Chapter 17
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17
A few days later.
Many vassals attended the Frezier family’s irregular council meeting.
However, only those of the Frezier direct lineage were permitted to sit at the head table. This time, even the elderly statesmen, though highly respected within the territory, were not allowed those seats.
It was because the agenda involved one of the most significant votes in the family’s history.
“His Grace the Grand Duke has finally put the Statis Plains on the table.”
“To think he’s been letting that fertile, prime land sit idle all this time.”
“He didn’t offer it up willingly. The fact that he moved it to a direct lineage vote suggests he’s keeping the possibility of a veto in mind.”
Seated at the head table was Lilius Frezier, the only son of the Grand Duke currently residing in the territory and a member of the direct line.
Lilius maintained a gentle and humble expression, but a few seasoned statesmen caught the fleeting glimpse of cheap smugness crossing his face and swallowed their sighs.
“His Grace the Grand Duke is entering.”
As Asis Frezier appeared in the council chamber, everyone, including Lilius, bowed politely.
“Everyone, be seated.”
Asis Frezier took his place as the head of the family and surveyed the room.
“Father. Did you find rest during the night?” Lilius asked quickly, inquiring after the Grand Duke’s well-being.
Grand Duke Asis merely gave a faint nod and shifted his gaze.
Lilius was the only one sitting in the seats reserved for the direct lineage. His other sons and grandsons were not in the territory, and Tedric Frezier was unable to participate as his direct lineage authority had been revoked.
According to the conservative Frezier family law, even daughters-in-law or sons-in-law were ineligible for this specific voting council.
There was only one person who could sit at this highest table without sharing the family blood: the spouse of the family head.
Grand Duke Asis looked at the empty seat beside him. It was a seat that had remained vacant for over ten years.
The elder serving as the chairperson spoke up.
“Ahem. Now that His Grace has arrived, we shall begin the emergency voting council—”
Slam!
“...?”
The vassals, who had been as quiet as mice in the presence of Grand Duke Asis Frezier, couldn't believe their ears.
Click, clack.
Accompanied by the rhythmic sound of heels striking the marble floor, someone bypassed the numerous seated vassals and headed straight for the head table.
“...The Lady?”
“Pink hair?”
“Lady Tulia?”
The last murmur came from Luc Kelposher.
Tulia Frezier, her pinkish hair neatly braided, came to a halt in front of the head table. She stood directly opposite Lilius Frezier, who was staring at her with wide eyes.
“Hello, Grandfather.”
She stood at the seat immediately below Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
After bowing deeply to the Grand Duke, Tulia lifted her head. Her large eyes sparkled like lush greenery swaying under the summer sun.
“I apologize for being late. I heard that I, too, am qualified to participate.”
* * *
“...Ahem. Then, we shall proceed with the meeting.”
I sat in the plush chair, listening intently with a constant smile on my face.
“The agenda concerns the commercial use permit for the Statis Plains, located in the center of the Grand Duchy.”
A light stir broke out among the vassals.
Lilius, who had been cycling through expressions of shock, disapproval, and absurdity since my entrance, cleared his throat and adjusted his posture.
It must have been a long-desired project of his. His face was practically glowing with anticipation.
“In accordance with family law, members of the Frezier direct lineage who are in favor of this motion, please raise your hand.”
Lilius immediately raised his hand to cast a vote of approval.
Then, a male noble seated one level below Lilius and me also raised his hand.
“Ah. I heard he was Count Nigella’s proxy...”
It seemed Nigella Frezier was quite confident, considering he didn't even show up in person.
“It appears the two brothers intend to start a joint venture on the Statis Plains...”
“In any case, two votes constitute a clear majority.”
“Ahem.”
The chairperson cleared his throat to settle the room and spoke again.
“Members of the Frezier direct lineage who are against the motion, please raise your hand.”
I raised my hand.
However, there wasn't a stir of reaction like there had been when Lilius cast his vote.
In fact, hardly any of the vassals even acknowledged me as a member of the Frezier family. They likely thought I was just a fifteen-year-old girl who didn't know any better, raising her hand at random.
‘Mainly because I’m just one person.’
But you see...
If you think about it, I’m the only one here.
The Frezier family voting council was an event I had experienced until I was sick of it while playing The Milk Bread hundreds of times. Thanks to that, I knew exactly how to quadruple my single vote with just one sentence.
“Mr. Chairman.”
I made my declaration with a wicked and villainous—no, a confident and virtuous smile.
“Every member of the Marquis Frezier household casts a dissenting vote.”
“...!”
* * *
The voting council ended up taking another hour to conclude. And the atmosphere was an absolute mess.
The result, of course?
“In accordance with family law, the commercial use permit for the Statis Plains has been rejected.”
Lilius protested to the chairperson until the veins in his neck bulged, but what could he do when that was the law?
Furthermore, it was Grand Duke Asis Frezier who asked Lilius in a cold voice if he had a problem with the family law.
In the end, Lilius was silenced like he’d swallowed a mute button. Though his face did turn a mottled shade of red and purple.
‘As expected, it pays to focus on one thing.’
I felt a surge of pride, thinking that all those hours spent playing nothing but The Milk Bread were finally paying off.
‘Originally, this was a card Corico could never use.’
In The Milk Bread, Corico was the prospective daughter-in-law until right before the ending. Of course, according to Frezier family law, she couldn't exercise voting rights even after becoming a daughter-in-law.
That’s why in one of the endings, one of the male leads inherits the position of Frezier family head ‘in advance’ to give Corico the authority of the Grand Duchess.
I had vivid memories of struggling through that particular ending because it was so difficult.
The male lead of that difficult pure-love ending, and the next head of the Frezier family, was...
‘Tulia’s biological brother. The older of the twins.’
Lisian Frezier, the young lord of the Marquisate.
He was the owner of one of the votes I used today.
Another vote belonged to Tulia’s other twin brother, and the last one, naturally, belonged to Tulia’s father, Marquis Aster Frezier.
“Having blood relatives is certainly convenient.”
To be able to pull in voting rights like this.
Of course, if I were told to choose between being born as Corico or Tulia again, I’d pick Corico in a heartbeat. Tulia was still a villainess who could die at any moment.
Still, my mood lightened at the thought of protecting the Statis Plains and properly screwing over Lilius.
I was about to skip back to my bedroom when I came to a dead halt less than a second later.
‘Gasp.’
“G-Grandfather?”
Hiccup.
“Urgh.”
A hiccup escaped me, and I clamped my hands over my mouth. Grand Duke Asis Frezier, who had been standing there staring at me like a terrifying demon, turned his body.
‘...Is he leaving?’
That hopeful thought lasted only a moment.
As Grand Duke Asis Frezier began to walk, he spoke.
“Follow me.”
I scurried after the Grand Duke, watching his every move warily.