Chapter 67
A week had passed since I left the Imperial Capital.
After taking my time on the way to the Linefelt Duchy, I had finally reached its capital.
"Welcome. This is Erz, the capital of my Linefelt Duchy, and this is my estate."
"At last."
I stepped down from the carriage and gave a long stretch. A fairly large estate stood before me. It was plenty large enough, but for a duke's residence, it was probably on the smaller side.
The Linefelt Duchy, located in the southeast, wasn't particularly large compared to the other duchies in the first place. Perhaps this size was just right.
"It was a long journey, so let's get some proper rest first."
"Yes. I am exhausted, to be honest."
When I visited the Kleinert Duchy, I had made the trip on horseback in five days. We had ridden nonstop, practically driving the horses to death. That was because I had wanted to hurry. This time, however, there was no need to rush. So we had taken our time and come by carriage over the course of a week.
That said, we had used the latest magitech carriage, the kind reserved for the Imperial family and dukes. It had gotten us here considerably faster than an ordinary carriage would have.
"I'm sorry. I talked the entire time, so I must have tired you out."
Jurgen said that with an apologetic look on his face.
I answered with a wry smile. It was true that Jurgen had been talking constantly inside the carriage.
It wasn't that I disliked it. But just because I didn't dislike something didn't mean it wasn't tiring.
"If possible, I'd like to take a bath."
"Leave it to me. My estate has a large bath. My mother is quite particular about it."
"That sounds wonderful."
As we talked, I followed Jurgen into the estate.
However, as soon as we entered, an old man who appeared to be Jurgen's butler hurried over to him.
"What happened? Why are you in such a panic?"
"T-This is terrible! P-Please, remain calm and listen!"
"You calm down first. Take your time."
Jurgen said that as he soothed the butler.
The butler took a deep breath, then spoke, looking somewhat calmer.
"H-His Highness arrived a short while ago."
"Ah, I know. He came with me."
"N-No! I don't mean Prince Arnold!"
"Calling me 'His Highness' only causes confusion. I'd prefer it if you called me Marshal."
I heard a voice that made me want to drop to my knees on the spot.
It wasn't threatening. It was the innate voice of someone born to stand above others, a voice that made it clear to anyone listening that they must not disobey.
The owner of that voice, a woman I could easily believe had been born to command others, slowly descended the stairs.
She had rich golden hair and violet eyes, and she was tall for a woman. Her curvaceous figure showed to advantage beneath her form-fitting military uniform. She was a beauty capable of captivating anyone who saw her, but she wore a blue cloak over her black uniform. Only the three marshals of the Empire were permitted to wear blue cloaks.
Her name was Lieselotte Rechs Adler, a woman who looked like Krista grown up, with added allure, fearlessness, and strength.
She was the Empire's First Imperial Princess and the strongest general in the Imperial family.
"Big Sis Liese...! Why are you here!?"
"What kind of greeting is that for your sister after so long? Do it again."
"Huh...?"
"Do it again."
"It's been a long time, Big Sis Liese. I'm glad to see you're well."
"Good."
With a tone and look that brooked no argument, I reluctantly redid my greeting.
Apparently satisfied, Big Sis Liese smiled and came over to me.
"Long time no see, Al. I'm glad you're well too. How is Krista?"
She had suddenly shifted to casual conversation. She was as forceful and self-directed as ever.
Although completely dumbfounded, Jurgen had dropped to one knee.
Normally, he would have started by apologizing for intruding.
Well, there was no point in saying anything to this sister of mine. It wasn't that she couldn't accommodate others; she simply had no intention of doing so. She was the very embodiment of absolute self-centeredness.
"Krista is doing well, too. She has recently made friends her own age, and she's started smiling more often."
"I see. Sorry to make you look after her."
"She's my sister. Besides, Mother is the one who takes care of her most."
"I see. Is my stepmother well, too?"
"Yes. She's just as she always is."
Big Sis Liese nodded in satisfaction after hearing my report.
Only then did she finally turn her gaze toward Jurgen.
"Jurgen. Sorry for barging in while you were away."
"No, I apologize for not being able to welcome you properly."
"Big Sis Liese, let me ask again: why did you come here?"
I had planned to send her a letter after arriving.
I certainly hadn't expected her to already be here.
It wasn't particularly far from the eastern border to this place. Well, that was compared to the Imperial Capital.
Especially for Big Sis Liese, it probably wasn't much of a distance. Even so, she was the marshal in charge of the eastern border. She shouldn't have been in a position to move around so freely.
"I was training new recruits in the rear when word arrived that you were coming here."
"Word arrived...?"
I wondered what kind of information network she had established.
Her ability to get wind of things so quickly was impressive enough, but the initiative to hear the news and come here ahead of me was downright absurd.
"Now I've told you why I came. Why did you come all the way here with Jurgen?"
"Huh...? Well, that's..."
Damn it. I'd dug my own grave.
Should I tell her the truth? Or should I try to gloss over it?
While I hesitated, Big Sis Liese gave a faint chuckle.
"You don't have to tell me. Father must have told you to come, right?"
"...You know him well."
"He's my father. I know what he'd be likely to do."
With an exasperated sigh, Big Sis Liese looked toward Jurgen.
Jurgen looked uncomfortable, but he showed no sign of trying to hide anything.
"You never learn, Jurgen. This time you've even dragged my little brother into it. What are you planning?"
"The same as always, Lady Lieselotte."
"I see. Then my answer is the same as well. I have no intention of marrying you. I will not marry someone who cannot die alongside me."
"I am well aware of that. Even so, I...!"
"Enough. I want to talk with Al after so long. I'll borrow a room."
"...Yes."
With a swish of her cloak, Big Sis Liese walked off as though she owned the estate.
Her back seemed to be telling us to follow, but I couldn't very well do that.
"Big Sis Liese, I'm tired from the long journey. May I wash off the sweat first?"
"I don't mind."
"I do."
"You say the sort of thing a maiden would. Very well. I wanted to freshen up myself, anyway. Shall we bathe together, like old times?"
"Yes...?"
What was this sister of mine talking about?
There was no way I was going in with her!
"N-No, I'll pass...!"
"Don't hold back. I'll wash your back for you."
"I-I'm going to bathe with Duke Linefelt! We became friends on the way here! This is the perfect chance for some naked bonding!"
It was a flimsy excuse, but it couldn't be helped if I wanted to make Big Sis stop and think.
Apparently sensing my desperation, Jurgen came to my aid as well.
"Lady Lieselotte, I'll wash Prince Arnold's back. So please don't worry."
"I see."
"Yes. So, Big Sis Liese, please stay in your room..."
"It can't be helped. Shall we all bathe together?"
"What!?"
"It would be troublesome to go separately, wouldn't it? Don't worry. I have a body I'm not ashamed to show anyone."
"Pfft!!"
He must have let his imagination run wild.
Jurgen crouched down as blood gushed from his nose.
Seeing that, Big Sis Liese laughed with delight.
"Hahaha, you're as innocent as ever, Jurgen."
"This is no laughing matter! Anyway, Big Sis, stay in your room! Understand!?"
"What? You don't want to bathe with your sister?"
"That's right! I don't! So stay in your room!"
"I see. It can't be helped, then. You two go freshen up."
With that, Big Sis Liese climbed the stairs, looking bored.
That was close. I had nearly killed a duke. It would have been an absurd homicide if an active marshal and the First Imperial Princess had caused a duke to bleed to death from a nosebleed. It would literally have been death by seduction.
"Duke, are you all right?"
"I-I'm all right... But as expected of Lady Lieselotte. What a bold woman..."
"I think she's simply given up on being a woman..."
"No, that's just how she toys with me... But that is another part of her charm..."
"So as long as it's Big Sis, anything goes for you, huh...?"
With a sigh at how strange they both were, I went with Jurgen to the large bath to wash away the fatigue of our long journey.