Marius was waiting in the room where I and Camilo was lead to. It’s only been about two days but he looks haggard.

“It looks like you’re very tired.”

“Hn? Yeah, even though I’ll hold a feast with only a very limited number of people, prior to the audience with His Majesty, I needed to prepare the report regarding the succession and with the other procedure for succession, it has really been hectic.”

“That indeed seems to be tough.”

Nobles have a lot to do as nobles. I don’t think I can do that again.

“By the way, when will you hold the feast?”

“Tomorrow”

“Tomorrow? It’s a lot early.”

“Since my father and brother passed away, it took a long time for me to inherit the title. Usually, there would be some interval before the feast, but I can’t do that this time. It is necessary to establish the succession as a well-known fact as soon as possible.”

That’s indeed such a troublesome matter for us ordinary people.

“Then, we will attend the feast tomorrow and return the day after tomorrow, right?”

“That’s right. Until then, enjoy your time here.”

“Alright, we’ll be in your care.”

Then Marius went out. After that, the servant lead us again. Camilo and I are guided to the room prepared for the guests.

“If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to tell us.”

“I understand. Thank you very much.”

The servant went out with a bow. The desk is equipped with a chair and the beds are with complete set up, the walls are also covered with tapestries. The tapestry depicts a battle somewhere. Knights in armor are drawn on the ally side, and monsters (probably) are drawn for the enemy’s side and they had this hair-raising appearance. The fact that a person will be given a sword upon receiving a title is probably triggered by the state of such battle.

I did not feel ashamed making that fake sword, which has become one man’s proof of honor after going through such battle. There must be more to it than being just a sword. I couldn’t think of any other good means but, was it really okay to break it with my own hands? If he hasn’t thrown it away somewhere yet and kept it instead, I would like to at least keep it at my own home. Well, even by doing so, that can’t atone for my sin. Anyways, I should discuss it with Marius later.

Before dinner, the servant who guided us to the room –he seemed to introduce himself as Boman-san when I asked his name –said, “Diana-ojousama is calling for you, will you please follow me?” He asked meekly so I decided to follow. Perhaps we’ll do it here too..

I was taken to the courtyard where Diana, in easy-to-move clothes, was waiting with two wooden swords.

“Do we still need to do it here?”

“Of course”

Diana grins and says so.?You should stop with that because it’s not lady-like you know?

“Oh well, fine then. Let’s get started.”

After the tip of our swords clinked and we gave a bow, we start to leave a gap between us and proceed with the training as usual. It’s been about half an hour in total, so once I stopped, Diana said while panting,

“Haa..haa.. Eizo-san..at least once.. can you.. fight me seriously?”

“Are you being serious?”

Well, today will also be the last one.. I guess it’s okay if it’s just this once.

“Alright then, let’s end this.”

“Yes!”

No matter where I hit, Diana parries the sword calmly. After confirming that, I seriously break into her defense and seriously hit her. Diana completely stayed still. I stopped my wooden sword just before it lands on her neck.

“This is me being serious.”

“I-I couldn’t see it at all..”

Diana, who told me that, looks crestfallen as she lowered her shoulder.

“Your skills have remarkably improved in these past few days, you know? If you train continuously, you can aim for as much as you want.”

I followed up while pulling back my sword, Diana’s expression suddenly brightens,

“For real!?”

She was overjoyed, and when I thought that I couldn’t see that smile anymore, I felt that my chest tightened.

After the training and when I finished taking a bath, it’s dinner time. Since there are only the Eimurl’s family members for today’s meal, we had a relaxing dinner. The topic of conversation is mostly about the experiences Diana had while she was staying at my house and Marius looked happy while listening to it. Camilo on the other hand was impressed with the increase I made in the meantime. Then the night went on.

The next day, Marius went to report to His Majesty first thing in the morning. It seems that the procedure needed by the record keeper has been completed. In this country, to totally complete the succession of the title, one needs to report to His Majesty. Then after that would be the feast at one’s residence. The servants, including Boman-san, seem to be busy. Although it’s a private one, it’s still a feast with guests invited so it is necessary to prepare properly.

We are still one of the guests, but since the preparation for the feast is the priority, breakfast and lunch will be included in the preparation for the dinner party ―In short, I got someone to prepare my meals. Well, I’m also reluctant to have a proper one prepared separately for me. At first, Boman-san and the other servants were trying to prepare it but I refused them.

In the meantime, I spend time wandering around the mansion so that I won’t get in their way. I haven’t seen Diana yet today, apparently, she also came with Marius and had an audience with His Majesty. I felt that it’s little unfortunate.

I don’t know how successful our cooperation was, but the preparations for the feast went on quietly and it was all set for the gathering. A large table is placed in Eimurl House’s dining hall and it is arranged in a way that we are sitting around it. The food is placed in the center and the servants are handing out wine cups containing wine poured out from the barrels. Marius stands up when all the guests are gathered and the wine cups are given to everyone. He is dressed in clothes with elaborate embroidery. That is probably the formal wear of the head of the family.

“Everyone, thank you very much for coming to this feast today.”

A sonorous voice echoes in the dining room.

“Today, I, Marius Albert Eimurl, succeeded the count’s title and the Eimurl House.”

The guests then give a round of applause. When I took a glance, the Marquis was also applauding.

“Then, let’s toast to the future prosperity of the Eimurl family and the unchanging connection with everyone!”

““Cheers!!””

Everyone then sips on the wine glass. It’s a pretty good wine. And with this, officially and with everyone’s recognition, Marius finally became the Count and head of the Eimurl House. When I think about it, I felt happier for that compared to the joy given by the alcohol.

The feast’s banquet goes on quietly. The servants serve the food in the center and distribute it to each person. It’s interesting because there are various dishes that I didn’t see in town. I think I can imitate some of them, and when I get home, I’ll make them for Samia and Rike.

When the banquet is over, it’s time for the ball. Although it is not a prominent one, it seems that there is a rule that during a feast, one needs to hold a banquet and a ball. When a person’s prestige becomes higher, it will be held separately. However, although it is called a “ball”, it is not the case where you need to dance brilliantly despite having wine and rice stuffed in your stomach. “Ball” is just the term for it but it is actually an event where one talks while having a light drink.

There I found Diana. Until a while ago, someone was talking to her every now and then but now, it seems that she got a break.

“Can I disturb you for a bit?”

“Oh, Eizou-san.. that’s a nice outfit you got there.”

That’s right. Of course, I’m also wearing that noble-like clothing. The Marquis is here too, besides, I’m here as Marius’ official Northerner friend –in other words, I’m supposed to be a person with descent position in the North.

“My shoulders are so stiff now.”

I said with a bitter smile. Well, that bitter smile does not hide my true feeling either.

“Diana-san too, that dress looks good on you. Referring to you as the “rose” in the family is indeed fitting.”

Well, it’s such an event so Diana naturally dressed properly too. The dress is based on red, but the not so gaudy and low-key embroidery suits her well.

“You’re flattering me.”

Diana replied with her face flushed, I’m not sure if it’s because of alcohol or if she’s feeling shy though.

“I’m being serious. It really suits you. But, it’s a pity as I guess this is our farewell huh?”

“Oh? I wonder about that.”

Diana says with a mischievous smile.

“Eh? Hey, just now..”

When I tried to ask about the meaning of those words, Diana had to deal with another person, and the Marquis also approached me. I made full use of my installed knowledge while talking to the Marquis and I tried not to have a perfunctory conversation so as not to break the setting of being someone from the North. Well, it will not be good if I talk too much and made a mistake here. However, he is a nice old man to talk with. On his way out, he tapped my shoulder and said, “I’ll leave the Eimurl House in your care”. I was so surprised when he said that.

In the end, it was only that one time that I was able to talk to Diana and the feast was then over. The guests were divided into those going home and those returning to their prepared room. I returned to the room and had my clothes changed. And after that, partly because I was drunk, I fell asleep immediately.

The next morning, it was finally time to get everything done and go home. It’s unlikely that I’ll come to the Capital soon. I may be able to do some errands that come very occasionally, and I hope I can come to say hello at that time.

I didn’t have any luggage to bring so I went to Camilo’s wagon as soon as possible. Camilo, Marius, and the servants were already waiting at the wagon. Diana is not here, probably because it’s still early in the morning.

“Eizou, thank you very much for this time.”

“What are you saying? As I had said before, I owed you one in the town. Become a good lord.”

Marius and I firmly shake hands.

“Ah right, what will you do with the fake one?”

“Oh, that? Since I cut it in half, I loaded it in the wagon and I’ll have you to fix it.”

So he’ll have it fixed? In that case, even if it stay in this house, it will be fine huh.

“I’ll give it back after I fixed it then.”

“No, just leave it at your place.”

“Will that be alright?”

“Yeah. It will be odd if I keep something that turns out to be fake you see. Well, that’s all because of the circumstances that had happened.”

Actually, the real one is with me. I understand that sentiment well and I have no problem if he decides on that.

“Alright. I’ll take care of it after fixing it up.”

“I’ll leave it to you. Oh, and there’s another thing I want you to keep, it’s in the same box, so I’ll leave that to you too.”

“Hn? A weapon?”

“Well, it’s something like that. It’s hard to handle you see.”

“Heh-, I understand. I’ll take responsibility for that as well.”

“Do whatever you want for both of them, I won’t mind.”

“I understand. Just say my regards to Diana-san.”

Then I got into the wagon’s luggage carrier and the wagon started to move. I waved my hand to the people of the Eimurl House that’s getting smaller and bid goodbye to Eimurl’s mansion. And just like that, we were able to leave the Capital safely.

On the way home, I want talk to Camilo about something but he appears to be distracted. Even if I tried to ask why he’s distracted, he would just evasively reply, so I just continued with what I’m talking about.

Eventually, after noon, we finally arrive at the entrance of the forest. I’ll temporarily part with Camilo from here. Well, that’s because I’ll still be going to his store for the wholesale.

“Please unload your luggage before you go home.”

I just remember about that when Camilo told me. That’s right, there was something I need to keep.

“Which box?”

“It’s the box right behind the coachman’s stand.”

“Is this it?”

I tried to open the box as I was told. Oh, this box is surely..

When I opened the lid of the box, there was a cloth wrap and a woman was holding it. The woman was no other than Diana.

“Diana!”

I screamed involuntarily. I also forgot to attach “–san” to it.

“I’m here.”

Diana laughs full of playfulness.

“No, Saying I’m here is.. will your House be okay with this?”

“I’ve got a letter from my brother about that. This is it.”

I received the letter that Diana gave me. What was written there is as follows,

“Hi Eizou. If you are reading this, it means that my, Diana and Camilo’s plan was a success. It’s a pity that I can’t see your surprised face but it can’t be helped. Just give it up. By the way, she is the “other item I left in your care”, since I became a count, her “value” goes up at once.

She’s originally a member of a Count family but having three older brothers, unfortunately, her “value” will be different if there’s only one male in the family. Because of that, various troublesome things may occur. Can you accept her as a way to keep her away from it?”

I see. It’s not that I don’t understand but he’s using high handed method huh.

“PS: Diana can do what she really wanted to and I won’t mind.”

There was such a sentence but I decided to ignore it. Ah, good grief! Well, it will be nice if I can see her smile like that time once again.

“Well, it can’t be helped since you’ve already come this far. Shall we go home together then?”

“Yes, thank you!”

Diana smiles brilliantly and came out of the box. I also took out the broken fake sword and Diana’s luggage from the box, got off the wagon, waved my hand and split up with Camilo.

I carried the luggage but it’s not too heavy so we quickly go through the woods. Both of us have few words to say but neither one of us is in a bad mood. At least, I just don’t know what to talk about. After walking for a while, we arrived in front of the house

“Am I.. a bother?”

Diana stops and mutters so.

“Bother? If I think that way, I’ll be sending you back there.”

“Really?”

“That’s for sure. Since I’m a clumsy and stubborn blacksmith you see. I don’t have the courage to lie at times like this.”

“Oh, I see, certainly.”

“Don’t just agree on that part.”

Diana giggles.

“Hey!, let’s go inside now.”

“Eizou-san, you see..”

“Just Eizou, is fine”

“Eh?”

“Since you will be part of our family, you don’t need to add “san” anymore.”

“Ok, I understand, Eizou.”

“That’s better.”

I then start walking towards the door of the house first.

“Eizou!”

Diana called out from behind. Then I looked back.

“I’m home!”

I laughed and replied,

“Welcome home, Diana.”