The Noble One

 Chapter 23

I sighed, setting the finished documents down on my desk. The materials provided by Mylene-sama were thorough: a detailed list of nobles aligned with the Duke faction, the reasons for their loyalty, and the methods used to secure their allegiance.

Given the sharp decline in the kingdom's noble population due to wars and purges, the Redgrave family had now risen to become the largest faction in the kingdom—on par with the strength it held before the incident of my engagement annulment.

While a united front between the royal faction and neutral nobles would certainly pose a threat, such unity is rare. These independent nobles seldom act in line.

The Duke’s family’s unprecedented expansion of influence could largely be traced to the two wars with the Fanoss Principality. Wars, as anyone knows, are extraordinarily costly and offer no gains unless victory is achieved. The last conflict ended in a stalemate, sealed with a peace treaty.

When the royal family declares, "There’s no reward because the land was merely defended," it breeds inevitable resentment among the nobility.

In stark contrast, the Duke’s family took a different approach. They distributed confiscated territories and wealth from traitorous collaborators with the Principality. When there was nothing left to offer, they even elevated the ranks of their vassals.

It was an extraordinary time—when a young man like Leon, untitled and rankless, could receive an entire floating island, an asset that far exceeded his own father's title.

However, rewards alone were insufficient. New territories, for instance, require time to generate income through taxation, and elevated ranks bring heavier financial burdens in social obligations. But Nobles could not simply demand further assistance from the royal family.

This was when the Duke’s family implemented another strategy: generous loans to these struggling nobles.

Borrowing and lending among nobles is not only legal but often serves to forge deeper ties between families, akin to strategic marriages.

As a branch of the royal family, the Redgrave family possesses extensive lands, akin to a small country within the kingdom itself. War-torn nobles, desperate for stability, eagerly sought the protection of the Duke’s family.

The Duke’s family lent money willingly, even cheerfully—but they were ruthless when it came to collections.

Through this careful balance of generosity and calculated demands, my father had steadily expanded the influence of the Duke’s family.

But what triggered this rapid growth?

The list of nobles included the dates when they became affiliated with the Duke’s family. Each entry painted a story of alliances forged and expanded in the aftermath of turmoil.

Upon careful reflection, it became evident that many nobles had grown friendly with Father after a particular young noble became connected with the Redgrave family.

The name of that noble?

Leon Fou Bartfort.

In other words, my engagement to Leon had served as the catalyst for the Duke’s family’s growing influence.

Mylene-sama's decision to meet with me after so many years was undoubtedly tied to this. She likely sought to determine whether I now harbored any clear rebellion against the royal family.

And, to be honest, she wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

Before our visit to Bartfort territory, Father had pushed for my engagement with Leon as a calculated strategy—to integrate local lords and upstart nobles into his sphere of influence. At the same time, I viewed the engagement as a way to humiliate those in the capital who looked down on me.

What no one, not even I, anticipated was that I would genuinely fall in love with Leon.

It was a miscalculation, not just for Father and the Duke’s family, but for me as well.

While I worked hard to manage Bartfort territory—motivated by a desire to silence the ridicule of those who had mocked me after my engagement was broken—I began to grow fond of Leon and the Bartfort family.

Living in the same house, I couldn’t help but fall for him. Taking care of a somewhat unreliable yet wounded man, I found myself gradually swept along by his actions.

When Leon eventually approached me with sincerity, I thought, “It wouldn’t be so bad to marry into the Bartfort family.”

And when I realized he truly cherished me, I thought, “How could I possibly refuse him?”

So, no—this isn’t my fault. Not at all.

It’s entirely because Leon pursued me so forcefully.

When he returns from the capital, I’ll make sure he makes up for it by showering me with plenty of love as penance for how he’s stolen my heart.

But right nowI need to calm down and assess the situation rationally.

While it’s true that Father harbors political ambitions, he wouldn’t attempt to usurp the throne for personal gain alone. More likely, he believes the current state of the Holfort Kingdom can no longer be entrusted to the royal family.

The royal family—more specifically, Mylene-sama—seeks to prevent this. At the very least, she wants to avoid execution of Roland-sama and Julius-dono.

Meanwhile, the temple wishes to strengthen its ties with the Duke’s family. However, Olivia, the Saint, opposes the domestic turmoil this would bring.

Though their motives vary, all parties share one common goal: avoiding a civil war that could tear the kingdom apart.

But resolving this through mere negotiation won’t be simple.

What do I want in all of this? That’s a difficult question.

As family, I care deeply for Father and sympathize with the pain and resentment he’s endured at the hands of the royal family and its allies. Yet, I also understand Mylene-sama’s desire to protect the kingdom as a queen, a wife, and a mother.

I admire Olivia’s compassion and her wish to shield the populace from being drawn into a devastating civil war. And yet, somewhere deep inside me, a lingering bitterness remains—a quiet hatred for the people of the royal capital who betrayed me.

But above all, I cannot allow the Bartfort family to be caught in the middle of this conflict.

I will not allow Leon to return to the battlefield.

He has fought enough. He deserves peace now.

Respect. Maternal instinct. Resentment. Love.

These emotions are at war within me, and I must find a way to balance them all.

All these feelings are undeniably genuine, which is precisely why they could so easily serve as a basis for judgment.

Yet, no matter which sentiment I choose to follow or whose side I align myself with, it will inevitably bring pain to someone else.

I need a reason—something beyond fleeting emotions.

A reason rooted in logic, one I can fully accept through rational deliberation rather than impulsive sentiment.

Exhaling deeply, I steady myself and rub my shoulders to ease the tension.

But no matter how much I reflect, thinking alone yields no answers.

※　※　※　※　※

Noticing the sound of knocking, I opened the door to find my mother-in-law standing there.

“Angie-san, do you have a moment?”

“What is it?”

It was rare for my mother-in-law to visit the office, especially in Leon’s absence.

When I became deeply involved in managing the Bartfort territory, household affairs often fell by the wayside. In such cases, Leon’s biological mother, Luce-dono, naturally assumed responsibility for managing the household staff and dividing their duties.

While the relationship between mother-in-law and me wasn’t strained, I still hesitated to reveal my inadequacies in household matters—something born from years of being waited upon as a noble.

“We have a guest. I’ve shown them to the drawing room.”

“A guest?”

I wasn’t expecting any meetings today.

Although the Bartfort territory’s hot springs occasionally drew visitors, it was uncommon for central nobles to visit the lord’s mansion. If it had been an emergency, word would have reached us through the villagers. So, it couldn’t be anything too urgent.

“You showed them to the drawing room without even asking their name?”

“They didn’t seem suspicious. They bowed politely and asked to see you, Angie-san.”

My mother-in-law, being of commoner origin, was unfamiliar with noble customs and etiquette. She often assisted the household staff, cleaning and cooking alongside them—tasks typically unheard of for noblewomen.

This had, on more than one occasion, led to visitors mistaking her for a servant, only to panic upon realizing she was the mother of Viscount Bartfort. While it created awkward situations for the staff, I had refrained from reprimanding her too harshly to avoid straining our relationship.

“What did the visitor look like?”

“A cute young lady.”

“A woman about my age?”

“No, a small and adorable girl with golden hair.”

“I’ll meet them for now.”

It seemed neither Mylene-sama nor Olivia had come .

But I couldn’t recall meeting anyone recently who matched that description. The Queen and the Saint were the only prominent women I had encountered lately.

Assuming it might have something to do with the Duke’s family, I felt an undeniable heaviness settle over me.

As I approached the corridor leading to the drawing room, a glimmer of unfamiliar golden hair caught my eye.

A girl was seated in the middle of the corridor, engrossed in some task.

As I drew closer, a faint glow—not from sunlight streaming through the windows—illuminated the hallway.

It was the glow of magic.

Concerned, I hurried over to find the girl pressing her palm to Lionel’s knee.

She was so focused on her task that she didn’t notice me standing behind her. Slowly but surely, the redness on Lionel’s knee began to fade.

Healing magic.

Practitioners of such magic were incredibly rare. While only a handful in history, such as Olivia, could heal severe injuries, even those capable of treating minor wounds were highly valued.

As the redness disappeared entirely, Lionel and Ariel stared at the girl in awe, their eyes shining with admiration.

“What are you doing?”

“!?”

I tried to speak calmly, but the words came out sharper than intended.

It was inevitable—I couldn’t help but feel protective as a mother worried for her beloved children.

Unfortunately, my upbringing as a Duke’s daughter, groomed to one day become queen, often led me to unconsciously exude an intimidating aura.

The girl flinched before hastily rising to her feet.

“V-Viscountess Bartfort, it’s an honor to meet you. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

“Excessive formality isn’t necessary,” I replied curtly.

If the conversation were hindered by deference, resolving the matter would become more challenging. I wanted to ease her tension, not amplify it.

As I studied her face, something about her seemed vaguely familiar.

Meanwhile, Lionel and Ariel were clinging to the girl, fascinated.

“Um, could you please let go of my hand?” she asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with discomfort.

It was then that recognition struck me—she was the girl who had accompanied Saint Olivia during our meeting the other day.

Her change of attire, from the temple maiden’s uniform to an ordinary formal dress, had rendered her unrecognizable at first.

An unpleasant sense of foreboding gripped me.

Our previous meeting had ended poorly, with tensions high and no clear resolution. My bitterness from the annulment of my engagement had clouded my judgment, and my inability to propose a concrete solution had only worsened matters.

Now, one of Olivia’s subordinates had come to the Bartfort mansion unannounced.

No matter how I looked at it, this couldn’t be good.

“Let’s move to the drawing room,” I suggested. “We can’t have a proper conversation here.”

The girl nodded hesitantly, though she appeared somewhat confused.

Looking down, I noticed Lionel and Ariel still clinging to her clothes.

“Lionel, Ariel.

 You’re bothering our guest. Behave yourselves.”

“Mother, no!”

“Mother is being mean!”

Their protests made me sigh inwardly. These twins always seemed to find new ways to make things difficult.

'…Why is my child so harsh toward their parents?'

Leon often laments to me, saying the twins are mean to him, but I, too, struggle with parenting.

There have been nights when I couldn’t get them to sleep, holding them in my arms until morning. And it’s not uncommon for them to resent me when I try to instill the basic manners expected of a noble’s son and daughter.

It breaks my heart to think they might prefer the indulgence of their grandparents—my father-in-law and mother-in-law—over me.

Still, complaining won’t solve anything.

Even if I returned to the drawing room now, the twins clinging to the girl would make it impossible to have a proper conversation.

“Let’s talk in the garden. The children will lose interest soon enough.”

The weather is calm today, and I hope that the fresh air and open space will distract the twins.

After informing the household staff, I lead everyone out to the garden. I settle into one of the chairs and gesture for the girl to sit as well.

I pull another chair close and beckon Lionel and Ariel, who are wandering about, to sit down.

Ariel, restless as always, ends up on my lap, much to Lionel’s displeasure. As he frowns, I reach over to pat his head. The staff soon bring out tea and a plate of sweets, placing them on the garden table.

I turn my attention to the girl sitting across from me. She appears to be in her late teens, petite, with a healthy yet delicate frame. Her face is more cute than strikingly beautiful.

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule today. My name is Marie, a novice healer and a lady-in-waiting to Saint Olivia, affiliated with the temple. I extend my greetings to Viscountess Angelica Fou Bartfort.”

So, this is the girl who had been by Olivia’s side.

I hadn’t intended to meet her, but since my mother-in-law had already shown her in, it would have been awkward to turn her away.

The discussions with Olivia had ended poorly. So, why had Marie come to visit?

“There’s no need for formalities,” I said curtly. “Let me ask directly—was this Olivia’s idea?”

“No, it was my proposal. Though I did get Olivia-sama’s permission.”

“If you’re seeking my cooperation, it’s futile. My father may be affectionate toward family, but he wouldn’t choose his daughter over the duchy.”

“That’s true,” Marie admitted. “From what I’ve heard, it seems he made a calm, calculated decision—that the royal family is unfit to govern the kingdom—rather than an emotional reaction to your broken engagement.”

“If you understand that, there’s no reason to involve me. Mylene-sama is far more reliable than I am.”

“That may be so,” Marie replied. “But the Queen harbors resentment toward Olivia-sama. She believes Olivia-sama led the prince astray and might secretly wish to eliminate her.”

I narrowed my eyes. Was this Marie’s personal perception or Olivia’s careful analysis?

Either way, their grasp of the situation was disturbingly accurate.

“I still don’t understand your purpose in coming here,” I said flatly. “I’m just the wife of a local lord now. I have neither the name nor the power to influence national politics.”

“You truly have no intention of returning to the court?”

“No,” I said without hesitation. “I want to live peacefully, surrounded by my husband and children, and watch the Bartfort territory develop bit by bit. A quiet, rural life suits me far better than the pomp and pretense of the royal capital.”

It was the truth.

Viscount Bartfort—my husband—was the one entrusted with managing this land. My role was merely to support him.

Before my engagement to Leon, I had been eager to prove myself, to show the capital my worth. But the experience taught me that few nobles trusted their wives with meaningful responsibilities.

Leon, however, believed me. He gave me the freedom to apply the education I had received as a prospective queen to the governance of our territory.

I no longer wanted to carry the weight of the Redgrave name, nor did I wish to become my father’s pawn again.

As I worked with the people here to improve their lives, I had come to see the arrogance of my former self—viewing commoners as mere numbers. Now, I found joy in contributing to their happiness and well-being.

Marie studied me quietly for a moment before speaking again.

“So, bribing you with money or status is pointless.”

“Completely,” I confirmed.

Marie sighed. “We had plans to repay the funds borrowed from the duchy. If it weren’t for the war with the Principality, we could have done so within ten years.”

I nodded. The kingdom’s victory over the Principality had resulted in massive reparations and confiscation of territory. Leon was likely working hard in the capital to secure a fair share of the spoils.

“Is a civil war really imminent?” I asked skeptically. “I find it hard to believe there’s room for such a conflict.”

“Conflicts often arise suddenly and over the most trivial of reasons,” Marie replied solemnly. “Human history is riddled with foolish violence. And the more serious the issue, the greater the chance of escalation.”

She wasn’t wrong.

The political struggle between factions had so far remained underground, both sides striving to maintain control. But if tensions continued to mount, a spark could set the whole kingdom ablaze.

“Tell me directly,” I said. “What’s your goal? How do you intend to prevent a civil war?”

Marie hesitated.

“Olivia didn’t come herself to avoid provoking my anger, didn’t she?” I continued. “She likely feared rejection and sent you in her stead.”

Marie smiled faintly. “You’re right. I believed that, if I could offer a fair exchange, I might be able to negotiate successfully. I’ve always been good at bargaining.”

This girl was peculiar.

It was hard to tell if she was cunning or disarmingly honest.

“First, you’ll need to establish your reasons, goals, and methods,” I told her. “My father prefers to resolve matters peacefully when possible. But he won’t even sit at the negotiating table if you’re merely spouting idealistic dreams.”

“Reasons, goals, and methods?” Marie repeated, looking uncertain.

“In simple terms: what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it,” I clarified.

Marie seemed lost in thought, and I noticed the twins had finished their sweets and were now wandering back toward her.

Sighing inwardly, I asked, “Tell me about your dreams, Marie. What do you wish for?”

“Dreams?” she echoed.

“Yes. Anything will do. Consider it an example.”

As she pondered my question, the twins sidled up to her, tugging at her sleeves.

Do they dislike sitting with me so much?

Mother’s heart is heavy.

“…Academy,” Marie finally murmured.

“Hm?”

"I always wanted to attend the Royal Academy. It was my dream to study there."

Her response caught me off guard. I had expected her to wish for something more material—status or wealth. But instead, she expressed a yearning for education.

This girl, Marie, truly is an enigma. Her outward appearance radiates a quiet elegance, yet her actions and mannerisms reveal the upbringing of a commoner. She uses practical tools in her negotiations but fervently pursues lofty ideals alongside Olivia.

"Then let’s frame this as your goal: to attend the academy. Why do you wish to attend?"

"I never had the chance. Believe it or not, I was once a noble."

That revelation took me by surprise. The academy, after all, had been closed ever since the war with the Principality, and there was still no sign of it reopening. Despite its flaws, the academy had been a vital institution, preparing nobles for their roles and serving as a social hub for the kingdom’s elite.

"I see. You want to study at the academy. But what is it you aim to achieve by attending?"

"I want to learn. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been self-taught my entire life."

"I understand now. You have your reasons and your goals. But the method—that’s the real challenge. How do you plan to reopen the academy? Teachers need to be recruited, funds must be secured, and the academy itself needs to be reestablished. Who will you appeal to? How will you garner the necessary support? Without a clear plan, even the best intentions will fail."

I folded my hands on the table, gazing at her with genuine interest.

"Let’s use another example. Say your goal is to prevent a civil war. The reason would be to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. But the question remains—how? What steps need to be taken to achieve that? Without a clear plan, even the best goal is just an idle wish."

Marie hesitated, looking flustered. "That’s why I came to you—to find the answers."

"I’m afraid I can’t help you if you rely on me entirely. Until recently, I wasn’t even aware of these developments. You likely have a better grasp of the situation than I do. Once a clear method is established, the necessary actions will naturally follow."

I finished my tea, feeling a faint sense of excitement stirring within me.

"If we come up with a proper plan, do you think your father will act to prevent a civil war?"

"My father dislikes unnecessary bloodshed and values diplomacy. There is room for negotiation, but I can’t promise success. He’s not so lenient that I can say it will go smoothly."

Father is a pragmatist. If he identifies a weakness, he won’t hesitate to exploit it. Still, with the information I currently possess, this matter is far too large for me to handle as the wife of a local lord.

I looked Marie with a hint of amusement.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I didn’t expect there would still be people fondly thinking of the academy."

Thinking back, the academy wasn’t exactly a paradise. The upper nobility lorded over the lower nobles, while lower nobles bullied commoners and slaves. Status took precedence over talent, and incompetents born into privilege ruled over the capable.

I, too, had been part of that system. I dismissed Olivia as a mere commoner, someone unworthy of my notice. If it hadn’t been for my broken engagement to Prince Julius, I doubt I would have remembered her face or name.

The war with the Principality changed everything. Nobles who lacked talent but boasted illustrious pedigrees were cast aside, while those with ability rose to prominence, regardless of status.

The prime example was Leon, my lazy yet brilliant husband.

Marie’s next words startled me. "If things had been different, I might have attended the academy alongside Olivia-sama and Angelica-sama."

"alongside?"

"Angelica-sama, how old do you think I am?"

Her petite frame and youthful demeanor made her appear no older than a teenager.

"In your mid-to-late teens?" I guessed.

Marie shook her head. "I’m in my twenties, the same age as you and Olivia-sama."

"What?!"

I stared at her, stunned. Her delicate stature and small frame were entirely at odds with her actual age.

"My parents were… less than kind. They didn’t provide me with food, clothing, or education. The money meant for my academy tuition was squandered. Because of that, I never enrolled."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, but there was no humor in it.

"I see. That must have been hard," I said softly.

"Do you know of the Lafan family?" she asked.

"The Lafan family? Weren’t they a viscount house?"

Part of my queen training involved memorizing the names of even the most minor noble families in the kingdom. While I remembered the Lafan name, it had vanished from relevance, much like countless others swept away by war and scandal.

"That’s right. I’m the daughter of the Lafan family. But the house was abolished after the war due to my parents’ crimes. They abandoned me and fled. I have no idea where they are now."

Her words hung heavy in the air.

"After everything that happened, Olivia-sama saved me. I now serve her to repay that debt."

"Did you… participate in the war?"

"Olivia-sama insisted on going to the front lines. I can use basic healing magic, so I too could have been valuable on the battlefield."

"Thank you," I said, bowing my head. "Thank you for fighting for the kingdom."

Leon, too, had faced danger on those same battlefields. Without Olivia’s support, he might not have returned alive.

Marie smiled faintly. "I can’t help but wonder how my life would have been different if I had attended the academy. Maybe I could have had a brighter future."

Her words struck a chord in me. I looked down at my twins, who clung to her, their innocent faces alight with curiosity.

What kind of future awaits them? If Leon had fallen in battle, if the kingdom had been defeated, would they have endured the same hardships as the girl before me?

Peace is fragile, paid for in blood and sacrifice. Saint Olivia, Prince Julius, my husband Leon, and even Marie—each had fought to preserve it.

But now, the kingdom teeters on the brink of civil war, a conflict involving my own father on one side and the royal family on the other. No matter the outcome, we will not escape unscathed.

"I’m sorry, but I cannot agree to your request as things stand now," I said at last.

Marie rose, disappointment clouding her expression.

"I understand. Thank you for hearing me out, Angelica-sama."

As she prepared to leave, I added, "One last thing."

Marie paused, looking back at me.

"In Bartfort territory, we lost many lives during the war. Soon, we’ll be holding a memorial service to honor them. I would like Olivia-sama to bless the ceremony on behalf of the temple."

Her expression shifted as she grasped the significance of my words.

"Does this mean you’re arranging a meeting with Olivia-sama?"

"Who knows? What happens after the ceremony is up to the Saint and the Lord."

Marie nodded solemnly. "Understood. I’ll convey this to Olivia-sama."

As she disappeared from view, I hugged my twins close, feeling the weight of the path I had chosen.

"I want to see Leon," I murmured. Without him, I felt as though I were walking blindly in the dark, longing for the warmth and comfort only he could provide.

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

The Bartfort Territory - Angie Arc is coming to an end in this chapter. The next arc will start with the Royal Capital - Leon Arc.

From the beginning of planning the new arc, I had intended to explore how Angie, now a mother, sympathizes with Mylene's position and projects her thoughts on Marie's situation onto her own child, leading her to struggle with being caught between the dukes. I think it's reasonable that Angie, who is concerned about the future of her daughter, feels uneasy since both Leon’s and Marie’s families share the same rank of viscount.

Marie, who is liked by the children, is based on the spin-off "The World of Otome Games Kindergarten is Tough for Mobs"

[T/N- it's completely translated (fan) in english in Mangadex]

Non-reincarnated Marie isn’t as money-driven or aiming for a high-status marriage like reincarnated Marie.

Additional note: Thanks to the commissioner, I was able to have il

lustrations done by YOO Tenchi, Depo, and いち様. Thank you very much.

YOO Tenchi: link

Depo: link (Warning: Adult content)

いち様: link