Chapter 130 - Prologue: Elinarize Rox
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"Ha, ha!"
A quiet morning time. I swing my wooden sword in the courtyard of House Rox's mansion.
I trace the trajectory I envision over and over as usual.
The courtyard is very quiet, and only the sound of me practicing my swings can be heard.
There are many maids and butlers in the mansion besides my family, but no miscellaneous sounds can be heard.
Perhaps because the temperature was a bit low, the morning air was slightly cold and clear.
Around the mansion, small birds play a pleasant melody with their chirping.
A time before the activities of people and animals begin.
I like the quiet atmosphere of the morning.
If I move my body first thing in the morning and work up a sweat, the day starts refreshingly.
I circulate the blood in my body, silently move my body, and swing my sword.
"...Elinarize-ojousama."
However, that favorite time of mine came to an end when a maid called out to me.
Any maid working in this mansion would know that I enjoy my morning training and that I dislike being disturbed.
In other words, this maid likely received an order that she had no choice but to call out, even knowing that I would be displeased.
"I am sorry for disturbing your morning practice."
"Don't worry about it. So, what is it?"
I responded with a soft voice and a smile to the maid who bowed apologetically.
Then, the maid showed a slightly relieved expression.
"The master is calling for you. He said to come to the office."
The master refers to Helmut, the owner of this mansion and my father.
Just what business could he have, calling for me so early in the morning? Such words crossed my mind for a moment, but there was no way this maid would know that, and I would find out if I just went obediently.
"I understand. Tell him I'll be there after I change, so I'll need a little time."
"Understood."
He called for me at this time. Father must also know that I am in the middle of training.
As a lady of age, I cannot possibly go to Father's office while covered in sweat.
◆
After washing off the sweat from training and donning my usual dress, I arrived at Father's office.
In front of the room, I checked if my bangs were messy and if there was any dust on my dress.
"Father, it's Elinarize."
"Enter."
When I knocked, I immediately heard Father's voice urging me to enter, so I went inside.
Upon entering the office, there was the unique smell of paper.
Father likes reading books, so there are many volumes in the office.
I liked this calming scent.
"Elinarize, is there anyone you are currently interested in?"
Father, who was standing by the window, asked that as soon as he turned around.
Though surprised by the sudden topic, Father had a terribly serious expression.
It didn't feel like mere small talk.
"Are you referring to a man I am conscious of as a partner?"
"Yes..."
When I asked to make sure, Father nodded deeply.
There are many men who apply for engagement, attracted by my appearance and family status, but I have turned them all down.
Because none of those men are worthy of House Rox.
House Rox is a noble family with some of the greatest power in the Kingdom of Sylphide. I cannot entrust it to a man with only half-baked caliber.
"Unfortunately, there is no such person."
"I see."
When I reported the honest current situation, Father's expression softened slightly.
He is a father who doesn't show much emotion and is a man of few words outside of work, but having spent many years together, I understood that he was happy.
Happy that there is no man I'm interested in? If so, what comes to mind is a marriage proposal.
If there is no suitable partner within the country, will he welcome a noble man from a neighboring country?
As I waited for the talk of a marriage proposal to be brought up, Father suddenly said this.
"I have business in Nordende. Elinarize, you come along too."
"Eh?"
I couldn't understand why we would end up heading to Nordende in this flow of conversation.
This is a bad habit of my taciturn father.
He thinks that others can sense and understand the things he pushes forward on his own.
Thanks to that, I've developed a habit of always thinking about the meaning and situation within Father's words.
Nordende is a small village at the westernmost edge of the territory ruled by House Rox.
If I recall, it's a place very rich in nature with a strange flower field where flowers bloom all year round.
If there's an event that would be a reason for us to head there at this time...
"Is it the Harvest Festival?"
"Yes..."
Father nodded at my words that hit the mark.
However, that's strange.
If it were an event in a city with large tax revenues, it would be one thing, but Nordende is a small village.
Every year, an invitation letter comes from the village as a formality, but we either ignore it or at most have the local governor bring a congratulatory letter.
And yet, this time Father says he's heading there with me. As expected, I don't know the reason.
"Why are Father and I going to such a place...?"
"To go meet the man who will become your husband."
To think it would connect to the marriage proposal from earlier here? Or rather, I've never heard of such a story until now. As usual, it's too sudden.
"Is there a man worthy of House Rox in such a rural village?"
"...Yes, there is. He is a person you have heard of as well, a man with exceptionally excellent power."
When I asked a question of doubt rather rudely, Father answered with a face full of confidence.
Father's eye for people is certain. Since he goes so far as to say that, that man must be considerably excellent.
I feel the doubt in my chest turning into great curiosity and expectation.
"And that person is?"
"The Dragon Slayer adventurer, Aldred."
The prologue is a bit ominous, but there will be no NTR or anything like that.
It will proceed as the usual A-rank adventurer story, so please don't worry.