kscans

Chapter 28 - What is Likely Prepared

On the way to their domain, everyone had disembarked from the carriages for a break and lunch. In contrast to the peaceful, flowing time, Lupia was facing a mountain of problems she had to think about. Once she'd noticed it, she found her thoughts spinning in circles, even though she knew it was pointless.

Her father had told her that even if the King summoned her to the palace, she had no need to comply. She decided to take him up on that offer. There was no telling what might be said if they met face to face.

And then, there was the 'future' that lay ahead. Leaving this country likely meant that the Calmond family would no longer be a 'ducal' family. The dream she had aimed for, 'the next Duchess,' might be crushed right there. Even if her mother was a former princess, she had heard she had renounced her right to the throne.

"What should I do?"

Of course, she was happy to be able to spend some time relaxing. But it was also a fact that her own feelings were growing colder in inverse proportion. As she murmured in a dark voice, she heard the rustle of leaves and turned her gaze in that direction.

"What is it, Lupia?"

"...Uncle."

"Troubles?"

"...I was just wondering what I'm going to do from now on. ...The path to 'Duchess Calmond,' my biggest goal..."

"It's not closed off yet, is it?"

"Huh...?"

"You're so stubborn."

"What?!"

"And you're being way too pessimistic. What's wrong? This isn't like you."

Gerald chuckled, but Lupia, not understanding the reason, could only stare at him with wide, confused eyes. Seeing his niece looking so mentally exhausted, Gerald gave a wry smile and asked a question. To be this troubled in such a short time, she must have been thinking about too many things at once. It might be part of her personality, but for his niece who had a tendency to overthink, Gerald spoke as if to reason with her.

"Think about it. Who is your mother?"

"A former princess of the Qua Kingdom, sir."

"Then there you have it. You may no longer be a duchess in this country, but if you go to the Qua Kingdom, there will be other paths. Besides, even if she has renounced her right to the throne, no one can treat a former royal lightly."

"...Ah...!"

Her mother Millière's family, or rather, her homeland, was the 'Qua Kingdom.' Millière was born as the sixth princess, and as the child of a consort, her claim to the throne was practically nonexistent, but to avoid creating any unnecessary trouble, Millière had renounced her succession rights upon her marriage. That was properly recorded in writing.

But if this incident confirmed their move to the Qua Kingdom, it would mean a princess who had married and left the kingdom would be returning. Even if she had renounced her rights, as long as Lupia and Rupert carried Millière's blood, they could be used in some way. As Lupia was thinking this, Gerald continued.

"At the very least, you won't be treated poorly. Your future will become clearer once the move there is confirmed... After all, the current king of the Qua Kingdom was one of the princes who doted on your mother, Millière. Your sister-in-law may have given up her succession rights when she married into our family, but if they were to treat a former princess shabbily, the dignity of their own royal family would be questioned. Moreover, if they see value in you twins, they will likely prepare a status equivalent to what you have in this country."

Lupia was stunned by Gerald's words, but now that he mentioned it, she did have memories of being incredibly doted on by her aunts and uncles when they visited her mother's homeland. Rupert, of course, had been showered with affection as well. It might have been because there were few children of a similar age at the time.

"Do you think... they would see value in me and Rupert...?"

"You twins are incredibly valuable. What are you doing getting all fainthearted?"

"Aren't you overestimating us?"

"...Listen, Lupia. In what country is there a girl who undergoes training to be both the heir to a duchy and the Crown Princess at the same time?"

"Huh? Um, right here?"

"Normally, something so outrageous is impossible. One has to choose one or the other, yet you did it well."

She had rarely been praised like this by Gerald. When she had declared she would do both—the ducal heir training and the Crown Princess training—most of the adults around her had mocked her, saying, 'Don't say things you can't do, this is just like a woman.'

Gerald, too, though he didn't show it, was one of those who had looked down on Lupia inwardly, laughing and thinking, 'There's no way she can do it.' But the young Lupia never complained, and she endured the excessively hard daily training. As one day turned into two, then half a year, then a year, the voices mocking Lupia visibly dwindled.

Furthermore, while acquiring an education at a terrifying speed, she also steadily mastered the sword and all sorts of martial arts to fulfill the Calmond Ducal Family's role in national defense.

Sometimes she would fall asleep as if fainting from exhaustion, covered in scrapes, but Lupia gritted her teeth and made each and every skill her own, one by one.

How could anyone mock that?

Gradually, her relatives and the retainers began to support Lupia. While being strict with her, they also made sure she had ample time to relax, so she could laugh like a child. The people around her supported her.

But not all the nobles in the country knew of such warm family gatherings. That was why they had made the arbitrary judgment that the Calmond family was 'strict' with Lupia.

In the end, that may have been a blessing in disguise. Lupia and the others hadn't heard the full extent of the details regarding the engagement annulment, but she knew her father, Aristerios, was mercilessly taking care of various things.

Lupia herself, while happy to be able to move forward toward the future she had aimed for, was now starting to feel anxious about what lay 'ahead.' It seemed that with so much happening in such a short period, even the steadfast Lupia was a bit overwhelmed. But the fact that she was showing this side of herself was a privilege reserved for those she had opened her heart to.

"...Until now, you probably couldn't even voice your worries. That's why, even if you're feeling weak now, we will be your support."

"Uncle..."

"Lupia. Right now, worry, worry, and worry some more. If you're lost, say it out loud and organize your thoughts. You must not keep it inside you."

She was purely grateful for this presence that guided her so strongly, like an adult, with a clear, resonant voice. She was glad she wasn't alone. As she was about to pour out all her worries, Gerald grinned and continued.

"Well, knowing the King of Qua, he'll probably say something like 'for the sake of the former princess' and prepare a duchy for you anyway, so your studies won't go to waste! Hahaha, good for you, Lupia!"

"What?!"

"King Rod really adores Sister-in-law Millière... Even if there's some kind of test, you two would have no problem with it."

"Uncle, do you have any basis for that?"

"No real basis, but I'm sure you two will be fine. We relatives have been watching you work so hard. Hold your head high!"

Being told this so cheerfully felt like it took the wind out of her sails, yet somehow she felt refreshed. At the same time, Lupia was grateful to her uncle, Gerald.

And in fact, things were proceeding so smoothly just as Gerald said, that the King of Qua, the subject of their rumor, let out a massive sneeze in his office far away—a fact known only to the king's aide.

King Rod-li-Qua of the Qua Kingdom. He was overjoyed that his married sister was returning to her home country, and that his beloved niece and nephew were coming as well. Moreover, if his nephew's fiancée was also coming to the Qua Kingdom, he would have to prepare a suitable status for them. On the other hand, he had to judge them without familial bias. As king, he had to avoid accepting useless things into the country and causing unnecessary confusion.

"Now then, if you are merely a lady... you will not be needed in my country, Lupia. And you, Rupert."

He placed the background check report he was holding onto his desk with a soft thud, his heart dancing with anticipation for the long-awaited reunion with his sister's family, who would likely be moving soon.

As king, he needed to ascertain how they would be useful, but if they met a satisfactory standard, their value would be immeasurable.

If they were useless, he would simply grant them a suitable title and let them live as nobles without any involvement with the royal family.

"Aristerios is one of the strongest in our country. But I don't know if his strength is still what it was..."

"Your Majesty."

"My apologies, but I am the king. ...I have no obligation to give preferential treatment to the useless."

Saying so, he looked at the report again.

"Now, come before me quickly, not as family, but as nobles, Calmond family."