Chapter 26

I have completed all my tasks for today, and now all that’s left is to organize and check the documents. I didn’t feel like having dinner with my brother, so because I was swamped with work today, Tanya brought me a light meal. From the fact that neither Mother nor Tanya said anything, I assume they understand my feelings.

It has grown completely dark outside, and the room is dimly lit by the lamp. ...Perhaps it’s time I really put on my glasses. Since I usually read fine print, it’s no wonder my eyesight is getting worse.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in," I said, and Bern entered.

"Do you need something?"

"...Are you still working?"

"Yes, as you can see."

"...Is your schedule always like this?"

"Since Mother and Grandfather came, I’ve been trying to keep it under control. At first, I was working all day long."

...It’s been a really long time since I’ve had a conversation like this with my brother. We were separated for almost two years, and when we were at the academy, he had his own circle of friends, so we hardly communicated at all.

"...Is that so..."

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"...Why did you side with the Second Prince back then?"

"...Why...? Because you criticized Yurii and spread rumors about her..."

"...So you predicted the consequences and were prepared for them?"

"..."

"If you want to succeed Father and become the Chancellor, think about it. Think about the results of your actions and their impact. ...I don’t know the details of your actions in the capital, and I don’t want to know. But I know your reputation isn’t good. I don’t want to pass the fief to you now, and becoming Chancellor is a dream within a dream."

"...It’s the duty of a vassal to fulfill the wishes of the royal family."

"The role of the Chancellor is to move the country according to the will of the King. However, when the King is wrong, it’s also the duty to advise him. ...And when you say you fulfill the wishes of the royal family, do you have no other feelings?"

The role of the Chancellor, as Grandfather said, "Lord Louis is perfectly mature... but Bern..." he also mentioned.

"...Having feelings and acting on them are different. I acted on my ugly jealousy and ended up like this. I lost allies and was expelled from the academy. You were on the side that condemned me back then, so are you not becoming the same kind of person now?"

It would be a pity to break the long-standing position of our family as Chancellors. I still want power in the capital. Thinking about it, I want to somehow correct my brother’s course...

"That’s all I have to say. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

"...No..."

"Then, leave. I still have work to do, so I can’t entertain you any longer."

When Bern left, I sighed deeply. I’m so tired... When he’s around, I see the shadows of Ed and his followers, and I get unnecessarily tense.

There was another knock on the door. Who is it this time?

"...Excuse me."

"Oh, Sebastian. Is something wrong?"

"I noticed the light in your room. Miss, it’s time to go to bed."

"Just a little longer. I want to go over the report from the senior division. The results of the agricultural department that you mentioned during the day... It’s amazing, everyone. They’ve done thorough research and produced results... It’s enjoyable to see."

"Indeed, the fact that they can gather their individual efforts, discuss, and experiment has made a big difference. I’m also looking forward to future developments."

"Yes. There are things I didn’t know and couldn’t think of... Seeing this, I’m constantly surprised."

"...Even you, Miss, have things you don’t know."

"Oh, Sebastian. That’s obvious. Regardless of the accounting department, I’m terrible at agriculture and medicine. That’s why I created the senior division as a research place and entrusted it to experts."

I have my limits. It’s best to let professionals in their respective fields take the lead.

"...That’s the..."

"The financial report. I’ve already read through it. We need to discuss it a bit more."

Given its nature, we need to consider the long-term impact. It’s making my head spin a bit. ...To clear my head, I really need someone to consult with or to have a discussion with.

"Yes."

"...By the way, Sebastian, how was Bern?"

"He was perfectly mature in the tasks given to him."

"See..."

"...This is just a thought, but... On the way to the finance department, I heard people talking about you. They said, 'Is your sister always working like this? Why is she working so hard?'"

"...That’s a rather impolite question."

"They were just surprised. Bern was known as a prodigy at the academy. But here, none of that matters. And seeing you surrounded by documents and working was quite a shock to him."

"I can understand Bern’s feelings well."

"I’ve been watching him since he was a child, and above all, Bern’s expressions are easy to read."

Indeed. Sebastian has been serving our family since before we were born and has watched us grow. In a sense, he’s like a parent to us.

"...And, you must have noticed. You felt his gaze, didn’t you?"

"Yes, I did."

That’s why I felt more tired than usual while working.

"He was observing you the whole time. When he left the room, he was so shocked that he was staggering."

"Oh. I hope he learned something from it?"

If he was shocked, I hope he learns from Father. Seriously.

"I think so."

...Did Mother plan this? That child has a high pride and is easy to read. The only worry is that after returning to the capital, he might contact the Second Prince and others and get his head in the clouds again... As long as he’s still at the academy, he has to return to the capital.

"...Thank you for the interesting conversation. I feel a bit more hopeful. Well, as Sebastian said, it’s time to go to bed."