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The discussion about the territory with Siabel progressed swiftly under her guidance.

My territory would essentially be run under the support of the Count’s House, given my lack of knowledge in managing a land. She prepared to ensure that, while I—the lord who would spend most of my time at the Count’s House rather than my territory—was properly taken care of. It seemed she had gone to great lengths, paying particular attention to matters concerning the Barony.

I could understand the plan she laid out.

“To summarize… the territory will inherit the methods previously used by the royal family. My deputy will be granted certain authority to manage it actively,” I stated.

“Correct! Of course, the deputy will be empowered to handle tasks to ensure the territory’s proper maintenance and will be required to report its status to you periodically. The Count’s House and the royal family’s inspector will also keep an eye on the deputy.”

The one who will manage key tasks in my stead will prioritize the maintenance of the territory.

“While you’ll be busy with the Special Mission Team, significant issues for the territory’s development, and matters with other families… you’ll hear about these important operational points directly from me, not just the deputy. You’re the head of the Baron Family. The ultimate decision-making rights and diplomatic authority that come with being the head of the family… the Count’s House won’t tamper with those. However, for sought-after advisors, I’ll ensure they’re sourced through the royal family’s support so that they won’t be biased towards the Count’s House.”

The helm and keys to the territory exist with me.

It indicates the development direction of the territory will be decided according to my will, and the deputy will act accordingly.

“The deadline is until you can directly attend to affairs as the lord. My mother and I will help you find a few teachers regarding the territory management.”

“That’s a bit troubling, considering I have just suddenly gained this territory after serving as the Knights’ Deputy Commander. Even with learning governing methods, it’s still questionable.”

For me to settle down and properly fulfill my roles as a lord, I’d first need to step out of the Knights.

“Still, I can’t simply leave the Knights behind. They’re one of the critical driving forces of the Special Mission Team. My mother and I wouldn’t want to lose a knight like you. The Princess also mentioned to handle this part on your own.”

“……”

“And especially if Shione hears you’re stepping out of the Knights to go to your territory, she might shoot your legs with that bow of hers!”

“My legs?”

“To put it bluntly, if she can’t have a perfectly fine you in her sight, she’ll want you consigned to being a leg patient away from her. My instincts tend to be quite accurate. It’s best to be cautious.”

For some reason, Siabel’s words seemed uncomfortably realistic.

Considering Shione’s current fixation and jealousy, plus the alcohol clouding her judgment, it could very well happen.

With that thought in mind, I gave an awkward smile, prompting Siabel to continue.

“So, I thought it’d be better to seek your consent and put your territory under our Count’s House’s jurisdiction, sending you together with Shione. But, if the Count’s House does that right now, it wouldn’t suffice. It’s a royal direct territory that was assigned to you, not the Count’s House. Plus, you might also be hoping for it… we still have the Demonic Realm to explore towards the east.”

The Count’s House is the marquis of the west.

With its substantial land holdings by kingdom standards, it contains numerous clans under its domain, all while sealing its own land. Sion’s fervent efforts in the past regarding the territory issues mainly revolved around acquiring prime land.

Regardless, the relationship between me and the Count’s House is inseparable. Even if it’s a once-removed governance, each family’s autonomy is respected; within that, widening the Count’s influence would certainly be beneficial as I’d also gain more convenience in assisting myself.

Yet, seeing that Siabel mentioned it like that, it seemed this was only something she contemplated.

And so, dismissing the notion of timing, Siabel licked her lips, her eyes suddenly opening and gazing at me.

“Personally, I’m quite tempted by the Barony and you… But Shione has made it clear you belong to her with that glare of hers, you see. Considering it’s come to this—”

“……?”

“Shione, what on earth did you talk about with my sister while I was gone?”

What could have happened for Siabel to react like that?

“Have you thought about marrying our Shione?”

“…Pardon?”

“Since I’ll be the next head of the family, if you were to marry, it would allow you to tie the Count’s House into a marriage alliance, right? Shione doesn’t seem to have any interest in anyone else but you anyway.”

Out of the blue, a discussion akin to a sudden matchmaking meeting had me momentarily speechless.

“Moreover… Baron Karpel doesn’t seem to have anyone in mind to meet other than Shione, does he?”

And right there, came a surprise and rather rude bombardment.

As I found myself at a loss for words, Shione, who had been giggling, stepped in to clarify the situation.

“Well, now that heavy discussions are done, I thought I’d mention that. And… I don’t think Ray will end with just being a Baron. Anyway, this is no longer an impossibility, so it’s worth considering.”

Following that, while sharing some light banter to ease the atmosphere, I found an appropriate moment offered by Shione to speak up.

“Siabel, aside from matters regarding the Barony, I also have a message from Princess Shione.”

“Oh? A message from my sister. Will you tell me?”

With an eager tone, Siabel leaned in.

As I relayed everything we had uncovered so far, I noted that her expressions began to harden gradually.

The mischievous noblewoman was no longer present. Before me stood a cold-faced figure resembling Ainel, an icy ambiance beginning to surround her.

“I had no idea there were such hidden tales in my sister’s past. I wonder how much she must have suffered.”

However, her anger was directed not at the head maid and Piana who pressured Shione, but rather at somewhere else.

“Of course, it’s rather amusing that I’m feeling sorry for Shione’s hardships now.”

Siabel murmured wryly, her tone marked with bitterness.

“Ray, Shione asked for you to help her prepare for the trial.”

“Yes, that’s correct. The trial within the Count’s House requires the judgment of the head, and since Siabel is the appointed next head, Shione likely thought she’d receive sufficient help from you.”

“Looks like she’s found quite a bit of substantive evidence if she’s asking to prepare for the trial…”

With her arms crossed and her eyes closed momentarily, Siabel breathed deeply before opening her eyes to stare at the ground.

“Ray, may I ask you one thing? Why has my sister been struggling all this time without seeking help from me or the family?”

I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts.

If questioned about why Shione has not actively sought help from Siabel, Sion, and others until now, there could be numerous reasons.

She might not want to come off as someone dwelling too much in the past rather than looking toward the future. After all, this involved significant retainers and the head maid, and she might not want to agitate their already busy lives with unnecessary issues.

“Thinking back, I wonder what prompted it,” I mused.

It struck me that Shione had indicated she would request cooperation from her family. Yet in reality, she only approached Sion after all the information had come to light and only asked Siabel to prepare for the trial afterward.

“Shione wanted to rely solely on the strength of those she knew would stand by her.”

In all honesty, if Shione had fully trusted Siabel, Sion, and Ainel from the beginning…

We wouldn’t need to dig through the past and pull at memories, and furthermore, could have resolved the issues more surely and swiftly with their assistance.

As I struggled to find my words, Siabel began to unravel her thoughts.

“I think I have a rough idea why. My sister must have had a deep-seated disbelief in us.”

“Siabel—”

Siabel articulated as if coming to a realization.

“Being indifferent in the face of family who should care for you. Even though we share blood as family, no one knew about the incidents involving the head maid and Piana. No one tried to understand how desperate Shione was at that time. They only thought of her being the reason for Herrel’s dismissal, saying rather that she deserved it.”

She came to a revelation.

The nervy behaviors exhibited by Shione were merely a last line of defense against the criticisms from the Count’s House.

After being brought to a cloistered existence, even while searching for an escape, she steered entirely clear of physical violence and drunkenness. In fact, she tended only to delve deep into books.

“Everything Shione endeavored was forgotten, and after her little sister fled to her room, the older sister could only offer distant sympathy. The younger brother, not knowing anything, only chose to be frustrated with a sister who had lost her way.”

She turned her gaze back to her neglected past.

Perhaps it was due to growing too accustomed to Shione’s failures. Seeing her younger sibling flee finally brought Siabel to that concluding stage; she hadn’t cared enough to oversee her older sister, nor had she understood her plight as a sister and daughter.

“And then, after meeting you, Ray, following that change in Shione, there was no time to properly untangle the past and now we’ve merely patched things up half-heartedly with her.”

She started to reconsider her past interactions with Shione, who had consistently engaged in light-hearted conversations with her.

While the past was all in the rearview mirror, casually getting along like they did now may have been possible, but ultimately, she couldn’t become for Shione a figure of complete trust.

With an ironic mockery filling her voice, she addressed me.

“Why the surprise? I thought you already knew about our family’s history.”

“……”

“Since Shione has asked me to help her prepare for the trial after she returns from her expedition, as the sister, it’s only natural I should lend my support, wouldn’t you agree, Ray?”

“If Princess Shione hears Siabel’s willingness, she’ll surely be delighted.”

“That much is but a blessing.”

Siabel sat back, momentarily contemplating her communication.

“Well, furthermore, the reason for opening the trial is also to amend the past. So, if this is all I can assist with, it wouldn’t suffice.”

And with that, Siabel bit her index finger sharply as if it were a pointed fang. She noticed the tiny droplets of crimson forming around her teeth and choked a hard sigh.

“Relay to her that despite my willingness to look beyond, neither my younger brother nor I, nor even my mother, should forget to offer her our consolation on the trial stage.”

 

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