Chapter 66

With a bit more ease in her heart, she opened the comment section. Feel free to leave a comment if you're in the mood.

I don't have the time to reply, but I appreciate reading the comments you've left.

Lady Eva seems eager to share that 'big news.'

She fidgets until the maid serves the tea and leaves. If Lord Michael Anderson hadn't given her a stern look, she might have started talking even with the maid present.

"Jeffrey, welcome back. Thanks to you, it's as if our Ashberry Kingdom has avoided a war."

"Michael, you're exaggerating. I was just a guide."

"No, the envoys and Clark said that when tensions were high, you said, 'Do you want to start that war again? No war, no matter how one-sided, leaves the victor unscathed. Only those who are prepared to fight and lose their lives and their sons should speak of war,' and that calmed everyone down."

Jeffrey's face twisted as if he had tasted something sour.

"Yes, I said that."

"Apparently, no one could argue with you."

"Everyone was so determined, their eyes changed at the thought of 'not giving even a single gold coin to Subaru.' I wanted them to remember how many soldiers died in the last war. I was the only one among the meeting participants who had been in that war."

"Many people were calmed by Uncle Jeff's words."

Nodding at Lord Clark's words, Lord Anderson explained to me.

"Ultimately, we paid a substantial amount of money to Subaru as a sign of respect for the forest people who have protected that area as 'sacred land.' Some complained, but if it weren't for Jeffrey finding the gold mine, our country wouldn't have gained anything."

"Too much greed... The gold was created by a volcano, yet they insisted, 'Anything found on this side of the line is ours.' It's ridiculous to go to war over that. Think of it as using gold to protect lives. Our country has always avoided war this way, so it's fine."

At that point, Lady Eva, who couldn't hold back any longer, interrupted the conversation.

"Hey, you, tell him that story."

"Eva, don't rush it."

"But..."

"Michael, what story is that?"

When asked by Jeffrey, Lord Anderson prefaced his response with "It's not official yet," and then continued.

"Jeff, it seems you're being considered for the position of Deputy Minister of Military Affairs."

"Huh?"

Jeffrey made an impolite sound, but I also shouted in my head, "Why!" A newly minted viscount in a key position like Deputy Minister of Military Affairs?

"Why..."

"Come on, Jeffrey and Victoria. This is a time to be happy. It's a great promotion. If Jeffrey becomes Deputy Minister, it's only a matter of time before he becomes an earl, right?"

"Eva, I didn't seek the position of viscount."

Jeffrey looked genuinely troubled. For Jeffrey, who wants to keep me hidden, such a key position would be a nuisance. The earl, looking pleased, continued.

"The Minister of Military Affairs resigned due to responsibility. The Deputy Minister is to be executed. By tradition, the third in line, Earl Carraghan, should become the Minister. But there's a problem."

According to Lord Anderson, Earl Carraghan, the third in line in the military, is fifty-five. He is too old to rebuild the military organization and prevent another rebellion. He is required to retire at sixty, leaving only five years.

"Therefore, Earl Carraghan will serve as Minister of Military Affairs for five years, and Jeffrey will take on the role of Deputy Minister to rebuild the military in the long term."

"Whose idea is this?"

"His Majesty and Prince Conrad."

"Ah... Prince Conrad... Wait. Michael, what happens after Earl Carraghan retires?"

"He will likely be succeeded by Jeffrey."

"See? Isn't that big news?"

Lady Eva's breathing was heavy. I was trying to visualize the relationships and positions in my head.

Lord Edward is the head of the special task force, and Jeffrey is to become the Minister of Military Affairs? Are the brothers going to monopolize both positions? Wouldn't that give them a lot of control over the country?

"The Chancellor is also retiring, and the new Chancellor will be Earl Haines. With various changes, it will be easier for Jeffrey. The previous Chancellor, who also headed the special task force, must have been under a lot of stress. He seems to be in poor health."

Mike from the special task force had said that neither the Chancellor nor the royal family knew about my background.

So, the Chancellor's title as head of the special task force is just a formality, and Lord Edward actually holds the power.

This is getting out of hand, isn't it?

A brother who holds the real power of the special task force in the shadows.

A brother who holds the real power of the military in the open.

Lord Anderson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is the husband of a cousin of the Ashberry brothers.

The concentration of power is excessive.

"His Majesty has appointed Earl Haines, Lady Yolana's son, as the new Chancellor. Unlike Lady Yolana, he is a kind and well-connected person."

"Yes, that's true. He's calm and has a wide network. I think he was also close to Edward."

The more I hear about Lord Edward, the more it seems he has a web of influence throughout the country. No, calling him a spider is rude, even if he is my brother-in-law.

While I was thinking this, Nonna, apparently bored with the personnel talk, spoke to Lord Clark.

"Lord Clark, did you bring a souvenir?"

"Yes, it's in my room. Do you want to see it?"

"Sure!"

The two of them disappeared in a flash.

Watching them go, Jeffrey spoke.

"I'm going to refuse."

"You can't. Prince Conrad repeatedly said, 'I want Jeffrey to be the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs.' No one has the grounds to defy that enthusiasm."

"What a mess."

Jeffrey finally buried his head in his hands. Lady Eva and Lord Michael looked exasperated. I wanted to do the same, but I just smiled and looked at Jeffrey.

On the way back in the carriage, Jeffrey was silent. Midway, he took my hand and said seriously,

"No matter what happens, I won't let you disappear."

"Jeffrey..."

"It's you. You might disappear for my sake. I've said it before. Your happiness is more important than my title. I wouldn't hesitate to give up my noble status for you."

"Jeffrey, I won't disappear. Calm down."

"Mom, I feel the same way. I love this country and want to live here. I want to protect you, but I don't want to leave this country."

"Huh?"

"What?"

Nonna was looking at us seriously.

"Nonna, I'm not going anywhere, but is something wrong?"

"I've been formally proposed to by Lord Clark. He said he'll ask for my answer when I turn sixteen."

Jeffrey and I were speechless. They had only been upstairs for about twenty minutes. During that time? Nonna's cheeks turned a light pink, and she began to speak earnestly.

"Lord Clark wants to make this country peaceful, safe, and prosperous. He wants to protect us so we don't have to run away again. To do that, he wants to rise in power. He said joining the envoy was his first step."

"..."

A warm lump rose in my chest. I almost cried if I opened my mouth.

"When we went to the Shen Kingdom, Lord Clark made that decision."

"Really... Clark said that?"

"Lord Clark..."

Tears streamed down my face even though I tried to hold them back.

Lord Clark had thought of us like that.

I had intended to live quietly in this country where no one knew me. But as I formed connections with various people, I became a part of this country.

The first time I taught Randall language, Lord Clark was a shy, insecure boy. That thin boy is now trying to protect Nonna and me, working hard to climb the ladder of success.

"That's very kind of him."

"Yes, and here, I got this."

Nonna pulled out a thin silver chain from the neckline of her dress.

It was a simple silver chain with a round silver plate at the end, embedded with a small garnet-like red stone.

"Lord Clark bought this with his civil servant's salary. He rushed to buy it when he decided to go to Subaru. He left it in his desk with a letter, saying if the talks didn't go well and he died in a war, he wanted me to have it."

"..."

Holding it in her palm, Nonna smiled brightly at me.

"I couldn't turn down someone who cares for me so much. Lord Clark is a junior civil servant, so it will take years to become more powerful. Besides, I'm only twelve."

Suddenly, Jeffrey burst out laughing. "Hehehe." I was surprised, having been lost in emotion, and looked at Jeffrey, who said, still laughing, "Sorry, I couldn't help it."

"When Nonna said she would pretend the marriage proposal never happened, I thought Clark wouldn't give up. I was right. He has the persistence of my mother's side, the Fitcher family."

Sighing, Jeffrey continued.

"Still, four years until Nonna turns sixteen. Waiting that long for an answer is impressive. Doesn't he worry that another noble son might take her?"

"Ah, that's..."

I couldn't help but smile wryly.

Clark probably has no intention of letting Nonna go to another noble son. He is likely prepared to eliminate any male who approaches Nonna.

"I think it will be fine."

"Huh? Mom, why do you think so?"

"Secret."

I looked out the window.

The streets of the capital, representing Ashberry's prosperity.

This will be my new hometown. Even if Jeffrey becomes Deputy Minister of Military Affairs, I have no intention of leaving him.

"Clark is probably thinking, 'Bring it on!'"

(And so am I,) I thought as I looked at Nonna's face.

"Oh, right, Nonna, the new sheep farm manager wants to meet you. The sheep have become very attached to him. They rub their heads against him and act affectionate."

"What! The sheep! They run away from me! That's so frustrating. I'm going! I'll go to the farm tomorrow!"

"Sure, let's go. You'll be surprised."

"Hmm. Okay, I'll pet the sheep tomorrow for the first time in a while!"

"Ahahaha"

I could imagine the sheep running away and Nonna feeling frustrated, and I burst out laughing.