Chapter 6: Harid’s Return

Harid returned to his territory in triumph as a hero.

As a knight, there could be no greater honor.

And beside him was his ‘beloved.’

In addition, Harid had in fact received a formal offer of elevation in rank.

Of course, it was for his achievements in the borderlands.

It was not an immediate rise to count, merely to viscount, but even so, it was a great honor.

With that came the thought of expanding his territory, but… that would mean seizing neighboring lands.

The neighboring territory belonged to his current wife Electra’s family, the House of Vent.

Without any fault on their part, it would be impossible to confiscate another house’s land.

Therefore, if he were granted land along with his elevation, it would be a different territory far removed from his current barony.

In that case, he would appoint a steward to govern this land…

“…Ah, a steward.”

“Harid-sama?”

“No, it’s nothing, Livia.”

He had not yet officially been granted the title of viscount.

But if he were given new land upon becoming one, he would live there together with Livia.

Then, as the ‘steward’ of this land… what if he entrusted that role to Electra?

After all, for the two years he had been away, she must have managed the Carlson Barony.

It weighed on him to tell her of the divorce.

She would surely cling to him in tears, but… he had already fallen in love with Livia.

That was why Electra would have to part from him.

And that was precisely why, by appointing her as steward, he would repay her for those two years.

“…Yes.”

That would be the plan.

Thinking about it now, the fact that it had been a white marriage might have been a small mercy.

This too could be called fate.

Surely it was destiny that he and Livia would be joined, and that was why things had unfolded this way.

Two years ago, Electra had wished for a white marriage so that she would not be suspected of infidelity.

She could never have imagined that it would instead help push things toward divorce.

“…She’ll probably cry, won’t she?”

“Harid-sama, are you thinking about your wife?”

“…Yes, sorry.
Even though you’re here, Livia.
But I do have to talk about the divorce.”

“No, it’s fine.
I’m at fault too.
I want to apologize to her.”

“Livia, you have nothing to apologize for.
I was the one who fell in love with you…”

“Harid-sama… no.
I did too.
I fell in love with you.”

Confirming their love for each other, Harid returned to the Carlson Barony together with Livia.

“It’s been a while.
Still, looking at it now, my territory really is small.”

“Hehe, but it’s a lovely place, isn’t it?”

“Is it?”

Though he had been away from this land for two years… it did not look particularly run-down.

If anything, it seemed even better maintained than before he had left.

The manor coming into view in the distance also appeared to be well cared for.

He had worried about what would happen to a territory without its lord for two years, but it seemed no major problems had occurred.

When they arrived at the manor, the servants came out to greet Harid.

“Oh…?”

“What is it, Harid-sama?”

“No, it’s just that this is the first time the servants have come out to greet me like this.”

“Huh?
But Harid-sama, you are the lord, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but I’m only a baron.
And most of the servants we employ are commoners by birth.
So there was never really a custom of greeting me in such a… how should I put it.
Such a properly noble-servant manner.”

“…Ah.”

Perhaps, during the two years Harid had been gone, the servants had learned anew what it meant to serve a noble.

Or perhaps they were welcoming their lord’s return after two years, just for today.

Either way, it felt good.

He could even show his beloved Livia that he was, indeed, a man of noble standing.

“Said, I’m back.”

“Welcome home, my lord.”

Harid spoke directly to Said, the head steward.

“Everyone’s changed.
When did they learn to welcome me like this?”

“Lady Electra taught us.”

“…Electra?”

“Yes, my lord.
She was a viscount’s daughter, after all.
She knew proper etiquette that we did not.”

“I-is that so.”

Harid had never imagined that it was Electra who had taught them such a pleasing way of greeting him.

Come to think of it, no matter that she was a daughter who could not inherit, she had come from a house of higher rank than his own.

Until now, perhaps because their roles had been so different, he had never truly been conscious of that fact.

“…………”

Hearing Electra’s name unexpectedly left Harid feeling awkward.

But remembering that he would soon have to discuss something far more important with her, he hardened his resolve.

“Said, sorry, but could you call Electra here immediately.
To the study… no, bring her to the reception room.”

Taking Livia by the hand, Harid issued the order as he walked into the manor.

It would hardly be reasonable to make her leave immediately.

Electra would cling to him in tears.

She might even try to hurt Livia out of jealousy.

That was why he had to remain with Livia at all times—

“That will not be possible, my lord.”

“…What?”

The words from the head steward were completely unexpected.

“Why not?”

“Lady Electra is not in the manor.”

“…What?
Did she go out somewhere?
In the middle of the day?”

Had Electra neglected her duties to the barony while he was away?

Had she been idling her days away while he fought for his life on the battlefield?

The thought irritated him.
But—

“No.
She did not go out.
She is simply not in the manor, my lord.”

“…What?
What are you saying?”

“…There is a letter from Lady Electra on the desk in the study.
It would be quickest if you were to read it yourself, my lord.”

“A letter?
Where is Electra right now?”

“We are unable to ascertain that.”

“What did you say?
You mean to tell me the head steward does not know the lady of the house’s whereabouts and thinks that acceptable—”

“The lady of the house is not here.”

“What?”

“…My lord, I sincerely ask that you read Lady Electra’s letter.
I believe all explanations should come after that.”

“…What is this supposed to mean?”

Harid raised his voice in irritation, but none of the servants, beginning with the head steward, attempted to explain anything further.

Their conduct as servants of a noble house had improved greatly, but their attitude toward their master was remarkably cold.

“Please, read the letter.”

“Fine.
Guide Livia to the reception room.
Assign guards to her as well— no, Electra isn’t here, is she.”

“…Even if Lady Electra were present, there would be no need to assign guards within the manor.”

Under the head steward’s almost accusatory gaze, Harid sensed an ominous tension.