Chapter 81 - The Count and Countess
"What exactly do you intend?" Katherine and Father faced each other across the table in the reception room.
I will intervene with Caduceus if necessary, and I also intend to get involved myself... But if it can be resolved without my presence, that's fine.
Katherine twisted her expression and said, "What do you mean?"
"Do you understand? Why strip Byron of his inheritance?"
"If you barge into another noble's residence, behave rudely, and act disrespectfully, it's bound to happen. We were lucky they didn't handle it more aggressively, but that doesn't mean I can be lenient."
"What family are they talking about?"
This reaction... Katherine must not know about Byron's actions.
"It's not about that stage... Do you claim you're unaware of Byron's actions?"
"Of course! I merely mentioned visiting the Marquis's house! When I returned, Byron was locked in his room! The servants are uncooperative and won't tell me anything! What do you expect me to know?"
Katherine continued with a headache, her hand on her forehead and her eyes wide, her mouth twisted upwards.
"Is that so? Who is it you're talking about?" This must mean that Katherine herself has a reason for accompanying Byron.
If Byron were to take such an outrageous step as to enter someone else's house, the only logical conclusion would be that the other person is me. Katherine hit the nail on the head.
"...It's not about who the other party is. Byron trespassed into their house, knowing they were illegitimate due to being a commoner."
"What's the problem with that?"
Father furrowed his brow at Katherine's cold words.
"Do you mean it's not a problem if the other party were commoners? To strip Byron of his inheritance?"
"It is a problem. It's an issue of suitability as a lord, and Theodore isn't just a commoner; he's now a direct vassal of the king."
Katherine froze for a moment, her eyes wide.
It seems Katherine didn't know about my status either. Information seemed limited due to the change in servants.
She stood up from her chair, wearing a disgusted expression, and paced back and forth restlessly.
"That... I didn't know. If you had told me that Theodore was the reason, I could have persuaded him to forgive Byron, couldn't I?"
"Don't be foolish. Theodore understands reason. If I had tried to take advantage of our family connection there, he would have refused and acted as an outsider. Besides, there were other nobles present. It wasn't just Theodore's problem."
"If emotions won't work, then offer incentives. Just give him what he wants. If it's about low-ranking nobility, you can use the name of the Count or my family."
"You..."
If appealing to family ties doesn't work, then try money or benefits. If necessary, use the name of the Count or the Marquis. That's what Katherine is saying. While it's true that some people will listen if you dangle material gain or power in front of them, judging by this candid conversation, it seems Katherine has no qualms about it becoming a partnership.
But even so, this composure... Katherine hasn't given up yet. This is the composure of someone who understands the situation. If things don't go her way, Katherine will throw a tantrum. She probably still has some plan in mind.
"It seems I was mistaken."
"What do you mean?"
"I had thought that everything you had been doing behind my back was because Theodore was Lisa's child... because it was Theodore. I felt guilty that my actions had indirectly affected Theodore. But... for you, if he's not a noble, he's no different than a roadside stone, right? Byron was the same... he can't inherit if he's not noble."
That's right. Katherine's thinking is... if you're not noble, you're not human. That's probably her philosophy.
Katherine is already resigned and chuckles softly. "Duties of the nobility, you say? Sounds like idealistic nonsense to me. You know, I actually hate it. There are others who are doing better, so why me?"
Duties. What duties does Katherine bear, and who is she comparing herself to?
For example... marrying into the Count's family or taking care of the financial mess in the Marquis's family. To Katherine, her siblings in the Marquis's family are probably the "successful ones."
Katherine was very fixated on hierarchy and status. It was probably her dissatisfaction with those aspects that led to her complaints. She frequently used her Marquis's background to assert herself, especially when the Count's family's status was lower.
Father opened his mouth, but the words he was about to say were swallowed. We don't know what he intended to say. He took a deep breath as if to regain his composure and spoke quietly.
"It's too late... It's pointless to voice our grievances against each other's parents now. But I have one question. Did you manipulate the servants' appointments out of your own arrogance, or was it at Marquis Broderick's behest?"
"I wonder? If it bothers you, why don't you convene a magic inquest?"
Katherine chuckled thinly, as if she knew it couldn't be done.
The magic used for a magical inquest is kept secret.
The number of people capable of using it is quite limited, and the country also knows their whereabouts. Calling for it would be a problem.
Revealing parts of the nobles' business that can't be made public is an act of folly. Given today's events, it's a difficult matter to hide Byron's disgrace.
The reason behind manipulating people. It holds significant meaning. If Catherine did it to have control over the affairs of the house... there might be issues, but it wouldn't be that big of a deal.
However, if it was at the Marquess Broderick's behest—interpreted as an attempt to establish a strong influence of the Marquess's family within the Earl's family—then it could be seen as a takeover of the Earl's family.
Whether from the beginning, they intended to proceed with the engagement between Father and Catherine, or if circumstances allowed them to do so, there's a difference.
Either way, it seemed challenging to determine whether Catherine viewed Marquess Broderick as an ally or an adversary.
"Would you mind introducing Byron?"
"...He's in the back room. I have the key."
Father said that as he slowly stood up, at the moment when he took his gaze off Catherine.
Catherine, who had a mocking smile, suddenly lost her expression. She reached into her pocket and took out a small pouch.
This... was Catherine's trump card.
Is it a sleeping potion, poison, or something else entirely? This situation would keep Father quiet and force him to take some action, such as seeking the Marquess's help. Or perhaps putting Father under a subservience spell, slowly resolving the situation. Or maybe this single potion alone could resolve the problem.
But that's naïve. That's why I attached Caduceus to Father.
The sound of the cup hitting the carpet made Father turn around, and both of them froze.
"What—"
In other words, on the empty table, there was a pile of powdered medicine, and Catherine was holding a spoon, looking bewildered. It seemed that Catherine had no idea what happened.
It was evident what she had been trying to do. To an onlooker, it would appear that her hand slipped due to nervousness and she dropped the cup.
"You went—this far."
"I, I—"
This time, Catherine's smile disappeared from her face.
"This, this is different! I—"
It's not different. There was simply no chance of success.
"...Enough. I attempted to confront you regarding your relationship with Byron after today's incident, but to betray me like this..."
Father said calmly, and Catherine looked dumbfounded. But in the next moment, as if she had come up with a plan, she put her hand on her chest triumphantly and shouted.
"If, if you lay a hand on me, do you know what Father will say?"
What she said was predictable. It's futile. Father must have realized it too, as he narrowed his eyes, then shook his head.
"...He won't say anything."
"Eh—"
"I've already dismissed the long-serving servants you brought along. If the Marquess had any say in the personnel matters of the servants, they would have sensed it and planned their escape."
On the contrary—if there was no influence from the Marquess, the result would be the same.
"Even if they didn't, if they say anything, I'll present evidence of their misconduct. Protecting you would only raise suspicion of involvement. If you still want to, I'll take it as far as necessary."
The servants Catherine brought with her had indeed committed misconduct. If that evidence were presented along with the fact, they would have no choice but to remain silent, unable to defend Catherine.
Catherine was confronted with the fact that she could not rely on her family at all. However...
"You, a mere Viscount, dare to be disrespectful to the Marquess's family! Who do you think I am?"
As expected, she threw a tantrum. It must have been a dead-end.
She continued to shout something, but she was being held back by the servants and officers who had rushed into the room upon hearing the commotion.
"She seems a bit disoriented. Take her to her room and make sure she doesn't leave."
...Is that all right now? I'll leave the rest to Caduceus just to be safe. Let's retrieve the small amount of medicine Catherine was about to use. It might reveal something.
"...Were you here?"
After a while, Father came to the room where I was waiting. As if the disturbance in the reception room had never happened.
"Yes, I came to deliver this."
He handed over a forgotten item, and Father accepted it with a quiet smile.
"I see. I apologize for the inconvenience. I've been a bit busy. Looks like I made you wait."
"No, I had some business nearby. It was on the way."
"Is your business finished?"
"Yes, it's all taken care of."
"I see."
Father smiled quietly, but it seemed too ordinary. I couldn't help but think that there might have been similar incidents before, considering the conversation between Father and Catherine just now.
"Back when I lived with Mother and Grace... those days were happy for me. I can say that without hesitation."
Even if Father regretted not inviting Mother to the mansion, those days were like treasures to me.
Regardless of what anyone thinks or says, it's something that I will never waver in.
"I see..."
"So, I don't need you to apologize or anything like that."
"Understood."
Father nodded, and I nodded in return.
"Well, I'll be heading back today. After all, we just had that conversation earlier. If you want to talk to me, feel free to come to the house again."
Saying that with a joking tone, Father smiled a bit.
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