The Damn Family Is Back Again

408. Unsettled Relationship (3)

-Thump, thump.

No, this isn’t right.

This just isn’t right.

-Clomp, clomp.

No matter what, this isn’t correct.

What kind of estate is that big?

-Tap, tap.

Even if it’s a reward, this shouldn’t be happening.

Even if they’re accepting me in good faith, even if they’re giving me preferential treatment to the point of seeming biased, there are still limits, aren’t there?

Surely this world too has its own background, its own society, its own system, and its own common sense, but why are they handing over all that land to me?

It doesn’t make any sense. Dammit!

-It’s surprising you missed this. It seems you didn’t even hear the explanation properly. Why not just go directly and sort things out so there are no misunderstandings?

Claire was right.

Yes. I have to go there directly. I have to question them directly about this.

No matter how I looked at it, I had to get to the bottom of the bewildering size of this estate.

“Excuse me a moment?”

I flung the door open.

If I possessed even a shred of common sense, I wouldn’t be doing something this mad.

But these people had shattered common sense first.

I spread out the map, still reeling from shock, and asked,

“…This. What is it?”

“Hmm? Isn’t it obvious? It’s your land.”

“No… I mean, why is all of this *my* land…”

“Why, because it was bestowed upon you as a reward, of course? By the Peselos Imperial Family, officially speaking.”

Arsien took a leisurely sip of his tea.

“It’s rather difficult if you keep deflecting like this…”

“Deflecting? Where would I do that. Heh heh.”

“What, are you dissatisfied? Would you like more? Because we could certainly grant you more.”

“Just say the word. Not just Arsien, but even I will exert a little force for once.”

“…Ha.”

Florence then added fuel to the fire. I was speechless.

“Hmm. All three Imperial scions agreeing would be quite appealing, wouldn’t it? Ha ha ha!”

That so-called Crown Prince was laughing, spouting nonsense that raised my blood pressure.

These madmen.

My head began to ache.

But all the more reason to maintain my poker face.

I mustn’t fall for their trickery.

“…What are you plotting?”

“Hmm?”

“When I was told I’d receive an estate, I assumed you’d give me a modest little village or something. Somewhere with a place for me and Harnié to live, some jobs, a place where we could live a normal life. But this… this isn’t that, is it?”

It wasn’t just a small village. An impossibly large swathe of land had been placed in my hands.

“The entire Western region has been transferred to me, the land that once belonged to the Waglu faction is now mine. Even Shatren and Rusmeier, which were part of Bagrand, have become my land. What on earth…”

Indeed. The scope of this territory was far too vast.

I’d brushed it off, thinking they’d simply ensure my future with some moderate assistance, but I never imagined I’d receive such a massive land grant.

And there had to be a motive behind handing over such land.

“The West was originally a unique region even within the Empire. The plan was to recognize each tribe as noble houses and accept them. It’s hard to accept that such land would fall into my hands simply as a reward. The same goes for the Waglu faction, or the two territories belonging to the Duchy of Bagrand.”

“…”

“Tell me. The real reason.”

A flawless argument.

I thought they’d answer without evasion this time.

After a moment, they all sighed deeply.

…And I cursed inwardly.

“Well, there are several reasons, but… I suppose the first is appearances, wouldn’t you say?”

“Carsein. You seem unaware of the position you hold? You are the one who saved the Empire. The one who instantly reversed the fortunes of the Peselos Empire, which had been plunged into crisis by the Yggdrasil Project. This is not something to be taken lightly. An achievement that instantly overshadows even my title of war hero.”

“To bestow upon such a man a reward fit only for some backwater district, a mere village to lord over, would be a slight to the very face of our empire!”

“The populace would revolt. Even the nobles would cry foul.”

…Shit.

“In any case, such a blemish on the Imperial reputation is something we cannot tolerate. It would beg the question of why the West was granted its own land in the first place. That, then, is the second reason.”

“As you well know, these men are invaluable soldiers who defended this nation. Furthermore, it is due to them that the relentless advance of the demonic hordes has been held at bay without so much as a single breach. In truth, they are no less than saviors of the Empire, and as such, they deserve to be recognized, wouldn’t you agree?”

…Shit!

“The problem lies in how to properly bestow such recognition. While there have been movements to embrace the Westerners, they have yet to gain any significant traction. They are incompatible with the Empire’s established customs. Their stories fail to resonate. Their culture and ideals do not align. There are simply too many discrepancies. However, there is one solution that has come to mind…”

“A great stepping stone, so to speak. Which is why I strongly recommended you to our esteemed Elder Brother!”

“Surely you wouldn’t wish to see these soldiers who safeguarded our nation be disregarded? I refuse to believe you are so callous~?”

…Shit!

Thereafter, the multitude of reasons why that land was bestowed upon me washed over my mind, leaving me dizzy.

“And regarding the territories, it seemed best to grant you those which you are already acquainted with. Lusmaiere and Shatren fit the bill perfectly─”

“The Wagloo faction practically begged to be included, pleading to be taken under your wing. How could I refuse a desire to be led by a virtuous lord─”

“As I have stated before, relinquishing you, a talent coveted by foreign powers, would be a great loss to the Empire! Thus, we cannot afford to let you slip away─”

“For that reason, wouldn’t it be perfect for you to become the representative of the West? We also wish to widely disseminate the tales of the Kingdom of Wederos’ past─”

“And regarding your title, naturally, it must not displease the people or the nobles. You must be a ruler befitting the land─”

And so, during that announcement, what I received was…

““We look forward to working with you. Grand Duke of Wederos!””

…Grand Duke, a position so utterly absurd.

*

“Haaa…”

I was utterly drained.

I resisted with all my might, determined to avoid it, but my strength was insignificant.

I managed to cut a few things, but… failed to shake off the core of it all.

These con artists.

I settled the issues I needed to.

I even proposed to Harnier.

I was just about to hold the wedding and finally start living a peaceful life, easing my worries.

What? A Grand Duke?

Heir to Wederos?

A stepping stone between the West and the Empire?

A living hero of Peselos?

Shit.

What in the world is all that…?

I just wanted to live a normal life, happily ever after with Ji-eun!

“Ah-hah. You really hate it that much?”

“…Yes.”

“Pfft. Karsein. Your expression is just too funny.”

“Don’t laugh. This is a really big deal. Me, a Grand Duke. Haa.”

“But I’m pleased, aren’t you? Because it will be known that my man is such an amazing person.”

A nagging feeling of being fleeced lingered, yet since Harnier seemed pleased, there was little more to say.

“…So I’m asking, are you truly alright with it?”

“Pardon?”

“The Duchess Theresia, I mean. If I become the Grand Duke, she’ll have to be released.”

After questioning the Imperial side again, the word was that the Duchess held by Harnier would likely end with this generation.

Not a few distant relations or kin were involved with the title, and most had foolishly relied on Belian, proceeding with the Yggdrasil Project until they were entirely erased. There were none left.

Except for Harnier.

She alone held the Duchy.

Harnier, however, seemed unconcerned as she replied.

“It doesn’t matter, since it was never really mine. Besides… I don’t think possessing such a thing would mean much. Releasing the Duchy completely will be a relief, actually.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. What the Duke built, even when it fell into my hands, only made me feel uneasy. I enjoyed working with Aunt in the Plessia Merchant Guild far more. Even if I let it go, there’s nothing I’d really miss. Of course… the biggest thing is the feeling of finally cutting ties with that person.”

I see.

Harnier, it seems, was trying to sever all unfinished business.

Countless tasks would surely pile up, but Harnier would handle them well.

“U-um… Karsein.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Hungry?”

It had been a dazzling, whirlwind of a day, but not particularly craving a meal.

In the morning, I recalled waking up with Harnier and rushing out, practically fleeing to Bagrand. I calmed Harnier down then, and we had a brief breakfast.

Lunch was settled at the Duke’s residence. It had been a family meal for the first time in a while, with Harnier joining us, I remember.

After hearing such insane talk and then receiving dizzying explanations again from the Imperial Household, we had finally returned to our haven.

And so, the sun was setting.

Even with evening approaching, it wasn’t quite time for a full-blown hunger.

“We’ve been traveling around a lot today. I thought you might be hungry, so I prepared something…”

– *Shhh*.

“I ate before coming, so I’m alright… But, th-that, I thought you might be hungry!”

Harnier thrust a basket toward me.

Her eyes were full of nervous intensity.

*‘She wants me to eat it.’*

Even if she hides other things well, such expressions are far too easy to read.

The basket contained what seemed, judging by sight, to be quite palatable food.

Not just by appearance, either.

The scent, the shape of it all… It clearly showed signs of practice.

*‘Harnier. She used to be a terrible cook.’*

While she improved quickly at everything else, cooking hadn’t been one of them.

But.

“I’ll enjoy this.”

I picked up a waffle from the basket, still warm, and took a bite, the rich flavor of her effort filling my mouth.

“Seems you’ve been practicing? It’s delicious.”

“Really?”

…I never used to be all that moved by things like this.

But now, my reactions feel a world apart.

A meal prepared by my girlfriend. Where else could you find such happiness?

‘Hmm. But it doesn’t feel right eating it all by myself, does it?’

-Clink, clink.

“Here you go.”

“Hm? What for?”

“It’ll taste better if we eat together.”

She offered me a bite-sized piece, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she ate what she’d made.

Then, as she chewed thoughtfully, she seemed to remember something and reached for my utensils.

“Ah, open up, say ah…”

-Clink, clink.

After a few clinking sounds, Harnia held a bite-sized piece right to my mouth.

I was about to die from the cuteness.

Even though she was so obviously flustered.

A slight blush coloring her cheeks.

Purple eyes turbulent with what looked like awkwardness.

And yet, the way she wanted to feed me was just too adorable.

And so, we fed each other bites back and forth, over and over.

The basket was quickly emptied.

But…

There’s one odd thing.

‘Why does she keep getting stuff on her mouth like that?’

It’s not like Harnia is normally someone who gets food all over herself… It was so perplexing that I took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her lips.

Harnia then made a somewhat sulky expression.

“Tch. Dummy.”

“…?”

What was that about?