Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 73

It feels like blood is about to taint my urine.

Marina von Wesperman was enduring a hellish agony.

I don’t want to go to the rose garden anymore.

I just don’t want to go.

These past few days, I’ve been investigating the rose garden with Her Majesty the Queen and Lord Polydoro.

Marina was acutely aware that she had made a clear mistake.

She understood it all too well.

How blatantly Lord Polydoro and I were treated differently—it was obvious even to someone as oblivious as me.

Her Majesty, with a smile, warmly engaged in all conversations with Lord Polydoro.

In contrast, every word I said was met with negation, and occasionally, Her Majesty clicked her tongue by my ear.

Every time she clicked her tongue, my heart and stomach would cramp, and I felt like I might leak blood in my urine.

And Queen Liesenlotte was in full battle dress.

Adorned in an elegant gown, her proud, long red hair of the royal family was beautifully combed and wafting the scent of chamomile.

Perhaps a smart sister would have noticed at the very beginning and apologized to Lord Polydoro before dashing away from the scene.

No, my extraordinarily perceptive sister might have realized Her Majesty’s infatuation from the start.

Sabine-chan, ever curious as a monkey, didn’t show any interest in the assassination of Consort Robert. I should have realized it then.

“Queen Liesenlotte is infatuated with Lord Faust von Polydoro.”

That fact lies before me.

I’ve been told by Sabine-chan that I can’t read the atmosphere.

She retorted that I have no sense or sensibility.

That was from our childhood.

I cry, remembering those times.

I wish I could go back to those days.

Why did I have to grow up?

Why can’t I read the atmosphere?

Why is the Wesperman family pushed to such extremes?

Why did the foolish me become the head of the family instead of Sabine-chan?

After all, a role like overseeing intelligence was too much for someone like me who couldn’t read the atmosphere.

“It’s all my fault. I’m stupid, and that’s why this is happening.”

Should I end my own life?

No, if I die here, that would be the end of the Wesperman family.

Even if I passed the leadership to my sister, it wouldn’t be enough to resolve anything.

What will become of the Wesperman family?

I think about my family and the servants we employ.

The entire Wesperman family rests on my shoulders.

“I have to be strong. I must stand firm, or the Wesperman family will collapse.”

Tears streaming down my face, I gaze at the crystal ball.

It is a magical crystal ball, serving as a communicator.

An information network painstakingly built over generations by the Wesperman family for the Anhalt royal family.

I desperately hope for a connection with Princess Anastasia, the first royal princess.

She should soon be reaching the city on her journey.

An intelligence agent was hidden in the city.

“I’ve already made contact. The agent will surely connect me with Princess Anastasia. It has to be. It must—”

I mutter to myself to calm down.

My mind has never been sharper.

Marina von Wesperman was pushed to her limits.

It’s okay if I die; I’m stupid, after all.

But ruining the family was unforgivable for a noble.

Again, Marina von Wesperman was pushed to her limits.

Therefore, her mind developed at an unprecedented pace.

“…Am I not mistaken?”

Crisis is an opportunity.

That phrase came to mind.

Eureka.

Just like the ancient genius mathematician who found a way to measure the volume of complex shapes accurately.

Indeed, Eureka! (I’ve found it!)

It was the conclusion of enduring agonizing thoughts to the point of feeling like blood might taint my urine.

I wasn’t wrong.

Yes, Marina von Wesperman must not have done anything wrong.

The crystal ball lights up.

As a communication device, the crystal ball, using magical power, carries out communication.

“What’s going on, Marina? Don’t overuse the intelligence agents. If it becomes known that the royal family is embedding spies in the territories of the nobles, it would be problematic. Naturally, the nobles must be aware they’re being infiltrated, but if it becomes public, that would be troublesome. I favored you because I wanted the Wesperman family’s intelligence network, and frankly, the fact that you personally can’t read the atmosphere is…”

“I’m sorry, Princess Anastasia, Your Highness. I urgently need to report something.”

“What is it? Speak quickly.”

Her glare was sharp, like that of a reptile.

The intimidating presence befitting someone destined to inherit the Anhalt royal throne was tremendous.

Even Lord Polydoro, known as the Knight of Wrath, trembles under Princess Anastasia’s gaze.

Marina had always managed to deceive herself by responding briskly in front of Princess Anastasia.

Marina was truly terrified of the First Princess.

However, Marina’s heart remained unmoved now.

Not just because of the crystal ball.

She had made up her mind.

At this moment, Marina von Wesperman, pushed to the brink as if blood might taint her urine, finally awakened as the head of the Wesperman family, overseeing its intelligence operations.

“Her Majesty Queen Liesenlotte has given Lord Polydoro a royal command. It concerns the investigation of Consort Robert’s assassination. Lord Polydoro has been ordered to stay at the palace instead of returning to his domain.”

She spoke bluntly.

Marina thought that a wise Highness would understand everything with just these words.

Until now, she had ridiculed herself as a foolish woman who couldn’t read the atmosphere.

But now, all of that seemed utterly absurd.

Yes, Marina had found it—Eureka! (I’ve found it!)

She had found the atmosphere that needed to be read.

“…That damn old hag!”

The princess erupted in anger.

Understandably so.

Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte both harbored infatuations for Lord Polydoro.

She knew this information.

Furthermore, Lord Polydoro was also the fiancé of Lady Valiere.

What’s wrong with causing interference?

I’ve done nothing wrong.

Her tongue seemed almost out of her control, flapping freely like her exiled sister, Sabine von Wesperman, known for her oratorical genius.

She may no longer hold Sabine-chan in esteem.

At this point, Marina von Wesperman realized that her sister would have foreseen the current situation.

She felt anger but, well, since she had been foolish, it couldn’t be helped.

Marina found her former self absurdly laughable just minutes ago.

“I interfered.”

“What?”

“For your sake, Your Highness, I orchestrated an obstruction. I desperately pleaded with my former sister Sabine to get involved and participate in the investigation. Lord Polydoro remains pure.”

A lie told for a good purpose.

In reality, what she was doing could indeed be seen as obstruction.

Since it was true, there was no problem.

“Of course, it required a considerable amount of money…”

“Well done! I’ll compensate you! Take it from that damn old hag’s annuity!!”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Marina had lost half of the Wesperman family’s savings, accumulated over generations, to Sabine.

This was shameful.

However, she had secured plans for compensation a few days later, so the ancestors would surely not be upset.

In front of the enraged Princess Anastasia, Marina allowed a gentle smile to surface.

“When will you be returning?”

“In a month!”

“Understood. The period for the investigation into Consort Robert’s assassination is exactly one month. During this time, I will continue the obstruction.”

It was nothing serious.

Once I realized it, it was quite simple.

From now on, the Wesperman family will pledge their loyalty to Princess Anastasia, the First Royal Princess.

Not to Queen Liesenlotte.

However, until then, maintaining balance is crucial.

It is still the era of Queen Liesenlotte.

If Queen Liesenlotte becomes enraged, she might order my execution.

To have my neck wrung and be toyed with is something I must avoid at all costs.

My sister is absolutely not capable of becoming the head of the Wesperman family, which oversees intelligence.

Her education as a spare’s spare has been neglected, and she certainly lacks the necessary abilities.

But that’s not all.

To put it simply, she’s “too soft.”

This is a state that one cannot reach without being prepared to die.

Indeed, now I can understand why Sabine developed her intelligence to such an abnormal extent.

Perhaps my former sister changed after her first battle experience?

It’s just speculation, but I think that’s likely.

“Marina, you’ve changed.”

“Yes, I am aware that I have changed. However, I understand that it’s definitely in a good way.”

“Good. I, Anastasia, will revise my view of you. You have become extremely competent. As the head of the Wesperman family, in charge of intelligence, you now have a fitting demeanor.”

I am extremely honored to receive such praise.

Marina responded to those words in her mind alone.

She knew that if she got carried away here, Princess Anastasia would say, “That’s exactly what’s wrong with you,” and become furious.

Indeed, Marina had truly achieved an Eureka! moment.

※

The young girl, Marina.

Queen Liesenlotte was furious.

Just by looking at Marina, she understood.

This girl had come prepared.

“Good morning, Marina.”

“May Her Majesty the Queen be in fine spirits.”

Over a week, Liesenlotte had been psychologically pressing Marina.

Eventually, she knew, it would lead to Marina urinating blood and being bedridden.

As a master of manipulation, Liesenlotte well understood the techniques not just for positive but also negative influence.

Just one more day of pressure and she would break.

Marina would disappear from the rose garden.

Soon, very soon, she would have her prize.

The exquisite wine that was Lord Faust von Polydoro was supposed to fall into her hands.

But Marina von Wesperman was far from broken; she was beginning to awaken as a noble.

“He hasn’t arrived yet? You’ve come to my room quite early in the morning, may I ask why?”

“Her Highness, Princess Anastasia, and Duchess Astarte have sent a message.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Indeed, she had been in contact with Anastasia.

I glared at Marina.

But Marina, unlike her previous timid self, calmly muttered.

“They said to be prepared.”

In reality, a curse might have followed that statement.

But she refrained from saying so, showing that Marina had learned to read the room.

Different from before.

To kill her?

For a moment, murderous intent flared, but actually killing her would be foolish.

If Marina had indeed grown into a competent individual, that was all the more reason to hesitate.

It was hard to justify killing a valuable asset.

Let’s test her.

“So, what will you do?”

“I am here to serve Her Majesty, Queen Liesenlotte. I have no intention of hindering you.”

If she had said she sided with Anastasia here, I would have beaten her down and left her in some vacant room.

I could just tell Faust that Marina had taken the day off.

But she stated she would not interfere.

It seems she has learned to read the atmosphere.

“Then disappear. Go home and sleep.”

“I would love to do just that right now. However, I also have a duty to Her Highness, Princess Anastasia.”

“Hmm.”

Marina no longer swore her loyalty from the bottom of her heart to me.

Her loyalty had clearly shifted towards Anastasia.

But that was of no real concern to me.

What truly mattered was whether this woman would interfere with my acquiring Faust.

“Just give me a little more time. After that, you can knock me down and leave me in any vacant room to make excuses.”

“So you mean to say you can save your minimum dignity towards Anastasia. I will be furiously scolded by my daughter.”

“Her Majesty, Queen Liesenlotte, you have probably factored that in as well? I am prepared to be called incompetent if I fail to fulfill my duties to Lady Anastasia. Just allow me the excuse that I tried to resist Queen Liesenlotte but was defeated.”

That’s right.

Later, Anastasia, Valiere, and Astarte might scold me.

But I do not care.

As long as I have Faust, the gentle Faust will protect me.

Ah, not bad.

I extended my hand.

“Let’s agree to your terms.”

“Thank you.”

Marina firmly grasped my hand back.

There remained a sense of having been bested by a mere subordinate girl.

But that no longer mattered.

My goal was to secure Faust von Polydoro.

In the rose garden and in bed, I would do something tremendous.

Once again.

For a short time, even, it would be fine.

To once again capture the sun that had slipped from my hands.

Others might scorn me for expending effort on such foolish endeavors.

But to me, this act was a painful prayer itself.

At last, Marina would be gone.

Queen Liesenlotte sighed deeply.