The Imperial Castle was extremely vast. The area covered by this building... no, calling it a building might be misleading. A structure? Anyway, the area covered by the Imperial Castle was incredibly large. I heard that it would take several days to walk from one end to the other.
Therefore, within the Imperial Castle, existed several dedicated means of transportation. These included things like trains and flying taxis. However, this time, our destination was a place that could be reached in a few minutes on foot without using such transportation.
「This area is still part of the Imperial Army’s district, right?」
「Yes. My family has held important military positions for generations, so we have been granted a private space in this district.」
「Like a vacation home?」
「It’s not as glamorous as that. It’s just a space intended to make it easier to be on duty at all times so we can respond immediately.」
「I see...?」
In other words, it’s a slightly luxurious private nap space set up at the workplace...? So, the Imperial Army was an abusive megacorporation all this time... No, It’s probably something different.
As I listened to Serena’s explanation, we arrived at a gate where a soldier who was clearly not of the Imperial Army was standing guard. How did I know he was different? For starters, the uniform was different. It was a uniform that had a ceremonial feel to it, it looked quite expensive with a lot of glittering decorations. You could say it had a sense of luxury.
「Didn’t you say it wasn’t glamorous?」
「If it were too shabby, that would be inconvenient in its own way... We will pass through.」
「Yes, please go ahead!」
We passed through the checkpoint, saluted by soldiers who appeared to be private guards of Marquis Holz House and stepped into the so-called private section of the Holz household.
「...You said it wasn’t glamorous.」
「By the standards of the imperial capital, this is quite modest, really.」
Serena sighed in response to my comment. The place was clearly luxurious: an antique-looking wooden floor with a pristine carpet, historic-looking lamps on the ceiling, expensive-looking furniture and paintings, and vases filled with what were presumably real flowers. It was undoubtedly an opulent place that made even high-end hotels look dingy by comparison. If this is considered modest, I can’t even imagine what a place she considers luxurious must look like. Would it be so dazzling that I couldn’t keep my eyes open?
「It has a calming atmosphere.」
「This is calming for you...?」
「Kugi, you’re quite the character.」
Mimi and Elma were taken aback and a bit exasperated by Kugi, who was leisurely wagging her tail. To think that at first, she was flustered by staying in a slightly upscale hotel... look at her now, completely unperturbed by this level of luxury. This mental fortitude must be thanks to the training to become a psionic user... No, maybe Kugi was just naturally like this. Yeah, that must be it.
「I heard Chris is already here.」
「Yes, it seems she has arrived with two guards. They should be in the reception room.」
With that, Serena walked ahead confidently without hesitation. This place must feel like home to her. Well, it’s situated within the military district, and she likely uses this private section often when staying in the imperial capital.
We passed a few maids as we headed deeper into the section, and Serena finally stopped in front of a door. She knocked three times.
「It’s Serena. I’m coming in.」
「Go ahead.」
A familiar voice came from the other side of the door. Following Serena into the reception room, I saw Chris. She stood up from the sofa and turned her gaze toward us with a smile.
「It seems the inquiry ended without any issues. I’m relieved.」
「Isn’t calling me ‘foolish daughter’ a bit harsh?」
「Serena, you literally stomped on every marriage proposal Hilde and I arranged for you, joined the military on your own, made a name for yourself as a brave commander, and even now, you have no known lover or significant other. For a typical noble daughter, this behavior warrants being called a foolish daughter.」
「...」
This is how you shut up someone, everyone. Serena was at a loss for words, her face contorting as if she had swallowed a bitter insect.
「While female officers in the Imperial Army are not uncommon, the elite female officers usually are assigned to the Imperial Guard. Yet, she specifically requested to be assigned to a dangerous frontier fleet and even used her achievements to form the Independent Mobile Anti-Pirate Fleet, engaging in bloody battles all over the Empire. Did you know, Captain? In the circles of Imperial nobles, my daughter is known as the ‘Mad Dog of the Holz House,’ the ‘Bloodstained Maiden,’ and the ‘Pirate Eater.’ These are hardly the nicknames an unmarried noblewoman should have.」
「That’s a bit hard to comment on.」
Honestly, there’s nothing I can deny here. I seem to recall stories about her beating down every potential marriage candidate she was presented with.
「Well, and then you came along. You might hold only an honorary title, but you are still a Viscount and have a good relationship with the military. Among the notoriously difficult Platinum Rankers, you are considered quite reasonable. The fact that you played a significant role in quelling the rebellion of the Ixamal Earl House with Serena, and you have worked with her multiple times before, shows that you are skilled enough for her to trust you.」
Here it comes. This is it. The ‘but’ is coming. I’m sure of it. He’s about to add some criticism here.
「It’s truly wonderful. I’m counting on you to take care of her from now on. Forming a connection with the Dareinwald Earl House is excellent as well.」
「Uh, what? Oh, thank you?」
「You seem surprised. Think about it. Serena is beautiful and competent, but her standards are exceptionally high. At her age, not having a fiancé or even a marriage prospect is... well, you understand, right?」
The marquis looked at me with a troubled expression, seeking my agreement, while his daughter, blushing furiously, tried to smack him. This guy is deftly avoiding her blows without even looking, that’s really impressive, man.
「That’s why, from my perspective, I’m quite positive about this arrangement. My wife feels the same way. She’s relieved that someone capable of managing Serena has finally appeared. Of course, from the standpoint of the Marquis House’s head, you may not be the ideal match for my daughter. But you are a good one. It’s better than nothing.」
「So I’m better than nothing.」
「Yes, well, you’re not a formal noble. However, you have undeniable military accomplishments and achievements. His Majesty holds you in high regard. And...」
「And?」
「In the long history of the Empire, sometimes strange individuals appear, you could call them gifted nobodies or children of destiny, if you will. When they appeared, they became formidable allies or catastrophic enemies. The Holz Marquis House has records of such individuals in its history.」
「Ah... I see.」
I glanced at Kugi, who looked back at me. I see, the individuals Marquis Holz is talking about are ‘them’.
「Therefore, you may proceed with your relationship with Serena. We will start by announcing your engagement first, I suppose? Currently, you’re married to Mimi-sam... Mimi-san, right? There are special provisions for couples when one becomes a noble after marriage. You can make use of those. The actual marriage will be in about two years, I think, we have to wait until Lady Christina comes of age.」
「I see... Wait, isn’t Chris already of age?」
I looked at Chris, who had a somewhat forced smile. She is definitely trying to play it off.
「If Lady Christina were a commoner, yes. But nobles come of age three years later than commoners. It’s mostly a formality, but having the next Countess Dareinwald pregnant before coming of age would be problematic.」
「...Chris?」
Chris turned her head away from me, avoiding my gaze. Hey, look at me when I’m talking to you!
「Well, two years will pass quickly. We’ll need that time to prepare for the wedding. Also, you need to greet the Willrose Viscount House properly. The three families will need to collaborate to organize the ceremony.」
Laurenz watched us with a warm smile while I struggled to get Chris to look at me. Chris clung to Kugi, burying her face in Kugi’s chest, refusing to confront me. Naughty girls who tell lies need to be punished. Kugi, stop protecting Chris by hugging her head.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login