The Duke Siegfried
"Come in."
An elderly man with his white hair neatly combed back opened the door and entered. Sebastian. The loyal butler who had served the Dmitry family since the previous generation. The only person in this world that Morris could truly rely on.
"Have you been well in my absence, Master?"
"No."
Sebastian's gaze turned to the CCTV magic I had set up.
"It seems the master has acquired a new fixture in my absence."
"It's a gift from the emperor."
"Ah."
Sebastian looked at Seria panting inside the CCTV feed.
"So the rumors were true."
"They've already reached your hometown?"
"I heard it upon entering the capital. That His Majesty bestowed a magnificent gift upon the Count."
"A magnificent gift, indeed. And a bomb to boot."
"It must be handled with care, then."
He watched the CCTV in silence.
"Torture?"
"If I had to classify it, it's closer to sexual torment."
"While it's true the master should now consider producing an heir, do not become too engrossed. Even the previous family head..."
"I know. Let's leave it at that."
He bowed his head silently.
"You arrived early, anyway."
"My body recovered faster than expected."
Sebastian raised both arms to show off his muscles.
"You're in good health, indeed."
I snapped my fingers, turning off the CCTV magic.
"I trust you'll educate her well from now on."
"Shall I put her through maid training?"
"Yes."
"Understood. Then leave the arrangements to me tomorrow."
"Very well."
"And one more request, if I may."
Sebastian held up a finger.
"Please do not handle her too harshly. How many who received your full attention have been utterly ruined..."
"Enough nagging. I know full well."
"Then I shall take my leave."
Sebastian bowed and exited.
Now I could finally relax a bit. He'd handle the household affairs and everything ahead just fine.
The next morning.
"My apologies, Master. It seems washing the item is something you must do yourself."
A fresh red streak marked Sebastian's face.
"She refuses to wash herself, despite my efforts."
"Hah."
Her stubbornness was on par with an ogre's tendons.
"I'll take care of it."
As I entered the room, Seria lowered her eyes.
"Wh-what are you doing here?"
There was some reward for the hardship, at least.
"You've caused Sebastian trouble."
"Th-that's!"
"In this house, Sebastian outranks you. You know the Siegfried name carries no weight here."
She couldn't argue.
"I trust you've understood me clearly."
I scooped up the lip-biting girl in my arms. Her soft skin pressed against me.
"Then let's begin the bath."
"Wh-what?"
"You know. Like the first day."
"Th-that's..."
Seria's pupils trembled.
"Sorry, but that's not possible."
It's essential for proper training, after all.
A blue light swirled around my hand.
Upon arriving at the Magic Department, I sought out Cedric Volpart immediately.
"What brings you here, Minister?"
"Summon Duke Siegfried for me."
"The Duke? May I ask what for?"
His eyes gleamed sharply, as if interrogating my intentions.
After the crown prince's rebellion, he had become the unchallenged head of the noble faction. The emperor's greatest enemy. No wonder he was on guard about me meeting such a figure.
The emperor's lapdog.
A tiresome foe.
"Simple. It's about compensation for the recent civil war."
"I believe the Finance Minister handles that."
"There are many magical items among the reparations, so as the department head, I need to assess them."
"I'll handle it."
Tiresome. He kept nitpicking.
"Cedric."
"Yes, Minister."
"Are you contradicting me right now?"
Cedric averted his gaze as our eyes met.
"My apologies."
"Enough chatter. Summon him."
"Yes, sir."
Cedric bowed and left the office.
Then, Mary Jane, who had watched from the side, approached with quick steps.
"Why Cedric? There are plenty of others. The vice minister, or the chief mage, or even me if nothing else?"
She looked at me with curiosity brimming.
"Why did I do that?"
She nodded vigorously, and I tossed out a single word.
"So the emperor hears."
Hearing that, Jane's eyes sparkled like a viewer discovering a birth secret in a morning drama.
Duke Siegfried arrived at the office.
"Good to see you, Minister Dmitry."
"It's been a while, Duke."
I greeted him with a leisurely smile. His platinum blond hair—identical to Seria's—was neatly swept back. His clean-shaven face bore deep wrinkles.
"What reason do you have for summoning me, Minister?"
Before answering, I glanced at the knight who had followed him.
"More escorts than expected?"
"One must prepare thoroughly to meet the empire's greatest mage."
"Pointless."
I turned my gaze away from them promptly.
"The reason is simple. Reparations from the civil war."
"I was under the impression it was all settled."
"A third of Siegfried lands, nearly half of your vassals' territories returned to the crown."
"And much more, Minister."
"Who doesn't know? That the noble faction paid diligently."
I lowered my voice.
"Do you want to save your daughter?"
"I have no daughter anymore."
He spat the words calmly, but his eyebrow twitched. He must be seething. His precious daughter now my property. He probably wanted to kill me and take her back right then. But a loser's words mean nothing. He could only crouch and wait for the next chance.
"Ah, my apologies. I forgot completely. Anyway, I have something you valued dearly."
I mentioned his daughter again, but he managed his expression this time. Plenty to think about now. Why bring up Seria, who underwent status execution? Testing for treason? Does he already know something? Think. The more you think, the better for me.
"I'm trying to get her adjusted, but her stubbornness is fierce."
"......"
"Care for some help?"
I leaned back in my chair.
"Don't you want to save House Siegfried?"
Snap! I flicked my fingers.
One enraged knight drew his sword at my insolence before a duke.
"Oh?"
The knight stared dumbly as his sword slipped powerlessly from his hand.
"Daring to draw a blade in the Magic Department? He needs education, Duke."
Even as I switched to informal speech, the duke said nothing. He just glared, grinding his teeth.
"You'd best not waste effort."
I waved lightly. Their longswords, hidden daggers, and concealed projectiles flew into the air.
"Unless you truly wish to die."
One knight collapsed upon meeting my eyes.
The duke clicked his tongue at the sight.
"What do you want?"
"Complete severance between Seria and House Siegfried."
"That's all?"
"Of course. Send someone she trusts most to the mansion."
"That will suffice?"
"Just send the person. I'll handle the rest."
"......"
He fell silent. I sent telepathy to ease his choice.
"What the emperor wants is Seria's suffering. If you fail properly, he's prepared to annihilate House Siegfried."
"To save both the house and Seria, obey me."
"I hope you make the right choice."
⟨ Telepathy ⟩
No human in the Magic Tower could pierce my telepathy.
After brief contemplation, Duke Siegfried nodded.
"Understood. I shall obey the minister."
He rose without hesitation. The knights followed him out in a rush.
Confirming the door closed, I let out a heavy sigh.
"Exhausting."
Living as Morris Dmitry was insanely draining. At this rate, I'd die soon.
As I rubbed my face, my eyes met Jane's, who had been watching.
She gazed at me like an avid spectator.
"Would the emperor really have wiped out the house if the duke refused?"
⟨ Telepathy to Jane ⟩
She heard it all. Once more: no human in the Magic Tower could pierce my telepathy.
Turn off your curiosity.
As Siegfried left, I sensed the gazes vanishing. To them, it would sound like routine business between the Magic Minister and Finance Minister.
Still as suspicious as ever.
The emperor's eyes were everywhere in the Magic Tower. They must wonder why I summoned Siegfried.
Wonder all you like.
The reason was simple. I didn't want to be a mere pawn blindly following the emperor's orders. Morris's damn personality wouldn't allow serving under anyone—not even the emperor.
I never liked the emperor much either.
The character I favored in the novel was someone else.
Smart.
"Enter."
"You called for me, Minister?"
A woman with striking blue hair opened the door and entered. Once the sub-male lead of Happy Ending from Evil, EvilHappy. Despairing over an unattainable love, she changed her gender. The great merchant once called Emir. Now, Emily.
"I have an item I want you to procure for me."