Chapter 2: Rejection
Just as he had declared, Leonhardt had no involvement with Cecilia whatsoever.
And the same was true for Cecilia.
Not only Leonhardt, but even the other servants never once encountered her within the mansion.
Because of this, she would occasionally be remembered as “that pitiful woman being neglected” and used as the subject of jokes, but aside from those moments, she was forgotten, and despite the clearly suspicious nature of the situation, no one ever noticed it.
Ceciliaâs presence had completely vanished from Leonhardtâs mind, and he continued living his days no differently than before.
The same went for the people living in the Trevant Margrave Territory.
However, at such a time, a report came from the knights of the margrave house that several large magical beasts had been spotted.
Upon hearing the details, it seemed they were tiger wolvesâbeasts resembling wolves but larger than tigersâand griffons, creatures with sharp claws that flew swiftly through the skies, numbering several in total.
If it were only one or two, Leonhardt and the Margraveâs knights could manage somehow, but any more than that would be difficult.
As he was pondering what to do, Yuri suddenly spoke up as if something had just come to mind.
“How about asking Madam to help?”
“…Why?”
“I think~ in the profile His Majesty sent, it said she can use all attributes of magic~”
Leonhardt had indeed checked the document that had been sent, and he recalled that it did say so.
“…Very well, bring her here.”
After a while, Cecilia, led by Hans and accompanied by Noin, entered the office.
“It has been some time, Margrave.”
She greeted him while performing the same beautiful curtsy as ever.
“…Ah, it has been a while. I’m glad to see you seem well.”
At Leonhardtâs words, Cecilia reacted ever so slightly, then straightened up and fixed him with a cold gaze from her jade-colored eyes.
“…What is your business?”
“…Several large magical beasts have appeared. We must subjugate them before the people suffer any harm⌠You should be able to use all attributes of magic. Join the subjugation.”
Though slightly unsettled by her cold gaze, he conveyed his request for her to participate.
“I refuse.”
“W-What!? Why!? The people could be harmed!”
The moment Cecilia refused, Leonhardt and the others were visibly shaken, never having expected her to decline.
“Why? That is what I would like to ask. Why must I, a wife in name onlyâone who is not even acknowledged as the Margravineâdo such a thing?”
Cecilia spoke indifferently, her expression unchanged as she looked at them.
Her words caused Leonhardtâs expression to darken, unable to hide his anger.
Yuriâs face also twisted, and a tense atmosphere filled the room.
“…Are you saying that as long as you are fine, nothing else matters?”
“Please do not twist the argument. I am asking why I must conveniently lend my aid in an emergency for the sake of people who, under normal circumstances, treat me with such disregardâas neither a wife nor the Margravine. Do you understand?”
Her sharper words pierced the hearts of those present, but for now, they needed her agreement no matter what.
“…Fine. Once this subjugation is over, I will treat you with the respect due to the Margravine. That should suffice, shouldn’t it?”
At Leonhardtâs words, Cecilia let out a small sigh.
“That will not be necessary. I have nothing more to discuss with you.”
As if refusing any further conversation, she cast a sharp glance at everyone present and left the office just like that.
“Damn it!! To think she’d take advantage even after I lowered myself!!”
“…My lord, what Madam said is entirely reasonable.”
As Leonhardt and Yuri were unable to contain their anger, Hans spoke in defense of Cecilia.
“…What do you mean?”
“My lord, in the six months since your marriage, have you met Madam even once? Have you remembered her even once?”
Being told that, Leonhardt felt a faint pain in his chest, though it had been what Cecilia herself had wished for.
“Allow me to explain. From Madamâs perspective, when she came here under royal command, it must have felt as though she had arrived in enemy territory. Naturally so. Aside from her own butler, she had no alliesânot even you, her supposed husband.”
Hans spoke slowly, as if admonishing him, his eyes closed.
“Rejected by her husband, the servants, and even the people of the territory she has never met, there is nothing strange about Madam rejecting you in return. When you first met, she did say that she has no peculiar taste for harboring affection toward those who despise her.”
Hearing that, Leonhardt recalled Cecilia from their first meeting.
She had calmly accepted his rejection, while clearly expressing her own.
Despite leaving behind the royal capital where she had been born and raised to come all this way, he realized that his treatment of a young lady seven years his junior had been far too cold and immature, and his chest tightened slightly.
“…Was I wrong…?”
“That is why I asked you, my lordâwas it truly alright?”
Hans had originally been a close aide to the previous margrave, Leonhardtâs late father.
Because of his ability to calmly observe and judge situations, he had once served as Leonhardtâs tutor.
Opening the eyes he had kept closed until now, Hans looked straight at Leonhardt.
It was the same gaze he had shown him in the past whenever he had made a mistake.
Even if he wanted to do something about it now, the subjugation of the magical beasts had to be carried out immediately.
The fact that nothing could be done at this point weighed heavily on Leonhardtâs heart.