Vincent-sama and Ariel-sama had a sibling Erwin-sama who was born from a different mother.
After being here for three months, I gradually came to know as such. Though I also suspect that the surrounding people are not told of this valuable information, I am also a subject of avoidance so I must obtain such information by myself either way.
The truth is, after knowing Erwin-sama’s existence, a lot of information regarding him has been made public. It seems continuing to hide it no longer poses any merit.
Firstly, Erwin-sama has a different mother from the two siblings. Because the mother of the two siblings was the legal wife who is Mirria-sama, the position of the mother of Erwin-sama was a concubine. It seems her social standing was not very high as well.
Because of that, Erwin-sama and his mother had to put up with shame. Though I can tell by her appearance even know, it seems Mirria-sama had a strict personality. If it’s a person that she is not fond of, she should be considerably strict towards them.
Because Mirria-sama didn’t want to live with them under the same roof, they live on a separate place within the territory.
That was also the reason why I never became truly aware of their existences. I only came to know about their existence through visitors.
The one who visited was Viscount Lang Uztein. It seems it was a powerful family even among the subordinate families of Winhir household.
The purpose of viscount Uztein’s visit of all things was in hoping that he would meet with Erwin-sama. According to Vincent-sama, such a thing was impertinent. It was as if telling that Vincent-sama was lacking as a heir, so he was in a considerable fit of anger.
I don’t have any idea how it led to such talks, however since the other servants also understood as such, that’s really probably the case. I still have much to learn.
Although it was rude, Viscount Uztein had enough power for such rudeness to be forgiven, in addition, the visit for Erwin-sama was also granted. allthough instead, it caused Mirria-sama to walk out.
Anyhow, that day was the first time I came to fully know about Erwin-sama’s existence and was able to see him with my own eyes.
Though he had blonde hair and green eyes similar to Vincent-sama, everything was different including the body appearance* If you line up the two of them, the only distinct characteristic that would connect them as the same bloodline was their hair and eyes.
That is to say, Erwin-sama was a beautiful boy to a surprising degree. He doesn’t resemble Ariel-sama as well, so he must have inherited it from his mother.
It must’ve been that way since the husband, marquis still laid his hands on another woman despite knowing the strict nature of his wife.
Now then, this Erwin-sama, not only on by the appearance but have seemed to exceeded Vincent-sama in other parts as well.
His skills on the sword, on his studies and personality, anyhow he exceeded him in everything but amongst them, the most problematic part was his talent for magic.
When the children of three great aristocratic families reach eight, they will undergo a certain ceremony which was a trial to know the capacity and apt.i.tude of their mana. It was an important ceremony for the three aristocratic families that were the pivot of the kingdom.
The three aristocratic families can’t be entrusted to someone without talent in magic and to make sure that a child with talent is born, it is also the duty of the three household to adopt, marry or to take in someone who excels in it.
Anyhow, on that ceremony, Erwin-sama has displayed an outstanding talent.
The result of Vincent-sama who did it 2 years ago on the other hand….. doesn’t even need to be said. You can tell by looking at his performance on his magic study that it was unbecoming as successor of Winhirr household.
This will bring some complicated change in the surroundings. Isn’t Erwin-sama an even more fitting successor for the Marquis of Winhirr household– such talks have began to circulate on subordinate families. Although the servants on the mansion doesn’t speak out, it seems their innermost thoughts agree with it.
The only one’s who disagree with such are only the Marquis, his wife and Ariel-sama.
Especially, the wife of the marquis, who applied an even more strict att.i.tude towards Erwin-sama and his mother. As to what degree of strictness, because it was scary enough, none even dared to ask about it.
Viscount Uztein who visited hopping to meet Erwin-sama had shown a clear intention to push for Erwin-sama’s successor of the house. The situations in the mansion have turned to that direction.
Now I understand why the former attendant Walle, was so delighted to hand over his position as Vincent-sama’s valet. Antic.i.p.ating that the succeeding would be in favor of Erwin-sama, he transferred.
Though I already thought that he isn’t a decent b.a.s.t.a.r.d, it seems I was right.
Well that is fine. Those kinds of things doesn’t matter to me. The question is what Vincent-sama wishes for and as a valet, I will do my outmost to perform it.
is what it should be but—
「Do something about it!」
「Do something, is it?」
「You are the personal valet of onii-sama are you not? Do you think that it is fine to leave things as it is?」
After having answered to Ariel-sama’s call, I suddenly had to put up with her anger.
「….If I may ask, is this about the issue of successor?」
「Do you know of any pressing issue other than that?」
「I do not have the authority to take actions.」
「But doing something even knowing so, is what a personal valet is!!」
The likes of personal valets cannot do anything about it– though even if I say that, Ariel-sama won’t probably let it pa.s.s.
「Erm, by doing something so to speak, specifically what should I do?」
「That is for you to ponder about.」
「….something like, eliminating the rival?」
「That is a good idea. Then do as such.」
Even though I only recommended drastic things on purpose, it was still acknowledge nonetheless. Ariel-sama probably doesn’t understand the true weight of the words that I said.
「Erm, the target of that would be your younger brother Erwin-sama though.」
「Who else would it be?」
「Eh?」
「What is it?」
「It’s the younger brother of Ariel-sama.」
「…If he is bringing chaos to the house, then we have no other choice. That would be part of the duties of an aristocrats.」
「……..」
It seems she understood. Although from a different mother, it seems she is not against of disposing her blood-related brother for the sake of the house. For Ariel-sama, that’s part of the responsibilities that an aristocrat must bear.
「Then, can you do it?」
「…. If an opportunity arises. However, I am not confident that I can do it without being found out.」
「Is that so?」
「I worry that the end result of it will not sway into Vincent-sama’s favor.」
「The subordinate families might turn their heads away as well.」
「Wouldn’t that be a problem?」
「That’s right isn’t it? Let’s put that on hold. Do you have any other plans?」
「…Yes.」
Though I thought that the talk will be over when the a.s.sa.s.sination plan would be put on hold, it seems I was wrong. This persistence really runs in the blood. It’s possible that they have inherited it from their mother.
「…For now, Vincent-sama is the official successor, is he not?」
「That is correct.」
「Then, wouldn’t it be better if we do not take drastic measures for the time being? 」
「You mean, to leave everything as it is!?」
「No, that is not what I meant. It would be good to make the surroundings recognize Vincent-sama as worthy of succeeding. In order to make them realize as such in one go, there is no other way than doing something commendable.」
「For example.」
「….for example, providing a distinguished service on war. 」
「Doing that right away would be impossible.」
「That is why, currently is the time to earnestly improve the abilities of Vincent-sama.」
「If we do that, then when will the surrounding acknowledge it?」
「That is..」
In regards to questioning things like this, Ariel-sama is pretty strict. If you make an half-baked response, she will realize it right away. This is one of the conducts of the servants that is the most unforgivable to Ariel-sama, which will prompt to them getting yelled at.
「Don’t tell me, you do not know?」
「No, that is not the case.」
「Well then, what?」
「I was thinking that the right opportunity for such would be after enrolling into the academy, however as to what opportunity would it be, I’m still not quite sure.」
I used my knowledge of the otherworld but I’m not confident that the school on both worlds are the same, so I can only give a vague answer.
「…That’s right, isn’t it? There is also that.」
「Is there an opportunity?」
「That is a matter of course, after enrolling on the academy, there are various exams at fixed intervals. Other than such events, there should also be various opportunities to show your abilities.」
「Well then, before turning to that, Vincent-sama must give it his all.」
「Specifically on what?」
「Erm…」
「Don’t tell me, you have no idea?」
How really strict. Even though I was immediately called without notice, even to the end of it I was being pressed for answers. However, answering to such is part of my job as well.
「I do not know if I can implement it.」
「What do you mean?」
「Firstly, there is a need to change his tutors. The most priority would be the magic tutor. Even if I who is ignorant on magic were to be ask, some of the parts he was teaching was quite strange.」
「…That would be unforgivable.」
The anger of Ariel-sama was instantly lit up. Insincerity to one’s employers are one of the things that are unforgivable for Ariel-sama. It’s the same with attempting to trick her with half-baked words.
「At the very least, it is nothing but an intuition of myself who’s knowledge in magic is non-existent.」
「Teachers are those who teach those who know nothing. For Rion to still know nothing, it means that tutor has no talent in teaching.」
「If that’s the case, I thought changing the tutor would be better but that can’t just simply be done.」
「That’s fine. I will be the one performing the teaching.」
「Eh?」
「I will be teaching onii-sama myself. I am better than onii-sama when it comes to magic so it should be fine.」
「….understood.」
Though I feel that the answer to the problem still seems far off, this not the part where I can object. It would be better to avoid tampering on Ariel-sama’s feelings for her brother’s well being.
「Then after him?」
「His sword instructor as well.」
「Eh? In our family, only one or two people can contest with the Eric in regards to swordsmans.h.i.+p.」
「Yes. It might seem impertinent for someone like me to say this, but his talent was indeed on the sword.」
「Then, why is there a need to replace him?」
「First would be that he doesn’t know the struggles of someone without a talent.」
「…That is..」
「It might be rude to Vincent-sama, but I think he doesn’t have a talent for swords. However, I think that talent is not absolute in everything.」
「….Talent is… no, that’s fine. You still have any other reasons than that, am I correct?」
「Yes. If he was compared to Erwin-sama that would be apparent. Even I who can only observe from the sidelines can say as such, that is why most likely, Vincent-sama thinks so as well.」
「….What did you say?」
I have provoked her again. Let’s give up on avoiding that for now. For the circ.u.mstances of Vincent-sama to see plausible changes, his problems in his entire self should be addressed even if one had to resort to criticisms.
「The one who should be teaching Vincent-sama should be more sincere, how should I put it, he must have the gentleness that could bring up talent within one’s self.」
「…That’s right as well? What’s next?」
「In regards to the studies….., Vincent-sama’s motivation poses a problem.」
「….That’s the most difficult part, isn’t it?」
「Yes…. I am planning of thinking of methods for that.」
So even Ariel-sama knows this part as well huh? Vincent-sama’s hate for studies, just this makes it hard for one to think of any methods to change it.
「In regards to that, I’ll think of a way as well. For the time being, I will partic.i.p.ate in this plans as well.」
「Yes?」
「I said, I will study alongside of Onii-sama for now.」
「….understood.」
Other than the alternative plans, I don’t have any permission to speak. Though even if I had, I won’t.
Several days later, I was reminded on who is the most influential person on this household.
The morning study session. Beside Vincent-sama, Ariel-sama had also taken the cla.s.s of the tutor.
「Onii-sama, how do you plan to explain this?」
「Nn? This is… Rion, explain it in an easily understandable way.」
「Yes?」
「My explanations would be too hard for Ariel to take in after all. You on the other hand should be able to provide a more understandable explanation.」
「That is….」
「That’s fine. Then let us hear it from Rion himself.」
The tutor Moore-sensei, turns his heads towards us, but in the manner of ignoring that, Ariel-sama said as such. If it comes to that then I have no choice but to comply. If I made mistake on some parts, I will just ask to be forgiven.
「Well then, in order to reap profits, the selling price must be higher.」
「That is obvious.」
「Then what determines if the products selling price is expensive or not?」
「….That would be the selling price.」
「Then is a bread being sold for 2 copper coins expensive or cheap?」
「That is cheap, isn’t it?」
「….erm.. it should be expensive in this place.」
「Eh? Copper coin would be those cheap coins am I correct? I have yet to see such a thing though.」
Rather, you have never even seen a money right? By the way, although Vincent-sama had come to shop himself, he was never been informed of things like “prices”. Honestly, I don’t even know how many times I have been tempted to pocket the outlay for myself.
「….Erm you see, For me, 2 pcs of copper coin for a bread would be too expensive.」
「Rion, are your wages too low to that extent?」
「… No, I have nowhere to spend it on so it is plentiful for now. I shall change how I phrase it. When I was still residing on the slums, two coppers of coin would be un.o.btainable and was a plenty amount of money.」
「Is that so…?」
The expression of Ariel-sama became clouded. She was really honest in things like this. However, that is not good for now.
「Erm, there is no need for sympathy. In the first place, I only said it for the sake of explaining.」
「That is right, isn’t it?」
「However, Ariel-sama said that it was cheap. Now, then is the pan cheap or expensive?」
「…Ohh?」
(*TN: The usual ojousama “Ara?” that brings music to my ears. What? Nothing! I just really want to say it.)
「What determines if it is expensive or not would be the buyer and not the price. Now then, let’s return to the topic. 2 coppers for a bread would somehow be expensive, however if there are people willing to buy it for 3 coppers, if you buy it and sell them, you would gain profit.」
「That’s right.」
「That would be the part of determining the value by demand.」
「So the prices will be decided based on the side of the buyers right?」
「If one were to put it simply, that’s correct.」
「Well then, explain it easily.」
「….Yes. The next would be determining the value through supply. If you somehow decided to sell the bread for 3 coppers, if there are no target consumers to buy it then it wouldn’t sell. Do you know what is the reason?」
「Eh? There is also a reason for such?」
「There is. If buying it is not a necessity, then it would not be bought. They would probably even get a hold of it for two coppers or they would probably rather make it themselves.」
「….Indeed..」
「Then, if they do not have a means to get it for 2 coppers and and neither had the means to make it on their home. If that’s the case, then what would happen?
「Well, you will somehow be able to sell it for 3 coppers.」
「Yes. However, it might even be possible to sell it for 4 coppers. If I refuse to sell it and they have no other means to get it, then even if the price was raised higher, it may still be able to sell. This is how the prices are determined by the supply.」
「However, that would be despicable.」
「The main goal of the traders are to reap profits.」
「But even so…」
「Don’t worry. The subject matter does not end with this. A merchant that takes advantage of others by pulling the prices higher won’t gain any credibility. Even if he gains profit on that moment, he will gain much more loss in the long term. It would be an even higher loss than his profit.」
This part is unnecessary addition. However, because Ariel-sama wouldn’t be able to accept such an insincere way of gaining profits, if such thing is not added, then the conversation won’t end.
「…That’s right, isn’t it? With this, it would be acceptable.」
「That sums up the explanation, was it understandable?」
「Yes. That is fine.」
Though I do not think that they were able to fully understand it with my explanation, that is fine for Ariel-sama. It’s an unnecessary information for her after all. Though I wish Vincent-sama was able to comprehend it properly.
Vincent-sama was looking at his text book with a seemingly displeasured expression.
「…is that so. So that’s how it is.」
「Eh?」
「Ah, no, yes, that was a splendid explanation. It was even understandable for Ariel, is it not?」
「Yes, onii-sama.」
Though I was also surprised that he was able to understand my explanation, this is what Ariel-sama is really aiming at by studying together, to have me explain things.
I was way more surprised on that part. Is it possible, that Ariel-sama is really bright to that extent?
If that’s the case, then I don’t have an eye for people, but I should not feel remorse.
The surprising things about Ariel-sama does not end with that yet or it might be more proper to say that the surprises didn’t end with that.
On this part, she was unmistakably a genius. I can make that a.s.sertions based on her magic.
The attribute of Ariel-sama’s magic was obviously wind attribute. After seeing the spirits that should not be visible to me spread around Ariel-sama’s surroundings and giving off light, I understood as such right away.
Unrelated to her attributes and just judging by the seemingly visible spirits gathering in her surroundings, I wonder just how much mana do they receive?
But the surprising part was that Ariel-sama was able to keep such a situation intact.
「Do you understand, onii-sama? It is done by feeling the mana on your surroundings and not by feeling the mana in the interior of your body.」
「…That is what you said but..」
「Can you see the mana flowing around my surroundings?」
「Y-Yeah. That is amazing, Ariel.」
The enthusiastic way of Ariel-sama’s teaching, seems to be having the opposite effect though. Clearly, Vincent-sama was just being pressed by the reality of the inferiority of his talent.
「Onii-sama should be able to do such a thing like this. Your way of doing it was just wrong.」
「But…」
「The mana circulating around me. Such thing also exists on other things, please try to feel it.」
「The same exists…. I can’t see them.」
「There is no way that’s the case. They should be visible to onii-sama as well.」
Maybe this way of teaching was because she was a genius. Because she was able to do it easily, she does not know the right way of teaching how to do it.
「…. Focus your consciousness on your eyes.」
「Eh?」
「Ah, its because the talk was about seeing, so I thought focusing on eyes were important.」
「…That is indeed correct.」
「Accordingly, what you were trying to see was wind attribute, I think having an image of the wind would also be needed. Should I open the window to let the wind enter?」
「…Is it that simple?」
「It was just a suggestion of an outsider, so pardon me.」
「….Just do the things, you thing of doing.」
「Well then, I shall open the window.」
I walked towards the window’s direction and opened it. The wind that entered from the outside gives a pleasant feeling. Would he be able to see them after feeling this?
Vincent-sama turned his gaze towards the window. So he was truly obedient when it comes to this things. Though I can just show him the method by myself but because we have different attributes, it won’t be of much help.
However, I know that it’s not good to leave things as is.
「…Ariel-sama.」
「What is it?」
「Please retrieve your mana for a moment. If they gather too much on you, there won’t be much left for Vincent-sama to see.」
「You…」
.The color of the face of Ariel-sama had changed. I immediately knew that I made a blunder just by seeing that response.
「You can see them, don’t you!?」 「I CAN SEE THEM!!」
「「Eh?」」
「I can see them. O-oh! What is this? They are getting closer.」
「That is them. That’s the mana that exists in the surroundings. Stay that way and this time, hold out your hands and focus the mana residing in your body towards that hand.」
「It’s the circulation for activation.」
Vincent-sama like the usual, focused and began enchanting. I began to see a faint light forming on his palm. It’s probably the spirits being happy after obtaining their food.
「What’s after this?」
「If you continue the chant to the end, the magic should be able to activate.」
「What’s the difference from the usual?」
「Rather than that, I’m surprised you were able to use magic despite not knowing the source. The source of the magic was the mana gathering in onii-sama’s palm, you know?」
「Then, what about the mana on the interior of the body.」
「Isn’t it for the sake of pulling them?」
「Is that really the case?」
「That is right, The larger mana you want to use, the larger mana it will gather. The efficiency changes by that.」
「Is that so?」
Finally being aware of such a thing, the magical ability of Vincent-sama is sure to rise. As Ariel-sama said, I’m also way more surprised on the fact that he was able to use magic somehow.
Somehow, it’s amazing. I feel like the potential of Vincent-sama, immediately skyrocketed. It’s all thanks to Ariel-sama.
However, that Ariel-sama was looking at my direction with a severe glare.
「….erm?」
「Rion, you can you magic, can you not!?」
「….no, I can’t.」
「You lied! Then, how come you can see my mana!?」
「That is..」
It seems, it was not a thing that can be seen by anyone. A blunder due to ignorance. Even though I was being careful…
「So you could also tell a lie towards me?」
「Ah, no..」
「You lied didn’t you?」
「I apologize.」
「What are the attributes you can use?」
「…Water attribute only.」
「What are the attributes you can use?」
「…and just a little bit of fire attribute.」
「EEH!?」
The one who voiced such a yell was Vincent-sama. Ariel-sama had a face that was seemingly satisfied with my answer. The reason why she was persistent for my answer was probably because she deduced already.
「…Who else know about this?」
「The two of you only.」
「Well then, keep it as it is. Do not tell anybody.」
「Yes.」
「Even you, onii-sama.」
「Understood.」
My only secret was immediately found out by the two. Though I worry on what this could lead into, at the same time, I feel relieved as well.
I don’t want to hide secrets. However, the other me as expected don’t want it to be exposed and even so they probably won’t believe it anyway.
But even so, the time that it will be revealed will still come. I’ll believe in that and wait for that time as well. Because, my life here has just begun after all.