When I sent House Zechress a letter telling them I’d like to pay them a visit in five days, I got a reply back almost immediately. It was an incredibly fast turnaround, especially considering I’d contacted them completely out of the blue. I’d tried to pick the earliest date that would allow them enough time to prepare, but if they were giving me the okay this quickly, maybe I could’ve scheduled my visit a little sooner.
Since I’d ended up with some spare time on my hands, I spent a few days randomly finding fault with servants and guards and firing them from their posts. I was especially focused on the guards who’d fought Sig and Natasha—with the Carlos incident still fresh in my mind, I knew that letting them go unpunished for their failure might just push them closer to the brink, so I’d been wanting to take care of them as soon as possible.
Karl asked whether he should hire new people to fill the vacancies, but that’d defeat the entire purpose—I’d just be swapping in a new set of victims. I told him no without giving any clear reason, and he didn’t push any further. Craig, on the other hand, was constantly on my case. I’d been hoping he’d just accept it as another fortunate whim from His Grace, but he kept pestering me about how the security for such-and-such will be shorthanded, and that maid is so-and-so’s daughter, and is that truly all right, Your Grace? He was obviously trying to figure out what I was really up to, and he asked me about it point-blank over and over. At first, I’d wondered whether some of those people were allies who Craig didn’t want to lose, but that didn’t seem to be the case—when I tried to casually feel things out, he backed down right away. I was increasingly at a loss for what the hell to do with this guy. But when it came down to it, he’d still obey the orders I gave him, so I decided to put off that issue until later.
One thing led to another, and the day of my visit arrived. I boarded the carriage Karl had prepared, and with Craig’s guards leading the way, we set out on our ride to the marquessate of Zechress. The trip would’ve taken no time at all by car or train, but with a horse-drawn carriage, we’d be traveling for a little while.
Damn, I should’ve brought a book or something...
As I stifled a bored yawn, the scenery around us began to change. A town came into view in the distance, and with it, deliberately planted flowers and greenery started to appear by the side of the road. The foliage grew more and more vibrant as we went, and by the time we arrived at the Zechress estate, we were surrounded by countless flowers in endless hues.
“It’s incredible...” I muttered as I stepped out of the carriage. My feelings just slipped right out of my mouth.
It really was incredible, though. The perfectly trimmed hedges and trees at Heinreid’s estate were beautiful in their own way, but this garden—these bright, vivid fields—were absolutely breathtaking. Flowers of every kind were blooming together, all filled with life and warmth. The manor standing in the middle of it all was imposing, but it also had an adorable charm, like a house out of a fairy tale.
“This flower garden has been kept by House Zechress for generations,” Craig said. “I believe Lady Angelica tends to it currently.”
“Wow...”
I couldn’t help but wonder why he was making small talk with me, but I didn’t want to get into another argument with him out here, so I kept that thought to myself.
While I was captivated by the fantastical scenery, my guards had gone ahead to the manor to let them know of my arrival. Now, they returned with three people in tow. The oldest, a thin, bony man with salt-and-pepper hair, gave a polite bow.
“You have my deepest gratitude for coming all this way to visit us, Your Grace. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Ralf Zechress, head of this estate.”
That’s right—we’ve never met before. Neither Heinreid nor House Zechress actually wanted this marriage in the first place. Eberhart just set the whole thing up himself to tie Heinreid to him. Heinreid accepted it on paper, but it was just a political thing, so he never went to meet his fiancée even once, and he never had her over to meet him either. This whole thing is ridiculous.
The next one to speak was my fiancée herself. “I am Angelica Zechress, daughter of House Zechress,” she said, lifting up the hem of her dress and curtsying lightly. “It is truly an honor to meet you at last, Your Grace.”
Her long black hair followed the curve of her face and curled inward; her neat bangs were trimmed straight across her forehead. Her dress was black as well, and it had a subdued cut. I wasn’t in much of a position to critique anyone’s fashion, but her black-clad figure looked a little out of place among the vibrant flowers. It wasn’t that the style didn’t suit her, but it felt slightly at odds with the lingering girlishness in her demeanor.
“And lastly, my brother, Vim.” She turned to the little boy standing beside her. “Go on, Vim. Introduce yourself to His Grace the Duke.”
“I... I’m Vim Zechress.” As he spoke, he fidgeted with his hands, clasping and unclasping them. “Thank you for coming to visit us, Your Grace.”
He was even younger than Elmer, the hostage I’d released from my dungeon, but he still offered me a polite greeting. As he finished, he turned away, looking a little embarrassed.
The Zechress family had all finished their introductions, so now it was my turn.
“How well-mannered. And as you know, I am Heinreid von Rodvelia. Thank you for accommodating my sudden visit. You’ve done well.”
I’m really nailing the imperious tone lately, if I say so myself. Force of habit is scary.
That said, it was all ingrained into this body, so it didn’t take any real effort. Moments like this made me more aware than ever that I was Heinreid now.
“Perish the thought, Your Grace. If anything, it ought to have been our duty to come visit you... But in any case, you must be tired from your long journey. We have prepared tea and refreshments. Please, come right this way.”
The marquis, for his part, didn’t show any hint of discomfort at a younger man talking down to him. With a polite smile, he led me toward the manor and over to a terrace, where the four of us sat around a table and drank tea. I gazed out at the wide-open field of flowers beneath the soft light of the afternoon, and I found myself comparing it to my own estate. A calm, gentle, relaxing moment like this could never have happened there—the air was always dead and stagnant.