Chapter 15: Fluvia Begins

Disappointed…

I have only that reaction to the Dellarose Steward.

I am so disappointed that I can hardly keep a civil tongue.

If I were even the tiniest bit more disappointed, I would have lost my head, forgotten I was only 5-years-old, and given the old tanuki a tongue lashing he’d never forget.

He’s old, way over 50 and I’d guess over 60 if you asked me, but without the wisdom that comes from age, muddle-headed, unable to tell what’s right from wrong, and without exhibiting the noble temperament that should come with his position.

He doesn’t even have the trait of being likeable to make up for his insufficiencies.

This dead weight old man needs to leave right away.

As for the young man, his successor…

I switch my cold gaze from Bolther to that young man.

Even though it was for a split second, that young man had glowered at Bolther, but he now hid it well.

As Bolther goes off to stand, aloof and completely ignoring us, the young man and I stare awkwardly at each other until he steps forward and bows.

“Greetings, Young Lady Fluvia. I am the Steward-in-training, Edgar Henry.”

I stand again and curtsy and introduce myself again.

Sir Edgar stands and says,

“I am more than delighted to assist the Young Lady in her endeavors for the House of Dellarose, but perhaps we should confirm this change in accountability with the Lord Earl?”

He says it loud enough for Bolther to hear, a bit of concern and worry appearing on Sir Edgar’s face.

Hmph. See, even this kid knows enough to at least PRETEND to be a good Steward.

In contrast, Bolther flew into a rage and,

“You-! Just because you were a little smart in the Stewards Academy, you think you have enough to override my many years of experience?!”

Sir Edgar stifles a frown and says,

“Not at all. I just thought we should inform the Lord Earl about your decision –“

“That’s why, you should just say it’s for your experience! Do something about it yourself! Aren’t you supposed to be a capable student?”

Uwaah.

With this cannon-fodder-like attitude, I’m surprised that Bolther even managed to become our Steward in the first place.

I make a mental note to investigate a few things later…

Although I can’t say that I like having a person who makes literal warning bells go off when I’m around him, a man who at least understands his own standing is better than our current Steward.

If I made Bolther leave, then it can’t be helped that this young man would take his place.

Even if it’s just until I find a good replacement, it would be helpful if Sir Edgar was even a little competent.

It’s a huge step up from the no-competence you can find in Bolther.

Now, even though my Sensor is going off, will this young man be a help or a hindrance to this current Fluvia?

Hm?

Somehow, when I made up my mind to see how Sir Edgar would perform in the role of Steward, that intense feeling went away.

? Just what is that feeling supposed to indicate, anyway, huh?

I thought it was like a warning bell, signaling for dangerous things, but no matter how many times I went to the cellar, that feeling never disappeared.

But now, the feeling regarding this boy disappeared completely without a trace?

I mean, I’m grateful that I won’t constantly be on edge around him, but I really wish I understood the Fluvia sensor better.

Haa… I guess I’ll have to be on guard, now that I know it can happen to things other than the THING in the cellar, but on guard against what?

If I didn’t have an over 50% certainty that the one in the cellar really was the Ghost Arts books, I’d go investigate, but…

Anyway, I’m relieved that the feeling disappeared around Sir Edgar, if only for my nerves.

Not that I won’t still be wary about him, but I won’t feel like I’m going to be sick constantly, at least.

While I’m frowning slightly, thinking over these things, Father and his guards return.

Oh, right!

Rather than worry about a maybe-threat in the future, I should be focusing on getting rid of the obvious one now!

It’s not easy to deal with both, so let’s do a little bit of pruning.

And the way to Father’s heart is – acting spoiled!

That said, it’s not like I can just go, “Father, Fluvia wants you to get rid of our Steward who has served our family for a long period of time.”

“It seems like you can move to our estate in the capital by the end of the week! Although you still have to come in for checkups, so you can’t come home yet.”

Father has a clearly upset face at that last bit.

He didn’t try to argue with the Healers, did he?

I’d like to think he didn’t.

Un.

Let’s pretend I don’t know anything about Father and believe he didn’t.

“It can’t be helped. Fluvia will be lonely, but with Father doing his best, Fluvia can’t fall behind either! I’ll do my best to get better sooner!”

“Hohoho, Fluvia is a good girl after all.”

Father rubbed my head happily, practically beaming.

“So, how is Fluvia dear’s business going?”

Father turned a little to face Bolther.

Instead of answering Father, Bolther is looking pointedly at Sir Edgar.

Hm. He might be a crafty tanuki after all.

Instead of incurring Father’s wrath, he’s going to make Sir Edgar do it for him, then push the blame on the kid like, ‘Well, I would, but since he insists…’

Pity. It seems like Bolther has some sort of brain in his head after all.

If he had shown ANY signs that the good of the Dellarose Household was in line with his goals, I MIGHT have spared him.

However, now…

As Sir Edgar hesitantly, and very unwillingly, prepares himself to speak, I chime in.

“Ne, Father, this man is going to be our Steward in the future, correct?”

Father looks startled, like he had just noticed Sir Edgar was here.

I doubt that’s the actual reason, though. I’m definite Father was at least aware of his presence… probably.

“Well, yes, that’s how it is. In five years.”

“Then why don’t we have him do it instead?”

Father makes a face like he’s eaten something bad.

“… But for Fluvia’s first business…”

Ah, as expected. Father’s overly doting as usual.

“I don’t mind if Sir Edgar is the one to do it instead,”

I insist.

“But, he’s… young…”

Father, I believe the term here is ‘inexperienced’… but either way, it would still make Edgar frown in the end.

Although he quickly hid it well.

“Un… but… what do you think we can get from making a good deal?”

I suddenly turn and directly speak to Edgar, tilting my head and opening my eyes wide for good measure.

Edgar is startled by the question, but he coughs and collects himself quickly.

He glances at Father and, receiving Father’s hesitant nod, he says,

“I don’t know all the details, and I believe there to be a great many factors to decide on, so I can’t say for certain. However, at the very least, the renown for helping to increase the quality of care of the House of Healing in Hildeich will be a definite benefit.”

Un, he’s just making some stuff up, since it seems that he only has a vague idea of what we’re talking about, but it didn’t really matter what kind of answer he gave me.

The important point is that he actually gave me an answer, after all.

“See? I want Sir Edgar to do it after all. At least he’s much better than someone who thinks this is just ‘humoring the Young Lady’.”

At the end of my words, I drop my tone a little and let a hint of my true, adult way of speaking out while I narrow my eyes and stare directly at Bolther.

Fufufu, look at you, panicking with your eyes wide open.

Did you really think I’d let you go so easily?

The effect was great, thanks to my easily predictable Father.

“What? What do you mean?”

He looks in semi-angry bewilderment between me and Bolther.

“Nee, since Her Highness is the witness, it will go well regardless, right?”

“Well, that’s… true…”

Father looks very troubled, but I’m more amused by Bolther, who stood up stiff as a board when he heard that the Queen was involved.

Yeah, that’s right. You heard right.

And no, I’m not interested in letting you meet Queen Henrietta face to face for business.

You tanuki.

“If it will go well either way, this is a good chance to see what Sir Edgar can do, right? I want to see! He’s going to be important for us later, right?”

Speaking semi-childishly again, I clap my hands and laugh, like I’m excited to watch a show, in order to divert Father’s attention again, but…

I’m a bit bothered by Sir Edgar’s intense stare.

Ah… Hm.

Now what should I do?