The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[Until You Call Me 'Friend'... (5)]
Translated by: ME
Ep.2 That You Would Call Me 'Friend'... (5)
I decided to take Elrod up on his offer to help me and asked him, "I'd like you to show me around the capital city."
Elrod agreed with a smile.
In the royal capital, I almost never interact with the common people. Thinking this was a good opportunity, I wanted to try doing things I normally couldn't.
While I had no daily 'obligations' to worry about, Elrod wasn't so free.
So, we arranged to meet a few days later, according to his schedule.
Waiting for a meeting with someone with 'a feeling of anticipation' was a first for me.
Until now, most scheduled meetings for me were things I didn't particularly look forward to.
I must have looked quite excited.
My valet gave me a wry smile and said, 「I understand you're looking forward to meeting your friend, but perhaps you could calm down a little?」
Friend.
Are Elrod and I 'friends'?
No, first of all, what is a 'friend'? It's probably a closer relationship than an 'acquaintance,' but what exactly defines it?
...Should I ask Elrod?
I have a feeling he'd just laugh heartily.
＊ ＊ ＊
The day of our appointment.
Our country generally has little rain or stormy weather, so this day was also clear and beautifully sunny.
I considered whether I should disguise myself... but figured I'd probably just be told "it doesn't suit you" anyway, so I decided to go without any tricks, just as I am.
Well, I did lower the quality of my clothes compared to my usual attire.
I thought clothing that practically shouted 'I am a noble!' even from a distance probably wouldn't suit that town.
The meeting place was the square in the center of the capital.
The same square that was packed with numerous stalls and crowds of people during the recent festival.
I arrived, but Elrod wasn't there yet... Well, I am a bit early.
Unlike that day, the square was peaceful and relaxed.
There was a large fountain in the center of the square.
This area, with its northern mountains and long river running through the territory, is very rich in water resources. So rich that the river floods every few years.
A large fountain is a structure very fitting for this land.
...However, the statue in the center of the fountain is somewhat strange...
The bottom base is carved with numerous flowers. That's fine. There are many flowers I've never seen, but the craftsmen must have been creative.
On top of the flowers, a bear. Why a bear? And it's a ferocious-looking bear holding a fish in its mouth.
Behind the bear, a large tree. It seems to be a grapevine, with branches stretching out widely to the sides bearing clusters of grapes. Well, grapes, or rather wine, is a local specialty.
On that grapevine, a plump female figure is sitting leisurely. But this woman is holding a splendid sword.
Statues of women with weapons aren't unheard of. But such statues are usually based on myths or past anecdotes, depicting war goddesses or female soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle, but her clothing looks completely ordinary.
And at the very top of the statue, two elderly men are sitting opposite each other at a fine table set, playing chess.
...It's too eclectic.
What in the world is that statue...?
Whether statues or paintings, they usually have some theme...
But for some reason.
That eclectic, incomprehensible atmosphere feels incredibly fitting for this 'Macnagan Duchy.'
Water sprays from the top of the eclectic, mysterious statue, splashing off its various complex shapes, the fine spray glittering as it reflects the sunlight.
As a fountain, it's undoubtedly beautiful.
...Except for the fact that it's incomprehensible.
「It's a fountain with a strange design, but it's beautiful,」 my valet said. I nodded.
The central statue is very impressive, and the complex sculpting is splendid. ...I just don't understand its meaning at all.
Around this strange fountain, various people were enjoying themselves in their own ways: elderly men sitting on the edge playing chess with wine in hand, a young man reading, a man who seemed to be just sunbathing, women sitting and chatting...
It's a truly peaceful, pleasant scene.
Since the fountain was the designated meeting spot, I also sat on its edge.
The sunlight was a bit hot, but the spray and cool air from the fountain behind me felt pleasant. I see. This is perfect for sunbathing.
After sitting idly for a while, Elrod came walking over.
He smiled at me as I stood up and said, 「Did I keep you waiting?」
「No. I just arrived too early. And this place feels very nice. It's a perfect spot to wait leisurely.」
「I see. I'm glad you like it.」
「Lord El, excuse me, could you step aside there?」
Startled by the sudden address, I looked over to see a young woman standing there.
I was surprised both by her sudden address and by her telling us to 'step aside.'
...The people here really don't care about Elrod's status... No, perhaps this behavior stems from trust that 'it's okay to interact this way.'
Elrod apologized to the woman, saying 「Ah, sorry,」 and pulled my hand, leading us a few steps away.
The woman stared intently at the fountain with serious eyes.
「What is it? Is there something about that spot?」
「Ah... well, let's just watch for now, shall we?」
Elrod pointed at the woman glaring at the fountain as he spoke, laughing.
「Let's wish her luck.」
Luck? Wish her? For what?
Watching, the woman took something from the pocket of the apron she was wearing. A coin, perhaps?
She clasped it tightly between her hands, closed her eyes, and muttered something.
After a moment, she opened her eyes, swung her right hand holding the coin back dramatically, and threw the coin at the fountain with all her might.
「Whaat...?」
...What is she doing?
The coin was swallowed by the cascading water and seemed to have fallen into the fountain.
「Aahhh!! I thought I could make it!!」
Not only Elrod, but also the chess-playing elderly men and the sunbathing man laughed at the woman, who stamped her foot in frustration.
「Mya, you should just throw from the Bear side like usual,」 one old man said.
The woman stuck out her tongue at him. 「That's no fun! I've already conquered the Bear side!」
「But aiming for the Bullslayer side right away is reckless.」
「I have a wish I want granted that requires that level of determination!」
「...What is this?」
This series of actions.
「They say if you throw a coin into the fountain and it reaches the statue, your wish might come true... or so the story goes.」
...That's a very vague legend.
「See? Around where that bear statue is, the amount of falling water is less, right? So if you throw from there, it usually reaches the statue.」
Looking where Elrod pointed, it was true; around the bear, the falling water was sparse, with many unobstructed spots.
That must be the 'Bear side' I heard mentioned earlier.
「And this side, where she just threw from, has the most water. They say if you can get a coin through that water and hit the fountain, your wish will probably come true... or something like that.」
Why is it so vague...?
「Incidentally, the one who started it was my drunken grandfather. So there's almost no credibility. ...But for some reason, everyone comes to throw coins.」
Elrod approached the fountain and called me over.
When I went over, he pointed into the fountain.
「Look. It's like a little piggy bank.」
Various coins lay sunken in the fountain. Mixed with the coins were what looked like medals and ceramic buttons.
「In winter, they stop this fountain for cleaning. That's when they collect all these coins at once.」
「What do they do with the collected coins?」
From the looks of it, there seem to be some fairly high-value coins. There are even foreign currencies.
If collected, it would probably amount to a considerable sum.
「They're used for maintaining this square.」
Saying this, Elrod pointed to one corner of the square.
There was a set of stone tables and chairs. Even from a distance, they looked beautifully crafted, items that wouldn't be out of place in a noble's garden.
「Those, for example, were installed using coins from this fountain. They're also used for repairing worn cobblestones, streetlights, and maintaining the promenades.」
「I see...」
Knowing it won't go to waste is why they can throw coins so unreservedly.
「By the way, what's the motif of this fountain? It's so eclectic, I can't tell...」
Elrod laughed merrily at my question.
「The motif is 'the Macnagan Duchy'... I guess? Well, it's certainly an increasingly inexplicable statue the more you look at it, but the reason it turned out this way is properly recorded in official documents from that time. Interested in seeing them?」
「Well, I am somewhat curious.」
「Then I'll lend you the materials another day.」
With that closing remark, Elrod started walking.
「Now then, Carl. Today, there's something I really want to show you. This way.」
He said, walking off briskly. I hurried to catch up.
「Something you want to show me?」
「I'll explain in detail when we arrive. Come on, walk faster.」
Elrod's pace was fast, even though he didn't seem to be in a particular hurry. Chasing him, I inevitably ended up half-jogging.
「Could you... slow down a bit...?」
I was getting slightly out of breath. Pathetic.
I've been gradually increasing my exercise since that little mountain climb during the festival. But only a few days have passed. Stamina isn't built overnight.
Since national governance is demanding work, having stamina is definitely better.
Even though I know that, I tend to find moving my body bothersome and put it off. Looking back on my life so far, I spent most holidays relaxing in my room.
It's not that I dislike exercise, but I don't feel proactively motivated to 'do it!' The feeling of it being a hassle always comes first.
I'd rather read one more book.
That's not necessarily bad, but I should try to increase my exercise time, especially since my stamina has significantly decreased lately.
「Ah, sorry. You're still recovering, aren't you?」
Elrod said, as if just remembering, and slowed his pace for me.
I felt both apologetic and pathetic...
「You're not particularly good at exercise, are you?」
Asked in a teasing tone, I unintentionally averted my eyes.
「It's less about skill and more that when I consider the time and effort involved, I end up prioritizing other things... that sort of feeling.」
「I see.」
Elrod nodded as if understanding, then looked at me and gave a light laugh.
「But you should build up a bit more stamina. Whatever you do, you need a healthy body first.」
「...You're right.」
Elrod is absolutely correct.
「Carl!」
Called, I lifted my face to see Elrod looking at me with exasperation.
「Keep your face up. Look straight ahead. If you only look at your feet, you won't even know where you're walking.」
「Ah...」
That's also true.
How often I am reminded of the 'obvious.'
Really, from Elrod's perspective, I must be no different from a small child.
And a particularly headstrong one at that. Probably more troublesome to deal with than innocent children.
Feeling pathetic, I almost looked down again, but hurriedly corrected myself, thinking, "No."
I must not look down. I must look forward and see myself properly.
After all, I'm fortunate to have Elrod here, pointing out the 'obvious' without getting annoyed.
＊ ＊ ＊
I walked, guided by Elrod, who had slowed his pace a bit, through the town in the afternoon.
Different from the festival's bustle, this was the hustle and bustle of people's daily lives, noisy and lively, yet strangely it felt peaceful.
The word 'vibrant' fit perfectly.
Shop owners called out affably to passersby. Those called out to responded with equally affable smiles and voices.
The voices of playing children, the voice of a woman scolding them, the laughter of adults enjoying the scene.
A very peaceful, pleasant scene.
And each one of them lives somewhere in this town.
One of the lights I saw from that hill the other day is their home.
This scene is undoubtedly something irreplaceable that must be protected, cherished, and passed on.
How peaceful, beautiful, and warm.
And this is the scene the successive Dukes Macnagan have continued to protect.
Did the people of the royal capital laugh so freely?
I couldn't recall immediately, and felt like looking down again.
No, that's not right. I shouldn't be looking down now.
When I return to the royal capital, I'll go on inspections to the city below. I'll look at the people's lives. I'll examine what is present in the duchy but lacking elsewhere.
Ah, I wonder.
Since coming here, I keep discovering 'obvious' things and 'things I must do,' one after another.
I, as a person, was that 'deficient.'
Really.
I'm truly a child with worse traits than an ordinary child.
＊ ＊ ＊
Walking leisurely for about an hour, sometimes stopping to join in the townspeople's small talk, Elrod stopped and said, 「We're here,」 in front of a splendid mansion.
「A noble's villa or something?」
It was a beautiful stone building that looked exactly like that.
Its style somewhat resembled the Golden Lion Palace. A white plaster building with minimal decoration. Yet it didn't feel cheap, but serene and beautiful.
「Technically, the current owner is our family. Well, we just own it; we don't use it.」
I followed Elrod as he spoke and started walking.
Well, it's an hour's leisurely walk from the main residence. They probably have no use for it.
The main Macnagan ducal residence was a very impressive building... though, as a result of repeated expansions and renovations, it was also a peculiar, patchwork building.
Most notably, the architectural style was completely different between the right and left sides of the building. You'd think they'd at least match the style when expanding.
...Well, I've come to understand it's probably deliberate. Surely the Duke at the time of expansion thought "This looks interesting" and pushed ahead with it.
But what is this mansion?
A man who seemed to be a servant stood at the entrance. On both sides of the entrance gate stood knights from the Macnagan territory's private knight order.
Having knights stationed here suggests it's a fairly important facility.
When we arrived at the entrance, the man bowed respectfully and opened the door with a careful gesture.
His movements were refined, suggesting a solid education.
I followed Elrod, who walked briskly inside, and entered as well.
The interior was as beautiful as the exterior suggested.
Not ornate. Again, decorations were kept to a minimum. But despite appearances, many items were quite elaborate.
Against the far wall of the entrance hall was a large vase on a wooden stand. The vase held beautifully arranged seasonal flowers.
But my eyes were drawn more to the vase and stand than the flowers.
The vase, seemingly pure white at first glance, was likely the work of a famous kiln from a distant land. It uses a special glaze made only there, and the color appears to change depending on the light. Now, under the sunlight from the high clerestory window, it looked yellowish. But it changes color moment by moment – sometimes blue, sometimes red, sometimes green... a very rare item.
The stand was probably from a Macnagan duchy workshop.
Delicate legs, intertwined like vines, supported the top surface with complex curves. Its shape makes you wonder how it stands at all. It must be stable because it's mechanically sound, but it's still a mysterious shape.
Pulling off such feats effortlessly is typical of the Macnagan duchy workshops. The strange fountain in the square is another example.
Although not lavishly decorated, the occasional decorative items seen here and there are unmistakably first-class.
It looks unmistakably like a noble's residence, and that of a fairly high-ranking one at that.
What exactly is this place?
「Lord Elrod, we've been expecting you.」
Hearing the voice, I looked over to see a man in a tailcoat bowing to Elrod.
「Ah, I told you greetings weren't necessary.」
The man returned a teasing smile to Elrod, who spoke teasingly.
「I just happened to have a free moment. Wandering around idly would just get in the other employees' way.」
「I see. So I'm just a way to kill time.」
「I'm joking.」
「We'll see about that.」
After this exchange of banter, Elrod dismissed the man and started walking.
Still not understanding, I followed Elrod.
We went up the stairs at the back of the hall and arrived on the third floor.
Reaching the top of the stairs, I was slightly surprised.
The third floor of this three-story building.
There, a seemingly crude, thick door, very much looking like a later addition, blocked the way. It was a sturdy, heavy-looking door that didn't match the building's atmosphere at all.
「...What is this?」
「It's like this so no one accidentally wanders in.」
Saying this as if it were obvious, Elrod felt around in his jacket pocket. He took out a single key and inserted it into the door's keyhole.
「...There seem to be three keyholes?」
Below the doorknob. In the position where a normal keyhole would be, three keyholes were lined up vertically.
「There are three.」
Elrod nodded matter-of-factly, then turned the key he had inserted. *Click*, a sound echoed.
「There are three, but two are just decoys. If you tamper with them carelessly, you won't even know which one is open or closed.」
「...I see.」
Essentially, a trap for intruders.
The heavy-looking door, contrary to its appearance, opened smoothly and silently.
Not even a creak from the hinges – quite impressive.
Beyond the door was an ordinary corridor with several doors and a small salon.
Elrod went straight to one of the doors without hesitation.
「Now then, please.」
He held the open door and urged me inside. Still confused, I stepped in and was astonished.
「This room...」
There are, of course, minor differences.
But the atmosphere and layout are exactly the same as the king's office in the castle.
The feel of the furnishings, the wall color, the desk position, the bookshelf position, the window location, etc... The only major difference is that there's a small portrait on the wall.
I was surprised again by that portrait.
It depicted two men. One was sitting in a chair, the other standing with a hand on the chair's back. The seated man was the first king, the one in the first portrait of the successive kings hanging in the castle corridor.
But I've never seen this painting.
And I have no memory of the man depicted with the king at all.
Displaying portraits of the royal family in one's residence isn't particularly rare. It's a simple trick to show loyalty.
But you must not add anything to those portraits. It's considered 'disrespectful.' Portraits of the royal family, unless specially permitted, must not include any non-royal figures in the same painting.
「That painting is said to depict the true owner of this building and his brother.」
Ah, so that's it...!
「It's not a 'Royal Portrait'; its title is 'Duke Ernest Macnagan and his brother, Oscar Macnagan.'」
This must be where the first King, who was 'said to have passed away at forty-three' according to Elrod, spent his later years.
「Apparently, the result of arranging it for convenience... made it look exactly like someone's office somewhere.」
「Ah. It's so similar, it's startling.」
「Even though they lived hundreds of years ago, is that 'office' of yours still similar to this one now?」
I couldn't help but laugh when he asked this, laughing himself.
「It's very similar. With large furniture, it's reached the point where it's just 'that thing that belongs there,' and I doubt anyone thinks of moving it.」
I certainly think so.
「I see. That might indeed be the case.」
Elrod nodded once, then gestured around the room with his hand.
「This place is kept just as it was when he was here. ...Come over here, Carl.」
I followed Elrod as he walked and stood beside him by the window.
The capital of the Macnagan duchy lies on a plain.
There are a few small hills like the one we climbed the other day, but the city center is almost completely flat.
And this building is constructed on one of those small hills.
Because of this terrain, from the high third-floor window on this hill, you could see a panoramic view of the city.
「Amazing... This is spectacular.」
「He said he wanted to feel close to the daily lives of the people.」
Glancing at Elrod, I saw he was smiling faintly, gazing at the townscape below. He had the same expression on the hill during the festival.
For him, this townscape and the people living there must be very dear and important.
「He did administer the national government, but he wondered if the policies he implemented were properly benefiting the people... He said reports came in as numbers and text, but he had never been able to feel it tangibly. The people before their coup apparently had dark, gloomy expressions, living with their heads bowed. He was concerned whether their actions had improved people's lives even a little.」
Ah, I understand that feeling well.
I think about and implement policies for the country and its people, but I'm not the one executing them. I'm almost never involved in the actual operations.
All I can do is think, convince parliament, secure the budget, and assign suitable personnel.
I do get opportunities to hear that lives have improved or that the people are grateful, but I have no means or time to verify if that's true.
Just as Elrod said earlier, I only read reports saying 'this was the result.'
I don't doubt those reports, but the tangible sense is certainly faint.
Being able to feel people's lives so closely like this must be very valuable.
From the royal castle windows, you mostly see the grand mansions of high-ranking nobles. The distance and obstacles between the castle and the commoners' districts are too great.
「By any chance, are you sympathizing with that story just now?」
His tone sounded slightly exasperated.
I don't recall giving him reason to be exasperated...
「...I am,」 I admitted.
So what?
Elrod let out a deep sigh at my words.
...How rude.
「This is what I mean about you all being too earnest.」
This time, he spoke with clear exasperation.
「Why do you try to do everything by yourself? Don't you have even one aide to be your eyes and ears? Or does the Belkraine family teach 'don't trust others'?」
Of course not.
But the moment Elrod said it, I remembered the words of the first Duke Macnagan.
'A King don't need to be some 'perfect person who can do everything by himself.''
Did those words mean not just their literal meaning, but also 'don't try to do everything yourself'? Just as Elrod is exasperated now.
I currently have about four aides.
I chose them considering their abilities and lineage, thinking they seemed trustworthy. I do believe I trust them.
But, I see.
Perhaps I don't trust them completely...
「It's common among highly capable people to judge 'it's faster to do it myself than to delegate' and try to handle everything alone. Or sometimes they hesitate, thinking 'it's rude to bother someone with such a small task.' 'I might as well just do it myself.'」
That happens. It definitely happens.
I'd say the latter is far more common.
「I suppose you're thinking 'that's so typical,' aren't you?」
...He's right, but could you please stop reading my mind?
「Listen well, Carl.」
Speaking again in an exasperated tone, Elrod looked straight at me.
I'm not often stared at so directly by someone close to my age.
That's because most people are reserved or intimidated in front of me. They step back, thinking, "I must not make a mistake before His Highness the Crown Prince."
But Elrod has no such reserve.
「There's a limit to the load one person can carry. If you do everything yourself just because 'you can,' your subordinates won't develop. If subordinates don't develop, then no amount of manpower is wasted. It only creates a pointless vicious cycle.」
It's so true, I have no retort.
「Subordinates who aren't entrusted with work start thinking, 'Are we not trusted?' That creates a rift on both sides. A further vicious cycle.」
...I'm speechless.
What Elrod just told me is something I've also heard from instructors in kingship studies and management. They used more academic, pompous phrasing.
I thought I 'understood,' but in reality, I ultimately didn't grasp it.
'Acquiring knowledge' means properly digesting what you've learned and making it your own, otherwise it's meaningless, yet I haven't managed that. How immature. I've just skimmed the surface of the words and assumed I 'understood' – how often have I done that?
「I hear there's a saying in distant military studies: 'Know the enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.'」
I know that saying too.
I've taken lectures on military strategy, after all. The possibility is extremely low, but if we were to go to war with another country, I would be incorporated into the command structure.
The words Elrod just uttered were taught by the instructor as 'the foundation and truth of military strategy.'
The meaning is exactly as the words say: if you accurately grasp your own and the enemy's military strength, you won't lose no matter how many times you fight.
「Your 'battlefield' isn't just actual war, is it? Things that threaten people's lives... like poverty, or disasters. Those are your 'enemies,' aren't they? Parliament members who oppose your policies are, in a way, also 'enemies.' You have to fight them too.」
That's certainly true.
Calling them 'enemies' sounds harsh, but putting it that way, it's accurate.
「First, know 'yourself.' What do you hold in your hands? How much can you carry? Understand that first.」
「...You're right.」
I'm in the midst of that right now.
Ah, really... how pathetic...
「Carl.」
Called, I realized I had been looking down again without noticing.
Lifting my face, I saw Elrod looking at me with the same slight exasperation, but his eyes were soft and smiling.
「Lift your face. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Being able to honestly accept 'not knowing' is something to be proud of.」
「There are too many things I didn't know, too many things I only thought I understood... I can't feel proud at all...」
Elrod laughed cheerfully at my wry smile.
「It's just a matter of learning from now on. It's far better than growing older while remaining ignorant or thinking you understand.」
「It's all about perspective, you mean?」
「Exactly. Be 'forward-looking' in everything.」
「'Forward,' huh...」
For a self-ignorant me, I don't even clearly know which way is 'forward.'
But I thought then that I must find and determine that from now on.
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