Chapter 263 Things Are Getting Pretty Bad - Side William -
When I showed up at the knight's headquarters, Jeffrey handed me a note with an expression that was hard to read. I gently opened the folded paper, and inside was a shocking message.
"Jeffrey, did you tell Sara?"
"I'm (Watashi) not saying anything. When I suggested joint training with the golems, Miss Sara realized it herself. She said it wasn't my style and that 'I don't quite like Grandfather's way. It's outrageous to use a maiden's heart that admires Sir Jeffrey.'."
"You really are admired, huh? No wonder Robert is jealous."
"It's an honor. It would be great if she could marry one of my sons."
I noticed there was something more to Jeffrey's words.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, since we've brought Miss Sara into social circles, I can't imagine other families staying quiet. The royal family will probably get involved, and there might be some movement from Roisen's side as well."
"That makes sense. At least from the noble families, there are tons of marriage proposals coming in. Sophia is probably getting some too."
"That's not hard to imagine."
Last night, it was suddenly decided that the academy officials would be detained and escorted to the royal capital, with strict orders to leave during the night.
To protect the royal family and the academy's reputation, the attack on Maiden's Tower was to be treated as if it never happened, and their treatment was supposed to be gentle. However, for self-preservation, Professor McKellen spread unnecessary rumors in social circles by relying on his relatives, which angered Prince Andrew.
No, that's not quite accurate. It's more natural to think that Prince Andrew acted out of consideration because Sara showed discomfort and wrote a protest letter. It's unusual to push a person of high social status into a transport vehicle in the middle of the night.
I can't believe that Sara herself wanted such a harsh response, but Prince Andrew probably didn't want to upset her.
Well, considering that Prince Andrew, who is said to have a lot of magical power among royalty, managed to suppress his magic berserk and protect the academy staff unharmed, it wouldn't be surprising for him to do something like that. Sara's magical power easily surpasses that of royalty, and she knows how to use it well. Unlike the inexperienced Prince Andrew, she wouldn't cause a magic berserk.
"Phew..."
I ended up letting out an unexpectedly deep sigh, but that can't be helped.
"Jeffrey, soon Sara will receive a summons from the royal capital. Since we escorted the academy staff, a trial should be held. Sara and Alicia will likely have to appear as witnesses. Choose the escort knights. It would probably be best to have Sophia accompany us as well. There's bound to be a mountain of business waiting over there. For now, I plan to let Sophia use the Grandchester family's villa in the royal capital. Well, one of them will end up being a golem, though."
"If Sophia is going, we can assign Daniel. It would be great if we could get him back into the knight order, but he probably won't leave Sophia's side."
"Why not ask Sara to have one of Sophia's golems taken as Daniel's wife?"
"Your Excellency... I think both Daniel and Miss Sara will be furious, so let's pretend I didn't hear that. If Sara made a golem of your late wife, would you be able to love it the same way?"
"That's impossible. Nora is irreplaceable."
"That's how it is."
"But, hasn't Daniel met Sophia recently? Why is he so infatuated?"
"At first, I think he was just captivated by her beauty. However, she completely healed the old wounds Daniel had and helped him regain the way of life he lost as a knight."
"I see, that's quite a fall."
"Also, right after he regained his health, he fought with Sophia. She fights like a graceful dance. I think that was the final blow. If I didn't love my wife, I might have fallen for her too. Sophia in battle is like a rare drug called 'Forget Your Fears' from black lotus, highly addictive. Once you're enchanted, you might smile even as your heart is pierced."
"Isn't that pretty bad?"
"I think it's quite serious. It would be better to avoid any matches between Sophia and the knights. The damage will only get worse."
What on earth is happening with my grandchild? I can't help but feel a headache and stomachache hitting me at the same time.
"However, Daniel knows Sophia's true self. I believe there will come a day when he can draw a line somewhere. Right now, he hasn't come to terms with the goddess living in his heart, but he will realize that it's an illusion."
"Hmm."
"Your Excellency, please take another look at that memo in your hand. It's clear that Miss Sara is neither an angel nor a goddess, right?"
"That's true. From what I see, Sara is a devil. But if I don't keep bowing my head and apologizing to this devil, I might end up missing out on Elma brandy."
"Whether she's a devil or not, she definitely isn't merciful. Besides, the reason you might lose Elma brandy is because of the drinking you did before the hunting tournament. The aides who had to carry it out were caught by the golems and were seriously crying. If you don't start reflecting on this, I think Sara will really get angry."
"Hmm."
"This isn't the time to be humming. You should apologize in writing first. If you suddenly go to Maiden's Tower, you'll just get kicked out by the golems. Plus, it seems she's planning to go out today."
"I see."
Apologizing to Sara makes my stomach tighten with worry about what she might demand next. What will she ask for this time?
"And if Sir Robert finds out that she didn't return to the main residence, I don't think he'll stay quiet either."
"That's true. But when I think about security, Maiden's Tower seems more suitable than the main residence."
"Well, Miss Sara mentioned that herself."
"Then if we place a guard golem at the main residence..."
"Your Excellency! Are you really reflecting on this?"
"I was just saying it."
"You seemed pretty serious about it, though."
"Well, I won't deny that."
I've been living as the lord of Grandchester for about 30 years now, but I really think I'm not suited to be a lord. I once planned to become a royal knight and, after getting married, leave the Royal Guard Knights to join the Grandchester Knights. Even now, I feel more comfortable at the knights' headquarters than in the office.
Sara has blamed me for not teaching Edward about being a lord, but honestly, I only received a few years of proper training myself. I thought that ruling was something my father and my older brothers would handle.
What can I even teach Edward at this point? Arthur was very smart, so he stood out, but Edward and Robert are also quite capable, probably even better at managing things than I am. I thought as long as I gave them the right information and let them gain some experience, that would be enough.
However, ever since Nora left, I couldn't stop Edward and Elizabeth from gradually leaning towards aristocratic elitism in society.
When I got worried and scolded them, it often led to arguments, and if it didn't, they would just nod with unhappy faces, showing no real understanding of my point. Because of this, I started to feel that dealing with Edward was becoming a bit of a hassle.
Sara pointed out my laziness directly and criticized me. I can't deny it, but when asked if I could do something about it right away, that's also difficult. I haven't even received proper training in being a lord myself.
'Nora, you were really an amazing woman. Even now, I feel very lonely, and it seems like Grandchester is in quite a bad situation.'
Ignoring my feelings, things are heading in a really bad direction. At the very least, the conspiracy against Roisen is involving Grandchester on a large scale, and there have already been real damages like embezzlement and large loans to Edward.
It's clear that there are enemy spies hiding among us. In a situation where I don't know who to trust, it's only natural to want to rely on the golems.
However, Sara easily dismissed my request. It seems my granddaughter has no intention of indulging me at all.
"From here on out, we need to get serious, or it will be bad."
"Weren't we serious until now, Your Excellency?"
"That's not the case, but from now on, it will be a battle like never before. We should think of it as an emergency."
"...I remembered what Miss Sara said this morning."
"Did she say something?"
"Yes. She said that she can't trust the rulers or the military regarding cooperation with the golems. She thinks they will use the golems as weapons because after training, it will be an emergency."
"I can't deny that."
"Well, why not actually talk to Miss Sara? If she would meet with you."
"Hey, Jeffrey."
"I won't cooperate any further. I don't want to be disliked by Sara either. You can handle it alone, Uncle."
"Ugh."
It seems I have to bow my head and seek cooperation from that granddaughter of mine, who is either an angel, a goddess, or a devil. I appear to be in the most difficult situation as a lord.
"This is quite a bad situation, Jeffrey."
"There's no doubt about that."
I let out a deep sigh for the umpteenth time before I started writing a letter to my granddaughter.
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