(Charlotte POV)

“We have arrived, your highness.”

My coachman spoke after stopping the horses.

I looked through the window and saw the manor of the Luxembourg Family. It’s located in Pira City, one of the richest cities on the entire continent. Throughout the ride, I hadn’t seen one commoner or beggar on the tidy streets of Pira City.

Many merchants and young lords who were managers of their own supply stores would call out to me when I passed by them. I had already invested in a merchant firm so I wasn’t interested in wasting my time with them.

Miss Helen opened the door for me.

“I will be three steps behind. If something happens then duck when I say the word.”

I nodded. Whenever she had to do her duties, her entire personality changes. One moment she’s the usual Helen then the next she’s a strict knight fitted to guard a person with authority.

She showed a strange reaction when I told her I removed Clyde as my knight. She reverted into a cold person after that day. I’d always complain about the people I usually met and she’d reply in an appropriate manner.

Now whenever I try and speak with her, she would only give me short and quick responses.

“I will guide you.”

The dark elf, Lithia—Arielle’s personal maid—approached us after we arrived inside the gates. She bowed and led us upstairs.

“Lady Kenia is eager to see Your Highness. Please follow me.”

I nodded silently.

The entire manor seemed quiet. There’d always be many servants running around the house keeping it sparkly clean. A manor of this size was bound to have at least fifty servants after all.

“Where is Lord Luxembourg?”

“Ah, he is currently on vacation with Lady Sadith. The King has not given any orders for his return yet. They left a few days ago. All of the servants also mysteriously left so I am the only one left.”

I heard the echo of our steps as we walked to the large office at the back of the hallway. It felt eerie walking inside such a quiet manor with not a single soul.

The only thing that reassured me was the clanking of Miss Helen’s boots. I knew that she could protect me so long as assassins on the level of the Minerva clan didn’t show up again.

–Knock, knock—

–Come in.

A calm voice came from inside the room.

Creak—

“Your Highness.”

Kenia Luxembourg, the next head of the Luxembourg family stood in front of her desk and bowed. Her silver hair was neatly cut into medium length. The formal dress she wore was both fancy and extravagant.

“I must say, I’m amazed at your fashion. I’m very jealous.”

“Thank you for the compliment. It is obvious that I must dress appropriately when meeting a royal.”

Helen went to the corner of the room and closed her eyes. That was a sign that whatever we say here, stayed here. Only knights that receive a lot of trust from their lords may enter a meeting room.

“I hope it is not a bother to have my knight stationed in the room.”

Kenia laughed softly.

“Of course not. I assume your highness is still shaken by what occurred at the border camp.”

I nodded and sat down. Lithia brought in a tray of cookies along with a teapot and cups.

The next head of the Luxembourg household sniffed the warm tea.

“I hope it is to your liking. They picked these leaves in our own territory. These tea leaves are one of the few things I am proud to say are from our territory.”

I smiled.

She was different from what I Imagined. Her gestures, tone of voice, posture... all of that revealed how proud she was of her house.

Arielle would always complain about how evil Lady Sadith was so I was expecting the same of her daughter. I was taken aback by her gentle disposition.

‘Her sunny disposition has a way of rubbing off on those around her.’

It was no wonder why the noble girls in my faction said they liked her. I was feeling affected by her gentle nature as well. Only a little bit.

I thought that nobles like her that achieve the title of head of their household tend to use deception, sophistry and any other forms of pretentiousness to hide their true selves.

I might be reading too many political science books.

“Hmm...”

It was as she said. The taste was both sweet and bitter. It tasted delicious that I couldn’t help but take big gulps.

“Fufu. I see you are enjoying it.”

“Yes. Very much so.”

I alternated from taking a bite from the cookie and drinking the tea. Now that I know my mother could get better, I started eating more than I did in the past. I'm embarrassed to say that I even put up some weight. I explored delicacies of the capital’s shops with the girls from my faction just yesterday. I was itching for more of that sweet dark forest cake I had yesterday.

Besides my ginormous appetite, my stress levels had died down by quite a lot. I was able to sleep properly without needing to hold someone’s hand. My bladder problems also disappeared. I felt like a completely different person.

“How is her Majesty doing?”

Kenia spoke after a while.

“We have recently found a way to cure her....”

“Oh, my! That’s very good news!”

“Ah, yes. She took the medicine so we’re waiting for it to do its work for now.”

“It’s truly vile that someone poisoned her Majesty. How could they do such a thing?”

I smiled silently.

“I hope my concern fades away once we receive the results. I am forbidden from entering her room during her resting time. I can only roam outside her room looking in. The day when I get to see her will be on the day of my father’s birthday event.”

“Please tell me if you need anything. I will absolutely make it happen if it’s within my power.”

“Thank you very much.”

Only the sound of our cups clinking and the crunching sound of biting resonated for a while. I called for another batch since the cookies were too delicious. Clyde was a bit of a sweet tooth as well so he recommended many types of desserts.

‘I should meet with him in the future again.’

I wanted to overcome the guilt I felt back then. Even if his core was destroyed, that didn’t mean that the two of us should stop being friends. I’ve known him for six years after all.

“Come to think of it... why have you not supported a faction yet?”

I cautiously asked her.

It’s strange how they hadn’t chosen anyone yet. Even the Four Dukes from the South are still quiet about who to choose. Duke Luxembourg is the leader of their circle, after all. They would first see what political move a grand duke would make before deciding what to do.

“I wonder. My father only said he’ll see how things go before giving his support.”

Bullshit.

I have a feeling it’s because of one of them. Kenia and Eric. No noble would want to support a losing side but still... I had a feeling that they’d never support any of us. Not even my siblings had a duke in any of their factions yet.

If the head of the Dukes isn’t supporting anyone then that means none of them will side with any of us.

It is likely that our succession war might cause tremendous damage to our kingdom.

What is the reason for this? I couldn’t read minds so I can only assume and point fingers.

“I haven’t been given the title of head yet so I cannot support any of the Royal successors yet.”

Kenia said with an apologetic smile.

“... It is alright. We cannot force you to lend your aid anyway.”

I gazed seriously into her eyes.

“May I ask why you have sent me so many letters?”

She put down her cup and cleared her throat.

“I wanted to hear two things.”

“Such as?”

“Firstly... Have you completely let go of Clyde?”

I looked at her in confusion.

“Why are you interested in that?”

“Nothing much. Seeing as how he’s a splendid mage , I thought you’d try and keep your hands on him.”

I could see Helen partially open her eyes in the corner. She closed her eyes a few moments later.

“All his scores are intentionally so low so he doesn’t stand out among the others. I had a meeting with Victoria earlier this month...” She tapped her cup and closed her eyes with a sigh, “And I can’t believe he took my chance of becoming vice president. Truly a shame but I can’t blame anyone other than myself and lacking abilities.”

“Vice president?”

“Oh my. Have you not heard? Even if his core is destroyed, the academic prowess he possesses is more than enough for him to be worthy of the title. Many are comparing him to the student of the mage tower who scored full marks. I wonder how much he’d score if he took the test?”

Am I seeing things? Her eyes had a type of warm glint while she spoke of Clyde. A blush also became visible on her face.

‘There’s no way she fell in love right?’

“Ahem, anyhow. I would have liked to personally ask you this... would you stop me if I assigned Clyde a position in our ranks?”

Somehow, her eyes sharpened as her voice turned serious.

“...”

I hesitated before answering.

“I like the idea of making him my personal knight too. I barely have anyone to tell my problems to. None of the servants are willing to spare me a single second of personal talk. They’d always make excuses of having to finish a task assigned to them. Hmm... I make it sound like I have no friends~ isn’t that sad?”

She continued speaking as I tried to answer.

“Do what you want.”

I spoke a few moments later.

“Oh? Thank you very much. Now, I wonder what will work to pull him over to my side...”

We had a lot of small talk. As this was not a personal visit, we spoke of things related to the kingdom. Lady Kenia seemed to have started her own trading network. They were still busy building the roads in their territory which will be used.

Even if their house is superior in military power to the Rosenbergs, the Luxembourg household cannot compare to their supply routes and trade networks. My guess was that Lady Kenia wanted to make their household better in economic strength than the Rosenbergs.

By the way, Arielle had been keeping contact with her as well. It’s just to let her sister know she wasn’t dead. Arielle will inherit a large territory too since she cannot stay in Hurge city with her sister in the manor. I knew that even if she didn’t inherit a plot of territory, she’d still stay away from this family.

It’s funny. There was a time when she admired her sister. She’d always follow her around like a duckling following its mother.

Although I looked for signs, there was no delay in any of her expressions. She gave sincere answers to all my questions and never made any jokes.

It was really fun talking with another person over the problems involving my faction. I did leave out a few things though. I can’t be revealing all our weaknesses.

“Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.”

“I enjoyed your highness’ company. Please do come again.”

Helen grabbed the doorknob. Kenia suddenly spoke again.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

I turned towards Kenia. Her blue eyes glowed with the sun on her back.

“You will not change your mind, will you?”

I silently gazed at her.

‘Even if you ask me, Arielle will never agree to this...’

I then gave an appropriate answer.

“I will let Lord Clyde decided who he would like to serve in the future.”

Kenia’s eyes narrowed before she smiled.

“I see!”

Kenia clapped her hands with a satisfied grin.

“I assume you know your way?”

“Of course.”

“Safe travels, your highness.”

Kenia waved at us from behind her desk.

It was a split second but I could see her expression change from behind the door before it closed.