The Archduke, and the future.

Archduke Augusto’s mansion, a grand mansion like no other in the capital.

Right now, in this place a presentation of the heavyweights for the future of the country was being held.

It was purely to make them more widely known.

Without doubt, there was a lot of speculation flying around.

This annual presentation party also doubled as a social gathering for impromptu matchmaking.

Those from a lower rank of nobility had the chance to form bonds with the upper ranks.

......So, it became a familiar sight to talk about engagements as they enjoyed the food.

“Oh my, oh my, it’s been a long time, Lord Logas.”

“Ohh, long time no see Ricardo, it seems you’ve been faring well.”

Archduke Augusto couldn’t stand the children getting caught in the greed and schemes of their parents.

For him, that didn’t make sense.

However, once in a while he had to put up with such a show, therefore, he had to keep his true emotions in check.

“The one who approached was Ricardo...... Viscount Ricardo Lance. From what I heard, Earl Roundhart has been looking after him. It’s great to see he has grown as a disciple.”

Listening to the voices of the two speaking near him, Archduke Augusto continued to enjoy his drink.

Even now, being over the age of 60, Archduke Augusto rather than waning, seemed to be growing stronger.

And currently, he had only one thing he worried about.

His extremely cute granddaughter, whom he doted on so much to the point of valuing her oven more than a whole city.

Although she had only become nine years-old this year, as a noble this was not an early age to finalize talks of engagement.

Just a little while ago... The third prince of the Heim Kingdom, Tigule, had expressed his desire of getting engaged to her.

But when he brought up the topic to his granddaughter Krone, she immediately changed the subject saying she didn’t want it.

Fortunately, since he didn’t officially sign any engagement document, it didn’t become a big deal, but the prince refused to accept the fact he was declined.

“No matter how much I worry about that, the problem won’t just go away, old man.”

“Hahaha, seeing master like this reminds me he’s just a human being.”

Next to him was a butler he friendly called as ‘old man’...... His name was Alfredo.

He was ten years older than Archduke Augusto, yet he was still serving as the Head Steward even with that age.

He was the most trusted subordinate of the Archduke, to the point where he even knew things the Archduke didn’t share with his family.

“C’mon Levine, say hello. Once you serve in the military, you’ll be under Grint-sama.”

“Nice to meet you, Grint-sama! My name is Levine! ”

“I’m Grint, nice to meet you, Levine.”

“Ohh, so this is your child, Ricardo...... what a nice kid.”

Seeing the children give their greetings surely made the Archduke smile, but he couldn’t help to notice there were already ranks in their relationship.

“......Huh? ”

“Is there something wrong, master?”

Suddenly, the Archduke began to think there was something giving him a slight sense of discomfort, but he couldn’t immediately tell what it was.

“Ahh...... I see. Alfredo.”

“What can I do for you? ”

“I heard the kid the Roundharts would bring was of brown hair.”

“Yes, that is certainly true.”

“I’m sorry to be bothering you, Archduke Augusto, but there’s something I’ll like to consult with Alfredo-sama.”

“......Please excuse me for a bit, Archduke.”

“It’s alright, you can talk here.”

Seeing this unusual situation, Archduke Augusto thought he might as well listen to this.

“Yes...... The lady of the Roundhart family, Olivia, and her son, ask if they could be allowed into the garden.”

“What are you talking about? This is a party organized by me, the Archduke, did Olivia-dono said that despite knowing this? ”

“N-No, the one who asked was Ain-sama.”

“......Wait, there’s something weird. If I remember correctly, Ain is the eldest son, why isn’t he here in the venue? Rather, even the wife Olivia-dono isn’t here...... Alfredo.”

“Since you, the Archduke decided to only have one child come today, the Roundhart family decided that the next heir, the younger brother would be the one in attendance.”

“Ho? Then, why are they at the back of the venue? They should’ve known that only the wife and her child were allowed.”

Archduke Augusto send a sharp glance at Alfredo, asking if there was something wrong? Did he do something rude? Or was the other party the ones being rude? He thought along those lines.

However, the Archduke knew the woman named Olivia, and he knew she wasn’t such a rude person.

“That’s something even I’m not aware of...... Could you please continue with the explanation? ”

“Yes! ......About the invitation, no...... the notification department seems to have made a blunder.”

“Keep going.”

The Archduke’s gaze and presence became more intense, Archduke Augusto was said to be the most rigorous and strict against injustice in the whole Kingdom.

Needless to say, he was also the strictest with regards to himself.

But even then, there were parts of him that were too lenient with regards of his granddaughter, but that was something he would rather not speak of.

“......The invitation arrived, but it seems that somehow they forgot to attach the note stating that only one child would be allowed to attend the presentation. That’s why Earl Roundhart brought his two children as it was scheduled.”

“......Then, why isn’t the eldest son in here? ”

“Alfredo-sama. Would it be okay if I tell the conversation as it happened? ”

“That would be better. It’s an order from the Lord Archduke.”

“Then, let me start from the beginning...... Earl Roundhart became aware of this fact at the reception and was troubled about what to do, but he heard that the natural choice was to give priority to the son of the second wife...... therefore the son, Grint-sama was chosen since he would be the one appointed to be the next head of the family.”

After hearing this, Archduke Augusto understood.

“Then, as the mother of the eldest son...... Olivia-done would surely refuse to enter together with them.”

Olivia, the first wife of the Roundhart family was as gentle as an angel, and was a woman said to be the saint of the port town, which made it easier to understand why Krone would admire her.

“I see. So, did lady Olivia said she wanted to see the Archduke’s garden? ”

“I see. So, did lady Olivia said she wanted to see the Archduke’s garden? ”

“With that chain of events, it’s obvious that I will allow them. After severely punishing the person responsible, I’ll have to deliver a proper apology...... Well then, I’ll have to properly show them around.”

Alfredo, the head Steward of the Archduke would be the perfect guide, since he could perfectly fulfill that role and above all else, it wouldn’t be rude considering his standing.

And so, the Archduke decided on putting Alfredo as their guide.

“No, it wasn’t her...... it was the eldest son of the Roundhart family...... Ain-sama was the one who asked.”

“Ho? ”

historical

The Archduke became a little interested, he wanted to ask the eldest son what he thought about the second son stealing his place.

“Ain-sama said this:

『This wonderful garden of the Archduke has piqued my interest. I was wondering if I might be allowed see it instead of joining the party... would that be alright? 』

...”

“Hahaha! I see.”

“That eldest son doesn’t lose in terms of being a noble...... not, even as a human being.”

“I bet, Alfredo.”

Was it irresponsibility? Or even if that wasn’t the case, to stand up the host of the party, the Archduke while making such a request.

Speaking of position, the Archduke liked to speak in a way that did not make the other party uncomfortable.

“But, should I repeat what he said next......? Was it because he excelled in human subtleties? Or maybe he’s just a natural born lady-killer?”

“Continue.”

“He went on to say:

『There are so many flowers as beautiful as you, Mother, I’m sorry for wanting to see them instead of attending the important party. I’d be happy if you’re not disappointed for having such child.』

When I heard this, I couldn’t hide my surprise at the extent of Ain-sama’s competence.”

“Kuhaha...... A lady-killer, huh? Nicely said.”

“Archduke? I think I should be the one guiding such a gentleman.”

“You’re right, Alfredo.”

“A-Alfredo-sama will be their guide? ! ”

“That’s just the courtesy, well then, Alfredo, show them the garden.”

“Grandfather? ”

For the Archduke, that was a voice he could recognize no matter where he was.

With her beautiful light-blue long hair fluttering, the Archduke’s granddaughter, Krone approached.

She was giving greetings in place of the host of the party, the Archduke.

“I couldn’t help but to overhear that interesting story.”

“So, you heard, Krone?”

“Yeah. Alfredo? ”

“Yes, what can I do for you, young lady?”

Krone asked, without indication that she was considering anything she was doing as wrong.

“I’ll guide him and Olivia-sama. That’s fine, right? ”

“Y-Young lady......”

“Krone, so you want to be their guide? ”

The Archduke couldn’t hide his surprise at the situation that he didn’t expect.

After all, this was that granddaughter that wasn’t remotely interested in others. However, the Archduke then recalled that Krone had a yearn for Olivia.

“You want to speak with Olivia-dono that much?”

“Yes. There is no problem with that, right? ”

Krone firmly persisted.

And here, once again, the Archduke’s weakness, his doting of his granddaughter became apparent, therefore her efforts were not in vain.

“Hey, you there? ”

“Y-Yes! ”

Krone asked the knight who served as a receptionist, the one who came to report about Ain.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting this long. Hurry up and tell Olivia-sama that permission has been granted.

They’ll be allowed to enter the garden, but with a guide. Come on, go.”

Alfredo and the Archduke looked at the pale-looking knight.

Since the Archduke had a subtle change of already having given up, without really changing his expression, Alfredo didn’t say anything else.

“E-Excuse me then, I’ll convey the message! ”

“Hurry up.”

“This is not something one from the host house should do.”

“From the start I didn’t like this, every single time I go to a party it’s just “how beautiful” or “What a gorgeous hair”...... I feel like they only think of me as a harlot or something. I can’t help but to feel sick.”

“Well, I understand your feelings Krone, but still...”

“......Our home was the reason for the rudeness towards Olivia-sama, so it’s only natural that we take responsibility and correct it. However, in spite of this, a servant was the one who was going to be showing them the garden. Isn’t that an action that would bring us more shame? ”

“Hahahaha, Archduke...... Krone-sama seems to be getting stronger by the day.”

The Archduke turned towards Alfredo, making a bitter face at his words, while thinking that he has no choice but to hold his head since that was a fact that couldn’t really be denied.

“Don’t say that, Alfredo, I know...... Just don’t get hurt, Krone.”

“Yes, obviously, thank you grandfather. I love you.”

Upon hearing those words, the face of the Archduke relaxed.

In his heart, he couldn’t care less about what was going on...... or at least he thought that.

“......Archduke? ”

“What is it, Alfredo......?”

“No, Master? ”

“S-Sorry! But please understand.”

“I know what master thinks, but I think it should be fine. This isn’t something that unfair that would steal away your fun in your old age.”

“Geez. I’m just happy to be surrounded by talented people.”

He felt happy to see the figure of Krone skipping while going to see Olivia-dono and her son to apologize to them.

Therefore, the Archduke was convinced.

He worried about her granddaughter, but he didn’t want to stop her.

＊

In the evening, after the party was over, his granddaughter showed him the Star Crystal, making the whole family feel surprised.

And when he saw Krone, with the face of a woman in love, muttering 『Ain...』, the Archduke became filled with an indescribable emotion.

However, the story doesn’t end there...... While sitting next to Krone, who had a loose face, an emergency message arrives.

“I’m sorry for my impoliteness, but it’s an emergency! The first wife of the Roundhart house, Olivia-sama...... it seems she has requested for separation from Logas-sama! And apparently, she has returned to her parent’s house without waiting for an answer! ”

Alfredo thought at the time that the circumstances surrounding the Roundhart family will become stormy...... and the Archduke knew that as well.

But the bigger shock will probably happen at their Archduke’s house.

Because they had the beautiful lady Krone, assertive and intelligent, who had fallen in love for the first time...... So, she probably would do something.

That alone worried him the most.

“......Grandfather? But isn’t Ain from this country......? Where would Ain and Olivia-sama go?! ! ”

He was convinced that pretty soon, things would get bigger.

And with lady Krone too, after all, the country of Olivia’s parents is......