Montesol is a small town about two days' horseback ride from the capital of the empire and has developed a lodging industry catering to travelers heading to the capital.
“Jean, bring me some water!”
"Yes!"
Jean was an employee of the largest inn in town.
As he always did, he carried a bucket on his back and headed to the river to fetch water.
When the water bucket was put into the river, impurities such as fish and pebbles also came in.
“Oh my. This is annoying. This is really annoying, I could die... Huh? What is this?”
While singing a strange song and removing impurities, Jean discovered a rolled-up piece of paper inside a palm-sized glass bottle.
He wondered if some kid was playing a prank.
Jean opened the cork that had been tightly closed to prevent water from entering, took out the paper, and unfolded it.
The paper was written in a mess of letters, but unfortunately Jean could barely read.
Be could only read and write his name and simple words necessary for his work.
Even the most famous noble families within the empire knew how to read, and this too they had learned from the traveling guests who came to the inn.
“Leopold.”
Thanks to that, Jean was able to clearly read the word Leopold written in the middle of the sentence.
It looked like the word Emperor was written behind it, but he wasn't sure.
Anyway, since it had the word Leopold written on it, it seemed like a note about the Leopold family.
“I heard that His Excellency the Duke Leopold will be crowned in a few days. Is this a note related to that?”
Perhaps if he brings it to Duke Leopold, he will receive a great reward.
Compensation. Just thinking about it made my heart flutter.
If this is really a note related to Duke Leopold, the reward will be even better.
Jean rolled up the note, put it back in the bottle, and carefully put it in his pocket.
I submitted the permit to the court and attempted to return to the Duchy of Leopold immediately, but I remained in the capital because a sudden succession ceremony was held.
It took at least four days just to get from the capital to the dukedom, so it was impossible to make the round trip within a week.
I didn't care about the invitation to the succession ceremony, since the Emperor said he would take care of it.
Instead, I spent the remaining time preparing the clothes I would wear for the succession ceremony and redecorating the ducal residence in the capital in my own style.
Now, I was completely the master of this mansion.
It didn't matter if I did whatever I wanted.
I was thinking of leaving it to interior design professionals, but I thought it would be fun to decorate it myself, so I gave detailed instructions.
The first place I changed was, of course, my office.
Then I did some work on the living room as well.
As I was busy here and there, four days passed by in a flash, and Perdes, who had received my call, arrived at the Duke's residence in the capital.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your accession to the ducal title, Duke Leopold.”
That's what Perdes said the moment he saw me.
I have received congratulatory messages from many people so far, but Perdes' greeting was particularly meaningful.
Because it was a result that could be achieved thanks to his sincere help.
And there was sincerity in Perdes' words and expression.
“Thank you for the congratulations, Your Highness.”
I also smiled sincerely and received Perdes' congratulations.
Perdes entered the office, looked around, and whistled.
“The interior of the office has changed a lot since I last saw it.”
"Is it so?"
I've only changed a little bit, but is it really that noticeable?
“In the past, it felt like just a Duke’s mansion, but now it has a strong Duke vibe.”
Is that so? I looked around, but to my eyes, it all looked similar.
Perdes, who had been looking around as if he was visiting the office for the first time, sat down on the sofa and asked me.
“How on earth did you convince the Emperor to give you the Duke’s title?”
“I never tried to persuade him. I was just trying to pass quietly, but he suddenly started saying strange things like he was upset that I didn’t tell him in advance, and then he said he would hold a title succession ceremony for me.”
“Really? I thought he would never do that just from what he told me, but what happened?”
So he contacted Perdes.
Well, given the Emperor's personality, there's no way he wouldn't have done it.
“What did the Emperor say?”
“It’s obvious, right? Why did you hand over the ducal title to Adele Leopold? Are you betraying me now? That’s what he said.”
Perdes clicked his tongue as if the mere thought was horrifying.
“So I asked him again what the problem was with the seat he originally gave me. When I asked her, he got angry and kept calling my name without saying anything.”
“So what did you do?”
“What did you do? I told him to cut off the call because I had to prepare for Young Lady’s celebration party. And I broke the communication ring by soaking it in water.”
Perdes said that and looked at me with sparkling eyes.
He looked like a puppy waiting for praise.
“Good job.”
“It feels good to be praised.”
Perdes smiled with satisfaction, perhaps expecting my praise.
It really looks like a puppy.
It's too big to be called a puppy, and it's a perfect adult, so it would be right to call it a dog... But calling it dog-like is too much of an insult, so let's just call it a puppy.
“Young Lady... Oops, mistake.”
Perdes smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.
“I made a mistake because the title ‘Young Lady’ got stuck in my mouth. It also feels awkward to call you a Duke.”
“Then, in private situations like now, please feel free to call me by my name.”
“...Your name?”
“Yes. I call you by your name anyway, Perdes. So you can call me by my name.”
“Then I won’t decline... Hmm, hmm.”
Perdes coughed loudly and then cautiously called my name.
“Adele.”
“Yes, Lord Perdes.”
As I looked up and answered, Perdes' face turned bright red.
It was a face that looked like it would hurt if you put your hand on it.
“Are you okay, Lord Perdes?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s okay. It’s okay.”
His expression doesn't look good at all.
“But why on earth does the Emperor hold a ceremony to transfer the title of Duke?”
Perdes flexibly changed the subject of the conversation.
“Because of the nobles’ gaze? Is it because not holding a ceremony to succeed to the Duke’s throne would show that there is discord with the Leopold family?”
“That may be one reason, but it’s not the biggest reason.”
“That means there is a reason for it.”
“It’s not necessarily like that, but I think it might be because of this.”
“What is that?”
“It’s monster subjugation.”
For several years now, monsters have been running rampant, causing headaches not only for the empire but also for other countries.
So, my father went out to fight monsters.
With a foolish Crown Prince who doesn't know how to use a sword properly.
“Adele, once the expedition is over, I plan on resting for about a month. Let’s go south together and relax then.”
Suddenly, I remembered what my father had said to me before he left for the expedition.
What did I say then?
I had been criticizing the Duchy of Leopold for going on a peaceful vacation.
... Little did I know that that would be the end of my father.
Memories of the cruel past that came back to me gnawed at my heart and ate away at my reason.
I felt like I was going to lose my mind and start screaming, so I calmed myself down by drinking tea.
“It’s monster subjugation.”
Perdes, who had been mulling over what I had said like a cow chewing its cud, asked.
“What does that have to do with the succession ceremony?”
“When going on a monster subjugation mission, the subjugation leader is not only skilled but also someone trusted by the imperial family.”
That's why my father was put in charge of the expedition.
“But if I were to suddenly appoint as the leader of the monster subjugation force when it was known that we were not on good terms, the other nobles would think it was strange.”
“That’s right. They’ll think the Emperor has some other ulterior motive in leaving it to you. For example...”
“He's trying to kill me by pretending it was an accident.”
When Perdes couldn't continue speaking, I spoke on his behalf.
Then Perdes' expression became slightly clouded.
“I think you say death too easily.”
“Don’t worry. I really have no intention of dying.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Perdes sighed as if he was frustrated.
“Anyway, you're saying that he's holding a title succession ceremony to show the nobles that you’re on good terms with them because of the monster subjugation?”
“I’m not sure. I think it might be.”
“But it’s a very possible story.”
That's right.
“If the Emperor is really thinking of subjugating monsters and wants to appoint you as the leader of the subjugation, then refuse. You must absolutely refuse.”
Perdes's tone and expression, which emphasized the word "rejection" over and over again, were filled with concern for me.
I said it with a faint smile, meaning to reassure him.
“It’s okay. Even if the Emperor wanted to subdue monsters, he would never be able to do so.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, that’s...”
Knock knock.
I was about to say that I couldn't tell him everything about my plan, but I thought it would be okay to give him a little information when I heard a knock on the door.
“Excuse me, Miss.”
It was Sir Aldor.
He came up to me and handed me a glass bottle.
Inside the glass bottle was a rolled-up piece of paper.
“What is this?”
“It’s a glass bottle that a boy who was loitering at the entrance to the dugout had.”
“A boy?”
“Yes. The boy said that the name Leopold was written on the paper. He said that he could not read the rest of the letters because he did not know the letters, but he read that word clearly.”
“Did you check and bring it?”
When Perdes suddenly joined the conversation, Sir Aldor looked at him and answered.
“I didn’t check it because I thought it would be better for you to read it first.”
“Well done, Sir Aldor.”
I looked over the vial that Sir Aldor had given me. There was no strange magic or anything.
Well, I guess even Sir Aldor must have checked and brought that much.
Then, I thought I could open it with confidence, so I opened the cork, took out the paper, and unfolded it.
“Jean, bring me some water!”
"Yes!"
Jean was an employee of the largest inn in town.
As he always did, he carried a bucket on his back and headed to the river to fetch water.
When the water bucket was put into the river, impurities such as fish and pebbles also came in.
“Oh my. This is annoying. This is really annoying, I could die... Huh? What is this?”
While singing a strange song and removing impurities, Jean discovered a rolled-up piece of paper inside a palm-sized glass bottle.
He wondered if some kid was playing a prank.
Jean opened the cork that had been tightly closed to prevent water from entering, took out the paper, and unfolded it.
The paper was written in a mess of letters, but unfortunately Jean could barely read.
Be could only read and write his name and simple words necessary for his work.
Even the most famous noble families within the empire knew how to read, and this too they had learned from the traveling guests who came to the inn.
“Leopold.”
Thanks to that, Jean was able to clearly read the word Leopold written in the middle of the sentence.
It looked like the word Emperor was written behind it, but he wasn't sure.
Anyway, since it had the word Leopold written on it, it seemed like a note about the Leopold family.
“I heard that His Excellency the Duke Leopold will be crowned in a few days. Is this a note related to that?”
Perhaps if he brings it to Duke Leopold, he will receive a great reward.
Compensation. Just thinking about it made my heart flutter.
If this is really a note related to Duke Leopold, the reward will be even better.
Jean rolled up the note, put it back in the bottle, and carefully put it in his pocket.
***
I submitted the permit to the court and attempted to return to the Duchy of Leopold immediately, but I remained in the capital because a sudden succession ceremony was held.
It took at least four days just to get from the capital to the dukedom, so it was impossible to make the round trip within a week.
I didn't care about the invitation to the succession ceremony, since the Emperor said he would take care of it.
Instead, I spent the remaining time preparing the clothes I would wear for the succession ceremony and redecorating the ducal residence in the capital in my own style.
Now, I was completely the master of this mansion.
It didn't matter if I did whatever I wanted.
I was thinking of leaving it to interior design professionals, but I thought it would be fun to decorate it myself, so I gave detailed instructions.
The first place I changed was, of course, my office.
Then I did some work on the living room as well.
As I was busy here and there, four days passed by in a flash, and Perdes, who had received my call, arrived at the Duke's residence in the capital.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your accession to the ducal title, Duke Leopold.”
That's what Perdes said the moment he saw me.
I have received congratulatory messages from many people so far, but Perdes' greeting was particularly meaningful.
Because it was a result that could be achieved thanks to his sincere help.
And there was sincerity in Perdes' words and expression.
“Thank you for the congratulations, Your Highness.”
I also smiled sincerely and received Perdes' congratulations.
Perdes entered the office, looked around, and whistled.
“The interior of the office has changed a lot since I last saw it.”
"Is it so?"
I've only changed a little bit, but is it really that noticeable?
“In the past, it felt like just a Duke’s mansion, but now it has a strong Duke vibe.”
Is that so? I looked around, but to my eyes, it all looked similar.
Perdes, who had been looking around as if he was visiting the office for the first time, sat down on the sofa and asked me.
“How on earth did you convince the Emperor to give you the Duke’s title?”
“I never tried to persuade him. I was just trying to pass quietly, but he suddenly started saying strange things like he was upset that I didn’t tell him in advance, and then he said he would hold a title succession ceremony for me.”
“Really? I thought he would never do that just from what he told me, but what happened?”
So he contacted Perdes.
Well, given the Emperor's personality, there's no way he wouldn't have done it.
“What did the Emperor say?”
“It’s obvious, right? Why did you hand over the ducal title to Adele Leopold? Are you betraying me now? That’s what he said.”
Perdes clicked his tongue as if the mere thought was horrifying.
“So I asked him again what the problem was with the seat he originally gave me. When I asked her, he got angry and kept calling my name without saying anything.”
“So what did you do?”
“What did you do? I told him to cut off the call because I had to prepare for Young Lady’s celebration party. And I broke the communication ring by soaking it in water.”
Perdes said that and looked at me with sparkling eyes.
He looked like a puppy waiting for praise.
“Good job.”
“It feels good to be praised.”
Perdes smiled with satisfaction, perhaps expecting my praise.
It really looks like a puppy.
It's too big to be called a puppy, and it's a perfect adult, so it would be right to call it a dog... But calling it dog-like is too much of an insult, so let's just call it a puppy.
“Young Lady... Oops, mistake.”
Perdes smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.
“I made a mistake because the title ‘Young Lady’ got stuck in my mouth. It also feels awkward to call you a Duke.”
“Then, in private situations like now, please feel free to call me by my name.”
“...Your name?”
“Yes. I call you by your name anyway, Perdes. So you can call me by my name.”
“Then I won’t decline... Hmm, hmm.”
Perdes coughed loudly and then cautiously called my name.
“Adele.”
“Yes, Lord Perdes.”
As I looked up and answered, Perdes' face turned bright red.
It was a face that looked like it would hurt if you put your hand on it.
“Are you okay, Lord Perdes?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s okay. It’s okay.”
His expression doesn't look good at all.
“But why on earth does the Emperor hold a ceremony to transfer the title of Duke?”
Perdes flexibly changed the subject of the conversation.
“Because of the nobles’ gaze? Is it because not holding a ceremony to succeed to the Duke’s throne would show that there is discord with the Leopold family?”
“That may be one reason, but it’s not the biggest reason.”
“That means there is a reason for it.”
“It’s not necessarily like that, but I think it might be because of this.”
“What is that?”
“It’s monster subjugation.”
For several years now, monsters have been running rampant, causing headaches not only for the empire but also for other countries.
So, my father went out to fight monsters.
With a foolish Crown Prince who doesn't know how to use a sword properly.
“Adele, once the expedition is over, I plan on resting for about a month. Let’s go south together and relax then.”
Suddenly, I remembered what my father had said to me before he left for the expedition.
What did I say then?
I had been criticizing the Duchy of Leopold for going on a peaceful vacation.
... Little did I know that that would be the end of my father.
Memories of the cruel past that came back to me gnawed at my heart and ate away at my reason.
I felt like I was going to lose my mind and start screaming, so I calmed myself down by drinking tea.
“It’s monster subjugation.”
Perdes, who had been mulling over what I had said like a cow chewing its cud, asked.
“What does that have to do with the succession ceremony?”
“When going on a monster subjugation mission, the subjugation leader is not only skilled but also someone trusted by the imperial family.”
That's why my father was put in charge of the expedition.
“But if I were to suddenly appoint as the leader of the monster subjugation force when it was known that we were not on good terms, the other nobles would think it was strange.”
“That’s right. They’ll think the Emperor has some other ulterior motive in leaving it to you. For example...”
“He's trying to kill me by pretending it was an accident.”
When Perdes couldn't continue speaking, I spoke on his behalf.
Then Perdes' expression became slightly clouded.
“I think you say death too easily.”
“Don’t worry. I really have no intention of dying.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Perdes sighed as if he was frustrated.
“Anyway, you're saying that he's holding a title succession ceremony to show the nobles that you’re on good terms with them because of the monster subjugation?”
“I’m not sure. I think it might be.”
“But it’s a very possible story.”
That's right.
“If the Emperor is really thinking of subjugating monsters and wants to appoint you as the leader of the subjugation, then refuse. You must absolutely refuse.”
Perdes's tone and expression, which emphasized the word "rejection" over and over again, were filled with concern for me.
I said it with a faint smile, meaning to reassure him.
“It’s okay. Even if the Emperor wanted to subdue monsters, he would never be able to do so.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, that’s...”
Knock knock.
I was about to say that I couldn't tell him everything about my plan, but I thought it would be okay to give him a little information when I heard a knock on the door.
“Excuse me, Miss.”
It was Sir Aldor.
He came up to me and handed me a glass bottle.
Inside the glass bottle was a rolled-up piece of paper.
“What is this?”
“It’s a glass bottle that a boy who was loitering at the entrance to the dugout had.”
“A boy?”
“Yes. The boy said that the name Leopold was written on the paper. He said that he could not read the rest of the letters because he did not know the letters, but he read that word clearly.”
“Did you check and bring it?”
When Perdes suddenly joined the conversation, Sir Aldor looked at him and answered.
“I didn’t check it because I thought it would be better for you to read it first.”
“Well done, Sir Aldor.”
I looked over the vial that Sir Aldor had given me. There was no strange magic or anything.
Well, I guess even Sir Aldor must have checked and brought that much.
Then, I thought I could open it with confidence, so I opened the cork, took out the paper, and unfolded it.
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