Chapter 55: Questioned About My Approach to Claris
This world is, at its core, an otome game with Liese as the protagonist.
Liese, who lost her mother to illness, became an orphan, studied hard, managed to enroll in the Royal Capital’s academy as a scholarship student, and falls in love with various male capture targets.
At that time, there’s Serios, the one responsible for her mother’s death due to imposing heavy taxes.
The Serios who appears in the otome game is detested by other characters for his overbearing attitude and arrogant personality, and in the end, he faces Judgment by being eliminated after confronting Liese.
Furthermore, there are love rivals who appear in each part, and Prince Edward’s fiancée, Claris, is in a confrontational relationship with Liese as the villainess.
A situation arises where Claris warns Liese for speaking familiarly with Edward, leading to a dispute between the two.
“You, haven’t you learned not to casually speak to a gentleman who has a fiancée?”
As the heroine of an otome game advancing her destiny with male characters, Liese naturally closes the distance with men.
Because this confrontation continued for three years, Prince Edward accused Claris of bullying Liese, branded her as a villainess unfit to be a noble, and passed Judgment upon her.
“I helped Liese, so the story should have changed, yet Claris was still subjected to Judgment. Is this what they call the compulsory force of the story?”
How can I help Claris avoid this compulsory force that has befallen her?
I thought about Duke Everett; I’d heard of him in both the Royal Capital and his own domain. However, I’d had almost no direct dealings with him.
The reason is clear. The Everett Dukedom is a unique existence within the kingdom.
While possessing power second only to the Royal Family, they don’t openly flaunt it. Instead, they scheme in the shadows to gain various benefits.
The Aegrid Family also undertook the role of guardian, but in reality, our taxes were being plundered.
However, he is also the most aristocratic figure.
Even watching Claris at the academy, I can tell. She herself has dignity and is a self-disciplined noble. Her father, the Duke, values authority.
“Lord Serios, here is the detailed report on the Everett House.”
I took the documents Arnaud handed me and checked their contents. Recorded there were the Dukedom’s movements and the numerous enterprises they had been involved in.
The Everett House prioritizes “its own interests” above “its duties as nobles.”
Within their domain, taxes are normal, but they impose heavy taxes on exports to and imports from other territories, using that revenue for their own domain.
Through this, they had gained the right to stand one step above other nobles.
The Everett Dukedom also has a strong voice in the “Legislative Council,” which is involved in enacting important laws for the kingdom, and it can be said that the Dukedom’s influence is significant.
This is because many nobles are indebted to the Everett Dukedom.
The Everett domain, possessing vast lands rich in produce, does not demand much in terms of goods, but in exchange, when they exercise their right to speak or their authority, they brook no dissent.
“…I see.”
I muttered unintentionally while reading the report.
What makes the Everett House troublesome is their method of control, skillfully using “power” and “taxes.”
Instead of flaunting their strength, they manipulate others. Outwardly, they behave as a dignified Dukedom, but behind the scenes, they use power and taxes to make others submit.
For example, the merchants in the Everett domain all uniformly show an unusual loyalty to the Dukedom. The reason is simple: the fate of those who dared to rebel is passed down through stories.
I placed the documents on the desk and leaned back in my chair.
“Is this all the information from Emma? Well then, how do I go about rescuing Claris?”
I recalled her appearance at the academy.
Unlike her father, she displayed conduct that exuded integrity. While protecting her position as Prince Edward’s fiancée, she also tried to stay true to her own convictions.
However, that very integrity likely drove her into a dangerous position.
Her engagement with Edward was broken, and the Dukedom’s plans went awry.
“…So he’d use his own daughter as a disposable pawn?”
I felt a surge of irritation deep in my chest.
What the Everett House aims for is just one thing: to become “an existence that manipulates the Royal Family from behind the scenes.” To them, the Royal Family is nothing more than a tool with utility value.
For the Duke, the engagement with Prince Edward must have been an important piece.
If Claris became Queen, the Dukedom’s influence would become immense. However, with her engagement broken, that ambition was crushed.
“Still, they must be thinking of their next move.”
People like those from the Dukedom don’t give up after a single failure. I need to see through what they’ll try next.
“The Everett House… what a troublesome opponent.”
However, I might be able to use this situation. Turn their ambitions against them and find a way to save Claris.
I closed the documents and called out to Arnaud.
“Arnaud, I’m going to the Everett House. Rather than going without any leads, now might be the time I can draw out what Duke Everett desires.”
“Understood.”
Arnaud bowed once and left the room.
I sat back deeply in my chair and closed my eyes.
(Discern the true intentions of the Everett Dukedom, and then protect Claris… It won’t be easy, but I have to do it.)
Muttering this to myself, I began to formulate my next move.
“May I have a word?”
“What is it, Faina?”
“Lord Serios, are you prepared to marry Lady Claris?”
“Eh?”
I was struck dumb, frozen by Faina’s words.
“Regarding this incident, Lady Claris acted for your sake, Lord Serios, and as a result, she is facing Disinheritance and Seclusion. If you rescue her and take her under your protection, what will become of Lady Claris?”
Faina’s question was perfectly valid.
I was trying to help Claris. But it wasn’t to marry her; it was to repay a debt of gratitude.
But what kind of debt of gratitude does she seek?
“Actually, Lady Claris asked me not to say anything, but she was very pleased that you’ve become so admirable, Lord Serios. However, she also wished it had been sooner.”
Sooner? What happened? That I was royalty? Is that what she means? But I don’t know anything about the Serios before my reincarnation.
“…Do you think Claris would want me to marry her?”
“Yes! I believe Lady Claris would wish to come to your side, Lord Serios. However, I also think that if you do not intend to marry her, Lady Claris would think there is no need for you to save her.”
Faina’s words made me realize I need to confront my own feelings…
Afterword
Hello, this is the author, Iko.
That’s all for today!
Please give me a ⭐ for my New Year’s gift lol!!!
I’ll be waiting lol