I had been heading leisurely toward the Duchy of Reinfelt and finally arrived at the capital city of the Reinfelt Duchy.
"Welcome. This is Elts, the capital of our Reinfelt Duchy, and this is my mansion."
"Finally."
I got off the carriage and stretched. In front of me was a large mansion. It was big enough, but it was on the smaller side for a duke's residence.
Well, this Reinfelt Duchy in the southeastern part is not as large as other duchies. This size might be just right.
"Since it was a long journey, let's rest first."
"Sure. I'm quite tired."
When I went to the Kleinert Duchy, it took five days on horseback. I rode without rest, almost to the point of exhausting the horses. That was because I was in a hurry. But this time, I wasn't in a hurry. So I took a leisurely carriage ride for a week.
Still, the magic carriage we used this time was the latest model used by the royal family and dukes. Compared to a regular carriage, we arrived much faster.
"I'm sorry. I talked non-stop and must have tired you out."
Jürgen said this with an apologetic look.
I responded with a wry smile. Indeed, Jürgen had been talking non-stop in the carriage.
It wasn't that I disliked it, but that doesn't mean I wasn't tired.
"I'd like to take a bath if possible."
"Of course. My mansion has a large bath. My mother is particular about it."
"That sounds great."
As I said this, Jürgen led me into the mansion.
But as soon as we entered, an old man who seemed to be Jürgen's butler hurriedly approached him.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"I, it's a serious matter! Please, calm down and listen!"
"First, you calm down. Take your time."
Jürgen said this to calm the butler.
After taking a deep breath, the butler seemed to have calmed down a bit and spoke.
"Your Highness has just arrived."
"I know. I came with him."
"N, no! Not Prince Arnold!"
"Calling me 'Your Highness' is confusing. I prefer to be called Marshal."
A voice that made me want to kneel reached my ears.
It wasn't oppressive, but it had a natural authority that made you know you shouldn't disobey.
The owner of that voice, who seemed born to command, slowly descended the stairs.
Rich golden hair, purple eyes, and a tall stature for a woman. Her tight military uniform accentuated her curvaceous figure. She was a beauty who could captivate anyone, but she wore a blue mantle over her black military uniform. In the empire, only three marshals were allowed to wear a blue mantle.
Her name was Liette Rauks Ardler, the first princess of the empire and the strongest general in the royal family.
"Sister Liette...! Why are you here!?"
"It's been a while since we met. Try again."
"Huh..."
"Try again."
"...It's been a while, Sister Liette. I'm glad to see you're well."
"Good."
With a tone and gaze that brooked no argument, I reluctantly started over.
Satisfied, Sister Liette smiled and came closer.
"It's been a while, Al. I'm glad to see you're well. How is Krista?"
She immediately shifted to small talk. As always, she was self-assured and forceful.
Jürgen, taken aback, was on his knees.
Normally, one would first apologize for the intrusion.
But, it was probably futile to say anything to this sister. She wasn't just unable to adjust to others; she had no intention of doing so. She was a person who lived by her own rules.
"Krista is well. She's made friends with kids her age and smiles a lot these days."
"That's good. I appreciate your care."
"No, she's my sister. And my mother is the one who takes the most care of her."
"I see. Is your stepmother well?"
"Yes, as always."
After hearing this report, Sister Liette nodded in satisfaction.
Then, her gaze finally turned to Jürgen.
"Jürgen, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused while I was away."
"I'm sorry I couldn't welcome you properly."
"Sister Liette, may I ask why you're here?"
According to the plan, I was supposed to send a letter after arriving.
I didn't expect her to be here already.
From the eastern border to here, it's not that far. Well, compared to the capital.
For Sister Liette, it's probably not a big distance. Still, as a marshal responsible for the eastern border, she shouldn't be able to move so easily.
"I was training new recruits in the rear. That's when I received word that you were coming here."
"Received word...?"
What kind of information network does she have?
Not only is her information gathering quick, but her ability to act on it is also impressive.
"Since I've told you why I'm here, why did you come with Jürgen?"
"Well, that's..."
I made a mistake. Should I be honest or try to dodge?
While I was hesitating, Sister Liette smiled.
"You don't have to say. You were probably told by Father, right?"
"...You know well."
"Being a father, I can guess what you might do."
With a sigh of exasperation, Sister Liette looked at Jürgen.
Jürgen looked uncomfortable but didn't try to hide anything.
"You never learn, Jürgen. This time, you even involved your brother. What do you plan to do?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary, Lady Liette."
"I see. Then my answer is the same. I have no intention of marrying you. I won't marry someone I can't die with."
"I understand. But I still...!"
"Enough. I want to talk to Al. I'll borrow a room."
"...Yes."
With a swish of her mantle, Sister Liette walked as if it were her own mansion.
Her back seemed to say, "Follow me," but I couldn't do that.
"Sister Liette, I'm tired from the long journey. Can I take a bath first?"
"I don't mind."
"I do."
"You sound like a girl. Fine. I wanted to freshen up too. How about we bathe together?"
"Wha...?"
What is she saying? There's no way I'm going in with her!
"No, I'll pass...!"
"Don't be shy. I'll wash your back."
"I'm bathing with the Duke of Reinfelt! We've become friends on the journey! I want to have a naked camaraderie here!"
It was a tough stance, but I had to make her reconsider.
Jürgen also supported me, sensing my intention.
"Lady Liette, I'll wash Prince Arnold's back. Please rest assured."
"I see."
"Yes. So, Lady Liette, please stay in your room."
"Fine. Let's all go in together."
"Wha...!?"
"Isn't it troublesome to go in separately? Don't worry, I don't have a body to be ashamed of."
"Blah!"
He must have imagined it.
Jürgen collapsed, bleeding from the nose.
Seeing this, Sister Liette laughed merrily.
"Hahaha, you're still a novice, Jürgen."
"This isn't funny! Sister, please stay in your room! Understand!?"
"What? You don't want to bathe with me?"
"Yes, I don't! I don't want to, so please stay in your room!"
"Fine. Then you two go freshen up."
Saying this, Sister Liette climbed the stairs, looking bored.
That was close. I almost caused the death of a duke. A real-life murder by seduction, with a current marshal and first princess causing a duke to bleed to death from nosebleeds. Literally, a fatal attraction.
"Are you okay, Duke?"
"I'm... fine... But, as expected of Lady Liette. She's a formidable person..."
"Maybe she just doesn't care about women..."
"No, she's the type who manipulates me like this... But that's also part of her charm..."
"Seems like anything goes with Sister..."
Sighing at both of them, I went to the large bath with Jürgen to wash away the fatigue from the long journey.