Chapter 440 – Reunion with the Duke

“I have come to escort you.”

The day had finally arrived for the reconciliation between the Grand Duke and the Duke. The messenger from the Royal Castle arrived just after noon.

“Thank you. Is everyone ready?”

“We’re fine. We’re prepared,” Grace replied.

Looking around at everyone, they each nodded back in response.

Like me, everyone else had been invited as attendees. As representatives of Baharzad and Halvaronis, Princess Elham and Forset’s group also wished to greet Grand Duke Debonnis, so they too were among the invited guests. The fact that Old Siegmund and his companions were also invited likely carried the implication of making a clear statement to Silvatoria as well.

All the women were dressed in formal gowns. The sight of them all lined up in their dresses was quite a feast for the eyes. These were their ceremonial formal wear.

Regarding formal attire, Forset and his group had brought theirs from Halvaronis, so there were no oversights in their preparations either. While the styles differed somewhat, fundamentally they were still dresses, so the differences didn’t seem significant.

“…I’m still not used to wearing this kind of outfit though.”

“It’s fine, Sion. It suits you.”

“…Yeah. Sion looks cute.”

“Ugh…”

Sion seemed somewhat resistant to wearing a dress. When Marceska and Sigritta smiled at her, she blushed slightly and shook her head.

Forset watched this with a soft expression and smiled. Well… Sion had a decisive side to her, so I thought she’d probably steel herself once we left the house.

In any case, since everyone seemed ready, we should head to the Royal Castle.

The carriage carrying us arrived at the Royal Castle. Given the season, many noble families visiting Termwills should have been present, but it seemed other nobles hadn’t arrived yet.

Apparently, there were plans to hold a celebration banquet to publicly demonstrate the reconciliation between the two families, but the prerequisite was for the Grand Duke and the Duke to speak directly first. Unless that was completed first, the subsequent celebration couldn’t begin.

“We’ve been expecting you, Theodore-sama. This way, please.”

As we descended from the carriage, a lady-in-waiting approached and guided us. When we were shown to a room in the Guesthouse, Princess Elham was indeed waiting there, also dressed in a gown. The style was indeed different from Verdugal’s dresses, I noticed. The thin veil covering her hair and face, the sheer cloth extending from the sleeves—these were designs unique to Baharzad that we didn’t have here.

“Good day, everyone.”

“Yes, Your Highness Elham.”

After exchanging greetings with Princess Elham, we entered the room.

“Once everyone has gathered, Grand Duke Debonnis wishes to come to this room to offer his greetings,” said the lady-in-waiting who had guided us.

So that meant the Grand Duke had already arrived at the Royal Castle. Prince Josiah had said that once ceremonies and such began, he wouldn’t have leisurely time, so he wanted to create time for greetings with Grand Duke Debonnis beforehand.

“Understood. But wouldn’t it be proper for us to visit him?”

“Theodore-sama went to Baharzad for Verdugal’s sake, so he said cooperating with that was only natural. Since you’ve completed your task and returned safely, he said it’s even more appropriate for him, as a subject of the Kingdom of Verdugal, to offer thanks. Therefore, the Grand Duke specifically requested to come here. Besides, Your Highness Elham is also present.”

“I see. Understood.”

When I nodded, the lady-in-waiting bowed and left the room.

“I’m a bit nervous. He’s someone to whom Baharzad owes a debt as well.”

After settling into the room, Princess Elham took a light breath as if to calm herself.

“From what I’ve heard, Grand Duke Debonnis gives a strict impression, but I believe he’s actually quite kind-hearted.”

When I said this, Marlene also smiled and nodded.

Due to his position, he couldn’t act entirely as he wished, but he had been concerned about Marlene after all.

Moreover, precisely because he valued the relationship with Baharzad, he probably wanted to take the initiative in offering greetings himself.

“That’s somewhat reassuring. Ah, and also. Regarding the enhancement equipment for Viola-san and Ouroboros, we’ve tried making various prototypes… and we’ve managed to create something reasonably satisfactory. Though it will have to be another day, could you take a look? I’d like to hear your opinion as the user, Theodore-sama.”

“Understood. Then I’ll contact Alfred and visit the workshop another day.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps we might be able to proceed directly to the orichalcum processing stage. Since neither Viola nor Princess Elham had experience with additional enhancement equipment for staves, they said they were doing a lot of trial and error based on my requests—specifically, my opinion that we shouldn’t significantly alter the balance, length, or overall feel during use.

“I hope the processing goes well.”

When Ashley gently stroked Ouroboros’s head where it hung on the wall, Ouroboros also made a small sound in its throat.

“Yeah. Ouroboros seems enthusiastic too.”

While we were talking like this, the room door was knocked.

“I’ve brought Grand Duke Debonnis.”

“Yes. Please show him in.”

Responding to the lady-in-waiting’s voice, the door opened and Grand Duke Debonnis entered the room.

“Ah, Grand Duke.”

Following my greeting, everyone else also stood up and bowed to Grand Duke Debonnis.

“I heard about the nightmare incident. Along with your task in Baharzad, I’m most relieved you’re safe, Ambassador. My apologies for not being able to meet with you until now.”

“Not at all. On the contrary, we’re indebted to you for when we headed to Baharzad. The letter you endorsed was extremely helpful.”

“That’s good to hear. I heard from His Majesty that you seem to have built good relations with the nomads as well. For my part, I can have expectations for stabilized public order and future trade.”

After first expressing thanks for the letter, Grand Duke Debonnis smiled quietly and said that while bowing. Next, I introduced Princess Elham and Forset’s group to the Grand Duke.

“Her Highness Elham of the Kingdom of Baharzad, and as representatives of former Nahalbia Kingdom affiliates, Forset-sama. Similarly, these three are Sion, Marceska, and Sigritta.”

“Pleased to meet you, Grand Duke Debonnis. We’ve exchanged greetings several times in letters, but it’s an honor to meet you directly like this. I am Elham Baharzad. I’ve come to the Kingdom of Verdugal as a representative of my father, Farid Baharzad.”

“I’ve come from the town called Halvaronis. My name is Forset Frestina. While Halvaronis is a somewhat special town, you might consider it positioned as a hidden village of Nahalbia.”

Nahalbia is currently incorporated into Baharzad, but whether in terms of location or residents, Halvaronis holds a rather unique position.

Baharzad’s stability is connected to Halvaronis’s stability as well, so Forset probably also desires good relations with the Grand Duke.

“P-pleased to meet you.”

The three—Sion and the others—also greeted Grand Duke Debonnis, though with somewhat nervous expressions. Seeing their demeanor, the Grand Duke’s expression softened slightly as if finding it endearing, then he turned back to Princess Elham and Forset and said:

“How courteous of you. I too hope to maintain a long-lasting relationship with His Majesty Farid, so I look forward to our continued association.”

“Yes, Grand Duke Debonnis.”

“Regarding the detailed circumstances of Nahalbia and Halvaronis… since His Majesty likely knows what needs to be known, this isn’t the place for me to deliberately inquire. However, if Forset-dono and your companions intend to walk forward together with Baharzad from now on, then we should be able to join hands.”

“Likewise, we look forward to working with you.”

Hmm. So with this, the greetings to Grand Duke Debonnis were complete, I suppose. After Princess Elham and Forset finished their greetings, Marlene went before the Grand Duke, gathered the hem of her skirt, and bowed. The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes as if looking at something dazzling and nodded.

And then… just as we’d caught our breath, Grand Duke Debonnis said:

“Now then… My apologies for the haste. I can’t keep Duke Driscoll waiting too long. I must go meet with His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and then the Duke.”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

While everyone would attend the celebration banquet, only I would be present as an observer at the reconciliation meeting. Since Grand Duke Debonnis was meeting with King Melvin and Duke Driscoll, that meant I would accompany the Grand Duke. Following the Grand Duke, I stood up, and before leaving the room, I turned back to everyone.

“Well then, I’ll be off for a bit.”

“Yes. See you later. I don’t think the reconciliation opposition will make a move now, but it’s reassuring in various ways having Theodore along.”

“That’s right. Take care, Theodore.”

Rosemary and Claudia smiled slightly.

“I hope the reconciliation goes well.”

Grace smiled and saw me off.

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“Take care, Theodore-sama.”

Nodding at Ashley’s words, I nodded back as if returning a smile to Marlene who was looking my way. Then I left the room.

Well, not only with Duke Driscoll, but I also thought there was no need to worry about Grand Duke Debonnis.

How should I describe Grand Duke Debonnis when he faced Marlene earlier… Yes, he gave the impression of a grandfather looking at his granddaughter.

Of course, he was undoubtedly strict, but compared to when I’d met him before, his demeanor—or rather, the way he composed his expression—seemed softer. His reaction when seeing Sion and the others was similar too.

Perhaps after confiding his true feelings to Marlene, the Grand Duke might be undergoing various positive changes.