The Empire and the Grace Duke Family

The academy I returned to after about a week hadn’t changed much.

With the vacation approaching soon, most classes had entered the final stages of their courses, and students were excited as they made their vacation plans.

And we were no exception to that atmosphere.

“So you’re going to the Count’s territory as originally planned?”

“Yes. Both my brother and mother have given permission.”

After morning classes ended, it was lunchtime.

We had finished eating and were spending time in the classroom.

As Emilia and Riel discussed, Riel had decided to stay in the Wentos County during the summer vacation as originally planned.

First of all, staying in the Wentos County was a good choice for her physical safety.

Additionally, Young Master Andrew was busy with rebuilding the Duke’s territory, and Duchess Rachel was in a situation where she needed to rest for the time being.

Emilia happily held Riel’s hands, excited that they could meet frequently during the vacation.

“We can meet often!”

“Yes, but I’ll be staying at Arianrod Fortress…”

“Don’t worry! I’ll come to you!”

While the two were discussing what they would do during the vacation, I was writing a letter.

I needed to report what had happened in the Duke’s territory, and also inform that I would be bringing Riel during the summer vacation.

On top of that, I had to include greetings, which was taking time.

Writing greetings takes more time than ordinary situation reports.

As I was contemplating what sentences to write, I sensed someone’s presence.

They had stopped right in front of my desk, so I assumed they had business with me. When I looked up, there was someone I hadn’t expected at all standing there.

“Do you have a moment?”

“…Miss Carlena?”

One of the three great Duke families of the kingdom, the Grace family.

Standing before me was Carlena Grace, the daughter of the Grace family and my classmate.

Behind her, the two young ladies who always followed her, Sherry Reime and Laiza Bruin, were standing with somewhat uneasy expressions.

I couldn’t imagine what this was about.

I had only exchanged a single sentence with Carlena Grace once and hadn’t spoken with her since.

Carlena Grace swept her blonde hair that had fallen forward behind her ear, then opened her mouth.

“There are several things I’d like to ask about.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You and…”

Her gaze shifted to Riel, who was chatting with Emilia behind me.

“…Miss Riel.”

Something she wanted to ask me and Riel?

What could Carlena Grace want to ask me and Riel?

I directed a slightly curious gaze at her.

Was it my imagination that her green eyes contained a hint of fatigue?

“It’s a bit awkward to ask here… could you spare some time after school?”

“…Yes. It seems like something important, and I don’t mind.”

“Yes. Please come to this location… and please relay this to Miss Riel as well.”

She handed me a piece of paper, gave a faint smile and greeting, then turned and returned to her seat.

The two young ladies who followed her also hurriedly followed behind.

…What could this really be about?

I still lacked enough information to predict.

After school, I was escorting Riel to the agreed-upon location.

Initially, Riel glared at me with wide eyes when I told her we were going to meet Carlena, but when I mentioned that Carlena wanted to meet Riel as well, her sharp gaze quickly softened.

I was lost in thought as we walked.

I have no connection with Carlena Grace, but what about Riel?

They are both Duke’s daughters, so they might have some acquaintance.

With that thought, I asked Riel, but.

“Since we’re the same age, we met once at a debutante ball, but we’ve never even had a conversation.”

This was her answer.

That is, Riel also had no idea why Carlena wanted to meet us.

The Grace family is a family responsible for a duchy located in the western part of the kingdom.

The Grace Duchy is not particularly rich in resources, nor is it good land for farming.

But there is something that has developed significantly in that region, and that is none other than the arts.

Popular arts such as fine arts and music, as well as theater and writing.

It’s no exaggeration to say it’s a region where almost all forms of art are flourishing.

Not only that, the Grace Duchy is also famous as a tourist destination.

Especially in the west where the Grace Duchy is located, there is a path leading to foreign countries, including the neighboring Marcos Empire, making it the first region that tourists enter.

In other words, the main source of income for the Grace Duchy is the arts sector and tourism.

Ah…!!

Thinking about it this way, the biggest reason why Carlena Grace contacted us this time might be…

“…Could it be because of what happened in the Ignis Duchy?”

“You mean being attacked by elves?”

At my words, Riel’s expression darkened slightly.

It seemed that Riel still had complicated feelings when thinking about that time.

“You know how there was talk about consulting with the Marcos Empire regarding matters related to the elf race.”

“Y…yes. You mean what Princess Aine mentioned?”

“Yes. The territory that shares a border with the Marcos Empire is the Grace Duchy.”

At my words, Riel nodded as if she understood the situation.

And when we arrived at the agreed location, the restaurant, we could tell our prediction was correct.

As soon as we sat down, Carlena Grace handed us the menus, and after we finished ordering, she opened her mouth.

“First, I want to apologize.”

“Pardon?”

At this sudden apology, both Riel and I stared blankly, causing Carlena Grace to sigh deeply.

“This incident could be seen as a management oversight by our Grace Duke family.”

“What do you mean?”

Riel was the first to question Carlena’s statement.

Meeting Riel’s slightly agitated gaze, Carlena spoke in a tired tone.

“…The diplomatic relations between the Marcos Empire and the kingdom are the responsibility of our Grace Duke family. Primarily things like supervising the implementation of treaties between the two countries.”

“And?”

“…This isn’t the first time elf mercenaries living in the Marcos Empire have caused trouble in the kingdom.”

At Carlena’s words, I looked at her wondering what she meant, and she explained.

She said that the Marcos Empire’s protection of elves began with the previous Emperor’s intention.

Elves were strong, but because they were a rare race, they were often exposed to threats such as human trafficking.

Especially within the Marcos Empire, there were many elves, and when such cases of harm occurred in succession, the Emperor at the time created a system to protect elves.

Thanks to that system, elves no longer suffered unjust harm, but there was one big problem.

That is, elves were too free-spirited beings.

Unlike humans or demi-humans whose actions could be restricted to some extent by laws or systems, elves did not care about such things.

They lived under the logic that what they revered was freedom, and only power could restrain that.

The current Emperor, who inherited the throne from the previous Emperor, recognized this situation and made efforts to somehow restrain the elves.

In the case of the more gentle elves, they listened to the Emperor’s words and could be managed somehow.

The biggest problem was with certain clans among elves who greatly revered power and freedom.

Many of them were wandering clans engaged in mercenary work, and while the Empire could somehow take responsibility and resolve issues within the Empire, it becomes problematic when they go abroad and cause trouble.

So they notified surrounding countries of their potential danger in advance, and these countries could strictly control elves’ entry.

The Grace Duke family, which is responsible for the border with the Marcos Empire, also properly verified, examined, and processed the entry of elves coming through the border.

But then this incident occurred.

Moreover, these elves should have received treatment that could restrict their actions upon entry, but the official in charge somehow failed to implement this treatment at all before allowing them into the country.

After learning of this incident, the Duke of Grace, who was shocked to the point of losing his soul, called in that official and thoroughly interrogated him.

The official wasn’t even aware that he had done so, and the enraged Duke of Grace dismissed the official and imposed disciplinary action.

‘Fairies, perhaps…’

Knowing that those elves had been acting together with fairies, I thought that way and looked at Riel.

Riel seemed to have had the same thought, as she looked at me with her red eyes and nodded.

…Although that official might be a bit wronged, we didn’t mention that fact to Carlena.

It would only sound like nonsense to someone who knows nothing about it.

“…I know that a simple apology won’t ease the minds of two people whose lives were threatened, but please allow me to apologize.”

“……”

I had nothing to say.

This was hard to call the responsibility of the Grace Duke family, as fairies were such unfair beings.

“This is just my personal apology, and I think the Duke’s family will soon visit both your families directly to apologize formally.”

“What…? There’s no need to go that far…”

“No. Since our family’s oversights have led to a situation where your lives were threatened, a proper apology and compensation are absolutely necessary.”

Seeing Carlena repeatedly bowing her head, both Riel and I gave wry smiles, feeling awkward.

Fairies really do cause proper trouble, I thought.

At that moment, the food we ordered arrived, and we somehow managed to console her and begin eating.

Naturally, both Riel and Carlena, as Duke’s daughters, were eating with elegant movements.

…What should I do?

I’m not very good at eating with such elegant manners.

…Given my family atmosphere, I’ve never learned anything beyond the most basic dining etiquette, and Riel understands my dining manners, sometimes even following my lead, so it hasn’t been a problem…

But if I showed such manners in front of Miss Carlena, it might properly tarnish my family name…

As I was sitting there with a troubled expression, unable to touch the food, Riel, who was eating beside me, poked my side.

Then she whispered a crash course on dining etiquette in my ear.

…Honestly, I couldn’t understand about half of it, but at least I could manage to eat without embarrassing myself.

At that time, I was unaware that Carlena Grace was definitely taking note of me and Riel, though she was only glancing at us from the corner of her eye.