The Hohenberg Marquisate (1)
Once the baptism ceremony concluded, the bishops dispatched from the Holy Kingdom finished their preparations to depart. Had they been nobles fond of lavish living, they might have enjoyed a luxurious sightseeing tour under the guise of official business. True to their devout nature as clergy, the bishops maintained a strict and disciplined demeanor. At least that hurdle had been cleared. The baptism, witnessed by countless priests, had passed without incident.
“Have you given any thought to the proposal the bishops offered?”
As I turned my head to leave, a silver-haired girl suddenly appeared and caught my step. Though I showed no outward reaction, I was quite startled. The First Saintess had approached without the slightest sound and stepped on my shadow.
“Next time, at least announce your presence.”
“I wanted to see the look of surprise on Lord Edanant’s face… but you didn’t react at all. How boring.”
Jeblinne giggled as she spoke. I gave her a wry smile in return.
“I appreciate the Holy Kingdom’s offer, but I have no intention of leaving the Valtaria Empire. More precisely, I have no intention of leaving the Hohenberg County. Since the eldest son has run away, the second son must at least stay to protect his father.”
I politely declined the Holy Kingdom’s proposal, using my father and the family as justification. The bishops accepted with visible regret. It seemed they had never expected to succeed in recruiting me from the start.
“That is a commendable attitude. While devout faith is important, one cannot disregard filial piety.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
Jeblinne gave a subtle signal with her eyes and began walking. She wanted to change locations. With a shrug, I followed the silver-haired girl.
The place we arrived at with the Saintess was an antique reception room filled with a faint woody fragrance. It was located inside the luxurious detached palace provided by the Valtaria imperial family. As I stepped into the enclosed space with the pure Saintess, sharp glares were directed at me. Truly befitting the otaku knights who idolized Jeblinne. Surely they weren’t imagining I was having a secret rendezvous with her. If that absurd misunderstanding spread, millions of Earth Mother’s followers would be thrown into chaos.
“Saintess, may I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
I glanced at the firmly closed door. No presence could be felt. The rigid knights wouldn’t sneak around to spy. They were probably grinding their teeth while indulging in pointless fantasies by now. After carefully confirming with my intuition, I looked at Jeblinne and spoke.
“I want to know why you helped me during the baptism ceremony.”
“……”
“Normally, the bishops sent by the Holy Kingdom would have officiated the baptism, but you suddenly took their place. At the time, I thought it was just a whim… but after seeing how hesitant you were to perform the baptism, I became certain.”
“…You really do catch on quickly.”
If it had been a minor mistake or oversight, I might have let it slide. But this was something that had to be addressed. The Holy Kingdom’s Saintess had concealed the identity of a demonkin. If the truth came out, Jeblinne would be stripped of her position and excommunicated. No matter how revered the Saintess was, hiding a demonkin was a grave sin.
It was true that we had built a close friendship since our first meeting. However, our relationship was not one where she would commit such a grave sin against her faith just to help me. Why? Why go so far?
Our acquaintance had lasted less than a month. Staring at the Saintess, I demanded an answer.
“It’s because… I like Lord Edanant?”
“I asked seriously.”
Jeblinne wore an awkward smile and played dumb. It meant she found it difficult to answer honestly. My brow furrowed at the cheeky Saintess’s reply.
“Hmph, isn’t the one who forgot first at fault…?”
“What?”
When I glared at her fiercely, Jeblinne turned her head and grumbled in a sulky voice. I closed my mouth at the sight. Pressing her further wouldn’t yield the answer I wanted.
She had hidden my identity out of simple goodwill. It was a hard answer to trust, but the outcome of the baptism proved it, so for now, I had no choice but to believe it. I couldn’t exactly use physical force on the First Saintess, after all.
“I have no intention of revealing it myself. You’ll have to figure it out on your own, Lord Edanant. And since I hid your identity anyway… please grant me one request.”
Thud—
Jeblinne pressed both hands on the table and stood up abruptly. Her radiant blue eyes sparkled mischievously. It was a habit the white dragon’s Saintess showed whenever she was up to some playful mischief.
“From now on, can I call you Edan?”
“……”
That was a nickname only family members were allowed to use. Right now, some ill-mannered fairy was unilaterally using it. She wanted to call me by that nickname—surely she planned to tease me with it. Jeblinne’s excited voice instantly turned the serious atmosphere frivolous. It seemed further questions would be difficult.
“I am a demonkin who worships a forgotten god. Are you truly all right with that?”
“Of course. Did you think I lacked even that much resolve?”
I confessed as if making a declaration of conscience. Jeblinne nodded as though she had known for a long time.
“You’ll regret it later.”
“Pfft, no I won’t.”
People said a woman’s heart was unfathomable, but the First Saintess’s inner thoughts were especially difficult to read. I didn’t know. I couldn’t understand at all. An unknown anxiety deeper than a quagmire surfaced. Perhaps that was why Jeblinne, who showed not even the slightest movement, felt nothing but mischievous. If she had feared and been wary of me, I might have understood. I sent a sharp warning, hoping to instill some caution in Jeblinne, who was filled with affection. Yet despite the warning, Jeblinne did not waver in her affectionate feelings.
* * *
Ludmila had hoped the title of ‘Duke’ would be bestowed upon the Hohenberg family, but the chancellors’ dissuasion caused it to fall through during the merit awards. They acknowledged that Edanant had slain a demonkin and saved Princess Elizaveta, but appointing the Hohenberg family to a dukedom required careful judgment. It could be seen as favoritism, with the Valtaria imperial family showing undue preference to the Hohenberg family. There was also concern that the ten dukes who had long served the imperial family and the empire would strongly object.
Through the persistent persuasion of the chancellors who directed the empire’s internal affairs, the old maid’s stubbornness was broken. Instead, to show the utmost sincerity, the Hillidar County and part of the imperial direct territory were incorporated into the Hohenberg family. It was also decided to grant them the title of marquis, the rank immediately below duke.
“Sister, isn’t this too obvious?”
“We can’t appear stingy toward the hero who saved the princess. It’s all for your sake. Though marriage talks are temporarily on hold, Edanant will eventually become your partner.”
Elizaveta asked with a smirk. Ludmila responded in a calm voice. She looked as though she had no idea at all—or perhaps she was deliberately feigning ignorance.
“Come on! You’re already trying to curry favor with your in-laws, aren’t you? Really, sister.”
“W-who…! That’s not it! Absolutely not!”
Siga—the husband’s family home. The siga Elizaveta referred to naturally meant the Hohenberg family. Upon hearing those words, Ludmila’s face flushed bright red as she flustered.
“Ahem! I still believe Edanant is a suitable match for you. There’s no other reason.”
“You’re lying again. You’re the one who likes Edanant, sister.”
She tried to deny it, but there was not an ounce of persuasiveness in her words. All the nobles knew that Princess Ludmila favored Lord Edanant. Her blatant interference in the merit awards proved it. At twenty-seven this year, she was understandably anxious. Elizaveta wore an expression of full understanding as she comforted her sister. Even in the eyes of the villainess, the older sister nearing thirty seemed pitiful. Elizaveta’s eyes were filled with sympathy.
“You’re the one who’s been pining after Edanant too…! Ever since that day, the way you look at Edanant has clearly changed. Just like when you used to come to my bedroom late at night to brag about Maximilian’s heroic tales.”
“W-what! That’s not true…! Edanant is Maximilian’s younger brother! What on earth is this old maid saying!”
This time, Ludmila had touched Elizaveta’s reverse scale. Elizaveta flinched in surprise and hurriedly made excuses. They were the same. Their refusal to acknowledge it said everything. The sisters had come to like the same man. Ludmila and Elizaveta, caught in a complicated love triangle, kept prodding each other’s sensitive spots as if trying to yield to one another. The more their voices rose, the more their beautiful faces flushed like boiling teapots.
“I have time to spare, but sister, your marriageable age is already far too late! If you miss Edanant, you’ll be single for life! You might even have to marry some divorced man with a child!”
“……”
Damn it. There was no rebuttal. I wanted to counter with something spiteful, but… faced with Elizaveta’s desperate plea, Ludmila could only open and close her mouth. How cowardly to only say things that were completely correct.
“How about taking this opportunity to visit the Hohenberg County… no, the Marquisate? Edanant is returning to the Hohenberg Marquisate for a while. You could act like a married couple with Edanant and score points with your father-in-law.”
“You’re coming with me too! No, I’m definitely taking you with me!”
Ludmila sincerely respected Edanant. But at the same time, she wanted Edanant to become Elizaveta’s partner. For her, nothing was more important than her younger sister’s happiness. If it would make her sister happy, Ludmila was willing to give up her feelings for Edanant. And because Elizaveta knew of her sister’s devoted heart, she repeatedly expressed her refusal. Her sister was someone who had endured countless hardships and suffering to protect the Valtaria Empire. Having always received help like a shameless freeloader until now, this time she wanted to step back for her sister’s happiness.