Chapter 34
"Celestia became engaged to Floyd Armle at the age of seven."
He looks like he's wondering what I'm suddenly talking about, but I probably had the same expression back then.
"Floyd Armle falls in love not with his fiancée, Celestia, but with her stepsister. And he will suffer and agonize over unrequited feelings."
"......Who would say such a ridiculous thing?"
"Those were the words Mirabel said to me long before I met Lord Floyd."
"Mirabel? Did she know Floyd?"
"I don't think so...... If they were close enough to discuss the engagement of a second son, she would have sought help from Marquis Armle instead of Father."
"That's true...... He didn't attend the funeral."
Mirabel's father was the son of a merchant, who used the connections he made at the academy to build a fortune through investments and bought a peerage from a fallen noble to join the aristocracy. I once thought he might have formed ties with Marquis Armle and Baron Litton in the process, but I concluded that wasn't the case.
Even if Baron Litton obtained a peerage, he was originally a commoner.
Those born into nobility and those born as commoners are incompatible. There is a high wall between established nobles and newly risen ones. Father is a bit unusual, but most nobles wouldn't even bother to acknowledge them.
"Mirabel said she is the heroine of this world, loved by everyone, and will eventually marry a prince. She called this a prophecy."
"......"
I understand the feeling of being unable to say anything. It's the kind of story a sane person would dismiss as absurd.
"She said that at the academy's graduation party, Lord Floyd will break off our engagement. Not only that, I will disrespect the royal family, be disowned by Father who dotes on Mirabel, and be sent to a convent."
"There's no way I would do such a thing!"
"I initially thought it was just Mirabel's delusion...... but as per her prophecy, my fiancé turned out to be Lord Floyd. There's no way she could have known unless Father told her or her stepmother."
"I haven't spoken about Celes's engagement to anyone except the butler. It's hard to call it a coincidence."
"Seeing Lord Floyd and Mirabel looking so close, I felt a vague sense of anxiety and fear. If all her other prophecies come true, I thought, and so I looked for a way to avoid entering the academy."
"......And that was the military school?"
Knowing a terrifying future in advance through a prophecy, there's no way I'd just wait for time to pass without taking action.
The content Mirabel spoke of mainly concerned events within the academy.
If I don't attend the academy, perhaps all her prophecies can be nullified.
I wasn't certain that future would definitely come to pass, but I sought the help of Bram, Father's butler, who was the only one in the household keeping a distance from Mirabel.
'I think it would be best to rely on Fildé. It will require some resolve, though.'
Grandfather has retired from the national army and relinquished his peerage to live in seclusion, but with a single letter, he can mobilize influential figures that even Father or Marquis Armle cannot touch.
The military school, as an alternative to the academy, is under Grandfather's direct influence. If I'm serious about enrolling in the military school, it would be better to leave the mansion and flee to Ransheen Fortress.
Following Bram's advice, I carefully selected my wet nurse's daughter, a trusted maid, and a few guards, preparing meticulously. The result is where I am now.
"I absolutely do not want to enter the academy where I don't know what might happen."
"......But, the military school is"
If I can't convince him with this, my only option will be the final resort of 'acting out'......
"Mirabel's prophecy only covers events up to graduation from the academy. So, I just want to stay away from those uncertainties during that period."
"......"
"Father, please."
"......Tch"
As I stared at Father with a pleading gaze while he repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, frowning in distress, Grandfather, who had been observing from the side, called Father's name in a flat tone.
"It's difficult to regain trust once it's lost. Will you ignore your daughter's plea for help a second time?"
Perhaps this was the deciding factor. Father slowly reached for the table, pulled the consent form toward him, hesitated for a moment, and then took out a pen from his chest pocket.
"......There are conditions. You must send a letter at least once a month. Also, you must attend next year's music festival. If anything happens at the military school, rely on Ruget's sons. Don't get injured...... and when you graduate, come straight back home...... And, Father, you must also attend next year's music festival! Enter the venue with Celes and thoroughly crush—I mean, exert pressure to sweep away those gossipmongers!"
Nodding at Father, who scribbled his name on the consent form with a hardened expression, Grandfather, who had somehow been dragged into this, shrugged dramatically and gave his consent.
"Thank you so much......"
Receiving the consent form offered with trembling hands and tightly pursed lips, I held it up to show Grandfather.
"I'm glad for you. I thought I'd raised my son wrong and had to beg my granddaughter for forgiveness."
"......I don't remember being raised by you, Father."
"In that case, does that mean I wasn't raised by Father but by Grandfather?"
"Celes......"
"Grandfather went to the battlefield to protect the country, the people, and his family. Father, have you ever stood on a battlefield? Do you know how cruel a place it is? To say you don't remember being raised by a father who fought with his life on the line—don't ever say such harsh words again."
An alarm sounded, footsteps echoed through the building as people ran, and lights illuminated the fortress surroundings despite it being midnight. Within a few hours, the injured would be brought in, and the medical unit would spring into action. Amidst groans and curses, I'd work desperately, yet still, unable to save some comrades, I'd quietly cry while stifling my voice.
Colonel Nick once told me about an experience from when he was a rookie.
"......Father"
"What is it? No need for apologies."
"Why has Celes become so much like a soldier......!?"
"......I don't know."
It was endearing to see Grandfather, who had been smirking, turn away and sulk when scolded by Father.
"By the way, Father, how long do you plan to stay here?"
"I came to inspect Taurus as well, but after this, I'm heading to the Tseli family. I must return before the snow falls, so I can only stay here for about two days."
"There's nothing to inspect, is there?"
"No, I've received reports that the quality of weapons has changed over the past few years. Do you know anything about it?"
"......I'm retired, you know?"
"Please speak honestly before the Prime Minister barges in again. I heard he's been stomping his feet, saying he's at his limit."
"Cut me some slack...... Celestia, don't become such a nagging lord."
Quality of weapons...... I think I recall Rudo and Lord Altried talking about some unique technology when I went to town. Did they request a huge budget for expenses again......?
"The management of Taurus is entrusted to the Rotish family and the Tseli family, right?"
While Father rummaged through Grandfather's desk, demanding the documents, I asked Grandfather.
"Yes, because those two families hold the territories closest to Ransheen Fortress. Among the nobles, they were exceptionally focused on martial prowess, which is why they were granted lands near the fortress in the first place."
Just as there is a hierarchy among nobles, there is also a hierarchy among military nobles.
The Rotish family and the Tseli family are called the two great military noble houses, positioned at the top of the hierarchy. Though they are count families, they hold a status comparable to marquis families, treated as a separate category among nobles.
This isn't just because their territories are close to Ransheen Fortress, but due to the achievements of Fildé Rotish, Marshal of the National Army, and Ivan Tseli, Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Russell, who supported His Majesty the King on the front lines and behind the scenes.
"If war breaks out, this place will be the first to suffer. In return, we get tax exemptions and some leniency for minor misdeeds, but someone needs to take responsibility when things go wrong. That's us and the Tseli family. If this place falls, our territories are at risk. So, a lord would protect it with their life, wouldn't they?"
"It feels like our territories are being held hostage."
"......That cunning streak must be in the blood. My son Rudo and Renato grew up honest, though."
"Aren't you of the same stock, Father? ......Has Count Tseli arrived yet?"
"No, it'll be after winter."
The "Count Tseli" Father mentioned as he returned with a bundle of documents likely refers to the former head, Ivan Tseli.
I heard that this year, he resigned as Knight Commander, passed his peerage to his son, and, like Grandfather, began a retired life in Taurus. Since their territories are adjacent, I've heard the two have been acquaintances since childhood.
"I never imagined he would retire here. Is he planning to live at Ransheen Fortress?"
"Ivan isn't a soldier, so that's impossible. He bought a house in Taurus, but he'll likely live in the dormitory."
"Dormitory......? Wait, what is Count Tseli planning to do......?"
"He intends to spend the rest of his life educating students at the military school."
Yes, to my delight, the Former Knight Commander will become a swordsmanship instructor at the military school.
When I heard this news, Rona and Rick looked up to the sky, while Dan and the others banged on the cafeteria table, shedding tears of frustration.
A knight of the Royal Capital, and moreover, a Knight Commander. Known as a handsome man in high society, in his youth, suitors lined up outside the venue—an anecdote of a noble figure that every aristocratic child admires at least once in their lifetime.
Of course, Grandmother and Mother, as well as myself, admire him.
Feeling gazes from two directions as I discreetly pressed my lips to hide a smile, I covered my face with the consent form.
"I can't believe Celes is also an admirer of Count Tseli......"
"It seems all the women in our family are touched by something about him."
"Something......"
Clutching the consent form, I stood up from the sofa, intending to mail it tomorrow.
At that moment, I didn't forget to call out to Father, who looked dejected with slumped shoulders.
"Father. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
"No, I haven't decided yet...... Is there something?"
I smiled at Father, who was smiling back at me.
Probably, if it were Dan or Sasha, they'd be grimacing and making a swift escape by now.
"Since we only have two days left, let's spend tomorrow experiencing a day as a soldier."
"......Huh? A day as a soldier......?"
"Yes. I thought it might be good for you to experience what my daily life is like."
"Pfft...... kuh, haha......"
"......"
While Father would get to know my life, I would get to see how capable he is as a military noble. Grinning at my own brilliant idea, I left the room with a spring in my step, leaving behind a laughing Grandfather and a stunned Father.