Arc-6 Ch-20

"It seems like we're gaining more supporters. The heirs of the Darland and Arkin houses were interested in our discussion."

"I recall they were lord nobles who were just promoted from quasi-baron to baron right before the war. They should have been in the same advanced class as me at the academy."

"And those eldest sons are in the midst of marriage hunting. Apparently, they were on the same battlefield as me during the war, but honestly, I don't remember."

"I've heard that in fierce battle zones, you often fight shoulder-to-shoulder with allies whose names you don't even know. That kind of connection is important too, so handle it without cutting corners."

"I didn't have time to remember anyone except those I entrusted my back to. But it's annoying when someone doesn't know my name, though the most troublesome is when the other party knows my face one-sidedly."

"That's how it is for most nobles at first. If you don't forget until the next meeting, that's considered excellent."

While Leon reports what he was doing in my absence, I comb through the information in my mind as he brushes my hair.

We've only been acting separately for about ten days, but sharing even minor changes is crucial.

Father's persuasion is tomorrow, and today is the deadline for final preparations.

If there's even a slight chance to increase the odds of persuasion, we should exhaust every possible action.

"Angie."

"Is there anything else?"

"Could you do it yourself soon?"

"I refuse."

"I'm a viscount and a lord, you know."

"Was my husband such a narrow-minded man that he'd refuse his heavily pregnant wife's small request on the basis of status?"

"...I shall perform it with utmost sincerity."

Grumbling in dissatisfaction, Leon resumes brushing my hair. Fundamentally, noble women either brush their own hair or leave it to servants.

Having Leon do it is only because there are no women among those who accompanied us from the Bartfalt territory.

I don't do it myself simply because it's inconvenient with my swollen belly.m

It's certainly not because I'm jealous of Lady Mylene's words.

Yet this man doesn't understand what it means for a member of the opposite sex to brush a woman's hair.

Well, if Leon were sensitive to the subtleties of a woman's heart, he might end up taking every woman who approaches him as a concubine if he's not careful.

I feel reluctant to forcibly restrain his actions when he obediently complies with my wishes.

As long as we always interact with sincerity, our relationship should not sour.

Suddenly, our figures reflected in the airship's window glass, bathed in sunlight, catch my eye.

To others, we appear as a harmonious couple, but what binds us is not love alone.

The darkness surrounding the founding of the Holfort Kingdom, the Redgrave house's schemes, the conflict between the royal family and lord nobles—headache-inducing entanglements are involved.

In the first place, I knew—should have known—that political marriage as a form of union is merely one means to protect the interests of both houses.

For me, who had become somewhat self-destructive after the engagement breakup, to come to genuinely love my fiancé.

Life truly makes it difficult to foresee even a short distance ahead.

What we do tomorrow is the same; completely predicting how it will transform the future of the Holfort Kingdom is impossible.

Acting to create a better future even carries the possibility of drawing the worst outcome.

Belatedly, I find myself terrifying for attempting such a grand undertaking.

"...I received a report from Lady Mylene about the companions. They’ll join us tomorrow morning."

"Understood. We're really doing this, huh."

"I want to exhaust every possible negotiation. Ideally, Father would reconcile with the royal family just with my reform proposal."

"Is there a chance Duke fights the royal family and seizes Angie's plan?"

"It's not zero, but about that level. After all, while similar social mechanisms exist, appointing personnel and operating the organization has no precedent. Rather, the probability is high that he won't show understanding and will head into conflict with the royal family."

I'm aware my proposal has many shortcomings.

I discussed with Lady Mylene and considered potential issues as much as possible, but there are oversights somewhere.

Even if Father agrees, whether it passes parliament is another matter.

Organizing the structure and appointing personnel will take time, and even more months for effects to show.

In the meantime, interference from other countries is inevitable, and deteriorating situations could lead to war with them.

It might go more smoothly to simply repair the royal family's ships. With absolute power, suppressing opposition would suffice. If the so-called magic flute treasured by the Fanoss Principality could be used, it might have resolved everything, but it was destroyed when Olivia and the others subdued the princess.

Thinking that if the flute hadn't been destroyed, Leon on the battlefield might have died, it was the right decision, though.

"Suppose, hypothetically, if the ducal house and royal family go to war, I don't have to side with either, right?"

"I discussed it with Lady Mylene. If the Bartfort house doesn't side with the ducal house when deciding the outcome against the Redgrave house in war, the royal family will overlook it if they win. If Father attacks the Bartfort territory, she said they'd prepare to take us in."

"Can we trust that?"

"I had it in writing, at least. Though the possibility of it being reneged can't be dismissed, and things like territory confiscation or demotion are quite possible. Leon and the Bartfort house's advancement within the kingdom would become impossible from now on."

"Nice. That's preferable."

"Normally, you'd lament that."

Suddenly, I recall the Bartfort house's origins as told by Chancellor Lucas. Leah Bartfalt, once ousted from a leadership position among the kingdom's founders.

Since the founding, that bloodline has been thinly continued in the frontier up to today.

The fact that it wasn't extinguished long ago and has survived despite unjust treatment—is it the Holfort royal family's fear of the true king?

By not destroying the Bartfort house, the Fanoss Principality's invasion was hindered, and now it becomes material to blame past sins. Karma seems to cycle endlessly, troubling descendants forever.

"If Father rejects the reform proposal, refuses reconciliation, and it leads to civil war, what do you think militarily?"

"Neutral nobles and those who dislike the ducal house will definitely side with the royal family. The cash-strapped ones will be furious, thinking they could get leniency with the reform but the duke interfered and canceled it. Lower nobles in the ducal faction are like us, foster children due to the duke's loans, so if money or rewards are prepared, about half might defect or stay neutral. Ducal faction members who agreed to the reform think we're acting on the duke's intentions, so we'll be considerably resented."

"We've become quite the villains, haven't we?"

"Yeah, we'll surely be sent to hell."

"But I don't think the duke wants civil war either."

"I agree on that. But we always need to consider the worst case."

It's been about a year since victory over and annexation of the Fanoss Principality. The Holfort Kingdom's military power can't be said to have returned to pre-invasion levels by any means.

No matter how easily airships can be built with floating stones, those capable of territory defense or enemy subjugation require corresponding costs and time.

Even with reparations from the principality, the treasury has shrunk considerably due to rewards for nobles, to the extent that some regions use confiscated principality airships directly for national defense. If further civil war breaks out from here, no matter which side— the Holfort royal family or the Redgrave ducal house— emerges victorious, the nation's strength will undoubtedly decline.

For the neighboring countries, that moment would be the perfect opportunity to invade; even Father must understand that.

However, even if the throne is usurped without triggering civil war, there will certainly be those who resist, leading to bloodshed.

And if those purged manage to escape and continue lurking for a chance at rebellion, it could become a future source of calamity.

Both nobles and commoners are utterly fed up with the country being further ravaged by war or the shadowy maneuvers of underground organizations.

With the Holfort royal family weakened now, Father must have aimed for the throne to reform the government, but I have to say it's harsh to expect the people's hearts to follow him.

Or perhaps this is a calculated rebellion, understanding that very fact.

I have seen Father's indignation toward His Majesty Roland, who has shown no enthusiasm for politics over the years, and toward His Highness Julius, who selfishly broke off his engagement, countless times.

If I hadn't married a noble other than Leon and had children, I would have wholeheartedly supported Father.

Father has become more forceful, but his stance hasn't changed; it's me who has changed.

"I'm telling you, I don't want Angie to fight against Duke."

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"Angie has a kind father, right? I'll fight if that's what Angie wants, but if it's going to lead to regrets afterward, it's better to call it off."

"Are you doubting my resolve?"

"I can kill people. No matter how much I hate murder, in that moment, I can take a life without hesitation. Even though I didn't know we weren't blood-related, I was able to kill Zola and the others who pretended to be family on the surface. Even if the opponent is a duke and my wife's father, I can fight and take him down. But can Angie kill?"

"…………"

She moves her mouth as if to say something, but no answer comes. Stop Father—if he triggers civil war, I've even considered taking his life.

That was supposed to be the case, yet when pressed by Leon like this, I inevitably hesitate.

I've hurt people before, but I've never taken a life even once.

Leon is asking if I truly have that resolve.

I have it—I've conveyed that resolve countless times. Depending on the outcome of tomorrow's discussion, a father-daughter clash might occur.

I've been acting for nearly a year to prevent that from happening.

"I don't know. I intend to try persuading him until the very end. When Father points a blade at me, I'm not confident I can really fight."

"Then that's fine for Angie. I'll take on the troublesome parts."

"That's..."

Leon's tone was gentle, which conversely made me anxious. Surely, if it came to me and Father clashing, Leon would proactively take on the dirty work. If Father killed Leon, could I resent the ducal house?

If Leon took Father's life, could I love him as before?

I haven't turned a blind eye—I've agonized and thought about it countless times.

Yet still, I remain indecisive, unable to discard either parental affection or marital love.

"I'm used to getting blood on my hands. If Angie is happy, I can accomplish anything."

"I'm making efforts so that you don't have to hurt others any more. If you end up stained with blood because of that, it would be putting the cart before the horse."

"That's no big deal. I have my own ideas, so don't worry."

"What kind of ideas?"

"I can't say that."

Leon's evasive words bother me endlessly.

My husband often acts beyond what I can predict. And because it's a method that doesn't even spare his own life, I can't take my eyes off Leon. The time we've been apart is only about ten days.

I can't possibly believe he could devise a plan to stop the strife between the royal family and the ducal house in such a short period.

"Am I that unreliable?"

"The unreliable one is me, who's always getting help from Angie."

"Truly unreliable people run away from problems. Leon complains out loud but doesn't flee."

"...You're indirectly telling me to watch my mouth."

"You never know who's listening where. You're still unreliable as a lord."

"It's only been about five years since I became a noble."

"Don't sulk like that. I recognize your efforts more than anyone."

When the time comes, I'll have no choice but to steel myself.

No matter how I pile up rationales with words, I despise myself for using my husband as a shield while spouting pretty ideals from a safe distance.

I'm a terrible, wicked wife for exploiting Leon's affection; I'll surely receive fitting retribution someday.

Finally done combing my hair, Leon's fingers stroke my cheek.

That touch feels pleasant, and I can't help but surrender to it.

Perhaps anticipating my thoughts, Leon's fingers gradually expand the area they touch.

He massages my shoulders, and the loosened spot at my neck begins to grow warm.

No good—if this continues, a strange heat will settle in my body.

"Hey."

"What's wrong?"

"What are you doing?"

"Well, I was thinking of relaxing Ange's tension."

"Your touching is lewd."

"Tch."

Leon reluctantly pulls away from me.

That was close—if I had let him have his way, I might have yielded completely.

I shake my head to cool the flush and glare at Leon. He sits on the chair placed in front, perhaps not noticing my gaze.

My thoughts are interrupted, which is irritating, but not enough to interrogate him. He's somehow difficult to deal with. Is Leon good at gauging my tolerance, or am I simply weak to him?

"...How are the children?"

"They're the same as always. They seem lonely without Angie, but Mom and the others are handling it well."

"No night crying?"

"That's fine too. They're just bored without their favorite toy."

"My belly isn't a toy."

"Both of them are looking forward to the little brother or sister that'll be born with Angie. Let's finish this quickly and go home."

"Any changes in the Bartfort territory?"

"Spring is near, so we need to plow the fields and apply base fertilizer soon. Once it warms up, I plan to inspect and repair the sanatorium."

"How much planting this year?"

"For now, half is wheat, that's set. The new farmland will be potatoes and root vegetables that store well. After all, food situations will change drastically once the war ends."

When it comes to family or farm work, Leon becomes unusually talkative as ever.

If he put the same effort into government affairs, my worries would decrease significantly.

Watching the cheerful Leon, Father's scheme to use him feels utterly profane.

At the same time, my foolishness in accepting the engagement with Leon gives me a headache.

Leah Bartfort.

What kind of man was he, and how did he spend his life thinking of the comrades who trapped him?

Did he curse the world in despair and resentment after being usurped by his comrades' betrayal, dying in misery?

Or did he live peaceful, unchanging days in the frontier, devoting himself to adventures or work?

It's unclear if Leon's talents stem from his ancestor. The only certainty is that Leon doesn't desire the throne.

The descendant of the true king, once exiled by his comrades, stopped an enemy nation's invasion.

The descendant of the long-lost first saint discovered a lost divine artifact and protected the kingdom.

It's the kind of fable people would love, making me both laugh and exasperated.

Both the royal family and the ducal house are scheming to use Leon and Olivia's bloodlines to regenerate the war-exhausted kingdom, but I simply can't believe that will solve everything.

The noble system is built on the premise that superior traits are inherited by the descendants of the superior.

By believing that the child of a superior king becomes a superior king, and the child of a superior adventurer becomes a superior adventurer, they delude themselves into thinking they are wonderful beings. As a result of continually piling up such delusions, what has become of the current state of the Holfort Kingdom?

Nobles who place absolute value on bloodline superiority, disdain effort, and can only belittle others. Vermin that lack the spirit to protect the country or the foresight to develop their territories, simply continuing to squander and erode the world.

That describes the majority of the Holfort Kingdom's nobles, and the academy, a microcosm of the kingdom, had turned into a den of iniquity where wicked bloodline-ism was boiled down to its essence.

Certainly, Olivia and Leon possess outstanding talents. But that is not because they inherited the blood of great ancestors.

It is because they themselves are individuals with indomitable fighting spirit who refuse to give up in adversity and spur themselves on.

No matter how superior the blood inherited, if one does not polish oneself, that blood will stagnate.

Even I, during my time at the academy, primarily judged human value based on status.

Thus, when my engagement with His Highness Julius was broken, it was a natural consequence that most people abandoned me without defending me.

If Father believes that incorporating Olivia and Leon's blood into the ducal house would justify rebellion against the royal family, that is a precarious notion.

"Let's handle the fine adjustments after returning to the territory. For now, finalizing the reform proposal comes first."

"Yeah, things have changed a lot on this side too."

I spread out the documents from my bag on the table and scrutinize them one by one.

Leon and I process information at different speeds; I go through them first, then Leon carefully reviews.

The sound of papers rustling flows endlessly, almost like gentle music.

If we find points of doubt, we exchange information, make corrections, and process everything while shutting out all emotions.

When I finish reading the last sheet and check the clock, about two hours have passed.

In front of Leon, about a third of the unread documents remain. Doing nothing would waste time, so I organize the documents Leon has processed. Signatures of supporters, budget plans if implemented, current postwar reconstruction surveys.

I arrange them in an easy-to-read order, align the edges, and bundle them. By the time I'm done, Leon has only a few sheets left unread.

Gazing at Leon's face as he pores over the documents, I suddenly recall the content of a dream I had some time ago. A dream where Leon ascended to the throne and I became queen.

At first, I chuckled bitterly, wondering if I still harbored regrets for the queen's position, but could that have been a kind of revelation?

If the Bartfort bloodline qualifies for kingship, there would be no inconvenience in Leon ascending. Rather, there would be no need for the Redgrave house, which schemes to exploit the Bartfort bloodline. How would Leon feel if he knew about his ancestor?

If he desired the throne, should I support him, or refuse?

I've been involved in developing the Bartfalt territory since our engagement.

Raising funds, managing politics, the thrill of developing the land, and the bitterness of failed policies—these are sensations only rulers can taste. Even with untamed frontier land, this is the case; what would it be like with a large territory or an entire country?

The omnipotent feeling, as if one has become a god, is intoxicatingly sweet enough to drive a person mad. If the ducal house uses the Bartfort blood, there should be no issue with me elevating Leon to king. Obtaining the man I love and the country to rule simultaneously, reigning as queen.

I could do it—such ambition stirs within me.

"Leon."

"Hmm~ , what's up?"

"If you could become king, what would you do?"

Before I realize it, I've uttered outrageous words.

Even thinking it's irretrievable, it's already too late.

Inciting my husband's ambition and desiring the queen's position—I'm the very epitome of a villainess from stories or plays.

A villain who seizes momentary glory but devastates the country and is felled by a hero.

I only now discover for the first time that such a ridiculous desire lurked in my heart.

"Why again?"

"No, it's just idle talk. Don't mind it."

"If you say it out of the blue, it'll bother me."

"...If Father desires the throne, joining the ducal faction might be an option. If Father becomes king, we'd be dukes, at least marquesses. If we play it right, you could even become king. Ruling this country together wouldn't be bad. Such a thought flashed through my mind for a moment."

"Are you serious?"

"I said it's idle talk. I had a childish delusion uncharacteristic of me."

I don't even know why I blurted it out.

Perhaps the queen I saw in my dream appeared that dazzling.

Or, having gained the position as Leon's wife, my lingering attachment to the queen's status has reignited.

Excessive ambition leads to ruin; seeking power even after striking down Father or my brother.

I grit my teeth at the fact that I unwittingly exposed such ugly ambition to Leon.

There's no way Leon, who finds even lordship troublesome, could handle being king.

I wanted to avoid Leon being disillusioned by a single piece of idle talk.

"Does Angie want to be queen?"

"I told you not to take it seriously."

"Well, that wouldn't be bad. If I have a capable queen and retainers, I can push the annoying work onto them and do farm work as much as I want."

"Your ambition upon becoming king is, of all things, that?"

"His current Majesty is the same, isn't he?"

I recall His Majesty Roland's appearance when he showed up while I was attending to Lady Mylene in the inner palace.

Even that was an improvement from when I was engaged to His Highness Julius, but he still started arguing in front of the maids.

They seem to respect each other, but if asked whether I want to be a couple like that with Leon, I'd firmly refuse.

I'm not averse to supporting Leon.

That's because I want to support him myself as he frets over his inadequacies as a lord; I have no intention of babysitting a Leon who lacks motivation from the start and dumps all governance on others.

"Ah, but kings can have multiple concubines, right?"

The moment I hear Leon's words, a burning jealousy surges from the pit of my stomach.

Olivia, Marie, Deirdre, Clarice, and so on.

The faces of the women swarming around Leon in my dream come to mind. I've jokingly told Leon to take concubines or mistresses.

Knowing the dream's content and the Bartfort blood truth, I've even probed whether Olivia or Marie—descendants of the first saint Anne—have feelings for Leon. But hearing those words from Leon himself makes my guts boil. Could I tolerate a king Leon leaving governance to me while keeping women by his side?

"Try taking concubines, and I'll immediately depose and confine you, then enthrone Lionel."

"That's scary. It was a joke."

"There are good jokes and bad jokes."

"Then don't say stupid things either, Angie."

"...Sorry, I was on edge."

"You're tired. Rest a bit. I'll bring sweets and tea, so wait."

Having finished all the documents, Leon stands and leaves the room. I bundle the documents, stuff them into the bag, lean back in the seat, and regret my folly. I can't sort out the feelings in my heart.

Affection for the ducal house, love for Leon, a sense of mission to rebuild the kingdom, ambition for the queen's position.

Every one of them is undoubtedly genuine.

In just one more day, the conclusion of reconciliation between the ducal house and royal family will emerge. Harboring feelings that make me want to flee, I offer a futile prayer that the clock's hands would stop.

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Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

This is Angie's chapter of troubles.

In the original work, Angie persuaded the royal family, ducal house, and academy principal to enthrone Leon, but in this story, she is merely a former ducal lady and wife of a frontier noble.

Having been away from central politics for a period, she is immature in various aspects compared to the original.

The persuasion of the duke will begin shortly.

The chapter title is from Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

She is a villainess who incites her husband to become king, but her charm lies in going mad with guilt over those killed due to love for her husband and ambition.

Addendum: This chapter's illustration was drawn by TAMAMOICE at the requester's request.

Thank you very much.

TAMAMOICE- Pixiv

I would appreciate your opinions and impressions to motivate future work.