Chapter 4: Father’s house is the enemy’s castle
Chapter 4: Father’s house is the enemy’s castle
The former Marquess Vankreift house, is a lineage of warriors.
The head of family served as commander of the knight order for generations, ans was touted as the right arm of the kingdom. 10 years ago, Rovel was as exceptional adjutant to the vice-commander despite being only in his teens.
Besides martial arts, Rovel is also able to use spirit magic.
Despite the Vankreift household having no connection to magic, they gained the best magic power in the world when Rovel first met Origin.
The former commander of the knight order died in the frontline of the monster tempest. The eldest son went to the spirit world, his survival unconfirmed.
When an average sorcerer asked spirits about Rovel, there was no decent reply returned. It was naturally so as half his body had become the spirit king.
Because Rovel was contracted to the Spirit King, it was highly confidential as far as the spirits are concerned.
The second son, Sauvel, who remained in the territory, was 15 at that time. As stewards were dispatched temporarily, there were no particular problems with the management of the territory, but Rovel held his head when he heard the present situation of the house from his subordinate.
Rovel’s younger brother, Sauvel, also had the capacity to wield a sword to a certain degree. As one is only seen as an adult when they turn 16 in this kingdom, Sauvel, an child about to turn into an adult, was not enlisted into the force to suppress the monster tempest.
Presently, the younger brother Sauvel had properly worked up the ranks, becoming the current commander of the knight order.
The Vankreift house held their nose high as the younger brother had risen to prominence. However, the subordinate said that the problem is elsewhere.
(Is that woman in the house…?)
Rovel held his head, feeling perplexed.
The 「woman」 who was the cause of Rovel’s headache, was Rovel’s former fiancé.
The second princess of the Tenbar Kingdom, Agielle. Above her are two elder brothers and an elder sister. Agielle is the youngest child whose age was far apart from the others, thus was showered with affection.
Rovel, who was to be sent to the frontlines of the monster tempest, suggested that they annul his engagement to Agielle right away. The reason stated was that he does not know whether he will return alive.
Had Agielle shed tears at the annulment, and patiently awaited for Rovel’s return, this might have been a touching story.
However, Agielle had a very high pride, was a spendthrift and an arrogant woman. Boasting of her royal bloodline, she chased after Rovel stating that it was love at first sight.
Brandishing the words of the king, she forcibly took the seat as Rovel’s lover and fiancé, who was also praised as the most handsome man in the kingdom.
Her personality can only be summed up as the worst. Having become fiancé by force, Agielle was about to brazenly declare that 「I will marry into the marquess household」 publicly to Rovel.
Even during the monster tempest, Agielle wielded her power to ensure that Rovel was not taken away from her.
However, this threat could not be overcome without Rovel who was the kingdom’s strongest.
Even though he loved his daughter a lot, the king did not listen to her words.
There was a large sacrifice for safely overcoming the monster tempest. Having lead the attack, Rovel was almost killed, and was taken to the spirit world for recuperation. When Agielle was told that he would not return for several years, the former fiancé naturally did not wait for his return.
Agielle having had her engagement broken off, felt indignation as her pride was hurt.
Rovel who had broken off the engagement, seems to have not thought about discarding the feelings of those left behind.
When a fiancé dies, she will be treated the same as a widow in this kingdom, mourning for a year, and cannot engage or remarry for at least 3 years.
That is why it is customary for people who are sent to the frontline to break off their engagements. A year after it has been annulled, without any guilt, the party left behind will only not be able to be engaged for 3 months.
The people who heard Rovel’s efforts in the incident were greatly moved, intoxicated on the tale, endorsed Rovel, as well as the Vankreift house grandly.
Adding to the fact that Agielle’s atrocious behaviour was well known, including the fact that Rovel broke off his engagement to her, it came to be considered as a funny story on Agielle.
Whatever the order, in public opinion, Agielle who had the engagement annulment thrust at her by Rovel had fallen into disgrace, he and his father were thus sent to the frontlines to protect the kingdom and and did not return…that was the rumour out on the street.
The Vankreift house was promoted to Duke in order to calm down the populace. Agielle felt flustered and impatient at this.
There is no woman who would declare that they did not have their eye on the fame the Vankreift house. As one is considered an adult in this kingdom when they turn 16, it would be too late if they do not get married in their 10s.
Having waited for Rovel’s return for a year, Agielle decided that it was hopeless looking at the reactions of those around her, and turned her eye onto the younger brother Sauvel who had just turned 16 and succeeded to the peerage.
Rovel was sent to the frontlines exhausted by the atrocities of this woman, neglecting to care about the Vankreift household, resulting in a drama to unfold.
「Thus, that woman married into the family.」
「Because it was the order of the king, we could not refuse.」
Sauvel and Agielle were of the same age. He had escaped marriage, the reason being that one could not get married until they have turned 16.
To tell the truth, Rovel had woken up within a year, but did not want to return to the human world, the reason being Agielle.
Even though he went to such pains to annul their engagement, it would all have been for naught if he were to return, ending up right where he started.
Hearing that Origin had told her followers that he would not wake up for several years, he thought about staying in the spirit world until it was too late for Agielle to marry, devoting himself to stay by the side of the existence who had watched over him attentively and touched his heart.
Though surprised, he was proud to be fortunate enough to be blessed with the people he hold dear.
However, he did not know that his brother would become the victim next.
Then again, with the return of the kingdom’s hero, Rovel on which Agielle was obsessed over…it would be a great humiliation to Agielle.
「There is a child between Sauvel-sama and Agielle-sama. It’s a girl…but…」
「Is she exactly like Agielle?」
「Yes…that is so.」
A child who grew up by that woman’s side. It was easy to imagine.
Sauvel, like him, hated Agielle.
Rovel and Sauvel do not look alike. The reason was because the facial features of their parents, who were known as the Beauty and the Beast, was split between the two of them.
The younger brother resembled their father, having a strict face. The younger brother takes after their mother, with an appearance that may even be mistaken for a girl.
Compared to the stern looking Sauvel who who hinted at their father when he was younger, Rovel is very different, it was unthinkable as Agielle laughed scornfully and married forcibly into the family. Her reputation was so nauseous that it caused a headache.
Perhaps it was not only Agielle who wanted fame, but also the royal family.
Although he was promoted, the vital Rovel was not here. It may have been determined that the suitable bloodline was necessary.
When there is discord in the couple, it is impossible for things to turn out well before things can be taken into hand. Even so, it is their duty to have a child. This is a matter of course for the nobles.
But Alberto dropped another bomb.
「Sauvel-sama keeps a mistress in town. There is also a daughter there.」
「…」
As their father and Rovel left one after the other, there was the heavy pressure of being the head of family as well as Agielle. It could be easily understood that Sauvel could not find peace of mind at home.
Not understanding the feelings of his younger brother, looking at this quandary…a wrinkle formed between Rovel’s eyebrows.
「Agielle-sama’s excessive extravagance has also put the Vankrieft house in a dire financial situation…」
「…Have you revealed that I have returned yet?」
「Of course.」
Rovel sighed as she would be waiting for him.
He felt another headache as he considered how he would drive Agielle out of the house.
However, he had imposed this heavy pressure on his brother for 10 years. He needs to do at least this much for him as his brother.
It was the right decision to send his cute and beloved daughter to his beloved wife.
「…There is a place we need to stop by first. I’ll drive that woman out.」
The subordinate who saw a hope in Rovel’s back, responded vigorously.
***
「Mother, what kind of person is Agielle?」
「If I meet her, I’ll want to throw a mass of fire in her face.」
「…She is terrible, I understand.」
And Ellen thought, Father’s home is surely equivalent to an enemy camp.