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“I’m sorry, what matters did you want to discuss?”
“The political situation at the capital. I want to know about the current status of the royal family or any of the nobles’ movements. You must have investigated, yes?”
“Yes, we have been investigating as per the general’s order, but… Why… are you curious about that…?”
“It’s my job to meet the prince or the other nobles–I shouldn’t make any mistakes.”
An incredibly normal answer–the deputy chancellor felt even more as if he had fallen into an alternate reality. There’s no way an idiot like him would say something so common sensical.
The deputy chancellor’s bewilderment was almost unnoticeable, hidden by the deep exhaustion that lined his face. So, without much further thought, Luisen asked, “Tell me about the royal family first. How is his majesty doing? I had only heard that there was an emergency.”
“I believe it’s likely that he’s still alive as there have been no messengers sent to the duchy.”
“‘Likely,’ hmm. Do you not know the exact happenings within the castle?”
“Yes. When the first prince seized control of the palace, the internal personnel employed there changed a lot. Our informants planted there seem to have been dealt with.”
“Is that so … I expected the first prince and the nobles who supported him to gain the upper hand. Then, there must be disadvantages to our side, yes?”
“That’s likely the case… But, if they don’t want to turn the South into an enemy, they won’t be able to directly persecute us.”
The conversation seemed to flow naturally, but the deputy chancellor was surprised every time Luisen opened his mouth. This was something someone would say if they were interested in the world’s political state and happenings, but the person speaking was Luisen!
‘Am I really talking about politics so ordinarily with my Duke? Is this really reality?’ he thought.
Luisen had always taken for granted everything the vassals had taken care of; for his entire life, he had ignored disputes that had taken place right next to him, in neighboring districts, as if they were someone else’s business. He was so passive that others often cut him out of the process, nor did he ever ask questions or try to learn more.
‘This person… is he really the duke I know?’
The deputy chancellor examined Luisen’s face. He had served the meritorious ducal family for years, and his forefathers had served the family for generations. He originally had worked in the duchy before following Luisen when the young lord came to the capital. The deputy chancellor had watched the young lord closely all his life; the beautiful face that others couldn’t help but revere seemed almost ordinary to him at this point. The young lord’s delicate appearance, which looked somewhat nobly arrogant, was the same as it had been a few months ago.
However, something about Luisen’s face felt unfamiliar. Ever since yesterday, when Luisen appeared on horseback and approached them, this feeling hadn’t disappeared.
The deputy chancellor soon realized why that was the case: Luisen’s aura was completely different.
Previously, Luisen was lethargic and listless, as if he had no expectations in life. There were many people who admired that aura, as it exuded an almost unrealistically noble demeanor, but, from a vassal’s viewpoint, that sort of attitude wasn’t reliable nor satisfactory.
As the owner of the golden fields, he should exude steadfastness, an unshakeable sense of stability. He should be like a tree standing tall upon this earth, providing merciful shade from the cruel, hot sun. The vassals of the Anies duchy could believe in *that* Luisen and follow him anywhere. What could the vassals strive for with a listless lord?
However, Luisen’s current appearance was exactly the opposite of the Luisen the deputy chancellor remembered. Luisen’s two pupils sparkled vividly with passion, and his expression was lively. His gaze was direct, and his words were filled with strength, conveying a strong sense of self-confidence within. There was some nervousness about his current situation, but he was not afraid; rather, he was confident, as if he knew what needed to be done.
How could a person become so different in just a few months?
‘It’s not a Duke; He’s a different person…No, that’s impossible.’ The deputy chancellor quickly retracted his momentary doubts.
A face like Luisen’s could not have a twin in this world. The deputy chancellor, who often lamented Luisen’s folly, had to acknowledge the young lord’s face.
‘If he’s not another person, then he’s really changed…’
The deputy chancellor had heard what had happened in the duchy. In fact, the general sent a letter, which declared that the young lord had changed; the old man made a fuss like a normal elderly person boasting about his grandchildren. Furthermore, the deputy chancellor had also heard rumors that Luisen helped the people of this land by posing as a pilgrim.
The deputy chancellor had not believed any of it. Although the general deserved respect for his shrewdness and competence, the older man tended to overestimate the young lord’s strengths and magnify his good qualities. Just like a parent would with their unruly child.
And, rumors were historically unreliable, and the deputy chancellor thought the duchy may have exaggerated the news for positive propaganda. Above all, the deputy chancellor was privy to Luisen’s scoundrel days; the young lord was too chaotic for him to believe in such hearsay.
However, if he carefully observed the young lord’s behavior since he returned to the mansion, he couldn’t help but admit that the young lord was almost unrecognizable from his old, trashy self.
The old Luisen would never have gathered the household staff and treated them to dinner and consoled them for the hardships that they had suffered. Similarly, he would have never sought the office and been curious about the current political situation. In the past, it would have been unimaginable to even think that Luisen would think for himself and make any effort.
‘Mmm… Fine. He’s changed, somewhat.’
The deputy chancellor still did not believe that Luisen could have accomplished so much by himself, but he had to admit that so many things had happened.
‘I guess it was time for this rascal to come to his senses. I’m just glad he won’t cause any more accidents in the future.’
The deputy chancellor’s impression of the young lord’s change amounted to about that much.
People don’t change easily, and their determination can quickly weaken. Although the young lord showed a different side of himself upon returning home, he could still revert to his old ways.
Even if Luisen truly reflected on his past, he was still Luisen. Just because he was now a reformed rascal, it doesn’t mean that all missteps he had made will disappear, nor does it make unfavorable circumstances suddenly become better. It does not wipe away the karma that had already accumulated. An incapable person who suddenly changes their mind won’t gain newfound abilities.
For those reasons, the deputy chancellor acknowledged the young lord’s changes but still held no expectations.
***
After a long conversation with the deputy chancellor, Luisen went to meet Carlton. The mercenary was warming up by swinging his sword in the training field behind the mansion, sweating profusely despite the cold weather. Thanks to his excessive perspiration, his damp tunic clung to his body, revealing a well-muscled torso. The passing maids and Luisen paused, admiring the sight.
“My Duke!” Carlton smiled brightly when he noticed Luisen. A sigh of admiration escaped from someone in the audience. Although the mercenary didn’t often draw attention with his face–as his physique was so outstanding and his expression was so gruff; most people didn’t realize, but Carlton was also a handsome man who could turn heads on the street.
“Are you done with your conversation?”
When Carlton ran to him like a water buffalo–eyes focused only on him–Luisen smiled, satisfied. “Yes. At least, for now. According to the deputy chancellor, the duchy’s messenger is likely to arrive in the evening. Since the general must have prepared something, I decided to postpone our business until after receiving the messenger.”
“Then, you have time to play with me, now?” Carlton smiled gently as he took the young lord’s hands.
Time? If Luisen didn’t have any, he would have stolen hours from somewhere to make himself available. He nodded enthusiastically.
Carlton quickly went to his room to wash off his sweat and change clothes. Since there was still time until lunch, Luisen held Carlton’s hand and wandered around the mansion. Thanks to the small number of staff working in the mansion, the corridors were empty, and the two of them were not disturbed wherever they went.
Whenever Luisen discovered a room where precious items were stored, he picked the best trinket and placed it in Carlton’s pocket. A potion blessed by a fairy, a dagger said to be one of the last remaining works by a legendary blacksmith, a jeweled ring large enough to be used as a weapon, etc.
The capital mansion’s warehouse overflowed with precious items, and there was no one to stop the out-of-control Luisen, who was in a rush to supply Carlton with anything good. Carlton played along for a bit, but he finally cried out when the young lord wasn’t satisfied with filling the mercenary’s pockets and was beginning to adorn his neck and arms with jewels. “Stop–that’s enough. If you give me more than this, I’ll have to carry them in a sack.”
“Ah–should I call for a servant?”
“I’m saying, this is enough.”
“What a shame–there’s still more warehouses and storage rooms left.”
“It’s really fine, so please rest.” Carlton sat on a sofa in the hallway and dragged Luisen on top of his lap. Luisen didn’t resist and snuggled into Carlton’s embrace.
“I don’t think I could buy any of these things with money even if I wanted to–are you sure you can just give me them all?”
“I’m merely giving you items I own–who would say anything against that? It’s not as if I’m buying something new to give to you; we’re merely playing around in the warehouses. They all belong to you.” Just by being in Carlton’s embrace, Luisen felt as if he could buy a mansion, but he tried to be nonchalant.
“Your duchy is amazing indeed. Honestly… until now, I did wonder what made your household different from other nobles’ households,” Carlton said.
“I told you, didn’t I? We’re experiencing a temporary setback right now–we’ll recover soon. I talked to the deputy chancellor, and our outlook is bright.” Speaking of which, Luisen began to inform Carlton of his conversation with the deputy chancellor. Carlton may as well know what the situation inside the capital was like.
“I don’t know about the first prince, but the nobles under his wing won’t look favorably upon his once enemy, Duke Anies.” Carlton sharply pointed out.
“I’m sure my authority will be restrained, but they can’t openly attack a Great Lord’s household and authority. The other Great Lords wouldn’t just sit back and watch–it’s in their best interests to uphold precedent for their authority and mine.”
“I suppose that is true.”
“But, there’s something bothering me: Count Doubless.  I was informed that he was currently enjoying the highest prestige in the capital right now.”
The count himself wasn’t a particularly impressive man in Luisen’s memory, but he loathed to let matter pass. After all, Cullen1 had met the demon worshiper in Count Doubless’s territory, and it was there that Ruger took Luisen on the night of his ill-fated midnight escape.
Luisen asked, “The count has the full support of the first prince and was entrusted with all sorts of business. He’s apparently the de facto right-hand-man. Was their relationship always like that?”
“No. Until I left the capital, he never held that kind of position. He had some reputation for being faithful but, as a noble from the South, it was difficult for him to obtain an important position.”
Carlton recalled how nobles from the South tended to be excluded from key positions, even if they were loyal and devoted to the first prince, since Luisen had openly sided with the second Prince.
“Thanks to that, the aristocrats from the South were generally united around Count Doubless; a few people wondered if he was aiming to become the leader of the Southern faction.”
“Come to think of it, I heard a rumor before I left the duchy. Apparently, the Southern nobles at the capital were moving in some strange yet significant manner.”
Luisen’s ominous hunch that the Count was a demon worshiper was becoming more believable.