HSML 19

The day after the family meeting ended—

Father left for the royal castle for work as usual. He didn’t seem to say anything in particular about how his entire day off had been consumed by Mother’s interrogation.

He had looked tired at the breakfast table, but once it was time to head to work, he put on the face of a serious chancellor. As expected of him.

In any case, the earlier chaos had settled down, and the attendants and servants were moving about as usual.

As I was, like always, observing the state of the mansion from inside my “box,” there came a knock on the door of my room.

“Yes?”

The one who responded was Kachina.
In my case, there’s a high chance I won’t answer at all, so Kachina, who stands by, always responds instead.

“It’s Latte. May I come in?”
“Yes. Please do.”

It seems Mother has arrived.

When it’s an important discussion like yesterday’s, Mother often barges right in, but in everyday situations she properly observes etiquette.

After all, in high society she is the chancellor’s wife with considerable influence and a strong voice.
To people who don’t know her private side, she apparently seems like the perfect noble lady.

That’s something I personally can’t really comprehend.

“Excuse me.”

Kachina opens the door and welcomes Mother in.
Mother then comes straight over to the “box.”

“Moka-chan. Can you talk right now?”
“Yes. I thought… you’d be coming… around now.”

Mother nods in satisfaction at my reply.

And if she’s coming at this timing, then—

“You’re going back… to the territory… once, right?”

At my words, Mother nods again, clearly pleased.

“As always, you really do see everything from inside that box…
That’s right. I figured you’d be able to read my actions, Moka-chan, but the fact that you actually analyze things and predict them is impressive…”

Being good at gathering information,
being good at analyzing information,
and being good at using information—

They may seem similar, but they’re fundamentally different.

There are parts I don’t fully understand myself, but from Father’s and Mother’s perspective, the fact that I don’t just gather information but also analyze and use it seems to earn high praise.

That being able to properly do all three on my own is admirable, they say.

About that—though I feel there’s a bit of parental bias mixed in—Mother seems genuinely appreciative.

She is, of course, strict about the fact that I shut myself away inside the box, but she doesn’t deny everything outright. The fact that she properly praises what I do well might actually be a good thing.

“Still, the fact that you didn’t say you wanted to come back together means you noticed it on your own. Well done.”
“So… you deliberately… didn’t say it, then.”
“Of course. It’s important that you and your attendants notice these things yourselves.
If you’re going to become the wife of royalty, you need to properly grasp the events and the responsibilities that come with them.”

Mother’s words are reasonable.
Even though I was prepared, perhaps I was still thinking a bit too lightly about it.

“Honestly, I wanted to go back together too, but this can’t be helped.”
“Yes. That’s… true.”

There really is nothing to be done.
It’s a little disappointing not to be able to go back, though.

“That aside… even as rumors… it hasn’t spread much yet… but there seem to be some sharp people… and their movements… worry me…”
“That, yes. It’s not even officially decided yet, so it’s far too early, really…”

Both mother and daughter sigh together, wishing that speed could be put to better use elsewhere.

Still, isn’t it too early for rumors to start circulating?
Is someone deliberately spreading them…?

As I tilt my head inwardly, Mother—wearing an exasperated expression—is addressed by Kachina.

“I understand the situation, but… is it really all right, Madam? I imagine there are social obligations as well.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.
I’m not the type to lose standing just because I skip a few events.”

Mother replies breezily.

In fact, at some tea parties and gatherings, her absence alone apparently causes real damage to the hosts.

The chancellor’s wife declining to attend.
The quietly circulating rumor of her daughter’s engagement to the prince.

It would be harder not to connect those two.
Nobles are, after all, people who live by reading between the lines and discerning hidden intentions.

If my rumor with the prince spreads actively, it becomes linked to the story that Mother skipped social events, leading to the interpretation that “the hosts of the tea parties Mother avoided may harbor ill will or vested interests regarding the engagement.”

For people Mother didn’t get along with much to begin with—those she was already considering distancing herself from—this serves as a convenient way to sever ties.

On the other hand, for tea parties hosted by people close to Mother, she explains her absence properly, saying, “I heard some unpleasant rumors, so I’m returning with my daughter to protect both her and the territory.”
Because of that, there seems to be little room for unfounded suspicion. These connections might later be tied to the engagement rumors as well, but they’re not the sort of people who would cause problems over it.

“Huh…?
You’re saying… you’re returning together…?”
“That’s right. That’s actually my main reason for going back. Even if you’re a shut-in, once people know you’re at home, some of them might try something strange.”

I can’t really deny Mother’s words, so I nod slightly inside the box.

“Since you basically don’t go out, Moka-chan, that alone should protect you quite a bit.
It’s a flimsy lie if you’re seen around town, but there aren’t many chances to see you in the first place.
Even if someone did see you, there probably aren’t many who even know what you look like.
Ah—but just in case, when you come out of the box and walk around the house, be careful near the windows.”

Mother seems to believe that if rumors spread that I’m not in the capital, people inclined toward extreme actions will hesitate to move.

In the end, all kinds of information will spread and clash, and the truth will become muddled. But people tend to believe what they want to believe.

And regardless of what’s true, Mother seems fully intent on using even the offshoot rumors that sprout from these stories.

People with influence really do have tremendous influence.
It’s a reminder of something obvious, yet striking.

That aside—

“You also… want to do various things… back in the territory, right?”
“Yes. Well, more than half of it is dealing with people who come sniffing around the estate there because they’re aiming for you, Moka-chan.
On top of that, there may be harassment from neighboring territories, so I plan to gather evidence and do some behind-the-scenes maneuvering.”

With that, Mother gives a wink toward the box.
In short, she’s worried about me.

Even if Mother personally opposes my engagement, circumstances will move on their own. That’s precisely why, separate from her own feelings, she’ll act outwardly on the assumption that it’s going to happen.

If everything were to proceed without incident, it’s possible that things would move all the way to marriage no matter how much Mother disapproved…

—though, realistically, it feels far more likely that interference and obstacles will come first. But let’s set that aside for now—

Being unacknowledged would be lonely, and more than anything, I don’t think I could accept that myself.

So, having shown my resolve, I need to act in my own way and earn Mother’s approval properly, no matter how that looks.

…But putting aside that renewed determination of mine—

I should probably increase the number of observation boxes installed in the capital.

“You might be doing various things too, Moka-chan, and if our intentions clash and get in each other’s way, we’ll need to properly consult each other.”
“…Yes…”

I nod quietly.

No matter what Mother’s purpose in returning to the territory is, I’ll ride that wave—and make use of its influence where I can.