Reluctant Homecoming
There it was, the mansion in the distance. Inside the rattling carriage, Reina drew the window curtain and sank deeply into the backrest.
"Coachman."
"Yes, miss."
"Go slowly. Make sure we arrive at least an hour later than planned."
"Understood."
With that, the carriage slowed to a crawl.
"Hoo..."
A deep sigh. She knew it was ultimately pointless. No matter what, she still had to arrive at that place she called 'home' eventually.
...But I don't want to go.
Home and her hometown—places that held no joy for Reina.
If given the choice between the academy dorms and her room in the mansion, she'd pick the dorms without hesitation every time.
"Oh, coachman."
"Yes, miss."
"Don't head straight into the mansion. Turn right from over there instead."
"Understood."
The coachman steered the carriage onto a side path that skirted the mansion. This route always led to the same place whenever she returned to the family...
"We've arrived."
The carriage halted, and the door swung open.
"Wait here for about twenty minutes."
There were no servants to help her down. Reina hopped out lightly and walked ahead with steady steps.
Countless tombstones flanked her path. Passing between them, she stopped before one as if it were second nature.
A breeze blew from beyond. Her long black hair danced in the wind as she placed a single flower, tucked a strand behind her ear, and spoke.
"Mom, have you been well? Sorry, I should've come right away, but I was a bit late this time."
* * *
After finishing the first thing she always did upon returning to the territory, Reina turned the carriage toward the mansion. The current 'countess' was, of course, not her birth mother. She was the mother of her younger brother Alpren—a woman who had originally been the count's concubine. She had taken the position after Reina's own mother passed early from an illness of unknown origin.
Their relationship was cordial on the surface, nothing terrible. But Reina could always detect the thorns aimed at her in the woman's words.
She knew why. Having become countess, the woman now schemed to elevate Alpren to Count Wolfgang instead of Reina. Any noble lady who couldn't see that would be a failure.
[Lady Reina approaches!]
[Lady Reina approaches!]
[Lady Reina approaches!]
As the carriage passed through the grand gates, knights clad head to toe in black armor appeared. Once it had gone by, they raised their swords and spears skyward as if on cue—a ceremonial display of Wolfgang's might, the second power in the west.
But thinking about it, such rituals were just empty showmanship with no real substance. Wolfgang's prestige was mere drops compared to Repelheit or the imperial family. No ceremony could bridge that gap.
So... these displays were practically a waste of manpower.
Reina stepped out of the carriage with a face devoid of emotion. And then...
"They said you'd arrive by morning, but isn't this too late? Reina."
At the mansion's front gate stood a man with the same black hair as hers, dressed in ornate finery.
Reina bowed her head lightly.
"I was delayed visiting Mother. Father."
"...Tch. Still can't let go of Leiona, huh?"
"Welcome home, Reina. But keeping people waiting out here this long isn't polite, you know?"
On the opposite side stood a woman in a dress.
"Thank you. I'll be more mindful, Countess."
"Reina, aren't you hungry? Let's go inside and have a meal. There's so much to discuss. That Shukros family girl in your finals..."
She entered the mansion with the waiting count and countess. Deep down, she wanted to refuse them all and hole up in her room at the top of the spiral tower next door, but publicly, she was still Wolfgang's heir.
"I heard you met Alpren?"
"Yes, thanks to Alpren, I had a wonderful vacation. Madam."
"Oh, ho ho..."
Trivial chatter.
I wonder what Adrian's doing right now.
She kept up the conversation with her mouth while her mind wandered elsewhere. After barely touching her meal, Reina retreated straight to her room at the top of the spiral tower.
Normally, she'd read or study magic, but she wasn't in the mood. She simply lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"...Why couldn't I just tell him?"
It would've taken one sentence.
'Adrian, would you come to the ball with me?'
That's all she needed to say.
"You idiot, you fool! You have to muster courage at times like this!"
She kicked the old teddy bear propped against the bed's headboard, sending it flying across the room.
"Haa..."
She sprawled out on the bed like a starfish. That's when it happened.
Knock knock.
A knock, followed by a voice.
"Reina, are you in your room?"
"Yes, Father."
"I need to come in for a moment. May I open the door?"
At the countess's words that followed, Reina used mana to retrieve the fallen teddy bear and set it back in place before opening the door herself.
"...What is it?"
"It's not that—there's a ball in two days, right?"
She already knew about the ball. But the 'real intent' behind it? She'd only learned about that belatedly in the carriage.
Ridiculous.
As if I'd dance to their tune.
"So I prepared this for you."
The countess said it with evident delight. No, she'd always been the type to revel in this sort of thing.
"Yes, Reina. This ball is truly important..."
"Father."
"..."
"Let me say this upfront: I have no intention of breaking off my engagement."
At those words, the count's face twisted into a scowl.
"Reina, stop being stubborn. Adrian is finished. Bloodline, power, the sub-marquess position—all gone, cast out. He has no value left to justify keeping your engagement."
"No, I don't think so."
"Reina, listen to your father."
"Father, I..."
"Reina."
The count's face grew even uglier.
"It's already decided. Your petty stubbornness won't change it. Your new partner is Alin von Gail—a third-year at the academy and the eldest son of the Gail family. You'll meet at the ball, then announce the marriage right after."
Why... how could they not know?
Reina clenched her fists tight. Adrian was far from finished. If anything, he was worth binding with an engagement—or more.
Why, even after hearing all his exploits, did they refuse to see the brighter future ahead?
"This is absurd. I absolutely won't go through with it."
"Reina, are you turning against the family? After all I've done to raise you..."
"Damn right I am! If it's come to this!"
Her voice rose, mana surging and filling the room. The teddy bear, desk, chair—even the bed—began floating into the air.
"Where does my will factor into any of this? I'm not just 'Wolfgang'—I'm Reina von Wolfgang! Kailsen von Wolfgang! I'm not your plaything to wield for power!"
Mana exploded. Windows shattered, shards flying. The airborne teddy bear burst, stuffing scattering as it fell.
But Kailsen von Wolfgang unleashed his own mana, clashing against hers.
"You are 'Wolfgang.' Wolfgang comes before Reina. Always has! If it's for Wolfgang, everyone must comply!"
"I don't need it! I'll just leave Wolfgang behind!"
"And then?"
The count's voice dropped low.
"...Any help you give that disgraced wretch was only possible thanks to the family's power. The funds and information you use—all come from me!"
"That came from Mother, not you! How did a common 'Wolfgang' even become the west's second power? You married Leiona Florand knowing she had money, drained the Florand barony dry of every coin and soldier, then deliberately exposed their informants—your own death traps—and got them all killed! You think I don't know? And after taking everything from the Florands, when Mother fell ill, what did you do? What?!"
The count fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"It was unavoidable. Wolfgang had to come first. For us to become the west's second power, the Florands had to be sacrificed."
"...Sacrificed? You just..."
"Besides, Reina, don't you think Leiona handed me the family herself?"
"...Mother regretted marrying you her whole life."
"Is that so? Then she died well."
"What...!"
"Reina, nothing you do will change the future. Just obey quietly. Here's your dress."
A pale-faced servant brought in a stunning amethyst gown, set it aside, and left.
"We're leaving, Alpren."
"Y-yes..."
Once everyone had gone, Reina stared blankly at the dress. She considered unleashing mana to shred it to pieces right then.
—Reina.
—Even if something truly infuriating and absurd happens, just hold out for a little while.
—I'll come rescue you for sure.
—Can you do that?
"Adrian..."
She collapsed in her wrecked room, hugging her knees and burying her face.
"What... what should I do...?"
* * *
Meanwhile.
"Wh-what? What did you say?"
"What? Nothing much. The script for the ball's proceedings should already be out, right? I'm just asking you to tweak a few lines."
"B-but that's already set in stone..."
"Set in stone?"
I took a casual step forward, and the scrawny man recoiled in terror.
[Intimidation manifests through your gaze!]
[A gaze reveals: Bloodline unworthy of opposition!]
And then.
"Eek! Wh-what are you lot?!"
"No escape."
"Flee, and your neck kisses the floor."
Right on cue, Pin and Shal appeared behind the man, pressing dagger and shortsword to his back.
"Eeeek!"
"Finally grasping the situation, eh, ball emcee?"
Mask. I casually removed mine, and upon recognizing my face, the emcee's shock deepened.
"Y-you... h-how are you... here?!"
"If you get it, do as I say. Surely changing a few words isn't beyond you?"
The emcee's eyes trembled violently. Realizing his life hung on my every word, he clasped his hands and dropped to his knees.
"I'll do it! Just give the order! I'll change it all—won't breathe a word!"
"Good. What do you say?"
"The fiancé of Reina von Wolfgang, future Marquess of Repelheit, Adrian has arrived! ...R-right?"
Perfect. Full of vigor.