Chapter 82

"Is there any parent who doesn't feel joy at their child's growth?"

Cecilia smiled, her mouth curving like a young girl's.

"Pfft.

Hahaha!

Indeed, when a child works hard, parents share in their joy and praise them.

That is important as a parent.

Don't you think so, Lady Avenir?"

Lady Avenir pursed her lips into a straight line and simply replied, "I do."

"Let's return to our previous conversation.

I don't sense any desire in your son.

His attachment to the academy, the talk about the general dormitory, the guidance of his classmates, and the talk about explorers—all of it...

No matter how talented a person may be, without desire, they will not achieve greatness. That is my belief.

What do you think, Cecilia?"

Meria asked Cecilia by name, not as "Lady Roventine."

"...The last time I saw that boy's face was on the day the admission results were announced.

By then, he was already looking straight at his own life, with the face of a grown man.

To the point where I could recall the first time he met Bell.

He must have his own priorities."

Saying this, Cecilia smiled again, her mouth curving like a young girl's.

"Hmm?

This is a feast for the ears.

Belwood, how long are you going to lie there?

I recall you saying that admission to the Royal Academy was the Roventine family's 700-year-old dream?

Do you have some purpose in mind?"

Belwood raised his head.

"To put it bluntly, it's the protection of the Claubia forest region."

Meria tilted her head.

"Hmm?

The protection of that great forest?

Not development?"

"Yes, protection.

Though some development is included.

The Roventine family was born from the development of Claubia and has thrived there.

That forest is a treasure trove of valuable flora and fauna.

Starting with the unique monsters and magical herbs found only in Claubia, the Roventine family understands its potential better than anyone.

Currently, due to its remote location, the Roventine family's policies and a gentleman's agreement with explorers have managed to maintain it, but as transportation methods advance, the day will surely come when that forest will be destroyed.

Before that happens, we need to establish laws and effective deterrents, as well as a system to generate enough income to maintain them.

There is very little that can be done with the authority of a viscount's family.

...To be with the Claubia forest region, the Roventine family has aimed for admission to the Royal Academy.

However, the key figures, Allen and his older sister Rosa, don't seem particularly interested.

Oh well, things don't always go as planned."

Belwood, who had been looking carefree until now, changed his expression and answered Meria with determination in his eyes.

Just then, the steward who had been given instructions earlier returned and handed Meria the tax records related to the Roventine territory's agricultural products and a certain memo.

Meria slowly read through the documents and then glanced at the memo, her pupils dilating like a carnivorous animal's.

"Hahaha! Hahahaha!

Rejoice, Belwood and Cecilia.

New information from the capital.

That Godolphin gave his son a difficult task related to the academy's training policy, and when he announced the failure, they ended up in a physical altercation, with the old man being thoroughly defeated and forced to apologize and change the task to a pass.

Such a bizarre story, even I couldn't believe it, but it has been confirmed as true.

Moreover, the son, in return, made Godolphin appeal directly to the king, joined the royal knights at the age of 12, and became a disciple of Due O'ver, the commander of the 3rd Legion.

Hahaha! Hahahaha!

What a greedy fellow!

I haven't heard such an entertaining story in a long time!"

The nobles who had been eavesdropping at the table and its surroundings were dumbfounded, unable to believe what they had just heard.

The unusual atmosphere spread, and the grand hall fell silent as if water had been poured over it.

Meria, in a good mood, spoke to Count Avenir with a smile.

"Nix, this boy is an incredible schemer.

Not only did he surpass Parry, but he also used the entire Royal Academy as a stepping stone to leap ahead in the Ygrath Kingdom at the age of 12!

All the scheming, flattery, and plotting—this is the true power of a noble!

Is there anyone else who, no matter how underhanded, can claim that their family, like this one, can shock me, Meria Dragoon, to this extent?!"

The Duke Dragoon scanned the grand hall, but everyone except Cecilia was looking down, and no one responded.

Belwood was once again face down on the table.

Meria, still smiling, continued.

"By the way, Belwood.

The heir to the Dragoon family, Fay, has been quite infatuated with your son?

She has spent a lot of money trying to win his affection.

She even built a magic tool development base in the capital, and the investment is already close to 100 million reals."

The viscount's face turned pale as he jumped up.

That amount of money, if demanded to be repaid, could not be returned by the Roventine territory's income in 100 years.

"Pfft.

Don't look so pale, Belwood.

I never expected Fay to be so infatuated with a boy.

She is still just a 12-year-old girl, after all.

I thought it was a bit premature to give her a fiancé, but..."

Meria narrowed her eyes.

"It seems I was the one who was senile.

Of course, I don't intend to demand the money back, but as a grandparent, it's natural to want to see my beloved granddaughter's love come to fruition.

...If the Dragoon family and the Roventine family were to form a marriage alliance, would you oppose it, Belwood?"

This phrasing is often used by higher nobles.

It doesn't guarantee marriage but takes a verbal commitment from the lower noble.

The viscount, asked with a smile, hastily replied.

"Well, to oppose or not, it's quite a difference in status—"

"Bel?

The lord doesn't want such an ambiguous answer.

The choice of a future partner is up to the individual's free will.

Isn't that the policy you decided on and raised your children with?

Just state your belief honestly."

Hearing Cecilia's words, the smiling 'Empress' Meria Dragoon's smile vanished.

Then, she changed her casual speech to a more authoritative tone.

"Do you intend to oppose?

A country bumpkin viscount, who would be blown away by a mere breeze, has become quite arrogant.

Are you... prepared for the consequences?!"

Meria's intimidating presence made the surrounding people gasp, but Cecilia calmly corrected her.

"I am not opposing.

The choice of a future partner is up to the individual's free will.

That is the policy of the Roventine family, as decided by Bel.

I am stating this clearly."

"You are opposing it!!"

The 'Empress's' angry roar echoed through the silent grand hall.

But Cecilia calmly brushed off the roar.

Seeing this, Meria, irritated, tapped her fingers on the table and looked at the Roventine couple.

"Fine, I admit defeat.

Let me rephrase the question.

Belwood.

As the head of the Roventine family, think carefully about the future of your house and give me your answer.

The Dragoon Duke family formally proposes a marriage alliance to the Roventine Viscount family.

Does the Roventine Viscount family oppose or support the marriage with the Dragoon Duke family...

Does it oppose or support the marriage between Allen Roventine and Faylune von Dragoon... which is it...?"

◆

The Countess Avenir, overwhelmed by the rapid developments, had regained her composure.

She was silently shedding tears.

This is now an order.

To have the 'Empress' of the Dragoon family, who controls it, speak to a mere viscount family, or even a count family, in such a way, leaves no room for refusal.

The future that her daughter Parry had pursued with all her heart since childhood.

The dream of becoming a lady's companion and supporting the Dragoon region, a dream far beyond her reach.

She had seen her young daughter, who had not even reached adolescence, undergo training so intense that it could hardly be called effort.

The dream, which had seemed impossible, had come within reach when her daughter was accepted into the Royal Academy's A class.

The joy of that day, when the family cried and embraced each other, would vanish like a bubble in just a few seconds.

By the appearance of a boy whose scale of achievement far surpassed her daughter, who was known as a workaholic.

The Countess Avenir shifted her gaze from the lord to the Viscount Roventine.

Then, that man, with a completely out-of-place carefree expression, clearly shook his head.