Chapter 62

Duke Daughter 62 Going back to the capital again .

Propaganda:

“Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view . ”

The speech and performance I gave was exactly that . I used Miss Minae to do some legwork for me by spreading the story . The speech I then gave connects those rumors to me . This is a textbook maneuver used by every politician in my previous world .

There was a quote by Adolf Hitler:

“The receptivity of the masses is very limited, their intelligence is small, but their power of forgetting is enormous . In consequence of these facts, all effective propaganda must be limited to a very few points and must harp on these in slogans until the last member of the public understands what you want him to understand by your slogan . ”

All the things and acts done as part of this performance of mine – the priest’s opening prayer, doing the opening ceremony at twilight – was to give the chapel the right lighting and ambiance; everything was to make my speech more effective .

With this speech, I should’ve soothed or at least calmed down the citizens of my fief, so I can now leave the fief for a while . I have to go back to the capital to resolve the main problem now .

Even so, I still have a lot on my mind .

I am thankful to Dean; because of the two letters he brought, I was able to conduct the opening ceremony peacefully . I was also able to get the cooperation of the priest because of one of those letters . The other letter is the key to solving this whole mess . I was going to ask either Father or Mother to obtain it… but how did Dean obtain… Dean who are you… It can’t be…

“Milady, are you alright?”(Ryles)

While I was lost in thought, Ryle asked me in an anxious voice .

“…Oh, I am fine…”(Iris)

“Please hang in there a bit longer . We will be there shortly . ”(Ryles)

I am currently heading to the capital . You may be wondering why he is asking if I am alright . Well, this is due to the fact I am not on a carriage, but on a horse . We have to go to the capital as fast as possible, so the best option was to go on horseback . I thought I would be fine, but, oh god, it is rocking too much . No, I am not directing the horse . I am still not capable of that . Ryle has the reins .

I was sure I would be able to handle this, since I have ridden a horse before, but I guess riding for elegance and actually riding to get somewhere are two totally different things . I miss having my feet on the ground so much…

I was accompanied by Dida, Tanya, and some guards in case of an attack . I asked Dean to accompany us, but he had said he had urgent business and could not come with us . He instead proposed to join us later . Unlike me, everyone was smoothly riding a horse . I wonder when Tanya learned to do it… Only I am the burden here .

… I tried by best not to vomit, and we somehow made it in time . I arrived at my manor in the capitol . When I got off the horse, I was wobbling like a newborn fawn and could barely stand .

“Welcome Home, Milady . ” (Servants)

All the servants came to greet me, as I haven’t been back in a long time .

“I am back, Father, Mother, Bern… I sincerely apologize for the trouble I have caused you this time . ” (Iris)

My entire family came to greet me at the entrance as well . Although unexpected, I was grateful for it . My appreciation, however, was not enough to stop my wobbling .

“You arrived very early . Are you okay?”(Louis)

My father, seeing me like this, showed a worried expression, and asked if I am alright .

“Yes… somehow…”(Iris)

“Rest your body for now . We will talk later . ”(Louis)

“Yes . Thank you . ”(Iris)

From there, I was guided by Rime to my room to rest for a while . Then, I was called for tea in the living room . The atmosphere, however, made it clear that I wasn’t called just for tea, since all my family members were present .

“Again, please let me apologize for the trouble I have cause this time . I am truly sorry . ”(Iris)

I apologized to everyone for trouble .

“No, there no need for you to apologize . You have done nothing wrong . Even I did not expect Daryl to go this far . ” (Louis)

“But…”

“No buts . There is nothing you are at fault for . ” (Mellice)

My heart started to be healed from the kind words of my father and Mother .

“Well, we are ready for the party they are about give . The other side is strong, and, since they picked the fight, we do not need to hold back anymore . ” (Mellice)

“Yes… Oh yes, Dean entrusted me with a letter to give to you, Mother . ”(Iris)

“Oh . Please give it to me . ” (Iris)

My mother received the letter and started to read it immediately . By the time she finished reading the letter she let out a slight laugh .

“What did he say?”(Iris)

“No, it is nothing important . He is just apologizing for using my name without my permission to get the information you needed . ”(Mellice)

“Using Mother’s name… the effectiveness of that method is close to a royal decree . Even now, I hear screams and shouts to Mother for opting out of any and all charity events held by the church . Because of her not being there, all other parties connected with her, which is basically most nobility, did not attend either . ” (Bern)

What Bern said is correct . For Mother to be absent from any event means that such an event will be terrible or be a waste of time . I am sure it is quite painful to the Church, but then…

“– but is it alright? Would the Church not attack Mother as well?” (Iris)

“No, everything is fine . We are still donating to the Church . I also responded by letter that the reason I would not be attending is due to the fact that having the mother of a daughter who has been excommunicated go to such parties would only serve to dampen the mood . ” (Mellice)

I smiled at my mother’s straightforward answer .

“Well, I am sure this matter will be settled soon, and I will have to attend a party . That was one of the conditions outlined in Dean’s letter . ” (Mellice)

“What do you mean?” (Iris)

“No, nothing . It is funny . I was used as a bargaining chip by Dean . He used my name to negotiate with the Church to retract Iris’s excommunication . Either way, I am fine with it as long it helps you, my dear . ” (Mellice)

… Dean… You are bold to have used Mother’s name during negotiations and report about it after the fact . I know my mother says it is alright for my sake, but this makes my head hurt .

“Dear Sister, I have something to report to you . ” (Bern)

Bern started to talk to me .

“Oh? What is it?” (Iris)

“This case of excommunication… Van is not involved . ” (Bern)

“So, are you telling me I should forgive him?” (Iris)

Bern shook his head when I said that .

“No… I have reliable information that the one who is the mastermind behind this is the pope himself and the merchant Count Monroe has been seeing lately . ” (Bern)

“You are saying that the merchant is the true mastermind behind this incident?” (Iris)

“Most likely… Although the pope does have significant power, I highly doubt he would go against the house of a duke . I also have asked Van about this matter, though, as expected, I could not outright . I had to use roundabout conversation and indirect questioning to get the information . From what I have heard from him, the merchant and the pope met often at the Count’s manor prior to your excommunication announcement . ” (Bern)

“Hmm… Father, that merchant…?” (Iris)

“Do not worry . We are already investigating him . ”(Louis)

As expected of Father . Also, hearing that Bern took action out of concern for me made feel a little touched .

“How about the second prince’s involvement?” (Iris)

“No, he is not involved in this case, but… . ” (Bern)

“Is there something?” (Iris)

“Apparently it is hard for the person himself to say… but he did not find it amusing that you have started to support the first prince . He complained a lot to me about this; it was quite insufferable… Anyway, after hearing about Sister’s excommunication, he started to have people move and start to take employees from your store and the Conglomerate as retaliation… What did I ever see in him?” (Bern)

“Wow… I’m at a loss for words…” (Iris)

What did I ever see in him? He is such a small man . Nevertheless, I need to be vigilant, as the conglomerate’s sales have been falling . I’ll have to address this problem later .

“Bern, thank for all you have done . Please take care of yourself . ” (Iris)

“No thanks needed . I am just helping out family . ” (Bern)

“Now, Iris, let us have dinner . Afterwards, please rest . Tomorrow is the real battle and we will achieve nothing less than a perfect victory . ” (Mellice)

“Yes, Mother . ” (Iris)

Well, the party tomorrow will be our battlefield . The previous founding party also made me tense, but I was not in danger then . This time my destiny is at stake . Losing is not an option . The biggest game of my life is about to start .