kscans

Chapter 30 - Everything Moves Forward

"Alright, then."

Humming a little tune, Duchess Millière Calmond proceeded with her preparations. She selected a dress, chose her accessories, and had her lady-in-waiting do her makeup. It was her usual, familiar routine for going out. If there was one thing different from usual, it was the purpose of this particular outing.

"My lady, another invitation to a tea party has arrived."

"Is that so? From where this time?"

"From the Marchioness Lafelle, my lady."

"...Hmm. Could you check the contents for me?"

"As you wish," Millière's lady-in-waiting replied, breaking the seal and checking the contents. After reading what was written in the letter, she asked, "What shall you do?"

"I'll write a reply later. Regrets, of course."

"Yes, my lady."

What the nobles of this country were currently amusing themselves with was the scandal of Lupia being dragged down from her position as Crown Princess. She had heard the stories were being exaggerated for entertainment, and not a few people were trying to probe Millière for the real story. But Millière had no obligation to entertain them.

Why should she provide fodder for the amusement of those who belittled and mocked her precious daughter? Furthermore, any careless action could tarnish not just Lupia's reputation, but the Calmond Ducal Family itself.

"I do wish they would stop underestimating people..."

A low, cold voice she would never let others hear. Millière cherished her family and her kin, and to protect them, she would show absolutely no mercy.

"My lady. Another invitation."

"Who is it this time? Which house?"

"......From the Ardia Count Family, my lady..."

"Ah..."

So, it's that house, Millière mused inwardly. The one that thinks it stole Lupia's future and, due to some misunderstanding, has been spouting childish insults at both Aristerios and myself. She had intended to endure it, but the true feelings she had meant to keep hidden slipped out.

"The family of that vulgar woman, I see."

No matter how much Lupia herself insisted she didn't care, one of her potential futures had indeed been stolen. It was only natural for the thought 'What nerve!' to prevail. She had no obligation to meet with the people who had pointed at the Calmond Ducal Family and laughed, saying, 'It's not just about status, you know!' when they received the news of the change in fiancée. She couldn't even fathom what they hoped to achieve by meeting.

She was somewhat curious to see what kind of face they would make when they came to apologize, but it would be nothing more than a waste of time. Millière smiled sweetly and held out her hand to her lady-in-waiting.

"That letter, and that letter only, I will reply to immediately. Please open it and give it to me."

"Yes, my lady."

Slicing the seal with a paper knife, the lady-in-waiting took out the letter and handed it to Millière. A template of apologies was written on and on, ending with, 'I have said things beyond my station and have insulted you, my lady, in the most terrible way. Please... please allow me to apologize.' Seeing this, Millière snorted.

"The absolute nerve."

"My lady, your letter set."

"Thank you, that's a great help."

"Here is your pen."

"Thank you very much."

After accepting it, she wrote just a single phrase on the stationery.

'Never contact us again,' she wrote in exceptionally beautiful script, then placed it in an envelope and handed it to her lady-in-waiting.

"Seal this and send it. Also, hasten the preparations for my departure to the ducal estate. And my husband's luggage as well. Have our relatives replied about what they plan to do?"

"Yes. Some will follow our house, while others have decided to rely on other relatives and move to other countries."

"I see... So... the preparations for the departure of all those connected to the Calmond Ducal Family from this country are well underway, is that it?"

"Of course, my lady. Regarding this matter, there are of course many more who side with the young lady, believing it to be far too unjust."

"Hehe."

The nobles who were only now beginning to understand, and the royal family who had realized they were losing their defensive cornerstone, were desperately scrambling to apologize, but there was no need to accept. No matter how much she pushed them away, they clung to her. What on earth were they? They were like the monsters she had read about in old ghost stories, Millière thought calmly.

"Are there any who will move to the same country as us?"

"Yes, there are. His Lordship has also sent a letter to His Majesty the King of the Qua Kingdom, so we predict the procedures will proceed without a hitch."

"My brother contacted me as well, you know."

"...Oh, is that so? It seems the good relationship between you and His Majesty the King of Qua remains unchanged."

"Something like that. He was lamenting quite extravagantly in his letter, saying, 'I'll be accused of nepotism because of my 'family's glory,' so I'll have to be strict with you when you come here, and it's painful to even think about!'"

Oh my, the lady-in-waiting laughed. But at the same time, she thought, 'That is indeed true.' Simply spoiling them because she was the king's sister wouldn't set a good example for the people or the nobility. He would have to maintain appearances, say unpleasant things, and deliberately say them in front of his retainers to make things easier later on. Even so, the one saying them would inevitably regret it later, but given his position, he had to separate his feelings and handle it.

"By the way, I know the answer, but I'll ask anyway..."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Will everyone be coming with us?"

"Of course, my lady. My life is dedicated to serving the Calmond family, so I will follow you anywhere."

"...Thank you."

Even though she knew the answer, hearing it brought a sense of relief. The servants of this house truly cared for Millière, Aristerios, and their children. And yet, looking only at Lupia's education, people said whatever they wanted: 'The ducal family has an impossible educational policy,' 'Their family can't possibly be close.'

They had only seen a small part, yet they spoke with such conviction. Then came, 'She was so stuck-up that the Crown Prince sought solace and changed his fiancée after annulling the engagement.' For those who didn't understand the meaning of a marriage between royalty and a ducal family, they had said quite a lot. It wasn't as if the royal family hadn't heard these stories, yet no one had denied them.

That is why we no longer need to be in this country.

Aristerios, who had come to that conclusion, was said to have had a very refreshed look on his face.

"It seems everyone is finally understanding that we're serious about this... but it's too late, isn't it?"

"Indeed, you are absolutely right."

"Well, since the preparations for our move to the Qua Kingdom are steadily progressing, you may arrange for the shipment of our belongings. The documents with the location of the new residence should be arriving soon, so please proceed with everything at once."

"Yes, my lady."

The two shared a brilliant smile, so bright it was as if a sound effect should accompany it. The entire staff of the ducal household was incensed, thinking there was no other option but to follow the family, and Millière was arranging to send their valuables first.

Once you decide to do something, act swiftly and promptly.

The day Lupia collapsed and began her recuperation, Millière, Aristerios, and the entire staff had all started to move.

They packed what could be packed and quickly disposed of what was unnecessary as trash.

All that was left was for 'us, whom this country deemed unnecessary,' to be gone.

"About how long will it take for everything to be in order?"

"Let's see... at most, three months should suffice."

"I see. I will catch up to Lupia and the others, spend a little time with them, and then make a quick trip to the Qua Kingdom. Let's see... I'll be back in about two weeks, so I'm leaving the house in your care."

"Yes. We servants will protect this home for you and the family."

The lady-in-waiting, though young, was extremely capable and bowed deeply. Millière was always grateful for her help. Long ago, she had fallen for Aristerios and, taking advantage of the fact that he had no fiancée, had practically forced her way into marriage like a pushy bride. But she had silenced any complaints about herself with her performance in her duties after the marriage.

They said, 'The princess of a neighboring country used her power to marry into our family,' but since it was true, she didn't particularly deny it.

When they said, 'This is why these foreigners are...', she turned it around and won.

She knew full well that once they moved to the Qua Kingdom, she would be pointed at and told, 'This is why...' It was all she could do to complain, so she figured she might as well let them talk.

"Well then, I'm off. Head Butler, have you made arrangements for me to catch up with the children?"

"Of course. We've received word that Sir Gerald is proceeding at a controlled pace."

"Fufu, that's Sir Gerald for you."

Laughing, she left the mansion, headed to where the carriage was waiting, and boarded it.

"My lady, we have prepared a light meal for you in the carriage. Please have a pleasant journey."

"Thank you. Well then, I'm off."

She waved to the servants who saw her off, and with a signal, the carriage began to move.

"...Now then."

Leaning back against the seat, she used her magic to form a small bird and let it perch on the finger of her right hand, then imbued her voice with magic as well.

"...《My dear, I am heading out to make preparations as well. The time will be right around when Lupia and the others finish their recuperation.》"

The little bird with its round eyes absorbed Millière's magic-infused voice and began to glow faintly. She opened the carriage window and gently extended her right hand, with the bird perched upon it, outside.

"Deliver this to my husband."

With a flap-flap of its wings, the bird took off and flew at an unnatural speed. Watching the bird fly straight toward its destination, Millière closed the carriage window.

Her expression was serene and endlessly bright.

Incidentally, though the message from the bird was received, the bird itself flew with such force that it broke a window, causing a brief panic in Aristerios's office as they thought it was an enemy attack. However, once they realized who had sent it, everyone understood.

"Millière... is so... bad at controlling her magic,"

Aristerios murmured, a distant look in his eyes, or so his aide later recounted.