Ch.21I hope we can become close friends

When did I first become aware of this?

Was I twisted from abuse? No, that’s not it. I’ve always lived in a harmonious family.

Whether it was Grandmother, Mother, or my older brother, everyone in my family has always loved me, and they still do.

Then… was it because my first encounter with these things went wrong?

No, that’s not it either.

Yes, I… from the first time I saw these cute things… I felt an irrepressible urge.

Yet I didn’t immediately act on my desires, so I must have instinctively known from the beginning that my family shouldn’t see this.

“Haa… haaah…”

But why am I doing this now…? I shouldn’t be doing this… I should have controlled myself somehow…

It’s hard to hide this perfectly outside the house. The paths aren’t familiar, making it difficult to find a good spot.

I need to hide this somehow before anyone sees.

“Phewww…”

Good, this place will do.

It’s dark with trees nearby… and the bushes are thick.

Carefully, so as not to break the bushes—

“Excuse me…”

“Eek…”

No… I haven’t hidden everything yet…

Don’t come… please don’t come…

“Are you Lady Ines?”

“Y-yes…?”

They… know me? This is even worse if I’m caught.

Ugh… I should just throw it…

*Crack*—

Good, that worked better than expected.

Some branches of the ornamental bushes broke, but… there are plenty of leaves above, so it’s hardly noticeable.

“W-well…”

“The people from House Lorel are looking for you. Please follow me.”

Thank goodness, they didn’t notice. Looking at those eyes, they’re genuinely concerned about me.

And that face… it’s acceptable enough to allow them to come close— Wait, why is my hand sticky…

“Ugh…”

There’s blood on my hand.

W-why…? I didn’t use any tools like I do at home… I just strangled it with my hands, so why is there blood…

No, that’s not important right now. This person mustn’t see this.

“D-don’t come closer…”

“P-pardon…? Ah, hahaha… If you’re uncomfortable with being touched, you can just follow me.”

Thank goodness. They’re a kind person.

……….

“His Lordship said you should wear pretty clothes without hesitation. Do you like it?”

I won.

I’ve won.

The master flinched more when he saw me than when he saw that woman. Which means… I was more beautiful.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t anxious at all… but yes, there’s no way I would lose to someone like her.

She’s someone he’s only seen a few times years ago, while I’ve always been by his side. The depth of our shared memories is different.

Above all, I made this dress exactly as the master described before. My dress suits his taste better than her plain white one.

“…Pleased to meet you. I am Ines of House Lorel.”

As expected, she knows she’s lacking, doesn’t she?

To greet so stiffly with such a frozen expression… heh, really.

Judging by how she’s wrapped herself up and adorned herself with jewels, she must be quite insecure about her body. Her skin is pale, and those bloodshot eyes are disgusting.

At times like this… the strong should show generosity to the weak.

“Hehe, pleased to meet you too, Lady Ines.”

I greeted her with proper formality… but she doesn’t seem to like it? Her expression has sunk even further.

It’s fine, I’ll be magnanimous. I won’t kill her as long as she doesn’t harm the master.

……….

Chloe… yes, Chloe.

He mentioned her before, that he had an adopted younger sister.

Since I don’t usually remember other people’s names well, it took me too long to recall.

“…You seem close.”

But she doesn’t seem to think so.

Those eyes… they’re the eyes of a girl in love. Not simple family affection.

How disgusting. Does she not know her place? It’s an impossible love, isn’t it?

She can’t match me in nobility, appearance, or relationship… yet she dares to provoke me like this just because she’s a bit older and wears fancier clothes?

“Ah, Ines… this is, well…”

“It’s fine. You told me during that night we spent alone together. Chloe is your younger sister, right?”

Oh… I’m getting a reaction?

That smiling face from just a moment ago instantly died.

She’s been sticking close to him, so I tried testing her, and it seems she gets heated when there’s a story about him that she doesn’t know?

Mmm, I understand. I’m also the type who needs to know every little detail about someone I’m fixated on.

But… that doesn’t mean she should look at me like that. She should know her place.

“Ines, Chloe and I—”

“Yes, I know. You’re siblings, but Claude is the son of the previous Duke, and Chloe is adopted, right? I won’t tell anyone.”

“Y-yes…”

Even after four years, he hasn’t lost his unique cuteness; rather, it’s increased.

Hehe, as if I would go around saying such things. It would only harm you.

“…”

As expected, emphasizing their sibling relationship makes her expression sour even more.

I like how she reacts so strongly to the slightest provocation. She’s like those chicks I used to dispose of all at once in Dijon.

Normally, I would have dealt with her immediately for being so rude to me… but her reactions are cute, and he would be sad, so I shouldn’t.

“Your Grace, it’s almost time to begin the coronation ceremony.”

“Ah, is it that time already? Chloe, Ines. I need to go prepare for the coronation. Enjoy yourselves at the banquet without me.”

“Yes!”

Of course, I think I’ll be able to enjoy myself plenty in Dijon from now on, not just at the banquet.

“…Yes.”

Look at this.

With such an amusing toy, how could I possibly not have fun?

……….

“Your Majesty, General Arras has sent a messenger reporting that the leader of the rebels in Bar has been betrayed and killed by his subordinate.”

I was in a bad mood having to attend to business right after the coronation banquet, but the messenger delivers news that lightens my spirits considerably.

They handle matters efficiently.

As expected of those who realized I couldn’t hastily eliminate my great uncle and used it as negotiation material. Their execution speed is remarkably fast.

They’ve maintained their vested interests despite their lord changing from the Holy Empire or the Carolingian Kingdom to the Duchy of Burgundy.

“What happened to the rebels he was leading?”

“They all surrendered, laying down their weapons. Even those closely associated with the rebel leader.”

Hmm… this is somewhat insulting.

Mercenaries, conscripts, or vassals forced to join might be understandable, but even those belonging to my great uncle’s faction surrendered willingly.

Normally, those deeply connected to a rebel leader would resist to the death if the rebellion failed.

This has been true throughout history. Surrender directly leads to death, after all.

But… these people didn’t. It means they think I won’t kill them.

“…Count Leclerc. Disband the conscripts and the vassals who were forced to join, keep the mercenaries as prisoners until ransom is paid, then release them. As for the others…”

The others—those belonging to my great uncle’s faction.

“For now… have them all bound and brought to Dijon.”

“…Are you sure? It will be difficult to deal with them that way.”

Leclerc subtly mentions that bringing the rebels to Dijon rather than handling them discreetly will make things more difficult.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make them beg for death.”

“Yes, understood.”

Killing them would allow their titles to be inherited, and since their heirs are innocent, it would be difficult to confiscate their titles and territories.

It’s better to keep them alive for now. I couldn’t help the situation with my great uncle, but I should gain as much advantage as possible here.

“Master, I’ve brought you something to drink.”

At that moment, Chloe, who had been waiting for our conversation to end, brings tea to my side.

“Ah, Chloe. Thank you.”

“…Yes!”

Her face flushes instantly at my simple thanks. Chloe’s smile truly dispels all stress.

When she was with Ines at the banquet— Right, Ines.

“Count Leclerc. Where is Ines?”

“Lady Ines is in the room that Lord Louis used, and the retainers who came with her are in the servants’ quarters next door.”

Dijon Castle has many rooms, and aside from the Duke’s chamber I’m using now, the most prestigious is the one used by Louis, the former heir. It’s not only prestigious but also the largest and most splendid, making it optimal for the Duke’s fiancée.

However… given that the previous occupant died in an accident, she might find it distasteful.

“Did she say anything? Perhaps about Lord Louis, the room’s previous occupant?”

“No, we explained that while it’s the same room, all the furniture has been replaced and it’s been thoroughly cleaned. She understood.”

Currently, all the suitable rooms for Ines in Dijon Castle are vacant due to their previous occupants’ deaths.

Telling her this might make her uncomfortable, but she has no choice. We’ve shown sufficient consideration by replacing the furniture and cleaning thoroughly.

‘Hmm… I should check if she’s comfortable, no, I should ask her in the reception room.’

No matter how much this is my castle, entering a lady’s room would be extremely impolite. Maybe after marriage, but for now, we’re just engaged.

Chloe and Ines seemed a bit awkward with each other… I should help them become more familiar with each other.

They’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future, so it would be better for both if they became friends sooner rather than later.

“Chloe, please tell Ines that I’d like to meet her in the reception room in an hour, and ask her to prepare.”

“…Yes.”

Deep shadows fall across Chloe’s face, which had been smiling brightly until just now.

…She really dislikes this.

Still, they’ve just met, so there’s no bad blood between them. If they continue to talk and spend time together, they’ll eventually become friends, right?

Above all, both Chloe and Ines are kind-hearted, so they should be able to become friends quickly.