Arc-6 Ch-42

"Father!"

"Fatheeer~"

When I entered the room the maid had led me to, Lionel and Ariel ran up to me. Lionel being attached to me was nothing unusual, but it was rare for the usually aloof Ariel to cling to me. Well, considering that we came to an unfamiliar house, that she saw Angie suffering, and that she’s been with a grandfather and uncle she barely knows, this reaction isn’t surprising. Looking closely at the table in the room, I saw candy wrappers scattered all over it. If I remember right, these were sweets sold at a famous shop in the royal capital.

Even for us—the highest-ranking people in the Bartfort territory—they were expensive treats we didn’t get to eat often. The one who would eat such things without hesitation was probably the strong-willed Ariel. Lionel always lost to his sister and came crying to me or Angie. Sitting elegantly on the chairs—clearly a matching set with the expensive table—were the Duke and Gilbert-san.

I sat down on the nearest sofa, and the twins climbed onto me as well. But the Duke, looking at us, seemed a little stiff. Did the twins do something rude while I was gone?

"…How was Angie?"

"She seemed to have calmed down. The baby is coming soon, so I left the rest to the doctor."

"That is good to hear. In preparation for Angie’s childbirth, Father specifically summoned a birthing doctor reputed to be very skilled."

"Thank you very much for your consideration."

"…Hmm。"

"…Is there something you are dissatisfied with?"

"It is about Angie. Is she always like that in the Bartfort territory?"

"Um, meaning—"

"I am asking whether she always yells like she did earlier."

"Ah, that."

The Duke had apparently been quite shocked to see his beloved daughter Angie hurling insults at me. If I recall correctly, in the past there were times when royalty and high-ranking nobles would conduct childbirth publicly to avoid the newborn being switched or kidnapped. That custom faded once husbands and fathers began waiting in another room during childbirth. But during the previous birth, I stayed right beside Angie all the way through. It had been her first childbirth, and with twins—special circumstances that left me no other choice.

"When these two were born, she suffered through labor pains for about half a day. She yelled insults at me far worse than anything she’s ever said during an argument."

"Such as?"

"I cannot tell either of you. If I did, Angie would resent me for life."

"That severe?"

"She squeezed my hand hard enough to leave bruises, and she nearly bit me. Compared to last time, she’s very calm today."

"I can hardly imagine it. In my memory, the only time that child showed disgrace in public was during the incident with His Highness’s annulment."

"Father, that only proves how much Angie trusts him."

No, does Angie really trust me? I never knew what Angie was like as a ducal lady living in the capital, so I’m not sure. Usually she’s a perfectly composed good wife and wise mother—no openings at all. She only speaks her true feelings when it’s just the two of us, but she says some pretty harsh things very frankly, and the more we talk, the more my heart gets worn down. Back when I holed up in the separate residence and lived alone, she treated me with a bit more respect as the Viscount Bartfort. Everywhere we go, people say that the husband of a duchess-born wife is completely powerless against her, and they’re not wrong.

"It seems Father had quite a hard time with Angei’s attitude and with being disliked by the grandchildren."

"Indeed."

"You need not say unnecessary things, Gilbert. It is no serious matter."

"Oh? But Father was the one desperately trying to soothe the two crying children with sweets, was he not?"

"It is not as though I want to be disliked."

Well, it can’t be helped. My father, who lives with us in the frontier, is miles apart from the Duke, who lives in the capital. Of course the twins are more attached to Dad. Also, Dad looks like a homey middle-aged farmer, while the Duke is clearly a dignified, imposing noble at first glance.

There’s no doubt which one children would cling to. Even now, the twins won’t let go of my trouser legs. Still, it was hard to imagine the Duke giving sweets to his grandchildren.

"You seem to have made up with Angie."

"I’m not sure. She only scolded me one-sidedly."

"Hey now. After causing such a commotion, don’t tell me you plan on divorcing her?"

"I picked a fight with the ducal house. If Angie decides she can’t continue a marriage with a husband who caused trouble with her family—even though it was a political marriage—I can’t blame her."

"So you mean Angie is not satisfactory as a wife?"

Ah, Gilbert-san looks a little angry.

The Duke’s gaze is sharp too—clearly displeased.

"Of course not. You could search the entire kingdom and still find only a handful of women who could stand beside Angie. Only the Saint or the Queen, perhaps."

"Indeed."

"She’s far too good for me. So good that I’m not sure I deserve to be her husband."

"Then why say it would be fine to separate?"

"I don’t want to separate from Angie. But if she could be happier that way, I’m prepared to accept it."

"After all that happened, what brought on such a change of heart?"

"Because I can’t make Angie a queen or a prince’s fiancée."

"……What are you trying to say?"

"I simply learned the real reason Angie married into the Bartfort house."

The Duke and Gilbert-san’s expressions darkened slightly. I only learned about my ancestor a few days ago. If I had known the Duke’s intentions from the beginning—or if I had realized the truth—who knows what I would have done. I dislike thinking in terms of “what if” or “if only I had chosen differently.” But it’s certain that things would have changed.

"Did you hear it from Angie?"

"No. But Angie apologized. She said she was sorry for deceiving me."

"Then from whom? Very few know that information. Either someone of the royal family told you… or it is because you are a descendant of Bartfort."

"All that’s been passed down in the Bartfort family is that our ancestor was acquainted with a king. The details—aside from the darkest parts—were told to me by His Majesty Roland."

"You met him!?"

Well, of course they’d be shocked. A mere viscount like me being personally told a secret by the King is unbelievable. He didn’t tell me the royal family’s deep dark secrets, but he explained the broad outline. If not for that, I would’ve died without knowing why the ducal house married Angie to me. In that regard, I suppose I should thank that damn king.

"He told me in a tavern in the castle town. It seems my ancestor played quite a role in founding this kingdom, being a companion of the first king and the first saint."

"He was more than just a companion. Leah Bartfort was meant to be the ruler of this kingdom. But through the schemes of all except the first saint, he was driven from that seat, ended his life in the frontier, and his descendants survived as virtual commoners."

"That’s what I heard. Well, being told all that about my ancestor now just leaves me unsure how to react."

"You bear no grudge against the royal house?"

"I don’t feel strongly enough about my ancestor or the royal family to hold a grudge. There are almost no stories passed down, and no one in the Bartfort family believes any of it."

"…When you rose through the ranks by unprecedented promotion through war merit, I felt it was fate. A perfect chance given by God to condemn the king who ignores the kingdom and the foolish Holfort royal family who annulled Angie’s engagement.'

"I did not survive the battlefield for your revenge. But I do thank you for giving me the chance to marry Angie and become a father. Thank you very much."

Even if there were all sorts of motives involved, being able to marry Angie is the greatest happiness of my life. Even if Angie had been ordered to do something by the Duke, the fact that I am still alive now is undoubtedly thanks to how hard Angir worked.

So if Angie truly wishes to return to the ducal house, then I should grant that for her sake.

I really hate it, though. If I were to divorce Angie, I would hate it so much I would probably cry and throw a tantrum.

"After meeting that foolish king, how did you feel? Did you not think it would have been better to side with the Redgrave family instead?"

"He really was an infuriating bastard. I got so genuinely pissed off that I punched him once."

"…Wait, wait wait wait! What did you just say?"

"I got so genuinely pissed off that I punched him once."

"You punched him!? You punched Roland!?"

"He swung at me first. Ah, I had him write a written oath beforehand, so I don’t think I'll be charged."

"Is that really the issue here!?"

"Prince Julius was there too, so I think he’ll cover for me. And if worst comes to worst, I'll ask Her Majesty the Queen and get pardoned in exchange for a promotion."

"…………I now fully understand why Angie admonished us. It certainly does seem difficult to tame you."

"Is that so."

The one who asked for no-holds-barred behavior was him. He couldn’t talk back and lost his temper, so when that old man took a swing at me, I simply fought back. I hate fights and disputes, but that doesn’t mean I won’t defend myself.

I simply brush things off as long as it doesn’t disadvantage me. But if someone harms something important to me, I won’t show mercy.

Leaving that useless king as he was felt like it would jeopardize the kingdom’s future, so I hit him. Half of it was genuine anger, and the other half was to wake him up. The rest isn’t my problem. Hopefully the next king will be one of the more decent princes.

"How exactly did you hit him?"

"He came at me drunk, so I countered. He fell over and started a nosebleed, so I panicked and ran away."

"I see, no, well done!"

The Duke clapped his hands happily while laughing. If you served a king like that for years, you’d naturally build up a lot of resentment.

He is serious by nature, so he can say noble-like sarcasm, but he can’t and won’t do something direct like I did. All that pent-up dissatisfaction piled up until it nearly exploded into a civil war.

Yeah, forcing yourself to be a noble really isn't good. I want to retire soon and enjoy a carefree old age.

"Was it just one punch?"

"Rest assured, it was only one."

"That's no good. You should have stomped on his face while you were at it."

"Father."

"Let me say this much. My son-in-law did something I had always wanted to do."

The Duke seems delighted; it looks like he has now truly acknowledged me as worthy of being his son-in-law. Well, even if my father-in-law the Duke accepts me, I still don’t know how Angie herself feels about me. Political marriages are such a pain. But rushing headlong into love like my older brother and Dorothea is dangerous too.

Noble status is fundamentally incompatible with me. And yet they’re talking about raising me from viscount to earl soon?

No way, idiot. Spare me.

"Then let me ask again. Even after knowing your origins and the stupidity of the royal family, you still harbor no rebellious intent?"

"…………I am sorry. After all, it is impossible for me."

"…I see."

"My loyalty is not to His Majesty personally, nor to the royal family. It’s just that these little ones are more important to me than my own life."

I answered as I stroked the heads of Lionel and Ariel, who were playing at my feet. After taking a wife and having children, I finally came to understand what ordinary happiness feels like.

For the sake of protecting my family, I will do anything I can. But becoming a noble and a lord inevitably comes with responsibility.

There used to be countless corrupt nobles who didn’t care how many commoners died for their own luxuries and pleasure. Because of them, national strength declined, and with the war against the Fanoss Principality added on top, the kingdom fell apart. Even if I were to seize the throne under these conditions, it would only delay the recovery further.

More than anything, someone like me, raised practically as a commoner, is an oddity as a noble. Kids who start as common foot soldiers who kill and get killed so easily on the battlefield, then survive by luck, become unit commanders, and then nobles—those barely exist in the kingdom’s history outside of times of chaos.

A normal noble only deals with their army’s commanders and knights; soldiers are disposable tools to them. But to me, they’re comrades who help protect the Bartfort territory, and essential residents for its future development. During the war with the Fanoss Principality, even our territorial soldiers had war casualties. At the joint memorial service the Saintess attended, I was once again confronted with the number of bereaved families and the depth of their sorrow. Had anything been even slightly different, I would have been one of the dead, and Angie and the others would have been left grieving. And that would still have been fortunate compared to the alternative: if the Fanoss Principality had won, my whole family might have been reduced to slaves or even killed.

I hate fighting with others. I hate war even more.

So if something can be resolved peacefully, I want to do so as much as possible.

But there are times when I must stain my own hands to protect my family and my territory.

My opposition to the Redgrave family’s rebellion was simply the result of thinking from the perspective of a lord’s interests.

It doesn’t mean I approve of the Holfort royal family’s misrule.

"My wish is not to rise in rank. My wish is for my children to live peacefully until they reach the same age I am now, and become parents themselves."

"And power is necessary to secure that peace."

"The Holfort Kingdom absorbed the Fanoss Principality and expanded its territory. But it will take decades before the former principality's people fully integrate into the kingdom.

It will be our children’s generation, or perhaps our grandchildren’s generation, before they truly become usable as citizens of the kingdom.

You cannot take lightly the grudges and resentments that have accumulated since the time the principality was formed."

"Mmm…"

Only someone who actually stood on the battlefield and fought life-or-death against the forces of the Principality can understand the subtleties of this.

There are certainly former citizens of the Principality who despise me as the “Vilainous Knight” and are thinking of taking revenge because I killed their family.

The only thing that can soften such anger and sorrow is the passage of time; if you suppress them by force, they will only rebel.

Please, spare us from civil wars or new conflicts until the exhausted Holfort Kingdom can recover.

"It seems highly likely that the Voldenova Holy Magic Empire has a large stockpile of Lost Items. If we recklessly throw the country into disorder, we will be the ones exploited."

"Is that information from the royal family?"

"It is from a source I possess independently from the royal family. He is a dangerous fellow, but the credibility is quite high. In addition, it is suspected that the remnants of the Lady’s Forest, who kidnapped Angie and the others, are connected to the Rachel Holy Kingdom.

It is unwise to take on two countries at this point."

"So you are telling me to overlook the royal family?"

"Because they have an alliance with the Lepart United Kingdom, which is Her Majesty the Queen’s homeland, they cannot act rashly either.

It will take decades, or possibly hundreds of years, before the Alzer Republic recovers and restores its magic-stone production. It will be enough if we win the war that occurs then. You cannot win even a winnable war without the proper groundwork."

I do not know how closely Sphere’s information matches this world. But it is true that the neighboring countries are watching for an opening in the Holfort Kingdom. Unlike me, the Duke and Gilbert received the education of great nobles since childhood and possess broad vision and extensive knowledge. That is precisely why they hesitate.

People who possess power that influences the nation, people who possess broad vision, people who possess vast knowledge. Such people think too deeply, and from the options before them they become unable to tell which is the best move, and their thoughts become stalled. On the battlefield, a simple plan devised by an idiot can overturn the strategy of a brilliant tactician.

After all, I am the living proof of that.

"I understand your reasoning. We shall also devote ourselves to the kingdom’s recovery for the time being."

"Thank you very much."

"But it is truly a pity. Had you been born into a high noble house, His Highness Julius would surely have refrained from that foolish annulment. If Leah Bartfalt had ascended the throne, you may have ruled as king.

At the very least, compared to that foolish king, you possess far more pride and sense of responsibility befitting a noble."

"No, it seems His Majesty, in his own way, also tried to protect the kingdom."

Why do I have to mediate between the Duke and that old man?

But for the kingdom to be at peace, reconciliation between the royal family and the ducal family is absolutely necessary. I hate it, I really hate it, I really really hate it. The Duke was right, I should have stomped on his face with all my strength.

"He apparently tried to go to the front lines and command several times, but Her Majesty the Queen and his close aides stopped him.

I cannot verify if it is true, but at the very least he is not a coward who would flee alone."

"Calling that a virtue is something that applies only to frontline commanders at best.

It is not the conduct expected of a king, who stands as the supreme commander of the state."

Right, I think so too.

I will keep quiet about how I put on a flashy costume like an idiot, called myself the “Masked Knight,” and rampaged across the battlefield.

If the Duke heard that, he might start a rebellion again. Stories and plays depict kings racing across battlefields like that, but those are fantasies, and that is why they are fine.

"Lord Bartfort, let me give you a warning as well.

Those in positions of responsibility must survive to the very end. Even if you must sacrifice subordinates and drink muddy water, dying is absolutely unacceptable."

"Is that advice from you as my father-in-law?"

"No. It is remonstration from one who stands as the head of a family, as the commander of an army."

"I will listen."

"If the leader dies first, who then will take responsibility after a defeat?

The punishment of the family, the safety of the people, the future of the territory. These are all borne by the lord. If you intend to use your life as a bargaining chip, the lord must never die until the end."

"If I can protect my family and territory by being killed, then it is a cheap trade."

"No, you must not die. Struggling and surviving until the end is the duty of a lord. Know that this is not cowardice, but the responsibility of a noble."

"Thank you very much, I will engrave that deeply in my heart."

No, I don’t want to die either.

I don’t, but as the ordinary man I am, there are walls I cannot overcome no matter how hard I try.

So I simply gather information, run around, and choose the best strategy to win. From the outside it only looks like I want to die, that’s all. As for me, I act because I see a chance of victory.

Trust me just a little more.

"In the forthcoming rewards, you will be raised to the rank of earl, which means your involvement with the court will inevitably increase. If you do not learn at least a bit of courtly maneuvering, it will continue to be difficult for you."

"Can the promotion not be rescinded?"

"Give it up. If you are not promoted, the rewards of others will be reduced, even though those rewards are already scarce. For both the kingdom and the nobility, your promotion is already decided."

Ah, I do not want to rise in rank. Please, don’t promote me. No matter how much power increases, the responsibility and obligations do not balance it out. The ducal house is enthusiastic about my advancement, and the royal family clearly intends to use me skillfully.

Running away might actually be better. Maybe my ancestors felt the same way and let themselves be exiled on purpose?

"They say that position shapes the person. Once you become an earl, you cannot behave recklessly. Leaving you free to act is something neither we nor the royal family can allow."

"Angie complained that you always resort to extreme methods. She tends to bottle up her dissatisfaction, so make sure you reconcile properly."

"She says whatever she wants in front of me, though."

"These past few days she has been especially irritable. She was so frustrated that you did not visit that she did not even try to hide her displeasure."

"According to Cordelia, she read your letters several times a day to soothe her boredom. She loves you far more than you think. Refrain from causing unnecessary worry."

I feel like my father-in-law and brother-in-law have been scolding me non-stop. It seems they recognized me after that incident, but now they no longer hold back in conversation.

Is this what I will face every time I visit the royal capital from now on? I want to go home to Bartfort territory.

"And one more thing."

"Is there still something?"

"I understand that you are young, but moderate yourself a bit."

"Eight children from your legal wife is simply too many. Consider Angie’s burden."

"……Yes."

He said it. The way they corner me with such logical precision truly proves they are Angie’s father and brother. Is this all my fault?

Doesn’t Angie share some of the responsibility here too?

The room fell silent with a subtle atmosphere. The twins looked sleepy from having stuffed themselves with sweets. I do not know how long Angie’s delivery will take. At times like this, a man can only wait. I thought I heard something.

After a moment, hurried noises began outside the door. As I steeled myself, the door slowly opened.

A maid close to Angie entered with a delighted expression.

"Congratulations on the birth."

Without even responding, I grabbed Lionel and Ariel under my arms and ran. I felt so happy I thought I would go insane.

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Authors Note

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With this, reconciliation with the ducal house has finally been fully achieved. The Redgrave family is portrayed rather humorously in the comic versions, but that is omitted this time. Unlike the original novel and the otome game, in this story Marie and the others do not study abroad, and instead war seems unlikely to occur.

Luxion is a reliable partner, but his existence is also the cause of many disturbances. Leon, who could not become the Master, will not become king, but seems headed for a life with lighter mental strain (compared to our standards).

Postscript: At the client’s request, illustrator Robota has drawn an illustration for us.

Thank you very much.

Robota: Pixiv (Adult content warning)

I would be grateful to receive your thoughts or impressions, as they will encourage me in the future.