Chapter 6

"Your Highness, you say? Why are you here..."

Berta stood there in shock, and she could see Biriel staggering to his feet. When she looked at him, she realized that Renalt had positioned himself in front of Berta, shielding her from Biriel, while still maintaining a position where he could act as Benedict's guard at any moment.

"Why? Why do you ask? We sent a proper announcement, didn't we?"

It was Hannes, standing just behind Benedict, who answered Biriel's question. With his usual suspicious smile, he was observing Biriel's flustered state.

"The announcement stated: 'Berta, a vassal of Count Biriel Backlin, has achieved remarkable results in the academy, and her growth is astounding. I have something to discuss regarding the reward for her diligence and excellence, so the Second Prince Benedict Jorm Granfeld will be heading there'—but did you not receive it? Arriving before the announcement is a mistake on our part, and I apologize deeply. However, His Highness also has a schedule, so we needed to speak with Count Backlin urgently, and thus we entered without permission."

Hannes spoke fluently, his tongue moving quickly. Berta blinked her violet eyes. Behind Hannes, the butlers and servants of the house were visibly pale, likely having been talked into allowing the intrusion by Hannes.

Most importantly, the visitor was the Second Prince. It would be difficult to ask them to leave after they claimed to have sent an announcement.

...Or rather, wasn't the content of the announcement strange?

At that moment, Berta's violet eyes and Hannes' brown eyes met.

Hannes' eyes narrowed slightly.

"Since it was an urgent matter, we entered without knocking—Count Backlin, what is the meaning of this?"

"Th-this..."

Biriel was at a loss for words. His gaze shifted between Benedict, Hannes, and Renalt. Renalt stood as a shield, and Biriel's gaze never reached Berta. Berta was still in shock, feeling as if she could see the universe.

"Berta is intelligent and has excellent grades, but she has behavioral issues and has shown disrespect to me, a noble. She doesn't listen, so I had to discipline her physically. I understand it may be unpleasant, but it is necessary education."

Biriel, realizing that pretending to know nothing was impossible, claimed that the problem was with Berta. By asserting that he was educating an impolite commoner, he could avoid conflict. Indeed, commoners are sometimes punished for disrespect.

However, this time it would not be so simple.

Benedict spoke with a calm expression.

"Count Backlin, Berta is my friend, and I have instructed that even minor disrespect be tolerated during my time at the academy. While verbal warnings are acceptable, I have forbidden physical punishment."

(But that's only in the academy...)

"Huh? But—"

"Count Backlin, why is Berta here?"

Interrupting Biriel's attempt to pursue the matter, Hannes asked again. Biriel frowned slightly but had no choice but to answer reluctantly.

"She is one of my vassals..."

"Yes, that's right. We came here to discuss this with you. However, did you know Berta, who comes from a small village in your territory, personally? To the extent that you called her here for education?"

Berta was from a small village in Count Backlin's territory, one of many. Even during inspections, it was rare for the count to visit such a small village. Normally, there would be no opportunity to meet. Biriel was sweating profusely, but not from the injuries he had sustained when Renalt threw him.

Even if Berta had committed a crime of disrespect, and even if there was a connection between the lord and the vassal, Berta was just a commoner living in one of many villages. Even if she had come to the capital on her own, there was no need to invite her to the manor for personal education. It was strange for a noble to show concern for a commoner girl who had left her village on her own.

If Biriel mentioned the sister Berta had helped, it would naturally be investigated. The death of Berta's sister, which had been classified as an unfortunate accident in the territory three years ago, might be re-examined. This could lead to the discovery of things he did not want to be found.

Biriel and Berta had no significant connection beyond the lord-vassal relationship. However, if he admitted this, the justification for the physical punishment would be lost.

"Berta, as you know, has achieved excellent results at the academy. I had heard about a commoner becoming a scholarship student, and upon investigation, I found out she was one of my vassals. I invited her to this manor to encourage her... but she showed disrespectful behavior, so I got carried away with the education."

Biriel claimed that he had only recently learned about Berta and had not known about her before. It was a difficult argument, but not entirely baseless. Most importantly, since Berta was a commoner, even if the education was a bit excessive, it would be considered acceptable.

In a conflict between a noble and a commoner, the noble usually has the upper hand.

Berta knew this, so she did not speak—interrupting the conversation of high-ranking individuals would be disrespectful. Even if Benedict had said it was allowed, she could not take advantage of it. Berta intended to remain silent unless they addressed her directly. She was still trying to understand why they were there, her thoughts wandering between the universe and reality.

Hannes smiled.

"I see, that makes things easier. You know about Berta's excellence. Her behavior is not an issue since it has been permitted by His Highness Benedict. Now, let's talk about the reward."

Eh, are we just going to proceed like this?

With the Second Prince present, there was no place to sit, so everyone stood. Since the Second Prince was standing, the count could not sit either, so Biriel, who was injured, also stood. Renalt remained on guard, and Berta was still tied to the chair. The butlers and servants, unable to offer hospitality or suggest moving to a different location, looked uneasy.

Ignoring the situation entirely, Hannes continued to speak fluently.

Or rather, are you the one talking? The Second Prince Benedict just smiled. It was actually scary. Usually, high-ranking individuals delegate explanations to their subordinates, but his constant smile was unsettling. He usually seemed like a marshmallow prince.

"Berta, as a scholarship student, has achieved results on par with others. She has also improved relations with her estranged fiancé and discovered hidden talents, earning recognition for her achievements beyond her academic performance. Her dedication to her studies, without arrogance, has impressed not only the academy but also the king, leading to the decision to reward her."

What should I do? This is supposed to be about me, but I have no idea what's happening.

Berta's face became like a cat launched into space.

She couldn't understand what Hannes was saying. He continued without looking at her, saying, "As a reward, Berta has been adopted into the Rumbek family."

"Eh?"

She couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

What is he talking about?

And isn't that Matthias' family?

Adopted...? Adopted? Past tense? What does that mean?

She had felt a connection with her fellow poor students and talked about edible plants. As a thank you, she had borrowed books from the Rumbek family and studied with them. She had briefly greeted the count and countess, but they had never discussed this.

What is going on?

Biriel was shaken by the sudden announcement, but Berta, still in shock, couldn't return from her mental space.

"Even if someone is a commoner, if their abilities are recognized, it is not uncommon for them to be adopted into a noble family. Yes, it is not uncommon. In this case, the adoption is to support Berta's academic pursuits, which would be difficult as a commoner."

The noble's words were beautiful.

Berta's world was blue.

"In other words, the Berta standing here is no longer a commoner but Berta Rumbek, a noble lady."

She couldn't return to reality for a while.

"The purpose of this visit was to inform you of this, but... oh! What a situation. You have inflicted violence on a noble lady, not a commoner."

"Wh-what!?"

"Since Berta is now Lady Rumbek—"

"Count Biriel Backlin, you are ordered to be placed under house arrest for the assault on a noble lady. The details will be investigated by the knight corps. You will await their decision here."

"Your Highness...!?"

Benedict, who had been silently observing, spoke in a heavy, uncharacteristic voice. Biriel tried to protest, but Renalt's stomping foot silenced him. Berta finally returned from her mental space, recognizing the clear warning.

This scene, this situation, felt like a predator's warning. Could it be?

On the other side of Renalt, Biriel fell to his knees, his body reaching its limit and collapsing. The butlers outside the room let out silent screams. Hannes, approaching, cut Berta's bindings with a knife. She couldn't process what had happened, blinking repeatedly. Benedict slowly approached her.

"Berta, are you okay? ...Oh, poor thing, your face is swollen."

He frowned in sympathy. Renalt, looking down, also had a regretful expression. Only Hannes maintained his suspicious smile, then picked up Berta effortlessly.

"Uh?"

"There will be an investigation, but first, we need to tend to your injuries. The knight corps will be here soon, so we will leave. As a noble lady, Berta, it is acceptable to prioritize your treatment."

"Right."

"Please wait."

"Your tone is strange."

She still couldn't follow the conversation. However, they ignored her and walked down the busy corridor calmly. Berta deeply lamented that Matthias was not there. The adoptive family was his, and she wanted an explanation. Most importantly, she wanted them to stop. The gentle image of Matthias in her mind shook his head. It's impossible, step-sister. Step-sister? Why?

Still reeling from the shocking news, Berta left the noisy manor, firmly imprinting the sight of her enemy's fall in her mind.