Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over ~ The Executed Villainess restores her Ruined Family ~ Restraint? Prudence? I'm more interested in magic tools than that! - Chapter 17
Family meeting
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”That engagement, you should decline it.”
My second eldest brother, Hubert, said so with a disgusted face.
”Although he hasn’t become of age yet, he’s already at an age where he should know not to discriminate.[1] For us who’ve been retainers since the country’s founding and have upheld our loyalty to the royal family for many years, it’s far too disrespectful. ——— besides, with the other person in that state, I don’t think Letty would be happy!”
With a bang, he slams the table.
Unusual for the intellectual Brother Hugh, he exposed his emotions with those remarks.
While that behaviour did surprise me, on the other hand, seeing it warmed my heart.
”……”
In contrast with the angry second-eldest brother, Graham, the eldest brother, folded his arms and pondered with a stern expression.
And then, after a moment’s contemplation, he looked up.
”Chichi-ue. Are the ones indoctrinating Prince Alvin with needless things the Royalist Faction after all?”
”…I cannot say for sure. Our Family is neutral, though since we’re called a military Family, we are strongly trusted by the first prince. I guess it might also be that we’re seen as new nobles[2]. It is a possibility that they can’t allow the Ainsworth’s daughter to get engaged to the second prince, who they support.”
Otou-sama hit his forehead with his fist, and exhaled with a grim face.
Right now, the Heielland Kingdom is divided into three large powers.
The Royalist Faction, which follows the old traditions, and aims for the royal family/blood-related old nobles to play a major role in the state’s administration.
The Senate Faction, which maintains the monarchical system, while also pushing for a government where the Senate plays the central role, and is made of new nobles at its core.
And then the Neutral Faction, which doesn’t particularly side with either faction and only upholds loyalty to the royal family/kingdom.
Of these, we of the Ainsworth House are classified as part of the Neutral Faction.
That doesn’t particularly mean we band together with the Neutral Faction nobles though.
Incidentally, those known as old nobles are those Families from long ago during the previous ruling era, many of whom are vested[3] nobles.
Those known as new nobles are Families who, like the Ainsworths, were originally commoners that gained success in the nation’s founding war, and is characteristically comprised of many military Families and merchant Families.
”The Royalist Faction supports Prince Alvin to be the next king, don’t they?”
To my question, Otou-sama nodded.
”Yeah. The second prince’s mother is from the Oswell Dukedom, the noble family at the very tip of the old nobles. The way the Royalists see it, Prince Alvin is the one of legitimate lineage. They’re saying it’s outrageous for His Highness Gerald to inherit the king’s authority as his mother is from a new noble marquisate peerage, despite him being the first prince.”
”Then, it would be even more undesirable for Letty to marry the second prince.”
Brother Hugh persistently appealed to Otou-sama.
To that younger brother, Brother Graham closed his eyes while murmuring.
”However, it’s the king’s order.”
”……”
Brother Hugh sinks into silence at the eldest brother’s sound remark.
Thereupon, Otou-sama asked those brothers a question.
”For this moment, let’s put aside that it’s the king’s order… Graham, Hubert. Do you approve of this engagement? Or are you against it?”
””Against!””
The brothers answered immediately.
After giving those two a glance, Otou-sama looked at me next.
Father nods deeply, and then says,
”… I see. Actually, I’m also against it.”
Saying so, he smiled.
——— it made my heart resonate.[4]
Otou-sama began telling my brothers about the other day’s conversation about the barony’s succession.
The fact that the Ainsworth Barony is a wartime-peerage.
The fact that, consequently, even I could inherit it.
The fact that achievements are needed to justify that succession.
And then, the fact that I’m currently working hard on making a magic tool to become that achievement.
”Moreover, if I may add one more thing, for a smooth inheritance, I’d like for you to give your assent and recommendation, but…”
”Of course I agree.”, “I’ll write a letter of recommendation.”
The two of them gave an immediate reply once again.
I thanked my brothers and Otou-sama.
”But Letty. No matter how much you’re loved by Mistreel more than any of us siblings, are you able to prepare a new magic tool in such a short period of time?”
Brother Hugh worriedly asks that question.
The expression, [loved by Mistreel], is in short like what having the [hand of God] is like for a craftsman.
I nodded my head.
”Yes. Today, I’ve somehow released the final diagram. The Royal Capital Workshop is also putting in their all in tackling the production, so with the current state of progress, we should finish the first prototype. Accounting for tests and tuning as well, I think we’ll be sufficiently in time for the audience with His Majesty the King.”
”Ooh, then that’s good! ——— right, next week’s weekend, huh. If you’d like, is it fine if I come see the completed magic tool?”
”Yes. Definitely, please do come.”
I replied with a smile, and then,
”Then I also definitely want to come see.”
”Me too.”
Immediately, Brother Graham and Otou-sama were lured…joined in.
Yeah.
I wonder, what’s with this state where they bite at every opportunity.
”O-, of course. Otou-sama and my brothers, be sure to tell me your impressions, okay!”
”Umu”, “Of course”, “If being subjective’s okay with you”[5]
Haha…
How popular.[6]
And so, after a week, we arranged to hold an unveiling for all those involved.
TL Notes:
[1]Uhhh… there might be a mistranslation here. Well, he’s probably talking about when the second prince looked down on them for being low-ranked and on the decline, but the author could’ve worded it better then. ↩
[2]I assume that this is in contrast with nobles that existed prior to the country’s establishment. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense that a Family that got made alongside the kingdom’s founding. ↩
[3]no clue what in particular a “vested” noble is. If you’ve got some understanding on this, let us know below. ↩
[4]As I was writing a completely different footnote, I realised that I’d mistranslated it here and previously. The old translation had negative connotations, so sorry about the confusion. ↩
[5]I assume the order here is father -> Graham -> Hugh. It’s funny that Hugh doesn’t even hide the fact that he’s not going to be able to give an objective criticism. ↩
[6]I tried my best not to make it seem like she just admitted to having a crush on her family, even though the term used here has a connotation like that. I assume that what she says here is like how your grandmother looks at you and says “what a handsome/pretty boy/girl” when you do something good for her. That’s the best explanation and analogy that I’ve got… ↩
The more I learn about the internal situation of this country, the more I see the cracks and crumbling foundation… Though you can’t really fault the king for taking in the old nobles, since the kingdom would simply fall apart if you replaced everyone too quickly…