FCHTIB Chapter 33

[What? Well, of course, that's because...]

"You're trying to say that she's irresponsibly running away because the burden is too heavy for her, right? But isn't that a rather reckless assumption?"

[You're pretty amusing, little lady. Are you claiming you know Delica better than me, her childhood friend?]

"That's not what I meant. But Master Paulton, you haven't seen the Lady in a long time, have you? You probably don't even know what she's been through in the meantime."

[.....]

At the Magic Tower, mages undergo long-term training in isolation from society to develop their skills.

Paulton, who had recently earned the title of Master and was named successor, had also been out of touch with Aidelica for over three years.

This wasn't covered in the original novel, and Railey herself wasn't a direct party to it, so all she could do was imagine...

Still, she was certain, Aidelica wouldn't have asked a friend she hadn't spoken to in three years to help her escape just because of some childish whim.

After all, the political landscape surrounding the Lady of the Grand Duchy had shifted drastically in those three years.

Paulton's tone suddenly changed.

[Wait... Delica, is something actually going on?]

"......"

[You said you were fine. You said your father collapsing didn't affect you much...]

Aidelica bit her lip hard.

Railey immediately sensed the emotions in her expression.

'Shame...?'

The Lady quickly composed herself and raised her head with dignity.

"I'll tell you the reason. But this must remain a secret."

"Yes, of course. I'll keep it secret."

[You think I wouldn't keep it a secret? Of course you should've told me first! I'm kinda hurt, you know.]

Though Paulton's tone was light, a trace of disappointment could be heard.

At the same time, his gentle tone seemed to be his way of making it easier for his friend to share something painful.

Upon hearing him, Aidelica's expression grew darker. She bit her lip again before speaking.

"...My mother recently ordered me to proceed with marriage. She told me it was for the best."

[What? But noble families like yours usually arrange marriages after adulthood!]

"Of course, it's not like a marriage happens overnight. It'll probably be scheduled to proceed after a few years of preparation, once I become an adult."

Railey felt something was off.

Marriage arrangements weren't unusual.

Even she herself had married into the Elestine family at a young age.

Aidelica, who was highly likely to become the next Grand Duke, would surely have been mentally prepared for marriage from a long time ago.

Sure, her feelings might have changed, maybe she didn't want to get married anymore.

But even so, to go so far as to flee in the night… that was extreme. It didn't make sense, logically.

At that moment, Paulton spoke in a low voice.

[...Delica.]

"……"

[First of all, I owe you an apology. I assumed you were just overwhelmed and wanted a short vacation or something. I'm sorry.]

He apologized honestly. It seemed that when he had spoken casually about her escape, he had thought it was just a brief impulse that would pass if she cleared her head.

Aidelica shook her head and accepted his apology.

"...There's nothing to apologize for. I deliberately avoided explaining the situation, so it's only natural you'd misunderstand."

[But Delica... I still have questions.]

His tone was full of concern, yet also calmly analytical.

[You're not someone who would irresponsibly run away like this. You always said you wanted to be a good Grand Duke.]

"……"

[Is it really that serious?]

Railey agreed with Paulton's doubts. This wasn't just about refusing an arranged marriage, there had to be something more.

"Are you being forced into marriage without any regard for your own wishes, Lady?"

Aidelica gave a dry, bitter laugh.

"There's no such thing as respect in a high-ranking noble's marriage. I've never once expected it in my life."

[…]

"But... even so…"

Her eyes, which had looked faintly vulnerable, now gleamed with firm resolve.

"If my marriage is going to ruin the Grand Duchy and the Empire, then I must stop it at any cost."

"……!"

***

After the Grand Duke fell into a coma, Aidelica had already prepared herself for the political turmoil to come.

She wasn't even an adult yet, and she knew she would be swept into a storm of political power struggles.

It wasn't hard to predict that a hastily arranged marriage would be part of that.

The Grand Duchess's family didn't have much political influence, and Aidelica, being only in her mid-teens, had no real power to speak of.

In such a situation, it would have made sense to arrange a marriage with someone from a powerful faction who could help stabilize her position.

But the moment Aidelica heard the name of the man her mother wanted her to marry, she realized something was deeply wrong.

"...Duke Thosses of the Kingdom of Donovan?"

"Yes, he's an excellent young man. He may be over ten years older than you, but I believe the two of you could grow to love and care for each other deeply."

It wasn't the Duke's notorious reputation or his age difference that concerned her.

The real problem was his royal bloodline, he held a strong claim to the throne of Donovan.

The kingdom's only princess, who held the first claim to succession, was mentally unfit. That meant Duke Thosses, next in line by blood, could easily ascend to the throne if he wished.

And now, this man was allegedly giving up a near-guaranteed kingship to marry into the Empire as a consort of the Grand Duchy?

It didn't make any sense.

The underlying intention was clear...

'They'll make the princess of Donovan a puppet queen and use me to devour the Grand Duchy.'

Duke Thosses's true motive seemed to be marrying the young Lady of the Grand Duchy in order to effectively take control of the Colluima Grand Duchy.

Maybe it was just paranoia. She even hoped it was.

But no matter how she turned it over in her mind, the only outcome of marrying Duke Thosses was a dark future, for both the Grand Duchy and the Empire.

She did everything she could.

She protested to her mother, saying she didn't think this marriage was right. She even suggested finding another candidate.

But the result was the worst possible one.

Her situation deteriorated. She was put under house restriction, her residence changed, and she was isolated, left with nothing she could do.

It was a stroke of luck that the Grand Duchess, concerned with appearances during the social season, couldn't leave Aidelica in the territory and had to bring her to the capital.

There, Aidelica received a message from the one person she could confide in, Paulton, who had just completed his training and been granted the title of Master.

To her, his message felt like a final lifeline.*

***

"Right now, I can't officially visit other houses or the Imperial Palace without going through my mother."

"...So that's why you asked Paulton, the heir to the Tower Master, for help."

If she could escape the Grand Duke's estate and receive protection from the Magic Tower, a politically untouchable entity, then she might have a chance to plan her next move.

As soon as Paulton heard this, he burst out in frustration.

[Hey! Then why didn't you just say that from the start and ask me for help directly?!]

"……"

[You kept going on about wanting to get away for a while and needing a place to stay, so I thought you were just being childish…]

"I know. And I'm sorry. But…"

Aidelica hesitated and then lowered her eyes.

"...It felt awkward to be completely honest with you."

[You don't trust me?]

"No…"

Her face flushed red as she barely managed to move her lips.

"...I'm out looking for someone to marry for political reasons... and explaining that to you just felt... too pathetic."

At that moment, the communication device fell into a heavy silence, and a chilling air seemed to spread through it.