Chapter 132: A Private Audience
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 132: A Private Audience
A trip to the Pogen Mountains.
If the knights heard this, they would likely scratch their heads with expressions of utter bewilderment.
— "The Pogen Mountains? Isn't that place just nothing but snow?"
— "A trip to a place like that? There’s honestly more to see right here in the Grand Duke’s Castle."
However, for Loik, who had a very specific goal in mind, it was the perfect destination.
Annette clapped her hands together, looking delighted.
"That sounds wonderful! An inspection!"
An inspection?
Loik’s eyes wavered at the unexpected word.
"I was actually curious about how Snow Wine is made, so this is perfect!"
Wait, this isn't how it was supposed to go...
But he could already see the gears turning inside that small head of hers. Loik inwardly cursed his own stupidity.
I shouldn't have brought up the wine.
Not long after the delegation had departed, several trading companies had secretly contacted the administrative officer in charge of diplomacy. They were all asking for the identity of the merchant guild or winery that owned the Snow Wine, pleading for exclusive import rights.
— "Tell them it’s not open to the public yet, but make sure to get a list of the trading companies for now."
Annette had been adamant that the momentum shouldn't be lost before the product was properly commercialized. Since then, she had been agonizing over which merchant guild to entrust with the Snow Wine business.
"I did get some recommendations for decent guilds from Alcent... but I have no idea what the brewing environment is like, and it might require a lot of facilities or investment."
Annette nodded to herself, deciding it would be best to conduct an inspection first and then connect with a guild capable of handling the business.
It seemed the word 'vacation' had completely vanished from the Grand Duchess's mind, but Loik decided to take what he could get.
I’ll have to keep the group to a minimum.
Loik calmly began to formulate a plan.
First, he would leave the maids behind. He could take care of Annette himself.
Naturally, knights weren't necessary either. Why would they need an escort when a Sword Master would be by her side the entire time?
His heart already began to race at the thought of the two of them traveling alone in a carriage.
We’ll have to stay overnight at the temple, right?
Perhaps, using the cramped quarters as an excuse, they might even end up sleeping in the same room.
Oh, boy.
Just the imagination alone caused a reckless heat to rise from his lower waist.
"It’s getting late. Shall we head back?"
Loik forced himself to look up, maintaining a stoic smile. Come to think of it, he hadn't trained properly this evening.
I’ll need to run for at least an hour to burn off this heat.
Clutching the hand of a cheerful Annette, who was already talking about coming back on their next day off, Loik walked with stiff, awkward strides.
When they arrived at the main castle and he was helping Annette out of the carriage, a small figure suddenly stood up from the steps.
To their surprise, Raphael—who was supposed to have returned early—was waiting for them outside.
"I have something to say to the Grand Duke."
Annette’s eyes flickered at Raphael’s request to speak in private, but in the end, Loik set off for a late-night stroll with his brother-in-law.
"So, what is it you want to say?"
They sat side by side on a bench deep within the forest path, but Raphael struggled to find his voice.
"...I heard you're returning to the Academy soon."
Loik felt he knew what the young young lord’s business was. He decided to speak first.
"If this is about Annette, you don't need to worry. I will take responsibility and look after her well."
"...Sister always says she’s fine," Raphael finally said, his voice slightly choked.
"What do you mean?"
"When she’s sick, when Lady Ladriel is being mean to her, even when she’s being hit by Father... she doesn't know how to say anything except that she’s fine."
Even when she’s being hit by her father.
Loik’s jaw tightened with suppressed fury.
"So, even if Sister says she’s fine, she’s not actually fine."
"...I see."
Loik knew all too well that Annette said she was fine out of habit.
"Now that I won't be by her side, the only person Sister can trust is you, Your Highness."
Raphael’s small fingers fidgeted.
"So, you must treat her well. Promise me."
The boy was sincere. He felt a deep sense of responsibility, believing he was the only one who truly looked out for his sister. And now, he was entrusting that role to Loik.
Loik gave a solemn nod.
"I will keep that in mind."
"And... I’m going to become a knight after I graduate from the Academy."
Raphael adjusted his posture slightly.
"When that time comes, can I join the Blenheim Knights?"
Startled by the unexpected request, Loik looked down at the back of the boy's small head.
"The Blenheim Knights aren't a place just anyone can join."
"I’m not just anyone."
Raphael scrunched up his nose in defiance.
"I’m going to be the best knight in the Empire."
"Sir Demich said so. He said if I eat well from now on, I can grow as big as you, Your Highness."
Raphael muttered that as long as he grew tall, everything else would be fine.
Loik stared at the boy’s feet, which dangled in the air, unable to reach the ground.
"Young lords from the capital usually join the Imperial Knights."
"But the Blenheim Knights are much stronger."
"That is true."
He really was Annette’s brother; the kid was smart.
"And I want to live with my sister," Raphael added, his voice trailing off slightly. "So... you can't reject me later just because I’m from the Frais family."
So that was his concern.
Loik placed a large hand on the boy’s soft brown hair.
"Fine. I’ll save a spot for you."
But you’d better make sure your skills are up to par.
He put on a deliberately stern expression.
"I won't go easy on you just because you're Annette’s brother."
As Loik ruffled his hair, the brown-haired boy looked annoyed but accepted the gesture nonetheless.
"Is that all you had to say?"
Raphael nodded instinctively, then let out an "Oh!" and looked up at him.
"Sister doesn't have any jewelry."
"Father never spent any money on her. So, she has nothing except for a few hairpins and brooches I bought her."
"...I didn't realize."
Annette always seemed to glow with such radiance. Was that not because of jewelry?
"I’m not very knowledgeable about such things..." Loik muttered, almost defensively.
"Actually, Sister isn't that interested in gems, but still..."
Raphael shrugged with an air of knowing better.
"Even so, giving her nothing but a wedding ring was a bit much."
The boy’s small lips pouted.
"Sister is the Grand Duchess now."
To be lectured about his wife’s lack of accessories—Loik’s neck turned beet red with embarrassment.
When is the next gem auction?
Loik squeezed his eyes shut and hurriedly began to revise his plans.
*
Janet blinked at the paper and pen placed before her.
How long had she been in this cell?
Ever since she had been thrown into the dungeon without even a chance to offer an excuse, no one had come to see her. She had prepared dozens of explanations, but they were all useless.
After the Head Maid in the neighboring cell died, even the guards only appeared during mealtimes.
Am I going to be forgotten here forever? What happens if no one ever comes for me?
Left alone in the subterranean darkness, Janet had to fight off terror every single night.
And today, finally, a knight had come to the cell.
I’m finally going to be interrogated!
She was actually grateful for the prospect of being questioned. Just as Janet was pushing herself up on trembling legs, the knight threw the paper and pen through the bars instead of opening the door.
"W-what is this?"
He gave her a blunt instruction.
"From this moment on, write down every fact you know about Marquis Frais on that paper."
"What do you mean, all of a sudden?"
Janet arched her eyebrows.
"Write about the Marquis? About what, exactly?"
"He said that is for you to decide."
"Is this an order from Her Highness the Consort?"
Instead of denying it, the knight simply looked down at her stoically.
Does the Grand Duchess know about the contract I made with the Marquis?
Panicked, Janet scrambled toward the bars. She didn't know what information they wanted, but leaving evidence in her own handwriting was out of the question.
"What could I possibly know about the Marquis!"
Janet appealed tearfully, arguing that there was no way she knew anything that his own daughter, the Consort, didn't already know.
"At most, I only know what kind of tea the Marquis likes!"
"Write even that."
"However, you would do well to think carefully."
The knight spoke without so much as a blink.
"Tomorrow, the Marchioness of Frais and the young lord are returning to the capital."
"Returning? What about me?"
Janet shrieked, hurriedly snatching up the paper.
"If I write this, will you let me go too?"
"If the contents are deemed sufficient, then yes."
"And... and if they aren't sufficient?"
The calm voice continued.
"Then you will have to stay here."
"H-here? You mean stay locked in this dungeon?"
"For your information, word will be sent to the House of Frais that you have chosen to remain at the Grand Duke’s Castle of your own free will."
The blood drained from her face instantly.
That would mean being branded a traitor by the House of Frais while remaining rotting in the Grand Duke’s dungeon.
Janet’s voice turned into a shrill scream.
"You can't do this! I haven't done anything wrong! Just interrogate me properly!"
"There will be no formal investigation for you."
"Why not?"
The knight showed a hint of displeasure at Janet’s rising voice.
"Her Highness the Consort has ordered that we not waste manpower or time on a predictable investigation."
Janet’s legs gave out, and she slumped down against the bars.
Only through an investigation could she dream of being released. To say there would be no investigation was no different from saying she would never be let out of this cell.