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"It seems my decision to sponsor the Weinstein County was the right one."
The Duke declared with a hearty laugh.
However, Rudell couldn't afford to relax just yet.
His opponent was none other than Dathus El Lagrind, the Duke of Lagrind.
Although not a major player in the original story, he possessed the charisma and ability to be considered a representative of the royalist nobles.
In other words, he was not someone to be underestimated.
"You have the right to be proud, Young Master Weinstein. I don't offer such praise lightly."
"It's an honor, Your Grace."
"How is your father doing?"
"He's well, all thanks to Your Grace's benevolence."
Carlos's health had been deteriorating due to the increased workload from the viscounty's promotion to an count, but there was no need to reveal that truth.
"That's good to hear."
The Duke responded with a satisfied expression.
"Do you know why I invited you here?"
"To ascertain what kind of person I am... perhaps?"
"That's certainly one reason, but there are two more."
"Two more, Your Grace?"
Rudell couldn't help but let out a low groan at those words.
He had a vague idea about one of the reasons.
It was undoubtedly related to the tyranny of the large merchant guilds.
Rudell knew all too well that the Duke wasn't naive enough to be unaware of the situation unfolding in the County.
"Hmm..."
However, Rudell couldn't fathom the other reason.
This was, after all, his first time meeting the Duke in person.
Unless he was a mind reader, it was virtually impossible for him to discern the Duke's thoughts.
'What could it be...'
Rudell pondered for a while but could only shake his head in the end.
"I apologize, Your Grace. I understand one reason, but I cannot even begin to guess the other."
"Then let's start with the one you understand."
"I believe it pertains to the tyranny of the large merchant guilds occurring in my territory."
"Correct. You're a much smarter young man than I thought."
The Duke said with a faint smile at his answer.
'As expected...'
This confirmed that the Duke was largely aware of the events transpiring in the County.
'He's testing the County...'
At the same time, Rudell let out a low groan.
It was a well-known fact that countless nobles were vying to join the Duke's faction.
Therefore, there was virtually no reason for the Duke to reach out to the County first.
Then there could only be one conclusion.
It was clear that the Duke intended to ascertain whether the County, with its recent investment, held enough significant value to benefit the Dukedom.
"Don't misunderstand. The tyranny of the large merchant guilds is their own doing, completely independent of my will."
"I assumed as much."
As evidenced by the Bering incident, merchants were a breed that would bite at the slightest opportunity.
With four large merchant guilds, each possessing enough wealth to easily crush a small territory like a viscounty, they must have calculated that they could take on even the Dukedom.
"Then why didn't you ask Leje for help? If you had told me through her, I could have resolved it quickly."
"..."
Rudell silently gazed at the Duke at his words.
His answer here could potentially change the course of their conversation.
After organizing his thoughts for a few seconds, Rudell spoke to the Duke.
"Of course, I could have told Leje..."
"But?"
"Leje is my friend, not a problem solver."
"Hmm..."
The Duke let out a low groan and a satisfied smile at his response.
"I think I understand why my daughter talks about you so much."
"Pardon? What do you..."
Leje talked about me a lot to the Duke?
Rudell stammered in surprise at the Duke's casual remark.
Why on earth would she?
"Don't mind what I just said."
Noticing Rudell's reaction, the Duke cleared his throat and continued,
"To return to the main topic. Does that mean you can handle this matter on your own?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
The preparations were already complete.
All that remained was for the merchant guilds to drag their heavy behinds to the County.
"Excellent. I'm growing increasingly fond of you."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Rudell bowed his head at the Duke's words. Just as the Duke was about to continue,
"That's all I have to say for today. As for the remaining reason... I don't think it's the right time to discuss it, so let's do it later."
"Understood, Your Grace. Then I shall take my leave."
The Duke said with a faint smile, glancing towards the door. Feeling puzzled, Rudell rose from his seat.
He bowed to the Duke and turned to leave.
"Leje?"
As he opened the door, Rudell's eyes met with Leje, who was standing right beside it.
"Eh? Eek!?"
Perhaps startled by his sudden appearance, she let out a sound that was difficult to describe.
"What are you doing here?"
"Ah, no, well, what I was doing was... I wasn't eavesdropping, or anything..."
"Sigh..."
Seeing her struggling to come up with an excuse while sweating profusely, Rudell let out a short sigh.
She was a walking disaster, as always.
He couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment without something like this happening.
With that thought, Rudell gently placed his hand on her head as she stood there flustered.
"Huh?"
"It's late. Go to bed."
"Uh, okay..."
Leje nodded at his words, accompanied by a gentle smile.
"Do you want me to walk you back if you're scared to go alone?"
"N-no, I'm fine!!"
She shouted loudly in response to his question and dashed down the dark hallway.
***
Leje's room.
Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a bluish hue. Leje stood before her bed.
"Sigh..."
With a short sigh, she collapsed onto the bed, face down.
Only the ticking of the clock filled the silence as she lay motionless for a while.
"He's such an idiot..."
She muttered in a grumbling voice as she lifted her head.
Whether those words were directed at herself or someone else, even she couldn't tell.
[Leje is my friend, not a problem solver.]
The emotion she felt when she heard those words was joy.
Rudell.
Her only friend considered her a true friend.
However, she also felt a pang of annoyance.
Because he only saw her as a friend.
She knew it didn't make sense.
But despite that knowledge, she couldn't help but feel that way.
"Argh!!"
Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, she grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly.
Unable to withstand her immense strength, the pillow ripped with a tearing sound, and feathers began to spill out.
It was something unimaginable under normal circumstances, but she was currently unable to control her emotions to that extent.
"Calm down, Leje... Calm down..."
She slowly composed herself and took a careful breath.
It was the meditation technique Rudell had taught her once, but...
"It's not working!!"
Perhaps it was because his image flashed through her mind, but she felt her heart pounding again. She threw the burst pillow onto the floor.
Bang! The pillow exploded completely, scattering feathers everywhere. With a short sigh, she lay down on the bed.
"It's all his fault! What is wrong with him?!"
Why did she have to be so worked up because of him?
Honestly, for a woman of her caliber, shouldn't he be the one showing interest first?
Power, fame, wealth, ability, looks.
She lacked nothing, yet Rudell showed no romantic interest in her.
Then, at that moment...
A story she had overheard flitted through her mind.
"No way... That can't be it."
Sometimes.
Very rarely, there were people who were more interested in the same sex than the opposite sex.
"No... That can't be true..."
The only person she had seen Rudell have a private conversation with was the mysterious armored girl in their class.
She had never seen him interact privately with anyone else.
As Leje continued to ponder with a serious expression...
"...Wait, why am I even thinking about this?"
She let out a low groan, as if realizing something.
Of course, no one was there to answer her.
"Argh! I don't know! I don't know!!"
Feeling her mind in turmoil, Leje flopped back onto the bed.
And... she finally fell asleep just as the sun began to rise over the castle walls of Lagrandria.
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ReplyDeleteLMAOOO when he brings Kurt to school she's totally gonna think hes gay isn't she
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