Chapter 344 - 344: Arrival at the Territorial Capital of the Gousel Marquis Territory

The next morning Rigel and Miena left the town.

While gripping the reins on the driver's seat Miena frequently dropped her eyes to the small cloth bag at her chest.

Inside was the blue glass bird Rigel had bought her last night.

She had wrapped cloth many times so it would not break and put it away carefully.

"If you like it that much you can hang it from your neck."

Rigel sitting behind said it looking exasperated.

Miena made her shoulders jump.

"N-no. It wouldn't do if I broke it."

"I think ornaments are ornaments because you display them."

"But… to me it still feels a little too good."

"A girl who holds back in a weird place."

Rigel smiled wryly.

He said nothing more.

The road gradually grew orderly.

A highway paved with stone.

Milestones standing at regular intervals.

Barrier stones against monsters.

By the time they passed the boundary gate showing they had entered the suburbs of the Gousel marquis territory's capital even Miena understood clearly.

This was rich land.

Fields were well tended and coming and going of wagons was many.

The presence of ruffians aiming at travelers was thin, and though the guard soldiers looked sleepy they properly wore polished arms.

"This is Master's family's territory…"

"To be exact it's Father's territory."

Rigel corrected.

That tone was matter-of-fact.

Neither boast nor embarrassment.

"But eventually Master will?"

"Who knows. There are various complicated circumstances, and there's also my older sister. It doesn't mean I'll inherit."

Rigel was the hero of the Valstine campaign.

A boy who stood on the battlefield young, defeated enemies, and expanded the kingdom's territory.

Him ruling the occupied land was a very natural idea.

However he was still a little young, and knowledge and experience, plus capable subordinates, were lacking.

To supplement that he had attended the Royal Academy this one year.

Setting experience aside, regarding knowledge and candidate subordinates it could be called beneficial.

If things proceeded smoothly like this the possibility of becoming "frontier count" ruling the former Valstine territory was high.

In that case it would seem the heir of the Gousel marquis house would vanish, but there was no need to worry.

There was Mesterica.

Previously there were also times Rigel was called incompetent, and it had been half the established route that his older sister Mesterica would take a husband and inherit the Gousel marquis house.

Just when one thought he became a candidate for family head because he awakened, he awakened too much, showed more military merit than assumed, and the possibility of conferment of title appeared, so it went full circle and the candidate seat for family head came around to Mesterica again.

It was that kind of feeling.

However of course Rigel had no intention of explaining everything to Miena.

Circumstances of marquis house succession were too long to tell the girl on the driver's seat here and now.

He finished with a suitable explanation.

"Is that so… Human nobles are difficult."

"The more one thinks difficult the more it becomes a pain."

"Does Master not think difficult?"

"I only say I want what I want and that what's in the way is in the way."

And of course he violated women he wanted to violate.

He did not say that.

It was not that timing yet.

"…Very like Master."

"Is that praise?"

"Probably… yes."

"Probably again."

Rigel laughed.

Pulled along Miena also laughed small.

Eventually the territorial capital came into view.

It was a city surrounded by high walls.

Not as huge as the royal capital, but there was a rugged and sturdy impression.

On both sides of the gate soldiers in armor stood, and on the walls archers were patrolling.

As expected of a marquis territory whose family head was a knight order commander there was no gap in defense.

The gatekeeper seeing the carriage's crest straightened his spine.

"Lord Rigel! Welcome home!"

"Aa. No changes?"

"Yes. There are no major abnormalities. Only, merchants from the former Valstine territory direction have increased."

"I see."

Rigel nodded short and signaled Miena to advance the carriage.

Inside the territorial capital was full of vitality.

The hammer sound of a smithy.

Merchants' calls.

Soldiers' commands.

All had a grounded strength different from the royal capital.

Miena gripped the reins while tense.

Was it all right for someone like her to enter this place.

Such unease swelled small in the depths of her chest.

Eventually the carriage stopped in front of the lord's mansion.

Inside the gate a garden spread.

Not too gaudy, arranged to every corner.

Beyond the white cobblestones there was a large mansion, and in front of its entrance one maid stood.

A maid uniform based on black and white.

A girl who had gathered soft chestnut hair behind and floated a calm smile.

In her ample figure and settled standing posture there was wrapping composure.

But her eyes were not only kind.

Sharpness that did not miss the master's instructions even one word also dwelled.

"Welcome home, Lord Rigel."

"Long time no see, Dolly."

"Yes. I'm glad you look well."

Dolly lowered her head deeply.

She was the busty maid Rigel had once raped.

That event had never been a light thing for her.

At first she cried and screamed, refused, grew angry, feared, and for a while her shoulders trembled just from hearing Rigel's footsteps.

But unexpectedly Rigel did not leave her after that.

He did not apologize, but he gave necessary rest, passed money, and did not take the work and place she wanted.

The heat of fear and anger Dolly held gradually changed form into something else.

And now she chose to stand by Rigel's side herself.

If one said she was mollified by profit and fear, "candy and whip," that might be the end of it.

But in the depths of her calm eyes there was not the emptiness of one who had merely yielded.

—-

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