Chapter 24

Well, another half year has passed. ...In other words, it's almost been two years since I regained my memories from my previous life.

The profits of the Azuta Trading Company remain steady and good. Although competitors have started to emerge, the fact that our trading company's name has become a brand in just a little over a year is a significant factor.

The reform of the domain is progressing steadily. Banks are becoming more widespread, and the road improvements are almost complete. The advanced department has opened and is attracting quite a number of students. ...In the medical department, town doctors are actively participating, and in the accounting department, children of merchants are coming to learn double-entry bookkeeping and economic theory as planned. The agricultural department is also gradually gathering more people. Furthermore, the elementary department has also opened, and it seems that the children from that orphanage are attending. The last time I went to play, they even read picture books to me. By the way, the people I arrested are being used without any hesitation under the name of forced labor. After all, we don't have the budget to just lock them up in prison.

Time has moved swiftly, and various things have changed; the seeds I planted are beginning to sprout.

...Yes, time has passed. Yet, for some reason, Mother and Grandfather are still here. No, it's not that it's bad. Mother is contributing to the development of the Azuta Trading Company with her excellent sense, and thanks to Grandfather's training, the security team's skills have improved. It's not bad... but are they both okay? After all, they both have their own social circles and lives, right? While thinking about this, I can't just tell them to go home... so I've been leaving it as it is, thinking that if they're fine with it, then it's fine.

...It was on such a day.

"Mother! What is the meaning of this?"

While I was having a leisurely tea time with Mother in the garden, an intruder suddenly appeared. ...It was my brother, Bern. He hasn't changed at all since the last time I saw him.

"...How noisy. Please have him removed."

Mother didn't even look at Bern and just coldly dismissed him. Ah, her way of speaking has changed... I inwardly broke out in a cold sweat.

The servants, intimidated by Mother's presence, were at a loss about what to do, even though they couldn't just remove the heir. ...Only Tanya started to take action.

However, before she could, Bern approached me with a fierce expression and spoke.

"Don't try to fool me. Give me a reason."

"If you want a reason, I wrote it in the letter. I'm not feeling well, so I'm taking a break in a peaceful domain, which is why I'm absent."

"Hmph... Who would believe you're unwell when you're drinking tea so casually? Besides, turning down an invitation from the royal family... Are you trying to put our ducal house in a difficult position?"

Bern must be thinking he has the upper hand over Mother... with that smug look. But, I'm sorry, but I don't think Mother can be swayed that easily. As proof, after putting down her cup, she directed a cold gaze at Bern.

"...Your words are too harsh. Our ducal house? How can you say that when you haven't inherited the title?"

It was a powerful punch. Yes, it's a valid point. Bern probably didn't expect to be spoken to like that... his face faltered for a moment.

"...I am speaking as the future heir, considering the ducal house."

"Silence. Considering the ducal house? ...Hmph, if that's the case, there must be a good reason why you didn't return to the domain or to your husband during your long leave, right? You're not neglecting your duties to be with the second prince and that baron's daughter, are you?"

"That's..."

"Firstly, I have the permission of the Dowager Queen to be absent from this party. Do you think you've become so important that you can question the royal family's decision?"

"..."

Hmm, Mother has completely won this. After all, attendance at a royal party is a choice, even if it's hosted by the royal family. ...Although it's not something they do often. Moreover, the Dowager Queen supports Mother's decision... even the royal family can't say much about it.

"Besides, it's questionable to ask the mother of a woman whose engagement was broken to attend a party for her new engagement. Especially when the engagement is happening just a little over a year later. The Dowager Queen was also pained by this and even told the Chancellor, my husband, that it's fine if I don't attend. However... Father will attend in his official capacity, which should be sufficient for our ducal house."

Ah... So, the baron's daughter and Ed are finally getting engaged. It's almost been two years... I think it's quite commendable that they waited for two years after being so in love.

"Basically, what is this? You come in and start yelling. ...I question your dignity. It seems that if the people around you lack dignity, it rubs off on you."

Bern's face turned red. Ah, he's angry... probably because I mentioned the baron's daughter.

"Mother, even you should know what to say and what not to say...?"

"Haha... Are you also going to criticize the mother here? Just like what you did to your sister?"

Bern must have tried his best to counter, but it didn't get through to Mother at all. After all, it's not easy to criticize Mother with just the second prince and his cronies. Besides, the Dowager Queen wouldn't stay silent.

"I am disappointed in you recently. Your husband feels the same. If you don't change your attitude, we will consider disowning you. Your sister is doing a fine job managing the domain, so there's no need to worry."

Mother smiled at Bern for the first time. Ah, but that smile is scary now.

"I'm glad for you. You can be with the baron's daughter you love so much. But... if I take away your position, you might lose your charm and be abandoned."

"Such a thing... is impossible... Besides, why did that sister become the acting lord? She was disrespectful to the royal family. She should be immediately stripped of her title and exiled."

"I don't know about the future, but at this stage, she's just a baron's daughter. It's outrageous for a mere baron's daughter to challenge a ducal house. If it weren't for the second prince, a member of the royal family, and you, a stain on our family, we would have immediately taken action against that baron's daughter's family."

Hmm... I thought it was just out of consideration for the second prince, but it seems it was also for Bern. Yes, that makes sense. Even if they wanted to criticize, it would be embarrassing for a member of their own family to criticize another member of their own family and then protest against it.

"The authority of the acting lord transferred by my husband is equal to that of the lord. So, no matter how much you complain, it won't change anything. Besides, someone who doesn't understand their own place and doesn't contribute to the ducal house is unnecessary."

"I can't accept that...! Let me see my sister."

Even if you say "see my sister"... she's right in front of you. I thought you were ignoring my presence, but it seems I was wrong. Ah, I... have I been forgotten?

"What do you mean by 'see her'? Are you asking her to give up her position as acting lord? ...You don't have the authority to say that. Besides, you don't have the right to call Iris your sister."

Mother sighed and took another sip of tea. It's probably a bit cold now. I'll have Tanya make a new one.

I glanced at Tanya, and her eyes were filled with doubt. She must be wondering why Mother isn't angry, even though her brother, who was once her fiancé, is in front of her and the topic is about his engagement party.

I thought I would scold him, curse him, and even hit him if I saw him in front of me. But now that he's actually here... I don't feel anything. To put it simply, it's nothing. His existence is as insignificant to me as a pebble on the road. I and Bern became strangers at that time, and I have already erased his existence from my heart. Ah, but I often get headaches thinking about not wanting to hand over the domain to him because he's so naive.

After posting the previous chapter, I read it over and made some corrections. I apologize to those who read it before the corrections.