Kays Translations

Chapter 48: The Delinquent Grand Duke's Creed

A barn located outside the garden of the duke's mansion. It is recognized as a barn by the people in the mansion, and in fact, it is treated as a barn itself.

But to Lute, who has the sensibilities of a commoner, the ducal residence could hardly be called a barn.

After all, its size is superior to that of a typical commoner's house, and it is a substitute that functions well as a house once it is equipped with the necessary facilities for living.

And it seems that the siblings who were just like Lute, or rather, genuine commoners, had the same impression.

When Lute arrived at the barn with Azure, he saw the siblings, who always had a humble expression on their faces.

“──There is no need to be so afraid. This place was given to you because Lieselotte-sama decided it was necessary for your future. You should be grateful, but it would be wrong to be apologetic.”

"I understand that, but..."

"It's too splendid..."

"Hahahaha. That's what it's like to serve a great noble."

Heinrich smiles at the siblings, who were given more than expected and became reluctant. He even had a wry smile on his face, even the other men on watch are smiling.

The scene was extremely peaceful, and surprisingly, the relationship between the siblings and Heinrich and the others seemed to be good.

“You guys seem to be very close.”

"Huh!? The Grand Duke!? I beg your forgiveness!"

"I-I'm sorry about that too!"

"I don't know why you guys are apologizing for interacting....."

Just one word. Towards the siblings whose expressions turned pale just because of that alone, I involuntarily let out a voice of anger.

Although people are often surprised by the sudden appearance of a person because of his or her position, this is the first time in Lute's life that he has been met with this kind of fear, and it is a very delicate feeling.

"Hmm. On the contrary, your Excellency is much dreaded by these two."

“That’s right. If they were fond of me, I'd question their sanity."

Since he had threatened them so much, Lute is satisfied with the reaction of the siblings.

But aside from that, he just thinks it is depressing to get these reactions as it is.

"So, why are you guys so friendly? You're supposed to be surveilling them."

"At the same time, we’re also backup in case of emergency, right?"

"...You’re also an executioner."

“I understand that. Either way, building a relationship of trust is less time-consuming.”

"Haa...Don't let that get in the way of your duties."

"I understand."

It was a nail that had been pierced just in case, but apparently it was a baseless concern.

Heinrich and his men are veteran soldiers who have fought many battles. Naturally, they do not let their personal feelings get in the way of their duties.

The result of building a relationship of trust by prioritizing efficiency would not be a situation where, in an emergency situation, the person could not do anything because he or she had become too emotionally attached.

“Well, even without efficiency, Liselotte-sama has instructed us to treat them gently. Too much tension will reduce efficiency.”

"... Ah. So that’s the reason."

Apparently, just as she had declared last night, Liselotte was making various moves to reduce the mental burden on the siblings.

In that case, Lute wouldn't say any more about Heinrich and the others' handling of the situation. After all, the treatment of vassals is the territory of the master, Liselotte.

“Then I'll keep the nitpicking to a minimum."

But that's just it. As Liselotte's fiancée, he has to tighten up the part that needs to be tightened, so he turns his gaze towards the siblings with a sigh.

"Hey. Stupid siblings, you’re just stiffening up while standing back there."

"I-I'm sorry!"

"What can I do for you, sir!"

"It's not for you to make. I'm just saying that your current attitude is out of line."

Regardless of the process, the siblings' reaction is understandable, as they unexpectedly encountered the person who was trying to dispose of them.

But letting it slide is a different story. Even if it doesn't matter to Lute's personal impression, politeness is not something that can be ignored with just that.

“Don't be so blunt and obvious with your facial expressions. I won't make a fuss because it's me, but if you do that to another nobleman, you'll be in big trouble. Your blunder will be Liselotte's blunder as it is. Understand that."

"I beg your forgiveness!"

"I'm sorry!"

Lute reprimands the siblings for not being prepared to be his subjects.

Certainly, Lute tried to get rid of the siblings. But since the two had become vassals of the Gascoigne family, that was no longer the case.

Even if it is an old acquaintance or an enemy of one's parents or siblings. If you are dealing with a superior nobleman, you must not behave in a manner that is disrespectful.

No matter who the opponent is, when you meet him or her, bow your head reverently with a clear face and exchange greetings. A retainer must be able to do this.

Failure to do so would be a blunder. And it would mean that he cannot be satisfied with the education of his subjects, which would hurt even the Lord's reputation.

“──I wanted to talk about the future, but this is the problem before that. While some of this is unavoidable in the short time I've been with them, it's beyond the limit of a quagmire. I didn't expect you to behave like that on your first day on the job. ......"

That's why the brother and sister's response is a failure, or even laughable in its own right.

The fear precedes them and they cannot even mend their outward appearance, and if anything, there is something wrong with the way they respond to me.

This was the moment when Lute's priorities for sibling duties completely changed.

"I feel like you're being a little too strict. Until yesterday, they were commoners with no connection to this world, you know?"

“It’s kind of lenient to end with such a warm reprimand. It's not a world where blunders can be overlooked unless there is a good reason for them.”

They are still new, they have little or no education, they are commoners unfamiliar with the aristocratic world, or they have feelings of fear toward Lute. Such things are not a good reason.

If a subject makes a blunder, he is punished. That is how the world of nobility works.

In that sense, Lute's response would be even lenient, taking into account that they are newcomers, and that he has no intention of punishing them.

“I'll make sure they learn at least, if not all, the proper manners for a duke first. Azure, I'm sorry, but go tell Liselotte that. I know I'm overstepping my bounds, but these guys probably need to get it over with first."

"Yes, sir."

As he watched Azure bow and leave, Lute let out a deep sigh.

Lute does not know Liselotte's policy. Would they concentrate on education first as Lute would have done, or conversely, would they put it off until later? Or was the plan to do this in parallel with business and other activities?

"I-I'm sorry, sir."

“You guys have been apologizing all day, eh.”

However, in the face of the siblings who repeatedly apologize like this, I can't help but think that I need to educate them first. .

“You've got to get rid of the idea of ​​apologizing for the time being. I know you're apologizing mostly because you're afraid of me, but that's exactly why I'm reprimanding you."

Because it is not a conversation. Because an apology is never a response.

"To apologize is to admit one's wrongdoing. It may be difficult to understand unless you have been educated in this area, but in a world where profits are involved, an unnecessary apology is suicide. Even if the other party is at fault, even if you did nothing wrong, when you apologize, it means you are at fault. It's that kind of world."

If you show an opening, they will take advantage of you. You can make up whatever reasons you want later. You can't swallow the words you spit out.

It is the world of the nobility that allows this to prevail. It is not that they are lawless, but rather that they place equal or greater importance on trust, pride, and responsibility than they do on the law.

That is why every word has a serious meaning. That is why a slip-up is a blunder that not only involves the person at fault, but sometimes even the Lord himself.

“In the first place, you guys are mistaken. The situation is different today than it was yesterday. You are now Liselotte's subjects. At this point, yesterday's story is over. As long as you don't break the rules, there's nothing I can do about you. At most, I will give you a reprimand like the one I gave you this time."

"Eh……?"

"Eh, what. Trust, reward, and punishment. That is the basic principle of things. As for punishment, it is the right of Lieselotte, who is the master. That's why I basically just reprimand you. The only time I will take action is when you guys break the conditions I gave you yesterday. At that time, I will show no mercy.”

But that, in other words, that means doing nothing without committing crime. Punishment for sin. If there is no crime, there is no reason for punishment.

“Actually, it’s the same today. Did I threaten you face to face like this? Did I attempt to kill you? I didn't did I."

"...That's right, I guess"

“You were stunned and angry, but ......"

"There's no reason for it, of course. Why do I have to go to the trouble of thinking about such a dangerous thing on a regular basis? I don't have the kind of jolly personality that makes me want to kill you every time I see your faces."

Lute has no intention of killing people for no reason. It was only yesterday that there was a reason.

“I think you're both mindless idiots. I'm sorry to say this, but I don't like it. But that's just my opinion. I won't judge you unfairly just because I don't like you. I'm not going to kill you on an emotional attachment."

"Really……"

"I've said it many times, but if you break the terms, I'll take care of you. Don't get that part wrong, okay? ...... but it's not because it’s you. It's because you broke the terms. That's the reason. Even Heinrich here, if I had a reason, he would lose his head, wouldn't he?"

It's an undeniable fact. Depending on the situation, he may be a close aide, but he will offer his life without hesitation.

On the battlefield, I’ll order him to die if necessary. If you have committed a crime, after considering your achievements and work so far, you will be sentenced to death depending on the situation.

Because there is a reason for everything.

"So don't get freaked out unnecessarily. Don't apologize unnecessarily. Establish a conversation. Even if you react like that when you don't have anything to say, it's just annoying."

"Yes..."

"I understand"

"If you understand, work on it, okay? For now, you should be able to maintain your appearance. Learn the etiquette of a retainer. Otherwise, we will not be able to proceed with our plans."

Saying that, he presented the siblings with a task, and Lute returned to the Duke's residence.

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