Earl Lorenzorell and his son, Sieghart…
“See. It’s also a little confusing for me to call you Einsbark.”
“Hah… I’m fine with being called Kaldia as well. I’ve already told the Crown Prince this.”
“I see, then I’ll call you Kaldia. So, you can call me Sieghart too.”
I don’t understand why he said ‘so’, but I couldn’t hit away the hand that was presented to me like I had this morning.
I wasn’t satisfied with this because I didn’t feel gratitude towards him like I had with Eric.
I was reluctant in my mind, but I had no choice but to take his hand so that he wouldn’t realise I was reluctant.
A margrave was classified as a senior noble in Arxia’s noble society.
The role given to a margrave was basically to maintain a key position in the kingdom. For example, a court noble in the capital would be given the rank of margrave if they have the rank of ‘Vice’ or higher in an important job such as finance, while a feudal lord would be given the title of margrave if they are in charge of the most important defence position near the border, have a large granary that provides a large percentage of the kingdom’s food, or have own a production area where the goods are designated as rare by the House of Lords.
Therefore, the total number of nobles who hold the title of margrave is in a different league from those who hold the title of earl. Only a handful of great nobles can be given that title.
The fief of Margrave Moudon is a typical example of a rare production area. In the past it was treated as the fief of a simple Junior Earl, but a variety of gems had been produced with the development of the fief, and two of the rarest gems, Esmart and Vardalia, have earned the Moudon House the margrave title.
“Thank you for coming tonight, Earl Kaldia. I hope you enjoy the birthday celebration, even though it’s a small party since I usually sleep in this mansion by myself.”
“No, it’s an honour to be invited to your son’s birthday celebration, Lord Moudon.”
Margrave Moudon was dressed in a justaucorps decorated with Vardalia gems to match his beautiful navy blue eyes. He smiled gorgeously and he looked so young that it was hard to believe that he had a son my age.
Behind him was a castle-like building that towered over the surrounding buildings. I didn’t dare mention the words ‘sleeping quarters’ to him.
This was a townhouse of one of the kingdom’s most senior nobles. The size and value of his mansion was beyond my worth, since I am only a Junior Earl who had been promoted from Viscount.
“… So, why do I have to enter through the backdoor?”
For some reason, I was entering through the backdoor of this wonderful mansion. The Margrave smiled mischievously and then after giggling said, “Actually, my son Lucius is your fan. I was wondering if you could tell him a little about the Academy’s entrance ceremony next year.”
I was troubled.
Although he’s supposed to frequent the capital often, the Margrave’s behaviour was a bit strange, or ‘my pace,’ or… if I don’t have to be careful with my words then I would say he behaves erratically. He has an attractive face and figure and a soft demeanour, yet he was treated as a mere flower in the capital’s social scene because of his personality. He was just too friendly. His personality as a countryside noble was too strong.
“I wished you had discussed such matters with me much earlier. I’ve already left my gift at your other residence.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about that since you’re the gift. Just babysit him for a bit while the nobles get together.”
“Please don’t treat me as a gift… But then again, your son is quite unusual since he’s a fan of mine. I’m certain I’m only known for my bad reputation.”
I was led to the room where Lucius was waiting while we were joking.
The three servant children who followed silently behind us seemed confused. I had been informed beforehand that the Margrave was a bit odd, but he was more than a little odd for only acquainting himself with noble children in the capital.
In the antechamber, there was a child whose face was pale with nervousness and Zephyr, the older brother who was trying to calm the child down.
The child was probably Lucius. He had inherited his father’s silver hair and his eyes were a brighter jade colour than Zephyr’s. However, his features probably looked similar to his mother’s, and he looked like a cute girl.
“… Oh, Brother. I can’t do it after all. When I think about giving a speech, my heart hurts so much that I can’t bear it…”
“Don’t worry. You can do it, Lucius. You did much better than I did last year. Isn’t that what your tutor said?”
“But, Brother, Madam always scolds me and tells me not to be frightened and speak clearly like you… I can’t speak very well. I can’t do it.”
“Father and I will be with you when you give your speech. So, you don’t need to worry so much and just relax. Yes, breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out.”
Lucius, who continued to breathe in and out like he was told, coughed violently since his lungs reached their limits. He then glared at Zephyr with tears in his eyes. Zephyr who had nonchalantly received the glare while smiling mischievously looked exactly like Margrave Moudon.
I had thought that they weren’t alike, but when I compared them like this, I realised that they are. Isn’t that normal?
“Zephyr, don’t upset Julius too much before he gets to the hall.”
Margrave chuckled while saying.
“Father,” the two brothers turned around and stiffened when they saw that I was standing behind the Margrave. It was normal for them to be surprised if their classmate suddenly walked in through the backdoor with their father. In addition, I had refused Zephyr’s invitation. That was completely his father’s fault though.
I waved at the frozen Zephyr while wondering what to do.
“… Kaldia?”
“Good evening, Zephyr.”
“Huh? Why? I thought you said you had a prior engagement today…”
“Oh, this is my prior engagement. I was invited to celebrate the birthday of a mischievous Margrave’s son, and he wrote that I should hide this from his son for some reason. I’m sorry.”
I apologised for refusing Zephyr’s invitation a few days ago. I don’t know what you’re thinking Margrave, even if you stare at me so intently. Even though I was puzzled, I had no choice but to do as my acquaintance requested. If you have something to say, then say it to your father.
“… Father?”
“Hmm? Isn’t it normal for me to send an invitation to my friend?”
The Margrave said with a pleasant smile, and I lowered my eyes in amazement. This man is hopeless, he only did that to tease his beloved son.
However, I can see that they trusted each other. Even as an outsider, I could immediately see that Zephyr was tolerating his father’s meaningless prank, even though he wasn’t happy with it. I was a little jealous of that.
… Anyway, Lucius, who according to Zephyr was suffering from stage fright, didn’t seem to have time to talk with me, so I ended up killing time by talking to Zephyr about random things.
I guess it was a good thing that I didn’t directly give him his present, since just greeting the guests was probably impossible for him in this state.
After that, Julius’s nervousness flew out the window and his excitement allowed him to greet the guests splendidly, so this time it seemed that Margrave Moudon knew his sons well and was good at one or two things. I’m sorry for thinking that you are odd. As one would expect, he is a capable Margrave. Although, he’s hopelessly doting towards his children.
“… Umm, it’s delicious. I didn’t think I would be able to eat Forshbali seafood in the capital.”
“Really? I’m glad you like it. Fish is hard to come by… they don’t get brought from the countryside to the capital unless it’s an opportunity like this. There are better ways to eat fish when it’s caught fresh from the sea.”
“Does it need to be fresh?”
“Yes. You cut the fish into thin slices, sear it and eat it with lume vinegar. It’s very tasty and refreshing.”
“It’s also delicious when you eat it with gaelberries and onocera oil sauce.”
Lume and gaelberries are sour vegetables grown in the north in Forshbali and Ugaul. Like fruits, they’re made into jam, vinegar and pie fillings.
“I see,” I nodded my head as the image of seared tuna with lemon juice popped up in my mind. I couldn’t help but be amazed at my own mind for remembering unimportant memories such as this, all of a sudden, even though I couldn’t remember the game’s scenario anymore. Well, for the woman whose memories these belong to, the meals she had in her daily life were probably more familiar and important to her than the games she played in her spare time before her death.
“And this is lume pie. You’ve probably never had it before.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about them, but I’ve never had them before. I’ll have a slice.”
Zephyr cut up a piece of pie for me, then he looked at Lucius and I had the feeling that they were holding back their laughter. I put the pie in my mouth while puzzled and chewed.
“…, … so…!”
The strong sour taste that immediately spread in my mouth almost made me shout, “Sour!” That was how sour it tasted. It was astringent. No, the astringent taste wasn’t that strong, but it was really sour.
Zephyr laughed when he saw my reaction. I almost glared at him for a second, but I thought better of it and fixed my expression, then I ate the rest of the pie. The pie crust was sweetly seasoned, so I was able to enjoy the rest of the pie once I realised how sour it was.
“Kaldia, how is it? Do you like it?”
“… I was surprised by how sour it is, but yes, it’s good.”
“Everyone who tries lume for the first time has the same reaction as you. I’m sorry, I thought that you wouldn’t think it was that sour if I told you about it beforehand. The main component of this pie isn’t the sourness of the lume.”
“People in the Forshbali fief eat it for the first time when they reach pre-adulthood, since children aren’t supposed to eat it. I also only had it for the first time the other day, and unlike you, I shouted about how sour it was.”
“I see,” I replied as I took the wine that Lucius offered me as a palate cleanser and sipped it. It was delicious, but the sourness of the pie made my mouth water.
… That means… I really must let my shadow, Radka, try this once. I can’t be the only one who tastes this sourness. Well, it’s delicious even though it’s sour.
“Zephyr-sama and Lucius-sama.”
A girl, who looked as if she was welcoming adulthood, had seen that the conversation had settled down and approached.
Judging from the crest that was on her dress, she seemed to be from the Moudon’s branch house. Zephyr and Lucius warmly welcomed their relative and briefly introduced her to me. However, she was only introduced as their relative Jeltje, perhaps because her status was too low.
“So, what’s the matter Jeltje?”
“I have a message from the head of the house in the hall. He said that it is about time for you to come back into the ballroom. Both of you left for the dining room as soon as the pavane was over… Especially you, Lucius, since it’s your birthday, please spend a little more time in the hall.”
Both Zephyr and Lucius smiled thinly… Hmm, it’s hard to tell but that’s an annoyed look, right? I’ve seen Margrave Moudon wear that look every time the House of Lords discussed tax on jewels and ornaments.
“… Well, birthday celebrations are basically balls.”
As I muttered in agreement with Jeltje, Zephyr quickly grabbed my arm while smiling as if he had suddenly thought of something good. What is it?
“How about you join us, Earl Kaldia? There are a lot of beautiful ladies from the Moudon House here tonight, so please tell me if there’s a girl you like.”
“… No thank you. I have a virtuous wife named Rashiok… Leaving the jokes aside, I’ll join you in the hall. Lord Moudon invited me here so I can’t just stay in the dining room the whole time.”
I stood up while half-joking about the sentence in a classical literature that I had recently read in class. Although socialising in the hall is a bit of a hassle, I’m more used to it than Zephyr and Lucius, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to accompany them as their friend.
Also, isn’t that something you say when you’re trying to marry off a girl in your bloodline? I’m wearing a man’s outfit, but I don’t plan on taking a bride.
“Earl, who is this Rashiok that you spoke of?”
“Rashiok is the draconis I raised. Of course, I was joking when I said he’s my virtuous wife.”
When I arrived at the main ballroom, where the orchestra was playing music, with Zephyr, Lucius and Jeltje, the ladies approached us with great speed and quickly surrounded us. Their energy was so strong that I would have died had I been on the battlefield. In a way, it was scarier than being approached by enemy soldiers with weapons.
… Even though I was on the host’s side, I now realised that Zephyr and Lucius are popular with the ladies. The Crown Prince, with his inhumanly good looks, and his close aides have overshadowed Zephyr, but the ladies definitely adored Zephyr, who had his father’s sister’s hair and beautiful velvet eyes. No, it was rather strange for him not to stand out. In other words, the Crown Prince’s appearance is abnormal.
I took half a step back, trying to get out of the way of the ladies.
“Hmm, excuse me Zephyr-sama. Who is this?”
But for some reason, the further I stepped back, the more they closed the distance and they even asked Zephyr to introduce them to me. Why me? Even if they couldn’t snag the two hosts of the party, were they really that desperate not to become wallflowers?
Zephyr introduced me as his schoolmate. The adult ladies quietly took half a step back while hiding their faces with their fans, probably because they knew of my bad reputation, but the pre-adult ladies pressed even closer for some reason.
“Excuse me, Earl Einsbark, would you like to have a dance…”
“No, hmm, please dance with me.”
“Hey! You said you wanted to dance with Margrave Moudon earlier!”
“Do you like Saraband, Earl? I’m confident in dancing it.”
I took another step back as they pressured me to dance with them. They shortened the distance between us by a step again.
“As expected of an Earl who causes a stir in the capital. There are so many people who admire you like I do.”
Lucius commented with admiration and delight. No, you’re probably the only eccentric who would admire an infamous noble like me. People in the capital mainly talk about my cruelty, so it left them no room to admire me.
Look at the warlike expressions on the ladies’ faces. They were probably sent by some noble who thought they could somehow make a connection with me, someone who is the topic of both good and bad things.
… Ah, come to think of it, I’ve been treated weirdly lately. This might be an effect of that.
On the way home. It was the birthday celebration of a child who had just become a pre-adult, so the celebrations ended a little after dusk. I took an unpopular street on my way home.
“Huh? Isn’t that Margrave Freche’s youngest son?”
Claudia, who was looking out the window of the carriage, suddenly said.
“… Are you acquainted with Margrave Freche?”
“Nope, not at all. It’s just that one of his sons was a classmate of mine and I once attended the Freche’s evening party because of that. I saw him then.”
Claudia said and I pursed my lips together feeling unconvinced. She’s catastrophically bad at remembering people’s names, so how is it that she remembers the face of someone who she hadn’t seen in years and isn’t even an acquaintance? … Sometimes at the back of my mind, I think that Claudia is a terribly irrational person.
I had no direct connection with Margrave Freche, but I do have a certain connection with Freche fief, since I trade horses with Luctfeld. If we become more vigilant against foreign nations in the future, then I will have more relations with them.
With that thought in mind, I peeked out the window to catch a glimpse of Margrave Freche’s youngest son.
In the direction Claudia was looking was a boy around the age of an adult, and next to him was a girl. They were holding hands intimately. The two of them suddenly looked our way, perhaps because they had sensed our gazes on them.
The face of the girl was all too familiar.
Lady Feyria Roguesia, the person who was at the vortex of my troublesome problem, was foolishly enjoying a date with a man who wasn’t her fiancé.
“… Lady Feyria.”
I couldn’t help but say in a stunned voice since she looked too unguarded and unapologetic.
Is she ready to be expelled from high society alongside the man she’s dating? Or is this just thoughtless, youthful indiscretion?
Claudia turned towards me and suddenly put on a poker-face. When I looked at her, she slid her body out of the carriage window like a cat with artistic flexibility.
My heart skipped a beat, but I was used to this and settled my beating heart down with a breath. I felt like my life was shortening but complaining to Claudia about this would be a waste of time. I guess I’ll just have to get used to this from now on.
I can faintly hear her telling the coachman to stop the carriage. The horses gradually slowed down, and as soon as the view outside the window slowly came to a standstill, Claudia jumped noiselessly from the roof of the carriage as her golden hair fluttered in the air.
“――― Please wait, that lady and gentleman over there.”
Her clear voice echoed in the deserted lane.
A few figures stirred from around us. They were probably the guards of Freche’s son and Feyria. It’s impossible for a noble’s son or daughter to walk around unaccompanied no matter how safe the noble district is.
… But still… Margrave Freche may not restrict his son’s movements, but I confirmed that the Roguesia House doesn’t restrict Feyria’s movements either. This troublesome matter is getting more and more troublesome.
The troublesome couple turned towards Claudia in surprise. I let out a small groan as their faces quickly paled. They are students of the Academy. Students who live in the dormitory are not allowed to leave the Academy without permission from their respective head of house… The fact that they paled meant that they had snuck out of the Academy without permission. Do I even need to protect them depending on their reason?
“Wh-what is it…?”
Freche’s son asked Claudia, who had stopped them in a panic.
Claudia approached Feyria with a stern expression on her face… This was the first time I had seen this expression on her face. I always thought that Claudia was very calm even though she was belligerent, and she never exposed her animosity towards others.
“You are the daughter of Viscount Roguesia and you are the son of Margrave Freche, am I correct? Where are your attendants?”
“… Eck!”
“You lost sight of them? This is a serious matter. I’ll take you back to the Academy.”
“I-it’s alright! We can’t trouble a stranger like that!”
With a pale face, Freche’s son shielded Feyria behind him before taking a step away from Claudia. Claudia maintained her stern expression and shook her head, “Don’t mind it.”
“It will be night soon and the Academy is still some distance away. ――― Besides, My Lord would very much like to speak with Lady Roguesia.”
“Hii,” Feyria’s shoulders jumped. Her eyes showed she was frightened, but she timidly looked over Claudia’s shoulders.
Then, when she saw me looking out of the carriage window.
“Ah―――.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she helplessly slumped down onto the ground. Freche’s son quickly took her into his arms to support her, but he wasn’t strong enough and they both almost fell to the ground.
Claudia pulled both of them up in a very appropriate manner.
“Hmm, it seems like you are both very tired.”
The words she spoke to the people who she had captured were terribly shameless.
“Now… Can you tell me what’s going on?”
I led the two captures to the small parlour in my townhouse instead of the Academy dormitory. Claudia, Oscar, who has been rapidly rising to the position of being in charge of data processing, and I surrounded the two, making it look like a stress-interview.
Naturally, the young couple froze in fright. The colour in Feyria’s face had drained away… Even if I say they’re young, I’m clearly younger than them.
“Where were you two going unaccompanied? And you Lady Feyria are engaged to be married. It is unacceptable for you to be walking alone on the streets with a man. Do you have the Academy permit with you? I have to tell the Academy that I’ve taken you into custody. Can you let me see the permit?”
I held my hand out while asking them to give me the permit and Freche’s youngest sound looked up with a sharp glare.
“Why do I have to give you the permit? If you are taking us into custody, then the head of house or his wife should come out and talk to us.”
Hah. Oh yeah, I introduced myself as Feyria’s acquaintance in the carriage, but I haven’t officially introduced myself yet.
“Pardon me. I am Eliza Kaldia Einsbark. I am the feudal lord of Kaldia fief located in Jugfena. I have business with Lady Feyria’s father, Viscount Roguesia, and as such, I am somewhat acquainted with Lady Feyria.”
“Einsbark? That… That Einsbark?”
Which Einsbark? Well, I’m the only minor who holds the Einsbark name, so he is probably referring to me. I nodded and Freche’s youngest son stopped talking in a daze.
Then, he looked down again as if he was flinching. Hey, what about the permit?
“… Lady Feyria.”
I reluctantly turned towards Feyria and she faintly opened the mouth that she was biting and shivered.
“I, I was just on my way to my fiancé’s townhouse, the Agren House. He said he had something he wished to talk to me about in private… Hmm, Corneille Freche is an old friend of mine, and he was accompanying me to the Agren House.”
I decided to ignore the introduction of Freche’s youngest son for now.
Agren? I tilted my head at Feyria’s mention of the house which I hadn’t thought I would hear here.
“Something he wishes to tell you in private, was it? So, that’s why you sneaked out of the Academy?”
“… Yes.”
She admitted that she had left the Academy without permission as if she had concluded that it was no longer something she could hide.
“I don’t know what he wishes to discuss, but it’s about my marriage. My fiancé is the Viscount Agren’s son.”
“I know. After all, the reason why I am getting acquainted with you is because Viscount Agren asked me to ensure that the marriage between the Agren and Roguesia Houses proceeds smoothly.”
I don’t know what Viscount Agren was thinking, but I spat out that information in irritation. Now that they’ve summoned Feyria silently to me, I don’t have to hide the church’s request from her.
“Huh…”
“Viscount Agren requested that the church ask me to ensure that you aren’t half-hearted about your engagement. Well, I was keeping an eye on you since your father and Viscount Agren are suspicious.”
“No way…”
Feyria hid her mouth as if she couldn’t believe this. She seemed very upset. Her fingertips weakly grabbed the sleeves of Freche’s youngest son on reflex.
“… Wait a minute, Earl Kaldia. Your story is very different from ours.”
Freche’s youngest son, who had slumped down, began to whisper in a low voice. Perhaps he had been encouraged by her fingertips.
It was hard to hear him. I frowned and frightened him unnecessarily. Unlike the old men at the House of Lords, it was very difficult to be frightened about every single thing. But before that, isn’t it a little pathetic for him to be so intimidated by a child who is younger than him? I wish he would put more strength into his back and abdominal muscles and sit up straighter.
“What’s different? Is that your excuse for sneaking out of the Academy in broad daylight with a young lady who is engaged to be married?”
“No! Feyria’s engagement is… Feyria isn’t the person who caused the friction in the first place. The two of them, no, it was him who wanted to break off their engagement!”
Don’t yell all of a sudden. Staying silent, then shouting, what an emotionally unstable guy. Are you alright? I couldn’t help but worry about him.
Freche’s youngest son, Corneille Freche said this:
He and Feyria’s fiancé, Gosta Agren, were childhood friends who spent most of their childhood together in their capital townhouse.
After entering the Academy, the three of them, including Feyria, began to spend their school days together.
However, their relationship began to change somewhat when Gosta entered third year and Corneille and Feyria entered second year.
The reason for this was because Gosta had taken a liking to a different girl. As Gosta began spending more and more time with that girl, Feyria and Corneille naturally started spending more time together. After that, their relationship became what I had expected.
The three of them began to talk about their futures as Gosta, who was a year older than them, was about to graduate from the Academy. Gosta said his engagement with Feyria was over and that pledged to persuade his father, Viscount Argen, to let him marry the woman he loves, so he left for Argen fief after his graduation.
“Then, he sent us a few letters, but it seemed that wasn’t able to persuade his father. But this time, Viscount Agren summoned us because he was moved by Gosta’s persuasion and wanted to hear the story from the three of us before thinking it over.”
I listened silently as Freche’s youngest son tried his best to explain the situation in an unfamiliar way.
… What can I say?
Am I dumbfounded or unamused? I just looked at him, and the serious Feyria next to him, while feeling like this.
“Feyria and Gosta are good friends and everyone at the Academy know that they’re engaged. Therefore, we couldn’t do anything that would damage the reputation of both families such as ask permission to go out of the Academy to discuss breaking off the engagement…”
Perhaps he had finished what he wanted to say. Freche’s youngest son hung his head down again as if he had ended his speech. He had done this purposely, perhaps because he wanted my sympathy.
――― I had no room to sympathise with his story, so I pretended I hadn’t seen him do that.
I was unsure of what to say, so I glanced at Oscar.
He blatantly looked like he had a headache. I also want to show that feeling on my face too.
“… I see. I understand your circumstances. I have a few things I want to add.”
I said while feeling gloomy and Corneille and Feyria looked at me dubiously. I have to say this even if you look at me like that…
“I have done some research on Lady Feyria’s engagement. There are a few things I haven’t investigated yet, but this is the conclusion I have reached with the information I have. It is almost impossible to annul the engagement between the Agren and Roguesia Houses.”
“… Excuse me?”
Corneille looked displeased. It instantly became annoying to talk, so I looked at Oscar. He nodded sternly, like the Earl, and began to explain on my behalf.
“The engagement between the Agren and Roguesia Houses involves a debt owed by the Roguesia House. About 15 years ago, the Agrens and Roguesias got along well because of the relationship between their wives, so they decided to start a new company in Viscount Roguesia’s fief. At that time, it was the Agrens who provided the capital for this company. The capital amount was so massive, that both families were legally required to be related, so they engaged their son and daughter together.”
This was around the time that Feyria was born. Viscount Agren’s wife was from the Ryunfeld region and was childhood friends with Feyria’s mother.
“I won’t go into details, but the business failed. Both families increased their debt in order to make up for the failure, and the business has finally become profitable in the last five years or so. However, the Roguesia House borrowed money from the Agren House and the Agren House borrowed money from their guardian, the Nordsterms. Simply put, they were subleasing.”
“No way… Are you saying that father is in debt?”
“Yes, he is. Because of this, the Roguesias and Agrens must reduce their debt to less than a tenth, or three million alcs, before they can break off the engagement. If they do, then they will go bankrupt, have their titles revoked, forfeit their rights to rule and their lands will be subject to acquisition.”
Feyria’s face grew pale as Oscar continued to speak in an indifferent tone. I could see that despair was slowly seeping into her eyes. The relationship between in-laws would have been included in the Academy lectures, so if she had kept that possibility in mind, then she wouldn’t be so shocked, but that’s none of my business. This is all due to her own lack of foresight.
On the contrary, Corneille, who was sitting next to Feyria, seemed to be seriously thinking about something. Well, if it’s Margrave Freche, then he could easily pay 5 million alcs as an engagement gift for his son’s bride. He seemed to be thinking about how much he could intervene with his family’s power.
“… This is the only thing I know about the situation. I’m not directly involved with that business, so I have no way to find out more information.”
Corneille raised his face which had been hidden by thoughts at my words and looked straight at me.
His expression isn’t bad. It didn’t look like he didn’t care, but he was looking at the reality of the situation and was trying to deal with it. He is the son of a Margrave, after all. Ideally, it would be better for him if he was always suspicious of his surroundings.
“How much does the Roguesia House owe?”
“I don’t know. I believe they have reached their limit once, and have been profitable for the last five years, so I’d say between 10 and 15 million alcs.”
“15 million…”
It might be more or less than that. However, only the debtor, lender and the person who issued the promissory note in the Ministry of Finance may view the debt records. The Roguesias may have other debts and donations that have nothing to do with the Ministry of Finance, but that’s not the point right now.
Corneille wrinkled his brow. One could buy a small fief with 15 million alcs. This amount isn’t something a student can easily obtain.
“That’s 10 years of my pay. That’s quite a lot of money!”
Claudia, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, commented with a mixture of admiration and light-heartedness. She had been ordained as a knight. Her salary and that of Oscar’s comes from the person who had established the Knight Order. In other words, their salary came from my private funds and Kaldia’s tax revenue. Their annual salary was around 1.5 million alcs.
Their salary would be higher if they belonged to a Knight Order directly managed by the Kingdom. The highest-ranking knights in the kingdom, the Imperial Knights, have an annual salary of around 3.5 million alcs. Border knights get around 3 million alcs per annum and their salary is higher if they are officers.
By the way, knights are paid rather well among nobles. They earn more per annum than the average baron.
Silence fell in the parlour. Oscar whispered something to Claudia and left the room.
I noticed that it had already gotten dark outside of the window. I wonder if I should prepare some refreshments for the two guests. There was no way I could return them to the Academy now anyway.
“… There’s something I would like to ask you.”
Corneille spoke up after a few moments of hesitation. Feyria pulled his sleeve anxiously, but he didn’t turn his gaze away from me.
“What is it?” I asked, and Corneille replied firmly, even though he was frightened.
“Earl Einsbark, what do you wish will happen to the engagement between the Rogeusia and Agren Houses? I would like to know your true intentions.”
His question was tactlessly frank.
… Claudia laughed in satisfaction next to me. Is it a chivalrous question?
“I don’t think asking another noble about their true intentions would work.”
When I said that while holding back my sigh, Claudia laughed with a low, cat-like purr. Noisy. If I evaded this question, then Claudia might poke my side, so I answered his question.
“… Honestly, I don’t care if this marriage happens or not. This marriage doesn’t benefit my fief. However, I will also be affected if this engagement is annulled, and the houses fall to ruin because of debt. I have no choice but to act.”
“So…?”
“… I’m willing to overlook the actions of a certain noble’s son, as long as they can arrange for an amicable annulment.”
I was annoyed at being pressed, so I blurted those words out.
I’m going to send out a few messengers and make some major changes to my schedule from tomorrow.
There were a lot of circumstances that I couldn’t fully explain when I was talking to Corneille, so I ended up talking in a curt manner, but backing up his plan would also be good for my circumstances. If things have gone this far, then it would be quicker and less troublesome to get the parties involved to end the engagement amicably. As for me, someone who got caught up in all this, I don’t care what happens as long as the trouble is quickly cleared up.
It was strange for Viscount Agren, who couldn’t annul the engagement nor have any intentions of doing so, to summon Feyria. According to Corneille, the house of the lady who Gosta Agren loves earns most of their money from agriculture. Oscar managed to gather some simple data on her house, but there was no indication that her family owned any assets that would allow them to manage Viscount Agren’s debts. Therefore, Viscount Agren didn’t summon Feyria to discuss the annulment of her engagement. Then, what the heck is the Viscount thinking? … If anything happens to Feyria’s engagement at this time, then the ones who will suffer the most will be me and the Rogeusia House.
Agren House has a powerful backer named Nordstem. Even if something happens to Feyria and they lost their engagement with the Roguesia House, they weren’t in danger of falling to ruin, as long as their financial backer provided them with money.
Roguesia House would receive the most damage since they would actually be ruined, and then I would suffer from the aftermath of that for not being able to prevent their ruin.
Arxian nobles disliked the ruin of noble families. Nobles are stable because they are bound by the law, they might not earn a lot of money, but they have a lot of responsibilities. They wanted to eliminate the possibility of having to find a replacement for the ruined noble. If the Roguesia House is ruined, then I will certainly be held responsible until a replacement for their house is appointed. I will also receive unfavourable criticism…
That being said, he had probably summoned Feyria because Marquis Nordsterm had ordered him to.
He probably acted in order to banish Earl Thelesia and I from high society.
… Did the Marquis have Feyria sneak out of the Academy so that he could speak to her without permission?
The Academy is isolated from the outside world. Students can’t get information about the outside world and can only hear about the noble world through rumours, unless they heard about it from their parents. On the other hand, it was easy for people to know what happens inside of the Academy. A lot of people worked at the Academy, and they can be used as a source of information.
I have also privately funded two noble-born commoner women to work on preparing the lecture classes and Earl Thelesia is connected to many people who work at the Academy.
The Academy doesn’t directly have anything to do with politics, but for nobles who are trying to manipulate the power of the capital, it is meaningful for them to know about information inside of the Academy. In my case, as someone who governs her own fief, I only hire people to gather information when I’m not in the Academy.
… I’m going off topic.
In other words, it’s not possible to predict how Feyria’s engagement is known within the Academy, nor what she would do when she is summoned to discuss her engagement annulment.
This is especially true if there are people around Feyria who are working for Agren. It wouldn’t seem suspicious since they’re engaged.
I don’t know what they are planning to do once they summon her. But it’s safe to think that the Agrens have some kind of plan to break off the engagement with Feyria.
――― I was just lucky to have caught Feyria and Corneille before they went to the Agren House.
But I couldn’t let this opportunity pass.