novelBertia (11 years old)
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"Your highness, finally this day has arrived!"(Bertia)
Wearing a pure white dress, with a yellow rose on her crimson hair, bartia made a fist in front of her chest.
In her chest, the pseudo necklace coupled with a few gemstones attached to its chain are shining.
There are no one else but us both in this guest room
No to be precise there is both of her maids and Zeno stand-bying at the side, but since they are erasing their presence it may as well be only us both in this room.
"That dress really suit you lady bertia, you look fabulous"(Cecil)
"Thank you very much. That white knight uniform suits you too your highness. So that's your formal attire? ......... standing beside you I might look transparent." (Bertia)
As I compliment her attire, She looks unbelievably happy. But as she started to compare it with my attire, she started looking down.
She doesn't need to look like that though, she's pretty cute in that attire.
By the way, I wonder since when did my compliment of her appearance being [pretty] or [cute] started to came from my heart?
At least for the first time I met her, my compliment were just flattery.
When I met her the year after, her appearance changed so much that I felt like I'm looking at a different people, but it's still not as pretty as now.
As she grow up, her cheeks started to become rounder but, ... those scarless porcelain like pure white skin, red hair that shined brightly, and the slightly growing body that let make her feel womanly. Of course I know that all these are the fruit of her hardworks.
"......You become prettier" (Cecil)
I ended up repeating what I said in a small voice unconsciously.
Today at this that I feel like I noticed a new her.
She really changed...
"Did you say anything? Leaving that aside, your highness, did you want to ask any favor from me? Although now the timing is a little bad. I'm going to my commemorable social debut party now and commence my [Turning father into the dark side plan, Revenge] plan right now. Even if it's a favor from you, I don't have the extra energy to help you on anything at this important stage"(Bertia)
......correction, her inside is still in such a story state and nothing has changed.
Today, as her word implies is the once in a year party held by the royal family to comerate for younging who made their social debut.
When we attend the party, we were already recognized as a member of the social community.
Social debut are usually attended by kids around 13 - 20 years old.
The range of age attending this party is wide as there are difference in each family for preparation, the attending person's teaching or school circumstances and etc.
Lower class nobles would need to prepare quite a sum of money for their attire thus delaying their social debut. In the case of students, since students need to stay in the dorm, they are either attending the party earlier or later.
In my case, because I'm a royalty and quite a brilliant one at that, furthermore since I'll be attending the halm academy's middle school section next year, I attended my social debut right after I had my 13th birthday.
That in itself were not such a rare occurrence.
But the problem now lies in miss Bertia.
She is 2 years younger than me which is 11.
Being my fiancée, she was expected to attend with me as my partner at any occasions, but no matter how you see it it's still too early for her to do her social debut.
But since I'm going to do my debut, Bertia would need to attend the party too, as I needed a partner in this occasion.
So it came to the choice of her doing the debut earlier to become my partner, ...... or to find another lady to be my partner for this occasion.
If I had an older sister that itself wasn't a big problem, But currently in my family there is no one that could be my partner.
There is of course the choice of finding relatives to be my partner...... since it's possible to get married if our blood is too far apart, there is a high chance that it might turn troublesome.
Moreso if it's not a relatives' daughter that became my partner.
... even thinking about the possible outcome smells trouble.
If I'm still not engaged, there is still the possibility of changing partner each time in the pretense of finding the right wife, but since I have miss Bertia, I can't and don't want to do that.
Thus the my choice now is limited to ask a favor from miss bertia to do her social debut earlier and follow any mistakes that she will make or to delay my social debut until —she had reached the age of 13— I am 15.
To be honest I wanted to choose the later ones.
15 year's old debut wasn't particularly late and there should be no problem.
That only means that until I'm 15 I can't do participate in any formal work.
Its just [I want to help earlier since I'm 'brilliant'], thus even if I delay my debut there is no real disadvantage.
Thus I was thinking of waiting for her to be fully prepared
That somehow changed because miss bertia wished for it.
If she were to make her debut at the age of 11, of course I would need to follow any missed that she made but the burden on her is still bigger.
For me there is not much change in the merits and demerit.
If she wishes for it, I have no reason to decline.
...... for example, if she were to plan something that might be interesting.
"please look your highness! My plan to persuade my father has been nothing but a failure all this time but today everything will change!" (Bertia)
She struck out her fist to show her determination. I smiled while looking at her.
Come to think of it, after declaring that she will make her father take the dark path, she has been trying to achieve that non-stop until now.
That.. I feel sorry for marquiss Nochesse but it's really interesting.
"Come to think of it, a few days ago, marquis nochesse gave me [Villains 101! ~ Path of villainy from 0 ~] book that you made, I gave it a read, it's quite an interesting one "(Cecil)
"EH, , , no way! Father let you see that thing? Since when?! What have he done.... I feel embarrassed now"(Bertia)
Surprised by my words, she put her hands on both of her reddening cheeks to cover them.
That expression looks like......... — To kill some time I went to zeno's room. I didn't mean any harm but when I found a book hidden there, I read through all of them and put them tidily on top of his bed. After that he rushed to me while complaining [What have you done!? Now the cleaning maids have seen all of it!] with an embarrassed face. —Zeno's face at that time.
That time I was still young and playing pranks to kill time so I [Accidentally] did that. Now that I think about it, it's really bad to do that.
But I still think the fault lies at zeno since he let that be found.
Wouldn't putting a safe box inside the floor below the bed an obvious thing to do?
Even the key is stored at the books that's put in the bookshelf. All of this is too obvious.
It's like asking to be found.
"Marquiss nochesse has been my drinking (tea) friend lately. Sometimes after the council with my father, he would come by my place and talked a lot. At that times, the talk was about you, and he said it's a present from you so I asked him to show me." (Cecil)
To be honest, he came to my place to seek advice for miss bertia, but I didn't actually lie here.
I just didn't tell her the details that's all.
That was a few weeks after miss bertia announced that she will persuade marquis to enter the dark side.
Suddenly, marquis nochesse invited me to a tea.
It's my soon to be father in law's invitation, I agreed since I have no reason to refuse it anyway.
Thus we both have a tea at the royal garden.
With a disheartened face, marquis nochesse was silent for a while until with a heavy voiced what he said was....
"Your highness cecil, recently I don't understand my daughter anymore."(Douglas)
Behind me, I can feel that zeno let out a small pfft, while I trying my best to appear calm asked [What happened] while smiling to him.
Roughly summarizing it seems that, [my idiot cute daughter bertia seems to be encouraging me his father to do some evil deeds. ]
Without thinking I almost blurted [ I know everything from the perpetrator, my'Envoy' also did write a report to be about it] but I managed to hold that and calmly nodded while saying [hm... I see].
I have a solid reason for this. I have told miss Bertia not to divulge to anyone about her past memories so I can't be the one doing this, and the [envoy] is secretly giving me information so I can't say it too. That's why I have no other choice than to gloss over it.
"Your highness cecil, I will feel shame if anyone in my family commited a crime. But somehow my daughter didn't have the same feeling. She did say that killer, robbery and hurting people shouldn't be punished more than making their family fell into ruin. But, scamming other territory, misusing your authority and oppressing, and anything that didn't involve anyone's life seems to be recommended to me. Few days ago she even made this document for me...... Ah the basis of this book is wrong but the content was wonderful you know? It's highly organized and easy to understand. She even did some illustration on it. As a reading material its quite interesting though......"(douglas)
Saying that he took out a book.
With a neat girl like writing, the title of the book was [Villains 101! ~ Path of villainy from 0 ~].
After asking him to show me, I look through the book that's wound up untidily. I don't know where she got all these information and whether it's all legit but its content include a normal wages of a prime minister and the rough income they got while oppressing their nearby territory and the interview of those who actually did it.
Furthermore, showing which part of their crime is done brilliantly. Those were portrayed with a unique illustration of a girl explaining, making the books even more interesting.
"......... marquis nochesse, I wanted to make a close investigation on this content, do you mind lending it to me?" (Cecil)
"......... yes of course, please take it "(Douglas)
To the me that's grinning, marquis nochesse smiled with a tired face.
Yeah, if as an original story it might just be an interesting read. If by some chance there were any informant though, there is a need to utterly deal with them.
Since there is a small chance that it need to be dealt, I borrowed the book. It's not like I did it because I thought the book was interesting OK?
I just want you all to at least understand that.
"nevertheless, how do it put it... what a waste of talent. A book this interesting, if only it's content is about the tourist point of the capital, I'm sure it will sell" (Cecil)
"Yeah that surely sounds good. It's a never seen style but the drawings have that kind of charm in them and it's cute. I'm sure the people would love it"(Douglas)
"I'll try to take the talk to father, if there is a chance could I request for your help?" (Cecil)
"That doesn't sound bad. Recently when I was asked about my daughter's good point from the king he would always tell me [That's only because you're a doting parent]. I wonder why did the king couldn't understand that idiot's cuteness"(Douglas)
"I see... I shall refrain from commenting on that case. First I'll try to bring this talk to father. Since there is no way I can show this book to him, there is a need to ask miss bertia to make another one." (Cecil)
"I will try to seek the right time to ask my daughter to draw another one. But first the problem at hand...... My daughter is desperate to make me into a villain. Everyday, day and night that's all she would say. Without finding a solution, I don't think I have the energy to do other stuff"(Douglas)
"how should I say it...... my condolences" (Cecil)
It's lady Bertia we're talking about, I'm sure she's a woman of her words. From the report of my [Envoy], I know about the general proceedings of the things......... but hearing it from the person involved, I feel kind of bad for not stopping her
From the one observing it was certainly entertaining...... I mean I can't do anything but worry about other people's problem but I think that it's not intolerable for the person involved.
At this time, I feel that marquis nochesse was looking considerably older.
Now then what should I do
If I could, I wished for miss bertia to keep being like this for a moment since its entertaining........ providing us usefull information. But left alone I fear that marquis nochesse would fall ill and the management of the country will suffer.
AH... I know, why don't letting marquis nochesse gain some resistance to her rampage (idioticy).
A fiancée that rampages around is more entertaining...... easier to communicate with is preferable. Since it's him we're talking about, I'm pretty sure marquis Nochesse can manage to do it somehow.
Then there is only one advice I can give
"Marquis Nochesse, if she really did something that's over the line, I as her fiancé will of course stop her, but shouldn't we just let her be as she is right now? I'm pretty sure it's the puberty working. She must be at the age where she admire a man who do misdeed."(Cecil)
"If that's the case wouldn't she be pestering your highness about it?"(Douglas)
"It must be because she loves her father. I'm sure she interpose the image of the man she admire to you"(Cecil)
"That kind of thing is im...... no it might be possible"(Douglas)
...... I praised myself for not blurting out [you daughter-con].
"In addition, I'm still young, I won't have the image of a delinquent. I'm it's also your dandy charisma adding the charm"(Cecil)
"I see. Since your highness are already giving the image of a delinquent naturally, I think she deemed that she doesn't need to purposely pester you on that matter." (Douglas)
"Marquis Nochesse...............?"
Just now, didn't you just blurt out something very rude nonchalantly?
Oh yeah, Zeno, I know you're nodding strongly with a bright look on your face behind me.
"Oh I'm sorry, it seems I misspoke. Recently, I think I have too much things to worry because of my daughter's circumstances. I seem to have blurted some rude things without realizing. Even earlier in front of the king I blurted out [If you want to talk about your love affairs, to it when we're free, you blockhead. Quickly finish the job]. Hahahahahaha"(Douglas)
Regaining some of his vitality, he laughed hapilly......... Marquis nochesse, No, Nochesse father and daughter, what do they think we royalty is?
I should have a chat with them about this soon
"Then, In short I should just treat my daughters current behavior as love, if she somehow overstepped her doings, then give her some punishment. Hah...... It pains me to say this, I'll try to endure it for a while. If she did something bad then I'll just ask your highness to do something about it."(douglas)
After somehow regained his cheerful face, his face clouded again thinking about the things that could happen from now.
Did he just throw all the responsibility of taking care of all miss bertia's troublesome action to me?
Shouldn't he be trying his best to take care of her deeds and just consult me on it to gain some advice?
Even if I look like this...... From my appearance I'm still a 12 year old kid that hasn't made his social debut you know?
"If it somehow became unbearable to hold it, why don't you discuss it with your wife? Since it's the daughter of both of you, I'm sure she'll be willing to help you on it. Furthermore since its between 2 ladies, wouldn't it be easier for them to communicate?" (Cecil)
"That not a bad idea. But as a man, I have a conflict feeling to whine about my daughter's circumstances in front of my wife. I'm pretty sure my wife would be annoyed......."
That's what I'm saying, I'm still a kid you know?
Do you think it's alright to whine and ask me for cooperation?
......... If I retreated here, I'm sure he'll push all the troublesome things to me, I should proceed the talk so that his wife can work hard a little.
"What are you talking about marquis nochesse. If a guy that's usually cool and strict on the outside only show their weak and fragile side to them, won't that woman feel [Special] and love him more? Even father would go to mother's side to whine about things after I had fell asleep. At the next day, they would be all the move annoyii... lovey dovey you know? Father would always say, having time for your wife in the midst of busy is the secret to a happy family." (Cecil)
"What... so that kind of things do exist. That's outrageous... but no if my wife would be happy about it, having to handle that shame is not unthinkable. Also if I were to be consoled by my wife I would feel... but still..." (Douglas)
Surprised by my words, marquis Nochesse became unsettled.
It's interesting how he's alike with miss bertia at things like this.
"Marquis Nochesse, we as a man sometimes would need to healed right? Isn't it granted that as a couple you should help each other? All the more so since you're bearing the country's work at your back, it's important to have that someone to spoil you at your own home." (Cecil)
"Your highness really think that way? Alright, I'll muster up my courage and try to let my wife spoil me." (Douglas)
I smiled and assured the happily nodding marquis Nochesse.
The objective seems to have changed from consulting about miss bertia to getting spoiled by his wife... but since there won't be any harm to me I'll just let it be.
Seeing both of my parent's in law deepen their relationship is also not a bad idea.
"Then your highness, I shall take my leave here. No matter what happen I'll finish the job earlier today and go back home. Then I will sneak into my wife's...... ahem.... I mean I must discuss this thing with my wife." (Douglas)
Your motive is in plain sight marquis Nochesse.
The young and pure me of course wouldn't have any slight idea on what that means.
I posed as if I don't have any slight idea
......
"Yeah, since it's about my precious fiancée, please take your time for the discussion" (Cecil)
"That's right, since it's an important discussion, It might even take the whole night for the discussion" (Douglas)6
"That might be right.. do your best...."(Cecil)
............ mainly for marchionnese nochesse though.
Thinking of it, that happens about 1 year ago.
In the end, he would still come to see me, to speak fondly about her wife and to whine about miss bertia, but I still pass my days peacefully.
By the way sometimes, miss bertia would also come to see me to whine about [My father just wouldn't get corrupted!!].
............ this pair of nochesse, they really don't care about my position do they.
I'm not your house's personal consultation room you know?
Leaving talks about the past, now I should first care about miss bertia that's infront of me.
"That document was really well made, the illustration was lovely too" (Cecil)
"That's not really such a great thing to be praised as such."(Bertia
Saying that, her face reddens. She really can't hide her feeling.
"I even think that you should make use of that talent and create one for the tourist guide book for the capital...... By the way is the information inside the book all truth? Who did you get the information from?" (Cecil)
While smiling from ears to ears, I asked about the things that I'm most curious about. Since the book has no connection to leads to any source of it's infomartion, there is no way to investigate except asking for her.
An information that is way too well made for a mere fantasize.
It's just too wasteful to leave it as a mere source of reading if there is a real source of information as a base when she wrote this, no matter how interesting the content is.
It's someone that could finally be caught after all, we should gather the evidence so that we could catch him
"The content is half truth, half speculation. There are some parts which I made use of my past memories to write, and some parts were from using the memories to create a collaborator to get me the source of materials."(Bertia)
Leaving aside the first half of what she's saying, the last part seems like she's walking on a thin ice.
"heeh... Who do you get it from?"(Cecil)
To not fan her cautiousness I pasted my smiling face and asked in a gentle voice.
"It's viscount Raleigh. konsarvuth. He once came and visit father. At that time I remembered [This guy is one of the guy who pulled father into the dark path, and he's also the guy who became my husband in one of the routes. ]" (Bertia)
To be honest, There is some doubt in me that she wouldn't tell me her source of information, but that's just a needless worry.
She doesn't have any ill intent when taking the information. That's the reason why the perpetrator didn't take extra precaution and tell her. But how did viscount konarvuth tell these things to a girl as loose lipped as...... I mean as adorable as her.
It can't be seen as anything but suicidal.
But well, she is still a child, whatever she said nobody would even take her seriously without proof.
Marquis nochesse didn't even take her seriously
"There are lots of things that interest me... but can I first ask how did you befriend viscount konarvuth until he tell you all of these things?"(Bertia)
"Ara, It's not just on the level of friendly you know? Since there is a route of me being his wife, she must have liked my appearance for a certain degree... then I just use the innocence of youth and try to fan him with an upturning eyes, And by no time he let me sit on his lap, gave me some snacks, and talked a lot of things." (Bertia)
"...... so it's honey trap" (Cecil)
"What are you talking about? I wont do something so immoral!"(Bertia)
"Hey miss bertia, Did you know that viscount Raleigh. konsarvuth is quite famous as a lolicon... I mean a pervert that has feelings of love to a child?"(Cecil)
"....... HUH?" (Bertia)
"Did you get touched by him?" (Cecil)
"now that you mention it, He did praise me that I'm like a doll, and he would hug me tightly, caress my feet, and to my chest he would........." (Bertia)
Miss bertia's face ashen as time passes.
It seems she understand that she was involved in a dangerous situation.
"After that?"(Cecil)
"We would exchange letters, Recently, he wanted me to go meet with him unnoticed by father and mother............ NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" (Bertia)
Talking about her own situation, she couldn't take the fear anymore. She crouched while pressing her head with both hands.
I sat right beside her, caressing her shaking back and glanced at her maids. Her maids also has a pale face on them.
It seems like even the maid didn't expect that she got into such a dangerous situation.
Although its famous in the rumour, at front, viscount Raleigh. konsarvuth is just a kid loving nice uncle.
I really wished they would notice that something is wrong by the amount of letters he sent, or maybe some of the letters were given to her by other people.
"No worries, I'll do something about it. I'm not such an idiot that would let someone who touch my fiancée get away freely."(Cecil)
"Your highness..."
Like a small critter that's full of fear, as I caressed her back, she started sobbing.
"That's why to protect you, can you tell me? Which other dangerous guy has made contact with you?" (Cecil)
"there is no one else. I didn't have any chance to make contact with Earl conmorno and baron sagil who's supposed to brainwash father. I thought that after making my social debut, I would let them meet my father."
...... at this time I don't even want to retort [why would you let your father meet all these bad guys?!]
At least I know the reason is not wanting the marquiss to catch them or asking them to not misuse their powers anymore.
"Miss bertia, would you please not do anything dangerous anymore?"(Cecil)
If there is no danger to her, I'll probably just watch from the sidelines and just enjoy myself. But things progressing to this stage without me noticing is bad.
If it progressed to irreparable state, I wont be able to feel entertained and interested anymore
Its because she's unharmed, doing something that wont bore any fruit...... Trying her best that I can observe her while having fun... watch over her.
"Of course your highness! I don't want to be frightened again like this time. That's why from now on, I'll make contact while being careful!" (Bertia)
With tears falling from her eyes, with a shaking body, she made a fist
...... Why wouldn't she gave up?
"No, I mean making contact is dangerous you know?"(Cecil)
"No problem! After they made contact with father, I'll run away right away!"(Bertia)
"That's not the problem......" (Cecil)
"If I were to lose here, your bright future will be gone. I will do my best!" (Bertia)
"That's why"(Cecil)
"Since that has been decided..." (Bertia)
"Can you don't decide it?"(Cecil)
"Oh my god, no! it's going to be the party soon, but my make up is in tatters!"(Bertia)
"...... did you listen to what I say?"(cecil)
"Your highness, I'll mend my make up and come back. I'll make sure to come back before the appointed time, so please excuse me." (Bertia)
"She really wasn't listen to a single thing...... have a safe trip" (Cecil)
Picking up her dress, she took her maid away and left the room in a hurry.
......... now then what should I do
As expected I can't leave this at it is.
"Your highness, what should we do?"(Zeno)
"hmm... that's right, first would you immediately catch marquis Nochesse here?"(Cecil)
"Marquis Nochesse.. ?"(Zeno)
"Then, I'll write a letter to father, after you take marquis Nochesse here, immediately and sneakily deliver that to father."(Cecil)
"...... I understand" (Zeno)
"I'll say this repeatedly but, its immediately and sneakily alright? Before she came back, I would like to finish all the preparation. This time because her contact seems to be moving troublesomely."(Cecil)
"As you will. Immediately and sneakily it is."(Zeno)
Zeno with a professional butler face made a bow and left the room.
Seeing that I started to write the letter for my father.
"If I make use of the current happenings wisely, wouldn't I be able to eradicate all the poison that's been corrupting this country?"
Following my instructions, marquis Nochesse would probably come her.
Since I need to finish writing it before he arrived, I didn't include any formal greeting and went straight to the topic.
From a certain route, there is a rumour that earl conmorno, baron sagil, viscount had illegal dealings.
It seems they have plans to make contact with Marquis Nochesse.
I'll be requesting marquis nochesse, to use that against them and try to make contact with them, and try to get the evidence.
More or less this is overstepping my bounds, but since we're basically doing the same thing there should be no problem.
After putting it into an envelope a knock can be heard.
"Come in" (Cecil)
As soon as my sound was heard, marquis Nochesse hurriedly enter the room.
"Your highness, may I know what happened?"(Douglas)
Since my orders is to immediately bring him here, it seems he has some sort of unease.
"Zeno, take this to father. Marquis Nochesse I have some important thing to tell you, please have a seat there." (Cecil)
Giving zeno the letter, I sat down facing marquis Nochesse.
"The thing is..."
After that I tell the same content that I wrote to father to marquis Nochesse. And at the end...
"Viscount konsarvuth seems to have already made contact with your daughter, miss bertia. Furthermore he seem to have done something improper to her..." (Cecil)
"What did you say?" (Douglas)
"Now is still at the stage of lightly toucher her body but...... from the rumor I heard, viscount konsarvuth is a pervert that has feelings of love towards children. I assume he's making contact with her with that as motive."(Cecil)
"Un-Unforgivable"(Douglas)
"Miss Bertia has confessed this to me earlier and she cried while shaking furiously. That's why, if possible I don't want to talk about any of this in front of her. I'm sure it will bring some painful memory to her" (Cecil)
"Bertia......"(Douglas)
"The people that may bring further harm to miss Bertia, if possible without her making any contact with them, in the near times...... to be dealt with by us. Of course I did write a letter to father so that he wouldn't misunderstood. Will you cooperate with me?" (Cecil)
With a pained face, marquis Nochesse think about the feeling that miss bertia must have faced, His eyes then lit up by the flames of rage.
"As you will your highness. Those maggots will be squashed thoroughly by me, and I will cut them off personally."
Grasping his fist, there was not even a single speck of doubt in his face.
It's more like he's more than happy to be able to participate.
"I don't want to ask what you'll be cutting off but...... thank you for cooperating. Since we have finished our talk before miss bertia came back could you please leave the room?" (Cecil)
"You're right, if my daughter were to notice this, she would start worring and remembering all the pained things she went through."(Douglas)
Nodding greatly to my words, with a frowned face, marquis Nochesse left the room.
For now the preparation was done.
In between the 3 people, there must be someone who's participating the party, I hope there won't be any problem.
I think before anything can happen count nochesse would just crush them though.
Even if he's like that, he's still the prime minister.
He wouldn't lose himself with his private matters, and in a public place too.
...... probably.
"For a short while, it seems there's a need for me to pay attention."
I heaved a sigh and lay my back on the sofa.
What's left is just the social debut.
I do feel a little bit tired, so I'll take a rest until miss Bertia came back.
It seems like my fiancée (Toy) is getting a little bit too tomboyish recently.
| ← Ch. 03 | Ch. 05 → |