Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3: In Order to Change the Future
”Rosalind-ojou-sama! Aah, wait!”
Reincarnation year 1. I threw out my embroidery and escaped from the room. The governess and maids chased after me, but I skillfully scattered them and headed toward my destination.
”Geez! As it is even though I'm on the watch out for my disastrous future, I don't need to do things like small embroidery!”
Once I couldn't see my pursuers' figures, I spoke bitterly alone.
”Now, I'll head to where onii-sama is.”
The Stanley marquis family's residence was constructed in the middle of a fortress. Within the castle called Stanley Castle, there were buildings other than the residence: the employee quarters, training grounds, library, workshop, jail, arena, and other facilities.
”Because it's uselessly big, I often got lost. But after spending a year, I of course got used to it.”
Marquis Stanley's territory, the Arch Territory, was on the border facing the Kingdom of Valhalla. Thus, the Stanley marquis family was uniquely allowed to have a military force.
The chivalric order called the Arch Knight Order was its representative. It was made of mostly infantry, archers, and cavalry (horses・winged dragons). Although mostly filled with people from the knight cla.s.s, in times of emergency, civilian conscriptions and mercenaries were also accepted. Apparently, commoners who earned merits of war were appointed the one generation long aristocratic peerage of knight.
Onii-sama received education and combat training from the Arch Knight Order inside the castle. On the other hand, I, the little sister, learned embroidery, painting, music, and language studies as well as household affairs――wholly a lady's education so to speak.
Frankly speaking, I didn't find it agreeable with my nature. The Rosalind who had been an archetypal n.o.ble lady had followed the road to a disastrous fate. Therefore, I wanted not to have a lady's education but to receive equal education with my brother to become strong.
”Onii-sama~!”
When I rushed to the training grounds where onii-sama was receiving swordsmans.h.i.+p instruction, it just so happened that they seemed to be on break. Onii-sama scooped me up in his arms.
”Rosalin! You went against your instructions and came here today again? This kid can't be helped!”
”But I was bored!”
”What were you doing today? Painting? Embroidery? You're really bad at staying in your room obediently!”
”It's better if I train together with onii-sama! Even indoors, I prefer studying with onii-sama!”
”Even though you're a girl, you're interested in combat and military affairs. If you're like this, you won't be able to be a wife.”
”That's fine!”
Although onii-sama spoke as if scolding me, he didn't turn me over. Thinking about the future, rather than receiving a lady's education, I wanted to do practical things.
”Hey, onii-sama. I want to become onii-sama's strength. I'll study and train a lot. It's my dream to be useful to onii-sama in the future. I won't get married!”
”Geez, my goodness, what a troublesome girl.”
Though he said that, my brother's face was affectionate. If I earnestly requested to him, I generally won; he allowed me to accompany him in his studies and training. My parents didn't seem like they would be willing, but with onii-sama's persuasion, they came around and ultimately gave in.
”Randolph-sama, the break is over. Will Rosalind-sama also be receiving instruction? Then please use this fake sword.”
”Thank you!”
The instructor, an old knight, was completely accustomed to me, so he had prepared a fake sword matching my size. On that day as well I received training to the point that I couldn't lift my shoulders. After training, I washed off my sweat in the bath and had dinner. Returning to my bedroom, I slept like a log.
Today was cla.s.sroom learning. I was studying history, geography, culture, international affairs, military affairs, and sometimes economics in the library.
”The Kingdom of Amelia has a history of 200 years. It is a feudal kingdom with a large territory where there are feudal lords below the king. Under the aristocracy are the knights followed by the many commoners.”
”A feudal kingdom?”
”The king and feudal lord's give and take relations.h.i.+p makes up the kingdom's form. The king gives protection to all of the feudal lords, and in exchange, the feudal lords swear an oath of allegiance to the king. Under a large feudal lord, there are numerous aristocrats and knights who bear the responsibility of the territory's management and armaments.
”Huh. It's different from an absolute monarchy?”
”An absolute monarchy's king has greater power and jurisdiction than that of a feudal kingdom. There is greater centralization of power. Our neighboring Kingdom of Valhalla is an absolute monarchy.”
When I quietly asked onii-sama beside me about things I was curious about, the old teacher who was our instructor lightly cleared his throat.
”The Amelia royal family is the descendants of an ancient magic empire. They are of the few existing magic users.”