The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 04: Strategy to Capture the Duke's Daughter

Chapter 04: Strategy to Capture the Duke’s Daughter

About five days had passed since Alicia came to this house.

During this time, I observed her behavior closely. So far, she has been quiet, not causing any trouble or speaking ill of anyone.

We haven’t had a meal together yet, so there hasn’t been a chance to talk, and I have no idea what she’s thinking. But she doesn’t seem to be plotting anything bad, unlike her character in the game.

“Ah, so annoying,.”

These past five days, I’ve been swamped with menial tasks, keeping an eye on Alicia, and getting rid of magic worms.

Wherever she went, these pests seemed to follow.

I found myself repeatedly squashing them, which is why there’s been no communication between us.

These pests can be sent flying not just by physical contact but also through magic, using someone’s hair as a catalyst, for example. 

Perhaps that’s why? 

The pests kept coming incessantly, sticking to the manor’s windows and squirming around.

“Shoo, shoo.”

“You seem to be having a hard time, young master.”

Sebas amused, watching my struggle.

“If you see them, help me out. There are too many.”

I complained, reminded of the time in early spring when stink bugs would swarm and stick to windows. 

Like stink bugs, which release an unpleasant smell when caught, these magic worms release a slight curse when squashed, causing great discomfort.

It was all curses related to mental contamination, and I was fed up with it. 

However, the Brave family’s lineage wouldn’t be cursed by these minor pests.

We’ve faced monsters using much stronger curses of mental contamination.

Moreover, our enemies from other countries sometimes attack using forbidden mental manipulation magic.

As a countermeasure, the Brave family recommended a method of awakening through pain. 

Overcoming the fear of pain, or rather, getting used to the fear of death, makes it harder for mental magic to affect them.

Through training, I’ve become incredibly resilient to pain, to the point where even a severe injury doesn’t faze me.

“It’s a good story, isn’t it? A tale of a lord saving his cursed fiancée.”

“I’m not so sure about that…”

The Brave family has always been terrible at that sort of thing. 

The women who marry into the family are usually desperate. 

I can’t even understand how someone like my battle-crazed father could have had a son like me. 

That’s the level we’re talking about.

“It’s the same as before. Even the late lord couldn’t resist his desires, you see? If I were to give advice… Well, the eldest son, your brother, was born a year after the late lord was gravely injured in a decisive battle with the neighboring country.”

“Is that so?”

I mumbled, thinking about the implications. 

Does a brush with death… trigger some kind of life instinct to leave behind an heir?

“The reason you were born, young master, was after a duel with a demon where your father lost an eye.”

“Oh, enough! Be quiet! Just be quiet!”

I didn’t really want to hear such stories about my parents. 

Will I end up the same way because I inherit his blood?

Like a beast.

So far, being from a lower noble family felt okay… but if I were to do something like that to a ducal daughter, could I end up framed for a crime and executed?

Scary, truly terrifying. 

Despite being married off to a forsaken place because of some scandal, she remains a person of status that could jeopardize our family’s position as count if I were to disrespect her.

“So, are we going to keep getting rid of these magic worms forever?”

“Ngigi…”

My butler, always keen to point out my weaknesses, didn’t miss the opportunity to do so now.

The pests coming at Alicia could be a result of her insecurities and mental vulnerabilities. I knew I had to find a way to overcome this.

“However, it’s true that I can’t suddenly become close to a woman I met just five days ago! This is a very sensitive issue, so I’ll take my time dealing with it!”

“Good grief, considering that in a month, your relationship will be well known, and you’ll be attending the same school, if you proceed too slowly, you definitely won’t make it in time. And if something goes wrong, the Brave family might have to take responsibility.”

“Damn it! It’s all the fault of these pests! Who’s sending so many of them!?” 

No matter how many I squashed, they just kept coming from everywhere. 

Despite my training to not be affected, dealing with these menial tasks and the prospect of marriage to a ducal daughter was driving me insane.

“…What if we just follow the direction they’re coming from and kill the source?” 

If we have a month, we can trace the pests back to their source and eliminate it. 

If we need to stop this at its root, then let’s cut it off.

“That’s not advisable. The Brave family doesn’t have a just cause for such action. You, young master, have a duty to continue the legacy of the late lord.”

Hearing that, I felt stuck with no way out.

“Sebas, you have to help me out here. I’ll do my best, but I’m not good with ladies, so I need your support as my butler.”

“That’s not very manly of you. What do you need my help with? You should just be yourself, young master. Pretending to be someone you’re not won’t earn you any trust.”

“Can’t we just go to a dungeon together?”

“No, that would be too dangerous.”

“Then what am I supposed to dooooooo!?”

I slammed my head against the sturdy desk in frustration.

The reason I can handle paperwork and menial tasks is because I have memories of living and working in a modern society, where I received basic education.

Love? Sadly, I don’t remember ever being in love in my previous life. 

And what about after I was born in this world?

“I’ve been groomed for battle since I was three years old! No time to play with others! Just fighting monsters, battling soldiers from neighboring countries, fighting or training with my siblings! And Alicia is the first girl my age I’ve ever interacted with!”

Haha… What even is leisure?

For a guy my age, the only “fun” activities I know are hunting monsters and killing enemy spies. 

I know the Brave family is out of touch with the general public. 

That’s why I’m trying so hard to figure this out, to handle it as smoothly as possible.

“But this annoyance is really pushing me to my limit…”

“Please, don’t be so aggressive. How about you take this opportunity to go out and have some fun in the town? You can’t stay cooped up in the room forever, right? And with you around, dealing with the magic worms should be easy.”

“Really? Can I?”

“You’ve been working non-stop these days, so I think it’s time for a break.”

Finally, the moment I had been longing for, to be freed from these tedious tasks.

It’s a shame we can’t go to the dungeon, but it’s all for the sake of the Brave family.

I’ll do my best to make the ducal daughter happy.

“Sebas, is there anything worth seeing in this town? Like, any tourist attractions or something? I don’t know about them, but maybe there are?”

“There’s nothing.”

“Yeah, figured as much.”

Even though it’s my own territory, it’s unbelievable.

“The only places to go are hangouts for roughnecks. Gambling is popular, with bets often placed on which adventurer will die next. Apparently, someone made a fortune betting on the late lord’s death in battle.”

“That’s outrageous. So, who was it? Tell me, and I’ll kill them.”

“They’ve already been dealt with.”

“Oh, right.”

Yeah, as expected, it’s unbelievable. 

But here, that’s normal. 

Human life is taken lightly, which is why this place is called a wasteland by other nobles.

“Well, at least the nature around here is rich, right? I’ll take her to a safe place to see. Standing before the majestic nature full of creatures in Brave territory might just change her perspective.”

“Can a young lady from the city really enjoy a place with nothing in it?”

“Why do you have to say things like that every time?”

I couldn’t help but think he really had a bad attitude.

“I’m just doing what the late lord ordered, raising you strictly.”

“Damn it!”

I silently vowed to bet a large sum on Sebas dying in the next battle or monster uprising.