118. Resentment turned into futility.
The office of Duke Descartes.
France is handling the backlog of duchy business with a black fountain pen.
“Hmm… ….”
Most of it was related to territory, so it wasn’t complicated or difficult, but there were a lot of small things that you didn’t have to handle yourself.
‘Since Viscount Elvan is in charge of business, I need to focus on managing the duchy.’
Currently, the project is being carried out on behalf of Viscount Elvan by selecting executives. We prepare a report each time, informing you of profits and expenses, and even predicting the store’s situation and outlook.
‘It’s not for nothing that he came from an elite academy accredited by the imperial family.’
It’s good that he gets things done well, but he doesn’t have much of a connection with Viscount Elvan. Not only is there no need to meet, but the Viscount himself also draws a line when work is done.
‘Well, I chose it because I liked it.’
France laughed and focused on work again.
Crunchy.
What has been done so far is to bring in all the employees of the outbuildings and fire the existing employees.
‘Because I was unilaterally dismissed and did not receive a letter of recommendation, I will never be able to become an employee of a noble family again.’
Crunchy.
All the elected knights were dismissed for insults, and Kale and Radea are now in the positions of leader and vice-captain.
‘Let’s leave it to Cale to select the knights.’
Kale is talented, but he has a surprisingly good eye for people. He has sent letters here and there saying he is recruiting knights, so he will have many applicants.
Crunchy.
‘And the users… ….’
No matter how many people were brought in from the outbuildings, the number of people was insufficient. The main house and the outbuildings are different in size.
‘This is because Chief Butler Flügel decided to pick it himself.’
Crunchy.
‘For now, this is the only urgent matter.’
I couldn’t understand why the duke was stuck in his office working all day.
‘Were you the type of person who just made things happen?’
That person deserves it. He must have continued to do something on his own initiative.
Tak. After finishing his urgent work, France put down his pen and stretched out his arms.
“Huh…….”
I was about to lean back on my chair and meditate for a moment.
Knock knock. Someone knocked on the door.
─Princess, this is the head of the house.
He was the head butler from a separate building.
“Come in.”
Rattle. The owner of the house came in, followed by Helena carrying her tea set.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s about new users.”
“Really? Say it.”
The new head of the house, Flügel, brought a report summarizing the Duke’s work in general. This person also gets things done well.
“Hmm… ….”
The number of residents from the outbuildings was far from sufficient. It wasn’t even half full.
“There are a lot of people to choose.”
“That’s right.”
Flügel continued, handing over one more of his materials.
“The number of employees is insufficient, but there are currently many vacant positions such as head maid and manager. “It seemed like it had never happened before.”
Duke Descartes Basically, the duke and the butler took charge of all work. So other positions are bound to be empty.
“I understand. Then he will also be in charge of electing the vacant position. “The person in charge of that work is the head deacon, Flügel.”
Flügel bowed and said, “Thank you for your trust, princess.”
“Is this the end of business?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you with the task I mentioned earlier.”
France smiled and smiled.
Frügel is someone whom France is thankful for in many ways. Even though he knew that he was ostracized by his family, he remained faithful to his role and respected France.
Because of this, France often stayed in a separate building in the imperial capital.
‘If it weren’t for the damn line, it would have been the only one there.’
It is meaningless to think about it now. In the end, everything was in France’s hands.
Anyway… ….
“hehehe.”
The employees from the outbuildings already see France as the owner of Descartes.
‘He’s quick-witted and good at his work.’
These are people who lack nothing. The salary should also be raised. Sometimes we have parties too.
‘Now let’s go decipher the magic book.’
You must make this soul binding magic your own. I have to detox whenever I have time.
“Helena? “Let’s go back to the room.”
“Yes.”
As I left the office and returned to my room, one of the employees came running towards me.
“Princess! “The Little Duke has woken up!”
Eden has awakened. I am curious to see how it will come out.
“How is your condition?”
The user described the situation briefly and concisely. The cow duke has just woken up and is barely moving his body.
“I see. “I’ll go see you right away, so just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Yes, I understand!”
France stroked his chin and narrowed his eyebrows. Already the duke has lost his ground in this succession fight.
‘I wonder how Eden will turn out.’
The sword master lost his right arm to hold the sword. If that wasn’t enough, he was on the verge of losing his position as successor. I wanted to see his reaction as quickly as possible.
“Helena? “Please prepare some honey tea and go to my room first.”
“Yes, I understand!”
Helena went to prepare Dododo honey tea, and France headed to Eden’s bedroom.
Ttogak. Again. The sound of her footsteps sounded eerie. So she stood in front of Eden’s bedroom.
“Duke So? “This is France.”
Knock knock. She knocked on the door and she went right in.
Eden sat on the bed with a haggard face. France tried to hold back her laughter and pulled out a chair and sat down in front of him.
“Have you heard the news?”
“… ….”
“I plan to take over.”
“… ….”
“Because Duke So is not in good condition.”
“… ….”
From Noble mtl dot com
Eden looks up at France with dull eyes without an answer.
‘That’s funny.’
Until a year ago, Eden seemed huge. Even if I just met her eyes, I felt scared and my heart pounded as if I was going to get stabbed.
But now I don’t feel anything. It was just full of ridicule.
“Don’t say anything. Are you still in shock?”
Speech mixed with ridicule. It was clearly a joke.
“… “Did you say you would take over as successor?”
Eden only then opened her mouth. She still seems lifeless in her eyes and has difficulty even raising her head.
“That’s how it happened. “In this situation, I’m the only one who can take over the operation committee, right?”
Irrefutable truth.
“… ….”
Eden lowered her head and looked at her floor.
“Is that what happened?”
A surprisingly calm Eden. I thought I would protest right away with my aching body. Because her younger sister, whom she had ignored so much, came to lead the family.
But the reaction is just the opposite. France felt uncomfortable for some reason.
“Take care of your family, France.”
“… ….”
France’s eyebrows rose and the area under his eyes twitched.
“You lost the position of successor to me, but you don’t feel anything?”
It was a question that came up without her realizing it. If it continues like this, I just feel uncomfortable and I don’t feel refreshed.
She said, “She was told that not even a saint could heal my arm. Now that this has happened, how can we continue her succession? And since you can’t leave it to Rhine, you have to take over from Descartes.”
Cool-headed and rational judgment. France wanted Eden to be indignant. But if this is the reaction…….
‘It seems like I acted too self-consciously… !’
It is unacceptable.
“Why on earth!”
My voice rang. France’s voice was mixed with various emotions. Resentment, suspicion, antipathy, hostility, resentment, revenge, dissatisfaction.
With so many emotions coming together, France herself didn’t know what she wanted.
“Why, why are you so resigned? “Are you not dissatisfied with me taking over Descartes, whom you ignored, persecuted, and hated so much?”
Eden laughed and let out a light breath.
“Because it is the best for now.”
A truly Eden-like answer. France’s face was distorted as if a piece of paper had been crumpled.
“Yes. Duke So has always been like that, so I’ll accept it. “Because he thought about his family more than anything else.”
France exhaled calmly and continued his words.
“Then let me ask you this. Why were you so obsessed with your family’s prestige? “It almost seems crazy.”
Eden raised her head and made eye contact with France.
“Because that’s how I could live.”
“What is that…?” ….”
Eden laughs.
“Now that I think about it, you were born last and didn’t know much about us and the Duke.”
France did not understand. What are you talking about all of a sudden? ….
“You probably have a lot of questions. “Why me and Rhine hate you so much, and why I never once call the Duke my father.”
Boom! France felt as if he had been punched in the back of the head.
Eden did not call the duke her father.
That too from a very long time ago.
“Wasn’t it because my mother died right after I was born? I definitely said that back then…….”
Eden laughed and shook her head.
“Is it just because of that reason? It’s not your fault her mother died. “The problem was the healers’ mistakes.”
Then, then, what on earth did it do that for? France’s mind is shaken.
“It’s time to let go of everything, so it’s okay if I tell you.”
Eden spoke her words with her haggard face.
“Before you were born, the Duke family was a truly harmonious family. “The duke was strict, but he treated us with more respect than anyone else, and his mother was always warm.”
This is the first time France has heard of family history in her 20 years of life.
“But not long after you were born, your mother’s health began to rapidly decline, and she soon passed away. She was the mistake of the priests and healers.”
Eden continued speaking in a calm voice. She couldn’t find any emotion from him.
“You were precious to me and Line. “Because you were the last legacy left behind by the mother we loved so much.”
Actions and words do not match. What on earth do you want to say? It was confusing.
“The problem lies after that. After my mother died, my father fell into a mad curse. “They basically assaulted Raine and me, starved us, and even abandoned us in a forest infested with demonic beasts.”
A story of Eden and Rhine that you have never heard before.
“There was a time when I encountered a strong magical beast that even ordinary knights could not defeat. If I wasn’t good at swords, I would have died like Rhine. Nevertheless, the duke left us alone.”
As he continued speaking, Eden’s eyes wavered for the first time.
“The Duke said that it was Descartes’ education. “That education required risking one’s life, and one had to live in desperate and desperate ways to survive.”
France had no choice but to listen. Because it was a story from a time when he did not know.
“In the meantime, the only thing the duke didn’t touch was you. From then on, Line and I resented you. “Why do we have to suffer alone?”
Eden said, “It was childish and grumpy.” He continued.
“But as you grew older, the Duke also changed. Unlike before, he did not assault us and did not force us into danger.”
And then Eden smiled. He was close to laughing.
“I saw my mother’s image in you as you grew up. In doing so, she must have naturally escaped the curse of madness.”
France’s emerald eyes wavered. It’s not that the resentment towards Eden and Line has disappeared, but it’s because I didn’t know that such a situation existed.
“And the Duke’s sanity fully came back, France, when you turned 18. “You know this, right?”
France nodded his head with a blank expression.
“This is the story of me and Line that you didn’t know about. I’m sorry for treating you poorly all this time. Of course I don’t want forgiveness. Keep blaming. “Because we must be punished.”
France was speechless with his fists clenched. An unknown emotion stirred in her heart. To the point where I don’t know what to do with his complexity.
“Thank you, France, for helping me lift a heavy burden. I will leave the Duke’s house like this. You can erase my name from the family register. And now, I hope you’re happy.”
Eden said that and smiled brightly.
It was a reassuring smile.
On the other hand, France’s indescribable anger soared.
