After taking a single break, and once I'd settled in, I went again to greet him.
"Lord Margrave."
"Schteizen-jou. Have you rested already?"
"Yes. I have settled in a little. Thank you for preparing the room for me."
"No. That was only natural. Has anything been lacking?"
"Not at the moment."
"Is that so. Then that's good."
He was in his office. Perhaps it was the influence of his physique, but it didn't quite seem to suit him.
He looked as though he'd be more at home swinging a sword outside, or on horseback.
"Lord Baltzrein. I know this is sudden, but I would like to discuss our future plans. Could I have some of your time?"
"Of course. There are also things I would like to ask... Ah, ah..."
"Is something the matter?"
"... I may end up saying something rude, but after Elk and Aria, the people on our side, have left the room, would it be all right to talk with only your maids and guards, and you?"
So... my maid and guards may stay, but only the people from the Margrave's house need to leave the room?
"... I have no objection."
"Thank you."
"Lord Baltzrein..."
Elk Sedda, the Viscount's son, who had been in the room, raised his voice in displeasure at the Margrave.
"With you all here, I won't be able to speak truthfully."
"... I'm aware of that, but I would still like to remain in the room. I won't interject."
"Truly, Elk?"
"Yes. I shall supplement those parts where Lord Baltzrein speaks without thinking."
Without thinking? Well, he certainly did look more the type who prefers physical action over using his brain.
What was "the truth," I wondered.
In any case, after the others were dismissed, only two people remained on his side, and we could talk.
My maid and guards had retreated to the back.
"Schteizen-jou."
"Yes, Lord Margrave."
"About this betrothal you proposed."
"... Yes."
"I find it a most welcome offer."
Oh? That wasn't the line I had been expecting.
"Is that so?"
"Yes... You probably know already, but Baltzrein is a harsh land. I do not think it is a suitable home for a noble lady to marry into. Let me be perfectly clear, there is nothing like any underhanded persecution going on. I am simply referring to the battles with the magical beasts that happen periodically."
"... Yes. I understand."
So far, I've been treated very kindly. The people in the estate don't seem to harbour any ill will towards me either.
"That is why a woman such as yourself, who surely deserves someone from the capital and has a lot of options, should not choose someone like me. That is what I think."
... I see? I try to gauge his feelings from his expression and the way he was looking at me.
It didn't seem like he was saying this because "I don't want her, so I'll say something to chase her off".
He had probably said this out of genuine concern for me.
It comes back to impressions, but he didn't seem the type to play mind games.
He seemed mindful of the difference in our ages, too, even though we're only five years apart, in a good way.
He believed he should turn this down for my sake.
However, the people around him seemed enthusiastic about it. I sensed "don't let this opportunity pass," from them.
Although he had yielded to the pressure around him, he still believed that he should say this to me.
Elk-san's dissatisfied face, and his look of resignation, must be due to that. He's a head of the house who is well loved, I thought.
In truth, arranging a betrothal for him must be a struggle.
Not because of any flaw in his character, but because of the nature of the land.
I see... My personal impression of him was very good. He seems like he would treat me well if I marry him.
And the people around him didn't seem to mind supporting him.
If I could be of use to this land, I felt they would come to be fond of me too.
"Lord Baltzrein."
"Yes, Schteizen-jou."
"I feel that you are a trustworthy person."
"... O, oh."
When I praised him, Elk-san, who was standing behind him, nodded. Quite well loved indeed.
"The problem with this betrothal lies more with me than the issues in this frontier territory."
"... With you?"
The muscular man tilted his head. He looks a little adorable somehow.
"Yes... It shames me to say it, but I have never encountered a magical beast. I cannot assume I know all about Baltzrein from words and paper alone. If something were to happen, would I simply become a frightened girl? Or would I, trusting in my own talent for magic, rise up to defend the people of the land and my family? ... Without knowing that. Without knowing this land, I cannot lightly ask for this betrothal. That is what I believe. If I am too weak, I will only become a hindrance to this land. I would cause trouble for you all. I do not wish for that to happen. This betrothal is one I myself wished for, after all."
I looked the Margrave straight in the eye and said as much.
"... Indeed. I received the letter from you personally. Why do you want to marry into this land? May I ask?"
"Yes, Lord Baltzrein... To tell the truth..."
I explained my current situation in the capital.
The royal family's intentions were mostly speculation, so I couldn't say anything for certain.
But Otou-sama, the Duke, was not pleased with the current state of things.
That, I told him, was why he had entrusted me with the right to settle this betrothal, and sent me here.
"... If Duke Schteizen has come to that conclusion, then it is not entirely off the mark."
"Yes. That is correct."
"A fiancée candidate for the First Prince, His Highness Leonhardt..."
"A 'spare,' rather. I am not being treated as a genuine 'candidate'. But I believe the royal family is deliberately blocking the marriage portfolios, and preventing me from being betrothed."
"... Then, what are the chances of you being engaged to His Highness?"
"According to my brother, His Highness Leonhardt himself is refusing it. Or, that may have been a guess. But, I have been able to have audience with His Majesty, and I believe His Majesty wishes to form a betrothal with the Schteizen house."
"... So the problem is His Highness Leonhardt. Is there someone he has set his heart on?"
"Perhaps."
Why a betrothal with this "someone he has set his heart on" hadn't been formed in two years was beyond me.
Is she worth calling off a marriage proposal with the Duke's house?
If it were a mere whim of the Prince's, it makes it seem as though His Majesty is mocking the Duke's house.
A young lady from a lower noble house? Did His Highness fall for a servant working at the palace?
But if that were so, it was odd that Otou-sama had not caught wind of it.
Surely it would have been the talk of the palace.
If the candidate was utterly "out of the question," it would be strange for His Majesty to keep the First Prince's betrothal on hold.
His Highness Leonhardt is seeking a "suitable" match as far as the royal family was concerned.
But if so, why doesn't he just go ahead and get engaged to that person?
... Could it be...
"... Could it be that Prince Leonhardt has, really, um, he's fallen for someone who is much younger than him?
For a 'little girl'?"
"Aah..."
That sort of thing... maybe? In other words, His Highness is, well, into lolis... yeah.
No, but, it's a noble marriage, so an age difference of up to thirteen years is considered acceptable...
Two years ago, when I was thirteen, that talk came up.
If His Highness was the one who stopped the betrothal with me, then he must have been fourteen. So it was a betrothal with someone who was just born?
I met eyes with Lord Baltzrein. He had most likely come to a similar conclusion.
"At worst, your betrothal could keep getting recklessly squashed by the royal family."
"I suppose so..."
I imagine the royal family wants to keep a "spare". That is exactly why.
"I see. So, in order for your own betrothal to be decided, the partner must be a fitting one?"
"Yes. That is correct. So, this betrothal is one I have chosen myself. That is precisely why I cannot be a burden on Baltzrein."
"I see..."
In short, it all comes down to whether I can live in this land.
"Understood. Schteizen-jou, you intend to stay here for a while?"
"Yes, Lord Baltzrein."
"How long are you planning to stay?"
"... At most, until I start at the Royal Academy."
"Until April of next year, about half a year. That is a long time... are you sure it is alright?"
"If the betrothal is finalised, I will live the rest of my life in this land. If I cannot last half a year here then I should just give up the whole thing."
"I see. You are... a most worthy noble lady. It seems I have something to learn from you."
Well, I needed a trial period.
"Then, half a year at most. If it becomes too much for you, please feel free to speak up. Until then, please spend your time with us in Baltzrein. Whether we go through with this betrothal or not... that's a matter for later. Will that do?"
"Yes, Lord Baltzrein."
"It's Ash."
"Eh?"
"It might be hard for you to call me 'Ash', so you can call me 'Ash-sama' or 'Lord Ash' if you would like, I am permitting you to call me by my name."
"Th, thank you very much..."
I am a duke's daughter, but the one with the title is Otou-sama.
To put it bluntly, I am nothing more than a noble without rank or title.
Though I have the backing of my house, Lord Ash, who has already inherited the margrave's title, is of higher standing.
What's more, Margrave Baltzrein's house is one that not even the royal family, let alone a duke's house, can afford to slight.
It's not only their importance, but also that they are renowned as the nation's strongest house.
Should Baltzrein decide to rebel, it would become a quagmire of civil war.
That is why I am the one in the position to be permitted to use his name.
... I get the feeling that he's not into stiff formalities. I might just be biased though.
Calling each other by name might be more relaxing for him.
"Then, Lord Ash. Please call me Angelina."
"... Understood. Angelina-jou. I look forward to our time together."
"Yes. Likewise, I am in your care."
And so, while keeping an appropriate distance from him... I ended up spending time in Baltzrein.
If my betrothal with Prince Leonhardt had gone through...
By now, I would surely have been busy commuting to the royal palace daily for queen education.
That, in its own way, would have been right for a noble lady, but...
Somehow, I felt glad I was able to come here instead.
And for some reason, Aria-san was very fond of me.
But being treated as a "guest" indefinitely would defeat the purpose of me coming here.
I began to actively involve myself in Baltzrein. I decided to join the knights' training as well.
In any case, strength is top priority here. The weak cannot protect their family. They cannot protect the people of the land.
Fortunately, even women can become combatants if they enhance their body through magic.
Had I been commuting to the royal palace, my training would surely look different.
I've been practicing magic with an emphasis on control; the kind that doesn't cause trouble.
The training in the frontier was more practical. I suspect the knights here are on a whole different level.
Probably stronger than even the famous knight houses in the capital.
... Surprisingly, I found this place suited me.
It wasn't suffocating; it was free. And my own abilities seemed to be improving by leaps and bounds.
The environment really does matter. Ah, of course, I haven't been neglecting my studies either.
"Do you think I can make a life here, Lord Ash?"
"You already appear to be doing quite well."
"I suppose so."
And about the magical beasts.
Perhaps because I observed them from afar, I didn't tremble with fear when they appeared before me.
What's more, when a powerful magical beast appeared, Lord Ash looked really cool when he fought with such ferociousness.
He was destined for this land.
It is only because of people like him, who lived in this land, that the kingdom's peace is maintained.
... I want to lend my strength to him, too. I felt this from the bottom of my heart. So, I made up my mind.
I would become engaged to Lord Ash.
It was one month before I was to enroll at the Royal Academy.