Kays Translations

Chapter 441: The Second and the Third

“Marquis Mulan, I heard that Margrave Draken will be visiting soon. Is it regarding Lady Hilda’s engagement?”

“Ah, you’ve heard. Yes, that is one reason. He also wishes to thank you personally, Julius-sama.”

“To me?”

“Some of the magic potions supplied by the Heine Margraviate were sent to House Draken as well. He wants to thank you directly for them.”

“I see. I am honoured.”

I had expected House Heine to receive thanks, but I never imagined Margrave Draken himself would come to express his gratitude. The Draken Margraviate was not especially far from the Mulan Marquisate, but the journey still took more than a day and required proper preparations.

“He also seems concerned about the region’s reconstruction. It is fortunate that we began making progress so early.”

Marquis Mulan laughed heartily. He had apparently been so busy because he had prioritised rebuilding not only his own territory but also the surrounding region. I had to admire him for that. He must have been a reassuring presence for people throughout the area, not merely those of the Mulan Marquisate.

The Heine Margraviate should strive to be the same. Our own territory was prospering, but what about its neighbours? Once I returned home, I should investigate whether there was anything I had overlooked.

A discussion about Margrave Draken’s visit was to be held, so all the principal members gathered in the largest salon of the Mulan estate. Axel and Ijidol were included as well.

Unfortunately, the apprentice knights Giles and Christopher were not invited. I promised to brief them afterwards, then headed to the salon.

Fabienne, Lady Hilda and Caro were already there.

“Julius-sama, is something wrong?”

“Margrave Draken, the Eastern Margrave, will be arriving soon. That is what this discussion concerns.”

“Margrave Draken is coming here…?”

“I see. I was told to come to the salon without any explanation, so I was wondering what had happened.”

Caro had not known either. Lady Hilda also looked surprised, which meant she had apparently heard nothing in advance.

They could have warned us, but perhaps the decision to visit had been made suddenly.

“Everyone is here. I have something to tell you.”

Marquis Mulan announced Margrave Draken’s impending arrival. There was not much we had to do in preparation. At most, we needed to learn what sort of person he was.

Once Marquis and Marchioness Mulan left, we immediately began exchanging information.

From what we had heard, Margrave Draken was a loud, boisterous man. He was also said to be somewhat informal for a noble, but that did not sound like a problem.

“I’m relieved. Dealing with an excessively formal noble would be stiff and uncomfortable.”

I said that jokingly and rolled one shoulder. Axel and Ijidol seemed to agree; they smiled wryly without contradicting me.

“That’s true… By the way, he isn’t coming to announce that he has found a fiancé for Caro, is he?”

“House Mulan and House Draken are already closely connected through Lady Hilda, so I doubt it. Unless Marquis Mulan has also been consulting Margrave Draken about Caro.”

We all looked at Caro, and I began to worry. Her face reddened, which made me feel awkward too. Ijidol narrowed his eyes. He was probably envious that Axel had received such a letter.

“Th-there’s nothing like that! If there were, I wouldn’t have sent Axel a letter.”

Caro had apparently written to Axel about the monster outbreak in the eastern frontier. After reading it, Axel had invited Ijidol to accompany him to the Mulan estate.

A simple report would not have been enough to make Axel come all this way. Caro must have written in a way that conveyed that she wanted him here.

She must also have told her parents. Their permission meant Marquis and Marchioness Mulan had acknowledged Axel. If so, Margrave Draken was unlikely to bring Caro another candidate for marriage.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. Axel appears to be the leading candidate to become Caro’s fiancé.”

“The leading candidate…”

“Yes. If you keep dragging your feet, a second or third candidate may appear.”

“Ugh…”

Axel’s expression tightened. It was not entirely a joke. His father was a knight, but their family still held a relatively low rank. If Axel failed to act, a higher-ranking noble could easily displace him.

I wanted Axel and Caro to be happy. For that to happen, perhaps he needed a little pressure.

“Axel may need to be more proactive.”

“How?”

“Like pushing her down when you’re alone with her?”

What in the world was Ijidol saying? Was he a pervert? No, he had probably simply read too many books. There must have been a scene like that in one of them, though I was certain it had not explained what happened after the girl was pushed down.

Everyone else tilted their heads, but Lady Hilda’s face turned scarlet. Apparently, she and I were the only ones who understood the implication.

What should I do? I needed to intervene before Ijidol embarrassed himself any further.

Making him ask Lady Hilda would be a terrible idea. I would have to explain it privately, in the most gentlemanly way possible.

“Ijidol, a word.”

“Hm? What is it?”

I whispered the explanation into his ear. His face became as red as his ears. What an innocent boy. He truly had not understood the full meaning. He lowered his head and fell silent, while the others exchanged puzzled looks. I brought the tea party to an end.

I would be in trouble if anyone pursued the subject, especially Fabienne. I had no idea what expression I was supposed to wear while explaining something like that to her.

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