120. Before the Harvest Festival
After returning to the Duke’s residence, I immediately went to France’s room.
France is immersed in deciphering runes. Helena was dozing off next to him.
“Princess.”
France suddenly turns his head at my call.
“You’re here? “Please sit down.”
I nodded and sat down facing France.
“How did it go? “Everyone is coming to the party?”
“No, the configuration is no different from last time.”
France narrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head.
“Huh? “I invited you, but you declined?”
Judging from his tone of voice, it doesn’t mean that he is uncomfortable or offended. I just had a question.
“Viscount Elvan decided to spend it with his family, and Andrea spent it with her friends. As for Exceed, well, it goes without saying.”
It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do. Imagine spending a festival day like Harvest Festival with people from your company. Anyone would be shocked.
‘It’s not that we don’t have a bad relationship with each other, but… ….’
Still, discomfort is unavoidable. On a festival day like this, it’s best to be with people you feel comfortable with. Isn’t it a good day?
France seemed to know this as well as he slowly lowered his head.
“I can’t help it. Since it’s Harvest Festival, everyone probably wanted to spend it with friendly people.”
Yes. Kale, Sister Lathea, and Kazar don’t have any friends here, so they’re sending them with us.
“The party can be held at the duke’s residence. “I think we should prepare on a grander scale than before.”
Not many people participate? I tilted my head.
“You’re saying it’s going to be held more grandly than before? Aren’t there six people including me?”
France laughed at my question.
“Of course, we also have to take care of the residents who come from the outbuildings. “Harvest Festival is a day that everyone enjoys, right?”
Ah, I see.
Franze is qualified to become a monarch.
“My thoughts were short.”
“I don’t think it will go that way.”
Franche smiled and went back to deciphering the rune words. But has the duchy matter been resolved?
“Princess, are you finished with your other duties? “When I saw the duke before, it seemed like he had a lot to do with the duchy.”
This is a duke who was locked in his office and never showed his face. It seems like a lot of work…….
“Surprisingly, the duke was the type of person who made things happen.”
I asked, “By making it?”
“You know that you are a member of the royal family of Warenberg, but fief affairs include land management, tax collection, law and order, military duties, and social roles, right?”
France continued speaking while raising his index finger.
“The duchy has good security and Exceed, so you don’t have to worry too much about law and order. Not to mention military duties.”
Then land management and tax collection. They say you just have to fulfill your social role.
‘Taxes are collected annually unless there are special cases… ….’
All land in the duchy has already been managed. Unless there’s something special, there’s not as much to do as you might think.
“The duke is also a very stubborn person. “How can you manage a territory without electing an overseer?”
I asked, “What if you say supervisor?”
“This means that I handled everything by myself, such as tax matters and land development.”
You were the type of person who literally made things happen.
“Even though I say this, he is an amazing person.”
“I think so too. “I wonder if I couldn’t learn because I didn’t work.”
Franche shakes her head bitterly after saying that. He keeps tossing and turning and his eyes are shaking, so it seems like something happened while I was away.
“Princess, what happened?”
“… Why?”
“You can see it all over your face.”
France smiled and closed her magic book.
“Now you can tell how I feel just by looking at my face.”
I’m not quick enough to figure out a person’s mood just by looking at their face, but the emotions on France’s face leaked out to the extent that even I could tell.
“Actually, Eden woke up earlier.”
“Is that so? “It took a little over a week.”
I beat her up and even used the Aura of Extinction to cut off her arm, but I never thought she would recover in a week.
“As soon as he woke up, I went straight to him to laugh at him. But what you are saying is so absurd.”
France let out a sigh of relief and continued speaking.
“When I heard that I would be the successor, he asked me to take good care of Descartes with a resigned look.”
Hmm? I thought Eden would be a little more angry.
“When I asked the reason in detail, it really seemed like I was becoming miserable.”
When I asked, “Why?”, France told me about what happened with Eden.
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“She told me the specific reason why she hated me, apologized for it, and told me to resent and curse her for the rest of my life. “He said he didn’t want forgiveness.”
That sounds funny. Did you lose one of your arms and turn your head when you hit me from behind? I asked.
“But what is the specific reason you dislike it? “Isn’t that the reason you mentioned before?”
France rested his chin and looked out his window. It wasn’t a very good look.
“I heard that right after I was born and my mother died, the Duke was cursed with madness.”
Curse of Frenzy.
‘The damn crown prince and the homos*xual Karthus had it.’
The effects of the curse are different for each person, but in severe cases, they turn into berserkers. The crown prince and Karthus were weak and had anger management problems.
“But I guess the curse was very severe.”
France told me what she heard from Eden.
Due to the curse of madness, the duke used to assault Eden and Line, and starved them or drove them to a place infested with demons.
But the only thing the duke didn’t touch was France. It is said that Eden and Line began to hate France from this point on.
“… Wait a minute. Is that why you continued to harass the princess until I came?”
“Okay,” Said France, nodding his head and continuing.
“I started to slow down a bit after I turned 18. “It hasn’t changed that those people hate me.”
Was the hatred from his childhood imprinted on him and carried over into adulthood? But there is no forgiveness.
The treatment France received was worse than that of livestock.
“And then what?”
“They say it was a foolish mistake.”
“… Yes?”
“A young mistake.”
Wow, that guy was really crazy.
“I’m sorry for all this time, I’m leaving the family, I don’t expect forgiveness, blame and curse yourself for the rest of your life, I want you to be happy. “And then the conversation ended.”
Did he give up everything because he was pushed out as Descartes’ successor and no longer had any responsibilities?
“I feel uncomfortable showing such a resigned look. And the reason the duke was cursed with madness was because of my influence… “It’s a complicated feeling.”
It is worth it. If they were completely unrelated, I would hate them both, but France is involved in the causal relationship.
‘That doesn’t change the result.’
What they did was clearly domestic violence. The Duke is the culprit of everything, and the two sons turn their anger towards France.
‘Anyway, I never thought Eden and Line would have such a past.’
In ‘Ropanso’, other people’s stories did not appear unless they were male characters who became involved with Somire.
‘The only way to get to know other characters was through side quests or simple character introductions.’
It’s a soul-like with a story, but the core is ‘reverse harem’.
“What do you want to do, princess?”
I asked. Here, France’s thoughts, not anyone else’s, are important.
“… I do not know. I want to make those three people not be able to die even if they want to die, and not be able to live even if they want to live. “I don’t know if this is okay.”
Many thoughts are colliding, creating hesitation. But that’s softness, not mercy.
“Their punishment is the princess’s heart. “No one will go against the princess’s decision.”
The setting of this world is three people who lost in a power struggle in medieval aristocratic society. No matter what decision France makes, it will remain as a matter of trivial gossip and not a problem.
“Yes, I guess so. “I will soon become Descartes’ master.”
Even as he said that, France didn’t seem to be in a very good mood.
It looks like there are a lot of concerns… Well, the answer is something that will come with time. There’s no need to rush.
France laughed and continued, “This conversation is over now.”
“Soon the Cartesian Congress will be held. The family’s elders and retainers will gather. “The successor ended up like that, and the duke soon abdicated.”
Come to think of it, there was also a parliament. Well, France can take care of that. Because I have experience so far and I have learned something.
‘More than anything, France’s power is the strongest.’
Now all I have to say to France is not advice or teaching, but praise.
“The Cartesian Congress will end soon. “It would be okay to come out a little more forcefully.”
Now you’re just using your power.
“So, let’s think about a harvest festival that we can all enjoy together?”
“Good. “I’m also looking forward to the harvest festival.”
The party at the harvest festival, the magic stage, and the duchy’s festival. There must be a lot to see. There are a lot of places to go around.
“But speaking of the harvest festival… ….”
France trailed off and turned his gaze into space.
“Why don’t you just tell me to enjoy the harvest festival party held at the duke’s residence and take a walk around the duchy alone… ?”
A shy date request. I burst out laughing at the freshness. If we can spend time alone, it’s better for me. That will be the last time.
“Good. But are you not participating in the party at all?”
“No, I am the organizer, so of course I have to participate. “I’m just going to stay for a moment and then leave.”
“I see. “Are you sure you don’t have to tell everyone?”
“By that time, everyone will be so drunk that they won’t even realize we’re gone?”
I guess so. They were originally crazy kids.
“Kazar and Helena are quick-witted, so they won’t worry… Lathea will have doubts.”
It’s not that Radea is tactless, but she doesn’t have much experience…….
“It will be okay because we have Kazar. “I’m sure you will notice.”
“I guess so,” Said France. She grinned.
“I’m looking forward to the harvest festival.”
“Me too.”
Spending time with France in a place with a beautiful view, chatting with her, and watching the fireworks display called the magic stage.
For me, it will be a good memory that I will never forget again.
“Then I will go back to my dorm.”
“Huh? Suddenly?”
“I have something else to prepare.”
“Okay… ? “Sure.”
France nodded her head with a puzzled look on her face. I smiled and said hello and returned to my dorm.
Now the training hall and knights’ quarters are empty. Perhaps Radea and Kale will come here soon. As the leader and vice-leader, you will receive a private room.
‘How great it is to receive a knighthood.’
Well, anyway.
‘I have to prepare the last gift for France.’
I took out the emerald I found among the gems I brought from the gem. She decided to go with France’s eyes and this is the first thing that comes to mind when she thinks of her.
‘It’s a bit big.’
The size of an adult’s fist. This can be scraped off using the Aura of Extinction.
‘A necklace would be nice.’
A large emerald was shaped into a shape using the aura of extinction. It’s better to leave it to a professional craftsman, but I wanted to do it myself.
‘Hmm.’
It’s not bad since I’m rather dexterous.
‘Drill a hole like this…… ‘
Gemstones that match the emerald color are cut into a chain shape. Because the work required extreme concentration, cold sweat ran down my forehead.
‘That’s it.’
An emerald hanging on a chain made of pale yellow gold. This is the symbol of France in my opinion.
‘It’s a little rough, but it’s okay.’
I looked at the necklace and smiled bitterly.
And, the day to hand over this necklace has arrived.
It is a harvest festival.
