The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[The Duke's Son, Eduardo Aristoll, and the People Around Him (2)]
Translated by: ME
I knocked *knock-knock* on the door knocker.
Even though it's a secondary residence of a Ducal house, there aren't many valuables here, nor any important documents. So, unlike the main mansion, there are no gatekeepers or private knights stationed here permanently.
This is the only way to announce my presence to those inside.
...Is no one coming?
I did inform them of my visit today, so someone should be home...
I knocked again.
After waiting a while, the door finally opened with a, 「My apologies for the wait.」
The one who opened the door was Adolf, the steward.
「We have been expecting you. Please, come in.」
He opened the door wide and gestured inside.
I stepped in as instructed and was slightly surprised.
The residence wasn't particularly decorated to begin with. It's located on the edge of the territory and is rarely used unless we have business in this region, so we almost never entertain guests here.
Yet, the entrance hall felt even more desolate than I remembered.
I'm sure there was a vase from a famous kiln at the far end. There should have been several paintings hanging as well.
「Adolf… what happened to the Aimen vase that was over there?」
When I asked, Adolf frowned slightly.
「...It was sold on the Master's orders.」
Ah... That man, really...
Then, the other art decorations I remember have likely met the same fate. No need to ask.
「Did you inform my brother about the sale of the estate's furnishings?」
「I have reported it. Lord Robert only said to 'let it be.'」
Typical of my brother...
Well, it's true that artworks are part of our family's assets, but the pieces here aren't worth nearly as much as those in the main mansion.
Even if they're sold off arbitrarily, it doesn't significantly hurt our finances.
More importantly, does Father still not realize he hasn't angered my brother enough?
Is he waiting to be completely disowned by the Ducal house?
Adolf led me through the residence.
With Adolf included, there are only six servants in this large house. It was very quiet. Unnervingly so for a noble's residence in the afternoon.
「What is Father doing now?」
When I asked, Adolf looked down, seeming hesitant to answer.
After waiting for a reply, he let out a small sigh.
「...He is resting.」
Asleep?
「Is he unwell?」
「No... This has been the Master's usual routine for the past few months... He retires to bed in the early morning and rests until evening. Then he eats a small meal, after which he drinks in his room...」
Whoa...
That's a textbook picture of a fallen noble...
I suppose he sold the vases and paintings because he needed money for alcohol.
Suggesting he change his lifestyle... would be pointless, wouldn't it? It's clear he'll ruin his health eventually, and my brother probably won't intervene until that happens.
Adolf, who had been walking ahead to guide me, stopped in front of a door.
「Young Lady, Lord Eduardo has arrived.」
As Adolf knocked and spoke, there was a brief pause before the door was opened from the inside.
「...Eduardo, Brother...?」
A thin voice.
Where did that sister of mine, once brimming with utterly baseless and meaningless confidence, go?
Peering through the narrowly opened crack, my sister watched me with just her eyes.
「Ro... Robert isn't with you, is he...?」
「No. I'm alone.」
I heard a clearly relieved sigh.
I understand the feeling, but try to contain yourself a little.
It seems she still lacks any semblance of social tact.
To put it nicely, this sister of mine is straightforward... Well, 'foolish' is probably more accurate.
She doesn't understand how a lady should conduct herself. More fundamentally, she doesn't understand 'what it means to be a noble.'
「...Please, come in.」
She opened the door wide to invite me in.
I entered my sister's room and was somewhat surprised.
When my sister left the mansion in the royal capital, she should have taken a large quantity of the accessories, trinkets, and dresses from her room.
None of those were visible in this room.
The only personal item was her favorite doll of a young girl by her bedside.
My sister's appearance was also vastly different from her time in the capital.
She used to wear dresses that made you wonder, 'Which soirée is she planning to attend?' Now, she wore a simple one-piece dress, almost modest, with no accessories.
Her long hair had been cut to just below her shoulders.
「...You've changed quite a bit.」
When I said this, my sister gave a small smile.
「Yes, well. I can't put on dresses by myself, so these kinds of clothes are more comfortable. My hair also required help and time to maintain, so I cut it.」
...She really has changed a lot.
「What happened to your dresses and accessories? I don't see them...」
「I sold most of them.」
She said it in a very matter-of-fact tone, smiling.
Is this really the same sister...?
「I no longer attend tea parties or such events. I've kept the accessories, but dresses go out of style, and the sizes...」
「Yes, that's true.」
My sister nodded, still with that gentle smile.
I wonder where that ill-tempered, insolent little girl went.
「What did you do with the money from the sales?」
「I have it all saved... Should I give it to you, Brother?」
「No, that's fine. You keep it.」
「Yes.」
My sister's dresses cost a considerable amount.
As she said, fashions change, but they were still items made from first-rate materials. They would have sold for a decent sum.
「Make sure to hide it so Father doesn't take it.」
When I said that, my sister let out a slight, amused chuckle.
「Father hasn't even noticed I sold the dresses. Besides, I've discussed it with Adolf and hidden the money where he'll absolutely never find it, so it's fine.」
「That's a relief.」
Given that Father is selling off decorative items, he would undoubtedly confiscate it if he knew my sister had a substantial sum of money.
Ah, really...
That Father brings nothing good to my sister.
A servant brought us tea, and we sat facing each other across a modest table in my sister's room. The sofa we sat on was nothing like the ones in the main mansion.
It wasn't shabby, but it wasn't high-end either.
「...Is Robert angry with me...?」
My sister murmured softly after taking a sip of tea.
Angry... No, that's not it.
Whether good or bad, 'feeling emotional' towards someone stems from having an interest in them.
My brother has already lost all interest in our sister. You can't stir something that isn't there.
「He isn't particularly angry.」
Well, there's no need to be completely honest about everything.
My sister seemed somewhat relieved by my words, but I wonder which is better: 'anger' or 'indifference'?
...I think indifference is better, just because he won't glare at me... After all, we're talking about *that* brother...
「You said you want to leave this place... Do you have any preferences for where you'd like to go?」
「Not really.」
She shook her head, *furu-furu*, and looked down.
「As long as I can be away from Father...」
To think she was so attached to him before. Things really do change.
***
According to my sister, Father was terribly volatile when they were first sent here.
From Father's perspective, it must have felt like a son he never paid much mind had suddenly bared his fangs at him. Like being bitten by his own dog, so to speak.
Of course, that was merely how it appeared from 'Father's narrow, distorted viewpoint.'
Who did he think was responsible for his luxurious lifestyle?
Who did he think enabled him to attend the academy?
...By any reasoning, it certainly wasn't thanks to Father.
Moreover, we weren't living a life of 'luxury' to the extent he claimed. It was within the bounds of a 'normal noble life.' Though Father himself seemed to indulge in every luxury imaginable.
And let's not forget, the foundational wealth wasn't built by Father, but by our grandfather and previous heads of the family.
My brother and I attending the academy was undeniably the result of our own efforts.
That academy tolerates no dishonesty, especially in the field of 'academics.' Naturally, you can't buy a degree there. Social status holds no weight.
And if he had something to say to my brother, why not confront him directly?
I'm sure my brother would have responded with a very lively, pleasant smile. Without a doubt.
I wasn't aware, but it seems Father wrote many letters addressed to my brother. Of course, it appears my brother ignored them all.
When Father realized there was no getting through to my brother, he tried writing to the butler of the main mansion.
...It seems those were also intercepted and ignored by my brother.
Finally, he apparently sent a letter to our mother.
I heard she did reply, but you can imagine the content. Once a woman has given up on someone, her treatment of them becomes utterly cold...
I never received any such letters. I don't know if my brother intercepted them, or if I was simply insignificant in Father's eyes.
Well, it doesn't matter either way.
I'm long past the age of begging for parental love from Father.
The fact that I'm relieved not to be involved in the trouble probably indicates I have my own issues, though I'm not as bad as my brother.
At any rate, Father seemed to have finally understood that none of the key figures in the Ducal house in the royal capital would pay him any mind.
Next, Father sent letters to the people who had surrounded him back when he was the Duke.
As expected, not a single reply came.
...Well, some of those houses were utterly crushed by my cheerful brother. Their desire to avoid any connection with our house must have been immense.
If it were just Father, he'd be an easy target to manipulate with flattery, but now they see my brother behind him.
They know that meddling carelessly would bring retaliation many times over.
They wouldn't want to go near that.
He sent letters to everyone he could think of, and the result was not a single reply.
With all his connections gone, Father's demeanor did a complete turnaround from his previous volatility; he became quiet and shut himself in his room.
Did he finally realize he possessed no personal charm or goodwill?
He shut himself in his room, demanding only alcohol.
He even yelled at a servant who suggested he at least eat something, drove them out of his room, and went so far as to lock the door.
And then, as if remembering something, he would knock on my sister's door.
At first, my sister pitied him and humored him.
But the only words that came from Father's alcohol-laden breath were resentful curses aimed at my brother and the Royal Family.
My sister apparently thought, 「Why won't anyone help Father in this terrible state?」
The one who answered that question for her was the maid assigned to her care.
She is the third daughter of a Viscountcy; a noble lady, albeit from a lower-ranking house. Consequently, she received a proper education.
In fact, she is far more accomplished as a 'noble lady' than my sister ever was.
She reportedly took the time to explain to my sister, in great detail, 'exactly what she and Father had done.'
Over and over again, until my sister understood.
Later, I went to thank that maid personally.
What she did was something our family should have done in the first place.
She looked slightly embarrassed and gave a wry smile at my words.
「No... It's nothing deserving of thanks from you, Lord Eduardo. I was simply... angry.」
Angry?
「My family is a Viscountcy that can hardly be called wealthy. Even so, we manage our finances as best we can, somehow administer our small territory—tiny compared to the Duchy—and struggle daily with how to make our citizens' lives more prosperous and how to give ourselves even a little more financial leeway.」
Her family is indeed somewhat impoverished.
The reason is simple.
To put it bluntly, they lack talent for territory management.
Once, the butler consulted me, and I gave some management advice to her family's Viscountcy. The butler came to me because he couldn't stand seeing how terribly they were managing things.
「Even a great noble house like yours, a world apart from ours as the leading Ducal house, has you, Lord Robert, and your mother, all thinking and acting on your respective duties daily, just like the members of my family do.」
Well, I suppose that's true.
While the scale and nature of our affairs differ, fundamentally, it's not so different from her family's situation.
「But the Young Lady and the Master simply enjoyed the results, never involving themselves in the 'process' that led to them. Yet, they spent more money and complained more than anyone else in the Ducal house.」
「So, you're asking, 'Do they understand their own position?'」
When I said that, she nodded with a wry smile.
「It's difficult to say, but... yes. That is exactly it.」
Her family, though struggling, are still 'nobles.'
They haven't forgotten their pride and purpose.
Regardless of rank, they are undoubtedly 'nobles' worthy of respect.
「I'm glad you were by my sister's side.」
I'm glad that she, who understands the meaning of being a 'noble,' was by the side of my sister, who was practically the opposite.
At my words, she made a very graceful curtsy.
「Your words are too kind. I am deeply honored.」
When I told her, 「Your curtsy is very beautiful,」 she blushed slightly, looking embarrassed, and smiled.
She said she practiced very hard for her debutante ball, even though she doesn't attend high-society soirées. Having finished her debut last year, she laughed cheerfully, saying, 「I thought I wouldn't have another chance to show off my curtsy.」
Guided by her, time and time again, my sister gradually began to understand.
What she herself had done wrong.
What was wrong and distorted about Father.
The punishment of a 'one-year ban from the Royal Castle' given by Her Majesty the Queen after the incident at the grand tea party.
She initially thought, 「Why something so severe?」 but came to realize it was actually a very lenient measure, considering what she had done.
Yet, she had sided with Father when he complained about it to Her Majesty.
「It was so foolish and embarrassing...」
My sister spoke in a small voice, her face downcast, her cheeks slightly red with genuine shame.
It seemed this sister of mine had finally reached the starting line as a 'noble lady.'
...It's very late. But, I suppose it's better than never.
「Florence, what do you want to do? Do you want to return to the mansion in the royal capital?」
The way she is now, she could probably live normally in the capital mansion.
「To be honest... I'd rather not... return to the capital...」
Seeing her hesitate, I urged her to continue.
「If I return to the capital mansion, I'll have to participate in society, won't I? Even if I attend tea parties, the other young ladies there will all remember what I was like before...」
Ah... Yeah, I suppose so.
A young lady getting into a brawl at a Royal tea party is unprecedented.
It would be quite difficult to forget the person who did that.
For my sister, social life in the capital would be nothing short of sitting on a bed of nails.
「And also... I don't have the face to meet Mother or Robert...」
...Right.
Regardless of Mother, it's probably best if she doesn't meet our brother.
「Is Robert thinking of using me for political purposes...?」
「No. He isn't.」
Or rather, to be precise, my sister from before was so terrible that she's unusable even if he wanted to.
Using a noble lady for political purposes typically means a marriage of political alliance...
But there aren't many peculiar houses that would want a girl who has incurred the displeasure of Her Majesty the Queen.
In fact, to this day, there hasn't been a single marriage proposal for my sister.
「In that case, I would like to live quietly somewhere away from the royal capital for a while longer.」
「Okay. Understood... Do you have any other requests?」
「Just one... May I take Grace with me?」
Grace was the maid, the third daughter of the Viscountcy.
「That's fine with me, but we should confirm her wishes, right? I'll arrange for a house as soon as possible. Until then, you'll live in the main mansion in the territorial capital.」
「Yes. Thank you.」
As she bowed her head deeply, I thought, 「This is the first time my sister has bowed to me.」
***
Afterward, I prepared a small house on the outskirts of the territorial capital, where my sister now lives with Grace.
I've asked the knights responsible for the capital's security to periodically check on them.
I send her enough money to live without working, but my sister seems to earn pocket money by making lace and doing embroidery.
With the small amount of money she earns day by day, she sent our mother a shawl for her birthday. It was a shawl bought from a clothing store, with embroidery added by my sister.
I heard Mother cried alone in her room after receiving it.
She also seemed to want to send something for our brother's birthday, and I received a letter asking, 「What should I give Robert to make him happy?」 Unfortunately, I don't know either.
I suggested something safe, like an embroidered handkerchief.
As expected, my brother's reaction upon receiving it was very muted, but it seems he kept it rather than throwing it away. I've never seen him use it, though.
I received a set of a tie and a pocket square with a note saying, 「Grace and I chose it together very carefully!」
It was from a high-class store, and unsurprisingly, it didn't feature any of my sister's embroidery.
As a joke, I wrote in my thank-you note, 「No embroidery for me?」 She sent back an indignant reply—「How could I ruin such a fine item with my handiwork!」—along with an embroidered handkerchief.
'Such a fine item,' huh?
Even though it cost less than the cheapest dress my sister used to own.
Feeling happy at how much she'd grown, I told Mother this story.
Mother also smiled happily, gently wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.
***
Since my brother entrusted me with managing the territory, I stay there for a few months each year.
During those times, I frequently checked on my sister.
Every day, she seemed busy but happy, embroidering, making lace, diligently reading books she used to despise, and cooking.
She even served me homemade sweets during my visits.
They were scones, slightly misshapen and unevenly baked, but they had a simple, delicious flavor.
She told me, laughing, that she also gives these sweets to the knights who come by on their patrols.
***
Recently, when my brother's engagement was decided, I wrote to my sister.
I asked if she wanted to attend the family meeting with the Princess and our family.
The reply said, 「I lack the courage to appear before Her Majesty the Queen, so I must apologize, but I will be absent. Please convey my congratulations to Robert.」
Receiving that letter, I thought, *Yeah, that figures,* and simultaneously, *Lucky you, getting to skip it!* ...I thought it from the bottom of my heart.
***
And so, while all this was going through my mind, we arrived at the castle...
For my brother, it's just his workplace, which he visits daily. For Mother, it's probably no longer a place to be nervous about.
But I'm different.
Fundamentally, I have no connection to the castle.
Although I'm the second son of a Ducal house, since my brother inherited the title early, I currently hold virtually no social status.
Taking advantage of that, I hardly ever attend soirées.
The last time I attended a soirée at the castle was... two years ago? No, a year and a half...? It was so long ago I can't quite remember.
While my brother is an aide to the Crown Prince, I've only exchanged words with His Highness a handful of times. And even then, it was just brief greetings.
I've never spoken with Their Majesties.
And, incidentally, not with Her Highness Linalia either.
***
Guided by a castle attendant, we were led to the castle's famed Great Garden.
The garden's greenery stood out vividly against the clear blue sky. The pure white of the castle's Hebel Wing, jutting out largely on one side, was beautiful, creating an overwhelming landscape.
In this Great Garden was an elegantly arranged table setting. Surrounding it were the Royal Guard knights.
The presence of the Guard knights meant that members of the Royal Family would indeed be present here today. Their protection is reserved only for the Royal Family, those with equivalent status, and state guests.
Whoa... I'm really going to meet members of the Royal Family...
We were urged to take our seats, but I couldn't settle down.
I glanced over the table setting. The cloth, cutlery, tea set—all were terrifyingly first-rate.
I mustn't make any mistakes or be careless...
Oh, Sister...
To think you could start a fight in a place like this... I'm almost envious of your nerve...
Suddenly, I thought, *Huh?*
There are three chairs for us. And two other empty seats.
One is probably for Linalia. That leaves one more.
Does that mean only one of Their Majesties, the King or Queen, will be attending?
I felt a slight easing of tension... Not that I wasn't still tense.
Shortly after, an attendant announced, 「Their Highnesses are arriving.」
We stood up, bowed, and waited.
Several sets of footsteps approached and stopped nearby... Wait, who's here!? Attendant, you could have told us that part!
「Everyone, please rise.」
It was a quiet, clear, beautiful voice that perfectly matched the description 'like the ringing of a bell.'
Raising my head, I saw Her Highness Princess Linalia, and one step behind her, His Highness the Crown Prince.
...What a dazzling pair of siblings.
Both have flawlessly refined features. They are tall and slender with long limbs.
The Princess is delicately graceful, and the Crown Prince, while lean, gives no impression of frailty.
Both my brother and I pride ourselves on being reasonably good-looking, but compared to these two, we aren't just overshadowed—we're not even in the same league.
「First, please, your seats.」
At Princess Linalia's words, the maids and attendants moved swiftly, urging us to sit.
In an instant, tea was prepared on the table. The servants of the castle are truly on a different level from those of a single noble house...
「Madam, and Eduardo.」
Addressed by the Crown Prince, Mother and I both bowed our heads slightly. 「Please, raise your heads,」 his voice followed.
「Originally, Her Majesty the Queen... my mother, was supposed to attend, but urgent duties came up. I apologize for having you come all this way only to find one of my parents absent.」
「Not at all, Your Highness. Please, it is no trouble whatsoever.」
Mother replied in a slightly flustered tone and bowed again.
And Your Highness, please don't apologize so casually!
It only makes us feel more obliged!
As Mother bowed, the Prince gave a small laugh and said, 「Please, raise your head.」
Your Highness... you turned eighteen this year, right?
That makes you three years younger than me... And yet you're so composed...
Is this what it means to be 'Royalty'...?
「This is the first time we've had the chance to speak with you both in a setting like this. I am Linalia Floria Belkraine.」
Princess Linalia smiled softly. Mother and I each introduced ourselves briefly.
「This matter was rather sudden, so you must have been surprised.」
Yes. We were.
Extremely surprised.
...Is what I thought, but couldn't say out loud.
「It was surprising even for me, who witnessed the process firsthand. For those who only heard about it afterward, it must have been even more so.」
I was further surprised by the Prince's exasperated words.
Wait,... *What!?*
In front of the Crown Prince!? What were you two doing, Your Highness and Brother!?
「Without any warning, Lina suddenly said to Robert, 'Choose me as your partner,' and within minutes, everything was settled... I was left wondering just what I was witnessing...」
「Will you not bless your sister's new beginning?」
「No, I do think it's auspicious... Both you and Robert were always in such a bad mood whenever marriage proposals came up. It's a relief that will stop.」
Seeing the Prince sigh, I thought, *Ah, as I suspected...*
So, this Princess Linalia is indeed very similar to my brother.
My brother's mood always soured whenever marriage proposals arrived. And it wasn't a 'gradual decline.' It plummeted like a rock.
Seeing him look at the letters from suitors, expressionless, and click his tongue was on a level of scary you genuinely wanted to avoid.
「It's good that Robert has seemed in better spirits lately.」
「Thanks to you.」
As my brother smiled brightly, the Crown Prince let out a small, exasperated breath.
The Prince then looked at Mother and smiled wryly.
「Madam, I have a message from Her Majesty the Queen.」
「What might it be?」
As Mother tilted her head slightly, the Prince first glanced briefly at Princess Linalia beside him.
「Lina has more than enough knowledge, but she is somewhat lacking in 'experience.' Having lived as a Princess until now, she may be unfamiliar with the conduct and common sense of 'a single noble house.' Her Majesty hopes that you, as her 'mother-in-law,' will instruct and guide her in these matters...」
Beside the Crown Prince, Princess Linalia bowed her head and said, 「I look forward to your guidance.」
Mother also bowed her head to the Prince.
「If anything, I am ill-suited to be Her Highness's teacher, but I will do my best.」
Raising her head, Mother smiled wryly and cast her eyes down slightly.
「I failed in educating my own daughter... For me to 'guide someone' seems rather presumptuous...」
「The eldest son you raised has become something of a right hand to me... Would you consider that insufficient?」
He likely said it to lighten Mother's mood. Hearing the Crown Prince's slightly teasing tone, Mother lifted her gaze.
「No, Your Highness... Thank you for your kind words.」
As Mother smiled, the Crown Prince also gave a light laugh.
「And there's no need to be so tense. Lina isn't so different from Robert on the inside. Just think of her as another 'son' rather than a 'daughter.'」
Ah... Confirmed.
If the Crown Prince, who knows them both, says so, then these two really are cut from the same cloth...
Just then, an attendant approached and whispered something in the Crown Prince's ear. The Prince nodded and rose from his chair.
「My apologies, but it seems I must return to my duties. I'm sorry for the haste, especially when you've gone to the trouble of coming. Please, relax and enjoy some tea.」
With those words, the Crown Prince walked back towards the castle.
The four of us who remained—Princess Linalia, my brother, Mother, and I—spent the time enjoying tea and engaging in light conversation.
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