Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 0.5
Chapter Title: Fiancée's Fall? (2)
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Righteous mindset. Only that alone truly represents Tristan.
The Tristan family motto, unchanged from its very beginning right up to the present—not a single character altered.
These words were the weight I, Cecilia Dia Tristan, who had just become the acting heir today, had to bear.
My various relatives and retainers. Starting from the knights and servants I would lead.
The discernment to declare one's actions righteous. The martial prowess to enact righteousness without fail. The mercy to truly forgive even those who err.
I was still a person lacking in all these things. I wasn't the Crimson Knight or the Great Saintess among the five heroes—I was merely an ordinary successor.
That was why I had to strive endlessly, refining myself over and over.
From now on, I was the face of Tristan, so my every action and word carried the future of the house.
And yet, I couldn't shake this one thought.
'If only I'd received it two days later.'
An awkward-smiling pair of man and woman walked hand-in-hand down the street.
The man was my brother, Daniel Dia Tristan.
It wasn't anything unusual. He was at an age where he should have already married and even had children. If anything, he was late to the game.
'Hmm.'
That was why I could say with certainty: the awkward one in this picture was the woman.
Omnipotent. Perfect. Iron Rose. The pinnacle of high society who had fended off thirty-two fiancés in duels.
Lucia de Astria was her name, her smile refusing to leave her face as if holding hands was the greatest joy.
She was oozing charm from every inch of her body. Right in front of my brother, no less.
'Hmm~.'
If I hadn't become the acting heir, I might have slapped on a shameless grin and enjoyed prime seating for this family romance fantasy.
But things had turned out this way, so it was truly regrettable.
The day before this pair's date.
The banquet hall, fresh from the appointment ceremony, was dazzling.
Fitting for a banquet hosted by the Tristan Marquisate, symbol of abundance in the Empire's heartlands.
Chandeliers crafted by the Atelier Workshop glittered like the Milky Way from the ceiling, while the floor gleamed with polished white marble.
Embroidering the scene were the young ladies of retainer families in splendid dresses, clasped hands with young lords dancing alongside them.
And at the center was my dear brother, Daniel.
"Oh my, Priest Daniel. Your dancing is truly marvelous."
"You're too kind. It's thanks to Lady's excellent lead."
"Might I have the next song as well...?"
"I'm sorry, but I've already promised the next one."
I had no idea where he'd learned it from.
His footwork flowed as naturally as water, and his manners in considering his partner were textbook perfect.
Each time the hem of his white priestly robes fluttered with the dance, pink hearts practically exploded from the surrounding young ladies' eyes.
'Is it really that great?'
Watching my close friends up to now giggle and frolic with my brother felt like cognitive dissonance.
Man is wolf, woman is fox. This adage never seemed to miss the mark.
"Honestly, it's so childish."
"When you're around the same age, you kinda get that vibe~."
This was a frequent topic in the romance chats I had with those friends.
Why does a lady fall for a prince on a white horse at first sight? What emotion drives her to abandon everything and run off with a knight?
The discussions always boiled down to looks. What a tragic world.
In the end, humans are creatures who believe what they see first. Even the research from the Magic Tower said most brain function is tied to vision, didn't it?
From that perspective, my brother's current appearance could be summed up in one word.
'Soulless.'
My brother wasn't dancing right now. Well, he was trying his best to dance. It was just obvious he was treating it like work.
Of course, no one else would notice. Probably no one except our family?
Skinship? Sure, there was some. Hand on waist, hands clasped. But it was the bare minimum for dancing—zero meaning beyond that.
If that counted as a skill, then it was a skill.
"Cecilia. Your brother is so dashing. Does he have anyone special?"
"Who knows? He's always so busy."
"Then maybe I could..."
I gave a wry smile watching one of my friends lick her chops like a hyena.
Truth be told, it wasn't bad having my brother act as a shield like this.
Today's star was me, the new acting heir. That meant all of high society's attention should be on me.
With him drawing eyes that way, I could breathe relatively easy.
'Still, I wish he'd get married.'
This thought didn't reflect my brother's feelings at all.
"Hoo..."
After a whirlwind of dances, my brother staggered to the table where I was. Up close, his condition looked even worse.
His jet-black hair was damp with sweat, his deep black eyes losing focus. He was a literal energy vampire victim—dried squid status.
"Brother, you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just... a bit drained."
He gulped down a glass of water and answered weakly. He had danced a lot today, that was for sure. Anyone would think he was the one appointed acting heir.
Of course, the more he danced, the less meaning each one held, so for a brother with zero interest in romance, it was the natural choice.
"Daniel."
The problem was someone who wouldn't let it slide.
"Did you not meet any nice young ladies on your way back down this time?"
She smiled sweetly, but my brother's face rotted like a potato in response.
"Mother. You know I've been swamped with work in the Holy Empire."
"Your father wrote me letters even from the battlefield."
Along with the revelation that our father was a romantic, Mother's merciless barrage began.
"If you'd at least taken a celibacy vow, I wouldn't bring this up."
"If you'd shown some effort, I wouldn't have to step in."
"The older you get, the harder it'll be to find someone. How can I not worry?"
Each of Mother's words was a critical hit, and my brother's face grew stiffer by the second.
'Isn't this a bit much?'
He looked so pitiful that I spoke up. He was a full-fledged independent adult now; he could handle his own marriage.
Today's nagging felt a tad excessive.
"Mother. Brother surely has his own plans. He's been independent for ages now—"
"Cecilia. You're in the same boat. If your brother won't settle down, you should go first."
"Ahaha... Those cookies look tasty~."
No. It wasn't excessive at all.
Absolutely not because the sparks were flying my way.
I clamped my mouth shut, dodging Mother's gaze and quietly slipping away.
"Now, now, dear. That's enough. It's been ages since our son visited— no need to make him red-faced. Daniel, come here. Let's go greet the relatives."
Right then, a savior appeared.
Or was it a savior? Getting hammered hard by Mother or chipped away lightly by various relatives—pain was pain either way.
As Father grabbed my brother's arm and pulled him up, Mother wore a displeased expression but didn't pursue it in front of the relatives.
That place was another kind of hell anyway.
"Sigh... Who does he take after?"
"Right?"
Truthfully, with my own nose made of stone, I had no room to worry about him. Actually, it might be better if he stayed single longer.
'Don't suddenly dump it on me to find someone.'
Of course, I still had plenty of time, but when I reached my brother's age, the marriage pressure would be just as bad, if not worse.
And as acting heir, independence wasn't even an option for me.
So, let's pray. May Brother find a good match. But one so good it takes forever.
"Ah, hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Lucia de Astria."
Seems God only half-answered my prayer. I did pray for a good match, but not this quickly.
"My apologies, Marchioness. Our daughter is quite shy, so she's a bit tense."
"No worries, Duchess. It's a nerve-wracking seat even for me. Don't fret."
By convention, major events like an acting heir appointment were attended only by direct and collateral kin plus retainer families on the first day.
So, outsiders attending on day one were rare. It could look like meddling in succession matters. Etiquette dictated avoiding it unless necessary.
In that sense, she was an unwelcome guest...
"It seems our girl has taken a liking to your young master."
"Oh my. The happiest news I've heard all year."
But in this special case, things were different. Mother's vibe screamed she'd drag them straight into the manor, conventions be damned.
'...Pissing me off?'
Heat rushed to my head. Just moments ago, he'd claimed busyness left no room for meetings, that he'd have introduced any girlfriend right away.
All those excuses, and he'd been scouting behind the scenes?
Some of us genuinely had no one we liked and were living accordingly!
"Hello. Um, are you Cecilia?"
Amid it all, Brother's girl smiled my way and greeted me.
Her blue eyes trembled, clearly gauging my reaction.
'...Just like the rumors.'
As a high noble myself active in society, I'd heard the name Lucia de Astria plenty.
One sentence summed her up:
'A woman you absolutely wouldn't introduce to your fiancé.'
The epitome of everything that tugs at a man's heartstrings. Especially if that bosom jiggled even slightly—multiple relationships shattering was a given.
And now, embarrassed by the situation, she twirled her silver-blonde hair around her finger.
Seeing the natural coquettishness pouring from her actions, I got why thirty-two fiancés had swarmed her.
...Sigh. Shouldn't have helped earlier?
"Hello. If it's not rude, may I call you sister-in-law?"
"P-Pardon? Oh, no! That's too soon..."
"It's fine. We'll be seeing lots of each other, so better to get close quick."
A great idea struck me.
Even with a woman like this around, Brother keeping mum meant he still had no intention of getting engaged.
But she was gearing up to seize the horns herself.
"I know this place inside out. I've got all the great spots for two: gardens, restaurants..."
"Um, well..."
"I'll help you every way I can, sister-in-law. How about a boat ride?"
Of course, as Tristan's acting heir, wasn't aiding this my duty?
Absolutely not because I was steamed. No way.