Meeting With The Duke

Kent, Elnette, and Josette had returned to the Duke’s reception room. There, the three of them sat lined up on a sofa for receiving guests as they waited. It was nominally a three-seater, but since it had been intended for use by two people, it felt a little cramped. Elnette sat on one side, Josette on the other, and the warmth of both of them was transmitted to Kent as well.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting. I just received a report that the installation was completed successfully. Lord Kent, you have done well.”

The Duke entered the room and praised Kent for his efforts.

“I wish to speak with Lord Kent alone. Could both of you step out for a while?”

““Huh?””

The Duke told Elnette and Josette to leave the room. The two of them had never expected such words to come out, and they cried out in surprise.

“A-All right, desuwa. Onee-sama, let us go.”

“Yes.”

Prompted by Josette, Elnette left the reception room together with her.

“Now then, I wanted to speak with Lord Kent. Sorry to separate you when you were enjoying such a state of flowers in both hands.”

“No, it’s all right. So, what was it you wanted to speak about?”

“First, it is about Elnette and Josette, whom I just had step out.”

The Duke began the conversation.

“To begin with, Elnette. It seems she has taken quite a liking to Lord Kent. When she was a student, the engagement arranged since childhood between her and this country’s prince was broken off unilaterally. Because of that, she could no longer appear on the front stage of noble society. Of course, there was no fault on our side. The reason was simply that the prince had fallen in love with another woman, but it seems those around us did not see it that way. She was disheartened, and in order to distract herself from those feelings, she threw herself into swordsmanship, and now she has ended up in that utterly unromantic state. However, thanks to Lord Kent, it seems she has begun to act at least a little more like a woman.”

The Duke began speaking of Elnette’s past.

“It may be odd for me to say so, but Elnette’s skill with the sword is genuine. I believe she likely possesses an ability that would place her among the top ranks even in this country. Well, as for me, I would be delighted if Lord Kent were willing to take her, but there is a bit of an age gap, so I assume Lord Kent has his own preferences, and I realize it may be uncertain whether you can accept her. Still, it would help me greatly if you could keep her by your side as much as possible. There was another reason why I permitted her to live in the shop this time. I wanted to place a guard by Lord Kent’s side. Even yesterday, regardless of how it came about, I received a report that she protected Lord Kent in the end. Going forward, as you become more active, it is to be expected that interference from nobles and the like will arise. For that reason as well, it is necessary to protect Marie’s bakery, which is Lord Kent’s base of operations. I intend to increase the number of guards as needed in the future, but for the time being, make full use of her as your guard.”

The Duke explained to Kent the reason he had permitted Elnette to live in. Kent had thought it was merely permission for their relationship, but he felt grateful for the Duke’s judgment in intentionally placing his own daughter by Kent’s side for the sake of protecting him.

“So that was the reason. I am grateful that you thought so far ahead for my sake.”

“No, I believe that in the future Lord Kent will become an indispensable person for this country. From my position, I consider guaranteeing your safety to be only natural. Of course, if you come to like her, I have no objection to your accepting her as a woman. As for that matter, I have no intention of saying anything from my side, so you may rest easy.”

Permission for a relationship with Elnette had already been granted.

“Next, regarding Josette…”

The Duke began to speak about Josette.

“It appears she bears a considerable amount of affection toward you. I have no intention of saying anything to you about that. However, though it is odd for me to say it myself, her academic ability and appearance are well known even among the nobility. Being my daughter as well, she has received proposals for marriage from various quarters. As for me, I would like her to enjoy love freely, but due to my position, there are things I cannot press too strongly. First, I want you to understand that. Regarding her saying the other day that she wanted to work here as a live-in employee, I did not permit it in order to protect her standing in noble society. Quite simply, I cannot exactly tell those around me that she is working as a live-in employee.”

He explained to Kent the reason he had refused Josette’s request the other day.

“As a rule, I intend to proceed in the direction of refusing marriage proposals, but there may arise cases beyond even my power to do anything about, such as matters between nations. Should such a situation come to pass, I want you to understand that. As for her age… yes, until she graduates from the academy. If no marriage arrangement is settled by then, she will have passed the proper marriageable age for a noblewoman, so unless something extraordinary occurs, I do not believe any marriage proposals will come. Once that point has passed, I will say nothing about your relationship. Until then, however, take great care that your relationship with her does not come to light as much as possible.”

Kent was firmly warned by the Duke. Still, it seemed safe to interpret this to mean that as long as the relationship was kept from becoming public, it was acceptable for things to continue as they were.

“I ask that you say as little as possible to the two of them about what I have just told you. Sorry, but could you call Elnette and Josette back in?”

The Duke said that to the maid waiting nearby. The maid bowed once, left the room, and returned with Elnette and Josette.

“Father, is your discussion over?”

“Yes. My business is finished. The rest is for the three of you to do as you please. Lord Kent, I leave that earlier matter in your hands.”

“Yes, understood.”

The Duke finished his business and left the room.

“Kent, what shall we do now?”

Elnette sat down beside Kent, wrapped a hand around his arm, and leaned her body against him.

“Onee-sama, that’s unfair. Me too.”

Josette sat on the opposite side and leaned her body against him in the same way. The maid waiting nearby averted her gaze so as not to look at them.

After enjoying their own little world as just the three of them for a while, they decided to think about what to do next.

“Then please come to my place. I think it will be calmer there than here, desuwa.”

“Then come to my place. There is nothing there, but that may be calming in its own way.”

He had been to Josette’s building before, but he had never been to Elnette’s place. Kent found himself more interested in that one, so although he felt sorry for Josette, he decided to go to Elnette’s instead.

“Then maybe I’ll go see Elnette’s place?”

When Kent said that, Elnette broke into a broad grin.

“Kent, then let us go.”

“Ugh. I’m coming too, desuwa.”

Josette looked a little dissatisfied, but it seemed she was going to come along as well. The three of them ended up moving to Elnette’s residence building.