Chapter 14 - The Way of the World for Count Ludovico Foscar
The sunset bell was echoing through the Royal Capital.
"As of this moment, Ariarein Hazen, daughter of Marquess Mares, is sentenced to exile.
The proclamation of this matter will be made tomorrow morning."
Crown Prince Eirik Nadar announced before the principal court nobles.
Count Ludovico Foscar sat at the very end of the seating arrangement.
Everyone bowed their heads in silence.
There was no particular look of surprise. The events of three days ago had reached the ears of every court noble.
"In conjunction with this, the engagement between myself and Ariarein Hazen is naturally dissolved.
The new fiancée is Lady Claudia Foscar, daughter of Count Nord."
Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Ludovico at once.
—An 'Iron Maiden' might actually be more comfortable to sit in.
Ludovico recalled a torture device said to have been used by church inquisitors in ancient times.
"Your Highness, I have no words to express my gratitude for granting such an honor to my daughter, Claudia."
He spoke while trying his best to avoid eye contact and bowed deeply.
"The announcement of the engagement will follow. As for Count Nord, since he will eventually become the father of the Queen, he must be appointed to a suitable position."
The Crown Prince said with a magnanimous nod.
Ludovico managed to swallow the words "Please stop."
He was already standing out unnecessarily due to his daughter's situation. He had no idea how he would be perceived if he were forced into a "suitable position" on top of that.
"—That said, there are no vacant seats."
The positions of the various lords were filled, and there was no reason for them to resign nor any reason to make them do so.
"In that case—how about the position of Minister of Internal Affairs?" (T/N: The source uses 内大臣, a high-ranking court official, but the context suggests a specific appointment. Given the glossary, I will use a title reflecting his proximity to the King.)
The Minister of Ceremonies offered a suggestion.
A close aide to the King who manages the national seal and palace documents.
It was not a permanent official post but one established as needed.
The actual nature of the duties was unclear—sometimes it held the real power of the palace, and other times it was nothing more than an honorary post.
It was an ambiguous office that depended entirely on the capabilities and relationship of the King and the official at the time.
"Oh."
The Crown Prince nodded as if he had found exactly what he wanted.
"That is good.
We shall announce the new official appointment at the same time as the engagement announcement.
Does anyone have any objections?"
There was no way there could be any questions or objections.
Ludovico had no objections either. He was grateful for the fact that it was an ambiguous office.
If it was merely an honorary post, he wouldn't be looked upon with hostility by those around him. All he had to do was remain humble and get through it without any major blunders.
"This is an honor far beyond my station; I truly cannot contain my gratitude.
I ask that all of you provide me with guidance should I fall short, and that you look after both me and my daughter."
Ludovico bowed deeply once more.
"Now, now, Count Nord, do not be so reserved."
The one who mediated with a gentle smile was the Minister of Internal Affairs.
"We also consider the engagement of Lady Nord to be a joyous occasion.
—Is that not so, gentlemen?"
"I am humbled," Ludovico said, bowing even deeper.
"Indeed, quite so. Lady Nord is truly fitting to be the future Queen."
The voice that echoed with a chuckle was that of the Minister of Finance.
"The previous fiancée was a bit..."
"Now, now, she was the fiancée chosen by His Majesty—no, the former fiancée."
"Quite right, quite right. She possessed impeccable qualities."
"However, as they say, too much of a good thing..."
Before Ludovico as he raised his head, the group said whatever they pleased, all leaking a laugh in unison. The Crown Prince did not scold them, leaving them to say what they wished.
"But if it is Your Highness's wise decision..."
"Though it is regrettable, it was an unavoidable turn of events."
"Exactly."
Ludovico thought that perhaps the story had already been settled somewhere.
At the very least, there was no way the Crown Prince didn't know the atmosphere of the court, and there was no way the court nobles hadn't grasped the situation between the Crown Prince and that young lady or his own daughter.
"For those reasons, we also welcome the new fiancée—the daughter of Count Nord."
"We would certainly like you to keep that in mind, Count Nord."
"Then the Royal House will be secure, and the court will be secure."
"Indeed, it is best that no unnecessary waves are stirred up."
"What do you think, Count Nord?" the Minister of Internal Affairs asked, turning a smile toward Ludovico.
Amidst the full smile, only his eyes were not laughing as they looked his way.
From the perspective of a landed noble, the Marquess's daughter, who had been changing the state of national politics which had been prone to stagnation in recent years, felt somewhat refreshing. However, what about the court nobles who made national politics their domain, especially the lords in high positions?
She must have been seen as an insolent person who used her position as the Crown Prince's fiancée to encroach upon their interests.
Even regarding Marquess Mares, it might have been taken as him trying to monopolize power in the court using his daughter as a foothold.
Claudia had neither the courage nor the insight to manage national politics.
A Count's daughter who simply rejoiced in the Crown Prince's affection, and a Crown Prince whose impulsive tendencies were somewhat prominent.
To the court nobles, it was certain that they would be easy to handle.
And that likely applied to himself as well.
Ludovico knew his own reputation well—'A timid worldling.'
They probably thought that if they made him understand his position and granted him some interests and honor as the father of the future Queen, he would be satisfied.
"It is exactly as you all say.
—I shall instruct my daughter thoroughly."
Ludovico curved his mouth, which was on the verge of twitching, into the shape of a smile, looked around at everyone present, and bowed again.
A timid worldling. It's exactly right, he thought.
A worldling has a worldling's way of getting by, and a timid man has a timid man's way.
Even if one holds high ideals, they are meaningless if one cannot survive with them. Even if it is a bridge that must be crossed to move forward, it is better if one can avoid crossing a bridge that might collapse.
Ludovico had no 'self' that he wanted to push through even if it meant resisting these fearsome opportunists. If he had anything, it was merely the desire to protect his life with his wife and children in peace, and if possible, with a little bit of luxury.
"No, no, that is why I say do not be so reserved, Count Nord."
The Minister of Commerce, sitting in the next seat, placed a hand familiarly on Ludovico's shoulder.
"After all, you are His Highness's future father-in-law, the father of the future Queen, and in a short while, you will be the Minister of Internal Affairs."
"Quite right, quite right. I believe it would be better if you carried yourself with more dignity."
"Well, I suppose there are limits to everything."
"Exactly.
But as expected of Count Nord, he understands that sort of thing well."
"In other words, everyone is secure, and all is well."
The Minister of Finance summarized the talk that each had spoken as they pleased, and the group laughed again. Ludovico was half-unconsciously wiping away the sweat that had broken out.
"That's enough. Count Nord surely understands well what you all want to say."
The Crown Prince concluded the conversation pleasantly.
"For now, tomorrow morning, along with the proclamation of exile, we will seize Marquess Mares's Royal Capital estate and the Mares Knight Corps facility.
The Royal Capital estate has several villas, and those will be treated the same. Deliver the proclamation to all quarters by express messenger."
"How shall we handle the mobilization of troops, Your Highness?"
The Minister of War asked with the face of a practical man.
"It is fine for now.
There is no need to rush—there are no moves left for her to make."
The Crown Prince, who asserted this with a relaxed smile, ordered them to withdraw with a simple wave of his hand. Everyone stood up at once, bowed, and left the room.
Ludovico, who let out a long breath upon leaving the room, almost cried out when his shoulder was tapped at that moment.
The voice he barely swallowed turned into a strange sound in the back of his throat.
"Count Nord, how about it? As a sign of our new acquaintance, let us change locations and talk a bit more."
It was the Minister of Internal Affairs. He wore the same smile as before.
"Now, now, Minister of Internal Affairs, isn't it a bit much to try and steal a march on us here?"
The one who cut in with a similar smile was the Minister of Finance.
"No, no, it's not stealing a march," the Minister of Internal Affairs replied, and the two laughed again.
While smiling vaguely, Ludovico had no choice but to simply watch the turn of the conversation.
—A mouse watching cats fight over prey might feel this way.
He thought with a sense of despair.
In the end, everyone except the Minister of Ceremonies, who had to prepare for tomorrow's proclamation, and the Minister of Justice, who was in charge of the practicalities of the seizure, ended up raising a congratulatory toast for the Crown Prince's new fiancée.
There was no way he could refuse. Surrounded by court nobles, Ludovico was guided to the banquet hall.
He looked almost like a criminal being led away by executioners.
From the outside, it looks like "sudden good luck," but from his own perspective, it's completely a "collateral accident."
Poor guy.