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Bang!Mark slammed his desk. “Damn it!” He felt like he was going crazy with humiliation.
The sudden appearance of Danae Windsor, a direct descendant of the Windsor, was causing turmoil in the territory.
Those damn merchants. Chameleon-like creatures. Traitorous scoundrels!They had been loyal to the Kurs family all this time! But now they were siding with the Windsor direct line just because they appeared!Ignorant peasants. Like pigs and dogs, they wag their tail just because they got some food!
He was furious at the estate’s residents, too. It was the Kurs family that had protected this territory until now, yet all it took was some free food for them to cheer like that! Vermin who don’t recognize their master!
“T-There is some food stored in the castle’s food warehouse for now…”
“Right, we can hold on with that!”
“I-Is that okay? We only have two days’ worth of meat left.”
What? No meat? Does that mean there’ll be no meat in two days?
“Fine! Then I’ll go hunting by myself!”
Mark bit his lip.
What if the castle is taken while he’s out hunting? Wasn’t it clear from this incident just how fickle the people’s loyalty was? If someone gave them money or free food, they might just open the gates to the castle!
And on top of that, the banquet is in just a week. He’d sent out invitations with his name on them for the first time in his life. But what if there’s no food at the banquet? What if only corn or bits of bread were served?My authority will collapse!
Mark paced the room frantically, thinking.Should I make a contract with a new merchant guild? I can use this opportunity to establish a new supplier!But for that, he’d have to go outside the estate himself. He’d never left the estate in his entire life, so he was a bit reluctant to go out.And there’s not enough time. Even if I find a new supplier, the banquet is just a week away….
“Aaargh!”Mark screamed in frustration, kicking the wall.
There was simply no way out. He grudgingly accepted the grim reality.
I’ll have to let the Windsor direct family into the castle.At the very least, he’d have to pretend to appease them. And then get them out as soon as possible!
But what excuse should I use? My pride wouldn’t allow me to invite them into the castle now!
At that moment, as if reading Mark’s mind, Priest Morius brought news. “It just so happens that Lady Allice Windsor has arrived.”
“Allice Windsor? Who is that?”
“She’s Lord Carl Windsor’s daughter.”
Carl Windsor. Even Mark, holed up in the estate, knew that soldier’s name well.
“So why not use that as an excuse to let Danae Windsor in? You could say you’re opening the gates to show mercy for Allice Windsor’s sake.”
“Good idea!” Mark clapped his hands. “Send a carriage! Tell everyone I admire Allice Windsor, and that I’m bringing the Windsor direct family into the castle for her!”
It was really a busy day. But the hardest part was, as always—
Enduring this ridiculous title.
Who came up with this nickname? It’s so annoying.It was the embarrassment, as if her whole body was shrinking, that was the hardest to endure. And then—
“Sob, sob, sob.”
Why is she here again?
Allice had been sniffling nonstop for a while. She’d landed on her butt and gotten a bruise or something.
“Sorry, sorry, Allice. It was my fault.”
“Sob, sob,Brother Rumie, I hate you. How could you do this to me?”
“There were so many people. I was on edge. You never know when someone might try to attack Dana.”
“I’m, your,sob, sister,sob.”
It was driving her crazy. Dana wanted to gag Allice right then and there.Who sent this crybaby here anyway? Viego wouldn’t have sent Allice! Then was it Carl? No, probably not Carl either. That man might be a villain, but he’s not an idiot.That gave her a headache.
“Allice, listen. This matter is very important for the Windsor family.”
Sniffling, Allice looked up at her with rabbit-red eyes.
“The acting lord of Windsor has rebelled. And it’s more serious than expected. He didn’t even let the Windsor direct family into the castle.”
“W-What? Really?”
“Yes. That’s why we’re staying at this rented house now.”
Fortunately, Allice seemed to realize how serious the situation was.So she’s not a total idiot after all. Dana was about to sigh in relief.
“A messenger from the castle has arrived!”
Priest Morius had come.
“The lord invites the Windsor direct family to the castle.” And he added without being asked. “Lord Mark has always admired Lady Allice Windsor. So please, allow us the honor of welcoming you into the castle.”
Dana saw right through this act. The lord was just making excuses because he didn’t want to swallow his pride. But—
“Oh my!” Allice’s eyes sparkled like stars. “M-Me?”
At that moment, Allice realized.I solved it! When Sister came alone, the castle gates were tightly shut. But when I showed up, the gates were open. With a confession of admiration, even!
“O-Okay. I will—”
Just as Allice was about to speak in delight, Dana cut her off firmly. “We’re not entering the castle. Go back.”
“Sister? What are you saying!”
Allice was shocked.The gates had finally opened, but why did Sister refuse to go in?!
Dana completely ignored Allice and gave orders to Priest Morius. “If you really want us to enter, tell Lord Kurs to come here in person. Until then—”
“No, we’ll go in!” Allice quickly grabbed Dana’s sleeve and shouted. “We’ll go in, so please wait outside for a moment!”
Priest Morius, now wearing an odd expression, left the house without further persuasion. And then—
“Sister, why are you doing this?” Allice reproached Dana. “Are you upset because the gates opened because of me?”
“Sister, this is important, like you said. You should put your emotions aside…”
Dana took a deep breath. Otherwise, she might have lost her temper and yanked out Allice’s hair.
“Allice, listen carefully. That stuff about admiring you is just an excuse. Mark just doesn’t want to swallow his pride.”
“But what’s needed now is to make Mark Kurs abandon his pride on his own. We need to bring him down so he raises the white flag. Make him come in person to beg us to enter the castle.”
Until then, Dana was planning to cut off all supplies going to the castle. Not just luxury goods, but even basic necessities, to isolate them completely.
She must get it now, after this explanation.But Dana was wrong.
“I-I… want to enter the castle.” Allice insisted with a stubborn expression. “He invited us with good intentions. I don’t want to ignore that.”
“Allice Windsor, do you not understand what I’m saying?”
“I understand. But I don’t agree with Sister’s method.”
“I want to solve things nicely. In a way that no one gets hurt, so everyone can smile in the end.”
“Isn’t this a chance for that? Mark Kurs extended his hand first.” Allice clasped her hands. “I want to take the hand he offered.”
At that moment, Rumie, who had been listening quietly, burst out laughing. “Ahahaha!”
“Ah, sorry. I just couldn’t help but laugh…”
Dana’s insides were burning.Right, it was funny. How could those words not be laughable?
Please, stop laughing and say something. She’s your younger sister!Dana glared at him with such eyes, but Rumie didn’t seem to have any intention of intervening. He was watching with his chin resting on his hand as if enjoying a play!