Chapter 27

Carlos, my older brother, has become someone I can't quite understand, at some point.

He started to look at me with a severe, almost appraising gaze from one day on.

One time, he looked at me with a dramatic expression.

"......"

It was a somber, pained? doubtful? expression. Or perhaps anger? sadness? confusion? I really couldn't tell. He looked at me with an indescribable expression, silently.

What, what, what? What is that expression supposed to mean? If he has something to say, I really wish he would just say it. It's been bothering me.

"Brother Carlos? Is there something you need?" "!"

Ah, he ran away. Yes, he definitely ran away. So, what? He should say something before leaving.

Despite his increasingly bizarre behavior, my brother is still the heir of the Steizen family. ...Is he okay? I really hope he can be more stable. Even though I will be leaving home to marry, I don't want my family to be unstable.

However, Brother Carlos's unpredictable actions continued. It was around the time I became a second-year student at the academy. This is a story from that time.

"Multiple young ladies will receive princess education, you say?"

"Yes. Carlos suggested it, and I want to hear your opinion, Angelina."

"Me? I don't mind... but..."

Brother Carlos had apparently consulted Father about a 'proposal' he intended to present to His Majesty. I was allowed to confirm it as well.

Father usually makes decisions on his own, so it was unusual for him to ask for my opinion. It was also unusual for Brother Carlos to make such a proposal to Father. The content of the proposal was:

"Princess education will be given to multiple young ladies, and from among them, a suitable one will be chosen as Prince Leonhardt's fiancée."

Participation in princess education for multiple noble young ladies, essentially a selection process for Prince Leonhardt's fiancée.

Around the time I became a second-year student, Prince Leonhardt had yet to decide on a fiancée. However, a young lady rumored to be his partner at the academy had already appeared. She was the baroness, Merk Schrengen, a 'scholarship student.'

Everyone must be thinking, 'A baroness!'

After keeping everyone waiting for so long, the prince chose a baroness. It seems there was no consideration for family backing.

Does this mean that Prince Leonhardt has been insisting on 'marrying the one he loves!' for years? Thinking about it, the pressure on my own engagement must have been due to the prince's whims. My opinion of Prince Leonhardt has plummeted.

Baroness Schrengen is an excellent student at the academy. I don't have much interaction with her, and we've never spoken, but I know her name.

The final exam results for the first year were posted three times, and each time, Baroness Schrengen was listed just below me, in second or third place.

Incidentally, I was always the 'top of the class' during my first year. Hehe.

Hearing the rumors about Prince Leonhardt, it seems he has a clear intention to make Baroness Schrengen his queen. However, her status is unfortunately that of a baroness. It would be quite difficult to formalize the engagement.

However, it's not entirely impossible. Ideally, she would be adopted by a high-ranking noble family to gain a backing. In that case, which family would adopt her would be a point of interest in the noble society.

If Baroness Schrengen were adopted by the Roderick Duke family or a leading marquis family and became queen, it would not be favorable for the Steizen Duke family. Of course, if she had the backing of a powerful family, it would be the right decision for the kingdom.

"Princess education takes time. It would be too late to start after the prince graduates. Ideally, a fiancée should be chosen earlier, and the education should begin."

"Yes, that's true."

"But the current situation is as it is. As a subject, I cannot help but feel uneasy."

"Indeed, that's true..."

I have no intention of becoming the prince's fiancée now. I believe Father understands that. The royal family should no longer desire me. My relationship with Ash would not be taken away by the royal family in a peaceful manner.

I am indeed demonstrating my value by being the top student for a year. However, it is for the sake of Bartzline and myself.

If, at that time, I had been chosen as a candidate for Prince Leonhardt's fiancée and had already received princess education... even if the engagement had been dissolved later, if no suitable candidate appeared for Prince Leonhardt, I might have been chosen again. My life would have been bound to the prince's engagement.

However, if princess education is to start now, it doesn't have to be me. In terms of family power, Lady Sandika of the Roderick family is still waiting for an engagement, persistently. Of course, as the Steizen family, we do not want the Roderick family to rise.

The kingdom has no reason to choose me now, even at the cost of insulting a border baron family. It would be a better decision for the kingdom to ally with the Roderick family and make Lady Sandika the next queen.

...However, the problem is Prince Leonhardt. It is believed that he wants to make Baroness Schrengen his queen. Whether the negotiations with the king are going well or not, or whether he is currently looking for a guardian for her...

In such a situation, Brother Carlos seems to intend to drop a 'bomb.' Perhaps he has his own thoughts about the royal family's indecisive attitude.

"Prince Leonhardt is rumored to be close to Baroness Schrengen. I'm not sure if it's true, but..."

"Yes, I've heard. It's true."

Father knows as well. Did Brother Carlos confirm it?

"Then, will Baroness Schrengen also receive princess education?"

"Yes. And the budget for it... will be provided by our Steizen family."

Princess education, of course, is expensive. It involves various costs, including the salaries of educators. The money can come from the national budget or the family of the recipient. The source of funding varies.

It is doubtful that the royal family would provide the budget for a baroness's education. If not, it would have to come from her family. If the prince wants it, it might come from his own budget, but neither option seems realistic.

The Steizen family will provide the funds for such education, even though it is not for one of our own daughters. However, if the Steizen family provides the funds, Baroness Schrengen will be able to receive official princess education.

However, it is not just a matter of 'contributing' to the royal family, or to Prince Leonhardt and Baroness Schrengen.

"The Steizen family will fund the princess education for multiple young ladies. During this process, we will proceed with the selection of Prince Leonhardt's fiancée. And the 'excellent but remaining' young lady, who, despite her excellent performance, is not chosen as Prince Leonhardt's fiancée, will be welcomed as Brother Carlos's fiancée by the Steizen family. This will be the Steizen family's 'return' for funding the princess education. Of course, we will also provide input on the education and selection process."

For the young ladies, the first place is the next queen, and the second place is the future duchess. It will be a competitive process, gathering young ladies from powerful families who have not yet been engaged.

"...This is a challenge to the royal family, which has caused the current situation."

"Yes."

What does he intend to do? It is a plea and a proposal to the royal family, suggesting that they should start princess education soon, regardless of who is chosen.

Considering that Prince Leonhardt's top choice is Baroness Schrengen, this proposal is not bad. If it is accepted, she can receive princess education. The Steizen family's input on the education and selection process is also reasonable.

It focuses on the qualities needed for a queen, noble lady, and noble wife, including social skills, conversation, negotiation, manners, and the ability to manage the hearts of women. A queen or high-ranking noble wife must have the support of women to be a true support to the king. It also includes practical problem-solving and discussions.

The proposal emphasizes the practical aspects of being a queen or high-ranking noble wife, which cannot be measured by academic performance.

"I think it's not a bad proposal. Given Prince Leonhardt's current situation, this proposal from a ducal family should not be seen as disrespectful. However, there is one concern..."

I looked at Brother Carlos, who was silently waiting in Father's office.

"Whether Brother Carlos can choose his own fiancée."

He will be picking up the 'leftovers'—the excellent young lady not chosen by the royal family. And the result is highly predictable.

"Most likely, it will be Lady Sandika of the Roderick family or Baroness Schrengen, Prince Leonhardt's love interest. Of course, there is a possibility of other young ladies as well."

Both are problematic. If it's Baroness Schrengen, it will be like taking away the future king's lover. If it's Lady Sandika, the outcome is too uncertain. It might be difficult for her to accept. Or, in that situation, it might not be bad for Lady Sandika? Even if she marries into an opposing faction, she will at least become a duchess.

I hope she won't be mistreated in our family. There is also the possibility that she could become a spy for the Roderick family. Hmm...

"...It's fine. This is my proposal."

Brother Carlos, who usually has a stern expression, seems to have softened his attitude towards me compared to before. What was he like back then?

Puberty... perhaps? He was indeed at that age. While it was frustrating at times, it didn't cause me any real harm. As siblings, those minor conflicts will likely become amusing stories to share in the future. Thinking of Ash and Aria, I naturally felt this way.

Still, I can't understand what Brother Carlos is thinking these days. Will his 'bizarre behavior' ever stop? As his sister, I am very worried.

Well, if this proposal from Brother Carlos is accepted... what will happen next?