CH 50

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother

Theodore Belisario, 1st son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Sandrion Timberlake, daughter of Earl Timberlake, Theodore’s fiancée

Jacob, butler of the Belisario household

Susanna, servant in the Belisario household

“Theodore-sama, Adeline-sama is waiting for you in the salon.”

As I was washing off the sweat from training and changing clothes, my fiancée, Sandrion, arrived. Most likely, she heard about what happened on the training ground. Mother is really quick to hear, but who the hell is reporting?

“All right, I’ll be right there.”

With Sandrion’s help, I quickly get ready and head for the salon.

“Adeline-sama is very concerned about Sapphiras-sama, right?”

“Yeah. That Percival brought him as a friend……what does Sandy think of him?”

“I think he’s very honest. And he’s as beautiful as a spirit.”

It’s true that Sapphiras-dono has a rare appearance, so it makes sense that Sandy would compare him to a spirit. It is said that he is attending the academy with the backing of the Duke of Bloomfield, but seeing that he does not give his family name, it seems that he is a commoner now.

“But I didn’t expect my younger brother to be such a face con. With that, no matter how many times we mention a mate, he would be indifferent.”

“I’m sure Percival-sama is more than that.”

Fufufu, Sandrion laughs. Sandrion’s appearance isn’t flashy, and her personality is gentle, but she possesses the calmness and depth of heart to support this Margrave from the shadows. I fell in love with that and asked her to marry her. Our family has a high status as a nobles, but this Vanderwall territory is by no means a calm land. Although the threat from other countries has decreased, it is always exposed to the danger of magical beasts. I am proud that my clan is the sword and shield of this country. I have no complaints about my birth. However, it is impossible to tell the person who will marry me to have the same pride.

When the time comes, it is the role of the Margravine to protect this castle in place of the lord who goes off to fight. On top of that, there is a considerable distance from the splendour of the royal capital. Not many daughters would want to marry into such a place. I was prepared to be rejected for this engagement, but Sandrion nodded her head without hesitation. She also told me that her white magic would surely be useful in the frontier territories. Her guts won the favour of mother.

I heard from Jacob that mother seemed to like Sapphiras-dono at first sight. He certainly has a beautiful appearance, but I didn’t think that that’s the only reason mother, who has a strict eye as a Margravine, liked him. I wondered what she liked about him so much.

“I heard. That he defeated that Kingsleigh unit.”

As soon as I entered the salon, mother opened her mouth, as if she couldn’t wait any longer. If you know so much, why did you bother to call me in?

Anyway, I was urged to sit down quickly and when I took a seat, tea was served immediately.

“Yes, to be honest, I was surprised. I can hardly believe that he is at the level of a first year student at the academy.”

“Well, I see. Please tell me more about it.”

Mother’s expression was full of joy. It seems that I won’t be released any time soon.

“Not only can he manipulate multiple spells without chanting, but he’s also quite experienced in battle. Makes you wonder where on earth he got all that experience.”

“I see. But that ability is not wasted in our territory.”

“Yes, well.”

That’s true, but it’s kind of frightening to think that someone of that age could use so much magic. Although he didn’t seem arrogant enough to blow his own horn. I wonder if that’s what Sandy is saying.

“I would never have guessed that they would be outmanoeuvred with just two people. However, was Kingsleigh told to let Sapphiras-san participate in the subjugation?”

“Yes, but he was against letting an inexperienced academy student take part.”

Putting Percival aside, who was taken out to subjugate magical beasts from an early age, if he had only experienced subjugation exercises like games at the academy, he would never be able to follow us. Even so, Percival said that there would be no problem, but Kingsleigh-dono was not convinced. I could understand his feelings, but I never thought that he would practice against him to participate in the subjugation.

A panicked soldier came to tell me about the commotion in the training ground, so I rushed to find that Sapphiras-dono was moving the five magicians he had incapacitated into the corner of the training ground.

I don’t know what method he used, but I decided that it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t stop him immediately, so I decided to keep quiet for the time being. Anyway, there is too much difference in strength. I thought it would be over soon.

After that, in a different way to what I expected, it happened much more quickly than I thought.

He unleashed multiple magic without chanting and repeated accurate transfers. Sapphiras-dono is completely a non-standard magician. On top of that, he coordinates with Percival with only the slightest signal, and doesn’t let his opponent read his next move. His speed in judging the situation was not that of an academy student who had experienced only one training exercise. Above all, Sapphiras-dono even went easy on the soldiers to prevent them from being wounded. That is not something that can be summed up with excellent, a single word.

When I told her that much, my mother nodded many times in satisfaction. Did she really see through his true ability at first glance?

“Did mother recognise that talent of Sapphiras-dono?”

“Ohoho, no. You wouldn’t be able to tell something like that just by looking. However, that Percy seemed to take good care of him. Even though he’s the third son, he’s a member of the Belisario family. If Percy’s intuition made him chose Sapphiras-san, then I thought he isn’t just a pretty boy.”

“You said that the Duke of Bloomfield is backing him, but in the first place, only aristocrats should be able to attend the academy. I guess it means that he was originally an aristocrat. With that much magic skill, I’d hear rumours, but I’ve never heard of anything about that. He has a rare beauty and amazing magical ability. Considering these, it is conceivable that he is a treasured child of the Duke’s bloodline. Is there any possibility that the Duke’s family will accept him as Miss Aurora’s companion? If that is the case, our family will have to intervene.”

As expected, the Margrave family cannot pick a fight with an old and influential ducal family, so if there is a possibility of him being Miss Aurora’s spouse, we have no choice but to have both Mother and Percival give up on Sapphiras-dono.

“That won’t happen. I have heard that Miss Aurora has already been chosen to become the Crown Princess Consort.”

“But if Miss Aurora marries into the royal family, the ducal family will have no heir. And what about the royal family? Since he is a magician with such power, the country will naturally want to keep him.”

There is a strong connection between the Duke of Bloomfield and the royal family. It is not impossible that they are preparing to welcome Sapphiras-dono into the royal family through the ducal family.

“Well, no, that can’t happen! Sapphiras-san will be the son of my family! We will never give him to another family, even a royal one!”

Mother, who exposed her emotions, clangs her tea utensils. Mother has intense emotions in her heart, but it is rare for her to show them openly. Susanna, who was standing by, quickly replaces the overflowing tea cup. Susanna is the mother’s personal maid, but she is so devoted to the Sapphiras-dono that he has had this maid with him since day one.

However, when he flaunted his true ability, mother’s obsession is understandable. Above all, that Percival is interested in him. If that is the case, I would like to do whatever it takes to get them together.

However, if we are going to cross the royal family and the ducal family, we need to be very prepared. What would father think?

“Um, may I?”

Sandrion, who had been listening in silence, discreetly joins the conversation.

“What is it, Sandy?”

First of all, why don’t you ask the two of them how they feel about each other? Above all, wouldn’t it be better to ask what Percival-sama thinks?”

“Oh, dear.”

Mother made an expression as if she had just realised it. If the person is not aware of it, the relationship may turn in a bad direction due to the extra care of those around them. It might be better to ask father to tell mother this so that my mother doesn’t get out of control too much.

“……But do we need to check again now? They were breathing perfectly together, weren’t they?”

“No, no, Mother. It’s important. You don’t know what Sapphiras-dono thinks about Percival, do you?”

Looking at Sapphiras-dono’s state, it seems that although he has trust in Percival, there doesn’t seem to be any affection there. Even if we talk about spouses, the punchline is that he will cock his head in confusion. Mother is too quick-tempered.

“Theo, you look as if you think I am too quick-tempered. But if us Margrave’s rivals are the royal and ducal families, we can’t just sit back and take it easy. Besides, aristocratic marriages are often accompanied by affection afterwards. But I understand. If you insist, let’s at least listen to what Percy has to say first. Someone, please call Percy right away.”

I sighed deeply and Sandy’s hand stroked my arm as if she was sympathising.

……I’m sorry Sandy. I’m sure you’ll have a hard time from now on.

melon: mother badly wants her son-in-law 

This is the last chapter stockpiled, I’ll be back in a few days.