7
After returning in triumph to Margrave Lohengrin’s domain when the war ended,
we were thoroughly scolded by Toko san, who had been waiting.
“Just what did Suzuha nii think I, the Queen, am!?”
As she yelled with a smile, pinching my cheeks from both sides, I replied:
“I’m shorhry! We thought we could shafely leave the cashhle to you, Toko san-shan!”
“Suzuha nii, tell me more about that.’
Toko san released her pinching, so I gently rubbed my reddened, swollen cheeks as I explained.
“Well, with you at the castle, Toko san, we knew we could head out without worry!”
“Hmm…So Suzuha nii feels reassured with me at the castle…?”
“Of course. If there was someone strong like Toko san waiting for me where I belong, I could go into battle feeling reassured.”
“Fuh, fuhn…So Suzuha nii, you’d prefer if I waited for you…fuhn…”
“(Since I can feel at ease even if enemies attack while I’m away) Of course!”
“I, I see…Then that’s good…”
Toko san, who had been in an angry mode, suddenly had a blushing red face as she looked up at me while fidgeting, but I didn’t understand what she was embarrassed about.
Well, it seemed Toko san’s anger had subsided, so the result was okay.
*
While we were away, it looked like Toko san and Ayano had gotten quite friendly.
“I talked with Ayano, and we’re thinking of having the victory party for this war in the royal capital. Right, Ayano?”
“That’s correct. To avoid people making unnecessary assumptions about the relationship between Margrave Lohengrin and Queen Toko, we should avoid holding consecutive ceremonies at this castle.”
Yuzuriha, who was listening to Ayano’s words, also nodded in agreement.
“I see. Even though this was entirely thanks to Suzuha’s older brother’s efforts, if the ceremonies were continuously held at his home base rather than the royal capital, their relationship could be suspected. Especially if Toko san attends both…”
“Yes. There may be those who would openly fawn over His Excellency the Margrave while looking down on Queen Toko.”
“I don’t really mind that myself; I can just cut off the idiots. But then Suzuha nii might find it troublesome.”
“Uh…thank you for the consideration, I suppose?”
It would be unthinkable for a commoner like me to be prioritized over the Queen Toko, but as a socially aware man, I properly expressed my gratitude.
“So Suzuha nii, I’m sorry but you’ll have to come with me to the royal capital!”
“Understood.”
“I’ve already given instructions to the capital to prepare for a grand victory party! Look forward to it!”
“Even if it’s grand, I won’t be happy about it…”
To be honest, I’d rather just get some catering sushi and eat it at home.
“But let me warn you, no running away! You’re the star of this event, so you absolutely must attend. The Grand Duchess of Ueantas is even coming, so it would be rude for the main guest of honor to be absent when a foreign leader is present.”
“The Grand Duchess of Ueantas is coming too?”
A letter had been sent saying “The Uentas Principality will not be involved in the war at all”, so I thought they’d feign ignorance till the very end.
When I said that, Toko san gave a wry smile and said:
“Outwardly they may have brushed us off, but there’s no doubt the Grand Duchess of Ueantas made a blunder by failing to restrain her subordinates. To show the world that we bear no ill will and are still good friends, she has no choice but to attend the ceremony.”
“I see.”
“So outwardly we’ll overlook it, but behind the scenes we’ll make her pay a suitable price – that’s what Ayano and I have been discussing at length.”
“Huh?”
I had the impression Toko san would consult Yuzuriha about things like that. Quite unexpected.
Noticing my gaze, Yuzuriha shrugged and said:
“I’m no good at such underhanded tactics.”
She’s the next head of the ducal family, I wonder about that.
I thought so, but as the wise man I am, I didn’t voice it aloud.
A few days later,
leaving Yuzuriha in charge while away, I departed for the royal capital together with just Suzuha and Toko san.
8 (Grand Duchess of Ueantas’s Perspective)
Tucked away on the road connecting the Margraviate of Lohengrin to the royal capital, about halfway between in a commercial city, was a certain restaurant.
At first glance, it seemed like any ordinary city diner and izakaya.
But if you climbed the narrow spiral staircase behind the kitchen, you’d find a dazzlingly opulent space fit for a royal palace.
Spotting the elderly gentleman sipping Tekkannon tea at a table in the back, Ayano raised her hand slightly.
“I apologize for the wait.”
“Think nothing of it. I was devising a business strategy.”
Knowing the results of that “business strategy” have erased countless nations in the past, Ayano’s cheeks twitched as she took a seat across from him.
The middle-aged man whispered to be the real power behind Drosselmeyer Kingdom.
Only a handful of people know this man’s true identity.
“It’s been a while, Old Master.”
“Spare me the pleasantries. Get to the point. – I trust your days at that castle were fruitful?”
“Yes, very much so. – If I hadn’t infiltrated that castle, the Uentas Principality would have ceased to exist within a few years.”
That was a highly probable future projection of what would have happened if Ayano had not acted.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
What Ayano realized through her observations:
Margrave Lohengrin was undoubtedly highly capable as a government official.
Even without Ayano’s presence, the Margrave would have eventually noticed the series of irregularities that continued at the mithril mines.
However, the Margraviate of Lohengrin is severely lacking in government officials.
Moreover, while the Margrave himself is kindhearted and gentle, he prioritizes practicality and is not the type to be driven by a sense of justice common in stories.
As a result, even after detecting the scent of impropriety, he may have left it alone for a while.
And then—
“In hindsight, it’s no wonder Lord Callandor could amass a million soldiers by illegally circulating his neighboring country’s mithril for years.”
“Indeed.”
“In reality, the Margrave’s crackdown stopped the mithril smuggling, which became the final trigger that led Lord Callandor to sign his own death warrant.”
“Mm.”
“However, had the crackdown been delayed, he may not have gone to such extremes. Steadily growing more anxious while accelerating the smuggling operation, gathering conspirators, amassing military force, and greatly involving the entire Uentas Principality in the process…”
“Resulting in the Margrave crushing them all.”
“Undoubtedly. And the Amazons would never have stayed quiet either…”
Thank goodness that never came to pass.
Ayano remembered feeling torn about whether she should infiltrate the Margraviate herself, when this elderly man appeared and proposed guiding her infiltration in exchange for an exorbitant fee.
She was truly, truly glad she agonized over it and took him up on that offer in the end.
The old master gazed at Ayano’s expression as if a poor student had barely managed to pass.
“So what will you do from here?”
“As the Grand Duchess of Ueantas, I will attend the victory parade. I cannot decline the invitation.”
“That goes without saying. I’m asking what comes after.”
In other words, he was asking if Ayano intended to continue infiltrating the Margraviate.
Normally, Ayano would have no choice but to return to her home country.
She had gained sufficient understanding of Margrave Lohengrin’s character, and the immediate crisis that could have destroyed Ueantas had passed.
There were still lingering unease among the subordinates who failed to control Lord Callandor and instigated the rebellion, and the risk of her cover being blown only grew higher.
However, Ayano shook her head.
“I would like to impose on the Margraviate a while longer.”
“…Oh? Why is that?”
“A woman’s intuition tells me it would be better.”
Not dismissing intuition was Ayano’s private credo.
Long ago, Ayano was merely a princess without any real power.
But by trusting her intuition and talents and continuing to act on them, she became the Grand Duchess of Ueantas and averted the crisis of her nation’s destruction.
As if showing confidence in her choice, Ayano elegantly brought the Tekkannon tea in her cup to her lips and said:
“Hmph. You’ve taken a fancy to him, haven’t you?”
“Bwuh—!?”
The Tekkannon tea Ayano violently spat out spectacularly drenched the face of the man who admitted to being the real mastermind, both for himself and others.
As punishment, the Grand Duchess was forced to wear twin-tails for a month, but that’s another story.
9
After arriving at the royal castle, when Toko san told me the detailed schedule for the ceremony, I couldn’t help but frown.
“There’s even a victory parade during the day, not just the party…?”
“Yeah. During the day we’ll parade through the capital city by carriage, and then there’s the nobles’ party at night.”
“It sounds awfully showy, like I’m being put on display?”
“Well, it is a victory parade. Isn’t that normal? Though Suzuha nii’s not really the type who likes standing out like that.”
If you know that, then please get rid of it.
Amid the onlookers, who will likely include acquaintances from the capital, I’d be so embarrassed having to smile brightly and wave like a noble.
That’s just it.
My heart doesn’t have a gallant mustache growing yet.
When I vehemently argued this, Toko san looked at me with a rather pitying expression.
“What do you mean a mustache in your heart? – Well, whatever. The public has already been informed, so we can’t change the schedule now.”
“Grahh.”
“Plus I’ll be riding in the same carriage. So don’t make such a pathetic face, okay?”
“You too, Toko san?”
“Originally we were supposed to be in separate carriages, but the Imperial Guards said it would be more convenient for security if we rode together. Plus if I’m with you, I’ll be properly protected.”
“Of course, I’ll protect you to the best of my ability.”
“That’s why, you got it? Be a good boy for me.”
Saying that, Toko san flapped her hands dismissively and changed the subject.
Well, she’s not free enough to keep humoring my complaints forever.
So I asked Suzuha instead.
“Hey Suzuha, are you really okay with this?”
“Of course. Toko san said she’s going to prepare matching dresses for us. I’m really looking forward to it!”
She had been won over long ago.
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