Chapter 2

“How did it come to this…?”

After finishing the journey, I arrived at the Heinfield estate and, as scheduled, made my way to the lord’s manor.

I was then escorted into the mansion with my attendant servants, but upon entering the front door, I found myself being scolded by my fiancée’s younger sister for some reason.

“Hah… It’s unbelievable that someone so useless is my sister’s fiancé! Why would the country send someone like you?!”

She was glaring down at me with bloodshot eyes, the perfect image of someone who was truly enraged.

“Emelia, stop it! It’s rude to act this way towards Lord Grande, who has come here for my sake!”

My fiancée, Lady Liel Heinfield, tried desperately to restrain her younger sister, grabbing her by the shoulders to shake her. However, only her body jiggled in response.

After all, she’s a strong girl who works as a gravekeeper even though she’s only thirteen. It seems even someone with a body as large as mine can’t shake her.

“Haha, I’m sorry, but since His Majesty the Emperor himself appointed me, I’m afraid returns aren’t accepted. I’ll make sure not to become a burden, so let’s settle for that, shall we?”

“L-Lord Licht! Perhaps you should say something…,” my personal maid, Lune, suggested with a troubled expression, but I raised a hand to stop her.

I weigh around 400 kilograms. I am a rather grotesque man, to say the least. I had prepared myself to receive unpleasant looks, and indeed, Lady Liel was trying to stop her sister, looking apologetic.

As long as I could speak normally with my fiancée, this was already a better situation than I had anticipated. I’ll wait to see how things change once I demonstrate some ability, but for now, I don’t want to create any rifts.

Just as I was thinking this, Lady Liel stepped forward and bowed her head.

I could tell she was trying to bow deeply, but her body wasn’t bending much. I suppose that’s how it looks when someone like us tries to bow.

As I thought about this, I sighed in relief, thankful that she seemed like a good-natured person.

“Um… I’m so sorry for causing you such trouble by having to come all the way here because of my shortcomings…”

“No, no, I didn’t come here unwillingly, so please don’t worry. Considering my appearance, I’m sure complaints are inevitable.”

I took her hand, raised her head, and spread my other hand to show off my body while giving her the brightest smile I could muster.

Yes. I had to go all out for her to understand—it was hard to convey through all the fat.

“Don’t think you can fool me with that fake act. If you hurt my sister, I’ll kill you.”

Hmm. She really went that far. Seems like she hasn’t been properly educated. I guess I’ll have to say something.

“‘Kill me,’ huh… That’s not very peaceful. I’d appreciate it if you could retract that. If you don’t, your shallow words might end up making your precious sister sad.”

I widened my eyes slightly and stared at her.

That’s the advantage of being huge. Just standing there and doing this can have quite the intimidating effect.

“W-what?! You’re trying to use my sister to threaten me?!”

“Emelia, stop it! Why won’t you understand?!”

Tears began to fall from Lady Liel’s eyes.

Seeing this, Emelia started to panic. “S-sorry…” she muttered, apologizing to her sister.

“See? Now she’s sad, isn’t she?”

“W-what!?”

As I opened my palms toward the sky, Emelia was about to get angry again, but before she could, her sister scolded her, saying, “Apologize to Lord Grande right now!” Emelia’s spirit deflated.

“Fine! But I’ll never accept you!” She snorted and then stomped away toward the back of the mansion.

Although she said “fine,” there was no apology… Was disappearing from the scene her way of apologizing?

Lady Liel sighed and, saying that it was inappropriate to continue standing around, led me to a drawing room where we sat at a table, and a servant brought tea and sweets.

Finally, some proper hospitality. I took a sip of the tea, feeling a bit relieved.

“Um… As the son of the Grande ducal family, I’m sure you had other, better marriage prospects. Why did you accept this arrangement?”

She looked somewhat hesitant, as if suggesting this whole matter had been troublesome for me.

“I didn’t think marrying you was a bad idea. Our appearances are similar, and we suffer from the same illness. It’s because you are who you are that I’m not afraid to be with you. That’s how I felt.”

The word “afraid” was a lie to make her feel reassured. I’ve worked alongside adults, so I’m not scared of being ridiculed by people my own age—it’s just unpleasant.

Though, there is some fear in the sense that I can’t predict what she might do, so it wasn’t entirely a lie.

As I had hoped, my words seemed to reach her heart. She was staring at me wide-eyed.

“Mar-marriage…” she stammered, suddenly flustered.

Wait… I think my words hit a different nerve.

“Um, the promise of marriage is an engagement, right?”

“Y-yes, I understand that, but… with me? Not with Emelia?”

It seems she thinks I was aiming for her younger sister.

But honestly, even if she’s beautiful, a girl with that kind of attitude? No thanks.

“Yes, with you. I’m not lying. Shall we put it in writing as a formal contract?”

“Huh!? Ah, yes…”

Despite her confusion, for some reason, she fetched paper and a pen herself without asking a servant.

Oh, she’s really going to write it… I thought to myself, while carefully drafting my words.

“I, Licht Grande, wish to build…a loving bond with , lady Liel?! If you desire me, I would be honored to be engaged and later married to you… I swear on the name of Grande that there is no falsehood in my words…”

For some reason, as I wrote each line, she nervously repeated them back, growing increasingly flustered.

“Lune, bring my magic seal here.”

“A-are you sure? Without your master’s approval…”

It’s an engagement by the order of the Emperor. There’s no problem. I pressed the magic seal onto the document.

“Does this help you trust me even a little?”

“What!? You’ve sworn it, and it’s only a little?”

“Haha… Surely, the malice we’ve endured isn’t that minor, right?”

I said it lightly, trying to make it sound like a joke, but she froze, eyes wide open, before tears welled up again.

“That’s… true… Unlike me, who ran away from social life, you, Grande-sama…”

Surprised at seeing her in such pain, wiping away her steadily flowing tears with a handkerchief, I asked her:

“A-are those tears for me?”

“Yes… Because, thinking about how much hardship you must have faced…”

Hardship… Which hardship is she referring to? There’s been so much, I can’t even tell. I guess I can give a general response.

“Well, it’s not so painful that it makes me cry. At most, it just irritates me a little. I think someone like you, who can shed genuine tears, is far more hurt. Even Lady Emelia was so fiercely protective of you.”

Liel sniffled, “Thank you…” her expression softening as she calmed down, grateful.

On one hand, I was relieved, thinking she’s kind and straightforward. But on the other hand, I couldn’t help but worry: Can someone this pure really handle being a lord?

However, it’s still too early to step into the affairs of the Heinfield family. Even if I mean no harm, it might raise suspicions. Today, let’s just stick to safe topics.

With that in mind, I spoke up.

“By the way, since we’re talking about marriage proposals, I forgot to ask the typical question.”

“The typical question…?”

She froze, looking away. No need to be that nervous. I smiled and continued.

“Yes, the typical question—Marquis Heinfield, what are your hobbies?”

After a moment of confusion, she giggled.

“That is indeed typical. But isn’t that the kind of question you ask when you have nothing else to say?”

“Oof. I thought you were a pure and kind person, but you won’t humor me?”

Her comment stung a little, but I laughed it off, playfully pretending to cry.

“S-sorry! Um, my hobby… reading, I guess? Though I haven’t had much time for it lately.”

Her voice was lighter, and her mood seemed brighter, so I felt relieved.

She then asked, “And you, Grande-sama?”

“Oh, thank you for asking! I, too, enjoy reading. I spent ten years in the library, after all.”

“Ten years, just in the library?”

“Of course not! I go outside sometimes!”

When I joked back, she froze, but then burst out laughing.

“Hehehe, I see. I just meant, you must really love books.”

“Well, I don’t dislike them. It’s more of a habit at this point than something I love.”

“Oh, how wonderful. I’d love to live like that too.”

Oh, well then, allow me to make that wish come true.

Leave the work to capable people. Create more efficient systems and save money to hire more staff. We’ll just do the final checks. The estate would run just fine.

Of course, those who can’t even handle checking would fail when luck runs out, but that’s on them.

When I jokingly shared this sneaky-sounding plan, she surprisingly latched onto it. “Really? That’s possible!?”

“Well, yes. You’d still need to review letters and petitions and check for any fraud, though. And contract negotiations between territories would only need attention when something goes wrong. But it’s easier to slack off once you’re used to things. However, choosing when to be lazy is key. After all, the job of a lord is just to run the town, as long as the taxes go to the country and the townspeople live without trouble.”

As long as we have the necessary supplies and protect the town from monsters, there’s no need to tie ourselves down with other houses.

Internal affairs should be even more free to handle as we see fit. As long as we maintain the dignity of the house and act humanely.

When I conveyed that, her eyes sparkled as she nodded, listening intently.

“However, there are plenty of pitfalls, so don’t take it lightly. Make sure to consult someone you can rely on, okay?”

“Um… would it be alright to rely on Lord Grande?”

“Of course. I would like to say that, but to do so, you’ll need to study here, and that means you’ll have to look at the materials here, won’t you?”

Upon hearing this, Lady Liel tilted her head and replied, “That’s fine, isn’t it?”

No, no, there are matters related to ledgers and household secrets, I thought, but she insisted that there was nothing she would be embarrassed about showing.

Hmm, it’s still a bit dangerous.

“If you read through the ledgers thoroughly, you would understand what is lacking, what you can sell for a high price by undercutting, and what is in surplus and can be bought cheaply. Normally, we don’t show such things, you know?”

That’s right.

While it is primarily aimed at exposing wrongdoing, it shouldn’t be shown even if one is completely innocent.

To deeply know the internal affairs is tantamount to showing a vulnerability.

“Ah… when you put it that way, I see.”

“But if it’s Lord Grande, who has sworn an oath, then he’s like one of our own, isn’t he?”

Well, that’s true…

If this oath were broken, it would affect the reputation of the Grande family.

The magical seal specifically for me is also quite substantial. If the oath is broken, it would serve as enough leverage for an attack.

Therefore, it is crucial for building trust and would serve as a weapon for nobility. It is important enough that I received it when I first came here and something I must absolutely return at the time of marriage.

In addition to the oath, it is an engagement recognized by the Emperor, and there is even a handwritten document.

Once it is accepted and reported to the nation, a record of the engagement is made in the House of Nobles, so it’s very secure.

And if the Duke Grande and the head of the Heinfield Baron family, who is her, acknowledges it, then no matter what anyone says, it won’t change.

“That’s right. Our engagement has been established, after all…”

“Eh?! Ah, yes, that’s right…”

P-please don’t be so surprised… I would be surprised too.

Thinking this, I realized I hadn’t given her a souvenir, so I asked Lune to fetch it for me.

“Oh, speaking of engagements, this is from our household. Since you will be taking care of me for the time being, I hope it will be of use.”

A heavy small box was placed on the table, and a servant opened the lid.

Inside was a pile of gold coins, about three hundred pieces.

“――――?! W- isn’t that too much?!”, she exclaimed, her hands trembling in shock.

Yeah… it is definitely an unusually large amount.

It’s supposed to be just money for temporarily taking care of me, not a betrothal gift.

“Right, it seems they splurged to celebrate our engagement.”

“So, what should I do…? Should I arrange the finest furnishings in Lord Grande’s room?”

“No, you don’t need to. If you buy it, it would just be a waste,” I said with a wry smile, but she looked genuinely troubled, unsure of how to use it.

“Really, as long as there’s enough for my life and my companion’s, that’s all that matters. You can think of this as money to use freely. You can buy dresses and jewels or save it for the household.

Ah, but please leave about a hundred pieces. I might need something as well.”

As long as she could accommodate that much of my selfishness, it would be fine.

When I told her it was money given for that purpose, she visibly relaxed, her cheeks softening.

“C-could it be that your household is struggling financially?”

“Eh?! Ah… yes… it’s a bit embarrassing to admit. We don’t have any loans, but we are not in a comfortable position…”

It seems just providing a lifestyle that matches our family rank is tough.

Could it be that Miss Emelia was tense because of financial matters too?

“Um, you can always consult me anytime.

If there’s something troubling you, please ask.”

When I offered my help, she began to cry again, and Miss Emelia, who had come to check on her sister, saw this and was furious, scolding me thoroughly until the misunderstanding was cleared. I couldn’t comprehend it.

“Hey, Miss Emelia. Could you stop lashing out without hearing the situation first?”

“Huh? It’s your fault for making her cry even after telling you not to!”

“You mean to say there are happy tears mixed in there?!”

As I made this blatant interjection, Lady Liel chuckled softly.

When I turned my gaze back to Miss Emelia, who was silent, she turned away, secretly shaking her shoulders.

In this town, where entertainment is scarce, it seems that many people have a low threshold for laughter.

“W-what? Do you think you can be forgiven for something like that?!”

“Wait?! Are you forgetting reality because you’re laughing too much? I haven’t done anything wrong!”

…I must have started retorting because Lady Liel wasn’t intervening anymore.

She seemed to be watching us with a delighted expression.

“Oh, it’s already this time! I have to get back to work!” Lady Liel exclaimed, surprised at the setting sun.

“…You, who spoke so arrogantly, will obviously help too, right?”

“I can help with tasks I can do, but at least I need to study about this territory; otherwise, I won’t be able to handle most of it.

I can help with my own tasks, but common sense differs from household to household.”

“S-sure… then hurry up and learn!” Miss Emelia said, stomping out of the room with loud footsteps.

“Martha, please take care of Lord Grande.”

“As you wish, Lady Liel.”

After giving instructions to the servant, Lady Liel hurriedly left.

Feeling something strange in her movements, I asked the servant.

“Ah, there is still something I want to convey to her. Could you guide me to the office?”

“Yes, of course.”

Hmm. She doesn’t seem to be trying to keep me away, particularly.

“Um, is the reason you call her ‘Miss’ her wish?”

“Yes. For Miss Liel, the former head is the previous generation’s head. Although I have conveyed that it is not good, she still wishes to keep it.”

“I’m glad to hear that she is aware that it’s not good.

She is far too pure to be the head.

While that may be her charm, it does make her appear vulnerable if the people around her don’t support her.”

“Then… please, help her. I lack that strength.”

She seems to have been working here for a long time, but what does she mean by lacking strength?

As a maid assigned to the head, she should have the authority to manage the mansion. If it’s within the household, she should be able to give orders.

Still, it wouldn’t be right for me, having just arrived today, to pry into this.

Well, she doesn’t seem to be an enemy, so I guess it’s fine for now.

Upon being led to the designated area, I found Miss Liel working alone.

There was only one desk. Typically, in the residences of higher nobility, there are usually two or more desks lined up.

Normally, this is where the house steward or butler would be assigned their tasks.

Perhaps she has separated this from her private room to use it as an office.

When I asked Miss Liel about it, I heard a surprising story.

Apparently, the house steward has been assigning tasks to Miss Liel.

She mentioned that it wasn’t her directive to do so.

Hey, hey. How long does this house steward plan to remain a tutor?

As I was shown several documents, it was evident that she didn’t need teaching; the level of detail was such that it could be taught to others.

Her handwriting was neat and tidy. The phrasing and the way she summarized the main points were clear and considerate.

The content itself seemed to pose no issues.

I understood why my father had praised her as I returned the documents while contemplating.

Using the head like that is nothing short of an act of rebellion against the family.

She should have been taught how to allocate tasks during her time as a tutor.

This is something I can’t just overlook.

Thinking that, I murmured a question to the maid accompanying Miss Liel.

“I see. So you want her to be helped from now on.”

She said nothing, only bowing deeply.

It’s good that she doesn’t allow any verbal commitments. Yes, she seems sincere.