Chapter 317 - Episode 309: Return and the Future
Once the meetings with the royal family regarding immediate matters were finished, only the coordination at the practical level remained. That could be settled by having the royal bureaucrats visit the Arqvist territory, even if Noein was not in the royal capital.
Therefore, Noein decided to return to the Arqvist territory as soon as possible. Even after returning to his lands, there was a mountain of preparations to be made toward independence. He could not afford to linger in the royal capital for too long. A few days after the discussions, he had completed the preparations to leave the royal capital and was about to depart.
"Well then, Arnold-sama, I apologize for the trouble, but I leave the matter of the villa to you."
As he was leaving, what Noein asked of Arnold was to select a villa for the Arqvist family in the royal capital.
Once he became someone who established a country through independence, he could not simply stay at the villa of the House of Count Koenitz every time he came to Lichthagen. For the sake of appearances, it was necessary to maintain his own family villa.
"Yes, leave it to me. If a small mansion will suffice, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a property that meets your wishes. There are many lower-ranking central nobles who obtained lands in the south and vacated their residences in the royal capital."
The most important condition Noein set for searching for a villa was that "both the mansion and the grounds be small."
Since the royal capital and the Arqvist territory were already connected by the 'Far-Talk' communication network, contacting each other during both normal and emergency times was not a problem. Therefore, the Arqvist family villa would truly be nothing more than a base for when Noein and his family visited Lichthagen.
Thus, rather than maintaining an unnecessarily large mansion, Noein decided to own something compact and of high quality. He conveyed this to Arnold and left the selection of the property entirely to him.
"But are you truly alright not seeing it yourself? If you are satisfied, I can act as your proxy and handle everything up to the provisional purchase contract as requested."
"There is no problem. There likely won't be many opportunities to use a villa in Lichthagen, and I trust you, Arnold-sama."
Noein smiled as he spoke. Clara and Eleos would also stay at the Arqvist family villa. Depending on the situation, they might stay for long periods. He did not believe that Arnold would choose a mansion haphazardly when it was also a villa for his beloved daughter and grandson.
Anticipating such things, Noein had brought enough money to serve as a down payment for the purchase of a small villa. For administrative procedures, Noein himself would eventually need to come to the royal capital to sign the final contract, but there was no problem leaving the securing of the mansion to Arnold.
"Hahaha. Then, I must live up to the trust of my son-in-law. I will take responsibility for selecting a property you will be satisfied with, so please rest easy."
"Yes, I look forward to it... And Gustav and the others, I'm counting on you for things in the royal capital. If anything happens, contact me here at any time, or borrow the strength of His Excellency Count Koenitz."
Next, Noein turned to Gustav and the four other puppet mages who would be seconded to the royal castle for about a year to serve as instructors for the golem unit being established by the royal family.
Noein did not think the royal family would do anything malicious to the vassals of the Arqvist family, who were to become the heads of a friendly nation, but he had asked for the assistance of Arnold—who was close to the Arqvist family and held considerable power as a count—should something arise that was difficult for Gustav and the others to handle.
"Understood. All of us shall perform our duties splendidly so as not to bring shame upon the name of the main house."
"I'm counting on you, do your best. Also, once the villa is decided, please check how comfortable it is to live in."
"...Is that truly alright? That we may reside in the villa before Your Excellency?"
To Gustav, who asked hesitantly, Noein nodded with a laugh.
"Of course. Our villa is a place for our people, including vassals, to sleep and wake in Lichthagen. Rather, it would be a waste if you, who will be in Lichthagen for a whole year, did not use it."
As soon as the Arqvist family villa was decided, Gustav and the seconded group would move their residence there. Noein thought that they would be far more relaxed spending their time in the main house's villa than sleeping in guest rooms at the royal palace, where one never knew who was listening.
Regarding the management of housework and such for the villa, for the time being, he would pay a fee to the servants permanently stationed at the House of Count Koenitz's villa to handle it. They, who were said to be terribly bored normally while the master was absent, readily accepted the job.
"Understood. Then... we shall reside there carefully, so as not to dirty or break anything."
"Ahaha, right. I'm not worried about that point. It's likely been a while since you lived in the royal capital, so please enjoy yourselves."
The puppet mages of the Claymore were originally royal mages who had served at the royal castle. Among them, Gustav was accompanied this time by his wife, who came from a lower-ranking court noble family, and the child he had with her. For him, this secondment was also a triumphal return for himself and his wife's family home.
"Well then, it's about time for me... Arnold-sama, thank you for your help. Please excuse me."
"Yes. Be careful on your journey."
Seen off by Arnold and Gustav's group, Noein's party departed from the House of Count Koenitz's royal capital villa.
A convoy, with the Guard led by Pence securing the front and rear on horseback, followed by a baggage wagon behind the lord's carriage driven by Henrik, proceeded slowly along the main street of the royal capital.
Inside the lead lord's carriage, Noein exhaled and leaned against Matilda beside him. Kimberly, the head housemaid, was currently being considerate of Noein and the others, sitting on the driver's seat with her husband, Henrik. There were only the two of them inside the carriage.
"...The stay in the royal capital was more tiring than I thought. It's almost funny how different the situation is between when we arrived and when we're leaving."
"I sympathize with your hardships. Thank you for your hard work, Noein-sama."
"Thank you, Matilda."
Having his head patted and receiving words of appreciation from Matilda, Noein buried his face in her chest just like that.
"I want to get back to the Arqvist territory quickly. There's a lot to do once we return, but mentally, it's much easier being in my own home."
"I agree. Lichthagen is a bustling and prosperous city, but it cannot compete with the peace found in our home in our hometown."
The work for the establishment of the Grand Duchy was, rather, just beginning once he returned to the Arqvist territory. However, rather than facing the King and bureaucrats in the royal capital to discuss things, working in his own territory surrounded by familiar people was far more relaxed and enjoyable.
"...Once we're back, first of all, we'll celebrate the independence with Clara and Eleos."
When Noein lifted his face from Matilda's chest and whispered at a distance where their noses almost touched, Matilda smiled gently and brought her lips close to Noein's mouth.
.....
The return journey was also shortened to about ten days thanks to the magic carriage, and in early October, Noein returned to the Arqvist territory.
The welcome in front of the mansion was as spirited as when Noein had returned from the Betumia War. In addition to Clara and Eleos, the retainers and servants were all gathered.
"I'm home... It's quite lavish, even though I've only returned from royal capital socializing."
"Yes. Since you have returned having obtained a great reward. We could not possibly not welcome you with everyone... Congratulations on your independence as a Grand Duke, Your Excellency."
When Noein, having stepped off the carriage, spoke, Clara, dressed in formal attire, answered and smiled.
"Thank you. Somehow things have become quite extraordinary. I'll be busy from now on."
"I shall provide as much help as I possibly can... Now, Eleos. What were you going to say to your Father?"
"...Fath-er, con-grat-u-lations this time."
Prompted by Clara, Eleos showed a struggle to speak, his speech slightly slurred, yet it was clear what he was trying to say. Noein's face softened at the sight of his child; he crouched down to meet his eyes and patted his head.
"Ahaha, thank you, Eleos. You said it very well, good boy."
Having been praised by his father, Eleos took on a proud expression as if to say, "How was that?"
Once the family reunion had settled, Chief Retainer Yuri approached.
"Your Excellency. My sincerest congratulations on this occasion. All of us vassals are also enveloped in deep joy."
"Thank you, Chief Retainer. And everyone else. It is a joyful thing, but I think we will be busy again for a while until the independence. I will be relying on your hard work as well."
"Ha! I shall strive with my life on the line."
At Noein's words, Yuri and the martial retainers saluted, while the other retainers and servants showed the respective bows for nobles according to their gender.
"Well then, Yuri, we'll discuss the specific details tomorrow."
"You must be tired from the long journey. Is it alright if you do not rest until tomorrow?"
"I can't afford to rest too leisurely. There are just so many things I have to consult about... Along with my independence, your position will change as well. You will also come to be called Your Excellency."
"...Then, from now on, I must tighten my resolve even more and demonstrate work befitting my position."
Perhaps sensing the general meaning from Noein's words, Yuri answered calmly, only raising an eyebrow slightly.
"For now, let's set up a simple meeting tomorrow."
"Understood. Then, tomorrow afternoon."
"Yeah. Well then, everyone, thank you for the welcome."
Saying so, Noein entered the mansion with Matilda, Clara, and Eleos, and took a moment to relax, sitting on the sofa in the living room.
To his left, Clara sat with a happy face and leaned her arm against him. To his right, Matilda sat quietly, and furthermore, Eleos climbed onto Noein's lap as if to say this was his seat.
"...Dear, congratulations. To become the master of a country as a Grand Duke is truly amazing."
The expression of Clara, who leaned her face close as she spoke, was not that of a lord's wife, but simply that of a wife.
Noein also smiled and leaned his face toward her, giving her a light kiss as he answered.
"Thank you. Now I can do whatever I want within my own territory. Besides, if I become independent, you will be the Grand Duchess."
Not just a simple Grand Duchess, but the wife of a Grand Duke who possesses a country. Clara would no longer be the wife of a noble house, but would hold the position of the consort of a country's master.
"Grand Duchess... fufu, what a wonderful sound. To think that I would come to be called a consort, it feels like a dream."
Clara laughed while rubbing her face against Noein's shoulder. Many women long for fairy tales where "an ordinary woman becomes the consort of a country" when they are children. Clara had come to realistically seize the role of the protagonist in this success story, which was, after all, a fairy tale.
"And Eleos is the heir to the Grand Ducal house... the Hereditary Grand Duke, I suppose. He'll come to be called that. In a way, he's the prince of our country."
"Prin-ce?"
Eleos, who did not accurately understand the meaning of Noein's words, reacted perhaps because there was a word he recognized.
"That's right. The prince from the fairy tales I always read to you. You will be in a position similar to that, Eleos."
Even after being told by Clara, Eleos remained with a blank expression.
"Ahaha, as expected, it's still too difficult. He can understand it as he grows up."
"The number of things we must teach him will increase, won't it?"
Eleos, who did not yet know the magnitude of the position he had acquired, tilted his head while Noein poked his cheek squishily.