267 - Tea with My Aunt
The White Knights guarding the detached palace have been largely replaced. The new personnel are still White Knights, but they seem to mainly be the third son of the Staff Peerage and the heir of the Merit Peerage. Since they are the same White Knights, I cannot expect much from them in terms of combat ability, but their hearts seem entirely different. The Staff Peerage, who has maintained their house through generations by disciplining themselves and coexisting with their domain's people, and the Merit Peerage, who only recently obtained their title through achievements, both possess high loyalty. They would never do something as stupid as selling out their charge for money. Then why were not these White Knights assigned from the beginning? Apparently, they were prioritizing giving opportunities to the declining Flower Peerage knights to earn merits. I do not know who came up with that consideration, but it is a pity that their consideration went to waste.
The simplest way to earn merits was to diligently guard the detached palace during my stay, but the White Knight who caused the trouble this time was apparently foolish enough not to understand even that. He sold out the person staying in the detached palace he was supposed to be guarding for a paltry sum. All that remains for that White Knight is that small amount of money. He has lost his home to return to, his family, his job. And his own future as well, most likely.
...Well, he invited thieves into the detached palace where royalty was also staying. There is no need to sympathize.
That is the fate of someone who has no right to do so yet sells others out without permission. If I only heard about the outcome, I might feel a little sorry for him, but it is ultimately a case of reaping what you sow.
I was staring at my writing board for memos, thinking that I should start considering a bobbin lace textbook soon, when an invitation arrived from Mikaela. I had already met Mikaela once, so I accepted readily. Mikaela's residence, Siegwald's mansion, is outside the royal castle in the noble district, so going out felt a bit troublesome, but my guardian (Leonardo) had told me to get out occasionally, so this was a good opportunity. With guards present and having grown accustomed to traveling by carriage, it would serve as good practice for going out without my guardian.
...Leonardo-san is not coming, but Valerier is with me, after all.
Hermine's assignment was "bringing Valerier along as an attendant," saying I needed to get used to working with lady's maids soon rather than relying only on maid roles. Hermine would accompany me in the carriage until we arrived to supervise, but today at Siegwald's mansion, Valerier would be the one staying with me. I had grown a little accustomed to Valerier, but she is not someone who knows me from my free-spirited days in Grenore. I should probably refrain from letting loose too much.
...That is probably Hermine-sensei's aim too, after all.
They will not treat me like a child forever. To make me aware of that, they are probably gradually increasing the number of people around me.
"Thank you for the invitation, Mikaela-sama."
Upon arriving at what seemed to be today's tea party venue, a sunroom, I offered a lady's smile and greeting to Mikaela, our host. I am not yet a "lady who can be presented anywhere" and still show my true self quickly, but I think this is about right for an eleven-year-old country girl.
"Welcome, Tina-san."
"Good day to you, Christina-sama."
I raised my head from the bow and turned toward the direction of the voices. I succeeded in not letting the surprise of there being one voice too many show on my face. Slowly sweeping my gaze around, I saw Sofiya emerging from behind the ornamental plants decorating the sunroom. It seemed I had simply overlooked her. Sofiya, wearing a pure smile, did not appear to have been hiding.
"Hello, Sofiya-sama."
When I apologized for not noticing her and being rude, Sofiya apologized in turn, saying she was the one who had insisted on joining. Last time, the purpose was to introduce me and Leonardo to Sofiya, but this time seemed similar. Mikaela probably had not mentioned that Sofiya would be joining, but perhaps because it is rare for Sofiya to go out on her own, Mikaela only offered me an apologetic smile, nothing more.
"So, um..."
After enjoying the baked sweets that were served and exchanging some news about recent events, a sudden silence fell. As if waiting for that silence, Sofiya opened her mouth, then closed it again. She kept opening and closing her mouth as if she wanted to say something, so I stopped chatting and waited for her to continue.
...Is it about Bertrand-sama again?
Last time, she spent the whole time apologizing for Bertrand causing trouble in Grenore. This time might be about Bertrand too. Just thinking a little brings many matters to mind that could warrant an apology related to Bertrand.
"Is it about Bertrand-sama?"
"Huh? Ah, yes. ...Well, it is about my father-in-law, but..."
I prompted her since the silence was too long, but her words were vague. It seemed to involve Bertrand, but the feel was slightly different.
...What could it be?
Having nothing else to think of, I took off my lady's mask a little. When I tilted my head like a child and looked up at her, Sofiya's shoulders relaxed slightly.
...It seems she finds it easier to deal with a child than a well-behaved lady.
Consciously acting childish, I brought a baked sweet to my mouth. Mikaela did not seem inclined to offer any help, leaving it to Sofiya's initiative.
"Um... I heard that Christina-sama is my father-in-law's granddaughter..."
"Ah, that matter. The other day, because of that rumor, one White Knight at the detached palace ended up in a pitiful state."
"Rumor...?"
I feigned ignorance to probe what she intended by asking about being a granddaughter. When I vaguely explained that a White Knight who had dismissed me as a Merit Peerage's granddaughter caused trouble because of Bertrand making a fuss about me being his granddaughter, and was disciplined, Sofiya's complexion visibly paled.
"Because of Father-in-law's influence... how did the White Knights at the detached palace..."
"Oh? Did I not mention it?"
Thinking about it, Sofiya communicates with me through Mikaela. It might not be surprising that she does not know how I am being treated.
I told Sofiya that I am treated as Leonardo's sister, but my residence in the capital is the detached palace within the royal castle. Since the Sixth Princess (Felicia) was also staying at the detached palace, those who took the rumor seriously and sneaked in for the purpose of playing a prank on me, along with the White Knight who facilitated it, received heavy punishment.
"People have been punished... because of something Father-in-law caused..."
Seeing Sofiya starting to tremble, I tilted my head inwardly. I had thought it was another apology about Bertrand, but it seemed different. Apparently, she had not even known about what Bertrand had recently caused.
...But if that is the case, what does she want?
When I think of Sofiya, I only remember her endlessly apologizing for the commotions Bertrand causes, so that impression is strong. If it is not an apology, what could it be about? I tried recalling Sofiya's earlier words.
"...Are you asking whether Bertrand-sama and I are grandfather and granddaughter?"
I think the conversation started something like that. Since it was a topic I personally did not want to touch upon, I immediately changed the subject and probed her intentions, but Sofiya only kept turning pale and the conversation would not move forward. At this rate, the day was going to end with another apology about Bertrand, just like last time.
...This time, I feel like she should apologize to the White Knight's family rather than to me, honestly.
Of course, the White Knight who facilitated the suspicious person was only getting what he deserved, so I do not think an apology is necessary. But his family is having a difficult time due to the aftermath of their son's misdeed. Sofiya does not need to apologize to them, but if she absolutely must apologize to someone, the victims would be them.
"If you are asking whether he is my grandfather, I have no intention of acknowledging it, but it seems Sofiya-sama would be my aunt."
I do not want to go to Bertrand's house, so I do not want to recognize Bertrand as my grandfather. But I have no particular aversion to Sofiya. I had no hesitation in calling Sofiya "aunt."
...Well, I suppose it does feel a little strange since I have never had a relative like an aunt before.
"So I am an aunt... which means you are truly Saromon-sama's..."
"My father is just Saro. He does not have a name like Saromon."
I interjected a correction since this is important. I am Saro's daughter, not the daughter of a noble like Saromon. Bertrand seems to be saying I am his granddaughter, but I have no intention of acknowledging that.
"...Christina-sama, your features resemble Saromon-sama, and your personality resembles Chloe."
"You knew my mother?"
"Yes, before she married, I spoke with her several times at Bertrand-sama's mansion."
Apparently, my mother, who worked as a maid at Bertrand's mansion, had once come out to entertain Sofiya, who was my uncle's fiancee at the time. Since I only know my parents from Mey Village, Sofiya's stories were refreshing.
"You truly are Saromon-sama's daughter."
"I will not acknowledge that grandfather is that person, though."
"I wonder if your stubbornness comes from Saromon-sama?"
"Father is not stubborn..."
I wanted to say that my father Saro was not a stubborn person, but upon reflection, I could not say there was no basis for it. I had told him several times that the villagers were just using him and he should stop, but each time he would gently shake his head. He said it was necessary to be accepted by the village.
...Well, far from being accepted by the village, the whole village ended up destroyed anyway.
"Saromon-sama and my father-in-law are both stubborn... Chloe seemed to have a hard time caught between the two of them. She should have been persuading Saromon-sama not to do anything rash until the very end..."
In the end, the two eloped. Even with a stubborn father and a mother who tried to dissuade him from leaving home, the grandfather's feelings probably did not change. At some point, my father gave up on Bertrand and ran away from home with my mother.
"Christina-sama... do you have any intention of returning to my father-in-law's house..."
"Do I look like I do?"
I looked up at Sofiya with my best lady-like smile of the day. This alone seemed to convey that I had absolutely no intention of going to Bertrand. Sofiya's face contorted with a complicated expression. Incidentally, I thought I could see the intent behind Sofiya confirming whether I was Bertrand's granddaughter.
...Is she thinking that if I enter Bertrand-sama's house, she might be able to get her child back?
Since what Bertrand wants seems to be a healthy heir, if I enter Bertrand's house, there is certainly a possibility that my sickly cousin would no longer be needed. Thinking simply, at least. But Bertrand is looking for a father he once let slip away. He probably thought the family would continue even without a third son, but in reality, it did not work out that way. The eldest and second sons have passed away, and of the several grandchildren there should have been, only Aristalf, who I hear is sickly, remains. There is a possibility he thinks you can never have too many backups.
"I have no plans to become a child of Bertrand-sama's house, but if Sofiya-sama says she wants to get her child back, I will help within my ability."
"...Eh?"
It seemed to be something she had never considered. Sofiya's eyes went wide with surprise.
"I have just about reached my limit with Bertrand-sama. I was thinking I would like to make him eat his words, just once."
When I invited her to take her child back and give Bertrand a piece of our minds, Sofiya furrowed her willow-like brows in distress. It seemed she had never even thought of standing up to Bertrand.
"You have to tell him no when you do not like something. That domestic-dictator old man needs to be given a piece of... mmyaah... mmph!"
"Tina-sama, your cat is showing."
It seemed I had let myself get a bit too carried away. What would normally be Hermine's forceful shutdown was instead carried out by Valerier. In a way, the lady's maid assigned to me today was excellent, trusted by Hermine to know when to rein me in. I would surely have this reported to Hermine after we returned to the carriage, and the ride home would be a reflection session.
...Ugh, I messed up.
Taking a deep breath, I calmed my heart. When I corrected my words and apologized to Sofiya and Mikaela for my rudeness, they both wore wry smiles.
Will fix typos and errors at a later date.