We didn’t get back to Zierfeldt Manor until after dark. We’d done a lot of sightseeing in King’s Landing. The people who were watching the carriages will be coming back now too, so it’s going to be tough.
I’m having a conversation with the gentleman after I let Lily into the house first and Annette approaches. I could tell from her dark expression what she was trying to say. I hope you don’t mind.
Viscount Zehrfeldt, I mean… I beg your pardon.
“Oh, don’t worry about it.”
He responds with a deliberate wave of his hand. I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but the debt is real and it’s not something to be admired. I and the Dauphin are even taking advantage of it, so I don’t think it’s right for the deceiver to apologize to the deceived.
I think so, but it’s very annoying that you can’t look at me. You’re serious.
“Okay. Then I need you to keep an eye on Lily.
Yes, yes. I understand.
This time I deliberately used a stronger tone of voice, and she finally agreed with me. I was just about to say “Oh dear,” when Annette-san said something that I couldn’t understand.
“The Church has told me about the Viscount’s debt, and…”
“Church?”
“Yes, from Priest Kempel. In hindsight, I’m wondering if he was trying to get in Lily’s ear.
Oh, there you are. Kempel’s the priest in Norbert’s report, the one my mother turned away every time. What kind of stalker logic is that?
And, Annette, you don’t have to look so sorry.
Well, it’s not all pretty people in the church. Crimes committed by priests aren’t just in this world, but in previous ones too, and for all sorts of reasons. Poisoning, money fraud… they’re so well documented, they’re even used as sources for medieval crime historiography.
The list of fake relics in the pre-medieval period is so long that it’s ridiculous to count them. I really don’t understand why they were sold at such a high price, even though they are probably not genuine.
An interesting example is the miraculous crucifixion of Christ that existed in England in the 14th century. The wooden Christ shed tears, rolled his eyes and blew bubbles from his mouth, and the ‘miracle’ even produced countless healings.
One day, however, a man snuck into the church and looked at the statue from the back, and discovered that it was a mechanical device, and announced it to the public. Most of the stories about the cures of illnesses were also “hearsay” by the church.
The church was said to have received a large amount of offerings over the decades until it was discovered, and the people involved lived a lavish life. You’ve got to admire the con man at this point. Well, that’s an aside.
“Okay. I’ll forget about today. Just keep looking after Lily.
“Ha.”
I’m gonna cut this off for now. I still don’t know what they’re up to. I’m sure the Church wants to get Mazel the Brave into their faction… but their actions aren’t quite right for that purpose.
The most troublesome part of this kind of pattern is when a general doesn’t control his subordinates and they move around on their own. and it’s impossible to predict such an incident like a traffic accident. Let’s find out first.
You ask the guru for a message for your father and Lily, then go to another thrift shop where you buy some more old clothes, change, and head for the tavern. At the tavern, you pay a few coins to be let out through the back, and you take the long way around to your destination, keeping an eye out to see if you’re being followed. You enter the bar through the back door.
He’s certainly a good merchant.
“Well, well, Viscount, you look even more elegant today.”
I was followed out of the building at least nine times. It’s good to see you, Rafed.
“I hope our budget will allow us to live on a comfortable budget. I owe it all to your kindness, Viscount.”
You’re still acting like a jerk. Don’t give me that toothless flattery. Is today one of those days?
“That’s the point. I want you to look into it.”
What is it, sir?
“It’s about the Church and the Earls of Yering. I’m not sure if there’s a connection at the moment.”
He then gave a brief overview of the information that had come in today. Rafed nodded his head.
“From what you say, it doesn’t sound as if there has been any contact between the Countess of Yering and Miss Annette.”
“It’s probably just a coincidence that Annette became Lily’s friend. But if the Church and Count Yering’s family were connected, it’s possible that the Church got information from the Countess and tried to use it to spread bad rumors about me.”
“I see. So the Countess doesn’t dare approach Miss Annette at this point. They’ll show their faces at the last moment? Hmm.”
He’s been thinking about something for a while. Sounds like he’s got a plan.
“I’ve heard some rumors of the Yering family when I was a guest of the Countess of Bachem. All right, I’ll look into it.”
Please.
“It’s a bit pricey, but…”
That’s not a problem. I’ll get the money to you tomorrow.
You’re back to spending despite your debt… I’m still laughing as I recall Annette’s words to me.
However, it takes time to gather this kind of information, so we have to start early.
I went around the long way around again, and changed into my original clothes on the way home, deliberately passing through busy places. Even I noticed that I was being followed on the way home, but I decided not to worry about it.
When I get home, I’m greeted by a slightly worried Lily. I smile and leave my jacket with her, telling her that I’ll go to my parents’ room after I change my clothes.
Worst case scenario, one of my relatives could take over the Count’s house. That’s what I thought when I went to my father’s room.
“Come on in.”
Excuse me.
When I walked in, my parents were there. I suppose it’s a good thing my mother’s here, too.
What’s wrong?
“I ask your permission…”
You get a sharp look from him, even if he isn’t staring at you. I have to admit that I’m a little nervous, but I don’t want to be upset now. If I get upset here, I won’t be able to show my face to Lily, who has been so courageous in telling me how she feels about me. I’m going to say it all at once.
“I would like to take Lily to be my wife.”
A moment of silence. My parents looked at each other for a moment. I thought I saw them both smirk, but I don’t know if it was my imagination. I had my doubts for a moment, but then my father spoke up.
“It’s not without its problems and difficulties.”
Yes, sir.
“If you’re like you are now, even the daughters of high ranking noble families will call on you.”
And now my mother’s talking about it, but that’s a little late for that.
I don’t care.
“Yes, it was.”
Oh, now you just gave me a sigh of exasperation. I know I’ve been giving my mother a lot of trouble with the ladies and all, but… She opened her mouth, her face unusually soft.
“You’re just like him in a weird way, aren’t you?”
Oh, really? I look at my father… and he cocks his shoulders, which is unusual. He opens his mouth.
“I’ve never heard you say anything to us with that look on your face. You must be ready for this. You’d better be ready for it.
“… Yes.”
But I can’t authorize it yet.
Well, you’re right. I’ve got a lot of work to do. I was thinking that when my father said something unexpected.
“I wouldn’t mind a marriage between noble families, but that’s not why you chose Lily.”
“Yes.”
“There are still many problems at home and abroad. We can’t afford to show any weakness. You know that the Demon Army is not the only problem.
That’s true. In fact, I can’t even read the Church.
“Therefore, as a noble house of Zehrfeldt, we cannot accept it. Neither too much determination nor too little love can be tolerated.”
I didn’t mean to get carried away, but too much determination can lead to rigidity of thought. It’s true that there was a danger that I might have gone reckless in order to be recognized, even though I wasn’t aware of it.
It was a bit chilly, but that was when my father and mother smiled at me normally, which was rare.
“But as a parent, I’m glad you’re so determined.”
“I know Lily’s a good girl. That’s why you need to take another look at yourself. When you walk with someone, it’s a lot to take on.
“… Thank you.”
I can’t help it, really.
