The Future of Wellmy
Translated by: ME
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*****
「In my younger years, I was shallow, lacked discernment, and was utterly foolish.」
Master Crates had severed his ties with the Ducal house to become a commoner, only to be betrayed by the shrewd Isabella, who had been an orphan.
(I suppose that's just like Mother,) Wellmy thought, but she felt she could almost admire the sheer skill it took for a commoner to twist both a Duke’s son and the second son of a Count around her finger.
It was a mastery of the darker arts of manipulation, certainly. Wellmy felt conflicted, wondering if her own proactivity was something she had inherited from her mother. After all, to an outsider, she had been doing much the same thing.
「I never imagined I would realize so soon that the House of Lyloud was right to reject her. In the end, though, I believe it was for the best.」
「You always did loathe the idea of inheriting the Dukedom,」 Eides remarked.
Eides and Master Crates were likely separated by nearly a dozen years. Eides and Leo were probably about the same distance apart in age.
Just as Leo was casual with Eides, the same air drifted between Master Crates and Eides, despite their difference in status. It was like a composed older brother and a mischievous younger one.
(Well, seeing the reckless way he left a Ducal house to become a commoner, maybe these three are kindred spirits at heart. Leo looked like he was ready to jump into action himself if Sister hadn't stopped him.)
While she was thinking about these three handsome men—each with a completely different kind of charm—Eides spoke up.
「You have the face of someone thinking something quite rude and detached, Wellmy. But you are the most outrageous one of us all. I suppose that makes you truly Crates's daughter. Isn't that right, Father-in-law?」
Suddenly addressed by Eides, Wellmy scowled. Glancing up, she saw Master Crates wearing a similarly pained expression, as if he’d just bitten into something bitter.
「You're the one who made this such a massive ordeal, Eides! Not me!」
「I would prefer it if you refrained from calling me 'Father-in-law' if possible...」
「You were the one who started it all after the dance, Wellmy. And she is to become my wife, Crates. By our status, there is nothing strange about the address.」
「Even so, Eides. Some things one simply wishes to avoid. It’s quite daunting for the eldest son of a Ducal house who became a commoner to be called that by a Magus Lord, you see?」
While he likely did truly dislike the title, the latter half sounded like banter. Wellmy looked between Master Crates and Eides, her brow furrowing with concern.
「Um, about that...」
「What is it, Wellmy? Using polite speech all of a sudden? Are you putting on an act to beg for something?」
「I-I only slipped into it because you and Master Crates were talking! That's not it... it's about our status...」
Everyone in the room instantly understood what Wellmy was getting at. Since it was all but certain that the Countdom of Ernest would be dissolved, Sister Lola and Wellmy would technically become commoners.
If that happened—even granting a massive exception if her sister wished for it—her becoming Leo's fiancée would be difficult. And for Wellmy to marry into the Marquisate of Ormirage as promised would become an incredibly complicated issue.
Eides’s response to the hesitant Wellmy was perfectly nonchalant.
「We simply need to conclude the marriage before you become a commoner. I’ve already pulled the strings to ensure the Ernest title and territory are temporarily placed under Lady Lola’s custody.」
「What?」
「She is the one most intimately familiar with the management of the land and the organization of the transition documents. Even if the peerage is returned to the Crown, time will be needed to decide whether the Royal Family will manage it or if it will be bestowed upon another lord as a reward.」
For that reason, it seemed Sister Lola would temporarily become the Countess of Ernest. She appeared to have already consented, nodding with a bright smile.
「Once I take over the territory, I’ll just hold the title and get engaged to Leo. That solves everything.」
「Wait, but what about me...?」
If Wellmy was to lose her right of succession due to her bloodline, how would she be handled legally as a relative? Since the legal dissolution of their relationship hadn't been declared, would she simply be engaged as her sister's younger sibling?
When she asked this, Eides let out a deep, exasperated sigh.
「I will recognize you as mine. When I reconciled with the House of Lyloud, they pushed a stray, landless Count’s title onto me. Since there is proof, you should be recognized legally not as an adoptee, but as my biological child.」
「...Master Crates's?」
Wellmy was bewildered; she hadn't expected him to say such a thing. It was true she might be Master Crates's child, but at the same time, she was the child of Isabella. She was the daughter born of the woman who had betrayed him.
「...I truly can't tell if you're overflowing with confidence or if your self-esteem is just incredibly low,」 Master Crates said with a wry smile. He approached Wellmy, knelt down, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
「I was the one who performed the magical wave-pattern identification to see if you were my biological child, and I was the one who took you in and raised you as my disciple. Even if there were no blood connection, did I look like the kind of master who would abandon a beloved and talented student?」
Faced with that question, tears began to well up in Wellmy's eyes again for some reason. Not knowing how to respond, her gaze wandered for a moment before she timidly returned a smile.
「Th-thank you... Father.」
As she whispered the word, Master Crates froze for a second, then broke into a wide grin.
「You know, that isn't half bad.」
「?」
As he let that slip, the others in the room began to chime in one after another.
「She looks just like she did when she used to show us that shy smile, doesn't she, Oleia? ...Oh, how adorable my sister is...」
「Yes, yes, truly. To think we would see Lady Wellmy smile like this again. Right, Mr. Goldray?」
「Indeed. It brings a tear to my eye.」
「She usually wears nothing but that look of looking down on others, but seeing her like this, she really does resemble Lola.」
「It's strange since they aren't related by blood, Your Highness. If only she would always make that kind of face.」
Finally, Eides wore a somewhat sardonic smile, yet he directed a warm gaze toward her.
「My wife is certainly loved by all. It’s no fun if you’re too well-behaved, though, so make sure to act haughty when you’re with me.」
---(Everyone is just saying whatever they want!)
Wellmy looked down, her face turning bright red from the sheer embarrassment. Even so, it wasn't... well, it wasn't a bad feeling at all.
*****
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