Chapter 225: The Second Uprising of the Cattleya Marquisate (Part 1)
In the northern region of the Aiwood Kingdom lies the Cattleya Marquisate, a territory close to the dominion of the northern tribes. It is governed by Marquis Iljas Cattleya, one of the King’s Two Wings, renowned as the strongest warrior in the kingdom. Naturally, those aspiring to become swordsmen and knights are drawn to the Cattleya Marquisate, eager to follow in his footsteps. As a result, the retinue of the Cattleya Marquis family possesses combat strength that rivals even the Royal Guard Knights and the magicians of the Rosemary Marquis House.
“…It’s been a while, my wife.”
In this stronghold of the kingdom, Marquis Cattleya found himself visiting a certain place. Snow fell thickly from the sky, crunching beneath his feet with each step. The true winter was drawing near, and it seemed that an early snowfall had begun in the northern Cattleya Marquisate.
“It was on a day like this, with snow falling, that you crossed the Rainbow Bridge…”
Marquis Cattleya murmured nostalgically, standing in a cemetery. The ground was paved with stone, surrounded by countless gravestones. Before him stood a mausoleum, quietly bearing the weight of the snow. It was the resting place of generations of the Cattleya family—his parents, grandparents, and his beloved wife. This day marked the anniversary of his wife’s passing. No matter how busy he was, the Marquis always returned to the estate on this day to pay his respects at her grave.
“Our eldest son is doing well. He’s growing into my successor and is currently safeguarding the Royal Capital in my absence. He’ll likely take a break soon to visit. You can look forward to that.”
Standing before the empty mausoleum, Marquis Cattleya spoke without concern for the snow accumulating on his head and shoulders.
“Our second son doesn’t seem to excel in martial arts. He’s always been weaker than his siblings, and it appears he lacks talent with the sword or spear. Instead, he’s studying military strategy and is working hard as a strategist. He has potential, even without parental bias. As for our youngest… he’s become quite the charmer lately, chasing after women. It’s truly a headache. I’ll have to sit him down for a proper talk soon.”
Though often perceived as a taciturn and stoic man, it seemed that during his visits to the grave, Marquis Cattleya became unusually loquacious, sharing long-winded tales mixed with complaints about his children’s growth.
“And then… there’s the matter you’re most concerned about—Yuri.”
The Marquis’s expression darkened as he let out a deep sigh.
“That child has been suffering from Oni Disease, so I’ve raised her with great care, keeping her from leaving the estate… but recently, she ran away. It seems she grew tired of her confined life. On top of that…”
Marquis Cattleya’s expression twisted in anguish.
“…It seems she’s been getting close to a certain man. That man even has a fiancée, which is truly troubling. Ah, I must bring her back as soon as possible.”
“That’s a no from me.”
“Hmm? A no? That’s troubling…!?”
The Marquis looked up in a panic. He had heard his wife’s voice… the voice of the woman in the mausoleum. For just a moment, he thought so, but he quickly turned to see the person standing behind him.
“It’s you…!”
He gasped. There stood his wife, or rather, a girl who bore a striking resemblance to her—Yuri Cattleya, his beloved daughter, holding an umbrella amidst the falling snow.
“Yuri… you’ve come back!?”
“I haven’t come back; I’ve merely come to visit Mother’s grave… I will not return to that cage.”
“Don’t say such things! How dare you refer to your birthplace as a ‘cage’!”
Marquis Cattleya raised an eyebrow slightly but quickly softened his expression, adopting a gentle demeanor as if to soothe a frightened animal.
“You’ve had enough of the outside world, haven’t you? Come back to our… family’s estate.”
“I will not return.”
Yuri declared firmly. Her face, reminiscent of her mother’s, conveyed a resolute refusal.
“Yuri…!”
“To be honest… I didn’t come here just to pay my respects to Mother. I came to see you, Father. To settle things.”
“To settle things…?”
As she spoke, Yuri spread her legs and assumed a fighting stance, her fists poised.
“I can’t keep running away… Father, I’ve decided to leave the Cattleya Marquisate.”
“…………!”
Leaving the family home. This was not merely a declaration of running away; it was a proclamation of severing her ties to the Cattleya family.
“Yuri…!”
“I’ve made up my mind. It seems he is indeed my destined partner… I had a feeling since the first time we met, but now I’m certain.”
“What? Your destined partner…?”
That was a line that could not be ignored. It was potentially more shocking than her earlier declaration of leaving the Marquisate.
“What do you mean? Is it that boy from the Rosemary Marquis House…?”
“That’s why I want your approval. If you won’t grant it, then we’ll settle this with a fight.”
“Wha…!”
Without answering her father’s question, Yuri began shadowboxing right there.
“The strong are right. The victor is justice… that is the belief of the Cattleya Marquisate, isn’t it?”
“Yuri… you…!”
“So let’s fight and decide. If I win, I’ll leave the Marquisate and go to the man I love.”
“~~~~~~!”
Marquis Cattleya let out a soundless cry, his expression shifting through a myriad of emotions.
“Ha…”
Yuri, witnessing her father’s reaction, broke into a surprisingly radiant smile and swung her clenched fist.