Chapter 67 - The Joyous Occasion of the Knightly Family
The day I returned to the Fortress from the Middle Forest.
――― Happy news had arrived.
The war had ended. Second Brother was also safe, it seemed. However, the upper echelons of the kingdom were in chaos. Apparently, the imperial alliance had suddenly collapsed. The First Prince, who had personally led the campaign, had entered the commercial city in the northeastern border region of the kingdom, but it seemed that this had happened just before the war’s end.
That guy from the Minister of War’s family had been “up to something,” scheming behind the scenes, but the details were still unclear.
Still, it was a good thing that the war had ended with only minor skirmishes and no major battles. It goes without saying who lost. The imperial alliance, with its large army, crossed the border and declared war on the kingdom, launching an invasion into our territory. However, they gained nothing, and the “alliance” eventually collapsed.
――― It seemed that guy had orchestrated it to turn out this way.
Not long after the Declaration of the War’s End, Second Brother returned with the territorial army of the high comital family. A sense of relief spread through the main residence. Regardless of everything, we, the family, deeply thanked God for his safe return.
During the march to the assembly point, Second Brother had been forced to take the most dangerous route along the edge of the forest. But upon his triumphant return, he was granted “special consideration” and was entrusted with the duty of escorting the high countess’s “carriage.” Rumors of the high countess’s high regard for him had even reached our hometown...
Perhaps the high countess had taken a liking to Second Brother, who, despite his stern appearance, was honest and proud.
Second Brother was more capable as a military officer than his looks suggested. Maybe that’s what caught their attention...
As part of the high comital family’s territorial army, they had no choice but to witness Second Brother’s numerous military achievements during the war. I heard that, under the high countess’s orders, the elite forces of the territorial army were temporarily placed under his command. The story of how he thoroughly crushed the imperial regular troops (barrier troops) on the frontlines had even reached our knightly family.
Well, if it was Second Brother, he could pull it off.
That’s just the kind of person he is. I expected him to return proudly, but instead, he seemed utterly dispirited (exhausted). In his hand was an official letter. The seal was from the royal family. The royal family’s seal? Wait... what had happened? Second Brother, what did you do? With a deep sigh, Second Brother began to explain to Father, looking completely worn out.
“It’s a marriage proposal. I always said I was only good at fighting, but... I’ve received a royal decree from the First Prince.”
“W-who is the bride?! Who is the lady in question?!”
Father’s voice trembled with shock. Eldest Brother seemed speechless. I listened along with the rest of the family. Somehow, I was sure that guy had intervened. The heir of the marquis family, who served as the Minister of War and had some inexplicable infatuation with our knightly family. The bride was probably... the high countess. The matchmaker was likely… the grand ducal lady or someone of that stature... Did they even drag the First Prince into this...? What a strange “fate.”
If it was a royal decree, even the king himself must have been involved.
It seemed they were determined to absorb our knightly family. They must have thought that with Second Brother, they could make the already strong territorial army even stronger. As for the marriage... even if the difference in rank was an issue, he would probably be adopted into some family and then enter the high comital household from there.
Well, since the Minister of War’s son likely drafted the plan, his family might become the temporary guardians. That would be unprecedented. After all, a marriage between the second son of a knightly family and the head of a high comital family... without a major war like this, such a thing would never have been considered. But realistically, isn’t this a bit too reckless? Is this really okay?
But the royal decree had already been issued. It was the king’s command. There was no yes or no about it.
Such is the fate of those born into noble families, Second Brother. It’s best to accept it. I hope the two of you will be happy, and if this strengthens the lord’s family’s position... it will ensure the peace of the people.
Well... there will be a lot of movement again.
―――――
If this became an official marriage proposal, we would have to formally accept it with the appropriate decorum. Father, looking utterly overwhelmed, set off for the high comital territorial capital with Mother and Second Brother. Father was more nervous than ever, while Mother seemed oddly composed, which spoke volumes about the state of our knightly family. Second Brother, of course, being like Father, looked as meek as a borrowed cat.
Eldest Brother and Sister-in-Law smiled as they saw off the departing carriage. In front of the main gate, Eldest Brother whispered to me.
“So, my little brother is to serve under the high countess. ...Interesting. That stubbornly straightforward man. Do you think he’ll manage?”
“If it’s Second Brother, he’ll manage. If it’s a mission, he’d charge into a den of monsters. If this is the knightly family’s duty, he’ll have no choice but to accept it.”
“You’re quite the tactician. Really, what did you learn in the royal capital...? Well, you’re not wrong. I hope he’ll be happy. I want him to have a warm family and experience the joy of having more to protect.”
“...Brother? Did you receive some news?”
“You’re always so sharp. ...Listen, don’t tell Father yet. Mother and my wife are waiting for the right time.”
“Understood. He might get too excited and do something unpredictable.”
“Having multiple joyous occasions is a good thing. Yes, a good thing.”
I looked at Eldest Brother’s bright smile. I, too, offered my heartfelt congratulations. The knightly family would become solidly established, and we would continue to pray for the peace of the frontier as they pass down the generations. Good things bring more good things. So, I nodded to myself, determined not to let this light fade and to work hard every day.
―――――
While the head of the family was away, unexpected visitors arrived at the knightly family’s residence.
They were incognito, it seemed. An express messenger from the main residence arrived at the Fortress with news of the visit of some distinguished guests. However, the number of guards accompanying them was surprisingly small, which made me tilt my head in confusion. The purpose of their visit was also unusual.
Apparently, their purpose was to see me.
My elder brother was to guide them to the Fortress to meet me. Not long after the messenger arrived, a seemingly ordinary but actually quite luxurious carriage arrived at the Fortress. My elder brother rode ahead to lead the way.
There were two distinguished guests.
One was that guy from the Minister of War’s family. His formal attire caught my attention. It was a color I hadn’t seen before. Wait, why is he wearing that? That’s... Isn’t that the formal attire of some military staff officer?
The other was a middle-aged man. He was impeccably dressed in official robes, his hair neatly combed, and his expression cold and calculating, giving off the impression of a sharp mind.
The decorative cords on his official robes were dark purple.
Why would someone like him be in this remote frontier? It was hard to comprehend. The color of the cords indicated that he was one of the highest-ranking officials in our country’s government. From his demeanor, it was clear he was no ordinary person...
The Prime Minister. Why had he come to this place?
Since we couldn’t receive them outside, we moved to the office in the Fortress.
Comments
Post a Comment