“……What’s with you all of a sudden?”
I was a little surprised by Elmia’s monologue.
It was a coincidence, but I was thinking the same thing.
“Six years ago, the day my brother left me behind, I understood. I knew that if I left you alone, you would go somewhere out of my reach.”
That day, huh?
I had some important work to do and had no choice but to leave Elmia’s side.
I remember Elmia calling out to me just before I flew out of the castle alone.
I didn’t have time to explain in detail, so I temporarily paralyzed Elmia’s magical power and forcibly made her unable to move.
“I couldn’t help it back then. If I hadn’t done that, Elmia would have followed me.”
“See, I knew it. I’ve never felt so powerless as I did that day. So, I seriously thought about how I could keep you by my side forever.”
It feels a bit morbid, but I like it.
I might have been thinking the same thing.
“Wait, Elmia, I’ve thought about it too. I, Sharka, will become the Marquis of Ortenos…”
“No! Let me say it……?”
Elmia put her finger on my mouth, interrupting me.
I fell silent like a well-trained dog.
Not pushing through here might be one of my bad habits.
“——Brother, no, Sharka, I will become the head of House Ortenos. And when I become a head that everyone recognizes——I will welcome you as my husband.”
“……”
I had expected it to some extent, but it was indeed a reverse proposal from Elmia.
After all that back-and-forth, it was just a matter of who would say it first.
(……She beat me to it.)
When it came to deciding to become the head of a noble family, I hesitated because I had knowledge and experience from my previous life.
It would be more efficient to get things done if I became the head.
However, I don’t think I should forcibly push forward by denying Elmia’s determination.
“Do you have any objections, my Sharka?”
“None, not even a little.”
Besides, I like Elmia as she is now, with her innocent and slightly clumsy nature.
I hesitate to take away that vitality with my own judgment.
“Hehe, that means I have to build up enough achievements to be the head from now on. I have to replace Father, so I’ll be busy.”
“Replace? Aren’t you being too ruthless?”
“It’s just an expression. I have so much authority that I’m called the White Princess of Ortenos. If I ask Father, he’ll retire right away.”
I’m sure my father doesn’t care about his current position, but I seriously doubt whether he would hand over the family headship to a girl like Elmia, who acts mostly out of selfish desires.
Besides, does she even realize that she has a fiancé?
“What are you going to do about Jilga?”
“I’m going to cut ties with Lanecki as well. If things continue as they are, Ortenos will be squeezed dry as a puppet. Ortenos must become a truly independent noble house in my generation.”
Lanecki would probably scream if he heard that.
The daughter he thought was in his faction is hoping to break off the engagement.
This is the scary thing about the main family, but I can mostly agree with Elmia’s idea.
Many concessions were forced upon us when House Ortenos was established.
I thought that those wedges would have to be removed someday.
“Elmia, you’re really thinking about things.”
“Of course. I’m also going to the academy with Sharka, and if I appeal to the injustice of Lanecki in the Imperial City, I’m sure I can change the current system. And while we’re at the academy, if Sharka and I do this and that…”
I couldn’t hear Elmia’s last words, but it seems that she’s thinking of resolving the problem with Lanecki diplomatically.
That’s a bit of a roundabout idea for Elmia.
But I’m not one to talk, considering I was thinking of forcing Lanecki to submit by force.
“Huh? What was that?”
“……No, it’s nothing. I’m looking forward to going to the academy together.”
Elmia smiled as if to gloss over something.
However, there’s something fishy about the story of going to the academy as well.
If my guess is correct, it’s highly likely that the results reflect the intentions of the Imperial Family and other houses, rather than my father’s ideas.
If the daughters of nobles were only being sent to the academy for security reasons, the problem could originally be solved with just one guardian, me.
The fact that Elmia, the next head of the family, is also being sent to the academy means that there must have been external pressure.
“Elmia, I know you’re thinking about a lot of things, but as your brother, I’m still a little worried. During this First Campaign, unexpected things happened, and there were many points I should have reflected on.”
“That’s right.”
“We should proceed cautiously rather than optimistically about the future. It’s good to be as careful as possible.”
A little lecture to Elmia, who seems to be lacking in thought.
“Crossing a bridge after tapping it to make sure it’s safe is an interesting expression. It’s like you, Sharka.”
“Yeah, so make sure you consult with me before you do anything. I’ll always be there to help Elmia.”
With that, I stroked Elmia’s head.
Elmia’s face broke into a grin.