Chapter 56
Without any time to relax in the territory, I head straight to the Royal Capital to attend the Music Festival.
Two carriages for me, Grandfather, Bram, and the nursemaid, along with three luggage carriages, making a total of five carriages, are surrounded and guarded by the private soldiers of the Rotish family, whom Grandfather personally trains at Ransheen Fortress.
In our family's territory, far from the Royal Capital, we invest ample funds in road maintenance, but it seems other territories are not the same, with many roads still poorly maintained.
Carriages are expensive because artisans craft each one by hand, not because funds are invested in functionality or comfort; on roads with gravel or mud, the carriage shakes terribly, and even with heaps of cushions laid out, the ride is dreadful, forcing me to endure body aches and nausea with all my might.
A couple of days would be bearable, but for this to continue for nearly a month is nothing short of torture.
As I slump exhausted, burying my bottom into the cushions, across from me is Grandfather, lying on his side, staring vacantly into space.
"......We should have prioritized speed instead."
"That would only increase the suffering......"
"......Shall we ride horses then?"
"I'd be forced to share a carriage with the nursemaid."
"What should one do when both options are hell......?"
"......Tch, hah."
Thinking it was a joke, I found Grandfather seriously pondering the matter, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the absurdity.
The people at Ransheen Fortress and Uncle Ruget often say Grandfather is like a child, likely because of this side of him.
He tackles everything with full force, and if there's profit to be gained for the nation or the military, he's the kind of outrageous person who would use even rare metals without permission to forge weapons, yet he's a great figure respected by all.
"Are you sure you don't want to break off the engagement?"
However, since he openly declares that he lives "by instinct," such out-of-context conversations are a daily occurrence.
"......I'm surprised, that was quite sudden."
"I'm bored, that's why."
I don't think this is the kind of topic to bring up just because one is bored, though......
While thinking such thoughts, I slowly shook my head at Grandfather, who lazily sat up.
"It's not something I can dissolve on my own whim. Considering the mines, this engagement is the best option."
"If you're worried about the meddling of annoying nobles, your fiancé doesn't have to be Floyd."
"......But the Tseli family doesn't have any sons close to my age, do they?"
"They don't. But why are you trying to choose from just those two families?"
"Aren't the Rotish, Tseli, and Armul families jointly mining the mountains?"
"By royal decree, yes."
"Then, it wouldn't be wise to involve another family."
"Indeed."
I thought he might have a better idea, but it doesn't seem so; seeing me tilt my head, Grandfather grinned, showing his teeth.
"There's one more family involved with the mines. They can suppress the resentment of troublesome nobles, and even if a marriage happens, they won't claim rights to the mines. After all, it originally belonged to Orsema."
"......Grandfather."
Only Grandfather could casually mention the royal family's name and speak of using them as if it's the most natural thing.
"They have three sons, so they wouldn't complain if we took one."
"Those three are princes of this country, you know? They're not the kind of people to become sons-in-law of a Count family."
"They'd be the husband of my granddaughter, so I think they'd be delighted to do so...... Besides, they're always nagging about not being left out, so this would be perfect, wouldn't it?"
"That nagging person you're referring to...... No, I don't want to hear it. It's better not to ask."
"Ludweek would be ideal, but...... Renato might be the safer choice."
"Even if you say you'll do it, I'd be troubled, so please absolutely do not propose this to His Majesty the King."
"Absolutely!" I said twice to make sure he understood, then leaned forward as something came to mind.
"I heard from Roberto and the others that Renato is at Ransheen Fortress."
"He arrived just as Celes left."
"If it's just for a short period like Rudo, that's one thing, but is it really okay for him to be away from the Royal Capital for a whole year?"
"On the contrary, it's better for him to be away. Until now, Ludweek has been keeping an eye on things and moving around Renato, but since Ludweek entered the Academy dormitory this year, that oversight is no longer possible. So, it's safer for him to be at the fortress than at the castle, and they requested it themselves."
"I see......"
"Don't worry. Renato's demeanor is different from last year, so if things go well, he might transform."
"Renato is the Second Prince of this country, you know? Please keep it in moderation."
I wonder to what extent Grandfather's idea of "moderation" is, even as he nods in understanding......
While worrying if he truly understands, I rubbed my bottom, which had started to ache gradually.
※
"Looks like we've arrived."
As Grandfather muttered, the carriage stopped, and I lifted my face from where it was buried in the cushions.
My back and hips, which had been screaming for days, made strange cracking sounds—snap, crack—every time I moved.
I'm not the only one desperate to get out of the carriage and stretch; urged by Grandfather, who was already in position to disembark, I sat up straight in my seat.
While waiting for the coachman to open the door, I took a deep breath.
Without taking time to rest at inns or towns along the way, we only slept and hurried to the secondary residence.
——Three days until the Music Festival.
I entrusted my hand to Grandfather and stepped out of the carriage, heading straight into the secondary residence.
Bram, who was waiting for us at the entrance, bowed his head, and the attendants, maids, and servants lined up inside the mansion to welcome the former head and the next head of the family also bowed in unison.
"......Thanks for the welcome."
After Grandfather glanced around and spoke a word, everyone smiled happily, and except for the personal attendants and maids, they returned to their posts.
"I'm tired, so I'll head to my room first, but what about you, Celes?"
"I'll go greet Father first."
"Right, then I'll see you at dinner."
"Yes."
After seeing off Grandfather, who waved his hand casually while turning his back, I gave a slight nod to the nursemaid, who would be my chief personal maid, and stepped onto the grand central staircase to head to my room on the second floor.
"Sister-in-law......?"
When was it, I wonder......
Lord Floyd once praised that voice, saying it was as cute as the sound of rolling bells.
At that time, I was desperate to hide my agitation, my face growing stiffer by the moment, and I kept my mouth shut to avoid comparisons.
"It's been a while, Mirabel."
But if I were in the same situation now, I'd probably laugh it off with a scoff.
Mirabel, accompanied by two young maids, stood frozen at the top of the stairs, her already large eyes widening even further as she stared at me.
There's no response, but she must have heard me.
Accompanied by the nursemaid, I slowly ascended the stairs and stopped in front of Mirabel, who was looking up at me.
The small, doll-like, and lovely Mirabel hasn't changed at all from three years ago.
"Sister-in-law...... is that really you?"
"Who else would it be?"
"Don't say it like that. I was just taken aback because your aura is so different from before. Welcome back."
Perhaps worried about Mirabel, who showed signs of fear, the maids standing behind her desperately glanced at the nursemaid.
They're probably avoiding eye contact with me, but it's not Mirabel I have business with—it's the maids.
"Those two maids over there are fired."
I heard a sharp intake of breath, and a hoarse voice called out, "Eh, Sister-in-law?" as someone tugged at my sleeve, prompting me to lower my gaze.
"To come back so suddenly and say something so harsh......"
"Harsh? I think it's only natural to be fired for neglecting one's duties, don't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
Mirabel looked at the nursemaid as if seeking help, but since I haven't said anything wrong, there's no way help would come.
"If you need a letter of introduction, I'll tell Bram."
"Sister-in-law......! What authority do you have to fire my maids!?"
"I don't need to explain myself."
"Such tyranny is unacceptable......"
As I watched Mirabel scream with a distorted face, the nursemaid, losing patience, pulled my arm and stepped forward.
"Celestia has the authority to manage this household as the legitimate daughter of this family and as the proxy for the late mistress."
"Proxy......? But my mother is here."
"Neither Soleia nor Mirabel have been granted any authority."
"But this is an unfair dismissal. If my foster father finds out, Sister-in-law might get scolded, you know?"
"All the staff working in this mansion should have been instructed to prioritize welcoming the former head and the next head of the family. So why are you two on the second floor?"
"They're my personal maids......?"
"No, they are maids of the Rotish family."
To be precise, they are maids of the head of the Rotish family, who pays their wages.
Officially, my stepmother is the lady of the house who manages everything, but in reality, I hold all the authority. I only learned this when my father revealed that it was a contractual marriage, but judging by Mirabel's lack of surprise, it seems she already knew.
"I will report this to the head of the family myself. You two, pack your things immediately."
If this were truly an unfair dismissal, the nursemaid would have subtly reprimanded me, but judging by her demeanor, it seems she has long had issues with Mirabel's personal maids.
Even Grandfather, who silently obeys the nursemaid, could not stand against her. I glanced at Mirabel, who had lowered her face in silence, and tapped the nursemaid's shoulder.
With nothing particular to say and having already exchanged greetings earlier, I passed by Mirabel without speaking.