Arc-5 Ch-4

 My hazy consciousness gradually awakens to the sensation of someone groping my body. There’s only one person who would dare to do such a thing to me.

Knowing that I rarely refuse, they repeat this behavior. What a troublesome fellow, I think, as I savor the boundary between dream and reality. Normally, I can wake up in the morning without needing someone else’s help, but today, the lingering drowsiness feels unusually pleasant.

Why is my body so indulgent in this languor? As I ponder hazily, yesterday’s memories slowly resurface. That’s right—I was captured by sky pirates and rescued thanks to the tireless efforts of Leon and the others. After returning to the mansion, I stayed in my bedroom, resting my body.

It wasn’t just physical exhaustion; the mental strain had kept me confined to bed, ending the day without leaving it. On top of being in mortal danger, I’m pregnant. It’s no wonder I fell into such a deep sleep in an effort to recover.

As I think this, a certain realization dawns on me.

Didn’t we sleep in the same bed last night—not just the two of us, but all four of us, parents and children?

Even so, showing such intimate affection as a couple in front of the children first thing in the morning would be bad for their upbringing. Leon is a good father, but he has a tendency to demand a bit too much when it comes to our marital intimacy.

He uses the fact that I rarely refuse as an excuse to seek even closer contact. As a wife, being desired by my husband doesn’t feel bad, but I’d rather he spared me this fervor in the morning. Besides, the places he’s been touching since earlier feel oddly off.

Usually, he’d caress my lips or neck, but today he’s targeting my nose and ears. And it’s not gentle stroking—it’s tugging and pinching, devoid of tenderness or affection.

Suppressing my rising irritation, I open my eyes to find a pair of crimson eyes staring back at me.

“…”

“…”

“What are you two doing?”

Two golden-haired, red-eyed children are pawing at my face.

Lionel Fou Bartfort.

Ariel Fou Bartfort.

Needless to say, they’re my and Leon’s children. These twins, bold enough to toy with their mother’s face, are quite fearless. Normally, they refrain from such mischief in my presence, but today, it seems they couldn’t hold back.

We usually keep our bedroom separate from the children’s, but the past two days, they were caught up in the incident and nearly separated from their mother forever. As a mother, allowing a bit of indulgence shows my capacity for love, though I draw the line at them playing with my face.

“Lionel, Ariel. Go play with your father instead. I’m going to sleep a bit more.”

“Ehh!”

“Noo!”

Ignoring my refusal, the twins cling to me even more. It’s a bit tiring, but it doesn’t feel bad. This kind of hassle is something only the living can experience. I shift my gaze to the bed and notice that it’s just the three of us—Leon is nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s your father?”

“Dunno.”

“He’s gone.”

Their lisping voices inform me of Leon’s absence. He usually wakes up later than me, yet when I need him, he’s nowhere to be found—a bad habit of my husband’s. I wonder, if there were a Leon who was sensitive to a woman’s heart, flawless in lineage, and unscarred, would he still choose me as his wife?

I don’t think I’d feel much affection for such a man. In the end, it’s my weakness as a woman to have fallen for such a clumsy man. A relationship where a slightly unreliable husband is supported by his wife suits us just fine. I stretch slowly, easing my stiffness, tie up my hair, and slip on indoor clothes.

Glancing at the clock, I realize it’s already time for breakfast. I need to head to the dining hall soon. Just as I’m about to lift the children off the bed, Leon enters the bedroom without knocking.

“You’re up?”

“Yes. Why didn’t you wake me?”

“I’m not so insensitive as to wake my soundly sleeping wife.”

“Everyone will worry if I’m not there. The kidnapping incident has already delayed work enough.”

“That’s just my love for looking after my wife and kids.”

“The real problem is you not being here when I wake up. It makes me anxious, wondering if something’s happened.”

I approach Leon, sitting on the bed, and hug him, lightly pressing my lips to his cheek. He returns the gesture.

“No kiss on the lips?”

“I’ll refrain in front of the children. Even in a family, there’s a need for propriety.”

“Tch.”

I stroke Leon’s hair as he clicks his tongue, savoring this moment from the bottom of my heart. When I was kidnapped, I thought I’d never experience such happiness again. As the wife of a lord, I must prioritize the interests of the territory and the lives of its people over my personal feelings.

That’s the duty required to lead as a noble. From the moment I was born into the Redgrave ducal house, the Holfort royal family, and the Holfort Kingdom, I had no freedom of choice. I was forced to be a cog in their machine from the moment I came into existence.

Yet, straying from that path led me to unexpected happiness. Until today, I believed that happiness would continue unchanged. But reality is not so kind. Two wars with the Fanoss Principality and now this kidnapping incident. Even a remote territory cannot afford to let its guard down.

The world is full of nations, and with them come conflicts between states. To protect my happiness, I must resolve the problems facing the Holfort Kingdom. To prevent further conflict, I must do what I can.

Fulfilling my duties is my way of resisting the harshness of the world. So, at least in this moment, let me savor this happiness. Surrounded by my beloved husband and children, I pray to God with all my heart.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After entrusting the work of the Bartfort territory to Leon, I began compiling documents in the study. Leon tried to stop me, saying I should rest, but I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. Rather than lying in bed to shake off the fear from the kidnapping, keeping my hands and mind busy is a better distraction.

Having corresponded with Lady Mylene several times, I had already prepared much of the groundwork, so it wasn’t too burdensome. Some time after lunch, five men visited the mansion. Leading them was Julius Rafa Holfort, the first prince.

Jilk Fia Marmoria.

Chris Fia Arclight.

Greg Fou Seberg.

Brad Fou Field.

The so-called five heroes of the Holfort Kingdom themselves. Jenna, Finley, and other young people in the mansion rushed to the entrance to catch a glimpse, but I didn’t stop them. I didn’t want to add to my workload, and more importantly, I wasn’t sure how to face them in public.

Those five, along with Olivia, changed my life dramatically. The good and the bad are too numerous to count. Even if I try to stay composed, I fear I’d falter somewhere. Perhaps understanding my feelings, Leon took on the task of hosting them. While Leon handled them, I gathered the necessary documents and waited at my desk.

After a few knocks, the door opened, and they entered the study one by one. I greeted them politely.

“Are you well, Angelica?”

“Yes. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts in our rescue.”

“If anything feels off, don’t hesitate to tell us. We have a skilled physician on our ship, one who has served as a royal doctor.”

“I’m sorry to have caused you concern.”

Prince Julius spoke on behalf of the group. His tone was gentle, and I could feel his genuine concern for me. I responded with sincerity, matching his courtesy. Even if it was mere formality, the atmosphere remained cordial as everyone took their seats. The study felt a bit cramped with me, Leon, and the five of them.

I had suggested this meeting take place here. The crew on His Highness’s airship, many from noble families loyal to the crown, could potentially leak information. Conversely, I couldn’t guarantee there weren’t spies in the ducal house either, so I deliberately chose the Bartfort residence.

The more you try to hide a secret meeting, the more attention it draws. Meeting under the guise of simple hospitality is less suspicious. Leon brewed tea, served it to everyone, and drank his own cup first. To minimize interference, the lord himself acted as both server and poison tester. Once everyone had sipped their tea, I began the discussion.

“Let me thank you again for your efforts in our rescue. I’m endlessly grateful to be alive and able to hold my children again.”

“I’ll add my thanks. It’s because of you all that I could save my family and Angie.”

We bowed deeply in gratitude. Even if they were once adversaries, they undeniably worked hard for our sake. The past cannot be undone, but I’ll use any means necessary to improve the present. History is full of examples of former enemies joining hands.

“No need to dwell on it. A lot of our involvement was just part of the job.”

“Who’d have thought the remnants of the Forest of Ladies were connected to Bartfort?”

“It just shows how deep-rooted this issue is for the kingdom.”

“We can only chip away at it bit by bit.”

“Let’s leave that topic there. That’s not the main focus today.”

Each offered their thoughts, but Prince Julius steered the conversation back on track. Time is finite; wasting it makes solvable problems harder to address. I handed out the proposal I had personally written to the five of them. Using a printer would’ve been easier, but writing it by hand and reviewing it helps catch mistakes that might otherwise go unnoticed. With so few people involved in this plan, rushing forward with errors could be disastrous.

“This is just a draft. Lady Mylene and Olivia are providing information, and adjustments to the direction or figures will likely be made.”

“Julius mentioned that the queen is leading reforms for the kingdom. What exactly are you planning?”

“The kingdom’s issues stem from long-standing policy failures and an overreliance on precedent. Changing them overnight is impossible.”

“So, what’s the plan?”

“What’s the worst situation we’re facing right now?”

Leon and the five furrowed their brows, deep in thought. Though they once acted as a unit, they now hold different roles. First, they needed to voice their concerns and align their perspectives.

“Worsening public safety. It’s not as bad as before, but sky pirate attacks are increasing. While corrupt nobles colluding with them have decreased, small-scale, spontaneous pirate crimes are on the rise.”

“There’s a severe shortage of manpower. Some are even illegally entering dungeons controlled by the royal family to make quick profits.”

“The atmosphere near the borders is getting tense. The Alzer Republic’s internal conflicts led to the occupation of the Fanoss Principality.”

“It’s not just manpower—budgets are tight too. Funds are needed for war reparations, reconstruction, and resupply.”

“The court’s movements are suspicious. Tensions between the royal family and the ducal house are surfacing, and opposing factions block decisions.”

“The borderlands are no different. Some nobles are considering siding with the ducal house over the royal family. Worse, there are those who might betray the kingdom to foreign powers, like Marquis Frampton did.”

Their opinions accurately reflected the kingdom’s dire situation. Solving all these issues simultaneously is impossible. That said, these problems aren’t entirely unrelated. They’re deeply interconnected, and addressing them one by one is the only way forward.

“Public safety, manpower shortages, diplomatic failures, lack of funds, factional disputes, and central-local conflicts. That about sums it up.”

“How do we tackle this? I don’t even know where to start.”

“It’s not that complicated. The problems seem complex, but they’re surprisingly simple.”

“How so?”

“The root of the current issues is that the Holfort Kingdom—no, the royal family’s power—is weakening.”

“After annexing the Fanoss Principality and treating the Alzer Republic as a vassal, the kingdom’s territory and assets have actually increased. The problem is the lack of personnel to manage this rapid expansion. Overzealously purging nobles who sided with the principality or rebelled during the last war was a mistake.”

“That was necessary. Letting traitors go would’ve undermined the royal family’s authority.”

As a member of the royal family, Prince Julius must feel conflicted.The Redgrave ducal house, including my father, fueled distrust in the royal family. My father was particularly furious about the royal family’s approval of my broken engagement with His Highness and the power struggles with Marquis Frampton’s faction.

I, too, harbored resentment toward the royal family, so I didn’t intervene.

“The personnel lost in the war and the nobles and soldiers who died were replaced with those who earned merits. That was the right choice. The issue is that many of those newly ennobled lack the knowledge of estate management or finance, and the number of replacements was insufficient.”

“What’s with that look?”

Leon glares at me, as if I’m accusing him. In truth, people like Leon, who rose through war merits or adventuring achievements, are the origin of the kingdom’s nobility. Before the full-scale war with the Fanoss Principality, the number of such ennoblements had significantly decreased, though it never stopped entirely.

The problem is that many of these new nobles severely lack the knowledge needed for pioneering, management, or finance. Estate management isn’t something mastered by reading books alone. It requires both knowledge and experience, or it remains mere theory.

To escape the hassle of managing the territories granted by the royal family, the lord delegates practical affairs to a deputy and spends their days indulging in luxury in the capital. The local deputy, taking advantage of the lord's absence, imposes excessive taxes on the people to line their own pockets. Thus, the kingdom was slowly walking the path of decline.

Granting titles or lands as rewards to those who distinguished themselves in the previous war and this one would only repeat the same cycle. Leon succeeded because he received support from the ducal house through our engagement and had the determination to fulfill his duties as a lord.

There must be many newly risen nobles who, having achieved success, wish to build a solid foundation. The reform plan I have in mind aims to capitalize on this trend.

"Forcing personnel allocation without proper planning will only cause chaos on the ground. Training talent requires time and money. For the time being, we should relax recruitment restrictions to find talent from outside the establishment while simultaneously implementing financial policies to stimulate the economy."

"Will that actually work?"

"Honestly, it's uncertain. My proposal is virtually unprecedented in the kingdom's history. It might succeed, or it might fail."

"That's a rather shaky proposal."

"Are you saying you won't cooperate unless it's guaranteed? That's your prerogative. But even if we rack our brains for the best solution, time is finite. Day by day, the ducal house grows stronger, and the royal family's power wanes. By the time a policy is decided, you might find yourself surrounded by hostile factions, unable to reform or even protect your own life."

"Mm…"

I know my response is harsh, but with the royal family and the ducal house locked in a power struggle, time is running out. My father is concerned about the kingdom's future. This stems from his sense of duty as a noble and as the head of the ducal house, not from a desire to usurp the throne or fulfill personal ambitions.

If I explain it logically, I believe I can persuade him. Ironically, the war with the Fanaus Duchy led to many nobles being punished, reducing their numbers. Even my father, the duke, His Majesty Roland, and Lady Mylene feared backlash from the nobles. With proper groundwork, it’s possible to sway the council and enforce policies.

Of course, doing so would provoke backlash from nobles across the kingdom, so neither the royal family nor the ducal house would likely take that route.

"Let me explain step by step. The most urgent issue in the kingdom right now is the labor shortage. Various departments are understaffed, causing delays in work. To address this, we need to overhaul the recruitment framework."

"Won’t there be people who, out of jealousy, obstruct the promotions of their predecessors or subordinates?"

"I’d like to say ignore them, but such issues will inevitably arise. To mitigate resistance, spread word of Olivia’s accomplishments in every possible setting. Create a culture that encourages expanding talent recruitment."

Olivia’s fame is becoming a new value system for the people of the Holfort Kingdom, replacing the image of adventurers. A commoner’s daughter who attended the academy as a special student, was recognized as a saint by the temple, and saved the kingdom in its time of crisis. Anyone involved in governance must acknowledge her competence, whether they like it or not.

Those who object would have to prove themselves by leading the charge and defeating enemy generals in a crisis, as she did. High-ranking nobles who once looked down on lower nobles or commoners must now prove their own worth, or they risk swift dismissal or demotion.

The kingdom is filled with resentment that those born into wealthy families yet perform worse than commoners have no right to noble status. If mishandled, this could spark riots, but if used wisely, even the elites will have no choice but to agree.

"Prioritize talent recruitment for the relief of new nobles, especially territorial lords."

"Wait, shouldn’t we prioritize the capital? Focusing on territorial lords won’t benefit the kingdom."

"It’s to suppress rebellion and simultaneously boost industry."

"Boost industry?"

"The kingdom has neglected territorial lords too much. While treason cannot be excused, prioritizing the capital and neglecting or misunderstanding the regions has undeniably weakened the royal family’s influence."

"Indeed, after the last war, I patrolled the frontiers to deal with sky pirates, and many areas were in ruins."

"Tax revenue from devastated territories is low. Harsh policies to extract taxes from the people only hasten decline. Above all, it’s the primary cause of talent shortages."

"Is it really necessary to go that far?"

"Olivia was born to a commoner family in the frontier. If we hadn’t discovered such a talent, the war’s outcome would have been reversed, and the Holfort Kingdom would be a vassal state of the Fanoss Duchy. Many lords deliberately impose low wages and heavy labor on commoners to keep them uneducated. Such territories are often poorly managed."

"So, send talent to frontier lords."

"Not to strengthen the royal family or central nobles’ control, but to raise the overall economic and living standards. Activating industries creates a flow of goods and currency, naturally increasing tax revenue. Enriching the people ultimately strengthens the nation."

My experience working with Leon on developing the Bartfort territory broadened my perspective. No matter how loudly we advocate for reform in the capital, it’s the local lords who govern. They have strong attachments to their lands. The Holfort Kingdom’s system essentially has large lords subjugating smaller ones, and the royal family controlling the large lords through military might.

The war with the Fanoss Duchy reduced the royal family’s military power, causing cracks in their control and leading to nobles defecting. A new kind of power is needed, not military might—economic power. That’s what I’ve come to feel through managing the Bartfort territory.

I’m surprised how much my thinking has changed from when I believed that, as queen, I’d strip nobles of their lands in exchange for privileges to strengthen royal authority.

"But there’s a problem."

Jilk raises an objection to my plan, as expected from him. Among the five, Jilk is the most politically astute. Raised as a foster brother to Prince Julius to serve as his close aide, he’s skilled in schemes and strategies. During the fiasco of my broken engagement with His Highness, he played me perfectly, making a fool of myself.

Honestly, I despise this man. But his loyalty to the royal family and affection for Olivia are genuine, so I tolerate him. I’ve heard he’s grown since then, so I must take his objections as constructive criticism, not mere complaints.

"Even if we send personnel, the kingdom’s budget is limited. I handle tasks in the capital, and even with reparations from the former duchy, most of the budget is spent on rewards for nobles. Starting new projects with a reduced budget will be challenging."

"Indeed, I’ve considered that."

"Then why?"

"I have a plan for that."

I place a stack of heavily revised papers on the table. This is the most critical part of my plan to rebuild the Holfort Kingdom.

"This document outlines my draft for kingdom reform. Judge it after reading it."

I sip my tea to soothe my throat. Now it’s up to them to decide. This draft was written through repeated correspondence with Lady Mylene. Even if they don’t agree, Lady Mylene is determined to implement it by royal decree. However, many nobles will likely object. Persuading them requires the fame and achievements of the kingdom’s heroes. Regardless of how this meeting turns out, I’m prepared.

Whether they agree or oppose, I’ll do what must be done. Leon, sitting beside me, looks at me anxiously. Don’t make that face—it ruins the taste of the tea. I wait, savoring the second cup of tea Leon brewed, for the five to reach a conclusion.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

"I’m honestly baffled. Will this solve anything?"

"I don’t know. It’s a first attempt. Even if implemented, it might not yield results."

"No guarantees?"

"Similar systems exist in various territories. I’ve confirmed they exist in the lands your families govern."

"So, the kingdom will lead what’s already in the territories."

"Exactly. But it’s akin to launching a new project with the kingdom’s budget. Expect pushback from all sides."

"You’re using the kingdom’s budget?"

"Lady Mylene plans to secure funds by selling royal assets and reallocating royal stipends."

"Thorough, isn’t it?"

"You’ll be tasked with persuading the nobles—both territorial and court nobles. That’s all I ask."

"Wait, Angelica. If you want our cooperation, we’ll need to share responsibility."

"Lady Mylene intends to take full responsibility for this policy to shield His Majesty and His Highness from repercussions if it fails."

Lady Mylene is prepared to bear all blame, treating me as merely the drafter. Even if this becomes national policy, I can’t guarantee its success. It could be laughed off as misguided or fail for being too far ahead of its time. If it produces no results and is abandoned, I’d understand. But it’s certain that the old ways have reached their limit.

The kingdom’s system of granting lands and autonomy to nobles is at its breaking point. Radical change risks chaos, but without gradual reform, the Holfort Kingdom will soon perish. I understand Lady Mylene’s reluctance to involve her husband or children in such a gamble.

"…There are too many uncertainties. It feels like there are countless holes we’re overlooking."

"Indeed. I revised this draft multiple times with Lady Mylene’s input. This is my best attempt at improvement given the current situation. You, being in the frontiers, know the numbers and conditions better. If you have alternatives, speak freely."

"…"

No counterarguments, huh? Well, this is just a national governance theory from a lord’s wife who’s only been involved in territory management during her pregnancy. It’s no surprise that those closer to the kingdom’s core wouldn’t easily agree. I didn’t expect their support to come easily.

"Honestly, when I heard this plan with Mother, I was skeptical. It’d be great if it works, but failure could be catastrophic."

"Your concerns are valid. I myself think the success rate is low."

"How low?"

"About thirty percent, optimistically, assuming no interference from other nations or uprisings from dissatisfied nobles or citizens."

"…As a royal and as an individual, I can’t fully support this. If it fails, Mother will be forced to step back from politics, and the Holfort royal family will become puppets of the nobles."

That’s unavoidable. Lady Mylene’s influence is the main reason the Holfort royal family still maintains its dignity as the head of state. His Majesty has little interest in governance, and other princes or relatives prioritize ties with influential nobles. As an outsider from the Lepart United Kingdom, Lady Mylene could govern from a near-neutral stance amid court factionalism.

But neutrality is fragile. Keeping everyone at arm’s length means few will help in a crisis. If her relationship with His Majesty were stronger, she might push through as queen, but their cold marriage makes that unlikely.

"Besides, your actions are puzzling. What do you hope to gain by seemingly betraying the ducal house?"

"Simply, we can’t afford the losses from a war-torn land. Is that answer unsatisfactory?"

"Yes. If you were just a frontier lord’s wife, we could dismiss it as political ignorance. We’d listen if it were a good plan. But you’re the duke’s daughter and Prince Julius’s former fiancée. We’re not naïve enough to trust you blindly despite our history."

"I understand."

"What’s most terrifying is if this plan fails. Who rises after the royal family’s authority collapses? Undoubtedly, Duke Redgrave. To me, this looks like an elaborate trap."

"You think I’d go to such lengths to set a trap?"

"Why not propose this to the duke? If the royal family implements it and problems arise, you could demand their withdrawal. Then, the ducal house executes an improved version, earning praise from nobles and citizens alike. It’s the perfect pretext to topple the old regime and establish a new one."

I can’t outright deny it’s a conspiracy. Lately, my father has been forging ties with many nobles, and his influence may soon rival the royal family’s. If he condemns the royal family’s failures then, many nobles would likely support him. The war has weakened the royal family’s power. Resisting could spark a civil war, further devastating the kingdom.

"We don’t want civil war or foreign interference. People want peace, and that requires cooperation beyond factions."

"You expect us to trust vassals of the ducal house?"

"We just want to resolve this peacefully. If Father ascends the throne and brings peace, there’s no need to stop him. But right now, it would cause chaos and invite foreign intervention. We don’t want to disrupt the hard-won peace."

It’s hopeless. Our positions are too far apart. No matter how much I explain, without earning their trust emotionally, we can’t cooperate. Without the heroes’ endorsement, this plan’s success rate drops below half. The worst outcome could follow. This is my lack of virtue, not anyone’s fault.

For now, I’ll hand over the documents and leave it to them. Even if they won’t follow me, they’ll obey Lady Mylene’s orders. As mental fatigue makes me slightly reckless, a black shadow covers my vision.

It’s Leon. Before I can ask what he’s doing, he speaks.

"Let’s duel, Your Highness."

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

Political Turn Begins

Angelica’s ideas aim to address the flaws of the feudal system and promote industrial reform to improve the kingdom’s structure. Her specific plan is still a secret. It draws inspiration from the political transitions of the French Revolution, Napoleonic France, Industrial Revolution-era Britain, and pre-Independence War America, so those familiar with world history might guess the answer.

Note: At the client’s request, illustrations were drawn by Fendai-sama and KA Sasagi-sama. Thank you very much.

Fendai-sama: Pixiv  

KA Sasagi-sama: Pixiv  

I’d appreciate any feedback or opinions to motivate future work.

T/N - Last Wednesday & Friday updates delayed because I couldn't access the site . Now everything fixed so here 3 chapters in total. Sorry!