Ch.253253. Shouldn’t family matters be discussed with family?

“Why send a letter when you could just come here yourself?”

Riden Solis, who had returned from monitoring Evander Alphonse, the eldest brother, straightened his back and spoke.

“Because it’s faster for me to come in person than to send a letter.”

“Is it that urgent?”

“Yes, it is.”

After telling Federicks, who was about to leave, “You should hear this too,” he turned his attention back to Riden Solis.

“Go ahead.”

“Do you remember the letter I sent previously?”

“Yes, about Lotus Welton, the head of the Welton family, and Dehart Bellen, the head of the Dehart family, spending time together.”

“Yes, and now we’ve detected some unusual movements.”

“What kind of movements?”

“Unfamiliar figures have been gathering at the pleasure district they frequent. After investigating, I found they were family heads from the Northern Continent.”

Upon hearing Riden Solis’s words, I straightened up from my relaxed position in the chair.

“The N-Northern Continent?”

“Yes, that’s right. Moreover, they’re from families geographically quite close to the Eastern Continent.”

If Evander Alphonse wants to take the family head position by force, he needs power.

However, the families of the Eastern Continent have already built strong relationships with our father, Byron Alphonse.

So is he conspiring with the Northern Continent due to their geographical proximity?

My face hardened at the situation, which was more serious than I’d thought.

“And then?”

Riden Solis checked my hardened expression once before swallowing dryly.

“They’re preparing for rebellion.”

Hah….

This guy is just insane, isn’t he?

Is he planning to overthrow our father, Byron Alphonse, to get the family head position?

If Evander hadn’t been so aggressive, I wouldn’t have had any interest in the family head position, and his succession would have been guaranteed.

But since he kept provoking me, I had no choice but to support Leonard in the succession dispute as a countermeasure.

In the end, he was anxious.

Because Leonard, whom no one expected, was rising rapidly from below.

“Is he planning to take over the Alphonse family by force?”

Federicks, who had been listening silently beside me, had a look mixing disbelief and anger.

Riden Solis took a deep breath before continuing.

“Knights from Northern Continent families are gathering in Alphonse territory, hiding their identities.”

“I’m sure they are. If it became known that the Northern Continent is involved, this could escalate into a much more serious issue.”

“My gut feeling is that something will happen within a week.”

This is more serious than I thought.

Knowing Baron Byron’s personality, he will never back down quietly.

If things go wrong, we could lose our entire family.

Federicks, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke with a voice full of anger.

“We must inform Baron Byron of this immediately.”

“We should tell him, but it won’t change anything.”

“…What?”

“Seeing how big this situation has become, I don’t think my brother Evander will be open to compromise.”

“Are you saying he’ll wage war against his own family?”

“He might.”

“No matter how much he covets the family head position, waging war against family? This is absurd!”

It seemed to be the first time I’d seen Federicks so angry.

I showed him my palm, telling him to calm down.

“Just stay calm for now. Nothing has happened yet.”

“How can I stay calm? If it becomes known that the Northern Continent is involved, this could spread into a war between continents.”

It’s certainly a dangerous situation, but what’s important is that we know all this information.

Isn’t there a saying that if you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles?

That’s right.

Power should be used when it can be used.

“Federicks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Send a letter to the Imperial Family right now.”

Federicks raised his head with a shocked expression.

“N-No! This is an Alphonse family matter. It has nothing to do with the Imperial Family!”

I leaned back in my chair again with a wicked smile.

“Family matters should be discussed with family, shouldn’t they?”

*

“I’m going to recruit magicians this time.”

During a light tea time with Clara on the terrace.

She looked at me with wide eyes.

“You’re gathering magicians?”

“Yes, I’ve even named it the Guardian Corps.”

Clara put down her teacup and tilted her head.

“The reason you’re telling me this is perhaps…”

“That’s right, I want you to lead the Guardian Corps.”

“But Rebecca is in Lake territory, isn’t she?”

“Rebecca isn’t someone who will stay in Lake territory forever.”

“Ah…”

I cleared my throat as Clara rolled her eyes around in confusion.

“I didn’t want to say this because it’s unfair, but who saved your mother?”

“Y-You did, young master.”

“And who provided a house so you and your mother could live comfortably?”

“…You did, young master.”

“So you can lead the Guardian Corps, right?”

Clara, who had been keeping her mouth shut, sighed briefly as if giving up.

“I’m not sure if I’m the right person for the position, but I’ll do my best.”

“You should have said so from the beginning.”

I’m not preparing for war with Evander Alphonse.

The Imperial Family will take care of that.

However, establishing a Guardian Corps composed of magicians is a kind of safety measure for the future.

Even if I live an easy life, I can’t abandon everything.

Why?

Because you never know who might target you and when.

Besides.

If it’s one-on-one, there’s no problem, but if the opponent comes with numbers, I need to be prepared too.

If I try to gather people in a hurry when the time comes, there won’t be enough time.

That’s why I’m establishing a solid system.

So I can return anytime.

As I showed a satisfied expression, Clara seemed to remember something and raised her head.

“Young master, I have something to ask…”

“What is it?”

“I heard you went to the Imperial Palace with Jawill Wilson… is that true?”

I made a puzzled expression at Clara, who suddenly asked about Jawill Wilson.

“Hmm? Yes, I did go to Lumestia territory with Jawill Wilson.”

“Then is Jawill Wilson still in Lumestia territory?”

“What are you talking about? Of course I came back with Jawill Wilson.”

“Ah… I haven’t seen him around.”

Clara hung her head with a dejected face.

Is Jawill Wilson avoiding her?

Well, his mind must be complicated.

A man who has only loved one woman his entire life suddenly finds a woman who likes him—it’s bound to be confusing.

By the way.

Would it be better for Jawill Wilson to marry Vivian Cataria?

Or would Clara be better?

I don’t particularly care either way, but…

“Do you have something to say to Jawill Wilson?”

“N-Not particularly.”

“Then why are you looking for him?”

“Just…”

Looking at it, Clara seems quite shy.

The type to quietly like someone from afar.

Still, since I got to know Clara before Vivian Cataria, I thought I should help her a little.

“Clara.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think of Jawill Wilson as a man?”

“What?!”

Clara was startled, her face turning bright red.

Ignoring her reaction, I continued.

“There’s a place called Cataria territory, and the head of that family came to see me. Do you know why?”

“…I don’t know.”

“He wanted to arrange a marriage between his daughter and Jawill Wilson.”

Clara’s face instantly hardened.

“Jawill Wilson is getting married?”

“Yes, the family head and his daughter seem to like Jawill Wilson.”

“…What did Jawill Wilson say?”

“He was taken aback when they suddenly wanted to proceed with the marriage.”

“…And then?”

I leaned forward toward Clara, who was questioning me persistently.

“If you’re that curious, ask Jawill Wilson yourself. I haven’t looked into his heart, so I don’t know everything.”

“…I see.”

“And Jawill Wilson approached you before and was rejected, right?”

“What?!…Ah…yes.”

“He’s inexperienced, so try to understand him.”

Clara answered with a reddened face, probably remembering the surprise kiss incident.

“I do understand.”

“But not many men easily reject a woman who approaches them saying she likes them. Especially inexperienced men.”

“…”

“Looking back, that time was clumsy, but Jawill Wilson took that much courage. So, if you have feelings, make a move. If you miss this chance, you’ll regret it for a long time.”

“…So that’s why he’s avoiding me now.”

“Probably. He took courage to approach someone he likes, got rejected, and then a woman who likes him approached him.”

Clara bit her molars slightly and nodded.

“I understand what you’re saying, young master.”

“If you’re going to make a move, it’s better to do it as quickly as possible.”

Clara rose with a determined expression.

“If I were to marry Jawill Wilson, would you give your permission, young master?”

This was the courageous statement from Clara that I had been waiting for.

I raised the empty teacup in my hand and curled up the corners of my mouth.

“Anytime.”