The Oroz family is matrilineal from generation to generation. Even if there are male children, the title is always passed down to the female child. If the head of the family does not have a female child, a qualified female child from a collateral line is brought in to be the successor.
The reason is that the power of the Oroz family is inherited only through the matrilineal line. The Oroz family...
I closed the book with a 'thud' sound and let out a short breath.
The information I needed wasn't this kind of objective information.
I needed to know the secret, private things that girls my age were talking about, but I had no way of finding out.
Despite knowing that, I searched through the library with an anxious mind, but it was as I expected.
“More than that, there is something called power.”
What kind of power is this that appears every time the five dukedoms are involved?
As I was scratching my head wondering if power was some kind of superpower, my eyes turned to the bookshelf filled with books.
Just in case, I furrowed my brows as I looked at the books on the shelf, but as expected.
I was just a crazy woman staring at a book for no reason.
“What am I doing?”
I let out a hollow laugh, perhaps finding myself laughing.
It had already been almost a month since I had been possessed by this world. Without even a proper possessor buff, there was no way I could have any special abilities.
“Should I have gone to Count L'Arpege’s house after all?”
It seems that the real Elizabeth was quite close to Lady L'Arpege. She could have shared with her the same stories she would have shared with Lady Oroz. In addition, she might have been able to obtain some useful information about the Oroz family.
But I couldn't bring myself to leave because I remembered the image of the women cheering with crazy eyes in the dog fighting arena that day.
'Rather than going to see that woman again on my own two feet, it might be better to just say that I've lost my memory.'
Ah. I don't know anymore.
Tomorrow was the day I was supposed to leave for Lytskal. Thanks to that, I was able to postpone my etiquette class, but my head was in a mess for many reasons.
I think it'll be okay if I just pretend to know everything and agree like I've always done.
I headed to my room with such peaceful thoughts.
“Miss, are you here?”
As I entered the room, the one who greeted me was Marie, who was working in May's stead.
I asked, placing the book I had brought from the library on the table to read.
“Are you packing?”
“Yes. Because Lytskal is colder than the capital.”
“...Yeah. The light sword is cold.”
But one question came to mind.
You'll see it anyway when you attend the state wedding. Why did you insist on going to a distant land in person?
It's so inefficient.
What could the reason be? I, who was pondering, ran my finger over my chin.
And the question was solved more easily than expected.
“Moreover, I heard that Lady Oroz’s health has deteriorated again. I am sure you are very worried.”
Marie continued speaking, covering her cheek with one hand.
“But after you visit, you seem to have regained your energy. I’m sure Lady Oroz is also eagerly waiting for you to come.”
Only then did I realize why Lady Oroz couldn't come to the capital.
'You can't attend the wedding because you're weak.'
So, I have to go see Lady Oroz myself.
Well, she is the daughter of one of the five ducal families in the empire, so unless there is a special reason, there is no way she would not attend the state wedding.
“That’s right. The Duchess must be very worried. Young Lady is so sick.”
Then Marie asked with a face as if asking what I was talking about.
“What are you talking about? The head of the Oroz family passed away a long time ago. Duchess Oroz must have passed away when she was very young.”
"What?"
My eyes opened wide.
The Duchess of Oroz died a long time ago.
'Then what did Carsis say at the palace then?'
It was clear that Carsis said that I had a special relationship with the Duchess of Oroz.
I was overcome by a strange, inexplicable feeling.
As we passed the scenery full of green leaves and only bare branches were repeatedly visible, the carriage's speed slowed down.
“We have arrived.”
It's already been a week since I left the capital.
Finally, we arrived at Lytzkal, the territory of the Oroz family.
As soon as I got out of the carriage, the cold air that greeted me was different from the capital.
It is said to be a place at the northernmost tip of the Lytskal Sphenus Empire, where the Oroz family resides, and a place so bitterly cold that even in midsummer, one must wear a coat.
“It still feels like winter.”
Every time I exhaled, a puff of white steam rose.
“Haha. At this rate, the weather in Lytskal is very warm.”
If it's this warm in spring, how cold is it in winter?
Because the cold was already stinging me, I pulled the coat I was wearing tighter.
'More than that, this is the Oroz Castle.'
Solid stones lined the outer walls of the castle to withstand the cold winter winds of the Lytskal.
It was a contrast to the white exterior walls of the Duke of Cretian's residence.
'If you stay in a place like this, even healthy people will get sick and leave.'
Although the capital was in full spring with gorgeous flowers in bloom, here winter was still in full swing.
As I was staring indifferently at the frozen ground and air.
A middle-aged man with dark blue hair stood in front of me.
“It’s been a while, Lady Cretian.”
Who is it?
I couldn't tell who the man was who greeted me politely, but judging from the man who came out to greet me, he seemed to be a butler of the Oroz family.
“I’m sorry for the long journey. The young lady has been feeling unwell recently, so she couldn’t come out to greet you. Please understand.”
“It’s okay. But I’m worried that Young Lady’s health has deteriorated again.”
“But since Lady Cretian has come, she will soon recover. Please come inside first.”
I nodded and followed the butler, leaving a message for the attendants behind me to rest.
I entered the mansion and followed the butler up the stairs.
In the Oroz mansion, which boasted an elegant and magnificent style befitting a family of founding fathers, a heavy atmosphere hung for some reason.
And as we reached the third floor, the sound of coughing filled the hallway.
“Her cough has been getting worse for the past few days and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.”
They said Oroz Young Lady's body was weak.
Just the sound of coughing coming out of the thick door was enough to tell the truth about her physical condition.
Knock knock.
“Miss. Lady Cretian has arrived.”
“Cough, come in.”
When I opened the door, what I saw was a woman with light pink hair that reminded me of sweet cotton candy.
Lady Oroz, with her hair tied in a single braid and hanging down over her left shoulder, looked pale at first glance.
'I heard you're the same age as me.'
Was it because she was sick? Lady Oroz gave off more of a young girl vibe than a mature woman.
“Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it, Elizabeth. Cough.”
She coughed repeatedly with each word she spoke as if it was difficult for her to even continue speaking.
“It’s been a while. I heard that your health has been deteriorating a lot..”
As I approached the bed, the strong smell of disinfectant and bitter medicinal herbs began to waft through the air.
“Today is pretty good. I guess it’s because Lady Elizabeth is coming.”
Lady Oroz raised the corners of her lips.
Even that sight looked so fragile that it made my heart ache.
'She said her name was Deborah.'
Elizabeth must have called her Deborah, as she did not call me Cretian.
Then from now on, I should call her Deborah too.
The moment I was about to part my lips while thinking that.
Deborah snuggled into her arms.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
The woman in my arms looked so delicate that she looked like she might break at any moment.
A woman likes a single lily blooming in the middle of a desolate winter.
Although she was covered in blood, she was more beautiful than any of the ladies I had seen at L'Arpege's tea party.
She is the eldest daughter of one of only five dukedoms and is described as a beautiful and pure woman with a weak constitution.
'This is the perfect female protagonist material?'
She was the perfect character for the female protagonist in a romance novel.
Although we had only known each other for a few minutes, I took a liking to Deborah.
'It's a new feeling to meet a truly delicate noble lady after seeing only crazy kids like L'Arpege.'
In fact, except for the relationship with Carsis and the dog fights seen at Count L'Arpege's house, everything else was just a typical romance story.
A benevolent Emperor and an affectionate Crown Prince.
And among the five ducal families in the empire, neither the Cretians nor the Orozes were particularly unusual.
At first glance, the Duke's young lady appears to have a weak personality.
Perhaps her parents also had good natures like the Duke and Duchess of Cretian.
I really liked Lady Oroz. So far.
I who was guided to my room to rest, felt my heart lighten for the first time in a long while.
I was worried that Lady Oroz might be a half-crazy woman like Count L'Arpege's daughter, but I was relieved to see that she was the ideal noble daughter of my dreams.
“Seeing how they speak politely to each other, it seems like they weren’t as close as I thought.”
Although she was smiling and saying it was nice to meet me, Deborah didn't seem to be very comfortable with me, perhaps because she lived far away.
Rather than calling her a friend, it would be more appropriate to say that she admired me.
'Well, so what?'
First of all, if you like each other, that's enough.
It was while I was leaning back on the sofa that I thought about that.
The reason is that the power of the Oroz family is inherited only through the matrilineal line. The Oroz family...
I closed the book with a 'thud' sound and let out a short breath.
The information I needed wasn't this kind of objective information.
I needed to know the secret, private things that girls my age were talking about, but I had no way of finding out.
Despite knowing that, I searched through the library with an anxious mind, but it was as I expected.
“More than that, there is something called power.”
What kind of power is this that appears every time the five dukedoms are involved?
As I was scratching my head wondering if power was some kind of superpower, my eyes turned to the bookshelf filled with books.
Just in case, I furrowed my brows as I looked at the books on the shelf, but as expected.
I was just a crazy woman staring at a book for no reason.
“What am I doing?”
I let out a hollow laugh, perhaps finding myself laughing.
It had already been almost a month since I had been possessed by this world. Without even a proper possessor buff, there was no way I could have any special abilities.
“Should I have gone to Count L'Arpege’s house after all?”
It seems that the real Elizabeth was quite close to Lady L'Arpege. She could have shared with her the same stories she would have shared with Lady Oroz. In addition, she might have been able to obtain some useful information about the Oroz family.
But I couldn't bring myself to leave because I remembered the image of the women cheering with crazy eyes in the dog fighting arena that day.
'Rather than going to see that woman again on my own two feet, it might be better to just say that I've lost my memory.'
Ah. I don't know anymore.
Tomorrow was the day I was supposed to leave for Lytskal. Thanks to that, I was able to postpone my etiquette class, but my head was in a mess for many reasons.
I think it'll be okay if I just pretend to know everything and agree like I've always done.
I headed to my room with such peaceful thoughts.
“Miss, are you here?”
As I entered the room, the one who greeted me was Marie, who was working in May's stead.
I asked, placing the book I had brought from the library on the table to read.
“Are you packing?”
“Yes. Because Lytskal is colder than the capital.”
“...Yeah. The light sword is cold.”
But one question came to mind.
You'll see it anyway when you attend the state wedding. Why did you insist on going to a distant land in person?
It's so inefficient.
What could the reason be? I, who was pondering, ran my finger over my chin.
And the question was solved more easily than expected.
“Moreover, I heard that Lady Oroz’s health has deteriorated again. I am sure you are very worried.”
Marie continued speaking, covering her cheek with one hand.
“But after you visit, you seem to have regained your energy. I’m sure Lady Oroz is also eagerly waiting for you to come.”
Only then did I realize why Lady Oroz couldn't come to the capital.
'You can't attend the wedding because you're weak.'
So, I have to go see Lady Oroz myself.
Well, she is the daughter of one of the five ducal families in the empire, so unless there is a special reason, there is no way she would not attend the state wedding.
“That’s right. The Duchess must be very worried. Young Lady is so sick.”
Then Marie asked with a face as if asking what I was talking about.
“What are you talking about? The head of the Oroz family passed away a long time ago. Duchess Oroz must have passed away when she was very young.”
"What?"
My eyes opened wide.
The Duchess of Oroz died a long time ago.
'Then what did Carsis say at the palace then?'
It was clear that Carsis said that I had a special relationship with the Duchess of Oroz.
I was overcome by a strange, inexplicable feeling.
***
As we passed the scenery full of green leaves and only bare branches were repeatedly visible, the carriage's speed slowed down.
“We have arrived.”
It's already been a week since I left the capital.
Finally, we arrived at Lytzkal, the territory of the Oroz family.
As soon as I got out of the carriage, the cold air that greeted me was different from the capital.
It is said to be a place at the northernmost tip of the Lytskal Sphenus Empire, where the Oroz family resides, and a place so bitterly cold that even in midsummer, one must wear a coat.
“It still feels like winter.”
Every time I exhaled, a puff of white steam rose.
“Haha. At this rate, the weather in Lytskal is very warm.”
If it's this warm in spring, how cold is it in winter?
Because the cold was already stinging me, I pulled the coat I was wearing tighter.
'More than that, this is the Oroz Castle.'
Solid stones lined the outer walls of the castle to withstand the cold winter winds of the Lytskal.
It was a contrast to the white exterior walls of the Duke of Cretian's residence.
'If you stay in a place like this, even healthy people will get sick and leave.'
Although the capital was in full spring with gorgeous flowers in bloom, here winter was still in full swing.
As I was staring indifferently at the frozen ground and air.
A middle-aged man with dark blue hair stood in front of me.
“It’s been a while, Lady Cretian.”
Who is it?
I couldn't tell who the man was who greeted me politely, but judging from the man who came out to greet me, he seemed to be a butler of the Oroz family.
“I’m sorry for the long journey. The young lady has been feeling unwell recently, so she couldn’t come out to greet you. Please understand.”
“It’s okay. But I’m worried that Young Lady’s health has deteriorated again.”
“But since Lady Cretian has come, she will soon recover. Please come inside first.”
I nodded and followed the butler, leaving a message for the attendants behind me to rest.
I entered the mansion and followed the butler up the stairs.
In the Oroz mansion, which boasted an elegant and magnificent style befitting a family of founding fathers, a heavy atmosphere hung for some reason.
And as we reached the third floor, the sound of coughing filled the hallway.
“Her cough has been getting worse for the past few days and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.”
They said Oroz Young Lady's body was weak.
Just the sound of coughing coming out of the thick door was enough to tell the truth about her physical condition.
Knock knock.
“Miss. Lady Cretian has arrived.”
“Cough, come in.”
When I opened the door, what I saw was a woman with light pink hair that reminded me of sweet cotton candy.
Lady Oroz, with her hair tied in a single braid and hanging down over her left shoulder, looked pale at first glance.
'I heard you're the same age as me.'
Was it because she was sick? Lady Oroz gave off more of a young girl vibe than a mature woman.
“Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it, Elizabeth. Cough.”
She coughed repeatedly with each word she spoke as if it was difficult for her to even continue speaking.
“It’s been a while. I heard that your health has been deteriorating a lot..”
As I approached the bed, the strong smell of disinfectant and bitter medicinal herbs began to waft through the air.
“Today is pretty good. I guess it’s because Lady Elizabeth is coming.”
Lady Oroz raised the corners of her lips.
Even that sight looked so fragile that it made my heart ache.
'She said her name was Deborah.'
Elizabeth must have called her Deborah, as she did not call me Cretian.
Then from now on, I should call her Deborah too.
The moment I was about to part my lips while thinking that.
Deborah snuggled into her arms.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
The woman in my arms looked so delicate that she looked like she might break at any moment.
A woman likes a single lily blooming in the middle of a desolate winter.
Although she was covered in blood, she was more beautiful than any of the ladies I had seen at L'Arpege's tea party.
She is the eldest daughter of one of only five dukedoms and is described as a beautiful and pure woman with a weak constitution.
'This is the perfect female protagonist material?'
She was the perfect character for the female protagonist in a romance novel.
Although we had only known each other for a few minutes, I took a liking to Deborah.
'It's a new feeling to meet a truly delicate noble lady after seeing only crazy kids like L'Arpege.'
In fact, except for the relationship with Carsis and the dog fights seen at Count L'Arpege's house, everything else was just a typical romance story.
A benevolent Emperor and an affectionate Crown Prince.
And among the five ducal families in the empire, neither the Cretians nor the Orozes were particularly unusual.
At first glance, the Duke's young lady appears to have a weak personality.
I really liked Lady Oroz. So far.
***
I who was guided to my room to rest, felt my heart lighten for the first time in a long while.
I was worried that Lady Oroz might be a half-crazy woman like Count L'Arpege's daughter, but I was relieved to see that she was the ideal noble daughter of my dreams.
“Seeing how they speak politely to each other, it seems like they weren’t as close as I thought.”
Although she was smiling and saying it was nice to meet me, Deborah didn't seem to be very comfortable with me, perhaps because she lived far away.
Rather than calling her a friend, it would be more appropriate to say that she admired me.
'Well, so what?'
First of all, if you like each other, that's enough.
It was while I was leaning back on the sofa that I thought about that.
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