Arc-7 Ch-06

Having time to spare and allowing it to slip away unused is, in a sense, the ultimate luxury. Few people realize this from childhood, and those who do are exceedingly rare.

I was one of those rare individuals.

Born into the Redgrave ducal house, I was subjected to a Queen education from the moment I became aware of the world around me. As the future queen and a fiancée to the prince, my days were filled with relentless training. They were so crowded with obligations that the word “busy” was wholly inadequate to describe them.

All of that collapsed in an instant due to the prince’s selfish actions. It felt as though my entire life up to that point had been denied. There were countless moments when I indulged in fantasies of destroying the Holfort royal family altogether.

Although various schemes were at work on both sides, involving the ducal house and the royal family alike, the efforts I had poured into my role were ultimately rewarded by a marriage proposal that appeared abruptly after the engagement was dissolved.

Given that my accumulated knowledge later contributed to the development of the Bartfort territory, I can now say that those years were not wasted.

The world is often thrown into chaos by irrational disasters and the fickle hearts of people. Yet, at times, it also seems to extend mercy to those who continue to walk a righteous path.

Thus, waiting with our children for my husband’s return is, in a sense, nothing more than an ordinary family scene. Even though our house ranks among the highest noble families in the kingdom, counted from the top rather than the bottom, that fact does not change.

The departure time from the mansion had been determined in advance, taking Leon and the others’ arrival into consideration. Even so, sitting idly in the airport waiting room gave me the strange sensation that I was wasting time.

Leah was not in the waiting room but had gone to the adjacent feudal army facility to observe their training. Roxanne and Melanie were passing the time with several books they had brought from the mansion. Only the youngest, Dylan, remained by my side. Overcome by boredom, he had been drifting in and out of sleep for some time.

I glanced at the clock once again. It was nearly the scheduled arrival time, yet there had been no word. Although sky-pirate raids had almost been eradicated in the Bartfort territory over the past several years, the possibility of an unforeseen incident could never be dismissed entirely.

Click.

The door opened, and a black-haired boy entered the room. His appearance bore such a striking resemblance to Leon at the time of our first meeting that I felt a momentary sense of déjà vu.

Yet upon closer inspection, the differences between him and Leon were unmistakable. 

It was absurd, utterly absurd, to feel unsettled by seeing traces of my husband in my own son. It was nothing short of unseemly.

“…Leah, wait here quietly.”

“Waiting without doing anything is boring.”

“If you find it boring, then abandoning your duty to watch over your younger brother and sisters would be an act of extreme arrogance. Nobles are not granted freedom. We are merely those who have been entrusted with power by our lord precisely because we protect the people.”

“But I can’t sit still because Father is coming home…”

“Then all the more reason to wait calmly. Consider how your father would view such capricious behavior before you act.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Though she appeared dissatisfied, Leah nodded obediently and followed my instruction. Leah Fou Bartfort, the second son of the Earl of Bartfort, was the child who had inherited Leon’s blood most strongly. The second daughter, Melanie, also possessed black hair and black eyes, but among the boys, only Leah shared those traits.

That said, resemblance in appearance did not necessarily imply similarity in temperament. Even father and son could be entirely different. Such was the nature of the world.

Compared to Leon, who could sometimes appear gloomy, Leah was lively in disposition. Following the eldest daughter, Ariel, he was the second most troublesome child and a frequent source of concern.

Confidence was admirable, but when it exceeded its bounds, it easily became arrogance.

Leon and I did not raise our children with particular strictness. Even so, the only one who quietly devoted himself to the academic studies and refined behavior expected of a noble was the eldest son, Lionel.

Ariel and Leah were too energetic to comply calmly. Roxanne studied diligently but exhibited a distinctly utilitarian mindset. Melanie showed indifference to anything that failed to capture her interest. Dylan, still young, had a personality yet to fully take shape.

Perhaps my own diligence and emphasis on courtesy were traits I acquired later in life. Watching the children often reminded me of my own impatient youth.

It was only after becoming a parent that I truly understood the importance of education. In the first place, did any child in the world grow exactly as their parents wished?

Child-rearing could rightly be considered a challenge comparable to combat or governance.

As I grew weary of idly passing the time, noisy sounds and voices began drifting in through the window. It seemed our lord had returned.

I clapped my hands lightly, and the children, each previously absorbed in their own pursuits, immediately focused their attention on me.

“Let us go. We must greet your father.”

At my words, the children hurried to prepare themselves. Only Dylan, still heavy with sleep, kept his eyes half-closed. Left with no other option, I picked him up and waited for a servant to be summoned. At six years old, he had grown considerably, and his weight was already more than my slender arms could comfortably bear.

By the time I managed to rouse him, someone entered the room to inform us that preparations were complete.

I responded with as much dignity as possible, then led the children toward a corner of the airport. I returned the salutes of several dozen feudal soldiers with a nod and proceeded to the designated waiting area.

The three children other than Dylan, who was holding my hand, followed behind. Considerable effort had gone into instilling in them the conduct befitting noble sons and daughters on such occasions. After waiting briefly in a corner of the airport that offered a clear view of the sky, a black dot appeared against the vivid blue.

As time passed, the dot gradually expanded, slowly taking on the familiar silhouette of an airship until it grew large enough to dominate the heavens. Soon, the airship hovering above the airport began its descent and landed smoothly without producing any loud noise.

When the folding gangway opened, several feudal soldiers descended first to secure the area. After them, the ruler of both the airship and the Bartfort territory surveyed those gathered below, as though gazing down upon them.

Leon’s dignified bearing radiated an authority that was in no way inferior to that of the highest power in the land. Suddenly, the image of Leon at the time of our first meeting resurfaced in my mind.

When my father first proposed my marriage to Leon, he had looked like a man half-dead, wounded both physically and spiritually.

That man was now Earl Bartfort, the most highly regarded among the new nobles ennobled for their achievements in the war against the former Principality of Fanoss.

Nearly twenty years had passed since the boy who resolved to enlist in the kingdom’s army departed from his impoverished baronial house. Approximately seventeen years had passed since our marriage. The years that led us to this day had by no means been smooth.

We encountered countless unforeseen difficulties, worried desperately, relied on the help of others when necessary, and advanced one step at a time. By fortune, those efforts eventually bore fruit. Others judged only the results, paying no attention to the blood, sweat, and tears shed along the way.

I felt a faint irritation toward those who knew nothing of our struggles. Only those who had shared Leon’s joys and sorrows truly understood who he was. As long as we understood Leon correctly, that alone was sufficient. Feeling a naturally rising respect for him, I slowly lowered my head. The sounds that reached my ears were likely those of the others bowing to Leon in turn after me.

“Your distinguished service in the capital this time has been most commendable, my lord.”

“You have done well. However, it is the achievements of my wife, who served as acting lord in my absence, that deserve the greatest praise.”

“I am honored by your kind words.”

I could not help but smile bitterly at the exaggerated, theatrical exchange. Leon was likely feeling the same. As the territory developed, the number of people gathering here continued to increase. Among them were inevitably those with ill intentions, as well as those who prioritized personal gain. Such public displays were important rituals for nobles, intended precisely to keep such individuals in check.

In order to survive within noble society, acts of intimidation and public events or luxuries designed to promote the circulation of wealth were regarded as necessary expenses.

However, extravagance rooted in personal indulgences such as gluttony or lust was condemned as behavior that would ultimately lead to ruin.

In both cases, money was being spent. Yet because the intent differed, one was accepted as the natural conduct of a noble, while the other was denounced as villainy.

The ways of the world were truly strange, filled with invisible boundaries.

Such deliberately ostentatious displays of power were little more than performance until we boarded the carriage. Once we returned to the mansion, noble or commoner alike, the household would be no different. It would simply be a peaceful family.

Two carriages had been prepared. Ordinarily, it was customary for Leon and me to ride together. However, the children who had remained in the territory began clamoring to ride with Leon.

The sight was endearing, yet allowing them to fuss in front of the feudal soldiers and servants was somewhat improper. As their mother, it was only right for me to yield.

“Lionel, Ariel. You will ride in the same carriage as me. There are many things we need to discuss.”

“Understood.”

“…………”

While Lionel nodded obediently, Ariel remained silent and sullen. Leon boarded one of the carriages, followed by Roxanne and then Melanie.

Just as Leah was about to board last, a black shadow darted past us.

“I want to go with Father!”

The high-pitched voice belonged unmistakably to Ariel.

“Hey, wait, big sister!? It’s supposed to be me going with Father!”

“Be quiet and yield already. You’ll have time with Father soon, won’t you?”

“You’re the same, big sister! You were with Father on the airship the entire time, weren’t you!?”

“Leah, you lack the gentleness expected of a noble son in showing kindness to ladies. At this rate, you will never be popular with women throughout your life.”

“Big sister doesn’t even have a fiancé yet!”

“Shut up, be quiet, idiot. Come on, hurry and depart already.”

Just as I was about to intervene, Ariel commanded the coachman to set off. Her decisiveness left my judgment dulled and my reaction delayed. The ability to act without hesitation—even in ways unbecoming of a lady—when sensing danger to oneself is indeed a quality necessary for an excellent noble wife.

It is, yet in this situation, such action was utterly inappropriate. No matter how it was viewed, her behavior was far too overbearing.

She had chosen this course simply to avoid being lectured by me during the brief ride back to the mansion. The recklessness of my daughter, acting without consideration for consequences, gave me a headache.

“There is nothing to be done. Let us proceed in the other carriage.”

I boarded the remaining carriage along with Lionel, Leah, and Dylan. By some ironic twist—perhaps divine providence—Leon ended up surrounded by the daughters, while I was surrounded by the sons. I had intended to keep an eye on someone like Roxanne, skilled at coaxing others, to ensure she did not make unreasonable demands of Leon. Yet, thanks to Ariel’s unilateral decision, the seating had turned out otherwise. In truth, I had wished to ride in the same carriage as Leon. I would make him compensate for this oversight later, once we returned to the mansion.

After boarding, I seated young Dylan beside me, with Lionel and Leah opposite. The carriage door closed, and with a gentle vibration, the scenery began to shift slowly.

“Welcome back, Lionel. How was life at the academy?”

“I am home, Mother. For the time being, I believe I have reached a passing standard as the heir of the Bartfort family.”

Lionel bowed as he spoke, then retrieved two letters from his breast pocket and handed them to me. The letters were addressed “To the Guardian of a Student Enrolled at the Royal Academy.” The seals had already been broken, likely because he and Leon had checked the contents together with the others before returning home. I took the letters and carefully traced each word with my finger, reading thoroughly. The interior of the carriage was filled with a heavy atmosphere. After confirming every word, I tucked the letters into my pocket and exhaled slowly. Sending Ariel in the other carriage had indeed been a mistake.

“I have read them. I am relieved to see that you maintained your diligence in the upper classes without slacking even in the capital. Continue your studies without becoming complacent.”

“Thank you very much.”

“However, the concern lies with Ariel. Her grades are nearly average in the regular classes, but her conduct is poor—that was my first impression. Is Ariel truly such a problem child?”

“No, she has not engaged in disruptive behavior, such as defying instructors or skipping classes without permission. On the contrary, she is unusually enthusiastic in practical lessons and receives high praise from the instructors. It is simply…”

“Simply?”

“She voices her opinions openly and without hesitation on matters she finds objectionable, regardless of whether the other party is an instructor, a dormitory supervisor, or a senior student.”

“…………”

“If it were mere selfishness, I could reprimand her, but most of the time, she protests because the other party is at fault—such as favoring specific students or misusing their position for personal gain. While others remain silent and obedient, Ariel alone raises her voice in protest.”

“…I see.”

“Therefore, I cannot suppress her. In fact, many students are grateful to Ariel, so I cannot openly reprimand her either.”

“Does Ariel herself not cause trouble for others?”

“The main victim is me.”

“I understand. I will speak to her later.”

As I barely managed to speak, my headache worsened. In the past, I too had been quick-tempered, emphasizing discipline and morality loudly. It seems Ariel inherited that temperament from me. It may be easy to dismiss this as youth, yet the thought of my daughter repeating mistakes I once made is far from comforting. After all, Ariel is the same age I was when my engagement to His Highness Julius—no, the former Highness—was broken off.

It is only natural for a mother to wish to shield her child from suffering a painful failure that could leave a lasting scar.

“Big brother has it rough, huh. Well, that just means things are easier for me.”

“What are you saying so carelessly? The foolish actions of an elder brother or sister can shake the lives of their parents or younger siblings. You too will enter the academy in a few years, so you must not take the matter lightly.”

“But Mother, I have no intention of attending the academy. I want to train as a knight rather than study.”

“I will not permit you to refuse enrollment. Even if you aim to become a knight, academic studies are indispensable.”

Ariel is one problem, but the second son, Leah, presents another. Among noble sons, Leah shows unusually little interest in titles or court ranks. Instead, he is obsessed with piloting armor and carving a name for himself as a knight.

Perhaps because he bears the strongest resemblance to Leon, he constantly attempts to emulate his father’s life. He has slipped out of the mansion multiple times to linger at the training grounds. I have repeatedly scolded him for prioritizing martial and firearms training over academics, but the effect has been limited.

I trembled with concern that one day he might, like Leon, leave home without informing his parents and enlist in the army.

“Father learned only the bare minimum from Grandfather and Uncle, yet he still commanded a unit and eventually became an earl.”

“Leah, how many times must I tell you before you understand that your father is an exceptional case among exceptions?”

“But Father, who left home and joined the kingdom army, holds a higher title than Uncle, who attended the academy.”

“It is true that your father did not attend the academy. That does not mean he was completely uneducated. It was precisely because he devoted himself wholeheartedly to study after enlisting that he was entrusted with command and achieved military merit. I will not allow you to use your father’s path as an excuse to neglect your own studies.”

“…………”

Leah wore a dissatisfied expression, but he seemed to recognize his error.

To begin with, even after leaving home, enlisting, and eventually being ennobled, Leon sought knowledge across many fields through self-study.

When the marriage proposal with Leon was arranged and I visited the Bartfort territory, my duties included developing the territory, managing Leon’s health, and raising him into a proper noble.

I could not allow Leah to use Leon—who had struggled but never shirked his responsibilities—as an excuse to neglect his own studies.

“Lionel, Leah. Listen well, both of you. Whether as a feudal lord or a commander, martial prowess and knowledge are necessary. However, what is required of a leader is neither ‘being the wisest’ nor ‘being the strongest.’”

“Then what exactly is it?”

“It is the ability to listen to others, make sound judgments, and, if a mistake is made, atone for it even at the cost of one’s life.”

In a small organization, a shortage of personnel may require the leader to fulfill multiple roles. As the organization grows, human relationships become more complex and disputes multiply. Conflicts over interests and positions are inevitable.

A leader does not require merely wisdom or strength. True leadership lies in mediating disputes, evaluating the abilities of others, and assigning them to the most suitable roles.

It is common for a hero of exceptional ability to be mediocre as a ruler, for the required skills are entirely different.

Certainly, Leon is intelligent and possesses extraordinary military talent, yet from my perspective, his abilities as a feudal lord are not particularly remarkable.

It is regrettable that, had he been born into a high-ranking noble family where enlisting in the army was unnecessary, he would not have had to struggle so much.

Seeing my sons, who know nothing of Leon’s hardships and judge their father not as a mediocre feudal lord but as an excellent tactician, fills me with frustration. 

“No military high command would entrust command to a fool. Feudal soldiers follow their lord’s orders, yet how many soldiers in this world would accept dying for the commands of a foolish lord? You may have an interest in military studies, but your thinking is far too shortsighted.”

“But with big brother here, there is no need for me to study what is required of the heir.”

“That thinking is premature. If something were to happen to your father or brother, you would inherit the Bartfort feudal territory. Countless houses have lost their head or heir to war, disaster, or plague. It is the mindset of a noble to act in preparation for such contingencies.”

“…It’s a hassle.”

“To begin with, someone who neglects his studies, abandons the duty of looking after his younger sisters and brother that I entrusted to him, and sneaks out of the mansion—your belief that such a person can become a good knight is hardly fitting. Failing to understand a superior’s orders and shirking one’s duties is conduct unworthy of a knight. When we return to the mansion, you will reflect deeply on your actions.”

“…………”

“Your reply?”

“…Understood.”

“Good.”

After urging Leah to reflect, a sigh escaped me unbidden. Why is child-rearing so utterly incapable of going according to a parent’s wishes?

Continuing the roles of both good wife and wise mother is extraordinarily difficult. There are times when I feel it would be easier to simply bind my children with force and fear.

Yet I have seen, with my own eyes, numerous corrupt nobles who, clinging to mistaken notions of privilege derived from noble blood, became sources of internal strife and external threat.

I recall that such people once existed even within the Bartfort house and, outrageously, attempted to harm me and my children.

At that time, it was unreasonable to expect Lionel, who was still too young to remember, or Leah, who was still in my womb, to recall those events.

In the end, the most effective method of education—even if indirect—is to repeatedly offer sermon-like admonitions whenever the children seem likely to stray from the proper path.

I have observed commoner mothers scolding their children loudly on many occasions.

I had thought I would never behave that way, yet now, as a mother, finding myself acting similarly is almost disheartening.

Truly, child-rearing is a matter in which nothing proceeds as desired.

As I felt the carriage sway, I idly pondered such thoughts until we returned to the mansion.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After a family dinner, gathered together for the first time in a long while, Leon and I were scheduled to provide a brief progress report in the office. There was no work that required immediate attention on the day of our return, yet constant preparation for unforeseen problems is a duty of the feudal lord.

“…………”

“Do not make your dissatisfaction so obvious.”

“No, come on. I just got home today. Why must I start working immediately after dinner?”

“It is only a simple report on the issues that accumulated in your absence. Decisions can wait until later. Nothing is of high urgency, so rest assured.”

“Lady Angelica, no matter how I look at it, there is nothing reassuring about this.”

“The reports have been summarized to the key points only. With your judgment, Leon, you should understand them sufficiently.”

“No, that is not the issue…”

“Tomorrow, you will receive detailed reports and approve matters requiring the feudal lord’s decision. The day after, there is a meeting with key figures from the merchants’ guild. We have scheduled an inspection of the feudal army soon, so prepare for a dinner with your brother-in-law as well.”

“I left the feudal matters to you, Angie.”

“I have advanced matters as far as my judgment allows. The rest will be completed with your decisions. It will proceed more smoothly if you act promptly rather than delay.”

“It is such a bother. It would be more reliable if you handled it at your discretion.”

Leon’s gestures as he spoke were uncannily similar to those of our sons. I could not help but sigh at the realization that my husband’s personality had been inherited by his children.

Earlier that day, I had lectured Lionel and Leah on the duties of a noble and the qualities required of a feudal lord, yet the person in question—Leon himself—behaved in this very manner.

The current situation—that he bears various responsibilities beyond the duties of a feudal lord and that I assist him to the best of my ability—is a secret known only to us as husband and wife.

I have no dissatisfaction with Leon trusting me to govern the feudal territory in his absence. Yet relying too heavily on me while neglecting even the minimum duties is placing the cart before the horse.

“The one who rules this land is not Lady Angelica Fou Bartfort, but Earl Leon Fou Bartfort. Although I am entrusted with acting as feudal lord during your absence, once you return, I must serve and follow your instructions.”

“Everyone thinks we have come this far thanks to you, Angie, so it is fine.”

“No, that will not do. If the people begin to follow me rather than you, Leon, it may be acceptable for now, but over time it would create future troubles.”

As long as an aide who holds real power in place of the lord maintains loyalty, nothing may occur.

Yet in times of upheaval, history repeatedly demonstrates that betraying a lord and claiming power for oneself is all too common.

To summarize the duties of a noble: one must prosper the feudal territory and preserve the bloodline. Only when standing in such a position does one truly appreciate how many renowned rulers agonized over these responsibilities.

A ruler stripped of final decision-making authority is nothing more than a decoration. I have no intention of turning my husband or sons into puppets. The very night I admonished my sons about the duties of a ruler, my husband attempted to delegate decision-making entirely to his wife—an utterly appalling situation, and far from humorous.

“You resemble His Majesty Roland, Leon.”

“I do not! I absolutely do not resemble that old man!”

“Trying to leave all the work to your wife is exactly like His Majesty, is it not?”

“…My mistake. I will handle the work seriously.”

“Good.”

Being told that one resembles the person one most detests is irritating to anyone. For Leon, who harbors disgust for His Majesty, this is especially effective.

According to a letter from Lady Mylene, His Majesty Roland has reduced his indulgence in amusements and begun to devote himself, to some extent, to governmental affairs.

If peace continues, and he eventually abdicates, he may be evaluated not as a tyrant but as a mediocre king.

As for me, I intend not to pass down the legacy that the first Earl Bartfort excelled in affairs of force but was mediocre in administration.

Even if imperfect, I intend to cultivate him into a figure revered by his descendants.

“Soon, the period I spent married in the Bartfort feudal territory will surpass the time I spent growing up in the Redgrave house. Raising you to this point has been more arduous than raising the children I bore, Leon.”

“What are you saying? You sound like my mother.”

“A young child’s personality and values can still be corrected, but do you understand the difficulty of raising a seventeen-year-old man into a proper adult?”

“Sorry. Forgive me.”

“Once we finish the accumulated work, let us take a vacation. Until Lionel and Ariel return to the academy, I would like to enjoy some leisurely family time.”

“…Yes, I want that too.”

“If possible, a trip would be pleasant. There is a place I very much wish to visit.”

“That is impossible.”

A voice, neither distinctly male nor female, echoed in the office. The hollow tone, devoid of warmth, assaulted my ears. My heart, which had been peaceful for the first time in a while, filled with indignation. I scanned thoroughly from ceiling to floor and saw a spherical object floating outside the window.

I knew it hovered by principles neither magical nor mundane. That eerie presence had repeatedly disrupted our peace—a detestable being.

『Leon Fou Bartfort has a mission that must be fulfilled before the vacation.』

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

The return of Leon and his company signals the onset of turbulence. The moment one becomes entangled with the immense power known as Luxion, a peaceful life becomes distant.

In the original work as well, Leon, having become king, leaves administration almost entirely to Angelica. In that sense, this recurring situation feels almost fated.

Addendum: At the client’s request, illustrations have been provided by Conte Ryu-sama, Tororo Kafka-sama, SH339-sama, Anti-Kumo-sama, and Engo-sama.

Thank you very much.

Conte Ryu-sama: Pixiv (Caution: adult content)

Tororo Kafka-sama: Pixiv

SH339-sama: Pixiv (Caution: adult content)

Anti-Kumo-sama: Pixiv (Slightly erotic caution)

Engo-sama: Pixiv

I would appreciate your opinions and impressions, as they will encourage me in the future.