HowDeadTL: SS21 The Count's Daughter Wanted to Follow Her Own Way...

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The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way

[The Count's Daughter Wanted to Follow Her Own Way... ]

Translated by: ME

Me's note:

This is the last of the side story, which is listed on the same page as the main story in syosetsu. After this chapter is the Extra Story, which has it's own separate page.

***

I have what you'd call a 'childhood friend.'

Well, that in itself is fine. Most people probably have childhood friends.

The problem boils down to one single point: said childhood friend is, in various ways, a troublesome person.

My family holds a Count title from the kingdom—in other words, we're 'nobles.' And we're what you call 'court nobles,' meaning we don't possess any territory.

Apparently, the family originally rose through commerce and received a title from the kingdom. I say 'apparently' because it seems most of my ancestors were indifferent to the family's origins, so there are almost no records left.

Even if our family has no records, the kingdom does. After investigating those, it seems that's the case.… How irresponsible can a family be…?

Well, that's the kind of lax family we are.

Actually, while we're 'Counts' now, we were only Viscounts until fairly recently. Due to various circumstances, we were promoted to Counts.

I wish we could have stayed with the relaxed vibe of a Viscount…

My mother says similar things.

Once you reach the rank of Count or higher, you're considered a 'high noble.' With that comes increased obligations for ceremonies and such. And that is just so bothersome!

Noble society is anything but elegant; it's nothing more than a stage for messy, convoluted dramas of love and hate. Jealousy, in particular, is terrifying.

Since our family's business is doing well, it seems there's even more envy from those around us.

…Well, our assets *do* surpass those of some less prosperous Marquis houses…

But that's not the only reason for the jealousy.

My father is a close aide to His Majesty the King, and my mother is a school friend of Her Majesty the Queen.

This 'personal connection to the royal couple' gets misinterpreted and causes resentment. In other words, people think our family business is successful because Their Majesties are giving us special treatment…

Things like, [How enviable to be on such familiar terms with such important people.]

But, let me be clear.

Those who say such things are underestimating Their Majesties. Or perhaps they simply don't know Their Majesties' character. If they did, such words should never pass their lips, even if their mouths were torn.

The idea that those two would specially accommodate their friends or acquaintances… is unthinkable.

On the contrary, precisely *because* they are personal acquaintances, they look upon us with an even stricter eye. And if we were to improperly use their names or the like, it wouldn't just be a crime of lèse-majesté; we'd face personal sanctions from Their Majesties themselves before any legal proceedings.

Because they are the ones who administer the law, they absolutely never permit injustice.

They are that kind of people.

Well, it's not that our business receives *no* benefit at all. We do handle products that capitalize on their popularity, among other things.

But that's something any shop does. It's not like we get special autographs or anything.

We just create and sell accessories or designs that evoke their image on our own.

So, the connection between my family and the royal family is only that much.

…Although, having had an audience with both Their Majesties at my age is probably quite rare.

I am currently fifteen years old.

Since women come of age at sixteen, I'm at a reasonable age.

The Crown Prince is two years my senior. So, the few years around his birth saw an increase in noble children. I am squarely part of that 'generation with many children.'

Now, let's return to the beginning—

Because it's a generation with many noble children, I have many friends and acquaintances. Among them are those I've known since early childhood—'childhood friends.'

This is largely influenced by our parents.

Our parents were friends, and on various occasions, we would visit each other's homes… that's how we met and deepened our friendships.

…Well, 'friendships'… haven't really deepened with some of them. Yeah. There are some I'm not particularly close to.

What do you call someone you've 'known since childhood but aren't particularly friendly with'? Can you just lump them all together as 'childhood friends'? …Oh well, whatever.

As I mentioned before, my father is a close aide to the King. There are two other close aides besides my father.

The King's three close aides share a sense of camaraderie and are friends even in private. Therefore, I am childhood friends with the sons and daughters of those respective families.

I have an older brother who is three years my senior, and he gets along very well with the sons of the other aides.

My brother is the type who lives by 'momentum and vibes,' and the son of the Duke of Aristoll finds this amusing and encourages him—while taking zero responsibility. He has a 'wonderful' personality.

The son of the Marquess of Orchard is the one who gently admonishes those two with a smile. Perhaps because his father is a calm man, he too is a always-smiling, affable, and gentle young man.

Besides them, my brother also has a plethora of 'partners-in-crime'—his male cousins on our father's side.

Our father himself was the youngest of three brothers, and these cousins are also all boys. There are five of them. And their personalities are very similar to my brother's. In other words, it's 'Troublesome Person × 5.'

A common trait among my brother and these cousins is that, despite all being highly intelligent, they use their brains exclusively for frivolous things.… Well, sometimes those 'frivolous ideas' bear unexpected fruit, so the adults tend to just watch from the sidelines.

While they are 'my brother and his partners-in-crime,' they are kind to me and the other girls.… Albeit with the caveat, 'for them.'

I'll never forget when all six of them—my brother and the five cousins—gathered and said, [Must be nice having six big brothers, right~?] I couldn't help but reply with a straight face, [Hah!?]

…One is troublesome enough; I don't need them multiplying.

Well, the cousins are troublesome, but since they're commoners, it's okay to treat them roughly. That part is easy.

When the other party is the son of the Duke of Aristoll, his status is incomparably higher. So, even if he's about to do something utterly ridiculous, I'm not even allowed to casually call him out on it.

In that regard, with the cousins, it's perfectly acceptable to whack them on the head with a rolled-up flyer you find nearby. *Thwack!* …Though I do face personal retaliation later.

So, that's the kind of troublesome childhood friends I have.

My status is that of a 'Count's daughter.'

Since it's decided that my brother will inherit the family, I don't have a fixed vision for my future.… The reason my brother is inheriting is that he's said since he was little, [When I grow up, I'll be a merchant like Dad and become the richest person in the country!] It's not due to 'primogeniture' or anything like that. It's simply because my brother wanted to do it himself.

And my parents look at me and say with a wry smile, [You're too nice for business.]

…I don't really think that's true. And also, Dad, your teaching of ['Pluck every coin you can get!'] is kinda questionable… And Mom's ['Don't strip them naked'] is too…

My parents don't 'like money'; they 'like *earning* money.' They're born merchants at heart.

The money they earn, after keeping an amount they deem 'enough to get by,' is invested in factories, artisans, new ventures, or donated to social welfare activities. Thanks to that, our family's reputation among commoners and artisans is excellent.… Even though their personal philosophy is so… unique…

That temperament has been fully inherited by my brother.

As for me, I seem to have inherited the temperament of my grandparents, who weren't very suited for business either.

I dislike causing friction, am always smiling and pleasant to others, am too trusting and easily fooled… That's the assessment from those around me.

My parents have told me, [Just live however you like.]

Although we are nobles, ours is a family that has more interaction with the merchants and artisans who frequent our home than with noble society. I am utterly ignorant of all the intricacies of that world.

Even so, as a Count's daughter, I do receive marriage proposals from families wishing to form ties with ours.

My parents have told me I can decide for myself whether to accept these proposals. They probably screen out families with significant problems beforehand. The prospective partners they've suggested with a ['We have this offer…'] have all been decent people.

The first marriage proposal came when I was six. Well, in noble circles, it's not unusual for engagements to be decided in early childhood.

The higher the rank, the more tendency there is to decide on a fiancé early.

The main reason high nobles choose partners early is usually political. In other cases, if a family runs a special business, there might be a purpose to securing a partner early and having them get accustomed to the family's ways from a young age…

In our family's case, my brother found his own partner. To be precise, he was introduced by the son of the Duke of Aristoll.

She was the daughter of a Viscount family, introduced because [I thought you'd get along.] Three days after meeting, they were laughing together, saying, [So you'll come to our house in the future!] [Sure!]

…As you can probably guess, this future sister-in-law is a 'fun woman.'

She is from the Viscount Heyward family, but this 'Viscount Heyward' title was actually originally held by the Duke of Aristoll.

Apparently, when the Duke's younger brother married and he and his family were to become the territorial administrators, the Duke gave him the title, saying, [You'll need some prestige too.]

Viscount Heyward is a very gentle man, and his wife is also a calm and quiet person. Their daughter, my future sister-in-law, is also always smiling, but she has an extraordinary passion for 'management.'

It seems she originally wanted to succeed her parents and be involved in managing the Aristoll Duchy. But that role fell to her younger brother, so she apparently asked her cousin, the Duke's son, [Do you have any good marriage prospects?]

So, my brother found his match easily, but for me, nothing was decided at all.

Thankfully, there were marriage proposals, and I actually met a few of them in person.

None of them were bad people. In fact, some were so virtuous for nobles that I wanted to ask, [Are you okay!?] …Not that they'd want to hear that from me, who's called 'too nice.'

But, with every person I met, I felt like 'something was missing.'

How should I put it… It's like when you taste a dish that's a bit bland and lacks punch, and when asked for your opinion, you say, [It has a gentle flavor]?

It's not that it's bad. It's just that, personally, I think it would be more delicious with a bit more salt or something… It's a very convenient, polite compliment for such occasions.

The prospective partners I met were, without exception, that kind of person.… Though, to be fair, it was only three people.

After I turned down the third one, and I saw my brother, his cousins, the Duke's son, and the others all smirking together and saying, [Want us to introduce you to someone?] I had an epiphany.

It wasn't that *they* were bland.

It's that the people around me, this bunch who can't simply be described as 'unique,' are just too intense!! I've become completely accustomed to strong flavors… To the point where I perceive normally calm and gentle people as 'bland'…

What a… tragic state of affairs…

But this 'preference for strong flavors' is something cultivated by my environment. If I want to fix it, I'd have to leave home.

Thinking that far, I had a sudden idea.

The option to 'leave home'! That's it, isn't it!? Yeah, that's it!!

I could cut ties with the troublesome noble society (and the childhood friends & cousins), leave home, and live frugally and modestly as a commoner.

Wouldn't that be great!?

And if I happened to meet someone, I could settle down with them… Doesn't that sound wonderful!?

Fortunately, although my family is noble, it's a family devoid of extravagance. Frankly, my commoner cousins live more luxuriously. That's the kind of house it is.

A woman living alone would have its hardships, but that's something all common people do. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to do it.

Thinking 'strike while the iron is hot,' I casually mentioned the idea to my parents.

Even considering how lax my parents are, would they object…? And if they did, how would I persuade them…? I was thinking along those lines, but…

[Yeah, why not? That's one way to live, I suppose.]

…They agreed far too easily.

Only my brother made a fuss, saying, [No way!? Alone? That's absolutely impossible!] What do you mean, 'absolutely impossible'? What's 'absolute' about it?

[But well, a girl living alone will have its difficulties, so make sure you prepare and research properly.]

My mother told me that. Quite right.

So, I decided to start by helping out at a small shop under our family's merchant guild. I kept my status a secret, of course.

The shop manager was a very kind person and seemed to interpret my saying [I want to be independent soon…] as me being a 'girl trying hard not to burden her family.'

Thanks to that, he taught me all sorts of things very earnestly.

With the manager's help, within about a year, I was entrusted with managing the shop alone.

When I asked the manager, [Do you think I can make it on my own?] he laughed and replied, [I think Sharon-chan would be fine anywhere.]

Even if it was lip service, it still made me happy.

Since one comes of age at sixteen, I was making preparations to leave home then.

My mother said, [You should at least experience the debutante ball!] but what's the point if I'm going to renounce my noble status? (And if I did participate, all the preparations and such would be a huge pain.)

My mother's reasoning was, [Go and acquire a lifelong emotional scar!] but that makes me want to go even less!! Why should I willingly go and burden myself with that!?

…Mom, just because you got a little scar at your debutante ball… Don't drag others into it…

Incidentally, my mother's 'emotional scar' is that she fell flat on her face in the middle of the debutante ball hall, in front of everyone. She says people would bring it up for about three years afterwards, like [Ah… that time… (laughs)].

It was spring, I was fifteen. I had decided to skip the debutante ball and was steadily preparing to leave home.

Then, an utterly unexpected situation arose.

A marriage proposal came for me, the first in a very long time.

It seemed to be from a party that was difficult to refuse, and my parents told me, [Just meet them once, at the very least.]

Considering that until now, they'd said, [If you really don't want to, we can refuse on your behalf, but what do you want to do?] this was an unusual event.

Well, just meeting should be fine. I can always refuse afterwards.

If the person was problematic or the family was shady, my parents wouldn't have brought it up in the first place.

Thinking so lightly, I nodded and said, [Well, if it's just a meeting…]

But whether that choice was correct or a mistake…

On the day of the meeting, I realized I hadn't even asked for the other party's name, thinking, [I'm just going to refuse anyway…] I have most noble house names memorized. It's business basics.

Thinking it must be from a family around that level, the kind you can't refuse… I asked my parents for the name.

That's when I ended up hearing a name I never expected.

[It's Edward Macnagan, the next Duke.]

…Huh? The Macnagan Ducal house…? *The* Macnagan Ducal house…?

[I don't know which one you mean, but there's only one 'Macnagan Ducal house' in this country~]

My father laughed carelessly. I chopped him in the solar plexus, and he let out a strange noise, [Guh…!] and doubled over.

But I mean, the Macnagan Ducal house! The family of the current Queen! The one that manages the largest territory in the kingdom! The one with asset levels so overwhelmingly top-tier that no one else can compare! But they never show their faces in social circles, so they're nothing but a mystery, *that* Macnagan Ducal house, right!?

And Edward-sama, the next Duke, is Their Majesties' son, right!?

Wait, why is a marriage proposal coming from someone like that!?

When I said that to my parents, my mother averted her eyes from me for some reason, and my father also looked down, seeming reluctant to speak.

What's with that reaction!?

[Well… Why us? I, I was curious too, so I asked His Majesty…]

You asked His Majesty!? …Well, I guess that makes sense. Since it's His Majesty's son…

And!? What was His Majesty's answer!?

When I pressed my father, he looked down even more reluctantly.

[…Probably… because he thought it would be interesting…]

[What kind of reason is that!!?]

I couldn't help but shout.

It's unbecoming of a noble lady, but at my shout, both my parents nodded and said, [We get it.]

No, it's ["What the heck!?"] right!? 'Interesting'!? Is it really acceptable to propose for such a reason!?

[Well, if it's the Macnagan family, maybe it is…]

My father said with a hollow laugh.

[But, isn't this in line with Sharon's hopes?]

When my mother said that, I couldn't help but tilt my head. 'In line with my hopes'? How?

[You 'want to keep your distance from all the troublesome aspects of noble society,' right? The Macnagan family doesn't do social events.]

…That is true.

That family's 'complete abstinence from all social activities' is famous. And it's thoroughly enforced.

Even Edward-sama, who was adopted into the family and should be of royal bloodline—I don't even know what he looks like. My father has apparently seen him a few times at the castle. My mother murmured nonchalantly, [I've never met him~.]

According to my father, who saw him at the castle, [As expected of his parents' child, he's a sparkling, handsome boy.]

However, this 'sparkling, handsome boy' was apparently climbing a tree in the castle garden and using it to land on a balcony… a completely incomprehensible action.

A person who seemed to be an attendant apparently said to a perplexed knight, [Do you have anything to throw? I'll shoot him down,] in an exasperated tone.

…What kind of person is he…?

[According to Lady Elizabeth, he's a 'Wild Prince.']

A… Wild Prince…?

Not 'natural' or 'pure,' but 'wild'…?

[Well… putting it nicely, he 'doesn't fit the mold.' To be honest, it's more like 'he's scary because you can't understand him'… I guess.]

Eeeeh—!? Is this person okay!?

[No, well, I don't think he's a bad person.… Though he probably isn't a saint either.]

Really!? Are you sure he's okay!?

[If it really seems like it won't work out, I'll ask Lady Elizabeth myself. It's fine.]

My mother said, smiling to reassure me. [Promise!? If it seems absolutely no good, you'll help me!?] I begged her, and then I began preparing for the meeting with nothing but anxiety…

On the day of the meeting, my parents and I waited at the entrance for the ducal carriage.

What arrived was a weathered-looking hired coach, unlike anything you'd expect a ducal family to own.

[Huh, why…?]

It's the ducal family, right? Why a hired coach?

As I was thinking that, I noticed my mother gasping beside me.

[That's… the Incognito Special DX…!]

…Huh? The what??

When I looked at my mother quizzically, my father was looking at her with a similar expression. But my mother just kept staring at the carriage, looking impressed, and didn't answer.

I heard my mother mutter under her breath, [So it still exists, you…] but what language was that?

From the arrived carriage descended the sparkling, handsome boy my father had described.

He's one year older than me, so sixteen. For his age, he gives a mature impression.

His older brother, the Crown Prince, is a sharply handsome man. This Edward-sama seems the complete opposite—a softly featured, sweet-faced handsome man.

[Pleased to meet you. I am Edward Macnagan.]

At his greeting, my father introduced himself first, followed by my mother, and then it was my turn.

[It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Sharon Fluorite.]

Ah, I should have mentioned this sooner. My name is Sharon Fluorite. My mother is Countess Mariebell Fluorite, and my father is Finance Minister Paul Nelson Fluorite.

When I finished my greeting and looked up, my eyes met Edward-sama's perfectly. His sparkling, beautiful green eyes narrowed happily the moment they met mine.

[I've heard all about you. Wow, I'm so glad to finally meet you!]

Huh!? What kind of rumors, and from where!?

I looked at my mother as if to say, [You knew!?] and she smoothly averted her gaze in sync with my movement.

Mom is the culprit!!

Most likely, Mom has been talking about me to Her Majesty the Queen. And that talk reached Edward-sama's ears… leading to this proposal.

Hey, Mom! What have you done!?

My… my plan to leave home at sixteen…

No, not yet! Mom always says the game isn't over until you give up!

There's still a very real possibility this proposal will fall through!

…That's what I hoped, but…

We moved to our family's reception room for the meeting. But the ones doing most of the talking weren't me, but my father and mother.

Why? Because Edward-sama had brought up a proposal for a capital business alliance with the Macnagan Ducal house… as a gift for the marriage meeting.

Something like that! There's no way these two wouldn't bite!!

The workshops and factories owned by the MacNaughton Ducal house produce some of the highest quality goods in the kingdom. And we could freely use several of them! Ah, see! They're both already leaning into this proposal!

…Well played, Edward Macnagan…

And then Edward-sama said, [I'm not really sure, but my mother told me to give you this…] and handed over a letter.

The pure white envelope had the royal crest watermarked on it. The sealing wax was the forbidden deep crimson color, usable only by the royal family.

Trembling, I took it and checked inside. Sure enough, there was a single sheet of pure white stationery.

Very neat, easy-to-read writing was lined up on it. My mother, peeking from the side, nodded and said, [That's Lady Elizabeth's handwriting.]

That beautiful writing said the following:

'To Lady Sharon Fluorite,

I understand that my foolish son is currently visiting you.

What I am about to say is very important, so please keep it firmly in mind.

The concept of 'lèse-majesté' does not exist regarding members of the Macnagan Ducal house.

If Edward does anything out of line, feel free—no, please do not hesitate—to plant a roundhouse kick to the back of his head.

You and the Fluorite County family will not be punished for it under any circumstances.

I repeat.

Do not hold back.

Please utilize every technique at your disposal to deliver a sharp, pointed remark.'

My mother, who was peeking from the side, muttered worriedly, [I wonder if my foot would even reach the back of his head…] but that is absolutely not the issue.

Also, I don't have any 'techniques at my disposal.' I have no knowledge of martial arts whatsoever.

Mom, stop muttering things like ['Maybe up to the chest…? Could I manage that…?'] beside me. I'm not going to kick him. I don't do things like that.

But… what kind of person is Edward-sama, to have his own mother tell someone to 'kick him'…?

Thinking that, I looked across the table, and my eyes met Edward-sama's again.

And just like before, when our eyes met, Edward-sama smiled cheerfully.

But that smile was one full of interest and curiosity, like 'a child who just got a new toy'…

Ahh…

I can hear the footsteps of my 'frugal, modest commoner life' fading into the distance…

Trying to escape my troublesome childhood friends, only to be caught by the most troublesome one of all… There was no way I could have predicted this!

I just wanted to live a peaceful, quiet life…

How did it come to this!?

***

Author's note:

This concludes our story.

Thank you very much for staying with me through this long tale.

And there's one thing I absolutely must say at the end: this story really ends here! There is no continuation! (ME: This is a lie)

Well then, I look forward to the day we may meet again, somewhere.

May fortune favor you all!!

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