kscans

Chapter 4 - Let's Go Home—Part Two—

After the ridiculous council meeting at the royal palace, Aristerios, who would normally request an audience with His Majesty the King to confirm necessary details, simply went straight home without doing so. When he told Millière what had been decided, she, too, became enraged.

Although neither of them had revealed their emotions during the meeting, the reason they did so now was because their precious daughter, Lupia, had been hurt. The Duke and Duchess doted on their daughter—and they still do.

Now, the couple had another child: Lupia's twin brother, Rupert. Rupert-Calmond. He was famously known throughout the country for being an incredible sis-con—or rather, a doting older brother complex.

When he learned his sister was to become the Crown Princess, he had quickly decided in his youth, "Then I shall become a knight to protect her!" and went to study abroad in a neighboring kingdom. At an academy in a country famed for its martial prowess, he mastered not only swordsmanship but also magic, diligently preparing to join the Royal Knight Order upon his sister's marriage. However, an unexpected report from his father sent Rupert into a furious rage. A week after hearing the news, he promptly arranged his affairs, returned home temporarily, and after asking his parents about his sister's condition and having a brief conversation with her in her room, he returned to his parents and declared, "Let's abandon this country."

"Well, now, just calm down."

"Is this any time to be calm?! What is wrong with His Majesty and the Crown Prince! Are they not making a complete fool of my sister?!"

"Rupert, seeing your anger has somehow managed to calm me down. Please, just settle yourself."

"Even you, Mother!"

"We are well aware of your love for Lady Lupia, but please, drink some herb tea and compose yourself, young master."

"Jif?!"

It's often said that if someone else's anger surpasses your own, you can become surprisingly calm. Rupert's explosive rage had the effect of instantly restoring the composure of the Duke, Duchess, and the head butler.

He adored his sister, who had worked harder than anyone since they were children. While a desire not to lose to her had been a motivator, his respect for her was even greater. That was why he couldn't forgive how lightly she had been treated. The King, the Crown Prince—what on earth were they thinking?

"I feel for the Ardia count's daughter, Falty, but... I cannot forgive my own daughter being treated in such a manner."

"Of course not."

"At this rate, things will move forward quickly. Can't we do something to bring Sister back to her senses? ...It seems to me she's become far too despondent..."

At Rupert's words, Aristerios, Millière, and Jif exchanged glances.

"Father, Mother?"

"Well... Lupia has been like that ever since she started her final year at the Royal Academy."

"What?"

"We don't know the exact time... But you see, it's not something we can just call a doctor for, is it?"

"You should call one. This is too severe."

"Her physical health is fine, and her color is good..."

"Her mental state is clearly at its breaking point!"

It was a valid point, and everyone felt a pang of guilt. Rupert sighed, but he could understand what his parents and Jif were trying to say.

Calling a doctor when she wasn't physically ill might have wounded his sister's pride. Moreover, considering the expectations placed upon her as the future Crown Princess from all sides, it was, in a way, understandable to think she might have just been on edge. Above all, since his sister herself said she was 'fine,' their hands had been tied.

"...For now, I'll take my graduation exams early and come home. Let's find a way to keep Sister at home. If things continue at this pace, that count's daughter and the Crown Prince might hold their wedding and practically imprison Sister in the palace."

"You're right... We'll do something about that."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Just as Rupert had predicted, after the graduation ceremony, the wedding date for Falty and Liam was decided in a whirlwind of activity. Lupia's attendance was, of course, mandatory, as was that of the Duke and Duchess.

They had watched with clenched teeth as Lupia clapped for the bride and groom like an automaton, a fixed smile on her face. But then, her expression had suddenly changed. It wasn't one of regret, but rather of anguish. It was a subtle shift, one only those familiar with her would notice, and the Duke and Duchess exchanged a look without a word.

They realized at once that it was the face of someone enduring something. A little before the reception ended, Lupia left the hall and went somewhere, accompanied, of course, by her guard knight, Alfred.

Confident that Alfred, who knew their whereabouts, would be fine, the Duke and Duchess discreetly prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Their foresight paid off; when Alfred came to fetch them, they were able to rush to Lupia's side without delay.

From there, they acted swiftly.

Lupia, who had taken refuge in a small anteroom, had the light back in her eyes, just like the old days. Their daughter, who had worn a doll-like face for nearly a year, finally seemed to have returned to being 'human,' and the Duke and Duchess were overjoyed. Aristerios was careful not to show too much emotion, but Millière was not so restrained and unhesitatingly threw her arms around Lupia.

His wife, expressing her love with her entire being, and his surprised daughter. Aristerios rejoiced inwardly, seeing a scene like the old days at last.

Realizing there was likely a discrepancy between Lupia's feelings and their own, Aristerios chose to return home for the time being. As they made their way to the carriage and climbed inside, Lupia looked extremely unwell and, moreover, seemed to want to say something. There was no way he could leave his daughter in such a state. He wanted to properly sort out what had happened over the past year.

When Lupia finally collapsed in the carriage, Aristerios, both as a father and as a member of the ducal family, renewed his vow to protect her. He looked straight at Millière and declared,

"Millière, this child needs rest, first and foremost."

"Yes, my dear."

"Furthermore, this latest affair, which could be taken as the royal family declaring they have no need of us, is not something our ducal house can tolerate."

"...No, of course not."

The temperature inside the carriage seemed to drop a few degrees.

Lupia lay on the opposite seat, her complexion terribly pale. If she had collapsed from an outburst of accumulated physical and mental fatigue, then now that her role as Crown Princess was gone, he judged there was no need to make her go to the castle. It might not be a decision the ducal house could make on its own, but it was the royal family itself that had cast Lupia aside.

Her engagement to Liam, the Crown Prince, had been at the behest of the royal family, who wanted the Calmond Ducal Family as his backers. But now, it seemed that was no longer necessary—that was the only way to interpret the situation.

"First, let us give Lupia rest. If the royal family says anything, I will stop them."

"I shall lend you what little strength I have as well. After all, it is for our daughter's sake."

"Rupert will be back once he graduates, too."

"Didn't he say something about graduating early?"

"..."

"..."

The graduation requirement at the academy Rupert attended was to win a sparring match against the instructor in charge of the graduation exam. In addition, one had to achieve a certain score or higher on the written tests. Fulfilling these conditions was apparently considered proof that 'what was studied and learned at the academy has been properly absorbed by the student.' This was according to Rupert, so it was hard to judge how true it was. But who would have thought he would move up his graduation just for his twin sister?

The husband and wife couldn't help but exchange a look, but they figured Rupert, for all his eccentricities, was a proper son, so he would probably be fine. Without a word, as if by agreement, they both nodded.

The carriage continued at a steady pace from the royal palace and arrived safely at the Calmond ducal estate. Jif and the others greeted them. Alfred, hearing from the carriage that Lupia had finally collapsed, rushed from the driver's seat, gently lifted her into his arms, and carried her to her room.

Her color was still just as bad, and it was clear she would need to recuperate for some time. To send her to the royal family in this state, even if they called for her, would be a monstrous act for any parent.

For now, they would simply give Lupia rest. With the entire ducal household nodding in agreement and uniting their hearts, another problem was brewing at the royal palace. The King and Queen, learning that the one person who could solve it—the Duke of Calmond—had already gone home, were holding their heads in their hands.