Volume 2 Chapter 13 (2/2)
”No! You can't be like that. 20 years had pa.s.sed since I've been married to you... It is impossible for me not to notice that your behavior is strange!”
She's just a wife worried about her husband from the bottom of her heart. Although one can say it was political marriage, she's a wife who comes to love and respect her husband who turned 43 years old this year, and he also loves his wife too.
”Is it because of the visitors that came today?”
The Earl who didn't show anything wrong this morning, suddenly shut himself up inside his office from the afternoon until night.
Thus it was natural for her to think that as the cause.
The earl's wife looked at his face and began to ask a question.
”By any chance... is there anything to do with the royal palace?”
Although she's a n.o.bleman's wife, a woman is someone who would not understand about a power struggle.
No, in a sense, usually women are more sensitive to this kind of things.
Much more when we talk about the life and death of the kingdom itself.
His wife who saw his att.i.tude thought that her guesses were right.
”Dear... Aren't we a married couple?... Even if I cannot help you with it, won't you share your problem with me even if it's just a little bit?”
Listening to his wife's words, his heart somehow feels relieved.
He wants someone to hear about the things that he kept inside his heart.
After all, the Earl feels anxious to the limit right now.
”I don't understand much about politics, but I don't think the princess would treat you unfairly when she wins if you help her in a time of crisis like this.”
Although she hesitated, his wife told him what she thinks after she heard the story from her husband.
”I know about that. But that is not the problem. The problem is whether the princess can win or not even with my help!”
He did not tell everything to his wife.
The fact that there's a lack of talented people among the princess’ faction.
Which means he might be able to get a good position if the princess wins.
But that is ‘if’ the princess wins.
”Dear... If that is the case then you just have to make the princess win, no?”
The Earl froze after hearing his wife's words.
”You're a smart person. I've never doubted your ability ever since I married you... I believe that you're someone who can support this Rozeria Kingdom. That's why I don't like it when I see you wavering like this! Please regain the confidence you once had! If this was 12 years ago, you wouldn't be hesitating like this! If it's the former you then...”
”The former... me...”
The Earl recalled the old him who's br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence.
Twelve years ago, at the time when Earl Bergston was still in his early 30s, he was regarded as one of the most influential people in the country.
It all crumbled down at the time when Duke Gerhardt had defeated his wife's father, Marquis Ernest, the Prime Minister of Rozeria kingdom in a political strife. Marquis Ernest’s territory was confiscated, and the family name had ceased to exist.
At that time, most of his blood relative was banished from the kingdom.
Only his wife and her sister who married into another family that was able to stay within the country.
As a result of that, Earl Bergston was kicked out from the central politics.
It was not because of his ability.
But because his wife is the daughter of their political enemies, Duke Gerhardt doesn’t want him near the central politic.
12 years since then, the Earl desperately tried to protect his territory.
He joined the neutral faction and waited for the storm to pa.s.s.
Due to playing defense all this time, Earl Bergston’s fangs have become dull.
”I won't worry much if it was the former me huh?...”
I won't be this worried.
Because I had absolute confidence in my ability.
(If myself from 12 years ago were present here, what would I do? Will I wait for Meltina-dono to come and offer me an invitation? No... I would proactively be part of the princess faction and help her highness with my strength. Will I also consider whether the princess would win or not? Stupid! If that is the case then I will just make her win with my own power!)
The words from his wife immediately made the man who had been playing defensive for the past 12 years returned to his former glory self.
His ambition and self-confidence is gradually coming back.
”I will be joining her highness the princess’ faction, glory or nothing! Naturally, your fate might also be doomed with mine... Will you stay by my side until the end?”
”Absolutely. Even if I end up with a guillotine over my neck, I will still follow you until death, my dear!”
After hearing his wife's determination, Earl Bergston finally decided.
And the Earl who has already made his decision this time won't waver.
He decided to make the princess the ruler of this kingdom with his own power, whether or not she will win does not matter anymore.
”I will immediately go to Ernan’s place. Please help me with the preparation.”
”Now?”
The wife showed a perplexed face. It's already pa.s.sed 8pm o'clock.
Even if he goes out now, it's already late.
”That's right. I've delayed answering Mikos.h.i.+ba-dono until tomorrow. But won't that be boring if I said 'Yes' to them just like that?”
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Earl Ernan Zerev.
He is a n.o.ble who owns lands bordered to Earl Bergston’s land.
And he is also the man who took the sister of Earl Bergston’s wife as his wife.
He is also part of the neutral faction, and is also being antagonized by Duke Gerhardt.
(Having me switch side from the n.o.ble faction to the princess' faction is the achievement of Mikos.h.i.+ba-dono... But having Ernan move to the princess faction will be my achievement. Beside, Ernan is my brother-in-law... He is someone whom I can trust.)
Earl Bergston, who is going to partic.i.p.ate in the princess’ faction, has regained his former vigor.
Even if Earl Bergston joins the princess’ faction, it would only end up as Ryouma's achievement.
There would be nothing to evaluate from Earl Bergston who changes side.
However, what if he brings other n.o.bles together with him?
That would be Earl Bergston’s achievement.
That's why, since he wants to secure a good position after joining the princess’ faction, he cannot afford to fail here.
”You must keep Mikos.h.i.+ba-dono entertained as much as possible tomorrow. You hear? Do not let him leave before I return!”
”I understand. Please be careful on your way.”
Seemingly happy looking at her husband who regained his former radiance, she bowed her head to her husband who leaves the house.
TLN: The day I saw side-character being so romantic compared to the main character... I giggled the entire process of translating.
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