“To answer your question first, it’s not that His Majesty is leaving them alone, but rather that he has no choice but to leave them alone.”
“Why?”
Oren looked at Dien warmly and stroked his head.
“Do you know that the kingdom was originally formed by a coalition of feudal lords from various regions?”
“Yes, I know that Delos was founded that way.”
“Right! In the early days of our kingdom, the lords of each region became elders and elected the most influential elder among them as king. While it is said that the previous king and the current king have strengthened the royal authority to suppress the power of other lords, it wasn’t like that in the past. To maintain the throne, they had no choice but to grant them many privileges. Back then, the royal family and those lords were almost equals.”
“Yes, I am aware of that.”
“His Majesty must be worried that the elders will rally regional forces to oppose the royal family. Strictly speaking, those Enopei elders are the great-great-grandfathers of the current dukes and marquises. You know as well as I do that a civil war consumes an enormous amount of national power.”
Dien turned his head to look at Oren.
“Wait a minute! Great-great-grandfathers?”
“Yes, Dien. There are many things in this world that cannot be understood with common sense.”
“Still, His Majesty is the only Sword Master in the kingdom. The central administrative power of the kingdom has also far surpassed the power of the regions. In my opinion, leaving them alone will consume even more national power.”
“Hahaha, Dien. You’re talking about a bloody purge.”
Oren smiled bitterly, lifting one side of his mouth. It was because Dien had the same questions he had held in his youth.
“I don’t know the answer to that either. Why His Majesty does not draw his sword…”
Dien did not press further. It seemed Oren didn’t know the answer to his own question either.
And so, the conversation between the two came to an end.
“We have arrived.”
Along with the coachman’s words, the carriage stopped in front of the House Cherbill mansion.
***
“Dien!”
“Young Master Zalz!”
“You’ve come, Baron Oren!”
Zalz and Persian approached Dien and Oren.
“I’m overwhelmed that the Chancellor himself would come out to the front of the mansion.”
“Hahaha, a precious guest is coming, so of course I should be out here!”
Persian, who had first exchanged a nod with Dien, welcomed Oren.
“Dien! What do you think of our House Cherbill?”
“Young Master, I can’t tell you how many times I was surprised on the way here. You haven’t been upset with me lately, have you?”
“Hahaha, look at you pretending to be materialistic! But it’s too early to be surprised! Hurry and follow me, I have a lot to show you.”
“Yes. Let’s go!”
Zalz grabbed Dien’s sleeve and led him away. Since visits from friends were rare, Zalz was more excited than ever.
However, seeing this, Persian’s eyes sharpened.
*Snatch!*
Persian snatched away Zalz’s hand, which was holding Dien.
“Zalz, don’t you have morning training?”
“What?”
“You shouldn’t neglect your training.”
“What are you talking about…”
Confusion began to spread across Zalz’s face.
“Go to the training grounds at once. Dorothy! You take charge of guiding Young Master Dien.”
“Father! Why do you always separate me from Dien when we’re together? Even training on a day like this…”
“Be quiet.”
Zalz’s face soon turned into a pout. Persian ignored his look and gestured for Dorothy, who was standing a step back, to come forward.
“You were the one who told me to get along with Dien, Father.”
“Silence.”
Persian cut Zalz off. Regret and disappointment appeared on Zalz’s face, but seeing Persian’s firm expression, he eventually turned away with slumped shoulders and walked off alone.
“Dien, I’ll be back… See you at mealtime.”
“Haha… Yes.”
Dien laughed awkwardly at the sight of his slumped shoulders.
At that moment, Dorothy stood beside Dien, bowing her head as if shy.
“Lady Dorothy, you possess such grace even when you’re at home.”
Dien smiled awkwardly as he looked at Dorothy, who was wearing a flamboyant purple dress. It was a high-end dress and jewelry that one would expect to see at a social gathering. Because of the jewelry reflecting the sunlight, it was difficult for Dien to even keep his eyes open while looking directly at her.
“If I had known a guest was coming, I would have put in more effort…”
“Hahaha, you are beautiful enough as you are now.”
At those words, Dorothy’s cheeks flushed bright red. Persian watched the scene with satisfaction.
“Baron Oren, let’s head to the area prepared for us. Dorothy, show Dien around the House Cherbill grounds. Come into the mansion when it’s time for the meal.”
“Yes.”
With Persian’s words, Dien and Dorothy began to walk side by side.
***
“Lady Dorothy, you attend the Versaille Academy, don’t you?”
“Yes, I asked my father to send me to an academy specializing in the arts.”
“I see.”
Dorothy attended a general academy rather than an academy for nobles. Unlike the Solenon Noble Academy, commoners could also enroll in Versaille Academy, but it was an arts academy with a high standard for its entrance exam.
“May I ask what your major is?”
“It’s… sculpture.”
“Is it your dream to become a sculptor?”
Dorothy answered Dien’s question with a short nod.
“That’s unexpected.”
“Do you not like it?”
Dorothy looked up at Dien intently.
“No, it’s just that there are many rough tools like chisels and hammers that a lady would have to use.”
“It’s fine once you get used to it.”
“I find your different side to be quite cool, Lady Dorothy.”
“That’s a relief…”
“Pardon?”
“Oh! It’s nothing!”
Dien smiled at Dorothy’s shy behavior. In fact, like Oren, Dien had guessed the intention behind the invitation to the House Cherbill. As such, he wanted to share his thoughts on the marriage proposal with Dorothy and hear her own. However, he just couldn’t get a sense of when or how to start the conversation.
While walking through the garden, various stone statues and sculptures caught Dien’s eye.
“Did you sculpt these yourself, Lady Dorothy?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Wow! They’re really wonderful!”
Dien looked at Dorothy with surprised eyes at the statues that boasted lifelike poses. The skill was far beyond his imagination. Even to Dien, who was ignorant of sculpture, the statues possessed an excellent sense of balance and fluid lines.
“I still have a long way to go.”
Dorothy’s eyes were full of affection for the works as she stroked a statue.
Seeing that look, a smile also escaped Dien’s lips.
“I think you’ll become a wonderful sculptor, Lady Dorothy. These are the most beautiful statues I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, Dien…”
“But what is that?”
“Ah! That! It’s not finished yet!”
Dien had been pouring out exclamations as he looked at the statues, and among them, he discovered one covered in a black cloth.
“Am I not allowed to see it?”
“It’s not exactly like that…”
“Please show me. They are all such wonderful works that I don’t want to miss a single one.”
After hesitating for a moment and rubbing the back of her neck at Dien’s words, Dorothy nodded as if she had made up her mind and pulled back the cloth.
“This is—”
After checking the statue, Dien looked at Dorothy. She was trying her best to hide her face, which had turned beet red.
The revealed statue.
The man in the sculpture was sitting cross-legged with a bright smile, looking down at the musical instrument in his hands with his head slightly bowed.
It was a familiar face.
Dien could immediately tell what the instrument in the man’s hand was. It was the guitar that the street musician carried around.
“It’s not finished yet. I wanted to show it to you at least once, but I didn’t expect to show it so soon…”
At her words, Dien’s face also turned red.
‘To think that she was sculpting my appearance as a street musician.’ This kind of touch was unique, so Dien also found himself hesitating over what to say.
Eventually, unable to bear the awkwardness, Dien began to tease her playfully.
“Wow! This work is also incredible! This man is Mr. Pablo, right?”
“Dien!”
“Hahaha, it’s a joke.”
Thanks to Dien’s joke, the awkward atmosphere gradually eased.
“You will surely become a great sculptor, Lady Dorothy. I can feel your affection for sculpture in your work.”
“Do you think so…?”
Hearing Dorothy’s vague answer, Dien stared at her face for a moment, then nodded as if he had made up his mind before continuing.
“Lady Dorothy. I don’t know how this will sound, but I’m not ready for marriage yet.”
“Oh.”
“Instead of an agreement between adults or families, when both you and I can confidently say we have achieved something in our lives, why don’t we talk about it again then? I will be in my current position, and you will be a wonderful sculptor.”
Dorothy’s face became a bit troubled at Dien’s words, but she quickly noticed the sincerity in his voice.
She soon nodded as if she empathized. Her clear eyes turned toward Dien.
“…You’re right, Dien. It’s the most important decision in life, isn’t it? I also… want to focus on my studies until I become one of the top sculptors on the continent. So…”
A smile formed on Dien’s face at Dorothy’s bold ambition.
“Shall we support each other from our respective positions?”
“I’d like that!”
Dorothy had a clear goal. Since Dien also wanted to concentrate solely on his training as an heir for now, he felt that discussing an engagement was premature.
***
“It seems the construction of the Kurls River Bridge has entered a stable phase.”
“That’s right. I was very worried because the bridge is so long, so it’s a relief.”
Oren and Persian were sitting in the outdoor garden, with refreshments laid out between them.
“If we trade more actively with the Kingdom of Dinaf through the Kurls Bridge, our kingdom’s chronic food shortage will finally come to an end.”
“Exactly. It’s a great achievement of our Chancellor’s office. Once the bridge is finished, I’m thinking of erecting a large statue of the King of the Dinaf Kingdom. Since we’re going this far, the King of Dinaf won’t be able to refuse trade.”
“We are the ones building the bridge, yet it’s a statue of a neighboring king. That’s quite something.”
“What can we do when we’re the ones in the weaker position? By the way, Baron Oren.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
Persian paused for a moment to catch his breath before speaking. Oren guessed that he was going to talk about the marriage.
“How long are you going to avoid it?”
Oren felt Persian’s intense gaze.
“Hahaha, Chancellor. As long as Dien and Lady Dorothy are happy, I have no intention of opposing it.”
“My goodness, the family should push for the children’s marriage! Your words sound like you’re going to wash your hands of their relationship! I’m disappointed.”
“You know as well as I do that marriage cannot be forced. I believe even you, Chancellor, married Lady Stella despite your family’s opposition.”
“That was an exceptional case that went against etiquette…”
Oren smiled as he watched Persian click his tongue.
“Chancellor, may I ask you one thing?”
“What is it?”
“Why Dien? I heard that you had Dien in mind as a husband for your daughter long ago. Even before Lady Dorothy took a liking to him. I’m curious why you thought of Dien as a son-in-law when there are so many other powerful and wealthy candidates.”
The House Cherbill was a family that wouldn’t be lacking even if they formed a marriage alliance with the royal family. In fact, the imperial family of the Empire had hoped to form a contract with House Cherbill. Oren was curious about Persian’s intention in choosing Dien over better prospects than the House of Portran.
“Hahaha, as Dien’s father, how can you not know!”
Persian’s reaction was beyond Oren’s expectations. He had hoped for a serious discussion, but Persian suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“There are plenty of powerful families! Among them, there are, of course, many wonderful young lords! But when I look at Dien, other marriage partners just don’t catch my eye.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“You know it well. Just being with that fellow makes one feel good for some reason.”
“That may be true, but…”
Oren stared blankly at Persian at those words. Did he really decide on a marriage simply because of his own enjoyment? Persian, whom he served as a superior, was not an emotional person who would make such a decision for such a reason.
As Oren’s thoughts deepened, Persian spoke again.
“Above all, I trust that fellow. Not only trust as a subordinate official, but also as a husband for Dorothy. I feel like that fellow would build a good family regardless of who his partner is.”
“You really think highly of Dien, Chancellor.”
Persian burst into hearty laughter again, and Oren also wore a smile at his laugh.
“Not long ago, at the council meeting, His Majesty the King asked if Dien’s marriage partner had been decided.”
“What?! You mean His Majesty?”
As Demitronas was mentioned in the conversation, Oren sat up in surprise.
“That’s right. I can’t be certain, but I suspect he was thinking of the Youngest Princess.”
“What did you say?”
“His Majesty is thinking of Dien as a husband for the Youngest Princess.”
“Eh?”
Even though Oren had heard Persian’s words clearly, he couldn’t understand them at all. No, he couldn’t believe them.
“If it’s the Princess… His Majesty’s daughter?!”
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