Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: "My Mansion is Burning"
Gokigenyou. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
I returned to the mansion in the Royal Capital to coincide with the Magic Academy's spring break.
It is a half-day carriage ride from Elsemarin, the seaside town where my Magic Academy is located. As I traveled the road to the Royal Capital, my thoughts were first and foremost of Father, Mother, and Onii-sama, who should have been waiting for me at the mansion.
In the last letter I received, they wrote about the family's recent situation and how much they wanted to see me.
They mentioned that a large quantity of the target ore had been mined from the mines owned by House Fortesia, and that product development using it was underway. They also mentioned some suspicious movements in the aristocratic world recently, and how they had found an old album in the family storehouse and indulged in nostalgic memories. Following those details... it also said that Dactor-sama wished to see me.
...Yes. What I am thinking about as much as my family is my fiancé at the Royal Castle, Dactor Fila Orchesta-sama.
Dactor-sama is my fiancé. However, it is an engagement between different social standings.
After all, Dactor-sama is the 7th Prince of the Royal House Orchesta. In other words, he is a person of a rank that falls within the top ten in this country.
On the other hand, my family... House Fortesia, is ultimately just a nouveau riche noble family.
When I was young, Father took over Grandfather's business and hit the jackpot. We are merely nouveau riche who bought our noble title with that money. There are many nobles who scowl at the idea of a daughter who isn't a blue-blooded noble being engaged to a prince.
Well, without anyone needing to point it out, this is a loveless political marriage. I am well aware of that.
The Royal Family, whose finances are on the verge of collapse, wants the financial power of House Fortesia. House Fortesia, through marriage with the Royal Family, sheds its status as a nouveau riche noble family. This is a marriage with benefits for both parties.
Dactor-sama also seems eager for this engagement. Even if he finds my family's wealth more attractive than me, the catalyst for this engagement was the Prince himself taking a liking to me and making the proposal.
In other words, an engagement the Prince himself desired! No matter what those around us say, it is rock solid! The prosperity of House Fortesia is guaranteed!
...Setting that aside.
"My mansion is burning."
When I returned home, the mansion was on fire.
It's burning. It's really burning. Eh? Why is it burning? Was a mansion something that burned?
"Violia-sama!"
Rushing toward me as I stood there dazed was the head maid, Nerina. She is an excellent maid who has served House Fortesia for many years.
"Ah, Milady... are you safe?"
"Nerina, what happened here!?"
When I asked Nerina, she looked down weakly.
"...I do not know. We were supposed to have guests today, but suddenly, flames rose from the direction of the drawing room and spread with terrifying speed... It is likely that the fire also reached the basement... And, the whereabouts of the Master and Madam are unknown..."
"N-no way..."
Watching the blazing mansion, I could only repeat detached, airy thoughts.
What happened to Father, Mother, and Onii-sama? I wonder if they managed to escape safely somewhere?
If the mansion has burned down, doesn't that mean most of our assets have vanished?
House Fortesia owns several wineries and several mines. Connections as a merchant are not things that disappear in flames.
However, the land deeds and promissory notes are inside that fire, aren't they? Of course, we have placed many people in our debt, so even if a single piece of paper burns, we shouldn't lose our rights entirely, but still...
However, the stored currency is clearly not safe. Even jewels become mere stone scraps if exposed to flames. ...This is a major blow.
And, if Father, Mother, and Onii-sama... if...
...Ah. Why did it come to this?
"Violia Nico Fortesia."
However, the time for detached thoughts was over.
When I turned around after my name was called, there stood the soldiers of the Royal Castle.
...I have a bad feeling about this. At the very least, I don't think it's a case of 'Dactor-sama learned of House Fortesia's crisis and sent help.'
The eyes of the soldiers... were not those directed at a noble, much less at the fiancée of their own master.
"You are under suspicion for the attempted assassination of Prince Dactor. You will come with us to the castle."
"Dactor-sama, assassination...? Me!?"
What kind of mistake is this! There's no way I would kill Dactor-sama! If I enter a marital relationship with the Royal Family, the house is secure! It's 'Sayonara, Bye-Bye' to the days of being called nouveau riche! So why would I go out of my way to try and kill Dactor-sama! Are these soldiers out of their minds!?
"Take her away."
Without answering me at all, the soldiers tried to haul me off.
"Wait just a moment! What do you think you are doing, you insolent fools!"
"Milady—!"
Ignoring both my protests and the pained voice of the maid Nerina, the soldiers roughly shoved me into a carriage and heartlessly began to drive the horses.