67: “Acting Lord”
The capital city of Vandergant, also called Vandergant, was a fortress city.
Long ago, Vandergant referred only to this city and its surrounding area; the Vanderwaals family didn’t possess the vast territory it controlled now.
It was a remnant of a time when small city-states dotted the land.
While the kind of wars that necessitated city walls hadn’t occurred in Eustasia for a hundred years, it remained a well-maintained, functioning fortress city, the administrative center of our territory.
Leticia gazed at the cityscape through the carriage window, fascinated by the unfamiliar sights.
The streets were narrower and more winding than in the capital, the buildings taller. While there were plans to relocate some facilities outside the city walls, they were still in the planning stages.
As a result, with the advancement of construction technology, buildings had been expanded upwards to create more space, leading some to derisively refer to the more convoluted districts as labyrinths.
Even so, the area around the central square was open, offering a view of the clear, deep blue summer sky.
The good weather had been a major factor in our smooth journey.
I was glad we had arrived before nightfall.
The lord’s mansion also faced the central square.
It was larger than our main residence, but that was because it wasn’t a private residence.
Two long banner flags bearing our family crest—the Vanderwaals gecko—hung on either side of the gate, proclaiming the identity of the lord.
The carriage slowly entered the mansion grounds.
“Welcome home, Lady Adelheid!” The guards, dressed in red formal attire, helmets on their heads and halberds in hand, greeted us as we stepped out of the carriage. Their greeting was warm.
I had been visiting every year since I was a child, so I knew most of them.
Lately, even the guards at the Royal Castle had been greeting me with a similar warmth.
“I’m home. …Some of you may have heard the rumors, but I’ve brought my sister with me this year.”
“I’m… Leticia… I’m still inexperienced, but please treat me kindly.”
It sounded like a bridal greeting.
The heartwarming atmosphere was… well, I supposed it was fine.
This was my territory. Vanderwaals territory—which meant, it was Leticia’s territory. It was good that the future lord was received warmly.
“If it pleases you, I’d like to hear more later. About the territory, about Elder Sister, and such.”
“Of course… if you don’t mind.”
The elderly captain of the guard, with a red plume on his helmet, nodded firmly.
Then, he looked at me.
“That’s… acceptable. —But go easy on the badmouthing.”
A ripple of laughter went through the guards.
They seemed to think it was a joke.
I was actually hoping they would tell her all about my bad reputation, but saying that would probably make them think I was joking even more.
“I’ll leave the horses, carriage, and luggage to you.”
“Certainly.”
I left the rest to the coachman and the stable hands at the mansion.
I entered the mansion, which I hadn’t seen in a year, with Ciel and Leticia.
In the drawing-room of the lord’s mansion—the grandest of the several reception rooms—we were greeted respectfully by an elderly woman.
“Welcome, Lady Adelheid. Everything is in order.”
“That’s good to hear. It’s been a while, Judith.”
Judith, her white hair tied back and wearing a simple, elegant purple dress, was the Acting Lord.
“It’s a pleasure to see you. …And is this… Lady Leticia?”
Her gaze shifted to my sister, who was standing behind me.
“Yes. You recognized her?”
“Of course. …She has the Vanderwaals blood.”
A smile spread across Judith’s face, crinkling the laugh lines around her eyes.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, Lady Leticia. ――I am Judith, Acting Lord of Vandergant. I have served the Vanderwaals family since the previous generation.”
One of the ‘assets’ I had inherited.
An important cog in the intricate, cold machinery of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”
She had been the Acting Lord of Vandergant since I was a child.
The fact that she, after Ciel, recognized Leticia as a Vanderwaals relative warmed my heart.
I turned to my sister, and our eyes met.
She smiled faintly, and I reflexively smiled back—then quickly turned my gaze back to Judith.
Why was I smiling? Idiot.
Even though Judith wasn’t even mentioned in [Moonlight Liberium] and wasn’t involved in any [Events], I was letting my guard down too much.
We were offered seats on a leather sofa, and Leticia and I sat down side by side. Ciel remained standing, positioned slightly behind us.
Judith sat down slowly opposite us, across the heavy wooden coffee table.
I composed myself and addressed her as the lord.
“—Anything unusual to report?”
“His Royal Highness, the First Prince, is here.”
“Prince… Konrad… is here?”
I knew that.
That was how it was in [Moonlight Liberium].
“It seems to be an inspection. Unofficial, but a messenger was sent in advance to prevent any… incidents.”
“I see.”
I wondered if it was appropriate to announce an unofficial inspection… but judging by the personnel involved, it wasn’t a serious matter.
Our family hadn’t done anything to harm the kingdom. While the royal family also had their “shadows,” their scale was insignificant compared to ours.
I could leave matters outside the [Events] to her without any problems.
“We’ve received a request from the Royal Medical Corps to visit the herb garden. I granted permission within my authority.”
“That’s fine. I approve.”
The Vanderwaals were arguably the most knowledgeable family, the most knowledgeable organization, about poisons on the continent.
While we had been more discreet recently, we had a vast repertoire of poisons, from assassination poisons to sleeping draughts and truth serums… We were users, victims, attackers, and defenders.
Hence the nickname, “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”
However, as I had demonstrated with Leticia, sleeping draughts could also be used as sedatives. Anesthetics used in surgery were also a type of poison—indeed, the line between poison and medicine was thin.
While we didn’t officially sell poisons, antidotes—cures—were valuable commodities.
When it came to the price of life, most sums seemed small.
More simply, mild remedies, like herbal medicines, were also our specialty.
Herbal candies, herbal teas, herbal liqueurs… our years of experience had yielded a variety of safe and effective remedies that enriched lives.
We also supplied various medicines and ingredients to the Royal Medical Corps; we had close ties with them.
“The joint training exercise between the Eustasia Knights and the Vandergant Territorial Army is scheduled as planned.”
“Yes. I will be attending.”
I was the head of the Vanderwaals family, the lord of Vandergant.
I held ultimate authority over both administrative and military matters.
However, just as I usually left administrative matters to Judith, the Acting Lord, the territorial army also had an Acting Commander, so it wasn’t strictly necessary for the lord to attend.
Even so, my father had always attended the annual exercises.
And this year, it was a large-scale joint exercise. I couldn’t miss it.
The Eustasia Knights held joint training exercises with the territorial armies of other territories on a rotating basis every year.
Of course, the primary purpose was to strengthen cooperation in case of emergencies… but it was also a way to keep the great nobles in check.
Officially, the Kingdom of Eustasia was a unified nation. However, in reality, the nobles who ruled each territory held considerable power, especially the ducal families.
Well, there were no fools currently considering rebellion, since remaining part of the kingdom was more beneficial.
Besides, this country was founded by our ancestors. It was the country I was born and raised in.
…I was… attached to it.
A unified Eustasia benefited the most people.
The territorial inspection. The visit to the herb garden. The joint training exercise.
Each one was a minor, annual… ‘event.’
But this year, they were [Events] that could influence the future of this country.
Prince Konrad, Chief Physician Louis, and Knight Commander Felix, all conveniently gathered in one place—as if guided by fate.
I glanced at Leticia.
…Who would my sister—the [Protagonist]—choose from the three [Capture Targets]?
I pushed aside my curiosity about my sister’s love life and turned my attention back to Judith.
I was the current head of the Vanderwaals family.
“For now, let’s hear the reports for the period I’ve been away. …Leticia, why don’t you go explore the town?”
Prince Konrad and Leticia were supposed to meet in town.
I wasn’t sure if she would definitely meet the other two, aside from Knight Commander Felix, during this event. While I didn’t quite understand her feelings for Konrad, if fate was on our side, they would meet.
But then Judith interjected.
“There are no urgent reports. Since this is Lady Leticia’s first time in Vandergant, perhaps you should show her around, Lady Adelheid?”
She had a point.
“There’s no need for such formalities…”
However, there was no scenario where the protagonist and the villainous sister strolled through town together… I was about to refuse with a sarcastic laugh.
But then…
“I would be happy to accompany you, Elder Sister.”
Leticia’s shy smile was too adorable.
“…We’ll just take a short walk. We’ll be back before nightfall.”
“Okay!”
This was to give her an opportunity to meet Konrad.
It was according to the scenario, within the performer’s discretion. No problem.
I told myself that, justifying my weakness.
“It’s a good opportunity for you to see the territory firsthand after such a long time. —Ciel.”
“Yes, Judith.”
Ciel bowed respectfully.
Judith was one of her teachers.
While they were close, they were currently speaking as the Acting Lord and the assistant head of the family.
“You will accompany them. I entrust Lady Adelheid and Lady Leticia to your care.”
“Yes. You can count on me.”
Ciel bowed impeccably, hands clasped before her, and Judith smiled and nodded in satisfaction.
Judith had once boasted, when Ciel wasn’t around, that Ciel was the most promising student she had ever taught.
It was the same smile she had worn then.
While they usually interacted professionally, she was clearly fond of her protégé.
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