<Episode 131>
The story was simple.
Viscountess Werkhord referred to the weakened financial state of the Werkhords’ and sought a noblewoman that could return the house to its former glory.
However, I wasn’t the marriage partner the Werkhord family wanted for Rowayne.
“Well, Viscount Weatherwoods… To be honest, it’s a burdensome place to be tied to as a spouse. We have to be mindful of Duke Zenail’s watchful eyes.”
“But isn’t Sir Rowayne the Deputy Commander of the Zenail Knights? Is there any reason to be cautious?”
“That child was originally part of the Berkeley-Gratten knight Order. Due to internal circumstances that I cannot disclose, he was semi-forced to transfer, and as a result, couldn’t fully integrate into either group. Duke Zenail also doesn’t completely trust him. After the war, our family was left in a precarious situation… Our properties were confiscated to set an example, and we’ve been unable to properly protect ourselves.”
To think there was such a situation.
Putting aside the bitter voice of Mrs. Werkhord, I recalled the members of the corps.
‘Rowayne wasn’t among them.’
So Mrs. Werkhord’s explanation wasn’t false.
‘What could these internal circumstances be?’
Anyways, the first strategy prepared by Viscountess Werkord for me and Rowayne was for us to form the same hunting group.
‘It seems like she’s planned everything quite meticulously before coming to see me.’
A ready position?
Pass.
“In that case, what benefit can we gain by selling my buzz to the Werkhord family?”
“The special benefit I can offer to the Viscount is…”
Viscountess Werkhord, with a cold glint in her eyes, continued her statement.
“None.”
Confidence?
An immediate pass.
“Instead, I can provide information about the Berkeley-Gratten family through ‘that person.’ This is also a matter that I was first proposed to about through ‘him.'”
That person.
When I was about to question her, Mrs. Werkhord took out a thin letter from the depths of her bag.
As soon as I received the letter, I tore open the envelope and checked its contents.
『The suspicious circumstances surrounding the Berkeley-Gratten family and their connection to the royal family will be conveyed through this route in the future.
If you have a brain, you should consider listening to Viscountess Werkhord’s request.』
There was only one person who spoke in such an insolent tone and had such a vulgar handwriting.
Gavroche.
‘Suspicious circumstances. Is he going to dig up something while staying with the Berkeley-Gratten family?’
It was fortunate he’d returned home safely from Rogue, but this was quite a sudden change in attitude.
Hadn’t Gavroche been living in the Berkeley-Gratten family for four years since losing his memory?
‘…But he’s not the type to set up cumbersome traps for me. Seeing how he’s conveying this message through Mrs. Werkord, he’s obviously operating secretly, away from the eyes of the swordmaster.’
Gavroche had a strong sense of self-awareness.
Somehow, it seemed like he’d had a significant change of mind after going through something I didn’t know of in Calepa. In the end, it was an offer I had no reason to refuse.
Then there was only thing left.
It was whether or not I could trust Viscountess Werkhord.
“…I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Ask anything.”
“Why do you think ‘that person’ chose you, Viscountess Werkhord?”
Without hesitation, Mrs. Werkhord skillfully responded.
“As I mentioned, the Werkhords’ are in a precarious position, trying to balance on the tight-rope between Duke Berkeley-Gratten and Duke Zenail. In addition, since we are not part of the noble council, our roots can’t be considered very strong. However, you’re connected with the Zenail family in your own way, and that person is connected to the Berkeley-Gratten family. There’s no better common link than the Werkhords.”
“I don’t find it very convincing.”
Lady Werkhord, who had been contemplating for a moment, cautiously spoke.
“…I told you earlier that were some internal circumstances, right? In short, there was a time when the Berkeley-Gratten family led biological magical procedures. Rowayne was a recipient of that procedure, and ‘that person’… though not the same procedure, received psychiatric treatment through a similar technique. It was a treatment for post-magic war trauma. Their connection, the two of them, was formed there.”
The procedures. And The treatment for post-magic war trauma.
Half of it was already known to me. So, it wasn’t a lie.
‘Gavroche received psychiatric treatment. It feels like… it’s like I’m on the verge of grasping something, but can’t quite reach it.’
What was I missing?
“The brief connection between you and Rowayne will give me the justification to approach you more openly in public settings. It will make our future movements easier. Moreover, Rowayne’s value will also increase, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome.”
My deliberation was short-lived.
I joined hands with Lady Werkhord and promised to cooperate.
Just a short conversation with her told me how wise she was. I was confident that she could help me not only with the link to Gavroche but in other ways as well.
Regardless of the process, the priority of choosing a partner fell into my hands, and Rowayne could not refuse.
I felt a bit sad for Raphael… but if you think about it, he was also half-forced to be my side.
The expression in the Host’s eyes seemed to ask, “Why?” But he couldn’t bring himself to ask it openly and concluded the nomination.
“…The first pair has been decided. Then, again, Duke Raphael Zenail, who would you like to form a pair with?”
Instead of naming a new partner, Raphael turned to me.
“I have one question.”
The curious gazes of people, openly expressing their interest about what kind of conversation we would have, seemed to pierce my face like nails.
Fortunately, Raphael’s voice was small enough for only me to hear.
“Do you perhaps find me repulsive or unpleasant?”
What?
Startled, I quickly adjusted my posture and answered.
“That… is a rather embarrassing question.”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t reject me to this extent.”
“I swear on the rest of my life, you are the person I trust the most here. Moreover, you were Andert’s most precious friend, right? How could I possibly hate you?”
“…”
“But this is a slightly different issue. Put yourself in my shoes. Such a burdensome situation is not at all comfortable. Being partners in the tournament isn’t such an important thing.”
Even without being tied up by such a thing, we were still closely connected through the corps.
“Besides, I have a separate reason for choosing him. We don’t need to always move together, not everywhere and anytime, in any situation…”
“At times like these,”
His red eyes ferociously stared at me.
“Should I act like Andert?”
“…”
What does that mean?
However, before I could counter-ask, Raphael nominated his assistant.
“Gern Rosebell.”
…Rosebell?
‘Is he a member of the Rosebell family?’
After that, Raphael didn’t speak to me.
Thanks to this, my discomfort grew slightly more than I expected.
“The second pair has been decided. It’s once again Duke Jurian Berkeley-Gratten’s turn.”
A leisurely response came from that side.
“Ezanelle Kate.”
A short burst of a joyful scream came from somewhere.
Judging by the feminine voice, she seemed to be the owner of the name that was nominated by the swordmaster, Ezanelle Kate.
The woman named Kate covered her mouth with both hands, seemingly at a loss. The way her eyes drew a line seemed to mean it wasn’t anything negative, at least.
As the remaining pairs were being decided step by step, at some point…
Count Rosebell, who lit his cigar, turned his head towards me and let out a sigh.
“It seems like the Viscount has ignited Raphael’s competitive spirit, considering he chose my nephew. He missed last year’s hunting competition due to personal circumstances, but he’s an outstanding talent in many ways.”
Ah, Gern Rosebell was Count Rosebell’s nephew.
“My apologies.”
“Why apologize? Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but this is fun in its own way too. Oh, and after the competition, please make sure to come see me. I have something to tell you about the property that is to be delivered to the Weatherwoods.”
If it’s about property… It seemed like the head maid mentioned something similar while revealing the true identity of the Weatherwoods family.
“When Count Rosebell passes away, both the Rosebell family’s title and property will become the possessions of the master.”
His only child was said to be the former Viscountess Weatherwoods.
‘Yes. there was such a problem.’
Come to think of it, our relationship with Count Rosebell was pretty complicated as well. Since I was the new Viscount Weatherwoods, it was a relationship I also had to smoothen.
Count Rosebell sipped his wine, stealing a glance at Raphael, and wrinkled the tip of his nose as he spoke in a significantly lower voice.
“While we’re at it, let me warn you, watch out for Duke Berkeley-Gratten.”
“…Is he someone who possesses a threat to the Corps?”
“Well, I don’t think there’s anything I can tell you about that. I was simply telling you to be careful of him as a man. He has a lot of women around him, you know. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, he’s quite disliked by the noble ladies who have daughters. It might that he might hold regrets about not taking his opportunity earlier.”
What?
…..
‘Hey, that’s a gross exaggeration. The swordmaster might be a bit foxy, but he’s an infinitely serious man. He’s not the type to be a casanova at that age.’
Even if he’s a little unlucky, he’s still my number one teacher.
So teacher number two, stop insulting teacher number one!
“The victory of this year’s hunting competition will be mine, but that doesn’t mean that Duke Berkeley-Gratten’s rational charm has faded away.”
Ha ha. Count Rosebell chuckled softly.
“You’re very similar to your younger brother. You’re both bold and good with words… ha-ha, it’s quite amusing, I must say.”
It wasn’t that amusing. How could he compare me to Andert? Of course, the Andert he was talking about wasn’t that Andert, but still..
“If you wish to protect yourself, I hope you continue to remain steadfast, no matter the path you choose.”
After leaving such a profound piece of advice, Count Rosebell went back to concentrating on the wine.
And so, the endlessly boring two hours passed.
The <Glorious Harvest Banquet Feast> came to an end.
The Emperor did not appear until the end.
Daisy roasting the swordmaster internally but not allowing him to be insulted by someone else is the cutest and funniest thing lmao, she’s like the student version of ‘ayo, only I can make fun of my sibling’
Thank you for the chapter!
One thing for sure, this novel doesn’t lack background settings.