Yeah
"If Lord Kevin and Lord Brian also want to start over as family with Lady Caroline and Miss Diana, then first you need to resolve your own issues. Only then can you move forward."
"That’s true. I need to hear my elder sister’s true intentions. Lady Sophia, is what we just discussed widely known in society?"
"Yes, they talk about it every year when you two aren’t around. You should ask others if you like. Everyone thinks you’ve been neglecting things, because you’ve left it as it is."
"I see… Caroline… I’m sorry. I’ll make sure my elder sister never meddles in Southcourt again. No, I should cut ties with her altogether."
"Mother, Diana, I’m truly sorry. I thought I had no choice because it was a royal command, but it seems I supported things the wrong way. I’ll settle this as soon as possible. Once everything is over, we’ll have a proper talk. So… won’t you come back to Southcourt?"
"Father, once things are somewhat settled, I’d like to speak together with Mother—no, with her. I want to face her, settle things, and move forward."
"… I understand. I too need to put an end to what lies between her and me."
"Well, the discussion’s come together to a point. Lord Brian, when you speak with Marquis Collins, you should have the royal family act as mediator. And make sure everything is put into writing. That way, neither side can later find excuses to cause trouble."
"Lord Ignart, thank you for your advice. I’ll make sure to prepare well so I don’t get caught off guard. I deeply apologize for the trouble this time."
"No trouble at all. We don’t have any granddaughters, so the dining table was all the livelier and more enjoyable with them here."
"Diana and I will be going to the royal capital from here. We’ll take part in the winter social season as members of Southcourt, so please don’t worry. Until then, however, we’ll be staying here."
"Caroline really is…" Lord Kevin muttered softly, but since the room had gone quiet, everyone heard it.
"What about me? At this point, say what you’re thinking outright."
"I want to know why you insist on staying here, Mother."
"For Diana’s sake. Haven’t you noticed how her expression’s grown softer since we came? Back at Southcourt, she’d be helping with the duties of the domain again, when she was already so frail she could have collapsed at any moment. I want her to live the life of a young lady, even if only for now. This is the only time."
"Caroline, don’t you think Lord Kevin has simply misunderstood something?"
"What do you mean, Sophia?"
"Perhaps someone’s been whispering things into his ear. We’ll excuse ourselves, so why don’t you speak more honestly with one another?"
At Grandmother’s suggestion, we returned to our own room.
Still, the royal family—or rather, the central nobles—are frightening.
Hearing about Southcourt, I realized that to other houses, our family must look like we’re hoarding wealth. There must be plenty of nobles who’d like to weaken our power, or seize our profits.
I could see how much Father has been struggling.
And thinking about it… Princess Rinaluna isn’t a bad person, but was it a mistake to arrange things between her and Brother Chris? I don’t even know if they’re truly seeing each other… and I already sent that letter introducing Miss Diana.
"My wife and daughter will be in your care for a while. Thank you so much for everything this time," Lord Brian said, bowing his head.
A noble bowing in front of servants and maids—that never happens. But his face looked refreshed, so it seemed yesterday’s discussion had gone well.
"Lord Brian, I’m glad to see you could speak properly with your family. My wife and I will be heading to the capital, so you may accompany us without worry."
"Thank you, Lord Alfrecht. Before the winter social season, I’ll make sure things are settled so my wife and granddaughter won’t suffer unpleasantness. Until then, I’ll be counting on you."
"Don’t worry, Lord Kevin. Leave it to me."
The two of them returned to Southcourt after breakfast.
Meanwhile, Brother Gerald and I headed off for our last visit to the Tree of Life this year.
We couldn’t take Miss Diana there, so I’d been fretting over what excuse to use. But she seemed busy with my mother, getting dresses made for the capital, so I was relieved.
We reached the Tree of Life safely and defeated the Skeleton Flowers. Just like before, we dissolved powders used for coloring glass into magic water and scattered them, giving them faint tints of red, pink, blue, and light blue.
At another patch, we changed the colors to green, yellow, orange, and purple. I can’t wait for spring.
This time, nothing happened, and we returned safely from the depths of the forest.
"So it is possible to come back from the depths of the Sea of Trees without some incident," Meyer said to me with feeling.
It sounded like he was implying I caused incidents constantly—but I’d been thinking the same thing, so all I could say was, "Yeah."
What do you think about this chapter?
