We had arrived at the doors of the grand hall where the meeting was to be held.
“The Duke and Duke of Baltia have arrived.”
As the knight stationed by the door called out, he opened it, allowing us to enter.
Inside the grand hall, nobles, attendants, and knights were lined up along a long table, with my father seated at its far end. They were all staring silently at us… or rather, they were fixated on Lady Leila. I stepped forward to shield her, hiding her behind my back.
“Thank you for inviting us, Count Vaiwar.”
Breaking the uncomfortable silence, I spoke my greeting, and my father nodded and replied.
“Indeed. I’m glad you came, Duke Baltia. And you as well, Lady Leila.”
My father’s gaze shifted to Lady Leila, who was standing behind me. She stepped forward and performed a graceful bow.
“It has been a long time, Count Vaiwar.”
“Indeed. I’m glad to see you in good health.”
“Yes, and that is thanks to your care, Count Vaiwar.”
The nobles and knights attending this meeting were all seasoned warriors who had experienced the battlefield. Even under their intense gazes, Lady Leila remained composed.
“You must be tired from your long journey. Feel free to rest in your room.”
With that, my father instructed one of the maids, and Lady Leila left the hall, guided by the maid. I considered following her, but…
“Ayn, you stay here.”
I was caught by my older brother, Lumer.
I’ve never been fond of this gathering—the faces here are all so stern.
“Well then, now that everyone is present, let us begin this year’s meeting.”
I took a seat at the end of the long table.
“First, we’ve managed to bring peace to the Siluria region. This was achieved thanks to everyone’s efforts. Let us celebrate.”
As my father spoke, maids entered the room and distributed drinks to everyone. Although it was a celebratory gathering, the drinks were mild, likely due to the serious nature of the discussions. Even someone like me, who isn’t fond of alcohol, found it easy to drink.
“Now, let’s begin by discussing the current state of affairs. Josef?”
My father glanced at the man seated next to him. He was Josef, the eldest son of the Count Vaiwar family and one of my older brothers. He was often away on duties as the heir to the family, making it rare for us to meet.
“Let’s start with the nearby territories. There’s no indication that the neighboring noble families are preparing for military action, but they seem to be in frequent communication with each other.”
As Josef reported this, everyone in the room adopted serious expressions.
An anti-Vaiwar alliance, perhaps… After a major war, we were all exhausted and in no position to face more enemies. This was a shared concern among us.
“…Is there any news from distant regions that we should be aware of?”
When my father asked this, Josef nodded, picked up another sheet of paper, and continued his report.
“In the north, the ritual to elect a new warrior chief has begun.”
A warrior chief in the north… Choosing a new leader to head the Gustav Warriors means they might be preparing to intervene in this turbulent era. The prowess of the Gustav Warriors is legendary, often recounted in ballads and old tales, so everyone grew wary.
“As for the east, the Warren Marquisate has fallen.”
At this news, everyone began to murmur, saying, “What?!” and “That Warren Marquisate?” and “Who could have brought them down?”
The Warren Marquisate was renowned as one of the foremost martial families in the east. It was often said, “In the north, there is Gustav, and in the east, there is Warren.” Its downfall was a shock to all.
“It seems internal strife, coupled with an invasion from the Viscount Bordeaux’s forces, led to their downfall. That’s the major news from the east, while in the south, a few minor noble houses have been wiped out. In the capital region, the skirmishes remain minor.”
Everyone began to exchange their thoughts with those nearby.
Even the once-great houses can fall. The Warren Marquisate, like the Baltia Duchy, was a prestigious family, yet it perished.
“Such is the rise and fall of power…”
I thought no one would hear my muttered words.
“Indeed, the rise and fall of power.”
But it seemed my father’s sharp ears caught them. He’s like a monster with that hearing.
“These turbulent times are far from over… Great families fall, while newcomers like us and the Viscount Bordeaux’s house rise. Everyone must remain vigilant about the current state of affairs.”
As my father spoke, everyone responded with a firm “Yes!” and bowed their heads.
