Chapter 28 – Countermeasures
Chapter 28 – Countermeasures
After waiting for Ashley to calm down, we all decided to head to Rosetta’s house.
According to Rosetta, it was to devise countermeasures. Well… I could understand her concerns.
Even though Ashley should have just returned to her dormitory, the fact that she brought her along meant she was thinking the same thing as me.
“—There’s a possibility Maurice might view Ashley as an enemy.”
“Me?”
Ashley remained seated in the reception room chair, wearing a puzzled expression.
“In other words, since Ashley-sama reacted to the matter concerning my mother, he might see her as having a connection with me. If he gathers a little information, the reason I left home would likely reach Maurice’s ears to some extent.”
Considering that I’ve cut ties with my family and am merely an illegitimate child, while Ashley is a territorial lord—he might view Ashley as backing me. That depends on how Maurice interprets Ashley’s anger… but we shouldn’t expect any conscience in how Maurice interprets such matters.
He’s the type who tries to force his own methods on me and push them through, and probably everything about him is like that.
Specifically—those close to Maurice might subject Ashley to tangible and intangible harassment, or worse, resort to direct force… That’s the possibility. Before that happens, paying attention to her safety is a natural precaution.
“After all, a Count is still a Count. It’s not like he lacks connections vertically or horizontally.”
“This incident will likely deepen the conflict. Still, those who side with Maurice either have obligations to the Cardiff Count family itself, or are more directly suited for rough work.”
In short, the old guard and those with similar thinking to Maurice remain around him. That alone makes the situation particularly troublesome.
“So this is about how to ensure Ashley-sama’s safety?”
“Well, that’s the gist of it.”
Rosetta nodded at Grace’s words.
While telling Ashley about these matters might make her anxious, it’s necessary.
If the person being protected isn’t aware of the danger, those protecting her can’t take proper action.
Even after hearing this, Ashley didn’t panic but instead shook her head with a serious expression.
“If my arbitrary actions cause trouble for everyone…”
Ashley probably wanted to say she would take responsibility for her own actions.
It’s not that there are no solutions. She’s the head of a baronial family, so she could hire escorts or request assistance from nobles close to the Silun baronial family.
“No, it’s the opposite.”
“Opposite?”
“If Ashley-sama hadn’t spoken up like that back there, probably one of us would have resorted to force.”
“…That’s true.”
“Really. I need more training too.”
The three of us exchanged glances and let out sighs that could be interpreted as either relief or gloom.
Absolutely… Even in situations like that, I need to learn to act more calmly.
“So for that reason, it’s only natural that we fully support Ashley-sama in this matter. Rather, I’d like you to let us do so.”
When I said this while looking Ashley in the eyes, she stared back at me for a while before eventually nodding.
“…Thank you.”
“Now, regarding the immediate problem—”
The first thing to consider is how to ensure Ashley’s safety until we can be confident there will be no retaliation or interference from the Count.
If Prince Albert hears about it, he’ll probably act openly. Whether out of obligation or practical benefit is unclear… but that’s only if the Count side takes further action.
If the Count views the fact that he’s picked a fight with a baronial family seriously and distances himself from this matter to behave quietly, even the Prince won’t be able to act. Besides, Prince Albert’s foundation isn’t rock solid, so relying on him from the start and taking no action would be overly optimistic.
“For now, I think it would be better not to stay in the dormitory where many people come and go. It would be better to move your living arrangements somewhere else.”
“Does that mean… I should return to Silun’s territory?”
That would be one solution, but… Ashley’s expression didn’t look very enthusiastic.
Well, she’s paid her tuition, and while Kennel and Beryne’s considerations played a part in Ashley coming here, I think there are reasons beyond just me.
“…If you’re not keen on that idea, I’d prefer to work in a different direction. After all, this time the trouble was caused by the academy’s poor handling, right? Regarding the lectures you should normally receive, I’ll do my utmost to accommodate you.”
…Probably in the form of private tutoring. Having trustworthy people coming and going would contribute to her safety, so that approach for lectures should be fine.
One reason Beryne recommended studying abroad at Termwills was probably to help Ashley build connections.
And just the information that she’s become antagonistic toward the Count will affect Ashley’s surrounding circumstances for better or worse.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The opposite is also true. Those who don’t have a good impression of the Count will become more friendly, while those who do will become more hostile. For example, that could be said of me, Rosetta, and Prince Albert.
As for Talcott—from what I heard from Rosetta in detail, he’ll probably side with Prince Albert.
Since the matter had been settled, it seemed both Talcott, as the person involved in the “unnecessary matter,” and Rosetta, who came to report the outcome, didn’t want it to reach my ears… But apparently, Talcott was punished by Maurice right before being disowned.
He was blown away by magic and then persistently kicked while he was down, breaking several ribs, which Rosetta then treated.
That’s probably how Rosetta learned about this commotion and came to report to me. While we were waiting in the empty room, things seemed quite chaotic over there.
Albert would probably want to secure Talcott firmly, so he’d likely talk about how Maurice had treated Talcott and with what intentions.
I don’t know how Talcott feels about that story, but if it were me, I’d be angry about being made to do all the dirty work to maintain my elder brother’s good name.
Well, Albert will probably handle that aspect in various ways.
“Then I should consider either renting a house or staying at an inn.”
And then we just need to protect that place. That would be the plan.
We could also have Shadow Mercury handle personal protection.
“Hmm. Well… that would be fine, but there are other options too.”
Rosetta glanced briefly at me and Grace, then returned her gaze to Ashley.
“Ashley… even after this matter is settled, I think your surroundings will become quite noisy. If you’re thinking about the future, wouldn’t it be better to settle these matters now?”
“Noisy? Why?”
“First, you’ll attract attention from those who are hostile to Maurice.”
Hmm… If they’re Maurice’s enemies, they’ll want to ally with those who share common interests.
Building connections means making allies while inevitably creating enemy camps too.
“You’re the head of the Silun baronial family with remarkable talent in healing magic. Add to that the fact that you don’t have a fiancé, and well… Healing magicians like me still get marriage proposals even at my age… But there are fools who try to use force or authority to make you comply. Whether you live in a dormitory or hire servants to live in a rented house… you won’t be able to avoid these problems. To resolve this, you’d need to settle it with someone.
This
(・・)
But regarding that, Theodore-kun… no, all three of you—will it be all three? What are your thoughts?”
Being prompted, I thought about it.
…So Rosetta thinks about these matters too. And she mentioned all three of us.
Beryne seemed to have thought that way from the beginning too… But how do our attitudes toward each other appear to outsiders?
Well, no—certainly. Having Ashley stay at my or Rosetta’s house to protect her would be an option. I was thinking Rosetta’s house would be better for that.
Even if it’s because these aren’t normal times, or it’s temporary, or because we’re all young. Having Ashley stay at my house and providing personal protection—would be equivalent to declaring to our surroundings that we’re considering future prospects.
“No… isn’t this discussion moving too quickly?”
I understand that sometimes circumstances don’t allow for stagnation in such matters. Rosetta tilted her head.
“Oh? Ashley is the head of a baronial family, and you’re attracting attention too, so I don’t think it’s too fast or unclear at all? It’s not about me, but if those around you see that you don’t have a fiancé, this includes accepting the current situation and deciding how to act.”
“That’s…”
…Actually, the situation might already be moving. On Maurice’s side.
Since they know Ashley and I have a connection, they might view our relationship that way. If Maurice uses people to resort to force, regardless of the actual situation, that common perception will likely form among those around us.
“Henry… might have been thinking about your future including Grace, but you understand that with your level of magical ability as a young man, having just one partner won’t be enough, right?”
Ah…
…Unlike Beryne, Rosetta doesn’t involve personal interests and is relatively straightforward, so if she’s moving the conversation forward, she wants to settle things right then and there, which results in her being direct.
Regardless of what Father intended for me and Grace in the future.
Rosetta will probably interact with Ashley as her healing magic instructor, and as a mutual acquaintance of mine, she seems to know the circumstances of Ashley coming here… so she probably understands the meaning behind Ashley’s arrival too.
I understand this isn’t something we can keep postponing. People will pay attention to me and Ashley because of the Cardiff Count family matter. Well, yes, indeed.
Ashley’s cheeks were slightly flushed, while Grace… maintained her usual quiet expression.
“Well, the important thing is the feelings of those involved. Why don’t all three of you stay at my house today and have a proper discussion? From my perspective, I’d have more time to teach Ashley healing magic, so staying at my house would be fine too. But—”
Rosetta said with a distant look in her eyes.
“I think if you have feelings for someone, it’s better not to leave them unexpressed. Whether you convey your feelings or not, whether they’re reciprocated or not. Regardless, separations happen. But perhaps that’s precisely why.”
1 Comment
Login Required
You must be logged in to comment on this chapter and rate the novel.
Login to rate this novel
Marriage discussions with a ten year old. I wish the MC was older, and not a literal child. Too many Asian novels do this.