MLIIWTFL Chapter 205

 205

—Originally, I was only hoping to stir up enough suspicion that the culprit might be the Wallace County family, just enough to keep the old nobles from uniting their opinions. But thanks to the added issue of hereditary official positions being challenged, everything got a whole lot easier.

"Because the ones who can truly make important decisions are outside of high society. If we wanted to draw their attention to this matter, just turning it into gossip wasn’t going to cut it."

—You risked turning the old nobles with government posts into enemies for that?

"Father said His Majesty would likely keep an eye on that part to some extent. Was that an accurate judgment?"

Although the House of Count Sharon is a powerful high-ranking noble family, it has never involved itself in politics. Occasionally, Patrick may speak about economic policies at the gentlemen's club, but even then, his interest is limited strictly to matters concerning the jewelry industry.

Of course, the family is highly sensitive when it comes to protecting its own interests and, as nobles, they do not shy away from retaliating when necessary. However, they never interfere in power struggles or political disputes that do not directly affect them or their business.

Because of this, even high-ranking officials from the royal administration, including the Chancellor, as well as the Speaker of the House of Nobles, old aristocrats, and members of the emerging nobility, all set politics aside when attending gatherings hosted by the Sharon family, treating one another simply as fellow guests.

From the royal family’s perspective, having such a household proves quite convenient. That’s why Patrick assumed that if Matthias were truly competent, he wouldn’t carelessly discard the advantages the House of Sharon provides.

Fortunately, Patrick’s assumption turned out to be correct. The judges selected for Count Wallace’s trial were all experienced in handling politically sensitive cases, and importantly, had no conflicting interests with the Sharon family.

—If you were expecting them to give a ruling favorable to House Sharon, then yes, that makes sense. And with Sir Achilles Averil securing the most crucial position of Knight Commander, and with Marquess Wade doing quite a bit of maneuvering, any emotional issues aside, the speculation that House Sharon might enter politics has been put to rest, hasn’t it? I’d say that’s not a bad outcome for the Lady, either.

Marquess Wade explained to the nobles who were sensitive about the issue of hereditary government positions that House Sharon’s true motive was nothing more than retaliating for the false accusations against Letticia.

He emphasized that the reason they challenged the hereditary post was simply because they wanted Count Wallace removed from his position as the commander of the knight order and that they didn’t care in the slightest who would take over once he was gone.

Thanks to this explanation, the old nobles, who had been on edge, thinking their vested interests were under attack, quickly calmed down and shifted their stance to support Count Wallace’s dismissal. Their wariness that House Sharon might use this incident as a stepping stone into politics also subsided.

But Letticia couldn’t help but feel frustrated. In the end, it felt like they had taken all the risks while Matthias got all the benefits.

"Even so, I hope you’ll at least acknowledge that we were walking a very fine line this time. Our family’s longstanding policy has been to stay out of politics, and that’s not something we can just overturn at His Majesty’s word."

—…The Empress summoned me and spoke about that matter.

There was a strange tension in Matthias’s voice as he spoke the word 'Empress.' Sensing something ominous, Letticia pretended not to notice and quietly waited for him to go on.

—It’s unfortunate that House Sharon’s influence can’t be leveraged more… but if it’s going to displease Her Majesty, then unless something like this happens again, there won’t be any reason to summon the Lady. So don’t worry unnecessarily.

"I am simply overwhelmed by Your Highness’s boundless grace."

Letticia lowered her head smoothly. Apparently, Matthias didn’t want to dwell on the topic either, because he changed the subject.

—And, since you carried out my instructions well, I suppose I should show my gratitude. If you have a request, speak it.

Letticia’s mind went blank for a moment, she hadn’t expected a reward.

A request? From Matthias?

'Should I ask him not to exploit Ez in the future? Or maybe tell him not to do anything crazy if he falls for Ariette?'

Either way, asking now would sound utterly insane.

But missing this opportunity would be even dumber.

So Letticia decided to take the plunge and go for it.

"Nothing comes to mind immediately. But… could Your Highness provide written confirmation that I’ll have the right to make a request in the future?"

—…Are you trying to get some kind of immunity certificate? You’re not planning to commit a crime, are you?

Matthias’s expression, cold just moments ago, was now mixed with disbelief and caution. But Letticia wasn’t fazed and responded even more shamelessly.

"Of course not. I’m terribly timid and fainthearted, you see. Words alone aren’t enough to reassure me, I just want to have something in writing to feel at ease."

—I’ve never heard of a fainthearted lady who has the guts to ask the Crown Prince for a written contract, but… since it’s coming from you, I’ll allow it. I’ll have it sent through Sir Bright later.

Matthias let out a disbelieving snort but didn’t take offense.

Then the communicator returned to Ezkhiel, whose face had gone completely pale. Wanting to ease his worry, Letticia smiled even brighter on purpose.

"Ez, come to think of it, you’re the one who investigated the judges, right? Father and Uncle asked me to thank you on their behalf."

—Letty...!

Ezkhiel's eyes were filled with anger as he glared at her for making such a bold request of Matthias. But Letticia had no intention of backing down. This was necessary for his future.

'If Matthias starts doing something crazy, I need to get Ez out of there.'

In the unfolding events, relying on the Empress alone wouldn’t be enough to save Ezkhiel. In the original story, Matthias’s relationship with the Empress wasn’t good, and the imperial family had little influence. So, it would be difficult to stop Matthias with only the Empress’s support.

Fortunately, when Letticia asked for a favor, Matthias didn’t specify the exact limits of what she could ask for, so she intended to make the most of it within those boundaries. With that, she might be able to avoid the worst of the situation, even if it meant asking for Ezkhiel’s resignation in the worst case.

But Letticia didn’t explain this to Ezkhiel. Instead, she skillfully redirected his attention and encouraged him.

"Are the preparations for the succession ceremony going well? After that, you must come to our house. There’s so much to talk about, and I have a lot I want to say to you."

The Bright family’s succession ceremony was scheduled just a few days later. It was set in haste to avoid attention from the ongoing Wallace Count issue, according to the Bright brothers' plan.

Fortunately, when Ezkhiel started thinking about the upcoming event, he seemed to get lost in thought and didn’t press her any further.

—...Yes. Once everything is done, we’ll talk.

It’s not like he forgot about it and let it slide, though.

***

At the back door of the Bright family’s mansion, a cart loaded with luggage and a coach for passengers were both parked. The luggage cart left first, and several knights stood guard around the passenger coach, keeping watch. The coach’s window was small, barely enough to see a face, and it had a unique structure with an outside handle.

"Open this door at once! What do you think you’re doing, you scoundrels?! Do you really think you’ll get away with locking up a noble?!"

Baron Bright was shouting loudly and banging on the door. Inside the small coach, he was alone without any servants, and no matter how much he twisted the handle, it wouldn’t open.

On the morning of the much-awaited succession ceremony, he had woken up not in his own bed but inside this strange coach, dressed in shabby clothes that looked like something a commoner might wear.

Confused and unable to understand what was happening, he continued pounding on the door, yelling for help. But no one seemed to be around, and there was no response from outside.

After several hours of this, a small window on the coach opened.

The moment the window opened, Baron Bright, who had been about to pounce, froze in shock at the sight of the person on the other side.

"Ezkhiel! What is going on here? Is this your doing?"

"…I see you’re awake."

Dressed in a calm, green suit, Ezkhiel looked at his father with a blank expression and then instructed the others around him.

"Step back for a moment."

The coachman moved aside, and the knights also stepped back, staying at a distance where the conversation couldn’t be overheard.

Ezkhiel gazed at his father, who was now visible through the small window. The Baron’s face, barely recognizable with unkempt facial hair, and his disheveled clothes, made him look like a fallen noble, something unusual for a man who usually demanded his servants keep his appearance tidy.

"Ezkhiel, what on earth are you doing? Why can’t you get me out of here? Are you trying to ruin your brother’s glorious position?"

"…The succession ceremony is already over, Father."

Ezkhiel clenched his trembling hand tightly as he responded.