Chapter 9
Manipulating information through others is a common practice among nobles.
Escorting at a debut is usually done by a family member if there's no fiancé, and even if someone cries about not having a fiancé because of Father, there's no reason for me to take responsibility.
How could I not have noticed that I'm completely being targeted?
"Are you an idiot...? I told you, didn't I? He was excellent. But not perfect. Baldo is clueless about emotional subtleties... or rather, he's utterly hopeless at it."
"If that's the case, why is he evaluated as excellent?"
"Nobles are lumped together, but perspectives differ depending on one's position. Bureaucrats at the heart of the nation must be sensitive to emotional nuances in addition to intellect. It's a game of probing each other's intentions, seeking profit, and knocking others down. If Baldo were a bureaucrat, he'd be rated as incompetent."
"I've heard that after graduating from the academy, those set to inherit a peerage are all taken into the central administration at least once."
"Yes, that's why I had Baldo handle lordly duties before coming of age, and I handed over the peerage to him right after graduation. An excellent lord develops the territory and ensures the people don't starve... that's all that's required."
"So, as a lord, there's no issue with him, right?"
Does this mean perfection isn't even expected in the first place...?
"Not just my brother, but aren't most nobles who are far from the central administration like that?"
"Well, there are quite a few like that."
"Is Uncle Ruget different?"
"I'm like Father, a graduate of the military school, not the academy. Even after graduation, and even now, I'm surrounded by more commoners than nobles, so I can't operate with the mindset of a typical noble."
To become a knight, one must graduate from the knight department of the academy, but there are no specific requirements for becoming a soldier.
That's why I thought Uncle Ruget joined the military after graduating from the academy.
"Is there something different about it?"
"Nobles are fundamentally self-centered. They don't think from others' perspectives or try to empathize. That's how they're educated. But commoners are different. If they prioritize themselves, remain indifferent, or only believe what they see, it could mean life or death. That's why they value those who support them—friends, family—above all else. Unlike nobles, who prioritize status and appearances, right? Father warned me about this, but... it took a lot of effort to bridge that gap."
"Why did you choose to go to military school knowing it would be difficult?"
"Because our family is a military noble family."
The upper echelons of the military are overwhelmingly made up of commoners. I asked, thinking he deliberately chose military school over the academy to advance his career, but Uncle Ruget's answer, "because we're military nobles," made me furrow my brow.
"If war breaks out, soldiers stand on the front lines, but it's the military nobles who take command. In the Rotish family, Ruget would be the one leading. To command on the battlefield, communication is essential, but if you don't understand what soldiers are, you can't move them effectively and will face defeat. On the other hand, Baldo handles rear support. Supplies, weapons, and troops require significant funds to be sent. If those funds can't be secured, the front lines will be pushed back, and it'll shift to a defense of the Royal Capital. That's a near defeat."
"In short, it's about the right person for the right role. The roles expected of my brother and me are different. In Celestia's generation, my sons will be the ones on the front lines."
What's required of a military noble lord is to develop the territory and secure financial strength.
Conversely, those who don't become lords must become soldiers and develop command skills.
Then, what about Grandfather?
He was one of four siblings, but the only male. It was decided he'd become the lord, yet he entered military school, became a soldier, and after that, he took on the role of lord while also serving as an aide to His Majesty the King.
Is something like that... even possible?
"So, do you think that incompetent fool would notice Celestia's current situation?"
"My brother might not notice, but... isn't it just that my sister-in-law doesn't understand how my sister treats her fiancé? If she's from a baron family, it's possible her education wasn't thorough."
"No, if Celestia's story is true, it's intentional. But while that fool is one thing, if the Armle family is also just standing by, then your sister-in-law must have an accomplice."
"An accomplice? Would anyone believe the childish ramblings of a young girl...?"
"It's impossible for a young child to scheme and deceive the adults of both families on her own. The Armle family is a marquis family, you know? Just because Floyd is the second son doesn't mean they'd let him do as he pleases. The higher the rank, the more they care about appearances."
Could there be someone around Mirabel who would help her...? I wondered, and a chill ran down my spine.
As I let my gaze wander, Grandfather smirked and said, "Have you figured it out?"
...I didn't want to figure it out! But why didn't I notice this sooner, me!?
"Convincing Baldo is easy. He's probably busy with lordly duties, so the only time he'd notice Celestia's situation is likely during the music festival. If Baldo is convinced, the Armle family will stay silent, thinking it's just temporary and not suspecting anything. Or rather, since he's my son, they have no choice but to stay silent, right?"
"Who is this accomplice you're talking about?"
I've only met Uncle Ruget once, so I might not even remember his face.
"You don't know about Ruget? There's someone who clung shamelessly to a higher-ranking count family, claiming it's because of her late husband's best friend, and while saying she wanted nothing, she's now settled in as the lady of the house."
"So, it's about my stepmother, isn't it...?"
"Wait, the accomplice is that woman my brother is looking after?"
This time, it was my turn to cover my face.
She was so kind, so gentle, treating me like her own daughter...!?
"Part of the reason I stopped coming to that house is because of that woman."
"What, that story wasn't a joke!? I laughed it off, thinking there's no way someone would do that to an old man like you! Why didn't you separate her from my brother!?"
"Why should I look after a grown son? Besides, no matter what I say to Baldo, it's useless. When he took in that mother and child, claiming it was his best friend's legacy, he was incredibly determined, you know?"
"Well, my brother doesn't have many friends, does he?"
"And who are you calling an old man? Say it one more time...!"
"Whoa!"
I don't know what happened between Grandfather and my stepmother, but it seems there was a reason he stopped visiting in recent years...
Once the peerage is handed over, even a former head has no right to interfere in family matters.
Though some rare individuals do interfere, the heads of such families are branded as incompetent by other houses.
In the end, it was inevitable that I'd come here.
"Celestia"
"Yes"
"If you want, I'll eliminate them. What will you do?"
Receiving Grandfather's probing gaze, I shook my head side to side.
It was Father, the current head, who decided to take in that mother and child. And even though I'm the next head, I'm still a child and have no authority. The same goes for Grandfather.
That's why Grandfather likely plans to use someone with power so great that no one can oppose them.
It would be easier to rely on him.
But if I do that... our family will be looked down upon by others.
That would become clear when I become the head and could prevent me from fulfilling my role as a military noble.
If I accept this, Grandfather will probably push one of Uncle Ruget's sons to become the head instead.
"I refuse. This isn't desertion in the face of the enemy, it's a strategic retreat."
When I smiled and said, "You like this kind of thinking, don't you?" Grandfather let out an even deeper, heavier sigh than before, still wearing a grim expression.