Chapter 14: Fluvia Meets the Steward

“Fluvia dear, do you remember Father?! I’ve come to see you!”

Overjoyed to finally be allowed to travel to the Capital to see me, Father bursts into my room without so much as a warning.

Mou, didn’t we see each other a month – ah, no, a quarter of a season ago?

Although I do understand his feelings.

Father swooped in and gave me a hug.

He’s a bit of a portly man, but since he’s still energetic, it should be okay?

I don’t know how fat Yabukoi’s Dellarose Papa got in the end, but let’s try to avoid adding any more than this, mmkay?

Along with Father were two guards, one from the Dellarose Guards and on from the Dellarose Militia.

And also…

… There’s that feeling again.

The one that I had had in the House of Healing’s cellar.

That urgent impulse to run over and seize something stirs in the pit of my stomach, but this time I’m not overwhelmed by it.

I’ve gone back to the cellar multiple times to choose books, and each time I fought with that mysterious, magnetic sensation.

It’s amazing what humans can get used to.

I should have just avoided the cellar?

Hmph.

I, the Lady Fluvia, won’t be stopped by a mere feeling!

And, there was some curiosity.

Although I was reluctant to go too far into the investigation, when Mary wasn’t looking I confirmed that there was indeed a hollow space within the base of the stairs.

Although I don’t know if it’s a room or just a nook where something is hidden.

I also don’t know how to access said space. Although I’ve confirmed that the wall – or rather, the edges of a hidden door.

But… it’s THAT, isn’t it?

It has to be THAT, the book Fluvia never should have read, the Ghost Arts one.

Even though I have no proof that it’s actually THAT, after finding out where that feeling was coming from, I was more or less satisfied to just let whatever was in there rot away.

Hence, I’ve gotten some immunity to that weird feeling.

But seriously, when it comes when you’re not expecting it, it’s actually still kind of troublesome.

“Ooooh, Fluvia dear, are you in pain? Dizzy?”

See, it totally shows up on my face.

“I’m fine, Father. Just a little sleepy.”

Father gives me an unconvinced look, then says,

“Hey! The air is stuffy! Bring my daughter some water! Readjust her blankets!”

Aaah, what cliche, overbearing noble Papa’s love…

Mary scurries around the room in response to Father’s orders, wisely deciding not to say anything and just do the busy work.

I resist a little sigh and say,

“Truly, Father, I’m fine. Anyway, Father. Those men over there are?”

There are two men behind– well, more like flanked by Father’s guards.

“A-ah, that’s right. Fluvia dear, do you remember our Steward? This is Sir Bolther.”

I nod and rise out of my chair to give a curtsy, saying,

“It has been awhile, Sir Bolther.”

Although I don’t really remember him.

A thin, sallow-faced man, who looks to be a long way over 50.

Father made a ‘isn’t my daughter cute’ face and said,

“I called him to come over since Fluvia had some business to discuss-!”

I understand Father’s sentiments, but calling our Earldom’s Steward to personally come is a bit… well, truthfully, it would be quite beneficial, but…

Father, you do remember I’m a 5-year-old child? How would most people think about this?

Anyway, it’s not the maybe-familiar, maybe-not ojiisan I’m talking about.

The weird feeling is coming from a young man standing slightly behind Bolther.

Before I can say anything, another attendant, not Mary, had come to the door and whispered something to one of Father’s guards.

The guard coughed, clearing his throat before saying,

“Lord Earl, it appears the Healers wish to discuss when Lady Fluvia can be discharged from the House of Healing…”

Father makes a dissatisfied face, but separates from me and prepares to leave.

“I got it, I got it! Fluvia dear, forgive Father, but I have to leave… But maybe you’ll be able to go home soon!”

Don’t make a face like a wistful woman whose lover is going on a business trip and properly act like a noble-!

Of course, I won’t say that. He’s a bit foolish, but Earl Dellarose isn’t someone who would be able to take it if his daughter hated him.

“I understand, Father.”

“Bolther, please deal with my daughter’s business while I’m gone.”

With a bit of an arrogant tone, Father commands our Steward, Sir Bolther, to tend to me.

Or rather, about the business deals we’re hoping to make regarding the recipes I’ve taught the House of Healing.

“Understood, Lord Earl.”

Sir Bolther and the young man behind him bowed as Father and his two guards left the room.

No one has introduced me to the other man, well, boy, really.

I’m super nervous about being left without guards, considering he’s giving off that obsessive feeling that I had only assumed an illegal, very dangerous book would have.

I’m about to raise my wariness to its maximum when, as soon as Father and his guards disappeared, Sir Bolther spoke up.

“You, attendant. Leave now.”

Mary and I stare at Sir Bolther.

In a completely different tone from earlier, he snaps irritably,

“Didn’t you hear me? This is business for the Dellarose Earldom, and you shan’t be allowed to listen in.”

Mary stood next to my chair, a bit troubled.

Even if I’m pretty much healthy(ish), she still shouldn’t leave my side. But the opponent is a Steward.

It’s not just Mary; I’m also a bit bothered with his attitude.

My Father is also a more-or-less dislikeable noble, but Bolther has the added disadvantage of not being my flesh and blood in this life.

I’m not too keen on my people bullying Mary.

Still, I do see his point.

“It’s alright, Mary. I will ring the bell if I need anything, and if the Healers scold you, please send them to me.”

With a bit of a frown, Mary bows and leaves the room.

As stubborn and hot-headed as she can be, she’s enduring it pretty well.

I see her brows crease and eyes glint dangerously in the short moment she turns to close the door, though.

My apologies, Mary. I’ll make it up to you later.

When she leaves, I resist the urge to sigh and say,

“Sir Bolther, in regards to my business –“

“Hmph. What a pointless endeavor.”

… …. …..

…Ha-!

I’m sorry … what?

You seem to have meant to mutter that under your breath, but it’s still fully audible, you know?

“… Sir Bolther, can I assume you’ve read the letters from the Head Healer? Surely you are already aware of what’s at hand.”

“Of course I understand the Young Lady has played around in the kitchen and wants to sell some recipes, but I’m still the Steward, am I not? Having to tend to the whims of a child. Such a thing… you deal with it.”

Bolther snorted and gestured rudely with his head at the young man behind him, signaling him to step forward.

…He’s totally treating that young man like a servant, even though my Fluvia Sensor is going off so much around him.

“And this young man is?”

Unsurprisingly, my voice has begun to take a hint of coldness.

“My successor, supposedly. After 5 years of apprenticeship, I’ll be free to look for another position. For humoring the Young Lady, isn’t he enough?”

Uwaah… seriously?

First of all, Bolther is clearly looking down on that young man.

I imagine the man – boy – is a bit, or rather, quite a bit too young to become our Steward, but normally you’d treat your successor with some respect. I mean, Bolther didn’t even introduce him by name.

I wonder if there’s something else that is going on regarding that young man that I’m extremely wary towards.

I mean, he looks pretty young. Like, barely late teens.

Even if 16 years of age is technically an adult in this world, the position of a Steward isn’t like a butler or secretary or something.

A Steward is a person in charge of all the assets a noble family owns.

And that includes cities, towns, and territories.

A lot of this country’s governing policies, taxes, and even military strength is overseen by Stewards.

For a Steward, rather than saying it’s a concern about his age, you’d just normally prefer someone who’s had a few more life experiences than one who’s just come of age.

It’s like entrusting your brain surgery to someone who looks like he just barely graduated from medical school.

Even if he’s talented, you’re still going to be nervous that he hasn’t enough experience.

The second thing I’m concerned about is a more pressing issue, and that is that Bolther clearly has ZERO loyalty to our family.

‘Free to look for another position,’ is it? And exactly what position would be higher than Steward of an Earldom?

You, ordinarily wouldn’t you avoid disclosing such a thing? And to a point where he’s even talking down to our Young Lady (me)!

I’ve heard of people becoming lax when they’re close to retirement, but this is… you know, even if our family is declining, we’re still in the upper half of the nobles, when it comes to status, right?

Certainly there are the Royals, the Ministers, 2 Dukes and 2 other Earls who are at our level or above, but… Dellarose is still pretty high up the societal ladder, you know?

Has your position gotten to your head? Or is it not enough anymore, and you’ve gone completely power crazy?

He seems to have gotten a swollen head just because an Earl’s Steward is often treated as if he’s the Earl himself.

This bastard, he’s pretending to be a perfect Steward, but in reality he’s thinking about defecting.

No matter how I think about it, when he leaves, this tanuki will only serve to put us at a disadvantage.

He might even actively work against us in the end, leaking information and raising enemies up against us.

Even if you watch your mouth in front of Father, do you think this Fluvia will let you get away with such a thing?

Un, I’m just a 5-year-old girl, so I get that it’s normal for arrogant men to look down on me, but even if I didn’t have this eternally 20-year-old brain, children have very good memories, you know?

Children are practically parrots! There’s, like, a 75% chance for me to flat out tell Father what you said, even if I was a normal 5-year-old!

Even though he’s over 60 (I think), there’s no way Bolther has a family. Any parent can tell you how small children soak things up like sponges.

This man… isn’t he worried about showing a young noble’s daughter such disrespect?

I can’t claim to understand this fool’s way of thinking at all.

And finally, the third thing…

Hey Bolther, I don’t know how much you think you know about ‘my business’, but I’m fairly certain that the fact that it was used to help nurse a person of considerable status was conveyed in both my letter and the Head Healer’s.

Do you not seriously not understand how potentially significant this kind of deal could develop into?

Humoring the Young Lady, you say?

Hardly!

Certainly it might not be lucrative, in the strictest sense, but can you not see at all how beneficial it would be to be recognized as a pioneer in nursing?

Can you not see how beneficial it would be to have favor with the most prominent House of Healing in the country?

There’s even a chance to become partners in healthcare development, you know?

Even if we’re just sponsors, if there’s any sort of breakthrough down the line, the Dellarose family name will gain prestige, you know?

Even a 5-year-old (plus 15 years) can see these possibilities!

I’m so thoroughly disgusted at the greed and short-sightedness of the man that I don’t even try to enlighten him about it.

THIS is the man who is helping Father manage our territory?

I understand now.

This man is the bad influence on Father!

If you are going to do things with worse-than-half-hearted feelings, even if you’re leaving on your own eventually, I won’t tolerate a pest like you weakening my family any longer.

I will have you leave immediately.