Chapter 20 - The Negotiation of the Marquess's Retainer Arveil (Part One)
The ship, gliding into the port of Redan with the afternoon sun at its back, soon dropped anchor at the pier.
A formal exchange took place between the shore and the ship, mooring ropes were passed, and a gangplank was set.
Seeing the flag hoisted at the stern—the flag of a merchant house under the patronage of House Mares—port officials and laborers gathered.
"This is cargo from Mares; may we unload it?"
A well-composed man who looked like a merchant standing at the gunwale called out.
Of course, neither the port officials nor the laborers working at the port had any objections. Cargo transported from various places via Mares always brought vitality and prosperity to the port of Redan.
By the time the unloading began, a group separate from the sailors stepped onto the shore.
"We have a personal letter from Marquess Mares addressed to His Excellency Viscount Redan. Could you guide us?"
There were three men who looked like civil officials, wearing well-tailored clothes bearing the crest of House Mares. The one who spoke to the officials was a young man with short dark brown hair and deep green eyes. Two slightly older men stood behind him as if attending to him.
"Yes, of course."
Since they were messengers from a great noble whose territory practically bordered theirs, they could not be treated poorly. Among the officials who bowed politely, one ran off somewhere, likely to act as a herald. The oldest among those remaining said, "This way," and began walking ahead. The civil officials of House Mares followed behind.
Viscount Redan, Rulant Strauken, who received the report of messengers from House Mares arriving at the port, felt a slight sense of unease. For one thing, he couldn't think of any particularly urgent business, and for another, it had been customary for urgent messengers to come by land.
That said, it wasn't a matter he could avoid. The other party was a great noble who held one of the largest territories in the eastern part of the kingdom and was hailed as the cornerstone of the eastern border's defense.
He had to prepare the venue so they could hold a meeting as soon as the messengers were guided in, and he had to receive them with proper dignity. Rulant, who had been working in informal attire, called his servants, changed into formal wear, and waited for the messengers.
"The messengers have arrived, Excellency," the seneschal reported upon entering the office shortly after.
"How many?"
"Three, Excellency. One chief envoy and two deputy envoys."
"I will see them at once. Guide the chief envoy to the hall. The deputy envoys to the waiting room."
Rulant, who stood up in response, thought for a brief moment and named two of his subordinates.
"Call Malain and Philibert here. Have them attend the meeting."
The two named were the heads of the military officers and the treasurers. If they were messengers from Marquess Mares, the first thing to consider was that something had happened in the east. If so, it would be better to have them hear the story directly to consider countermeasures.
The seneschal, sensing Rulant's intention, bowed silently and withdrew.
About half an hour later, Rulant went to the hall with his two subordinates. The messenger, who had already been guided in, remained motionless in a kneeling position.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"I am honored to meet you, Excellency."
The messenger stood up and bowed. Though he was a young messenger, his movements lacked stiffness, as if he were accustomed to such settings.
"I hear you are an envoy from His Excellency Marquess Mares. Your name?"
"I am a retainer of the Marquess's house, Arveil Meiros."
He had a well-proportioned physique and a calm demeanor. Though he was dressed as a civil official, his martial skills were likely above average.
"Shall we hear the Marquess's business?"
The messenger, who responded with a "Yes" and lowered his eyes for just a moment, suddenly looked up. In that instant, his gaze had become strong, as if piercing Rulant from the front.
"Recently, my master's daughter, Ariarein Hazen, incurred the displeasure of the Crown Prince, and her engagement was dissolved; furthermore, she was sentenced to exile."
For Rulant, this was far too abrupt and, moreover, shocking news.
"—Have you heard of this?" he asked his subordinates in a low voice. The two slightly shook their heads.
"Marquess Mares does not accept the Prince's judgment, as there is no proper reason for the sentence. Naturally, the Prince will likely raise an army."
The messenger spoke dispassionately. But the content was something that could shake the kingdom itself.
If one gave aid to an exile, that person would also be exiled. No matter if she was his daughter, if he harbored her within his territory knowing she had been exiled, it was nothing other than a denial of the royal family's authority.
"Th-that is rebellion!"
"Malain, stand down."
Rulant threw a low scolding at the military officer who had reflexively blurted out the words.
"It is indeed rebellion."
"What do you intend to do by bringing talk of such rebellion to Redan?"
This time, the treasurer raised an irritated voice at the messenger who had replied concisely.
"Philibert."
Rulant called the name again to stop his words.
"Of course—"
"Messenger-dono."
Rulant slowly raised his hand as if to restrain the messenger who was about to continue.
"If you stop there, I shall act as if I heard nothing. I can understand the Marquess's feelings, but once you say it, there is no turning back. As one who has heard it, I too would be unable to remain unmoved."
It seemed to Rulant that the messenger's lips curled into a small smile.
"I appreciate your consideration, Excellency."
The messenger, who paused and gave a polite bow, looked up.
"—Of course, it is the intention of Marquess Mares that he wishes for Your Excellency to side with him."
[Author's Note]
I appreciate the consideration as consideration, but I'm going to say it all anyway.
Because that's the job.